#local-politics

#local-politics

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

Of course, that's not true; there's always baggage. Every society that thrives today does so with a debt to a history filled with pain, exploitation and self-serving decision-making. It's painful to point it out, but if we can't point it out on Thanksgiving - when we literally give thanks for the bounty that we enjoy as Americans - then when can we?

From Texas to Pennsylvania to Ohio, Democrat-backed candidates ran successful campaigns in some of the nation's largest school systems and in political battlegrounds. They emphasized test scores and bus safety over debates about which bathrooms transgender students use and banning books from school libraries. The result was a set of election results at the local level that accentuated the punishment meted out against Republicans by swing voters earlier this month.

The northern suburbs are swinging left but there's one last Republican stronghold where GOP officials still hold every government seat - a red town rowing right in a sea of blue. Leaders in the southern Westchester County town of Eastchester say they've stayed Blue Wave-proof just a few miles from the Bronx by rejecting "wokeism" and embracing traditional values while some locals say they're perfectly happy in the right-leaning "bubble."

An alleged abuse of public resources. A mocking Facebook video. A series of unusual dramas has marked a bitter feud between the office of District 7 San Jose Councilmember Bien Doan and East Side Union High School District Trustee Van Le. Le said she will run against Doan when he's up for reelection next year - and also plans to sue him for defamation.

Mamdani and Lurie have a tremendous amount in common. Both are scions of privilege who bring little political experience to their jobs. The 34-year-old Mamdani, the progeny of a noted academic and an accomplished filmmaker, has been a state lawmaker for all of four years. Lurie, 48, grew up wealthy after his mother married Peter Haas, an heir to the Levi Strauss blue jeans dynasty. Before becoming mayor in January, Lurie had founded an anti-poverty nonprofit but had never held elected office.

For the night, Hadidi transformed the restaurant's back room, typically reserved for parties of 20 or more, into a theater-style viewing room. It became so packed that Huda regulars Hiba Awad and her friends Joanna and Mo ran home for a laptop and monitor, which they set up at the bar next to the martini glasses. "That way, we can live stream the results for the rest of the restaurant to see, too," Awad explained.

Each winter, fine particle pollution reaches dangerous levels, with residential wood burning responsible for up to 34% of emissions. This is a serious public health threat. Low-income families and communities of color already bear the greatest burden of polluted air, suffering higher rates of asthma and heart disease. The need for cleaner air is urgent, and limiting wood burning is a reasonable, science-based solution. Cleaner winter air means fewer emergency room visits and lives saved.

A mayor in Mexico's western state of Michoacan was shot dead in a plaza in front of dozens of people who had gathered for Day of the Dead festivities, authorities have said. The mayor of the Uruapan municipality, Carlos Alberto Manzo Rodriguez, was gunned down Saturday night in the town's historic centre. He was rushed to a hospital where he later died, according to state prosecutor Carlos Torres Pina.

Right now, the biggest challenge our community faces is the housing crisis. Too many families in Roxbury, Dorchester, the South End, and Fenway are being pushed out of the neighborhoods they have built and loved for generations. Every week, I talk with elders who worry about losing their homes and young families who feel like they will never be able to stay where they grew up. This is tearing at the heart of our community.

It seems like you can sniff out dogcatcher talent because you are one? the text read. Rishi wrote a book on Al, is an Al expert, C-suite software executive and can teach you a thing or two. F OFF fface. It's unclear exactly who wrote the text, but the number it originated from appeared to be the same one used by the Kumar campaign for text banking purposes a way for campaigns to reach out to large groups of voters.

He then broke out singing "Eye of the Tiger" and asked the bemused crowd to join in. That's when two helpers on either side of the floor unfurled a sign that said "Unfair Taxes," and Thilly proceeded to kung fu kick through it. One man in the crowd can be seen laughing, and another man held his head in his hands.

"But Linden rose to the challenge without hesitation. She has the opposition firmly on the run and under her guidance. "Reform UK members are flourishing in their roles."

I couldn't be prouder to represent this borough of constituents, from 190 countries, that speak 360 languages, and dialects, he said, thanking Senator John Liu for putting forward a law to make Diwali a holiday.

"I'm a pretty moderate candidate, not a super polarized view on the world," Ryan said.

I am publicly admitting that I took funds from the Presbyterian Church over an extended period,

During the pandemic years, Zoom calls were politics, but I still often find myself on them, in the process meeting candidates for local offices around the country. It's a good analgesic for the wearying cynicism that is the hallmark of the moment, since these people are often idealistic, enthusiastic, and smart. But, once in a while, you encounter true political talent-something that is as rare but as obvious as, say, great athletic prowess or a deep musical gift.

A road-raging NYPD cop pulled a gun on three kid in an off-duty incident in Westchester, which is a reminder to again point out that a majority of NYPD cops live in the suburbs. (WPIX, Gothamist) Another hat-tip to Williamsburg365 for its ongoing coverage of how dangerous Bedford Avenue is now! Check out how fast these drivers were speeding! (amNY also covered it.)

THE BELL HOTEL in Epping is a drab 80-bedroom coaching inn 20 miles as the crow files from Westminster. Since April it has housed up to 138 male asylum-seekers on behalf of the Home Office. Epping Forest District Council, which is controlled by the Conservative Party, contends that doing so constitutes a "material change of use" and the hotel's owner should seek planning permission to convert it to a hostel.

Candidates in the Santa Clara County assessor race have raised significant campaign funds ahead of the upcoming special election, reflecting high levels of interest and competition.

Mayor Adams emphasized the importance of local support during his campaign in Chinatown, highlighting his frequent visits and connection to the community. 'I am not just your mayor, I’m your brother,' he stated, reinforcing his ties to the voters.

Agnes Slocombe, the first-ever black mayor of Barnet and a long-serving Hendon church minister, passed away at age 90 after a remarkable public service career.

The bonfire at Meridi Street burned effigies of rap trio Kneecap and had an Irish language slogan urging people to "kill your local Kneecap." This ignited further controversy.