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Sofi Hersher Andorsky: Faith-based communities have a role to play in strengthening democracy

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:46:51 GMT

There is an old joke about making decisions in the Jewish community: three people, 10 opinions. And that is how it is inside houses of worship, schools, and faith institutions across America, as they routinely meld the diverse opinions as they do the work of negotiating, compromising, forging consensus, and fostering a sense of purpose. The same is true of other faith-based spaces; connected by a shared identity and a commitment to a shared future, diverse people make meaning, celebrate, plan, and make decisions together. The outcomes don’t always satisfy everyone, but a commitment to the overall vision — and to each other — keeps the community together.Indeed, at a time when democratic norms and institutions in the United States are under attack, and amidst a rise in extremism that has fueled violence against minority faith communities nationwide, the faith-based community has often shown how regular community engagement can sustain civic connections, connections ...

Minnesota wolves eating fish wasn’t a fluke, researchers say

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:46:51 GMT

KABETOGAMA LAKE, Minn. — When researchers at the Voyageurs Wolf Project first captured video of wolves catching and eating fish out of a small stream back in 2017, they thought it was probably a unique occurrence.Now, upon further research, the biologists have found that many wolves across their northern Minnesota range likely target and catch fish in the spring — a good source of protein at just the right time of year when other food is not abundant.In a study published in the May issue of the journal Royal Society Open, the wolf project scientists found wolves returning to their favorite fishing holes to catch fish for five straight years, and one more year after the report was finished.“After observing males and females, yearlings and adults, lone wolves and pack members fish, we think that wolves hunt spawning fish across similar boreal ecosystems, and they likely have been doing it for quite a while. We don’t think it is a new behavior,” said Dani Freund, lead author of the rep...

St. Paul-based organization channels $50 million toward generational wealth building in Black communities. How will it work?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:46:51 GMT

The Bush Foundation is sending $50 million into a wealth-building program run by Nexus Community Partners directed at American descendants of chattel slavery residing in Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota.The St. Paul-based organization announced last week that the grant will be used to fund at least 800 applicants with $50,000 during the next eight years.The Bush Foundation is funding this project with money from social impact bonds they issued in 2020.“Essentially, that means we took on debt to put more money into the region during unprecedented times. We didn’t want to reduce our regular grant-making to create these funds,” said communications director Kari Ruth.Nexus President Repa Mekha (Courtesy of Nexus Community Partners).All residents age 14 and up who can prove they’re descendants of the Atlantic slave trade are eligible for grants — there is no income cap or minimum and both individuals and group applicants will be considered. Applications op...

Ask Amy: Grandparents excluded from Sunday dinners

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:46:51 GMT

Dear Amy: My daughter, who moved to the East Coast for college 15 years ago, recently had a baby.My husband and I, recently retired, came out from the West Coast for the baby’s birth and were convinced to move.We upended everything, moved 12 minutes away from our daughter and now watch our grandson four days a week, which is great.My daughter’s in-laws live about an hour away and now that the baby is older they have resumed their routine of Sunday dinners, with my daughter, son-in-law and grandson. These dinners, which used to be at the in-laws’ house, are now held at my daughter’s house.We are rarely invited to join, even on Mother’s Day.We were invited on Christmas and Easter, but we bought all the food and did all the cooking.How can I handle that they are purposely (and hurtfully, on Mother’s Day) excluding us?— Feeling ShunnedDear Shunned: You see your grandchild four times a week. Granted, you are providing childcare and not dropping in for ...

Horoscopes June 11, 2023: Peter Dinklage, love and respect yourself and others

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:46:51 GMT

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Claire Holt, 35; Shia LaBeouf, 37; Peter Dinklage, 54; Hugh Laurie, 64.Happy Birthday: You’ll need patience this year when dealing with people who don’t share your beliefs. Be a good listener, and you’ll gain insight into how to deal with situations that require diplomacy. Your ability to understand and commiserate with people from all walks of life will help you bridge a gap that can make the difference between success and failure. Love and respect yourself and others. Your numbers are 5, 12, 20, 22, 34, 39, 45.ARIES (March 21-April 19): Participate in activities that motivate you to expand your circle of friends. A reunion will allow you to reconnect with someone from your past. Don’t hesitate to make the first move. Your confidence and maturity will pay off. Romance is favored. 3 starsTAURUS (April 20-May 20): Align yourself with like-minded people, and you will accomplish your goals, make new friends and have fun. Check your ...

