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Noah Feldman: When does this Supreme Court care about precedent? Ask Kavanaugh

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:43:06 GMT

When the Supreme Court ruled last week that an Alabama redistricting map violated the Voting Rights Act — thus declining to strike down some remaining parts of the VRA — headlines branded the decision a “surprise” and “unexpected.” In particular, some commentators expressed astonishment at the emphasis the majority placed on respect for judicial precedent, or stare decisis. Why would a majority of the justices, some of whom previously gutted other parts of the VRA, and who have overturned decades precedent on issues from abortion to guns to religion, hold back here?The answer is straightforward, at least according to Justice Brett Kavanaugh — who provided the decisive fifth vote to uphold precedent in the voting case, but who voted to overturn nearly 50 years of precedent on abortion last year. Since Kavanaugh is now this court’s closest thing to a swing justice, it behooves us to listen carefully to what he has to say on the subject.A...

Real World Economics: Emmer’s arrogant ignorance is not bliss

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:43:06 GMT

Edward LottermanIgnorance by politicians is nothing new. One need not be an expert in everything to run for office, or even get elected.And it’s the wise politicians who know what they don’t know, admit it, and seek the expert advice of better experts to guide them — regardless of whether that advice conforms to their predetermined policies or helps them politically. That’s called integrity.Then there are politicians like Minnesota’s own Tom Emmer. Reading this congressman’s recent comments at a House Financial Services committee hearing, a tirade posed as “questioning” Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, one would be hard pressed to find more ignorance packed into 459 words. (You can see it on YouTube or read a transcript in his press release).This periodic hearing ostensibly is for the committee to query the Treasury Secretary, no matter who it is, but is really just political theater and both parties play the game. What stands out this...

Local 8-year-old rollerskater headed to national championship

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:43:06 GMT

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A Schenectady rollerskating team is headed for the national championship. They're traveling next week to compete in Hermitage, Pennsylvania, followed by another championship in Nebraska. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Competitive rollerskating entails various events, including figure, freestyle, partner, and dance skating.As the team nears the end of their season, which runs from September to August, one member of the team who only started skating about a year and a half ago, stands out.8-year-old Zoey Murawski sometimes finds herself competing against skaters who are 12 and 13, and has taken home lots of medals. She'll be competing in seven events in Hermitage at the championship. You can watch Zoey's interview with NEWS10's Giuliana Bruno here:

10 juveniles shot in downtown St. Louis, one victim dead

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:43:06 GMT

ST. LOUIS - St. Louis Metropolitan Police are investigating a shooting that happened early Sunday morning.It happened just after 1:00 a.m. on 14th Street and Washington Avenue downtown. Ten people under the age of 18 were shot. One person has died, the other nine are being treated at nearby hospitals.The only remnants of the scene are some leftover police tape that's already been cut down. It’s unclear what led up to the shooting, but there are multiple bars that stay open late on the block.Previous incidents in the past where large crowds have resulted in fights, shootings, and overall crime have fueled outrage over dangerous situations for residents with some directed at late night businesses. They have vehemently denied they’re to blame, instead asking for more police patrol. 10 juveniles injured in downtown shooting, 1 killed Recently in mid-May, cellphone video showed large crowds on Locust downtown fighting with several suspects having guns. Officers broke up the crowd witho...

High-speed pursuit in Pasadena leads to deadly crash, 4 hospitalized 

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:43:06 GMT

A high-speed pursuit came to a violent end when a driver crashed into two innocent vehicles in Pasadena overnight, killing themselves and injuring four others. The crash occurred around 12:30 a.m. Sunday morning near the entrance ramp to the 110 Freeway at Glenarm Street. According to CHP Officer Roberto Gomez, units traveling northbound on the 110 noticed a vehicle with no lights that was unable to maintain their lane. “The officers initiated a traffic stop but the vehicle then failed to yield,” said Officer Gomez. “[The driver] continued northbound at a high rate of speed and moments later a collision involving two other vehicles at Glenarm Street who were stopped at a red light occurred.” “The driver of the suspect’s vehicle was pronounced deceased on scene, Officer Gomez added. “With the suspect, no seatbelt was utilized at the time as well.”  DUI driver arrested after pursuit, crashing spree in Orange A high-speed pursuit came to a violent end when the dr...

