Paradise News

Tag: General News

  • California homeownership at highest level since 2010 – Paradise Post

    California’s progress toward making the state friendlier for house hunters comes in baby steps.

    When my trusty spreadsheet looked at homeownership data from the Census Bureau for the states and the District of Columbia, it found an average 55.9% of California households lived in a home they owned last year.

    It’s a bit of a landmark moment: The last time the owners’ share of housing had been higher was in 2010 at 56.1% – just after the Great Recession officially ended.

    Now, the situation is still ugly. California has the nation’s third-lowest ownership share, just ahead of New York’s 53.3% and D.C.’s 40.2%. By the way, California rivals Texas was seventh-lowest at 63.6% and Florida was 18th lowest at 67.3%.

    The tops state was West Virginia, ranking No. 1 with a 77% homeownership rate. The national rate was 65.9%.

    Let’s remember that homebuying since 2019 benefitted from the Federal Reserve’s extended generosity – cheaper interest rates used as a stimulus to a coronavirus-chilled economy. Developers met some demand, too. California building permits in the last four years were one-third higher than the pace of the 2000s. Still, recent homebuilding runs one-third below the 1990-2010 average.

    Plus, the ownership rate may have been boosted a bit by California’s population outflow in recent years. These exits skew toward younger, lower-income folks, a group more likely to rent than own.

    It added up to California enjoying a small ownership uptick since coronavirus was added to our economics vocabulary.

    California ownership rose 1 percentage point in four years – though 33 states did better. Texas ownership has risen 1.2 points since 2019. Florida was up 1.3 points.

    Nationally, ownership is up 1.4 points since 2019. The nation’s biggest leap was found in North Dakota, up 4.3 points to 65.7%.

    Let’s politely say more work must be done: Yes, California ownership is at a 13-year-high, but it’s also essentially at where it was in 1993.

    Jonathan Lansner is the business columnist for the Southern California News Group. He can be reached at jlansner@scng.com

    Source

  • O’Dea Advances To 3A Quarterfinals With Fourth Quarter Rally

    The O’Dea Fighting Irish (17-8) faced a tough challenge in their state 3A regional matchup with Mountlake Terrace (21-2), having to rally from a nine-point deficit going into the fourth quarter to advance to the quarterfinals of the 3A state tournament next week at the Tacoma Dome.

    Mountlake Terrace forward Zaveon Jones was dominant in the paint early, scoring eight of the Hawks’ first ten points. However, the Fighting Irish went on a five-point run to end the first quarter, taking a 17-14 lead into the second. In the second quarter, Mountlake Terrace outscored O’Dea 15-6, led by Jaxon Dubiel’s eight points, to take a 29-23 lead at halftime.

    After halftime, O’Dea began the third quarter outscoring Mountlake Terrace 9-2, tying the game at 31-31 with just under six minutes left in the quarter. Mountlake Terrace responded with a 6-0 run to take a 37-32 lead, and Jaxon Dubiel would close out the quarter with six unanswered points of his own, including a steal and layup, giving the Hawks their largest lead of the game, 47-38, heading into the fourth.

    In the fourth quarter, O’Dea increased their defensive pressure, limiting the Hawks to just four points midway through the quarter. Offensively, BJ Shannon and Breylen Webb scored O’Dea’s first four points, before guard Antone Araujo completed a three-point play. Mountlake Terrace’s Rayshaun Conner responded with a layup, but it wasn’t enough as O’Dea went on a 6-0 run to tie the game at 51-51 with 3:06 left, forcing Mountlake Terrace to call a timeout.

    After the timeout, O’Dea’s Malcolm Clark made a crucial shot in the paint. Brian Webster followed with a steal and layup, and Clark scored another field goal in the paint, giving O’Dea a 57-53 lead with about two minutes left. Mountlake Terrace rallied behind Jones, who scored two points in the paint and converted two free throws, cutting O’Dea’s lead to 57-55.

    With 9.7 seconds left in the game, O’Dea’s Antone Araujo fouled Jaxon Dubiel on a three-point attempt, sending him to the line for three shots. Jaxon Dubiel converted 2 of the 3 free throws, tying the game at 57.

