Mountain View
Eric Niemietz
Fork It Over; SUNY Should Embrace American Made Utensils
Two NY politicians, State Senator Joe Griffo and Assemblyman Brian Millerare are suggesting SUNY students should switch from single-use plastic utensils to locally made flatware. SUNY (State University of New York) had recently announced it's intention to do away with single use plastics at it's universities.
Senators Demand Replacement Aircraft for Operation Deep Freeze
New York Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand are demanding that the Air Force upgrade what is called the Ski-Bird Fleet at Stratton Air National Guard Base in Glenville, NY, located at the the Schenectady County Airport.
EPA Bans Most Asbestos, Despite Industry Opposition
The Environmental Protection Agency has banned most common forms of asbestos in the U.S., with a few exceptions, such as when it's used to make titanium dioxide or for the disposal of nuclear material. "The U.S. is prohibiting the use of chrysotile asbestos, joining more than 50 other countries that have already outlawed the substance."
Ames Department Stores Make a Comeback
Ames Department stores, formerly of New England, closed all 327 of their locations in 2002, with some 20,000 workers being left out of jobs. Now the company is re-opening 35 brick and mortar locations, as well as 7 distribution centers to be located near the stores.
High Speed Rail for Texas Desert
A high speed rail line, already a common form of transportation in other parts of the world, is being proposed for the Dallas to Houston route. Currently it takes time to travel between these two major financial hubs in Texas. A 4 hour drive or two hour flight is required, not counting traffic or waits at the airport.
Reform Bill Would Slash Homeowner's Insurance 25% in Florida
A congressional bill being proposed would change the amount of re-insurance required of insurance companies by half. Right now, insurance companies are required to purchase enough reinsurance to cover claims from a storm that has a 1-in-130-year chance of occurring.
Surgeon General in Florida Facing Backlash on Measles Outbreak
The measles outbreak in Florida was predictable based on CDC experience and guidelines. The Florida Surgeon General, Joseph Lapado, who recently said it was ok for parents to send unvaccinated kids to school, (see my recent article) had the Florida Dept. of Health issue a "clarification" saying it was the media's fault for false reporting and "politicizing" the outbreak.
World Equestrian Center's New Hotel: Catering to Equestrian Enthusiasts
Ocala, Florida is a hub of activity for thoroughbred horse breeding and training across Florida. Home to many horse farms, the equine industry contributes almost $13 Billion dollars to Florida's economy each year. This year the WEC is getting a new hotel for the almost 1 million visitors it sees each year.
DeSantis Suspends Yet Another Elected Official, 23 and Counting
Governor DeSantis' has removed yet another elected official from office, a 2nd Democratic state prosecutor, Monique Worrell of the 9th Judicial Circuit. Suspensions of elected or appointed officials can be for commiting a crime, failure to perform duty, or even if the Governor does not like their politics, apparently. In many cases he replace the official with a Republican allies, which gave him additional political leverage in Democratic leaning areas of the state. DeSantis also avoided calls to suspend some Republicans.
Medicaid Recovery Could Take Your Home
If you were over 55 and received medicaid to help pay for long term care or nursing home care, your estate when you die may owe that money back to Medicaid. Most people are unaware of the requirement, and Medicaid does not usually warn patients when they begin receiving the benefit.
Maple Weekends are here: Northeast's Sweet Harvest
Mmmm, Maple! Maple weekends are the time when sugaring houses in the northeast open their doors. The past 5 years or so have seen earlier sugar seasons as the climate warms. Sap can start to flow in February now, and new techniques have aided in keeping the supply of the sweet nectar steady.
Fluoridation in Albany: Mayor Approves Water Enrichment
Mayor Kathy Sheehan has signed into law a bill to add Fluoridation to Albany's water supply. The action has been under debate for years, now it will begin in a few months. Adding fluoride to water began in 1945 in Grand Rapids, Michican.
Opinion: The Book Banning Beat Goes on in Florida
Moms for Liberty, an apparently mis-named group who seem to advocate less liberty by banning books, has gotten three of the six positions on a Department of Education workgroup that met Thursday in Tallahassee to redevelop an online training program for school librarians and media specialists following a 2023 state law focused on book challenges.
DeSantis Deploys Officers; "We Cannot Have Illegals Coming to Florida"
Governor DeSantis has deployed about 250 state guard, state law enforcement, and FEMA personnel to south Florida and the Keys to assist the Coast Guard in preventing In anticipation of a "potential influx of illegal immigrants from Haiti" during the current turmoil in that country. Dubbed Operation Vigilant Security. (who thinks up these names, anyway?)
NSA Whistleblower; "Chemtrails Are Not a Thing"
Aircraft contrails are not a new thing in the sky. You can look at old films of B-17 bombers leaving them with piston engines. Jets with pressurized cabins fly even higher, with more opportunity for exhaust vapors to freeze and crystalize, thus becoming visible in the atmosphere. Contrails are right in front of our eyes, so they become easy evidence to those who see conspiracies.
Family Dollar & Dollar Tree Closing 1,000 Stores
Family Dollar, the beleaguered retail store chain which offers discount merchandise to low income buyers, is closing roughly 1,000 of their stores. The chain was acquired in 2015 by Dollar Tree Brand, with the intention of competing with Walmart and Dollar General. It saw some resurgence in business after many traditional retailers closed their doors, and the middle-class began to shrink.
Deputy Sheriff Strikes Cyclist at 96 mph/ No Charges
A Marion County Sheriff’s deputy accused of driving double the speed limit when he crashed into a cyclist will face no charges after a Florida Highway Patrol investigation. MCSO Deputy Brandon Jaglal received a traffic citation for “failure to use due care”. There are no criminal charges against him, and no mention of a speeding ticket. The accident was investigated by the Florida Highway Patrol.
Florida Gun Retailer Banned from Selling Untraceable Gun Parts in New York
A federal judge on Wednesday permanently banned a Florida gun retailer from selling or delivering certain gun parts in New York that officials say can be used to assemble untraceable ghost guns and sold without background checks.
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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