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Former South Dakota Legislator and Gubernatorial Nominee Lars Herseth Dies at 80

Former South Dakota Legislator and Gubernatorial Nominee Lars Herseth Dies at 80

Lars Herseth, a prominent Democratic figure in South Dakota politics, passed away on Saturday at the age of 80 after a battle with cancer. Herseth, who served as a state legislator and was the Democratic nominee for governor in 1986, hailed from a family deeply rooted in South Dakota public service. His father, Ralph Herseth, served as the state's 21st governor from 1959 to 1961, and his mother, Lorna Herseth, was South Dakota's secretary of state from 1973 to 1979. His daughter, Stephanie Herseth Sandlin, represented South Dakota in the U.S. House from 2004 to 2011 and currently serves as the president of Augustana University. Lars Herseth's political career included terms in both the state House of Representatives (1975-1986) and the state Senate (1989-1996), where he held leadership positions such as House minority leader, Senate president pro tempore, and Senate minority leader. Republican Lt. Gov. Tony Venhuizen and U.S. Senator Mike Rounds have both paid tribute to Herseth, acknowledging his dedicati...

Senator Katie Britt Recognized as 'Federal Champion' for Flood Resilience Efforts

Senator Katie Britt Recognized as 'Federal Champion' for Flood Resilience Efforts

U.S. Senator Katie Britt has been designated a “Federal Champion” by the American Flood Coalition. This recognition is for her dedicated work in promoting flood resilience, enhancing disaster preparedness, and supporting water forecasting initiatives across Alabama and the United States. Senator Britt's role as Chair of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security is pivotal, as it grants her oversight of funding allocations for critical agencies such as FEMA and other Department of Homeland Security programs focused on disaster preparedness and response. Her efforts have also resulted in securing substantial funding for various flood-mitigation projects within Alabama, directly benefiting her constituents and the state's infrastructure. The American Flood Coalition, a nonpartisan organization, publicly announced this acknowledgment, highlighting her significant contributions to these vital areas.

U.S. Solicitor General's Supreme Court Brief Omits Harms of USPS Mail Ballot Rule

U.S. Solicitor General's Supreme Court Brief Omits Harms of USPS Mail Ballot Rule

The U.S. Solicitor General's reply brief to the Supreme Court, concerning a lower court injunction against a U.S. Postal Service (USPS) rule on mail ballots, conspicuously omits any discussion of the potential harms to states, voters, or election integrity. According to the Election Law Blog, the brief dedicates a section to the harms the government is allegedly suffering but provides no corresponding account of the detrimental impacts on other stakeholders if the USPS rule were to be applied in the upcoming election. This silence is notable, especially since a preliminary injunction was issued based on extensive evidence from election officials detailing these harms. The USPS itself, during its rulemaking procedure, also failed to acknowledge the severe consequences of states' inability to comply with the rule, nor did it justify its application to the ongoing election. State plaintiffs argue that these failures render the USPS's choice of the rule's effective date arbitrary and capricious, a point the So...

Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh Renews Call for Federal Aid Following Severe Flooding

Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh Renews Call for Federal Aid Following Severe Flooding

Paterson, New Jersey, experienced significant flash flooding on Sunday, leading to submerged vehicles and 15 rescues by the Paterson Fire Department. Mayor Andre Sayegh has reiterated his call for federal assistance to address the city's persistent flooding issues. The flooding reached knee-high levels at intersections like 21st and Summer streets, with cars partially submerged. A similar situation occurred at 25th Street and 11th Avenue, where crews had to extract a vehicle from the flooded roadway. Mayor Sayegh emphasized that this is not an isolated incident and that without federal intervention, the city will continue to face these challenges. He highlighted the need for infrastructure improvements, particularly upgrading the aging sewer system, and supports legislation to penalize pollution, which often exacerbates flooding by clogging storm drains. The city has already undertaken sewer repairs under River Street, which previously experienced severe flooding, demonstrating the effectiveness of such in...

Canada Became the Largest F/A-18 Hornet Operator Outside the United States

Canada Became the Largest F/A-18 Hornet Operator Outside the United States

The McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet, while a cornerstone of U.S. Navy and Marine Corps aviation, also achieved significant international success, b...