    In the final moments of the game, O’Dea’s BJ Shannon took the inbounds pass the length of the court before passing to Malcolm Clark, who made the game-winning layup as time expired, securing a 59-57 victory for O’Dea over Mountlake Terrace. Clark finished the game with 16 points, while teammate Brian Webster chipped in 15 points for O’Dea. Jaxon Dubiel led Mountlake Terrace with 21 points, and teammate Zaveon Jones added 14 points.

    With the win, O’Dea improves to 18-9 and advances to the quarterfinal round of the state playoffs, with a game at the Tacoma Dome on Thursday, Feb. 29 at 9:00 a.m. Mountlake Terrace will play a loser-out game against the winner of the Todd Beamer-Mount Vernon game on Wednesday.

    Pictorial Highlight of O’Dea vs Mountlake Terrace

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  • Pentagon Probing Over 50 Cases of ‘Theft, Fraud or Corruption’ Linked to Ukraine Aid


    Earlier in February, US House lawmakers demanded that Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin provide them with documents related to US military aid to Ukraine.

    US officials failed to properly track over $1 billion worth of American weapons sent to Ukraine, a report by the Pentagon’s inspector general revealed in January. This echoed last year’s admission by the Department of Defense’s Office of the Inspector General that it was facing “challenges” monitoring US military equipment being funneled to Kiev.

    Criminal investigators in the US have opened over 50 cases related to Ukraine aid amid a growing chorus of concerns over insufficient oversight and potential for misuse.

    Investigations are looking into possible “procurement fraud, product substitution, theft, fraud or corruption, and diversion,” according to Pentagon Inspector General Robert Storch.

    Most of these cases – some involving contractors – are still underway, but already “stresses and gaps” have been laid bare by the auditors, the inspector general told a briefing during the week, adding:

    “We have not substantiated any such allegations, though that may well change in the future.”

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    According to the official, “given the quantity and speed” of equipment being sent to Ukraine, one may anticipate more investigations into abuse or diversions.

    While few details were offered, the briefing referenced audits having discovered incomplete shipment manifests bound for Ukraine via Poland. “As a result, DoD personnel did not have required visibility and accountability of all types of equipment during the transfer process,” the audit assessment was cited as underscoring.

    Another cited audit still underway purportedly deals with delivery of 155 mm artillery shells to Ukraine. Specifically, the probe is tasked with determining whether the US was able to meet its shipment goal without undermining its own defense needs.

    Earlier in February, US House lawmakers demanded that Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin provide them with documents related to US military aid to Ukraine.

    “Following an Inspector General report revealing the Department of Defense (DoD) has failed to track military weapons and articles going to Ukraine, the lawmakers are calling on DoD Secretary Lloyd Austin to provide documents and information to understand how the Department intends to mitigate the vulnerabilities of military assistance to Ukraine,” the letter said. It referred to a 2023 report concluding that the Pentagon faced “challenges” in monitoring all of the American military equipment pouring into Ukraine.

    Furthermore, funds allocated by the US to support Ukraine were finding their way to the world’s money-laundering capitals, a member of the US House of Representatives, Matt Gaetz, recently stated. Gaetz, one of a growing chorus of vocal opponents of aid to Ukraine in Congress, told the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) that the US should no longer provide foreign aid without cutting its own “bloated” federal budget.

    News of the probes comes as the Biden administration’s supplemental funding request worth over $100 billion, which includes more than $60 billion for Ukraine, remains in limbo. House Republican lawmakers have refused to approve it without measures to strengthen border security and restrict immigration.

    After Russia launched its special military operation in Ukraine, the US and its allies ramped up their military assistance to Kiev. Moscow has repeatedly warned that NATO countries are “playing with fire” by supplying arms that the Kremlin said prolongs the conflict in Ukraine. Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, for his part, underscored that any cargo with weapons for the Zelensky regime would become a legitimate target for Russian forces.

    Furthermore, Moscow has repeatedly warned that some of the weapons the West has sent to the corrupt Kiev regime would end up on the black market. It is estimated that 10-15% of weapons delivered to Ukraine are illegally re-exported to the Middle East, Asia-Pacific, and Africa, the director of the Center for Analysis of World Arms Trade (CAWAT), Igor Korotchenko, told Sputnik in 2023.



