Category: Politics

The Doug LaMalfa I covered: Authentic, cranky and deeply caring Estimated reading time: 6 minutes Authentic leadership: A farmer who stayed deeply connected to his North State roots. Blunt but caring: A no-nonsense style paired with genuine warmth toward constituents and staff. Wildfire and dam focus: Passionate about wildfire prevention and the Oroville Dam spillway…

Former Colorado wildlife director heads to Wyoming Estimated reading time: 4 minutes Key takeaways Jeff Davis, former Colorado Parks and Wildlife director, is moving to Wyoming as deputy director for the state’s game and fish agency. The transition follows a settlement amid controversy over Colorado’s wolf reintroduction program and CPW decisions. U.S. Fish and Wildlife…

Trump Administration Withholds Social Safety Net Funds From 5 States: A Closer Look Estimated reading time: 4 minutes Five states targeted: California, Colorado, Illinois, Minnesota, and New York. Funds affected: Child Care Development Block Grant, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, and the Social Services Block Grant. Reason: alleged fraud concerns; public details remain sparse. Political…

Venezuela, Greenland, and Oil: What the US Briefing Means for Public Accountability Estimated reading time: 5 minutes Key takeaways Democrats criticized the briefing for lacking a detailed, long-term plan, warning against a repeat of past missteps in Iraq and Afghanistan. Sanctions were described as selectively rolled back to enable the transport and sale of Venezuelan…

Tim Walz, Fraud and the Costs of Trifecta Politics Estimated reading time: 6 minutes Overview Oversight and revelations The surplus, spending, and fallout Lessons for voters and governance Related stories Overview Tim Walz’s ascent as a centrist Democrat who won a rural district and championed One Minnesota positioned him as a unifying figure. The piece…

Five years later: From the Politics Desk Estimated reading time: 5 minutes Key takeaways Trump is recasting Jan. 6 history by taking actions aimed at erasing or rewriting the Capitol siege narrative. The White House launched a dedicated narrative page, with a timeline reading ‘Stolen Election Certified’ and claims about Pence; dozens of pardons and…

Trump’s Venezuela Credibility Scrutiny Estimated reading time: 4 min Key takeaways Public framing of Maduro as head of a drug cartel faced expert skepticism about the existence of a formal organization. New indictments reframed the Cartel de los Soles as a patronage system rather than a concrete entity. Alleged ties to Tren de Aragua and…

Tim Walz Welfare Scandal and the 2026 Campaign: What It Means for Minnesota Voters Estimated reading time: 5 minutes Key takeaways The welfare-theft scheme linked to pandemic-era meal programs became a potent political weapon as Minnesota’s governor paused his re-election bid. Public vetting in 2024 and renewed federal charges show warning signs were publicly visible…

Unregulated gambling on politics: What could go wrong? Estimated reading time: 5 minutes Key takeaways Prediction markets are expanding beyond niche audiences, challenging traditional views on gambling and forecasting. High-profile bets illustrate potential insider information risks and the need for robust oversight. Public attitudes are mixed, with polls showing broad desire for access but concerns…

Trump’s Greenland Gambit Trump’s Greenland Gambit: A 21st-Century Empire in Flux Estimated reading time: 5 min Key takeaways Strategic prize: Greenland’s location, a US base on the island, and its untapped offshore energy and minerals shape bold, imperial-tinged ambitions. From rhetoric to action: The Venezuela raid and the plan to potentially control sanctioned oil signal…