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Real World Economics: U.S. fiscal policy needs outside help

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:35:21 GMT

Edward LottermanThe recent threat by Indiana GOP Congresswoman Victoria Spartz to resign her seat if Congress does not establish an independent “debt commission,” and what it implies, is as welcome as cool fall air.Here is a self-proclaimed Tea Party member recognizing that our non-functional legislative branch simply can’t handle any issue. Moreover, by calling for a commission of experts, Rep. Spartz implicitly acknowledges tax increases are part of what we need. That honest facing of reality is a major step forward.Yes, that last part is facetious. I am sure Spartz would angrily deny any need for higher taxes. But let’s consider the implications of her proposal.Having taught college econ since 1981, it is clear to me that any independent panel of experts would at the very least call for returning U.S. tax rates to those prevailing in January 2001 — the fourth year of federal budget surpluses that were projected at the time to reduce the national debt to zero by 2012. ...

Get ready to taco 'bout it: St. Louis Taco Week starts Oct 9th

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:35:21 GMT

ST. LOUIS – Starting on Monday, October 9, and running through Sunday, October 15, it's Taco Week in the city. To celebrate, enjoy $5 taco deals across town, and be sure to check out the St. Louis Taco Week App.Within the app, there is a list of participating restaurants, their specials, hours, and a map—everything you need for taco week. There are two ways to win: Check in by using the app at four or more locations during the week and automatically enter to win a grand prize of $250 in gift cards. Earn points for eating tacos at restaurants and checking in on the app. The person with the most points by the end of Halfway to Taco Week will win a grand prize of $250 in gift cards.  Belleville police investigate deadly shooting, blocks away from chili cook-off Stay updated on social media by following @stltacoweek on Instagram and RSVP for event updates on Facebook. The list of locations offering $5 taco specials and restaurant offerings may change: Alpha Brewing Company Amigos...

Counties with the highest unemployment in Missouri

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:35:21 GMT

While today's unemployment rates are significantly lower than the COVID-19 pandemic peak of 14.7% experienced in April 2020, the fear of job losses remains as workers stare down an uncertain economic future.Experts are mixed in their views of a potential recession. The return of student loan payments, continually high gas prices, persistent inflation, and insurance price escalations are just a few of the factors that could limit consumer spending and potentially prompt another recession. The last economic recession before the pandemic—the Great Recession of 2007-09—sent unemployment rates up to 10% as of October 2009, and a full recovery took years.But as of August 2023, the national unemployment rate remains relatively low at 3.8%—nearly the same as the same month last year, and up about 0.3 percentage points from July. Regional and state employment varies widely depending on local economies. Seasonally adjusted unemployment rates by state demonstrate a rather sizable spectrum, ran...

Keeler: CU Buffs QB Shedeur Sanders knows whose time it is, haters. His. Just watch.

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:35:21 GMT

TEMPE, Ariz. — Shedeur Sanders has been sacked more times than a gallon of milk. His favorite target, Travis Hunter, hasn’t played in 14 quarters and two overtime periods.Yet over his first six weeks on the job, Son of Prime’s notched four one-score victories as CU’s starting quarterback.Frame of reference: The Buffs won five one-score games, combined, over their prior 30 tilts, a bridge to nowhere that stretches all the way back to November 2020.He’s Elway Lite. Isn’t he? Well, maybe Reeves Era Elway Lite. Sanders The Younger is accurate and arrogant, cool and cocky to the last, the sizzle and the steak. Without him, the Buffs are 1-5 right now, a paper tiger of empty slogans and false promises.And y’ all are freaking out about a …. watch?That’s Forked Up.Look, Shedeur was just reminding all those Arizona State undergrads what time it was.His.“(I) was really just taking accountability of what’s going on in the game,&...

Blinken: US ‘working overtime’ to confirm reports American among those killed in Israel

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:35:21 GMT

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Sunday that U.S. officials have received reports that several Americans have been killed in Israel as a result of Hamas’s attacks on the country. In an interview on CNN’s “State of the Union” on Sunday, Blinken said the U.S. is working to verify those reports. “Yes, we have reports that several Americans were killed,” Blinken told CNN’s Dana Bash when asked whether Americans were killed or kidnapped in Israel.“We're working overtime to verify that. At the same time, there are reports of missing Americans, and there again, we're working to verify those reports,” Blinken said. Blinken’s comments come after the Palestinian militant group Hamas launched the biggest attack on Israel in decades Saturday, killing an estimated 500 Israelis, according to reports. Blinken reiterated American support for Israel and described the war as “a massive terrorist attack on Israeli civilians, indiscriminate firing of rockets against civilia...

