Mountain View
Eric Niemietz
DeSantis Paves Way for Charter Schools, Limits Book Challenges
Governor DeSantis signed a bill to speed conversions of failing schools in Florida to charter schools, with a focus on poorly performing schools. The bill mandates that if a district’s plan to improve a failing school doesn’t work, the process to convert the public school to a charter needs to be simple and quick....The Florida Department of Education Annual Report Card says one percent of Florida’s schools are failing.
Florida Blocks Heat Protection for Workers as Summer Approaches
The Florida legislature has passes a bill prohibiting local governments from requiring protection from heat for outdoor workers. The protections would state that employers provide water, shade, and breaks to workers, small measures that can mean the difference between life and death for workers laboring under Florida’s hot sun.
Biden's New Rule Orders Nationwide Gun Sales Background Checks
President Biden has announced a new rules that will require Federal backround checks on all gun purchases across the nation, not just at gun stores. In order to eliminate the "gun-show loophole", anyone that sells guns primarily for a profit will be required to do a backround check on potential buyers.
Arizona's Historic Abortion Ban Sparks Controversy
The Arizona Supreme Court ruled on Tuesday the state must adhere to a 160-year-old law barring all abortions except in cases when “it is necessary to save” a pregnant person’s life. The ruling followed a period of time when challenges could be presented. (Justice Ann A. Scott Timmer was joined by Chief Justice Robert M. Brutinel in dissenting.)
Up To 30 Years in Jail for Shoplifting Under New DeSantis Law
Governor DeSantis signed a new bill into law which will increase the penalties for shoplifting. "Under the new law, people convicted of stealing as part of a group of five or more people could be sentenced to five years in prison. That goes up to 15 years if social media is used to recruit people to the group. If it’s someone’s third conviction or they use a gun, the prison term could be 30 years."
Biden Faces Conservative Opposition on Bridge Rebuild
President Biden, following a helicopter tour of the collapsed Francis Scott Key bridge in Baltimore, said the Federal government will pay for and expedite the bridge replacement, to eventually be recovered from the responsible parties.
DeSantis Voices Opposition to Constitutional Amendments On Abortion and Marijuana
Governor DeSantis has voiced his opposition to a constitutional amendment which would preserve having the right to have an abortion, which would put the health care provider and the patient in charge of the decision, instead of politicians.
(Opinion) Governor Hochul to Overhaul New York State DMV
Governor Hochul has announced plans to modernize the Department of Motor Vehicles in New York State. “As a former County Clerk, I know first-hand the importance of the DMV in providing critical services to New Yorkers,” Hochul said in the release. “These investments are a major step forward in the DMV’s strategic modernization as we look to create a quicker, easier and more convenient experience for everyone.”
April Fool's Day: Origins and Memorable Hoaxes
The annual day of hoaxes, pranks, and silliness has shrouded origins. Some say it started with the French, who, with the new Gregorian Calendar, changed New Years Day from the solstice to January 1st, thus labelling those who still celebrated the new year in April as April Fools.
Eclipsing Sun Reveals Hidden Stars: The Modern Eddington Experiment
During the imminent solar eclipse, scientists in upstate New York are planning to re-create an experiment that proves Einstein's theory of relativity. According to Dr. Charles Martin, (who is a senior lecturer at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute), they will be able to see stars in space that should be hidden behind the sun, during the eclipse, where otherwise the sun's brightness would otherwise obscure them.
Gov. Hochul Transgender Day Proclamation falls on Easter This Year
Governor Kathy Hochul issued a proclamation declaring March 31st as Transgender Day of Visibility. In honor of the day, many New York State landmarks will be lit up in pink, white, and blue, including Niagara Falls and the Empire State Plaza.
Man Shot Through a Bible During Rampage Yelling "I Am God"
Jason Kaercher, 26, of Gainesville, was meeting with his family and a Department of Children and Families (DCF) case manager in Melrose, Florida. During a break when he and the family members went outside the building, the case manager went outside after hearing screaming. Kaercher was squeezing the baby hard enough to turn the child blue.after which he began walking toward the road, saying he was “God” while holding the baby and a Bible.
First Ever in U.S.; Nuclear Power Plant to be Re-opened
The Palisades Nuclear Power Plant near Grand Rapids, Michigan will be brought back online to produce power, following a conditional loan from the Department of Energy for $1.52 billion dollars. The funding was made available as part of the Inflation Reduction Act signed into law in 2022. The plant is located near South Haven, about an hour southwest of Grand Rapids.
Freihofer's Bakery Outlets Close in Upstate NY Towns
Freihofer's Bakery Outlets have permanently shut down in several upstate towns, including Verona, Schenectady, and Nelliston. In Nelliston, just west of Canajoharie, (formerly home to a Beech-Nut Baby Food plant) the Chamber of Commerce said they were never informed of the closing.
$15 to Enter Manhattan; New Commuter Tax
Vehicles entering certain parts of New York city will be charged a new $15 dollar fee for congestion, in order to push more people to use public transportation. The fact that violent attacks on the transit system are up 50%, and subway murders are surging may be a reason ridership is down 30%.
Fulton County Solar Farm Plans Major Expansion
A developer responsible for Fulton County's biggest solar project with local approval is seeking to expand their capacity. The current 392 acre solar farm generate about 20 megawatts of power. The new proposal would add another site which would generate 79 megawatts of additional power. The state Office of Renewable Energy Siting has jurisdiction over any solar project 25 megawatts or larger. That would remove local control of approval.
Eric Niemietz
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Writer and Author. Travelled extensively in U.S. and abroad. Interests include history, natural history, outdoor activities, painting, and writing. C.P.C.U.
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