Word Game: June 11, 2023

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:46:51 GMT

TODAY’S WORD — WITHERED (WITHERED: WITH-erd: Became dry and sapless; lost vitality, force or freshness.)Average mark 45 wordsTime limit 60 minutesCan you find 64 or more words in WITHERED?TODAY’S WORD — WITHERED weed weir weird were whee where whet whir whit white whiter wide wider width wire wired with wither wried writ write writhe thee their there thew third three threw tide tier tiered tire tired tree tried tweed heder heed heir herd here hewed hide hire edit eider either ether ewer reed retie ride rite deer deet deter dewier diet dieter dire dirt dither drewTo purchase the Word Game book, visit WordGameBooks.com. Order it now for just $5 while supplies last!RULES OF THE GAME:1. Words must be of four or more letters.2. Words that acquire four letters by the addition of “s,” such as “bats” or “dies,” are not allowed.3. Additional words made by adding a “d” or an “s” may not be used. For example, if “bake” is used, “baked” or “bakes” are not allowed, but “b...

The Next Big Emissions Fight Is an Old One: Why Some Conservatives Oppose Clean Air

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:46:51 GMT

Steve Milloy, a longtime lobbyist for polluting industries from tobacco to coal to oil and gas, is back in the news thanks to the wildfire smoke that recently blanketed the U.S. East Coast. Milloy appeared on Fox News to tell people that there are “no negative health impacts” from breathing in wildfire smoke. It’s the latest salvo in a war he’s been waging against air pollution regulation since the 1980s.For industry operatives like Milloy, air pollution, especially the regulation of particulate matter, has long been a greater concern than climate policy. Regulations on PM2.5 —fine inhalable particles generally smaller than 2.5 micrometers in diameter — would require many of the same reductions in the combustion of fossil fuels that climate policy would, but without any of the politicization that has obstructed climate action for decades. It’s never been easy for politicians to publicly fight against clean air and water, and it’s doubly hard when the country’s largest city is wrappe...

Germantown man shot and killed at apartment complex

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:46:51 GMT

A 57-year-old man was shot and killed on Friday night at a Germantown, Maryland, apartment complex where he lived, police said.Errick Roy Dixon was shot and killed at an apartment complex in the 19500 block of Gunners Branch Road at around 8 p.m., Montgomery County police said in a news release.Upon arrival, police said officers found multiple shell casings in the parking lot. A man, later identified as Dixon, who appeared to have been shot was found behind one of the apartment buildings.Police gave aid to Dixon until fire and rescue crews came. He was pronounced dead at the scene.Witnesses said they saw a number of people who drove away from the area, but there are no suspects in custody, according to police.The police department did not give a description of any suspects or what led up to the shooting.Below is a map where the shooting took place:Source

Hill saves Vegas in Game 4’s closing seconds, has team one win away from Stanley Cup title

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:46:51 GMT

SUNRISE, Fla. (AP) — As the Florida Panthers made a furious attempt to tie Game 4 — and the series — Saturday night, Adin Hill made the biggest save of his career as he denied Florida’s Matthew Tkachuk and Sam Bennett in the game’s closing seconds to give his team a win and commanding 3-1 series lead in the Stanley Cup Final.“I kind of saw where the puck was and just tried to do anything I could to get a piece of something on it,” Hill said. “In situations like that it’s just full on desperation.”His play this series has fueled the Golden Knights’ success and helped Vegas to a 3-2 win Saturday. The Golden Knights head back to Vegas one win away from hoisting their first Stanley Cup in franchise history. “Hillsy made the saves that we needed him to make,” Vegas defenseman Alex Pietrangelo said. “You can’t be surprised. How many games has he played here, as well as he’s played? He’s played well all year for us. All of our goalies have played well regardless of ...

Miami Police search for missing 63-year-old man

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:46:51 GMT

The City of Miami Police Department Special Victims Unit is seeking the public’s help in locating a missing 63-year-old man. Eddie Poke was last seen on Saturday around the Model City area wearing a white shirt and gray pants. He stands at 6 feet tall and has black hair and brown eyes. Authorities reported Poke as an endangered adult. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact Detective G. Arauz or the City of Miami of Police Department’s Special Victims Unit at 305-603-6300, 305-579-6111, or [email protected].