Category Archives: Politics

2025.02.28

For one Minnesotan, a new heat pump brings comfort and savings Even in one of the coldest cities in the U.S., Kathy Palmer’s heat pump helps displace gas heating, lowers heating bills, and makes her home more comfortable.
by Alison F. Takemura
https://www.minnpost.com/other-nonprofit-media/2025/02/for-one-minnesotan-a-new-heat-pump-brings-comfort-and-savings/

‘Come back strong’: 19 Bar reopens in Minneapolis nearly a year after major fire
Nicole Ki
https://www.mprnews.org/story/2025/02/27/19-bar-reopens-in-minneapolis-after-major-fire

St. Patrick’s Day parade returns to Minneapolis after 5-year hiatus
Nick Halter
https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/02/27/st-patricks-parade-returns-minneapolis-columbia-heights

Senate GOP demands Walz apology for ‘fascists and Nazis’ comment; Walz says he was talking about actual neo-Nazis
Gov. Walz said his comments, which Senate Republicans posted to social media, were not about President Trump or Republican voters.
Author: Danny Spewak
https://www.kare11.com/article/news/politics/senate-gop-demands-walz-apology-for-fascists-and-nazis-comment/89-9a40b189-5c5f-4977-b3b9-c59de7bea4b5?ref=exit-recirc

Preserving your family’s immigration journey: Where to start
Last week, Sahan Journal and MPR News hosted a live community conversation, titled “My family immigration story — and yours” — about how artists, historians and community leaders record and preserve their community history.
by Katelyn Vue
https://sahanjournal.com/immigration/minnesota-family-immigration-history/

‘They’ve lost my trust’: consumers shun companies as bosses kowtow to Trump
Americans are using their wallet to hurt where it matters – including during Friday’s planned ‘economic blackout’
Lauren Aratani in New York and Guardian community team
https://www.theguardian.com/money/2025/feb/28/trump-consumer-protests-companies

Disney’s Snow White to Mickey 17: 10 of the best films to watch this March
Nicholas Barber
https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20250227-10-of-the-best-films-to-watch-this-march

‘I was born to be an actor’: Twice-knighted Derek Jacobi on nearly 70 years on the stage and screen
Christopher Luu
https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20250226-derek-jacobi-influential-interview-katty-kay

Is there no such thing as Italian cuisine?
Thomas Fabbri
https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20250227-is-there-no-such-thing-as-italian-cuisine

Jim Gaffigan, Italian Flicks, Queer Soup Night: This Week’s Best Events
Plus fiber arts, art books, and A Bar of Their Own turns one.
By Racket Staff
https://racketmn.com/jim-gaffigan-italian-flicks-queer-soup-night-this-weeks-best-events

2025.02.27

The quiet Massachusetts towns that sparked a revolution
Annika S Hipple
https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20250225-the-quiet-massachusetts-towns-that-sparked-a-revolution

Edward II: Did a gay love affair spark a 14th-Century royal crisis?
Nick Levine
https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20250226-edward-ii-did-a-gay-love-affair-spark-a-14th-century-royal-crisis

Stonehenge-like circle unearthed in Denmark may have links to UK
Archaeologists suggest ‘woodhenge’ was built between 2600 and 1600BC on similar axis to English stone circle
Miranda Bryant Nordic correspondent
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/feb/26/stonehenge-circle-unearthed-denmark-woodhenge

‘It’s been a lifesaver’: millions risk going hungry as Republicans propose slashing food stamps
Snap helps more than 42 million people, and is considered the country’s most effective tool to fight hunger
Victoria Namkung
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/27/snap-foodstamps-republicans-propose-cuts

Formerly anti-vax parents on how they changed their minds: ‘I really made a mistake’
Researchers believe personal stories are more persuasive than facts alone in addressing vaccine skepticism
Adrienne Matei
https://www.theguardian.com/global/2025/feb/27/how-anti-vax-parents-changed-their-minds