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  • AGF To Falana: NLC’s Planned Nationwide Protest ‘Amounts To Gross Contempt, Affront’

    Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi,

    The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, has warned the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to shelve its planned nationwide protest on February 27 and February 28, 2024.

    Fagbemi stated in a letter to NLC counsel, Femi Falana, that the Federal Government has “reasonably” complied with its memorandum of understanding with organised labour even though certain areas of the terms of agreement have been inhibited by “unforeseen” circumstances.

    According to the AGF, the planned industrial action could amount to contempt in view of a restraining order of a National Industrial Court.

    THE WHISTLER recalls that the NLC leadership had accused the Federal Government of refusing to implement the MOU which touched on workers’ welfare among other agreements.

    However, the Trade Union Congress (TUC), withdrew from NLC’s decision , saying it was not carried along.

    But in a letter dated February 23 and addressed to Falana’s office in Maitama, Abuja, the AGF wrote that the planned protest is premised on or connected with alleged non- implementation of the 16-point agreement reached with the Federal Government on October 02, 2023, adding it is targeted at promoting issues connected with hike in fuel price and consequential matters of palliatives, workers welfare, and associated government policies.

    But Fagbemi urged Falana to note that there is a pending case before the National Industrial Court regarding the development.

    “Upon the submission of grievances to the court, parties in the suit cannot resort to public protests over the same issues, as such conduct amounts to gross contempt and affront to the institution of our courts of law.

    “Therefore, the proposed nationwide protest action in all ramifications is in clear violation of the pending interim injunctive order granted in SUIT NO: NICN/ABJ/158/2023- FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF NIGERIA & ANOR V. NIGERIAN LABOUR CONGRESS & ANOR on 5h June 2023 restraining both NLC and TUC from embarking on any industrial action or strike of
    any nature.

    “It is not in doubt that the planned protest is designed to compel government to accede to the demands of organized labour, therefore, such
    action qualifies as an industrial action which comes within the ambit of the restraining order,” Fagbemi added, explaining that the restraining order has neither been stayed nor set-aside, and therefore remains binding on all parties including Nigerian workers.

    ” I wish to note that government has substantially and reasonably complied with the items in the MOU and it is only appropriate and equitable for organized labour to engage more with government to ensure the full implementation of same, especially in areas that have been inhibited by
    unforeseen challenges.

    “May I therefore request that you kindly implore and enjoin your clients to refrain from self-help by shelving the proposed protests which is antithetical to the mediatory engagements leading to the execution of the MOU, tantamount to undermining subsisting restraining court order, and occasioning disruption of public service, order and safety.

    “Please accept the assurance of my esteemed regards,” the letter added.

    AGF To Falana: NLC’s Planned Nationwide Protest ‘Amounts To Gross Contempt, Affront’ is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

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  • Oakland A’s air Cactus League games on Bloomberg radio, A’s Cast

    No one can say the Oakland Athletics had a boring offseason.

    Now it’s time to play baseball, as Cactus League play gets underway today with the A’s hosting the Rockies at Hohokam Stadium in Mesa, Ariz.

    The A’s will play 31 games – including split-squad games on five days – before they leave Arizona and return home to play the San Francisco Giants at the Oakland Coliseum on March 25.

    All A’s home games during Spring Training will air on Bloomberg 960-AM and stream online A’s Cast. Most away games will stream on A’s Cast. Two A’s home games, on March 15 and March 25, will be televised on NBC Sports California.

    The radio broadcasts will feature Ken Korach, returning for his 29th season with the A’s and his 19th as the team’s lead radio announcer; Vince Cotroneo, beginning his 19th season with the Club; and Johnny Doskow, who is entering his second season with the A’s.

    The two NBC Sports California spring telecasts will feature Jenny Cavnar, a 20-year media veteran who was recently named the primary play-by-play announcer for live-game coverage of the A’s, and former A’s pitcher Dallas Braden as color analyst.

