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Deadlines start soon to ship holiday packages via USPS, FedEx and UPS

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:45:25 GMT

SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) - It's not too late to get your gifts there in time for Christmas Day. These are the last-minute shipping vendor deadlines to get your presents under the tree in time. After the chaotic holiday season in 2020, shipping companies took notice, hiring thousands of seasonal employees, introducing new machines and locations, and expanding their capacity. But holiday traffic remains high, and it's still a good idea to keep cutoff dates in mind if you want your gifts to arrive before the big day. Yule, Saturnalia, and how the solstice shaped modern Christmas traditions If you're sending mail through the United States Postal Service inside the U.S., Saturday, Dec. 16 marks the earliest deadline, the last chance to get it there by the big day without paying more. Domestic Mail ClassDate (Excluding Alaska, Hawaii)Retail Ground ServiceDec. 16First-Class Mail ServiceDec. 16Priority Mail ServiceDec. 20Priority Mail Express ServiceDec. 2...

Real World Economics: Learning lessons from past policies

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:45:25 GMT

Edward LottermanThere are complex interactions between nations’ economic interests and the foreign policies that they pursue. Benefits to one nation’s own economy are important factors in how it interacts with others. Yet economic advantage is never the only motivation.Moreover, the converse is actually true: Foreign policies adopted for non-economic reasons come back to influence a nation’s domestic economy, often in ways not anticipated.It is prudent to keep such cause-and-effect interactions in mind when making and evaluating policies, and to understand how current economic problems have been influenced by decisions made by governments decades earlier.Consider China. Our economic worries today result directly from decisions President Richard Nixon made a half-century ago. He and his Secretary of State, the recently deceased Henry Kissinger, saw better relations with China as a bold move to counter the power of the more dangerous Soviet Union. At the time, China was so poor ...

Hancock & Kelley: STL trigger law, Gabe Gore, and more

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:45:25 GMT

ST. LOUIS -- It was another Sunday morning of sometimes heated but always civil political debate on Hancock and Kelley, Sunday, December 10, 2023. John Hancock, Republican consultant, on the right and Michael Kelley, Democratic consultant, on the left, took on the following topics:St. Louis enacts an open carry ‘trigger’ law to take effect immediately if/when state lawmakers allow cities to enact certain gun control measures. The new city ordinance is inspired by Missouri’s abortion ‘trigger’ law that banned abortion when the United States Supreme Court overturned the Roe v. Wade decision. St. Louis may have an ally in Kansas City which has surpassed St. Louis by far in the number of homicides for 2023.St. Louis Circuit Attorney Gabe Gore, says he will seek a full term in 2024, after restoring criminal prosecutions in the wake of the resignation of troubled former Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner.Missouri Senator Josh Hawley unleashes fury toward fellow Republicans after the House strip...

Suspect in critical condition following officer-involved shooting in Hacienda Heights 

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:45:25 GMT

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department homicide detectives have launched an investigation following a shooting involving a road rage suspect and an officer of the Huntington Park Police Department. Initial calls came into the Huntington Park Police Department around 3 p.m. Saturday afternoon regarding a road rage incident, according to a LASD release. “As officers responded to the call, the disturbing party, who was allegedly involved in the road rage incident, was located by officers adjacent to the Huntington Park police station,” LASD said. “Officers attempted to stop the suspect vehicle and subsequently initiated a vehicle pursuit.”  1 dead, 2 hospitalized after shooting in San Pedro The driver was pursued through several surface streets and onto a freeway before exiting the freeway in Hacienda Heights. He was believed to be under the influence, law enforcement officials said.The pursuit eventually came to an end in the 15400 block of Garo Street in Hacienda Heights. “A...

Santa Clara County honors New Almaden park champion

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:45:25 GMT

Neighborhood NotesALMADEN>>Visitors to New Almaden Quicksilver County Park and the mining museum therein will now be greeted by a sign bearing the image of the late Kitty Monahan, who helped lead Santa Clara County’s purchase and preservation of the 4,000-acre park. Monahan died last year at age 89.County Supervisor Joe Simitian on Nov. 28 unveiled the new signage, as well as markers denoting a bridge and a trail renamed in Monahan’s honor. A memorial picnic table has also been placed in the park.ROSE GARDEN>>Playful People Productions is mounting a slate of classes and productions for January-February 2024 that cover multiple aspects of musical theater performance.A Junior Theatre Mini Camp for ages 4-8 is set for Jan. 2-5, 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. each day. On the same dates, a Sunshine in Winter Mini Dance Camp for ages 8-12 will be held from 9:30 a.m.-noon. Registration for both camps closes Dec. 17 at https://www.playfulpeople.org/registration.Also on tap is a beginner t...

