Daily Archives: November 13, 2023

Please be aware that short notice changes may be made to the dates below.

For updated information on firing taking place on Sealand Ranges phone:

Operations Room: 01874 635599 (24 hours)

Helpdesk: 0800 0223334 (24 hours)

Sealand Range: 01244 280106 or 07766 991807

Main Office: 01743 741607

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On a firing date if it looks like nobody has arrived on the range, and you wish to enter the firing area, please telephone one of the phone numbers above.

Read about access restrictions and location of Sealand Rifle Ranges.

You can receive firing times updates direct. Contact bams907waleswest@landmarc.mod.uk with your name, address and contact number.

Should we use the range on a non-firing date, we will inform you by phone or email, giving no less than 24 hours notice.

See the article here:

Sealand firing times 18 to 24 November - GOV.UK

Franklin Templeton is exploring options with its China joint venture, including potentially buying out its partner Sealand, according to Tariq Ahmad, its head of Asia Pacific.

There are ongoing discussions. We have been partnering with them. Sealand is our onshore distributor when it comes to retail. Offshore we cover China through a QFII type of strategy in Hong Kong. I would say Franklin Templetons strategy is to remain committed to China. We are looking at our JV quite seriously at the moment, he said.

When asked by FSA whether this would entail potentially buying out Sealand, Ahmad (pictured) responded: Thats one of the options we have on the table we are looking at quite seriously.

Ahmads comments come as a number of foreign asset managers are reassessing their approach to mainland China.

In 2021, BlackRock became the first foreign firm to obtain approval from Chinas securities regulator to set up a wholly owned mutual fund business.

The China Securities Regulatory Commission then paused its approvals until a flurry of announcements late last year. Manulife Investment Management, JP Morgan Asset Management and Morgan Stanley Investment Management all received approval to buy out their local partners, for example.

Despite the approvals, foreign asset managers have so far struggled to gain much traction in mainland China, struggling to compete with their domestic counterparts who have built up a strong track record over many years.

Franklin Templeton Sealand Fund Management is viewed as one of the more successful JVs having been operating in Shanghai since 2004.

At Franklin Templeton, as you know, we have been the first movers in many emerging markets, in many local markets. And China remains one of those where we are really looking to accelerate more so than we have historically.

This year has been a tough year for anyone betting on China as asset managers have struggled to launch new products as the countrys reopening rally quickly fizzled out and the net asset value of products launched by foreign investment firms has dwindled.

However, Ahmad takes a longer-term perspective and is still upbeat about the prospects there.

Were thinking of the market three to five years ahead, recognising that geopolitics are there, he said.

But beyond that, China obviously for us is meaningful. At Franklin Templeton, as you know, we have been the first movers in many emerging markets, in many local markets. And China remains one of those where we are really looking to accelerate more so than we have historically.

Ahmad noted also that having concluded its fiscal year at the end of last month, this was the best year in Asia Pacific in terms of net sales in almost a decade.

Ahmad noted that the industry was also going through a lot of flux with fee compression and consolidation, but said that Franklin Templeton had benefited from their focus as a pure-play active manager.

In terms of AUM, he said that this was split pretty evenly in the region between institutional and wealth at the moment, although there was a goal to eventually increase the proportion that comes from wealth to about 60%.

He also noted that customisation had been an important factor in attracting wealth and the investment firm had had success in building out semi-liquid products focused on private credit.

Private credit has been quite topical lately as the preponderance of floating rate notes within the asset class has insulated it from some of the pain seen in the fixed-income market following interest rate hikes, not to mention the fact that there is no need to mark-to-market.

Read the original post:

Franklin Templeton mulls options on China JV - Fund Selector Asia

ST. PAUL, Minn (November 9, 2023) What do Minnesotans think the next state flag and seal should look like? The public is now invited to see for themselves! Approximately 2,600 designs were submitted to the State Emblems Redesign Commission during a one-month period; qualifying submissions are now available online.

Minnesota state flag designs make up about 85% of the submissions. Those are available to view at https://serc.mnhs.org/flags.

Minnesota state seal designs make up approximately 15% of submissions. Those are available to view at https://serc.mnhs.org/seals.