    Here is the schedule, with information on how to tune into each game:

    All times Pacific

    Sat, Feb. 24, 12:05 p.m. — vs. Rockies, Bloomberg 960 AM, A’s Cast

    Sun, Feb. 25, 12:05 p.m. — at Dodgers, A’s Cast

    Mon, Feb. 26, 12:05 p.m. — vs. Diamondbacks, Bloomberg 960 AM,  A’s Cast

    Tue, Feb. 27, 12:05 p.m. – at Guardians, A’s Cast

    Wed, Feb. 28, 12:05 p.m. – vs. Giants, Bloomberg 960 AM, A’s Cast

    Thu, Feb. 29, 12:05 p.m. – vs. Padres, Bloomberg 960 AM, A’s Cast

    Fri, March 1, 12:05 p.m. – at Royals, A’s Cast

    Sat, March 2, 12:10 p.m. – at Mariners, A’s Cast

    Sun, March 3, 12:05 p.m. — vs. Rangers, Bloomberg 960 AM, A’s Cast

    Mon, March 4, 12:10 p.m. — at Reds, A’s Cast

    Wed., March 6, 12:10 p.m. — at Angels, A’s Cast

    Thu, March 7, 12:05 p.m. — vs. Guardians, Bloomberg 960 AM, A’s Cast

    Fri, March 8, 12:10 p.m. — at Brewers

    Fri., March 8. 6:05 p.m. — vs. Brewers (in Las Vegas), Bloomberg 960 AM, A’s Cast

    Sat, March 9, 12:05 p.m. — vs. Brewers (in Las Vegas); Bloomberg 960 AM, A’s Cast

    Sat., March 9, 12:05 p.m. — at Giants

    Sun, March 10, 1:05 p.m. — vs. Royals, Bloomberg 960 AM, A’s Cast

    Mon, March 11, 1:10 p.m. – at Diamondbacks, A’s Cast

    Tue, March 12, 1:05 p.m. – vs. Mariners, Bloomberg 960 AM, A’s Cast

    Wed, March 13, 1:10 p.m. – at Padres, A’s Cast

    Thurs., March 14, 1:05 p.m. – at Cubs, A’s Cast

    Fri, March 15, 1:05 p.m. – vs. Giants, NBC Sports California, Bloomberg 960 AM, A’s Cast

    Sat, March 16, 1:05 p.m. – vs. Brewers, Bloomberg 960 AM, A’s Cast

    Sat, March 16, 1:10 p.m. – at Rockies

    Sun, March 17, 1:05 p.m. – vs. White Sox, Bloomberg 960 AM, A’s Cast

    Mon, March 18, 1:10 p.m. – at Diamondbacks, A’s Cast

    Tue, March 19, 1:10 p.m. – at Rangers, A’s Cast

    Wed, March 20, 1:05 p.m. – vs. Cubs, Bloomberg 960 AM, A’s Cast

    Fri, March 22, 1:05 p.m. – at White Sox

    Fri, March 22, 1:05 p.m. — vs. Reds, Bloomberg 960 AM, A’s Cast

    Sat, March 23, 12:05 p.m. – vs. Angels, Bloomberg 960 AM, A’s Cast

    Mon, March 25, 6:40 p.m. – vs. Giants (in Oakland), NBC Sports California, Bloomberg 960 AM, A’s Cast

    Tues., March 26, 5:05 p.m. – at Giants (in San Francisco), Bloomberg 960 AM

    Source

  • Tai Chi For Seniors: Finding Strength, Balance, And Joy In Every Movement

    Active Aging Presented by Public Health Seattle-King County

    Tai chi, an ancient Chinese practice, is more than just a gentle exercise form. It’s a moving meditation combining slow, flowing movements, deep breathing, and focused awareness. This combination of physical and mental elements makes tai chi particularly beneficial for seniors.

    Let’s explore tai chi in depth, including its benefits for seniors.

    What Is Tai Chi?

    Tai chi, also known as taijiquan or “meditation in motion,” is a mind-body exercise routine involving seated, standing, and lying-down meditations, iterative moving meditations, and partner training.

    It’s a graceful exercise characterized by slow, deliberate movements with deep breathing and relaxation.

    There are five styles of tai chi: Chen, Yang, Wu, Hao, and Sun.

    Benefits of Tai Chi for Seniors

    Tai chi benefits people of all ages but can be especially beneficial for seniors due to its low-impact nature and focus on balance, strength, flexibility, and mental well-being.

    Here are some of the specific benefits of tai chi for seniors.