Jeff Bezos is muzzling the Washington Post’s opinion section. That’s a death knell Margaret Sullivan https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/feb/26/jeff-bezos-washington-post-opinion

Trump administration memo orders Pentagon to identify and fire transgender members of US military
Memo says ‘service by these individuals is not in the best interests of the military’ in Trump’s latest attack on trans rights
Chris Stein and agencies
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/27/transgender-us-military-personnel-pentagon-memo-stood-down-trump-administration

Gene Hackman and wife’s deaths ‘suspicious enough’ for investigation, warrant says
Warrant raises questions about scattered pills, after Betsy Arakawa’s body had ‘mummification in hands’
Ed Pilkington
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/feb/27/gene-hackman-cause-of-death-investigation

Obituary
Gene Hackman obituary
Prolific Hollywood character actor who won Oscars for The French Connection and Unforgiven
Brian Baxter
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/feb/27/gene-hackman-obituary

Michelle Trachtenberg, Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Gossip Girl actor, dies aged 39
The actor was found at a New York apartment on Wednesday, with the cause of death unknown but not being treated as suspicious
Benjamin Lee
https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/feb/26/michelle-trachtenberg-dead

2025.02.25

US threatens permanent visa bans on trans athletes based on sex markers Exclusive: State department memo directs officers to bar those deemed to misrepresent birth sex on applications Joseph Gedeon in Washington https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/25/visa-ban-transgender-athletes

How to change your settings to make yourself less valuable to Meta https://johnoliverwantsyourraterotica.com/

Federal bill couples ending taxes on tips with banning sub-minimum wage Democrats in Nevada push bill that would provide further relief for tipped workers who can be paid as little as $2.13 Michael Sainato https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/feb/25/nevada-end-taxes-on-tips

Mars once had an ocean with sandy beaches, researchers say China’s Zhurong rover finds evidence of shoreline buried deep underground Nicola Davis Science correspondent https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/feb/24/mars-ocean-sandy-beaches-radar-data-suggests

Early poems about Merlin portray him as environmentalist, say scholars Re-examination of Welsh poems dating back to 10th century show Myrddin as prophet concerned by human interactions with nature Steven Morris https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/feb/25/early-poems-about-merlin-portray-him-as-environmentalist-say-scholars

Grace Slick on sex, drugs and Jefferson Airplane: ‘I was sober in the 80s. That was a mistake’
Tim Jonze
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2025/feb/25/grace-slick-on-sex-drugs-and-jefferson-airplane-i-was-sober-in-the-80s-that-was-a-mistake

‘My life expectancy is short’: America’s most vulnerable – in pictures From train hoppers to addicts and prostitutes, Mark Laita’s photo series unpicks the complex life stories of those who exist on society’s fringe Mee-Lai Stone https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/gallery/2025/feb/25/mark-laita-america-most-vulnerable-in-pictures

Seven planets to be visible in night sky for last time until 2040 Maddie Molloy https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5yd4z15r54o

2025.02.24

Roberta Flack, soul and R&B icon behind Killing Me Softly, dies aged 88 Much-loved singer known for Killing Me Softly With His Song, The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face and duets with Donny Hathaway and Peabo Bryson, had suffered a stroke in 2016 Ben Beaumont-Thomas and Safi Bugel https://www.theguardian.com/music/2025/feb/24/roberta-flack-soul-and-rb-icon-behind-killing-me-softly-dies-aged-88

Mitch McConnell is retiring from US politics. Good riddance
Moira Donegan
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/feb/24/mitch-mcconnell-is-retiring-from-us-politics-good-riddance

2,000 year old book about Roman emperors enters bestseller charts The Lives of the Caesars, translated from Latin by The Rest Is History podcast co-host Tom Holland, details everything from ancient policy failures to sex scandals Ella Creamer https://www.theguardian.com/books/2025/feb/24/book-sex-scandals-roman-emperors-bestseller-charts-the-lives-of-the-caesars-tom-holland

