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Real World Economics: New state laws, old economic dilemmas

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:36:19 GMT

Edward LottermanStoried late Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis once said, “states are the laboratories of democracy.”In a federal system such as ours, new policies can be tested for citizens in one state even if our federal House and Senate are initially opposed for the nation as a whole.This session’s DFL majorities in the Minnesota Legislature have labored hard and fast in their lab and are pushing through many measures that are new to our state, the impact of which may influence in other states and, eventually, Congress. These include a broad ban on PFAS “forever chemicals,” a broad-reaching parental and family leave act, new policies detailing how medical providers must manage nurses and legalization of recreational marijuana.Most of these contain key nuggets of economic reasoning. Exploring these may help clarify one’s judgement as to whether these are good or bad for the state.But let’s just focus on a few for now.One economic problem with individual states maki...

Mayfield man accused of indecent communication with minor

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:36:19 GMT

MAYFIELD, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A Mayfield man was arrested on Friday and is accused of inappropriately communicating with a child under 17. Matthew Belak, 34, faces multiple charges. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! On Friday, May 12, around 2:25 p.m., troopers say they received information that an adult man was inappropriately communicating with a child. Police say an investigation found Belak allegedly communicated with a child under 17 via cell phone in April.Charges:Second-degree disseminating indecent material to a minorEndangering the welfare of a childBelak was arrested and processed by Mayfield State Police. He was issued an appearance ticket to return to the Mayfield Town Court on June 13 and was released.If anyone has more information regarding this alleged crime or believes you may also be a victim, you are asked to contact the Mayfield State Police at (518) 583-7000 or email [email protected].

Malta man accused of Lowes grand larceny

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:36:19 GMT

WILTON, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A Malta man was arrested following a theft investigation in Wilton and is accused of stealing multiple water heaters. Anthony Porcaro, 36, is charged with third-degree grand larceny. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! On Tuesday, May 9, around 1:35 p.m., troopers were contacted by the Wilton Lowes reporting a past theft. Following an investigation, police say Porcaro entered the store several times and stole multiple water heaters valued at over $3,000.Porcaro was arrested Wednesday and was processed at Wilton State Police. He was arraigned at the Wilton Town Court and was released on his own recognizance.

5 charts that explain the California and Bay Area exodus

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:36:19 GMT

Bay Area residents, fed up with high housing costs, crime and other quality-of-life concerns, have packed up and left the region in droves since the start of the pandemic in 2020.During that time, the Bay Area’s population dropped roughly 3% as more people, many liberated by remote work, fled to less expensive parts of the state and country.That phenomenon contributed to Austin, Texas, last week officially knocking off San Jose as the country’s 10th largest city. Still the Bay Area’s largest city, with a population of around 970,000, San Jose has shed some 50,000 residents since before the pandemic, dropping to 12th place nationally.While there are signs the exodus is slowing, a falling population is threatening to upend everything from school enrollment to tax revenue to business vitality – raising the prospect of a dreaded economic “doom loop.”Here are five charts that help explain the exodus out of the Bay Area and California  – who’s moving out, where they’re going and what neig...

‘Reminisce’ exhibit at Whitney gallery features pop culture nostalgia

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:36:19 GMT

Nostalgic art galleryWalk into any clothing store and you’ll be able to tell: Nostalgia is in the air. Tap into the yearning for past decades at the Whitney Modern Contemporary Fine Art Gallery for the last week of the “Reminisce” exhibition.Work by Los Gatos artist Gordon Smedt is on display at the gallery through Sunday, May 28. The solo exhibition features massive canvas paintings of familiar items like pastel Tupperware lids and “Jaws”-inspired graphic tees.The gallery is located at 24 N. Santa Cruz Ave.Volunteer in townMay 26 is the deadline to apply for a volunteer position on one of the Town of Los Gatos’ commissions, boards and committees. Seats are open on several bodies, including the Complete Streets and Transportation Commission, the Library Board and the Arts and Culture Commission. To apply, visit www.LosGatosCA.gov/CommissionApplication.Plant-based eatingThe Los Gatos Library’s eco-friendly speaker series, co-sponsored by Plant Based Advocates, continues next Thursday...