    Improved Balance and Stability

    Tai chi’s slow, controlled movements strengthen core muscles, improve balance, and reduce fear of falling, according to a 2018 randomized controlled trial.

    The trial involved 60 older adults divided into two groups. Participants in the intervention group received tai chi chuan training for eight weeks, twice a week, with sessions lasting 55 minutes each.

    Following the study, the intervention group showed a significant decrease in fear of falling compared to the control group. This suggests tai chi can improve balance and reduce fall risk in older adults.

    Increased Flexibility and Range of Motion

    In addition to improving balance, studies show that practicing tai chi can increase flexibility in older adults, including those with Parkinson’s disease.

    Regularly practicing tai chi can help reduce joint stiffness and improve range of motion, making everyday activities easier and helping individuals maintain independence.

    Photo: stockbroker via 123RF

    Improved Sleep Quality

    For older adults struggling with sleep, tai chi offers a natural and potentially effective solution. A 2021 randomized clinical trial conducted with 320 participants aged 60 or older with insomnia supports this claim. The study divided the participants into two groups: one received 12 weeks of tai chi training, while the other participated in a 12-week conventional exercise program.

    Both groups experienced improvements in sleep quality, suggesting that tai chi is just as effective as conventional exercise in promoting better sleep.

    Enhanced Strength and Muscle Tone

    While not a traditional strength-training exercise, tai chi’s slow and controlled movements can significantly strengthen lower and upper body muscles.

    This helps improve overall strength and muscle tone in seniors, leading to better physical function and reduced risk of age-related conditions such as sarcopenia (muscle loss).

    Increased Blood Circulation

    Research shows that practicing tai chi improves cardiovascular fitness and increase blood circulation in seniors.

    Better circulation can lead to improved heart health, lower blood pressure, and a reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases.

    Improved Mood and Reduced Stress

    Beyond its physical benefits, Tai Chi’s meditative aspects, deep breathing, and focus on relaxation can have a positive impact on one’s mental well-being.

    Several studies have found that tai chi can reduce stress levels, depression, and anxiety. It can also improve the quality of life for people with depressive symptoms or chronic conditions like osteoarthritis.

    Sense of Community

    Many tai chi programs offer group classes, providing a space to connect, build friendships, and feel a sense of belonging. This social interaction can contribute to overall well-being and combat feelings of isolation or loneliness, which are common among seniors.

    Getting Started With Tai Chi

    The best part about tai chi is that it’s accessible to people of all ages and fitness levels. From online classes to local community centers, there are plenty of options for seniors to start practicing tai chi. The Mayo Clinic, for example, offers a free 45-minute online tai chi beginner’s class accessible from anywhere with an internet connection.

    Please note that it’s best to consult a healthcare professional before starting a new exercise program, especially for seniors with underlying health conditions or physical limitations.

    Active Aging is presented by Public Health- Seattle & King County. Public Health- Seattle & King County recognizes the important and untold stories of innovation, service, and sacrifice by the Black community and supports efforts to improve equity and achieve social justice. We want everyone to get health insurance and access health care. Visitwww.kingcounty.gov/health for health insurance, flu and COVID-19 testing locations.

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  • Limit Maximum Cash Allowed By Individuals To $3,000, NEFGAD Urges Tinubu

    President, Network for the Actualization of Social Growth and Viable Development (NEFGAD), Akingunola Omoniyi

    The Network for the Actualization of Social Growth and Viable Development (NEFGAD) has urged President Bola Tinubu to limit maximum cash allowed by individuals to $3000 as a way of controlling the free fall of naira at the international market.

    The group made this known in a statement released to the media on Friday and signed by its head of office and Chief Economist Mr Akingunola Omoniyi.

    Omoniyi, while speaking amid the call for the outright banning of dollar transactions in the country, stated that globalization has come to stay and Nigeria cannot afford to lock herself out of international trade and globalization.

    “Outright banning of dollars in the country is dangerous, it will bring more trade and monetary problems to the Nigerian economy than it will solve,” he said.

    He further stressed that foreign currencies, particularly the US dollar, is a global instrument for international trade necessary for countries to transact internationally with foreign businesses, trade partners and other economies across the world.

    He noted that isolating the country from global business activities is economically suicidal and shouldn’t be toyed with by the government.