Both links have also been added to the State Emblems Redesign Commission website (www.mnhs.org/serc)

Later this month, the Commission will select five submissions for each the new state seal and state flag. The Commission will select one design (or a modified version) to be utilized as the basis for each emblem.

The State Emblems Redesign Commission was established in the 2023 legislative session to develop and adopt a new design for the official state seal and a new design for the official state flag no later than January 1, 2024.

As outlined in state legislation, the Minnesota Historical Society is providing administrative support to the State Emblems Redesign Commission.

About the Minnesota Historical Society

The Minnesota Historical Society is a non-profit educational and cultural institution established in 1849. MNHS collects, preserves and tells the story of Minnesotas past through museum exhibits, libraries and collections, historic sites, educational programs, and book publishing. Using the power of history to transform lives, MNHS preserves our past, shares our states stories, and connects people with history.

See more here:

State Flag And Seal Designs Available for Public Viewing - redlakenationnews.com

HONOLULU The Hawaii State Department of Health (DOH) Food and Drug Branch (FDB) is alerting residents to a voluntary recall by Mid America Pet Food for products distributed to retailers in the state, including Sams Club, Tractor Supply Co., and Dels Feed and Farm Supply. The products are being recalled because they may be contaminated with Salmonella. Brands recalled by Mid America Pet Food include Victor Super Premium Dog Foods, Wayne Feeds Dog Food, Eagle Mountain Pet Food, and some Members Mark varieties with best-by-dates before October 31, 2024.

Salmonella can affect animals eating contaminated products, and there is a risk to humans, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after handling contaminated products.

Healthy people infected with Salmonella should monitor themselves for the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping, and/or fever. Salmonella may result in more serious but rare ailments such as arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms. Children, the elderly, and individuals with compromised immune symptoms may be at greater risk of Salmonella infection. Please contact your healthcare provider immediately if you are exhibiting symptoms after having contact with the recalled product.

Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and/or vomiting. Some pets may only exhibit decreased appetite, fever, and abdominal pain. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.

The FDB advises consumers to immediately seal and discard any recalled product on hand and do not feed the recalled product to pets or any other animals. Wash and sanitize all pet food bowls, cups, serving utensils, and storage containers. Please ensure that you wash and sanitize your hands after handling recalled food or any utensils that come in contact with recalled food. Per the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, as of November 1, seven people have reported Salmonella infections nationally.

The recalled product descriptions and relevant information are listed below:

For more information about this recall, consumers should contact Mid America Pet Food Consumer Affairs at 1-888-428-7544 between 3 a.m. and 6 p.m. HST seven days a week.

# # #

Media Contacts:

Michael Burke

Environmental Health Program Manager

Food and Drug Branch

Hawaii State Department of Health

Email: [emailprotected]

Shawn Hamamoto

Spokesperson

Hawaii Department of Health

Email: [emailprotected]

Phone: (808) 586-4417

Cell: (808) 722-5380

See original here:

News Release Department of Health issues voluntary recall ... - David Y. Ige | Newsroom

MDT finishes roadwork in Lake County

LAKE COUNTY The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT), in partnership with Riverside Contracting Inc., has completed the Glover Road and US 93 Safety project. This pavement preservation and safety improvement project took place on and around US Highway 93 (US 93) and was completed in October. Safety enhancements occurred near Pablo on Glover Road, just west of US 93, and pavement preservation work occurred from just north of Ronan to north of Pablo, ending at the intersection of US 93 with Minesinger Trail.

Thank you to everyone involved in this project and to the traveling public. Bob Vosen, MDT Missoula District Administrator, said. Its been a busy year, and we are glad to have this work completed. Regular pavement preservation projects like this add to the life span of our roads and prevent the need for a larger and more extensive project.

Guardrail and signage were added to the curves on Glover Road at the canal crossing. A yellow flashing light was installed for eastbound vehicles to alert travelers of the roadway curves and canal bridge. These additions are intended to enhance roadway safety features that help prevent vehicles from going off the road.

Work north of Ronan along US 93 included a crack seal, seal and cover (chip seal) and a fog seal. Thin layers of asphalt were applied to the roadway and portions of the Minesinger shared-use path to add life and longevity to the existing pavement.