Yan Zhao named Saratoga mayor for second time

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:45:25 GMT

Zhao named mayorThe Saratoga City Council selected Yan Zhao as mayor and Belal Aftab as vice mayor at the city’s annual council reorganization on Wednesday, Dec. 6, at the Saratoga Civic Theater.Zhao was elected to the Saratoga City Council in 2018 and served as mayor in 2021. Aftab was elected to the city council in 2022. Prior to his election, he served on Saratoga’s Traffic Safety Commission for five years.During the reorganization, the city council and community recognized this year’s mayor, Kookie Fitzsimmons, and thanked her for her service.Blacksmith exhibit“Strike While the Iron is Hot,” an exhibit showcasing the life of a Saratoga blacksmith and its impact on the community, is on display through the end of February at the Saratoga History Museum. The exhibit features photos and tools of the trade.In conjunction with the exhibit, a new building has been added to Saratoga Historical Park at 20450 Saratoga-Los Gatos Road. The McWilliams Blacksmith Exhibit will be o...

Milpitas ups law enforcement presence at retail stores for the holidays

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:45:25 GMT

Recognizing the increased foot traffic and shopping activity during this time of year combined with the recent surge in shoplifting and organized retail and car theft, Milpitas is increasing law enforcement presence in and around retail stores for the holiday season.“Our city is home to Great Mall, the largest enclosed retail outlet shopping in Northern California,” Mayor Carmen Montano said in a statement. “We want everyone to shop with confidence knowing that the city has implemented comprehensive safety protocols to ensure that their visit is as safe as it is enjoyable. More importantly, we all need to play an active role in ensuring our own safety and the safety of those around us.”The city is taking steps to safeguard shoppers at the Great Mall and at downtown Milpitas retailers and restaurants. The Milpitas Police Department has put measures in place to create a secure environment, such as increasing patrols in shopping areas with high foot traffic to deter criminal activities...

Los Gatos, Portola Valley and La Honda wineries offering cabernets for the holidays

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:45:25 GMT

What is it about the holidays that makes wine lovers think of cabernet? Is it all that baking spice that is often prevalent in California red blends? The fact that many Christmas dinners are centered around prime rib? Or the fact that people love sitting around the fire after dinner opining on the old days over some well-aged wine and a chocolate truffle or two? Even brandy-soaked fruitcake can be a good pairing. Just don’t get too close to the fire.Marty Mathis of Kathryn Kennedy has a locally grown cabernet on special, including the 2019 Lateral (regularly $42, sale $30) and the always tempting 2021 Small Lot Cabernet, made from backyard vineyards that dot the hills above Silicon Valley ($46, sale $30). [email protected] cabs to consider are Thomas Fogarty’s cedar- and pine-framed 2016 Gist Ranch Cabernet, Mount Eden’s 2018 Estate Cab and a double magnum of House Family 2012 Estate Cab for $375 (regularly $500). Testarossa has a 2017 Black Ridge Cabernet Sauvi...

Campbell seeks residents’ input on rec programs

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:45:25 GMT

Recreational surveyCampbell’s Recreation and Community Services Department is hosting a survey to gather residents’ feedback on recreational activities, programs and facilities at the Campbell Community Center. Responses are confidential and will be used to gauge the community’s needs and preferences to help improve and develop future offerings. The survey is available at https://www.campbellca.gov/recreation and should take approximately 5-10 minutes to complete.Grand jury serviceSanta Clara County is taking applications from residents who want to serve on the Civil Grand Jury. As an independent arm of the judicial branch, the Santa Clara County Civil Grand Jury investigates the operations of the various officers, departments and agencies of local government and is responsible for acting as a civil watchdog agency, reviewing resident complaints and filing accusations. Applications are due March 29, 2024, for a one-year term commencing July 1, 2024.  For more information, visit http...

Cupertino teen writes the book on circular economy

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:45:25 GMT

A Cupertino teen who won national recognition earlier this year for his circular economy initiative backing up his work with a book series and a podcast.Aaryan Doshi, 16, was among five grand prize winners in Prudential Financial’s Emerging Visionaries program in May. The program honors teens ages 14-18 across the United States for leading initiatives that result in solutions to financial and societal challenges.The Monta Vista High School student received $15,000 for his CirFin initiative that helps young people use financial technology to develop more sustainable economies. The initiative has more than 100 participants across four international chapters.Aaryan is writing the first book in a series about taking steps to move toward a circular economy and sustainable world. He is also working on launching a podcast with a focus on interviewing individuals who share his goals.“Through CirFin, I intend to build a global network of students and future leaders interested in the converge...