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David French: It’s time to fix America’s most dangerous law

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 07:11:51 GMT

There is a land mine embedded in the United States Code, one that Donald Trump, if reelected president, could use to destroy our republic. But it’s not too late for Congress to defuse the mine now and protect America.I’m talking about the Insurrection Act, a federal law that permits the president to deploy military troops in American communities to effectively act as a domestic police force under his direct command. In theory, there is a need for a well-drafted law that permits the use of federal troops in extreme circumstances to maintain order and protect the rule of law. The Insurrection Act, which dates back to 1792 but has since been amended, is not, however, well-drafted. And its flaws would give Trump enormous latitude to wield the staggering power of the state against his domestic political enemies.These flaws are especially relevant because Trump and his allies are keenly aware of the act’s provisions and have long expressed interest in its use. Trump has publicly regretted...

Chris Churchill: Schumer calls out antisemitism on his own side

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 07:11:51 GMT

It is depressingly easy to find examples of politicians acting like, well, politicians. You know — pandering, getting fuzzy with the truth or doing what’s politically easy instead of what’s right.So it is worth noting when a politician speaks from the heart with illuminating clarity. That’s what Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer did last week in a remarkable speech calling out the dramatic rise in antisemitism since the Oct. 7 terrorist attack on Israel.Schumer’s speech, written by the Democrat over the Thanksgiving holiday, was partly a history lesson and partly an explanation of how Jewish Americans see the world. He said he felt compelled to speak out because he’s the highest-ranking elected Jewish official in American history, a platform, he said, that comes with duty.“I have noticed a significant disparity between how Jewish people regard the rise of antisemitism and how many of my non-Jewish friends regard it,” Schumer said during the speech delivered on the Senate floor. “...

The St. Paul Chamber Orchestra wraps 2022-23 season with $77K surplus

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 07:11:51 GMT

The St. Paul Chamber Orchestra wrapped its fiscal year that ended June 30 with a balanced budget and an operating surplus of $77,600, the organization announced during its annual meeting of members Tuesday. The balanced budget is the 28th in the past 30 years and allowed the orchestra to expand its Rainy Day Fund to $4.54 million.The operating surplus is down from $163,393 last year. The orchestra has seen a shift away from corporate and foundation support and a 30 percent decline in ticket revenue compared to pre-pandemic. Post-pandemic, audiences nearly doubled in size, growing from 35,559 in the 2021-2022 season to 70,895 in the 2022-2023 season.“We define success as being able to deliver at a high level on our mission to the community while maintaining our financial health,” said managing director and president Jon Limbacher in a news release. “By that definition, this past season was indeed a great success.”Total operating expenses for the fiscal year were $10,565,362 and...

Wild’s Matt Boldy playing with ‘happiness and confidence’

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 07:11:51 GMT

CALGARY, Alberta — Matt Boldy came out of the gate hard this season, active and effective in the Wild’s first two games with a goal and assist. But he was injured in that second game, a 7-4 loss at Toronto on Oct. 14.Upon his return from an upper-body injury that sidelined him for seven games, Boldy, like the rest of the Wild, struggled — without a goal and a combined minus-6 with six assists in 10 games. Minnesota was 2-6-2 in those games, and it cost former coach Dean Evason his job.The Wild seem to have found themselves under new coach John Hynes, and that includes Boldy, who has a pair of goals and is a plus-2 in three games headed into Tuesday’s 8 p.m. puck drop against the Flames at the Scotiabank Saddledome.“When things aren’t going well for the team, individually, it’s mentally draining,” Boldy said after Tuesday’s morning skate. “It’s tough, but it’s the best league in the world — you’re going to have times like that. It’s about getting through it. I think I’m just getting ...

Canadian Pacific Holiday Train pulling into the St. Paul’s Union Depot on Sunday for a good cause

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 07:11:51 GMT

The Canadian Pacific Holiday Train, a mobile food bank that travels by rail through Canada and the northern and central U.S. every year, will visit St. Paul’s historic Union Depot on Sunday.The free event will start at 5 p.m. inside Union Depot where there will be games and crafts for families, model trains on display, and concessions such as hot chocolate.The European Christmas Market, a separate event at the Union Depot, also will be open late Sunday to coincide with the train’s arrival. The train is expected to pull in at 6:45 p.m. and will feature a concert by musicians Tenille Townes and Breland starting at 7 p.m.Guests are encouraged to make a monetary or non-perishable food donation to the Holiday Train’s food shelf partner, Keystone Community Services, a community organization based in St. Paul that focuses on food shelves and crisis support for those in need, particularly young people and seniors.There are 500 VIP tickets also on sale for $10 and they gran...