There was quite a bit of road construction between Kalispell and Missoula this year. We appreciate drivers patience as we worked to complete this preservation work, Cale Fisher of Riverside Contracting Inc. said. These improvements will greatly benefit everyone in the long run.

Those with questions are encouraged to contact Becca MacLean at becca@bigskypublicrelations.com or call the project hotline at 406-207-4484.

Please contact becca@bigskypublicrelations.com for questions or media interviews.

Alternative accessible formats of this document will be provided on request. Persons who need an alternative format should contact the Office of Civil Rights, Montana Department of Transportation, 2701 Prospect Avenue, PO Box 201001, Helena, MT 59620. Telephone 406-444-5416 or Montana Relay Service at 711.

Continued here:

Glover Road and US 93 project complete | News | charkoosta.com - Char-Koosta News

Summary

Passengers flying with easyJet from London's Gatwick Airport and Geneva Airport can now have their luggage collected from their doorstep before their scheduled flight service for what could be the easiest and fastest airline check-in ever. This fuss-fee service allows passengers to skip the long bag drop line on departure, forgo the baggage collection process on arrival and elevates the overall passenger experience.

easyJet passengers at London Gatwick and Geneva airports can now choose from three baggage service options. These include departure, arrival, and door-to-door.

The departure option entails that consumers flying from Gatwick or Geneva can collect their bags from their home or hotel and take them to the airport to be checked in. The second option is for passengers arriving in Geneva from any easyJet airport, where they can choose to have their bags delivered to their final destination.

Lastly, the door-to-door option is for passengers flying between Gatwick and Geneva, where easyJet offers a seamless luggage experience. When customers book door-to-door service, their bags will be collected from their home or hotel before departure and delivered to their final destination upon arrival.

The AirPortr vetted drivers are responsible for the luggage's transportation and conduct checks on all boarding passes and passports before they seal and photograph the bags to ensure their safety. Once the luggage is picked up, passengers are notified through text with a digital International Air Transport Association (IATA) luggage receipt after the baggage check-in is completed. The receipt also lets travelers track their luggage throughout their journey, giving passengers a seamless and less stressful trip.

The low-cost carrier has stated that it is the first airline to offer the service in a bundled fare, with customers purchasing a FLEXI fare between Gatwick and Geneva having the service included in their ticket. Celebrating the new product, easyJet's Chief Commercial Officer Sophie Dekkers commented:

"We are always looking at how we can innovate with the products and services we offer to ensure we are providing more of the choices our customers want, so we are excited to be introducing Airportr's services initially from London Gatwick and Geneva to help make travel even easier for our customers, whether they are flying for business or leisure."

The convenient new service comes after easyJet established a new collaboration with a London-based airline-integrated technology platform named AirPortr. Coinciding with the exciting wordplay of a name, the company provides intelligent baggage solutions for departing and arriving passengers.

While this fuss-free service is a dream for many travelers, it is only available for customers at London Gatwick and Geneva airports. But could this collaboration be extended to other easyJet destinations in the future?

Photo:Ceri Breeze/Shutterstock

AirPortr is already partnered with other major airlines, including American Airlines, British Airways, KLM, SWISS, Edelweiss, Austrian Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, and Singapore Airlines. British Airways, Edelweiss, SWISS, and KLM offer these services from numerous airports across Europe and beyond.

For instance, passengers traveling on KLM through Amerstand, Geneva, Zurich, Lima, Minneapolis, and Rio De Janeiro can utilize AirPortr's services. Likewise, passengers flying Edelweiss via Las Palmas, Male, Cape Town, or Hurghada can also use AirPortr's services.

The new baggage collection and delivery service builds on easyJet's Twilight Bag Drop, which is available at London Gatwick, Briston, Berlin, Amsterdam, Manchester, Edinburgh, and Glasgow. This service allows customers on early flights to drop their luggage off at the airport the night before.

What do you think of this new partnership with AirPortr? Would you try it? Let us know in the comments below.

See the rest here:

easyJet Will Collect & Deliver Bags Straight To Hotels For Its ... - Simple Flying

Nov. 11Three hundred and eighteen flags lined a corner of the University of Idaho Administration Building lawn to remember all the alumni who had died in action since the Spanish-American War. As the campus was quiet because of canceled classes, dozens gathered to mark Veterans Day.

