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Power to the people? Only half have the right to propose and pass laws

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:28:24 GMT

Voters in Maine will be deciding a question in November about whether independent automobile repair shops should have access to the same diagnostic technology as dealerships. In Ohio, voters will be settling a pair of more personal questions — whether to create a constitutional right to abortion and legalize recreational marijuana. They are the latest of nearly 2,700 issues decided by voters over the past 125 years after citizens petitioned to place proposed laws or constitutional amendments on a statewide ballot. But that outburst of direct democracy has been limited to just half the states. When it comes to the power of the people, the nation stands divided. About 165 million people live in 25 states with active citizen initiative or referendum provisions, which let residents bypass the legislature to amend the constitution, enact laws or repeal those passed by elected officials. About 167 million people live in 25 other states where such direct democracy is not currently an optio...

Weekend need-to-know: Halloween events continue, Nick Nurse is back

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:28:24 GMT

Celebrate Halloween across the GTA this weekend with several haunting events to get you into the spirit. You can check out a rarely-open TTC subway station or catch some Toronto Raptors action at Scotiabank Arena.There is a one-day subway closure on part of Line 1 for track work and line closure on the GO Train, alongside ongoing road closures. Scroll below for more details.Here’s what’s going on this weekend:Top eventsHalloween Fest at Bay Lower StationThe spookiest subway station will be the host for the TTC’s Halloween Fest this weekend and give residents a chance to check out the rarely opened Bay Lower Station. It will feature candy-filled train cars, trick-or-treating and ghastly characters lurking within the trains.Admission is $5 per person (cash only), but children under the age of two will get in for free and proceeds will support United Way Greater Toronto.Check out Halloween Fest from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.Halloween...

Corus Entertainment says advertising revenue declines as company reports Q4 earnings

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:28:24 GMT

TORONTO — Corus Entertainment Inc. reported a net income attributable to shareholders of $50.4 million in its latest quarter, a turnaround from its net loss of $367.1 million in the fourth quarter of last year.The television and radio broadcaster says its profits amounted to 25 cents per diluted share for the quarter ended Aug. 31, compared with a loss of $1.82 cents per diluted share in the same quarter last year.Revenue totalled $338.8 million for the company’s fourth quarter, down slightly from $339.6 million a year earlier.But on an adjusted basis, Corus says it recorded a loss of four cents per share for the quarter, compared with a loss of eight cents per share in the same quarter last year.The company says revenues for the year decreased as a result of declines in almost all advertising categories as well as subscriber revenues, which was partially offset by an increase in distribution, production and other revenue.The company says it is awaiting a decision from the CRT...

How a South Dakota priest inspired 125 years of direct democracy – and the fight to preserve it

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:28:24 GMT

Thanks to a rabble-rousing, socialist priest, it’s a milestone year for direct democracy in the U.S. and not just because Ohio voters are circumventing their Republican-controlled legislature to decide for themselves if they have constitutional abortion rights.The practice of citizen-originated ballot measures began 125 years ago when South Dakota became the first in the nation to enact a statewide initiative and referendum process. More states followed, and the movement giving voters lawmaking powers grew far bigger than the Rev. Robert W. Haire’s spirited advocacy for it.The pioneering Catholic priest is an obscure historical figure today. But some still invoke his name in their fight to preserve voters’ ballot measure rights. Others carry on with the advocating, educating and ministering that Haire set into motion — whether they know it or not.South Dakotans still cherish being able to vote on their state’s laws and constitution — and that’s Haire’s legacy, said Cory Heidelberger...

Palestinians plead 'stop the bombs' at UN meeting but Israel insists Hamas must be obliterated

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:28:24 GMT

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — “Stop the bombs and save lives!” the Palestinian ambassador pleaded at an emotional U.N. meeting Thursday on the nonstop attacks in Gaza. But Israel’s envoy was adamant, declaring again, “We will not rest until Hamas is obliterated.”The attacks sparked by Hamas' surprise attacks on Israel on Oct. 7 played out in the vast hall of the 193-nation General Assembly, where Arab nations expected to adopt a resolution Friday calling for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza after the Security Council’s four failed attempts to agree on any action.At the assembly’s resumed emergency special session on Israeli actions in the Palestinian territories Thursday, speaker after speaker backed the Arab resolution’s cease-fire call — except for Israel’s U.N. Ambassador Gilad Erdan, who told the 193-member world body, “A cease-fire means giving Hamas time to rearm itself, so they can massacre us again.”He said, “Any call for a cease-fire is not an attempt at peace. It is an attempt to t...

Dean's Weekender: Ramy Youssef, The 1975 and more

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:28:24 GMT

Check out Dean's Weekender for the latest events coming to the Chicagoland area this weekend.

Dean's Reviews: Five Nights at Freddy's

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:28:24 GMT

Check out Dean's review on the latest film, "Five Nights at Freddy's."Get Dean's reviews and A-List interviews delivered right to your inbox. Sign up for Dean's Downloads weekly newsletter. You'll also get his Dean Cooks recipes too!

Trump Jr. calls RFK Jr. a 'Democrat plant'

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:28:24 GMT

(The Hill) — Donald Trump Jr. dubbed presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. a “Democrat plant” after the candidate left the Democratic primary to pursue a presidential bid as an independent, potentially hurting former President Trump’s election chances.“It legitimately always felt like it was a Democrat plant to hurt the Trump thing,” Trump Jr. said to Trump campaign volunteers in Iowa on Thursday, NBC News reported. “He wouldn’t be there if the Democrats didn’t want him.”The Democratic establishment essentially ignored Kennedy’s longshot primary bid against President Biden. Now, early polls show that Kennedy may actually pull more voters from Trump than Biden in a three-man race, turning a former primary opponent into a boon for the president.Kennedy centered his campaign on a rejection of the two-party system, distrust in government and skepticism of COVID-19, including the COVID vaccine.Those positions could appeal to voters who otherwise would vote for Trump, political ana...

Efforts to make desalination cheaper than tap water

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:28:24 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- There are water scarcity concerns worldwide, but there's plenty of salt water in the world's oceans. However, you can't drink salt water, so scientists at MIT's Device Research Laboratory are attempting to create desalination technology. The hope is that the technology will turn salt water to fresh water and open up doors to more water access to people and places where it's hard to come by.KXAN Meteorologist Nick Bannin spoke with Yang Zhong, a Graduate Student at MIT's Device Research Laboratory, about how they're working to make this happen.Nick Bannin, KXAN Meteorologist: So you and your colleagues have developed a device capable of producing freshwater from saltwater, powered by the sun? What makes this device special?Yang Zhong, Graduate Student at MIT's Device Research Laboratory: Certainly, there are quite a few research and also products available on the market. This device is also powered by sunlight, but I think for those devices, a key challenge is that t...

Friday is the deadline to apply for ballot by mail

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:28:24 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – The Texas Secretary of State's Office has sent out a reminder that Friday is an important deadline for Texas voters in the Nov. 7 election. Friday is the last day voters can apply for a ballot by mail.The Secretary of State's office said to be eligible to vote early by mail in Texas, you must:be 65 years or older;be sick or disabled;be out of the county on election day and during the period for early voting by personal appearance; orbe expected to give birth within three weeks before or after Election Day; orbe confined in jail, but otherwise eligible. KXAN Voter Guide November 2023 Here are the instructions according to the SOS's office for submitting an Application for Ballot by Mail (“ABBM”):Print (PDF) the ABBM formOR submit an order online and an ABBM will be mailed to you.Complete Sections 1 through 4.Sign and Date Section 5.If you were unable to sign the application and someone witnessed your signature, that person must complete Section 6.If s...