In final budget debate, St. Paul council to scrutinize mayor’s plan to erase $100 million medical debt

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 07:11:51 GMT

The St. Paul City Council is poised this week to approve the mayor’s recommended city budget and tax levy, adding more hires in several departments amid a debate over whether to use $1 million in federal relief dollars to buy out medical debt for everyday residents, as requested by the mayor’s office.If approved by the council on Wednesday afternoon, the overall property tax levy will go up 3.7% next year, totaling $208.5 million.As for the city budget, “there’s some changes,” said City Council President Amy Brendmoen on Monday. “We’re increasing the fire department budget by $550,000. It’s enough to cover four firefighters beyond what was requested (by the mayor’s office). … I trust that the mayor and fire chief will determine the best way to deploy that.”Truth in taxation hearingsA final truth in taxation hearing on the city’s 2024 budget and tax levy was scheduled to take place at 6 p.m. Tuesday in the counci...

New noise ordinance for Glens Falls

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 07:11:51 GMT

WARREN COUNTY, N.Y. (NEWS10) - The Glens Falls City Common Council passed a new resolution that sounded good to them. And, mayor Bill Collins says the new law will modernize the current noise ordinance. It now will include a limit of 75 decibels, and all types of noise from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. Saint Rose students protest college closure, demand answers “Glens Falls is a 113-year-old city, and so, our code is full of laws that are outdate. And sometimes you can find rules and regulations you can drive a truck through,” said Collins He says the city is preparing for the changes.Your first violation will cost you $250.  Any violations thereafter that could cost you $500 or even get you one month in jail.  “We will have noise measuring equipment with both the police and the building and codes department. And the object isn’t to provide any of those fines. That’s what you could do if you’re found guilty,” said Collins. New efforts to combat Capital Region crime NEWS10 wanted to know ex...

Relatives watch as the Colorado funeral home owners accused of mishandling 190 remains appear in court

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 07:11:51 GMT

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) — Relatives who knew or feared their loved ones were among the 190 abandoned bodies found decomposing in a Colorado funeral home watched in person for the first time Tuesday as the owners of the business appeared before a judge.Jon and Carie Hallford, owners of Return to Nature Funeral Home, are accused of abusing corpses, stealing, laundering money and forging documents. Standing in handcuffs and orange jail clothes, they didn’t speak or enter pleas during a brief hearing.The Colorado Springs-based funeral home’s facility in Penrose, a Rocky Mountain town of about 4,000 people, is where investigators in early October discovered dozens of stacked bodies. Some had death dates as far back as 2019, according to a federal affidavit.Family members were falsely told their loved ones were cremated, receiving substitute materials that were not their ashes, court records allege.In court for a scheduling hearing Tuesday, Heather DeWolf held up a photo of her...

Rockies land No. 3 overall pick in MLB Draft Lottery

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 07:11:51 GMT

NASHVILLE — The Rockies held serve in Tuesday’s Major League Baseball Draft Lottery, nabbing the third overall pick for the 2024 draft.The Rockies finished the season 59-103, the third-worst record in the majors. Kansas City (56-106) and Oakland (50-112) were the only two teams with worse records. The Rockies entered the lottery tied with the A’s and the Royals with the highest percentage chance of landing the top pick, at 18.3%.Cleveland was the surprise winner. The Guardians (76-86) won the No. 1 overall pick, even though they had the ninth-highest chance of winning it, at 2.0%. Cincinnati (82-80) snagged the second pick even though it had only a 0.9% chance of winning. Based solely on lottery odds, the Reds would have picked 13th and the Guardians ninth.Related ArticlesColorado Rockies | Rockies’ Bill Schmidt: Acquiring power bat “down the list” of priorities for Colorado Colorado Rockies | Is Rockies’ Peter Lambert r...

Fugitive arrested by U.S. Marshals in Englewood for alleged murder in Washington, D.C.

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 07:11:51 GMT

U.S. Marshals in Colorado, in collaboration with the Glendale Police Department, arrested a fugitive wanted on a first-degree murder charge for allegedly killing a man in Washington, D.C., in Englewood on Monday night, according to a social media post from the U.S. Marshals Service Denver.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | CBI continues search for 17-year-old Maggie Long’s killer 6 years after her murder Crime and Public Safety | 13-year-old arrested on suspicion of murder in fatal stabbing in Aurora Crime and Public Safety | Editorial: Road rage and reckless driving bring fear to Colorado’s unsafe streets Crime and Public Safety | “Starkweather” re-examines grisly 1950s murders by two teens | Book review Crime and Public Safety | Man sentenced to prison in domestic violence murder of Cherry Creek district teacher Eliexander Lopez-Burgos was on the run after allegedly shoot...