The ceremony started 15 minutes past 11 a.m. Friday with the presentation of the guard. University of Idaho ROTC students were lined up in dress uniforms along the street, facing the flag displays.

ROTC members brought out flags of the United States, the state of Idaho and each miltary branch before placing them in the flag stands. The crowd stood silent for the display as the chosen speaker approached the edge of the lawn.

Despite the wind and no microphone, Lt. Col. Ross Warren addressed the crowd. He is a professor of military science at the University of Idaho, director of the ROTC program and an alumnus. Warren gave a brief speech on the history of Veterans Day and the display behind him before asking for a moment of silence.

Veterans Day was established in 1954 and changed the already established Armistice Day to include all American veterans. Armistice Day was established to celebrate the end of the First World War. As a call-back to Veterans Day's history, Warren accompanied his speech with a reading of "Soldiers Triumphant," written by University of Idaho then-president Ernest H. Lindley.

"At the beginning of the war college men were quick to understand the issue. They did not wait for others. They gave themselves promptly and wholeheartedly to the cause," Lindley writes.

The essay was published in 1920 in the Gem of the Mountains, the university yearbook. It starts with a story of an American soldier who was found on a battlefield in France. The soldier had no marks of identification except for a ring with the University of Idaho seal, and was found next to four German soldiers. The soldier was found with a knife driven into the ground next to him as "a token of his victory in unequal combat," Lindley writes.

During the silence, the wreath was placed on display.

"I certainly cannot speak for all servicemen past and present. However, I think all veterans and servicemen are an expression of hope," Warren said. "Hope that our American experience is worth preserving with our lives."

Kali Nelson can be reached at knelson@dnews.com.

Read more:

Recalling a moment of valor - Yahoo News

The colorful leaves falling from the trees in autumn are one of the best parts of this time of year. Each leaf is unique and beautiful, and you might want to save them forever. If thats the case for you, youll want to learn some DIY solutions to preserve leaves this fall.

Preserving leaves is the only way to keep them long-term. Otherwise, theyll crumble into dust the longer you keep them.

Using these solutions to preserve leaves allows you to cherish the beauty of nature, decorate your home, or use them as accents on crafts. Whatever you want to use your preserved leaves for, these solutions make it possible to maintainvibrant colors.

You can seal your leaves to glass jars and other surfaces for lasting fall decor.

Anna Ok/Shutterstock.com

Mod Podge or similar craft glue is one of the best DIY solutions to preserve leaves this fall. You can also use this method to seal and glue your leaves to surfaces like paper, glass, or wood. However, if you dont want to seal them to anything, youll cover them with Mod Podge and lay them on newspaper or wax paper to try.

The Mod Podge seals in the color and doesnt ruin the texture or dimension. It dries clear and glossy but often darkens colors a little. You can use slightly watered-down white glue if you dont have Mod Podge.

Ironing leaves between wax paper is one method for preserving them.

Margaret M Stewart/Shutterstock.com

This DIY solution to preserve leaves this fall is a popular option because its easy. Start by turning your iron on the high setting before laying out wax paper. Arrange your leaves on it, leaving space between each, and then place another sheet of wax paper on top.

Next, put a thick paper over the top layer of wax paper to protect your iron from melted wax. Then, youll iron the layers together before flipping it over and ironing the other side.

As you do this, the wax from the paper should transfer onto the leaves. If it doesnt do it the first time, keep ironing until it does. Dont use the steam setting because you want the leaves to dry as you iron.

Once the wax paper layers have sealed to one another, let it all cool before cutting around each leaf. If you remove the wax paper entirely, a thin coating should remain on the leaves, but some people leave the wax paper on.

You can use preserved leaves as natural decor to add a splash of color to your home.

Christine Dannhausen-Brun/Shutterstock.com

An easy DIY solution to preserve leaves this fall is to laminate them with plastic. After you run them through the laminator, cut the leaves out, but leave a border around them. The border keeps it sealed so the leaves last longer, keep their color, and hold up through many uses.