Kosovo gets new government but political impasse persists

Kosovo gets new government but political impasse persists

Kosovo lawmakers have voted in a new government led by Prime Minister Albin Kurti

South Dakota Secretary of State Faces Lawsuit Over Voter Notification Letters for Federal-Only Registrants

South Dakota Secretary of State Faces Lawsuit Over Voter Notification Letters for Federal-Only Registrants

A federal judge in Sioux Falls is currently reviewing a lawsuit against South Dakota Secretary of State Monae Johnson and the state Board of Elections. The lawsuit, filed by the League of Women Voters and Sioux Falls resident Jaysen Hill, alleges that the state is violating the U.S. Constitution by sending misleading notification letters to voters registered as 'federal-only.' These letters, sent by county auditors under the Secretary of State's guidance, primarily cite mail-forwarding address issues as the reason for federal-only status, even when the actual reason is a failure to provide citizenship documentation. American Civil Liberties Union attorney William Hancock, representing the League, argues that these letters are inaccurate, misleading, and violate the due process rights guaranteed by the 14th Amendment, which requires accurate information and a means to respond. The lawsuit seeks to compel the state to accept photocopies of certain IDs for voter registration, rescind guidance requiring in-per...

Former Congresswoman Mayra Flores Criticizes Corpus Christi Candidate Eric Flores for Neglecting Water Crisis at Republican Convention

Former Congresswoman Mayra Flores Criticizes Corpus Christi Candidate Eric Flores for Neglecting Water Crisis at Republican Convention

During the Republican Midterm Convention in Dallas, Texas, the critical water crisis in Corpus Christi, where the city reportedly has only two years of water supply remaining and relies heavily on rainfall, was not addressed by Republican candidate Eric Flores. Despite the urgency of the issue for residents of District 34, Eric Flores's five-minute speech focused on his experience in the National Guard, border security, human trafficking investigations, and campaign objectives. His address was directed at Republican leaders and candidates rather than voters with specific concerns. Former Congresswoman Mayra Flores, representing District 34, emphasized that addressing the water crisis is a fundamental responsibility for candidates, stating that water is vital for everyone, regardless of political affiliation. Local media reports indicate that families in Corpus Christi are living with fear and uncertainty due to the lack of water.

Federal Election Commission Addresses AI's Impact on Voting and Voter Protection Strategies

Federal Election Commission Addresses AI's Impact on Voting and Voter Protection Strategies

The Federal Election Commission (FEC) is actively engaged in discussions regarding the implications of artificial intelligence (AI) on voting processes and the development of voter protection strategies. Commissioner Shana Broussard of the FEC participated in a panel discussion that framed voter protection strategies across various timeframes, from short-term sprints to long-term ultra-marathons. This discussion highlighted the ongoing challenges posed by AI-generated deepfakes and mis/disinformation, particularly concerning micro-targeting designed to suppress voting in vulnerable communities. Conversely, the FEC also acknowledges AI's significant contributions to making voting and elections more accessible for diverse disability communities, while simultaneously recognizing the substantial challenges AI presents to these same groups. The FEC's involvement underscores a broader effort to navigate the evolving landscape of election administration in the digital age, ensuring compliance with federal electio...

Talarico's Jimmy Kimmel interview racks up nearly 6M views on YouTube

Talarico's Jimmy Kimmel interview racks up nearly 6M views on YouTube

Kimmel said he chose not to air the interview on ABC amid concerns about FCC rules governing appearances by political candidates.

Rep. Hakeem Jeffries Projected as Potential Speaker of the House Following 2026 Midterms

Rep. Hakeem Jeffries Projected as Potential Speaker of the House Following 2026 Midterms

In a speculative political quiz regarding the 2026 midterm elections, Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) is identified as a potential 'biggest winner' of the midterms, with the possibility of becoming the first African-American to be elected as Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. This projection is based on a scenario where Democrats win control of the House while Republicans retain control of the Senate. The quiz, designed to predict future political events, positions Jeffries as a significant figure in the Democratic Party's future leadership. The context of the quiz also touches upon broader political landscapes, including the influence of President Trump, the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and the rise of certain political ideologies within both major parties.

Huntington Beach Not Equipped for Snowfall, Focuses on Rain and Coastal Erosion Management

Huntington Beach Not Equipped for Snowfall, Focuses on Rain and Coastal Erosion Management

Huntington Beach, California, a city known for its coastal environment and mild Mediterranean winters, is not prepared for significant snowfall. The city's infrastructure and cultural practices are geared towards managing hazards like rainwater drainage, coastal erosion, and high surf, rather than snow removal. Unlike northern U.S. cities, Huntington Beach lacks snowplows, salt spreaders, or emergency snow removal protocols. The occurrence of snow in coastal Southern California is an extremely rare event, requiring a specific alignment of atmospheric conditions, including an atmospheric river colliding with a strong cold front and freezing temperatures from the cloud layer to the ground. Historically, any snow accumulation in the area has been brief and quickly melted. The average low temperatures in winter months, typically in the mid-40s to low 50s Fahrenheit, are too high to sustain snowflakes.