    “In Dubai for instance, as of today, Dirham is the official currency, but if you are transacting business or buying anything anywhere in the country, they give you payment option of either paying in Dirham or Dollar, this is the extent of globalization we are talking about,” he said.

    Omoniyi further argued that the country does not have issues with online transactions in any currency as it is prone to monitoring and necessary scrutiny.

    He added that looking at Nigeria’s monetary and fiscal standing, both as a developing economy and a country experiencing years of poor economic management, extreme dollarization in cash will definitely further distress the economy.

    The economist spoke of the need for Nigeria to apply appropriate monetary measures of limiting the amount of cash an individual can hold in dollars or in any other foreign currencies anytime and anywhere in Nigeria.

    “To effect this policy, the president can go by way of executive order, or initiate an amendment to the anti-money laundering Act that criminalizes cash in excess $3,000 or its equivalent in any other foreign currency,” he said.

    Limit Maximum Cash Allowed By Individuals To $3,000, NEFGAD Urges Tinubu is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

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  • Fact Check: Illegal crossings at the US-Canada border increase, but lag far behind the southern border

    Migrants crossing into the United States from the southern border get many headlines, but there has also been an increase in crossings at the U.S.-Canada border. 

    Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., who represents a geographically large district in the North Country and Adirondack Park, said on Fox News that the number of illegal crossings is many times higher than it has been in the past. 

    “We’ve seen an 800% increase in the Swanton sector, which is the part of the northern border that I represent, in illegal crossings,” Stefanik said Jan 28 on “Sunday Morning Futures with Maria Bartiromo.”   

    We wondered if there has been an increase of 800% in illegal crossings. 

    The Swanton sector includes an estimated 24,000 square miles and includes northeastern counties in New York, three counties in New Hampshire and all of Vermont. It is responsible for 295 miles of the U.S.-Canada border, over land and water. 

    Year-over-year increases in illegal crossings have been steady since the fiscal year that began Oct. 1, 2020, rising from just 365 that year to 1,065 in the next fiscal year, which ended in September 2022. In fiscal year 2023, the number of people encountered at the border jumped to 6,925, representing the largest year-over-year increase so far. However, if current trends continue, 2024 will outpace the jump in 2023. In the first three months of fiscal year 2024, there have been 2,607 crossings, compared with 1,147 during the same period last year. 

    Within this data, there are different time periods in which to calculate the increase, all yielding different results. 

    Stefanik could have seen a U.S. Customs and Border Protection news release from February 2023, which stated that there had been an approximate 846% increase in encounters and apprehensions between Oct. 1, 2022, and Jan. 31, 2023, compared with the same period in fiscal year 2022.  

    In November, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Chief Patrol Agent Robert N. Garcia of the Swanton sector posted on X that there had been a 550% increase in apprehensions between fiscal year 2022 and 2023, and that the migrants came from 79 countries. Garcia posted in August that apprehensions in just over 10 months exceeded the previous nine years combined.

    Experts we spoke with found that the increases, while large for the northern border, are small when compared to other places on the northern border, or the southern border, which has many more crossings. 

    “Percentages can look really big, but the numbers themselves can be quite small,” said Colleen Putzel-Kavanaugh, an associate policy analyst at the Migration Policy Institute, a nonpartisan think tank. 

    U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Buffalo Field Office, which operates ports of entry in Erie and Niagara counties, has many more encounters, 84,429 in fiscal year 2023, or 12 times more than the Swanton sector. “Encounters” are people seeking admission who are not authorized to do so. 

    Along the entire southern border during 2023, there were more than 6,700 encounters per day on average, or 2.48 million total. 

    Immigration experts caution that the number of encounters at a border is not the same thing as the number of people who tried to cross, because the same person could try to cross more than once. But Stefanik said crossings, not people. 

    Are these illegal crossings? Any crossing of the border without prior authorization is an illegal entry, but people have a right to ask for asylum, saying they have a fear of returning to their home country, Putzel-Kavanaugh said. These asylum seekers are released with a charge that they entered illegally. When they ask for asylum, they can defend their charge with the reasons why they are seeking asylum. 

    Experts attributed the higher migration at the U.S.-Canada border with an increase in migration around the world, Canada’s decision in 2016 to permit Mexicans to fly there without stringent visa requirements, and a subsequent southern movement of these migrants. 