‘It stirred the people to breathless wonder and scalding abuse’: The tumultuous history of the Sydney Opera House Myles Burke https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20250221-the-tumultuous-history-of-the-sydney-opera-house

‘The flying bum’: can a UK firm making huge airships finally get off the ground?Airlander maker HAV scales up to build world’s biggest aircraft, which it says will have 90% lower emissions than a conventional plane Jasper Jolly https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/feb/24/the-flying-bum-uk-firm-airships-airlander-hav

2025.02.23

Review ‘It could get an orgasm out of a cabbage’: the best vibrators, tested From bullets to rabbits to wand vibrators, our sexual wellbeing expert demystifies what’s available, and rates her top 16 models (she tested 53) Alix Fox https://www.theguardian.com/thefilter/2025/feb/23/best-vibrators-bullet-rabbit-wand

Coming soon to an unvaxed youngin near you: Texas measles outbreak grows to 90 cases, worst level in 30 years Epicenter of latest outbreak had one of state’s highest immunization exemption rates for 2023-24 school year Gloria Oladipo https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/22/texas-measles-outbreak

‘Something stirring beneath the surface’: What eight ghostly portraits found hidden inside masterpieces reveal Kelly Grovier https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20250221-eight-portraits-found-hidden-inside-masterpieces

2025.02.22

Missouri lawmaker proposes registry of pregnant women ‘at risk’ for abortions Dubbed ‘eHarmony for babies’, bill would create connected databases for pregnant women and those looking to adopt Carter Sherman https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/22/missouri-abortion-registry-bill

Brazilian city in Amazon declares emergency after huge sinkholes appear In Buriticupu, about 1,200 people risk losing their homes, and residents have seen the problem escalate in 30 years Reuters in Buriticupu https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/feb/21/amazon-brazil-sinkhole

Woman charged in dating app druggings and one death of older men in Las Vegas FBI says Aurora Phelps met men online for dating then drugged them and stole cars and money Associated Press https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/22/las-vegas-dating-app-druggings-death

‘My paedophile letters’: French surgeon to stand trial accused of abusing 299 patients, mostly children Joël Le Scouarnec’s ‘black books’ of handwritten notes in which alleged sexual abuse was recorded are at the heart of case against him Kim Willsher in Paris https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/feb/22/my-paedophile-letters-french-surgeon-to-stand-trial-accused-of-abusing-299-patients-mostly-children

‘You dream about such things’: Brit who discovered missing pharaoh’s tomb may have unearthed another Archaeologist believes his ‘find of the century’ – of Pharaoh Thutmose II – could be surpassed by ongoing excavation Donna Ferguson https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/feb/22/you-dream-about-such-things-brit-who-discovered-missing-pharaohs-tomb-may-have-unearthed-another

‘We’re clearly heading towards collapse’: why the Murdoch empire is about to go bang
An explosive succession trial and an astonishing interview with one of Rupert’s sons have exposed the paranoia and hatred at the heart of global media’s most powerful family. This could get messy…
Jane Martinson https://www.theguardian.com/media/2025/feb/22/were-clearly-heading-towards-collapse-why-the-murdoch-empire-is-about-to-go-bang

UK soil breakthrough could cut farm fertiliser use and advance sustainable agriculture
Research group says discovery could lead to new type of environmentally friendly farming
Robin McKie, Science Editor https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/feb/22/uk-soil-breakthrough-could-cut-farm-fertiliser-use-and-advance-sustainable-agriculture

Historic England acquires collection featuring some of UK’s oldest photos
Janette Rosing built up pioneering trove of 8,000 images dating back to the early days of the Industrial Revolution
Lanre Bakare Arts and culture correspondent https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2025/feb/21/historic-england-acquires-collection-featuring-some-of-uks-oldest-photos

2025.02.18

A quarter of US shoppers have dumped favorite stores over political stances A new poll also found that four in 10 Americans have shifted spending to align with moral views in recent months Lauren Aratani in New York https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/18/shoppers-political-boycotts-spending-patterns-poll

No evidence of hate crime in killing of US transgender man, authorities say Five people charged with murder in Sam Nordquist’s death in upstate New York also identified as LGBTQ+, say officials “A felony complaint obtained by 13WHAM provides gut-wrenching details of Nordquist’s brutal killing. Authorities say he was tortured and sexually assaulted using a table leg and broomsticks.