Pursuit-related crash in Long Beach injures CHP officer, suspect arrested 

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:43:06 GMT

A rollover crash involving a reckless driving suspect injured a CHP officer in Long Beach overnight. The crash took place around 2 a.m. off the 91 Freeway near Long Beach Boulevard. CHP units were in pursuit of a reckless driver when his vehicle rolled over, causing minor injuries to an officer, police said. The suspect, who has not been identified, was arrested. This incident comes just two hours after a deadly pursuit-related crash in Pasadena that also sent four people to the hospital.

Saratoga mail carriers log 1M accident-free miles in 30-plus years

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:43:06 GMT

Million Mile mail carriersFive Saratoga Post Office mail carriers were honored on Thursday, June 8, each for driving one million miles over 30-plus years without so much as a fender-bender.Honorees included Theresa Torres Hill, a mail carrier for 33 years; Arsenio Manuel, 38 years; Cathy Cornell, 40 years; Gilbert Nunez, 38 years; and Candice Wurthman, 32 years.“Safety is not just a buzz word; our postal drivers take safety very seriously,” district manager Raj Sanghera said in a statement.Each driver was presented with a plaque from the National Safety Council and earned automatic membership in the council’s Million Mile Club.Caregiving discussion groupSaratoga Federated Church is hosting a Caregiving for Aging Well Discussion Group on Sunday, June 25, at 12:15 pm in the Care Center at 14376 Saratoga Ave. Guest speaker Keri Landrum is the owner of Next Steps For Seniors, a free service that provides individuals and families with options for senior care outside of the home.For more ...

Sunnyvale school earns county award for bilingual immersion program

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:43:06 GMT

The Sunnyvale School District earned accolades recently for its dual-immersion program in Spanish and English. The Juntos program at San Miguel Elementary School received a Hoffman Award from the Santa Clara County Board of Education in recognition of its impact on student success.Begun in 1984, the awards were initiated by the Santa Clara County School Boards Association in honor of former county schools superintendent Glenn W. Hoffmann.In Juntos—Spanish for “together”— children study both Spanish and English beginning in kindergarten, learning various subjects in both languages with the goal of achieving bilingualism and biliteracy by the time they leave elementary school.Juntos launched its inaugural class in 2015 with a group of kindergarteners, who are continuing their bilingual studies in the seventh grade at Columbia Middle School. The students are working toward a Seal of Biliteracy, which will appear on their high school diplomas in recognition of their mastery ...

Watch ‘Cinderella,’ learn to hula in Campbell

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:43:06 GMT

‘Iconic’ dance at HeritageCapitol Dance Company is staging “Cinderella” and “Iconic” June 24 at Campbell’s Heritage Theatre. Performances of “Cinderella” are at 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. “Iconic” hits the stage at 7 p.m.Tickets are $22-$30 at https://www.campbellca.gov/heritagetheatre.Hula workshopLocal residents who want to learn traditional hula taught by “those who embody aloha” can attend a three-day workshop in Campbell this summer led by Hālau Mana O Molokai (MOM). The workshop runs Aug. 18-20 and highlights Molokai, the birthplace of hula. It includes ceremony, protocol, presentations, talk story, pule (prayer), oli (chants) and Hula.The workshop will be led by Kumu Lawrence and  his wife, Kumu Kyrian. Ceremonies and four levels of advanced hula training will be held in the Roosevelt Redwood Room of the Campbell Community Center, 1 W. Campbell Ave.For more information and tickets, visit www.Manaomolokai.com.Nature grantsLocal organizations working in nature and conservation can a...

League of Women Voters to hold annual membership meeting June 24

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:43:06 GMT

League of Women Voters meetingThe League of Women Voters of Cupertino/Sunnyvale is holding its annual membership meeting in person June 24, 1:30-3:30 p.m., at Sunnyvale Presbyterian Church Santa Clara County Registrar Shannon Bushey will discuss vote security and voter turnout. Members will also vote on new bylaws, board members, dues and the league’s request to change to solely a 501(c)(3) organization and drop its 501(c)(4) designation.The meeting will take place in Soule Hall of Sunnyvale Presbyterian Church, located at 728 W. Fremont Ave. Register at https://lwvcs.clubexpress.com.Cultures for kidsChildren ages 4-12 and their parents can experience Cultures of the World Saturday, June 24, 1-4 p.m., at the Quinlan Community Center. The event features refreshments, music, art, crafts and information about other cultures.Blacksmith demoThe Baer Blacksmith Shop will be open Saturday, June 24, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., for visitors to learn about early Cupertino history and the craft of blac...