    Last spring, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security requested that Canada reimpose the visa restrictions, but Canada has not done that, said Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, policy director at the American Immigration Council, a pro-immigration advocacy organization. 

    Data from the Swanton sector show that the top two countries of origin for migrants crossing there are Mexico and India. 

    Stefanik’s office did not return a request for comment. 

    Our ruling

    Stefanik claimed that there has been at some point an 800% increase in illegal crossings in the Swanton sector of the U.S.-Canada border. 

    Stefanik did not say which time period she was talking about. The increases in unauthorized crossings vary depending on the time period, but there have been increases exceeding 800% at the border. The actual numbers of encounters remain very low compared with crossings at the southern border. 

    The crossings are illegal, but people seeking asylum can use their status as an asylum seeker as a defense for crossing illegally. 

    We rate Stefanik’s claim True. 

     



    Source

  • Highlights, and one big lowlight, from the week’s news

    We’ve got two hits and just one miss this week. In this case, the one miss is more than enough.

    MISS — Shameful. Reprehensible. Despicable.

    Honestly, we wish there were a stronger word to describe PG&E’s ripoff of its largely captive customer base, but we’re stuck to come up with one.

    Just as customers were reeling from yet another round of massive rate increases approved by the ever-compliant Public Utilities Commission, PG&E released its 2023 profit report this week. Not surprisingly, it was obscene.

    The company announced Thursday it earned $2.24 billion in profits last year, an incredibly unjustifiable increase of 24.6% from 2022. Even more alarming, the report also predicted the company’s investors could anticipate even better earnings in 2024; after all, we’re not done with these rate increases. Not by a long shot. As long as there are a few extra pennies in the pocket of any customer, PG&E seems determined to find them.

    To the surprise of no one, this comes after the company got its traditional rubber-stamp-approval from the PUC for another rate increase. You know, because the extra money is so necessary for rebuilding its infrastructure and all.

    The Utility Reform Network, a consumer advocacy group that goes by TURN, blasted the profit figures.

    “TURN believes it is unacceptable for PG&E shareholders to pocket billions in profits at the expense of its customers who have seen bills skyrocket by 33% last year alone,” said Mark Toney, the group’s executive director.

    Of course, the news is nothing but rosy in the eyes of PG&E. “Our story of progress continued in 2023, including further reducing wildfire ignitions and burying more powerlines than any prior year,” said PG&E Chief Executive Officer Patricia Poppe.

    Our story of progress? For who? Certainly not customers who are resigned to freezing in the winter and roasting in the summer because they can’t afford the ever-growing bills. Also, there’s something disconcerting about PG&E bragging about reducing wildfire ignitions when they were the ones solely responsible for starting so many of these fires in the first place.

    Meanwhile, five and a half years after the Camp Fire, we continue to hear from victims who aren’t getting their full payout from the Fire Victim Trust — assuming they’ve gotten a payout at all. Fire victims aren’t benefitting from this boon because the trust sold off its shares before this revenue spike that might have led to a greater return.

    “Between its rank greed and rampant property destruction from wildfires, it’s difficult to identify another company that has inflicted more harm to the residents of the state than PG&E,” said Ken Cook, president of the Environmental Working Group, a consumer advocacy organization.

    It’s sickening and it’s out of control. When will our elected officials finally stand up and say “Enough”?

    HIT — The PG&E news leaves us in dire need of a feel-good story. Fortunately, we’ve got a great one right down the Midway.

    In a story that feels straight out of “Hoosiers,” the Durham High wrestling team has taken the adage “the bigger they are, the harder they fall” to new levels. Going against much-larger schools, the Trojans won the Northern Section championship last Saturday, its first section championship in 64 years.

    The team title marks the first time a small school has won in the era of the Masters Tournament.

    “It’s just a small school, small town, everybody feels like family and that’s what this team is – it’s an extension of my family,” said Durham High wrestling coach Tony Cardoza.

    Most impressively, the Trojans did it with a young team that only figures to get better in the years to come. Fittingly, it was the lone senior — Geovani Rico — who wrapped up the title with a pin in just 15 seconds.