Youll want to make sure the leaves are dry before laminating them. It might help to press them for a few days in a book or beneath a heavy surface. Laminating leaves for preservation doesnt leave a natural look and texture, and the resulting leaves arent always easy to use for crafts.

When you dip leaves in melted wax, you can use them long-term in decorative pieces.

Kristen Prahl/Shutterstock.com

Many people use beeswax or paraffin wax for this solution, but other options are available. If youre using beeswax and have a double boiler, melt the wax in it without letting it boil.

Otherwise, you can use a disposable pan if youre usingparaffinor dont have a double boiler. Paraffin can ruin your pan, so you wont want to use something you plan to keep. Plus, you can use a disposable pan for beeswax if you want an easy clean-up.

Melt it over low heat so it doesnt boil, and carefully remove it from the stove, keeping in mind that itll be hot. Dip your brightly colored leaves into the wax, making sure to coat both sides. Then, let the excess drip off before hanging them from the stems to dry or lay them on wax paper until the wax hardens.

If you press your leaves in a book, put separate paper on each side of the leaves to protect your book.

Jelena990/Shutterstock.com

Putting your leaves between two sheets of paper in a book is an easy way to preserve them this fall. This method doesnt hold up as long as others, but it retains the colors better.

To do this, get two pieces of newspaper or wax paper and put your leaves between them. Then, put it all inside a book and close the cover so the heavy pressure works its magic on the leaves. If you dont put the leaves between something before putting them in, you could create stains in your book.

Make sure the leaves are in a single layer before closing the book, or they could stick together. If youre putting leaves between multiple pages in the same book, leave at least 20 pages between them.

Check on them every couple of days to see if theyre dry. Once they are, you can remove them and use the leaves however youd like.

When you use glycerin, you can soak a branch with the leaves attached to keep the look complete.

PeggyReillyPhotos/Shutterstock.com

Soaking leaves inglycerinhelps preserve the color, although the red hues may fade a little. When using this method, youll want to mix one part glycerin with two parts water before adding the leaves. Soak your leaves in the Glycerin mixture for three to five days, checking them often to ensure they arent clumping together.

You can even put a branch with leaves attached in to the glycerin to preserve the entire thing. If you want to do this, choose branches from the ground so you dont damage the tree.

Before putting the branch into the glycerin mixture, use a hammer on the end of it to expose the live wood. This step allows the glycerin to seep into the wood properly, helping preserve it long-term. Glycerin is also a popular option for preserving flowers, including roses, so there are plenty of options for this mixture.

Putting leaves in the microwave is a fast and easy way to preserve them.

Iza Korwel/Shutterstock.com

A less common DIY solution to preserve leaves this fall ismicrowavingthem. Put them on a paper towel and cover them with a second paper towel before putting them in the microwave for 30 seconds before checking on them. If they arent dry yet, microwave for five more seconds before checking again, continuing in five-second increments until theyre ready.

Dont microwave them so long that they get brittle or scorched. Once you remove the leaves from the microwave, sit them out overnight. Then, use an acrylic spray to seal them and help with preservation.

After you preserve your leaves, you can use them to do crafts and other activities.

Tomsickova Tatyana/Shutterstock.com

After preserving leaves, the options for what you can do with them are plentiful. You can use them for nature-inspired crafts and art projects. Whether you do the craft alone or with children, itll bring nature inside and help you preserve the beauty of autumn.

Another option is to make a tree journal where you attach the leaves to the pages. You can label the leaves based on the type of tree they came from or write whatever inspiration allows.

Many people also use preserved leaves as home dcor for the fall season. Its a natural way to brighten up your home, and the possibilities are endless. You can use the leaves as garland, filler, in a vase, or however else you think to display them.

The photo featured at the top of this post is sergiophoto/Shutterstock.com

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Discover 7 DIY Solutions to Preserve Leaves This Fall - AZ Animals

You're readingRoute Fifty'sState and Local Roundup. To getthe weeks news to use from around the country,you can subscribe hereto get this update in your inbox every Saturday.

Its Saturday, Nov. 11, and wed like to welcome you to the weekly State and Local Roundup. There is plenty of news to keep tabs on, but first: Happy Veterans Day! We at Route Fifty would like to thank all past and present service members. It seems fitting that Veterans Day falls so close to Election Day in the U.S., where this week millions of voters across the nation exercised their freedom to vote.

