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Karl W. Smith: Bidenomics? Good on the economy. Good on tax revenue. Bad on the deficit.

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:56:00 GMT

Economists are playing a game of “can-you-top-this,” seeing who can ramp up their U.S. economic growth forecasts the most. (Those at JPMorgan now predict a 3.5% annualized rate for the current quarter, up from the measly 0.5% they expected at the end of July). Many are saying that the recession most all of them predicted was imminent at the start of the year isn’t happening anytime soon.The White House says these are the fruits of “Bidenomics.” In reality, it’s more like a sugar high.The hot economy may be getting all the attention, but the massive expansion in the federal budget deficit can’t be ignored. Back in May of 2022, the bi-partisan Congressional Budget Office projected a shortfall for fiscal 2023 ending Sept. 30 equaling 3.8% of gross domestic product. It revised that to 5.4% in February. With two weeks left in the fiscal year, the actual deficit is 7.9%.This isn’t the way President Joe Biden’s Rescue and Recovery Plan ...

Lara Williams: Farming can work so much better for the planet

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:56:00 GMT

Feeding 8 billion people is a big task, and we’re not excelling at it. Our global food systems have become incredibly dysfunctional, failing on multiple fronts including human health, carbon emissions and pollution. A new research paper hints at something better but only if we pull every lever available to us.Imagine a vast American cornfield. You might imagine it all ends up as cobs piled high at farmers markets or stacks of tin cans at the grocery store, but the truth is far less quaint. Just under 10% of the crop is eaten by humans — and half of that is as high-fructose corn syrup, which isn’t exactly nutritious. A whopping 39% is used to feed livestock and 37% to produce ethanol for fuel. The remaining 14% is exported — some of that might get eaten, but a large chunk will be used for more animal feed or ethanol. Before we even get to pesticide use, water demand and the monocultures also associated with modern agriculture, we can see how much healthy produ...

2 dead, 42 hurt after bus carrying students to band camp crashed in New York: officials

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:56:00 GMT

ORANGE COUNTY, N.Y. (PIX11) ---- Two people died and 42 others were hurt when a charter bus carrying students from Long Island to a band camp overturned down an embankment on a New York highway Thursday afternoon, officials said. The bus crashed on Interstate 84 just outside of Middletown in Orange County at 1:12 p.m., police said. It was one of six buses carrying students from Farmingdale High School to a band camp in Greeley, in northeastern Pennsylvania, according to the school district.Five students were hospitalized in critical condition after the crash, officials said. Gina Pellettiere, 43, and Beatrice Ferrari, 77, were identified by officials as the two people who died in the crash.Gov. Kathy Hochul said a faulty front tire may have contributed to the crash, according to the preliminary investigation. Video taken from news helicopters showed the bus lying on its side in trees and shrubs yards off the road in the median between the westbound and...

Harbour Point tenants share experience since moving back

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:56:00 GMT

TROY, N.Y. (NEWS10) – City council held its third investigative public hearing on Thursday on the unsafe conditions at the Harbour Point Gardens apartment complex. Ahead of the hearing NEWS10 stopped by the complex to talk to residents about their experience since moving back.Logan Gonsalvez and his mother invited NEWS10 into their apartment to show the repairs that were done. As they walked us to their apartment we were stopped. Gonsalvez explained, to who he believed was a maintenance man, that we were invited in. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! “I don’t know him but on the way here he started shouting about you guys weren’t allowed in here, even though we were inviting you into the place that we live in and pay for,” said Gonsalvez.We were finally allowed in to see the work that was done.Gonsalvez said they moved back in early August and described the damage that was repaired. “Her window was broken open a little bit and the...

Search for missing Hudson man intensifies

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:56:00 GMT

HUDSON, N.Y. (NEWS 10) — Where is Robert Coons? Columbia County search crews combed Hudson today to get an answer to that question.Chopper blades spun high above Hudson, searching for any signs of the missing man.From land to water to woods, a multi agency effort spanned from New York State Forest Rangers, to the Columbia County Sheriff’s department, to Hudson Police and even Amtrak, looking for Robert Coons. Last seen in the city of Hudson on July 6th, he’s described as a 63 year old white man, standing at 5 foot 9 with a weight of 210 pounds. He’s got blue eyes and brown hair. According to investigators, Coons was last seen at 325 Columbia Street which houses the county’s Mental Health Services Center.According to police, Mr.Coons is believed to be bi-polar and has a criminal history including stalking, assault, and criminal mischief. Hudson Chief of Police Mishanda Franklin however says the missing man is not a threat to the public. “...