Saratoga venues host variety of community events

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:35:21 GMT

Sacred Heart carnivalSacred Heart Parish is hosting a carnival Oct. 13-15 at 13716 Saratoga Ave., with live musical entertainment each day, a community stage, food, amusement park rides and a raffle.Bands include Country Cougars, Blue House, the Megatones, Wandering Acoustics and Tsunami.For a full schedule of events and to purchase tickets, visit https://parish.sacredheartsaratoga.org/carnival.Saratoga Symphony concertThe Saratoga Symphony will perform a free concert Oct. 15 at 3 p.m. at McAfee Performing Arts Center, 20300 Herriman Ave.Pianist Tamami Honma will be the soloist for Piano Concerto in C Major by Ferruccio Busoni. The work, which also features a men’s chorus, was first performed in Berlin in 1904 with its Italian composer as the solo pianist. Conductor Dr. Jason Klein will talk to the audience about the piece before it is performed.No tickets or reservations are needed. Masks are recommended to attend concert. For more information, visit www.saratogasymphony.org.SASCC ...

Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose to host Día de los Muertos

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:35:21 GMT

Día de los Muertos at CDMChildren’s Discovery Museum of San Jose is hosting a Día de los Muertos program Oct. 28 to honor the lives of departed ancestors and loved ones. Attendees can create a sand painting with stencils, make cardboard calaveras (skulls) in the Neiman Art Studio, learn about the traditions of Día de los Muertos and take in the larger-than-life skeleton puppets and the calaveras procession led by Teatro Familia Aztlán, which includes a stop at Lupe, the 14,000-year-old “muerto” mammoth.Visitors will be invited to write down the names of loved ones who have passed and say those names aloud, and to bring a personal memento to share on a community altar built for the day and visit an altar created by artist Lissa Jones in the Oaxacan tradition on view Oct. 23-Nov. 2.For tickets and more information, visit https://www.cdm.org/celebrate/community-celebrations/dia-de-los-muertos.Othering and BelongingSanta Clara County wants to be welcoming to everyone. The county’s Offic...

Health fair targets families in Campbell, West San Jose

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:35:21 GMT

Attendees could get flu and COVID vaccines at the fifth annual Family Health and Wellness Fair hosted Sept. 30 by state Assemblymember Marc Berman in partnership with the Campbell Union School District and the Santa Clara County Public Health Department.The event, held at Castlemont Elementary School in Campbell, was intended to serve Campbell and West San Jose after redistricting brought these communities into Berman’s district last year, and to help Berman’s new constituency stay healthy during the school year.Besides the vaccines, provided by Safeway, families could avail themselves of dental, blood pressure, vision and mental health screenings provided by Kaiser, Santa Clara County Dental Society and Pacific Clinics. Casework services were also available, and giveaways included school supplies and backpacks, dental kits and healthy groceries and snacks. Activities for kids included art projects and a bike raffle.Exhibitors ranged from the Alzheimer’s Association and Latina...

West Valley College opens new visual arts building

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:35:21 GMT

West Valley College is holding a public unveiling of its newest building, which will house the Saratoga campus’s visual arts department.The 20,000-square-foot building, designed by Mark Cavagnero Associates, is part of the community college’s Cilker School of Art and Design, located at 14000 Fruitvale Ave.The building’s construction was funded in part by Measure W, a $698 million bond measure passed by district voters in 2018.“The new visual arts building is the result of a rigorous facilities master planning process with every facet of design focused on increasing student learning and outcomes,” West Valley-Mission Community College District Chancellor Bradley Davis said in a statement. “We can’t express the deep appreciation we have to our local community of taxpayers who showed their support for the college and their shared value in the power of education.”The college is hosting a grand opening celebration on Friday, Oct. 27 at 9:30 a.m. with a land acknowledgement, s...

Cupertino home is a Silicon Valley Clean Energy showcase

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:35:21 GMT

Electric Showcase winnerA Cupertino resident was among the winners of Silicon Valley Clean Energy’s (SVCE) Electric Showcase Awards for his efforts to go electric in his home.All 16 winners were recognized by the Santa Clara Board of Supervisors on Oct. 2.The Sunnyvale-based clean energy aggregator received more than 150 applications for this year’s awards from Santa Clara County residents and small business owners.Many of the winners utilized rebates available through SVCE with state and federal incentives to help cover the costs of upgrading to heat pumps, induction cooktops, electric vehicle chargers and other technologies. Some have begun by replacing older gas appliances as they burn out, while others have gone fully electric.“I was blown away by the simplicity and energy efficiency of the heat pump,” said Amit Butala, the award winner from Cupertino. “The rebates from SVCE made this a no-brainer. I love the smart app that lets me set the water temperature and check for availab...