There were a lot of groups happy with how Tuesdays elections unfurled, and one of those is supporters of transgender rights, who emerged victorious in many key races after years of being at the center of conservative-led culture wars.

In Kentucky, Republican gubernatorial candidate Daniel Cameron repeatedly targeted transgender rights in his unsuccessful bid to unseat Gov. Andy Beshear. The Democratic governor vetoed a measure passed by the Republican-dominated state legislature earlier this year that bans access to gender-affirming care for transgender kids and dictates which bathrooms they must use. The legislature overrode his veto.

During the campaign, Cameron said Beshear protects transgender surgeries for kids and demands that boys play in girls sports, referring to transgender girls. Cameron, the states attorney general, said Beshear was auditioning for a job with Bud Lights marketing team, referring to the beer brands partnership with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney. Gender was one of the top three issues addressed by Republican ads in the governors race (along with crime and Joe Biden), according to AdImpact, a campaign ad tracking service.

Beshear responded to the barrage of criticism with an ad of his own, saying his faith led him to believe that all children are children of God. The governor also quipped about Camerons focus on the issue, I think if you ask him about climate change, hell say its caused by children and gender reassignment surgeries.

Camerons preoccupation with transgender rights perplexed some political observers, too. Cook Political Report analyst Jessica Taylor told reporters she has not seen evidence yet either in Kentucky or elsewhere that [campaigning to restrict the rights of transgender people] is an effective argument. She noted that Republicans had tried a similar tack with Gov. Laura Kelly in Kansas last year.

Of course, transgender rights played a big role in many races across the country, from school board races in Pennsylvania to legislative elections in Virginia. In fact, Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin won election two years ago promising to promote parents rights and imposing new rules on transgender students in schools.

But those efforts failed to gain traction or even backfired. Virginia Del. Danica Roem, a Democrat, won election to the state Senate Tuesday against a Republican incumbent who opposed transgender rights and wanted to ban transgender students from playing high school sports. That makes her the second transgender state senator in the country, along with Delaware state Sen. Sarah McBride, who is now running for Congress.

Meanwhile, conservative activists backed by groups like Moms for Liberty and the 1776 Project lost 70% of their school board races nationally, according to the American Federation of Teachers, although the conservative groups dispute that number. Liberal majorities took control of school boards in culture war hotspots such as Loudoun County and Spotsylvania County in Virginia and Central Bucks County school district in Pennsylvania.

Extremist politicians on the Republican side have been really focusing on attacking transgender people, said Rodrigo Heng-Lehtinen, the executive director of the National Center for Transgender Equality Action Fund. They did so cynically, because they thought it was going to get them votes. But what Tuesday nights results really born out was that [attacking transgender rights] only captures votes in the primaries, because it only resonates with the fringes. When you get to the general elections, it really backfires on these anti-trans candidates.

Transgender people make up a small portion of the populationlikely less than 1%so most Americans dont spend much time worrying about them, Heng-Lehtinen said. So making them a huge part of a campaign platform, at a time when Americans are worried about gas prices, school shootings and teacher shortages, makes those candidates look out of touch, he said.

Were at a point where most people do recognize the basic humanity of transgender people, he added. They may understandably have questions about some more intricate policy matters, like school sports or health care, but they can generally recognize that we are people and no one should be subjected to discrimination. So when a candidate for office makes a point to attack us, it makes them look like a bully.

Heng-Lehtinen said that politicians like Youngkin misinterpreted the angst of parents in 2021, the year when the Republican Virginia governor was elected. At the time, the public was tired of school closures, mask mandates and other COVID-19 policies, Heng-Lehtinen said, and parents from across the political spectrum became more involved in politics, particularly when it came to schools.

These culturally conservative organizations tried to leverage that to also put forward anti-LGBT initiatives and anti-diversity in education initiatives, he said. They purposefully tried to seize the momentum around COVID organizing into these other cultural war issues, and they conflated COVID with everything else, when really, everyday parents did feel affected by COVID but most of them didnt feel affected by trans people. I mean, lets be real. Theres not a lot of us out there.

