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Letters: Rank the candidates on your ballot in St. Paul, voters

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:14:11 GMT

Rank your ballot in St. PaulSt. Paul neighbors, get ready to rank your ballot on Nov. 7. St. Paul held its first ranked voting election in 2011, and many of us have become familiar with this user-friendly way of voting.For first-time city voters, it’s easy — just rank your city council candidates in order of preference: first choice, second, etc. If a candidate receives a majority (50% + 1) of first-choices, that candidate wins. If not, then an “instant runoff” occurs. The candidate with the fewest votes is defeated, and these ballots now count toward those voters’ second choices. This continues until one candidate reaches a majority and wins.Under ranked voting, we’ve seen turnout increase and the council become more diverse in reflecting the communities it serves. It’s not just cost-effective (eliminating costly, low-turnout primaries), it’s more inclusive, civil and representative. Join me in ranking your ballot on Nov. 7 and celebrating St. Paul as a democracy ...

Pamela Paul: The Democrats are their own worst enemy

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:14:11 GMT

This should be the Democratic Party’s moment. Donald Trump’s stranglehold has lurched the GOP toward the fringe. Republican congressional behavior echoes that of an intemperate toddler and the party’s intellectual and ideological foundations have become completely unmoored.But far from dominant, the Democratic Party seems disconnected from the priorities, needs and values of many Americans.Current polls show a 2024 rematch between Trump and Joe Biden too close for true comfort; the same is true should Nikki Haley or Ron DeSantis be the Republican nominee. Many constituents who were once the Democratic Party’s reliable base — the working class, middle-class families, even Black and Latin Americans and other ethnic minorities — have veered toward the GOP. In a development that has baffled Democrats, a greater share of those groups voted for Republican candidates in recent elections.Something worrisome has happened to the party of the people.This worry isn’t entirely new. In 2004, Thom...

Other voices: Social Security is nearing a crisis

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:14:11 GMT

Washington seems determined to ignore the country’s rapidly worsening fiscal picture, but sooner or later policymakers will be forced to pay attention. When they do, they’ll find that changes to Social Security are unavoidable.No doubt, any such effort will meet strong political resistance. That’s why nothing has been done for 40 years and counting. The best approach — on the merits and as a matter of political feasibility — would combine entitlement reform with fresh thinking about financial security in retirement.Thanks to relentless pressure from an aging population, Social Security is expected to exhaust its financial reserves in 2033. At that point, without offsetting action, benefits will automatically be cut by a quarter.The program’s last big overhaul, in 1983, scheduled a gradual rise in the normal retirement age from 65 to the current 67. Life expectancy will increase further over the coming decades, and longer retirements will continue ...

Vikings at Falcons picks: Kirk Cousins’ absence casts a long shadow over this week’s game

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:14:11 GMT

Pioneer Press staffers who cover the Vikings forecast Sunday’s game in Atlanta vs. the Falcons:DANE MIZUTANIVikings 21, Falcons 20We wrote a Sunday feature on rookie quarterback Jaren Hall this week, so why not bet on him to lead the Vikings to a win over the Falcons.JOHN SHIPLEYFalcons 24, Vikings 13Minnesota either starts a rookie or a guy just learning the playbook. It doesn’t bode well for the Vikings, whose dream of winning the NFC North is probably dead.CHARLEY WALTERSFalcons 17, Vikings 13Had Kirk Cousins been quarterbacking Minnesota in Atlanta, Vikings win by touchdown. Shows the value of a proven QB.Related ArticlesMinnesota Vikings | Vikings rookie quarterback Jaren Hall was made for this moment Minnesota Vikings | The Loop NFL Picks: Week 9 Minnesota Vikings | Vikings quarterback Josh Dobbs could have been a rocket scientist. Those study habits are helping him now. Minnesota Vikings | Vikings stars Da...

Last-minute reminders ahead of Election Day

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:14:11 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — This week on Empire State Weekly, Election Day is just a few days away. While major offices, like Governor or Attorney General are not up for election, several significant positions are. Election officials urge voters to participate and vote. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Kathleen McGrath, the Director of Public Information for the State Board of Elections, explained that early voting will continue until November 5, with Election Day on November 7. Polls will open at 6 A.M. and close at 9 P.M. McGrath explained the Board of Elections isn't just busy for the few days around Election Day."Well there's definitely a ramping up around election days but it's a full-time job all year round. There are always things to be done in terms of candidate access to the ballots and preparing for elections and campaign finance so it never ends." Said McGrath. 2023 Capital Region general election guide Also this week, ...