Police: 7-year-old taken by noncustodial parent

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:56:00 GMT

FERGUSON, Mo. – The Ferguson Police Department issued an endangered person advisory for a missing 7-year-old girl.The incident happened on Sept. 17 at 7 p.m., at a home in the 300 block of Lamotte Street.According to police, Zyla Niece was allowed to go to the store with her mother, Tyricka Turner, by Zyla’s grandmother, who has custody of the child. However, Turner never returned with Niece.Zyla Niece is 4'5” tall, weighs 85 pounds, has black hair and brown eyes, and was last seen wearing a lime yellow outfit with a unicorn on the shirt. Tyricka Turner, 28, stands 5’3”, weighs approximately 165 pounds, and has black hair and brown eyes.Anyone with information on the Zyla’s or Tyricka’s whereabouts is asked to contact their nearest law enforcement agency or call the Ferguson Police Department at 314-522-3100.

St. Louis County man facing multiple sex offense charges

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:56:00 GMT

CLAYTON, Mo. – A St. Louis County man is accused of using his job as an umpire at youth athletic organizations to meet underage children for the purposes of engaging in inappropriate sexual behavior.According to a report filed by the Crestwood Police Department, investigators claim Zachary Barebo had sexual contact with a 15-year-old and a 16-year-old in June 2023. The Affton Athletic Association was employing Barebo at the time.Barebo is accused of using Snapchat to communicate with both teenagers, which led to in-person physical contact. Those incidents took place inside Barebo’s vehicle in parking lots in Crestwood and unincorporated St. Louis County. Prisoner escapes Mercy South Hospital, police investigating The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office charged Barebo with first-degree sodomy/attempted sodomy, three counts of fourth-degree child molestation – victim under 17, two counts of second-degree statutory rape, and five counts of second-degree statutory sodomy.Ba...

You can get paid $2,500 to binge watch Netflix’s most popular shows 

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:56:00 GMT

If your dream is to get paid to watch TV, this is for you. A recent promotional campaign by OnlineCasinos.com is celebrating National Binge Day with a contest to determine which Netflix series is truly the most "bingeworthy". The three shows that the lucky winner will have to watch and then vote on are “Squid Game,” “Stranger Things,” and “Wednesday.” The winner will have one month to complete the three series in their entireties, a task KTLA 5’s David Lazarus says would require nearly 50 hours of viewing all together.  When robots screw up, who’s at fault? A “generous” budget of $2,000 will be given to the contest’s winner, who will also receive $500 to cover snacks and a Netflix subscription if they don’t already have one, OnlineCasinos.com said. The winner will need to score each TV series out of ten based on the following criteria: “Bingeability” rating – Likeliness of a viewer watching more than one episode in each sitting “Distractability” rating – How often t...

Dr. Seuss Experience coming to Santa Monica in November

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:56:00 GMT

The wonderful world of Dr. Seuss is coming to life at the Santa Monica Place for a limited time in November, officials announced on Thursday.The Dr. Seuss Experience is an immersive event where guests can explore nine Dr. Seuss worlds, meet characters and more.The Dr. Seuss Experience is an immersive experience where guests can explore nine Dr. Seuss worlds, meet characters and more. (Dr. Seuss Experience )The Dr. Seuss Experience is an immersive experience where guests can explore nine Dr. Seuss worlds, meet characters and more. (Dr. Seuss Experience )The Dr. Seuss Experience is an immersive experience where guests can explore nine Dr. Seuss worlds, meet characters and more. (Dr. Seuss Experience )The Dr. Seuss Experience is an immersive experience where guests can explore nine Dr. Seuss worlds, meet characters and more. (Dr. Seuss Experience )“Guests can expect a Seuss-tacular journey featuring themes and installations that bring Dr. Seuss’s beloved works to life,” a news rele...

Isaac Aragonez Arrested, Man Dead after Pedestrian Crash on West Twain Avenue [Las Vegas, NV]

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:56:00 GMT

33-Year-Old Redlands Man Arrested after Fatal Collision near South Jones BoulevardLAS VEGAS, NV (September 21, 2023) – Early Monday, Isaac Aragonez was in custody following a fatal collision with a pedestrian on West Twain Avenue. The event unfolded at approximately 1:07 a.m., near South Jones Boulevard.According to officers, the driver of a westbound 2016 Chevrolet Malibu struck a male pedestrian who was crossing outside of a designated crosswalk.Medics arrived and pronounced the man dead at the scene. The identity of the victim has not yet been disclosed by authorities.Police later determined that Isaac Aragonez, a 33-year-old resident of Redlands, was operating the vehicle under the influence of alcohol. As a result, he was taken into custody and is now facing his second DUI charge.In order to facilitate cleanup and preliminary responsibilities, emergency crews temporarily closed off the area. Further details regarding this incident will be provided once available.In this s...