He was also reportedly subjected to repeated, prolonged beatings which included being punched, kicked and struck with various objects such as sticks, belts, ropes, dog toys and canes, ultimately leading to his death.'” Anna Betts https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/18/sam-nordquist-killing-hate-crime

‘He targeted me’: Guy Pearce says he ‘sobbed’ over Kevin Spacey encounters The Oscar-nominated actor has said he is attempting to be more candid about his former co-star’s alleged behaviour Catherine Shoard https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/feb/18/guy-pearce-kevin-spacey

Republican proposes making Trump’s birthday a public holiday Claudia Tenney’s bill combining Flag Day with Trump’s birthday could face steep odds of success in Congress Ramon Antonio Vargas https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/18/trump-birthday-holiday-republican-bill

Acting social security head who denied access to Musk team leaves agency Michelle King opts to retire after 30 years rather than grant request by ‘department of government efficiency’ Jessica Glenza https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/18/musk-social-security-administration-michelle-king

Why did a plane crash in Toronto, and how did everyone survive? James FitzGerald https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cm2dnnvvjkeo

Passenger films his escape from upside down crashed plane
A passenger has filmed his escape from an upside down plane after it skidded along a runway during a failed landing.
Video from inside the crashed plane at Toronto airport shows passengers clambering over belongings and seats to exit the aircraft. Crew on board the flight can be heard telling people to leave everything behind as they are helped through a plane door. All passengers survived when the plane skidded and overturned when it came into land. Footage on social media shows the aircraft in flames as it careered along the runway. https://www.bbc.com/news/videos/c0lzl2ekrk5o

Authorities to give update after plane crashes and flips in Toronto https://www.bbc.com/news/live/c0q080y02xgt

New footage of Delta plane flip at Toronto airport

2025.02.15

Explainer
‘Thought crime’ and cancelled elections: how do JD Vance’s claims about Europe stand up?
US vice-president told litany of tales of Europe’s rights infringements in speech to leaders at defence gathering
Daniel Boffey and Alexandra Topping https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/feb/14/thought-and-cancelled-elections-how-do-jd-vances-europe-claims-stand-up

Previous victim of woman linked to death of journalist says he tried to warn public David Butler survived being drugged and robbed in 2021 by Danette Colbert, now tied to death of Adan Manzano Ramon Antonio Vargas in Kenner, Louisiana https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/15/adan-manzano-super-bowl-journalist

British professor makes ‘thrilling’ breakthrough for cancer that killed his mother
Paul Workman has researched untreatable chordoma for years. Now new technology points towards to a potential drug to beat it
Robin McKie Science editor https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/feb/15/british-professor-paul-workman-cancer-breakthrough-chordoma

Extreme weather expected to cause food price volatility in 2025 after cost of cocoa and coffee doubles
Trend towards more extreme-weather events will continue to hit crop yields and create price spikes, Inverto says
Damien Gayle https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/feb/15/extreme-weather-likely-to-cause-further-food-price-volatility-analysts-say

Pathfinder 1: The airship that could usher in a new age
QOTD: “Helium is less flammable than hydrogen, but there is a trade-off for this increased safety. ”
Mark Piesing
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20250214-pathfinder-1-the-airship-that-could-usher-in-a-new-age

2024.09.07

Of local interest: HUGE Theater closing in October
After moving into a larger venue, financial barriers are keeping the improv theater from continuing operations.
Melody Hoffmann
https://www.southwestvoices.news/posts/huge-theater-closing-in-october