NCS Meet of Champions: De La Salle, Campolindo track stars put on a show

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:36:19 GMT

DUBLIN – De La Salle senior Chukwunonso Udeh was aiming for 40 points. He finished with 38. At any track and field meet, that’s a lot.At one as competitive as the North Coast Section Meet of Champions, well, that’s an extraordinary feat.Udeh finished first on Saturday at Dublin High in the long jump, high jump and 110-meter high hurdles and took second on De La Salle’s 4×100 relay team.DLS won the team championship with 58 points. El Cerrito took second with 30.Yes, Udeh accounted for more points than any other team.“Going into it, I knew the job needed to be done,” he said after his hurdles victory, the final event of his day. “Basically, I had to get my mind right. It’s not like every other meet. I have to get into that mindset“I was locked in coming in here. I know I’ve got a lot of younger teammates. I’ve got to set the standard and show them how to do it so they can eventually do the same.”De La Salle’s Chukwunonso Udeh competes in the boys long jump on Saturday at the Nor...

Sunnyvale gets equipped for rescues with new apparatus

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:36:19 GMT

Heavy rescue apparatusThe Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety recently took delivery of a new heavy rescue apparatus, call sign Rescue 42. Its specialized equipment will support officers during fires, hazmat events and technical rescue operations.Some of its special features include a 200,000-lumen LED elevated light tower to provide scene lighting. The apparatus has a 75,000-watt mobile generator to provide electricity to power specialized equipment, and it allows firefighters to continuously refill air bottles while on scene at extended operations. It also allows crews to supply firefighter rescue air systems located in high rise buildings throughout the city.Moffett Park Plan meetingsThe Sunnyvale Planning Commission is set to consider the draft Moffett Park Specific Plan and the project’s environmental review and provide a recommendation to the City Council at its June 12 meeting. The documents will be available for public review through July 11, when the city council is set t...

Saratoga crime report for the week of May 26

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:36:19 GMT

MAY 11Forgery: A Saratoga resident reported that someone obtained their check, then altered and cashed it for a loss of about $1,572.MAY 12Residential burglary: Between 12:20 p.m. and 3:44 p.m., someone entered a residence in the 14000 block of Montalvo Road by breaking a rear sliding glass door and stole jewelry for a total loss of about $7,000.MAY 13DUI, non-injury collision: At 8:52 p.m., deputies responded to a traffic collision on Saratoga Avenue at Park Place. An investigation revealed the suspect was driving under the influence of alcohol. The suspect was arrested and booked into main jail.MAY 14DUI: At 11:34 AM, deputies stopped a motorist at Saratoga Avenue and Rossmere Court for equipment and traffic violations. An investigation revealed the suspect was driving under the influence of alcohol. The suspect was arrested and booked into main jail.

Cupertino teen honored as Emerging Visionary

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:36:19 GMT

Visionary teenAaryan Doshi, 16, of Cupertino was among five grand prize winners in Prudential Financial’s Emerging Visionaries program.The program honors teens ages 14-18 across the United States for leading initiatives that result in solutions to financial and societal challenges. Aaryan received $15,000 for his CirFin initiative that helps young people use financial technology to develop more sustainable economies. To date, the initiative has more than 100 participants across four international chapters.Aaryan also had the opportunity to pitch his initiative to a panel of judges including Prudential Chairman and CEO Charles Lowrey at last month’s Emerging Visionaries Summit. He and the other students at the summit also worked with Prudential employee coaches who helped them refine and advance their projects.Clean energy grantsCupertino was among five South Bay cities recently awarded an engagement grant by Silicon Valley Clean Energy (SVCE). The nonprofit green energy aggreg...

Bellarmine student heads to Broadway for theater competition

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:36:19 GMT

Neighborhood NotesROSE GARDEN>>Like the character he played in Bellarmine College Preparatory’s production of “Little Shop of Horrors,” Kavan Bhatia is getting recognized for his work with a man-eating plant. Bhatia this month won a Rita Moreno Award for best lead actor for his portrayal of Seymour in the musical. The regional awards competition recognizes outstanding achievement in high school musical theatre north of Santa Barbara.Bhatia and Lead Actress award winner Gabbie Jison will join winners from 48 regional programs across the nation at the 14th annual Jimmy Awards ceremony on Monday, June 26, when 96 students will make their debuts on a Broadway stage in the talent showcase at the Minskoff Theatre.Participants in the National High School Musical Theatre Awards will be in New York City June 18-27. In addition to performing in the awards ceremony, students will participate in master classes and sessions with Broadway coaches and professionals.Another Bellarmine perform...