But politically, the momentum swung against transgender rights in Republican strongholds. Conservatives wanted to burnish their credentials with their strongest supporters, and groups like Moms for Liberty formed to pressure school administrators and public officials to curb diversity initiatives and even remove library books about LGBTQ characters or people of color from schools.

In state legislatures, new records were set every year since 2020 in the amount of anti-LGBTQ legislation introduced and in the number of proposals specifically targeting transgender and nonbinary people.

When trans people found that they were being targeted by public officials, though, many of them decided to run for office themselves, Heng-Lehtinen said. Its not a coincidence. There has been a marked increase in trans people running for office, and its only been in the last two years. It is to a meaningful degree in response to these growing legislative attacks on transgender people.

This fall, trans candidates won election to the Minneapolis City Council, to the Nashville Metro council and as the commissioner of finance in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

But the anti-trans rhetoric in the political arena has affected trans people in their everyday lives, particularly for trans youth, Heng-Lehtinen said. They face mental health problems and growing suicidal ideation, along with physical attacks, murders and other hate crimes. We are fighting for our lives in policy, but we are also literally fighting for our lives, he said. So in response, a lot of transgender people and our families who love us are now getting involved.

It's not clear whether candidates will abandon their anti-trans rhetoric in the future, but Heng-Lehtinen said he found one encouraging sign since the Tuesday elections. During the Republican presidential debate on Wednesday, the issue of transgender rights was barely mentioned, even though it was a major flashpoint in previous debates. In the last round of debates, they went after transgender people hard, he said. But now, the day after the election, they rewrote their script.

More Election News

Tuesday was a big night for Democrats. It proved that the party has staying power in state elections: Voters reelected the Democratic governor of Kentucky and rebuffed the Republican legislature in Ohio by approving measures to legalize marijuana and protect abortion rights. Democrats also added to their wins by taking control of the Virginia House from Republicans. It was a historic night of firsts, particularly in local elections. ICYMI, check out Daniel C. Vocks roundup of election results.

Housing and homelessness played a big role in this years elections, both as a candidate issue and on ballot initiatives. Route Fiftys Molly Bolan found that Tuesdays results reflect frustration with the issues and little agreement across communities on which policies are most effective in creating safe, stable and affordable housing for all.

Public transportation was also on the ballot in communities across the country. Voters on Tuesday approved 14 out of 19 measures supporting public transit. This weeks results add to the 15 public transit measures already passed by voters this year, bringing the total to 29 out of 36 wins for public transit in 2023, according to the American Public Transportation Association.

And finally, several tax initiatives were on the ballot Tuesday. The Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy rounded up its take on the elections results. But a few issues garnered national attention, including Ohios 10% excise tax on legalized marijuana and Texas voters decision to cut property taxes.

Texas voters weighed 14 constitutional amendments on the ballot Tuesday and approved property tax cuts, a raise for retired teachers and billions in investments in infrastructure, research, tech and energy. By far, the ballot measure with the most support was an $18 billion package that lowered school district property taxes for homeowners and businesses. Texans also approved a ballot measure denying the legislature the option to impose a wealth tax.

Meanwhile, a sweeping proposal to overhaul Colorados property tax system was rejected by voters. The plan promised property tax savings but packaged in significant changes to how the state collects, spends and refunds tax money for years to come.

Keep reading as theres more news to use below, and if you dont already and would prefer to get this roundup in your inbox, you can subscribe to this newsletter here. Well see you next week.

News to Use

Trends, Common Challenges, Cool Ideas, FYIs and Notable Events

Picture of the Week

More than 2,600 designs were proposed for the new Minnesota state flag and seal during the public submission period that ended on Oct. 30. Eighty-five percent of the submissions are for the flag, while 15% for the seal, reported the Pioneer Press. The flag designs include classic Minnesota elements such as trees, water, loons, the north star and even the pink ladys slipper. Many of those same components appear on seal submissions. Later this month, the State Emblems Redesign Commission will select five entries each for the new state seal and state flag. The 2023 legislature established the commission to develop and adopt a new design for the state seal and a new design for the state flag by Jan. 1. The states effort follows a wave of flag redesigns across the nation, Ted Kaye, a vexillologist and author of the book on flag design, Good Flag, Bad Flag, told Route Fifty earlier this year. (Flag submissions courtesy of State Emblems Redesign Commission)