‘“Well, I would do that, and we’re sitting down — you know, I was, uh, somebody, we had Sen. Marco Rubio [(R-Fla.)] and my daughter, Ivanka, was so, uh, impactful on that issue. It’s a very important issue.
But I think when you talk about the kind of numbers that I’m talking about, that — because child care is child care. It’s, couldn’t — you know, it’s something, you have to have it. In this country, you have to have it.
But when you talk about those numbers compared to the kind of numbers that I’m talking about by taxing foreign nations at levels that they’re not used to but they’ll get used to it very quickly. And it’s not going to stop them from doing business with us, but they’ll have a very substantial tax when they send product into our country.
Those numbers are so much bigger than any numbers that we’re talking about, including child care, that it’s gonna take care. We’re gonna have — I, I look forward to having no deficits within a fairly short period of time. Coupled with, uh, the reductions that I told you about on waste and fraud and all of the other things that are going on in our country — because I have to say with child care, I want to stay with child care, but those numbers are small relative to the kind of economic numbers that I’m talking about, including growth.
But growth also headed up by what the plan is that I just, uh, that I just told you about. We’re gonna be taking in trillions of dollars, and as much as child care is talked about as being expensive, it’s, relatively speaking, not very expensive compared to the kind of numbers we’ll be taking in.
We’re going to make this into an incredible country that can afford to take care of its people and then we’ll worry about the rest of the world. Let’s help other people. But we’re gonna take care of our country first. This is about America first. It’s about: Make America great again. We have to do it, because right now we’re a failing nation. So we’ll take care of it. Thank you. Very good question.”’
Following Trump’s train of thought as it derails on a child care question
Trump sought out an applause line as if it were the sole exit in a flame-filled room.
Asked about paying for child care, Trump pivots to tariffs
Column by Philip Bump (DePayWalled)
https://wapo.st/3Xoz1B8

‘I’m a new racist’: Michigan judge suspended after insulting gay, Black people on recordings
Court worker secretly recorded calls in which Kathleen Ryan made homophobic slur and called Black people lazy
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/article/2024/sep/07/michigan-judge-kathleen-ryan-suspended

Missouri sees first positive bird flu case without known animal contact Also first time for someone with H5 virus to be hospitalized, and CDC says it is studying patient specimen more https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/article/2024/sep/06/missouri-bird-flu-positive-hospitalized

Interview Pedro Almodóvar: ‘Life needs fiction to make it bearable’ Sam Jones The Spanish film-maker on the raw, real life experiences behind his first collection of short stories – and why his mother is his inspiration https://www.theguardian.com/books/article/2024/sep/07/pedro-almodovar-life-needs-fiction-to-make-it-bearable

Meera Sodha’s vegan recipe for white cabbage, peanut butter and gochujang noodles You don’t need to be a straight A student to cook these easy instant noodles https://www.theguardian.com/food/article/2024/sep/07/student-recipe-vegan-cabbage-peanut-butter-noodles

Brazilian musician Sérgio Mendes dies aged 83
Mendes, who popularised bossa nova among global audiences in the 1960s, had been suffering from the effects of long-term Covid, his family said
https://www.theguardian.com/music/article/2024/sep/06/brazilian-musician-sergio-mendes-dies-aged-83

Well! Delta! Delta! Delta!

I now personally know two people, both younger than I am, one by a whole lot and the other much closer with post-vaccinated (breakthrough) COVID-19. The oldest one contracted it at a family reunion they held where at least one person (who worked in healthcare — irony much, had not been vaccinated), the second possibly a memorial service — I really don’t know. Several vaccinated people at the family reunion went on to test positive to COVID-19, but at least they are all having extremely mild cases (so far).

While I do not consider myself a nutter (who does, anyway?), this seems too high for the blather that’s getting kicked around in the press.

I suspect Herr Trump has done more damage to the government’s initialism health departments, or that we’re being lied to again for our own ‘protection.’ I know that too many people are watching Faux Newz, but I cannot change that.

Be careful out there and think about masking up, especially indoors. Oh, and tell all your non-vaccinated friends to go get vaccinated or to go to hell — their choice.