South High Marathon Dance 2024: How to nominate, get involved

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:14:11 GMT

SOUTH GLENS FALLS, N.Y. (NEWS10) - The South High Marathon Dance is on again in 2024. The annual charity fundraiser dance is collecting nominations now for the people and organizations that Glens Falls Central School District should support in March, through enthusiasm, community, and a whole lot of dancing. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! The nomination portal for the 2024 South High Marathon Dance (SHMD) is open now, and closes on Friday, Dec. 1. Organizations and individual recipients can both be nominated through the Marathon Dance website. Everyone who submits will be asked to fill out a background check. The eventual list of submissions will be reviewed by a delegation of students involved with the dance.The South High Marathon Dance itself is set for the weekend of March 1-2, 2024. A great deal of fundraising happens at the dance itself, held in the South High gymnasium - but plenty more comes from the outside. In 2022, ...

Capital Region Restaurant Rundown: October 30-November 3

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:14:11 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The restaurant industry is ever-changing with restaurants opening, closing, relocating, or just doing their thing. Here’s a recap of the latest Capital Region restaurant news, October 30 through November 3. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Brewery opening new location in Saratoga SpringsA Massachusetts-based brewery is set to open a new location in Saratoga Springs. Tree House Brewing Company is opening a brewery and taproom across from the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC).Albany Pump Station closes as Common Roots takes overC.H. Evans Brewing Albany Pump Station officially closed its doors on Sunday, October 29. This comes at Common Roots Brewing Company prepares to take over the space.Common Roots now a two-building brewery in South Glens FallsA couple short years ago, the family behind Common Roots Brewing Company welcomed the community into its rebuilt taproom and restaurant, after the original...

Inmate sends death threats to judges, threatens to blow up St. Louis courthouse

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:14:11 GMT

ST. LOUIS -- Richard L. Russell, already serving a federal sentence, pled guilty to new charges. He admits to threatening to murder a federal judge, a former federal probation officer, and blow up the Thomas F. Eagleton U.S. Courthouse in St. Louis.On June 1, 2022, officials at the Thomas F. Eagleton U.S. Courthouse received handwritten letters containing death threats, signed by Russell, and addressed to a sitting federal judge and a retired probation officer. Russell had sent these letters to retaliate against individuals involved in his prior court cases. He was already serving a 9-year sentence. Series of failures? Family blames broken system for inmate’s death Russell pled guilty to two counts of retaliating against a federal official, two counts of mailing threatening communications, and one count of threatening to destroy a building by fire or explosion. These charges carry penalties of up to 10 years in prison and fines of up to $250,000 per count.

Man sentenced to 2 years for stealing IDs and thousands from victims

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:14:11 GMT

FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS, Ill. -- A federal judge has sentenced Jamaine D. Brooks, 46, from Fort Wayne, Indiana, to two years in prison after he admitted to identity theft and check fraud. In July, Brooks pled guilty to several charges, including possession of multiple IDs, skimming devices, and identity theft. After his release from prison, he will serve three years on parole.Court documents reveal that Brooks used stolen identities to commit financial fraud and make purchases at various Walmart locations and other retail stores. He was arrested in southern Illinois in March 2021, carrying a substantial amount of stolen personal information and equipment for altering checks. Series of failures? Family blames broken system for inmate’s death At the time of his arrest, Brooks had already made over $5,000 in fraudulent purchases using his victims' identities with a significant portion spent at a Walmart in Collinsville, Illinois. In addition to the prison sentence, he was ordered to pay $5,...

En Aurora, el alcalde Mike Coffman enfrenta un enérgico desafío de la izquierda con el concejal Juan Marcano (en español)

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:14:11 GMT

Read in EnglishCuando Mike Coffman ganó la alcaldía en Aurora en 2019, lo hizo por un pelo—y terminó con el 36 por ciento de los votos en una contienda con varios candidatos para liderar la tercera ciudad más grande en Colorado.En las elecciones del 7 de noviembre, los votantes de la ciudad más racial y étnicamente diversa en el estado decidirán si le darán al excongresista republicano un segundo mandato como alcalde. Enfrenta una reñida contienda contra el concejal Juan Marcano, un demócrata progresista, franco y en su primer mandato, quien se ha convertido en su principal conteniente en el enfrentamiento de tres candidatos.Aunque los candidatos en las elecciones de Aurora no están oficialmente afiliados a un partido político, Marcano y un grupo de candidatos demócratas al concejo municipal que buscan ocupar cinco puestos más en la boleta electoral, esperan reestablecer una tendencia de izquierda en el concejo. En 2021, candidatos respaldados por Coffman cambiaron la mayoría en el ...