Government in Numbers

360

The approximate number of glaciers that have disappeared across the American West since the mid-20th century. The new inventory of glaciers in the American West shows that 52 of the 612 officially named glaciers are no longer glaciers because they are either too small, no longer moving or have disappeared altogether. The effort focuses on named glaciers across the western half of the continental U.S. and has found that since the mid-20th centuryabout the time the U.S. Geological Survey first started mapping the entire countryabout 360 glaciers have either disappeared or become permanent snowfields. Researchers said the disappearance of glaciers shows just how much climate change is impacting the landscape across the American West. For a mass of ice to be considered a glacier, it must be at least 0.01 square kilometers (roughly the size of two side-by-side football fields) and it must be moving.

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Why advocates for transgender rights are so thrilled with election ... - Route Fifty

The rubber might hit the road, but the gravel never did.

When Lisa Church turned to social media earlier this month to alert locals to a safety issue on Mill Creek Drive due to a failed application of chip-seal that left loose gravel in the roadway and bike paths, the city came under withering criticism from many who saw her post.

Church, the citys communications director, discussed the lengthy project with The Times-Independent Nov. 9. Joining her were City Engineer Chuck Williams and Michael Black, community development director.

While motorists remain frustrated with the lengthy work which was not just a road improvement project but rather a 1.2-mile, 12-inch waterline replacement on Mill Creek Drive from 400 East to Murphy Lane it is motorcyclists and bicyclists that have been most affected. Indeed, underlying the issue is the fact that one bicyclist who crashed on the gravel-strewn road sustained injuries that required a trip to Moab Regional Hospital.

Were reaching out to them, said Black of the victim, a local resident. Were continuing to work with the injured person.

We didnt ignore the weather. We got caught by the weather. Chuck Williams.

Williams, who has been involved in chip-seal projects for decades, said the primary reason the work failed can be attributed to a turn in the weather. Chip-seal must be applied and be given time to adhere to the oil that is part of the process in temperatures that dont fall below 50 degrees.

The chip-seal began Oct. 23 and ended Oct. 27, a four-day period that saw below-freezing temperatures before they warmed up again a few days later. Contractor LeGrand Johnson, he said, checked pavement temperatures. The high the day they started reached 70 degrees.

The waterline project also lasted longer than expected. We were waiting for all that to be done and we put water crews and developers [with unrelated projects along the work zone] on notice to get their stuff done, said Williams. There was still work going on so we had to wait. You dont want to put down new chip-seal and then have to cut it up.

While the chip-seal project was completed on Oct. 27, more than a week passed before the problem was noticed. Things started unraveling Nov. 5, said Williams. That is to say, temperatures dropped too low for the gravel to embed in the oil.

Crews from LeGrand Johnson and the citys Public Works department worked overtime to remove the gravel from Mill Creek Drives travel lanes and placed it in the bike lanes which will remain closed until LeGrand Johnson does the chip-seal work next summer, probably in June, according to Williams.

LeGrand Johnson, said Williams, readily agreed the work was under warranty and next years chip-seal project has already been paid for. Williams said between $140,000 and $150,00 of the $260,000 project was earmarked for chip-seal.

While Black understands the publics frustration, he said the problem was not a debacle, but rather a series of really unfortunate circumstances. One of those circumstances, he conceded, regards decisions that were made. We decided to go ahead and unfortunately that didnt work out. Once finished, well look back and see what led to some of those decisions so we can respond to the public and assure the public it wont happen again.

The city and LeGrand Johnson put up copious signage warning motorists and others that the bike lane was closed, that there was loose gravel on the roadway, and to share the road. We were trying to get people to be careful, but were taking responsibility for this, said Black.

Now that the gravel has been removed from travel lanes, the road will be striped, but that could be a challenge to schedule as there are only three companies in the entire state that stripe roads. They will have to be re-striped after the chip-seal is reapplied next summer, said Williams.

We apologize to the entire community and were trying to make it right, said Church.

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Drop in temps led to Mill Creek chip-seal failure - The Times ... - The Times-Independent