    From there, it was on to the CIF State Wrestling Championships held at Rabobank Arena in Bakersfield. Who knows? This David vs. Goliath story could be just beginning.

    HIT — The week also featured some good news in terms of getting help, and housing, for those who need it.

    First, after several delays, Everhart Village was able to open its doors and move in its first six residents. Chico Housing Action Team Director Nicole Drummond said Thursday the nonprofit received the necessary permit to begin operations at its Everhart Village project, a 20-cabin collaboration with Butte County Behavioral Health to house behavioral health clients at risk of, or experiencing, homelessness.

    Also, Prospect View Apartments in Oroville is nearing completion. It’ll include 39 units. According to the Butte County website, the goal of the project is to provide a home and sense of stability to previously unhoused people. Instead of focusing solely on day-to-day survival, residents will be empowered to improve their lives and get back on their feet.

    “It’s amazing to see so many people with the same goal in trying to end homelessness, even if it’s just one small area at a time,” said Pahua Thao, Butte County’s health and human services program analyst.

    We agree. There’s no one-size-fits-all cure for homelessness; a mix of government efforts and private citizens tackling this issue on multiple fronts works to everyone’s benefit.

    Unlike, say, obscene PG&E profits.

    Hits and misses are compiled by the editorial board.

     

     

     

     

     

     

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  • Thanks To Biden, 153K More People Kiss Student Debt Goodbye

    President Joe Biden addresses reporters on the South Lawn of the White House before boarding Marine One for a trip to Los Angeles for a campaign reception on Tuesday, February 20, 2024. Credit: CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images

    by Bria Overs

    As promised, this week the Biden-Harris administration canceled student loan debt for borrowers enrolled in the Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) repayment plan. The income-driven repayment plan was launched in August 2023, replacing the Revised Pay As You Earn (REPAYE) Plan.

    Nearly 153,000 borrowers had a total of $1.2 billion student loan debt wiped out. Forgiveness applied to those who had taken out $12,000 or less in student loans and had been in repayment for at least 10 years.

    This newest round brings the total amount canceled by the administration to an estimated $138 billion for 3.9 million borrowers — news that President Joe Biden and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, the city’s first Black woman mayor, celebrated across her social media pages during a visit to the city yesterday. 

    Biden had a post of his own on Instagram, sharing: “I announced a plan to provide millions of working families with debt relief for their college student debt, but MAGA Republicans sued us and the Supreme Court blocked it. That didn’t stop me.”

    But it’s only a drop in the bucket. At the end of 2023, 43.2 million Americans had $1.7 trillion in federal and private student loan debt, according to the Federal Reserve and Federal Student Aid data.

    Along with announcing forgiveness for SAVE Plan enrollees last month, the administration shared there are 6.9 million borrowers on the repayment plan. And just over half had a monthly payment of $0.

    In addition to this recent move, 74,000 borrowers had their debts canceled in January. Nearly 44,000 of them earned forgiveness through holding public service jobs like teachers, nurses, and firefighters, according to a White House press release. The remaining 30,000 were enrolled in income-driven repayment plans with loans in repayment for at least 20 years and were due for forgiveness.

    “Access to higher education is a critical driver of increased economic opportunity,” said Marisa Calderon, president and CEO of Prosperity Now. “Yet, Black and Latino households from low-income backgrounds, on average, owe more than white students upon leaving college. This latest effort is a step toward lifting students, especially those of color, out from under our crushing student debt crisis. Still, there is more action required to close the racial wealth divide in America.”

    Last June, the Supreme Court struck down Biden’s sweeping student loan forgiveness plan, ruling in favor of the six Republican-led states that sued to stop the plan. The Department of Education is currently working on a different approach targeting relief for borrowers with balances greater than their original loan amounts, who entered repayment more than 20 years ago, and who attended schools that allegedly defrauded students or closed before they could complete their degrees. 

    It’s not exactly what Biden promised on the campaign trail in 2020, but debt cancellation activists still support President Biden’s progress.

    “All of this relief is happening as the ‘Plan B’ for student loan relief continues via the negotiated rule-making process,” said Melissa Byrne, executive director of We, The 45 Million, in a statement. “I am looking forward to continuing to celebrate more and more borrowers having their loans canceled. Thank you, President Biden, for never giving up and getting the work done.”



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