RandySF
RandySF's JournalThanks for the hearts!
Its been a rough winter for all of us but we still have each other.
New strain of bird flu detected in California
The World Organization for Animal Health said in a Jan. 27 notification that the H5N9 strain of avian bird flu has been detected for the first time at a duck farm in Merced County, California. The more common H5N1 strain was also found in the flock. All 119,000 ducks on the farm were culled by Dec. 2.
Disease experts classify the H5N1 virus in two types, low-pathogenic (LPAI) and high-pathogenic (HPAI). The low-pathogenic variety infects birds without making them visibly sick, enabling them to spread it. The high-pathogenic type quickly produces signs of illness. H5N9 is a much rarer strain than the H5N1 that was first discovered in China 10 years ago and is believed to be less transmissible to humans than H5N1.
The H and N letters refer to which proteins combine to produce each type: hemagglutinin or H proteins, of which there are 16 (H1 to H16), and neuraminidase or N proteins, of which there are nine (N1 to N9). Many different combinations of H and N proteins are possible. Each combination is considered a different subtype and can be further broken down into different strains.
H5N1 has spread around the globe in recent years and infected many mammalian species. Millions of wild mammals are thought to have died from it, including seals. About 600 dairy herds in the U.S. have been reported infected to date. There have been at least 67 human infection cases, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Millions of birds have been destroyed to try to contain avian bird flu, contributing to the rise in egg prices.
https://hpj.com/2025/02/15/new-strain-of-bird-flu-detected-in-california/
Leventis (D) and Schultz set for Sumter school board Area 8 runoff
It will be Phil Leventis and Keith Schultz in a runoff after the two garnered the most votes in Tuesday's special election for the Area 8 seat on Sumter's school board.
With four candidates in the race and no one receiving more than 50% plus one vote of the total votes, the runoff required for a candidate to get a majority of votes, and it will be on Tuesday, Feb. 25. Leventis won 43.72% of the vote - which included early voting and absentee mail votes - while Schultz took 19.4%.
A former member of Sumter School District's Board of Trustees, Schultz edged political newcomer Tom Montgomery by two votes for second place. Montgomery finished third with 18.85% of the vote.
Foxy Rae Campbell placed fourth with 18.03% of the vote.
According to Sumter County Voter Registration and Elections Office, there are 7,762 registered voters in Sumter School District's Area 8, and 366 voted in the special election. That is a voter turnout rate of 4.72%. Of the five precincts, Wilson Hall had the largest turnout at 8.6% and 165 voters, and Leventis won 56.4% of that vote.
https://www.theitem.com/stories/leventis-and-schultz-set-for-school-board-area-8-runoff,425894
Democrats see small wins in low-key races, fueling hopes for November
Democrats are already seeing some small victories in under-the-radar races in the beginning of 2025, with the party hoping they can maintain that energy heading into November as they look to flip the Virginia governors mansion and hold off GOP opponents in other elections.
The party flipped a state Senate seat in Iowa last month, while a Democrat recently ousted a conservative mayor in Norman, Okla. Meanwhile, in New York, Democrat Ken Jenkins won a county executive seat, improving on the partys November performance there. And last month, the Democrats retained their control over a Loudoun County, Va.-area state House and Senate seats after the party underperformed in November.
The victories continue a trend the party has seen for multiple cycles in which it has won big in off-year elections where President Trump wasnt on the ballot. But some in the party argue more needs to be done in order to turn out voters ahead of the first major high-stakes races following Trumps victory in November.
I would describe most of these races as simply Democrats holding serve, with the big exception of an Iowa state Senate race where Democrats flipped a district that Trump had won by roughly 20 points, said Kyle Kondik, managing editor at Sabatos Crystal Ball at the University of Virginia Center for Politics.
https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/5146581-democrats-win-special-elections/
Control of the Wisconsin Supreme Court is up for grabs -- again -- in first big 2025 battleground race
Wisconsin voters will return to the polls this spring for the first major election in a battleground state since the 2024 presidential race.
The April 1 contest for a seat on Wisconsins Supreme Court which will determine the benchs ideological balance for the second time in two years has already drawn millions of dollars from big names on both sides of the political aisle, with the future of a bevy of hot-button issues related to abortion rights, unions and congressional maps at stake.
Its probably going to be just as competitive as the last couple of presidential and gubernatorial elections and Senate elections here, said former Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, a Republican. The race, which is technically nonpartisan, promises to reach a level that much more like what you see in partisan elections, he added.
The seat is open after liberal Justice Ann Walsh Bradley announced last year she would not fun for a fourth 10-year term. The general election campaign quickly got underway after both sides quickly lined up behind a candidate and the primary was canceled.
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/elections/wisconsin-supreme-court-race-2025-battleground-state-rcna191726
Appeal expected after judge's ruling on Saratoga Springs special election
A judge in Saratoga Springs ruled late Friday afternoon on the ballots in the Saratoga Springs special election.
The attorney for Saratoga Springs Democrats said they are considering an appeal.
State Supreme Court Judge Jim Walsh issued his decision late Friday afternoon.
The judge found in his ruling that a number of the write-in ballots for Democrat Hank Kuczynski should not be counted.
https://wnyt.com/top-stories/appeal-expected-after-judges-ruling-on-saratoga-springs-special-election/
East Moline voters will consider home rule in April election
A municipality with home rule status can exercise any power and perform any function unless it is specifically prohibited from doing so by state law.
East Moline leaders have adopted a resolution to place this home rule question on the ballot.
If the majority of voters vote yes, East Moline would join a growing number of municipalities that decided to be governed by home rule. There are currently 224 home rule municipalities in Illinois, including Rock Island, Moline, and Carbon Cliff. Visit here for more information.
All municipalities in Illinois with more than 25,000 residents are automatically granted the benefits of home rule. Municipalities with fewer than 25,001 residents, like East Moline can realize these same home rule advantages by passing a local referendum, such as this one.
https://www.ourquadcities.com/news/local-news/east-moline-voters-will-consider-home-rule-in-april-election/
Boerne mayor draws opponent in May election
A final-day filing placed the Boerne mayors position squarely atop the May 3 ballot.
Boerne, Fair Oaks Ranch and Boerne ISD residents will head to the polls on the first Saturday in May with several races appearing on their respective ballots.
Boerne Mayor Frank Ritchie will be on the ballot, as resident Laura Haning filed Friday to run for mayor. Ritchie won election to the post in 2023 with nearly 76% of the vote in his first venture into politics.
Boerne District 2 City Councilwoman Sharon Wright will again face resident Joe Bateman. The two faced off in 2023, when Wright won by 21 votes. As of noon Friday, District 4 Councilman Bret Bunker remained unopposed.
https://www.boernestar.com/article/10155,boerne-mayor-draws-opponent-in-may-election
YONKERS COUNCILMEMBER ANTHONY MERANTE (D) ANNOUNCES RE-ELECTION BID
On Feb. 15 Yonkers 6th District Councilmember Anthony Merante, surrounded by a room packed with enthusiastic supporters at the Mont Olympos Diner, officially announced his bid for re-election. The event was opened by Ron Schutte, a respected district community leader, who introduced Merante with high praise.
Anthony Merante is an independent thinker and a proven leader, Schutte stated. Taxpayers have no greater friend than Anthony Merante. Since first elected, he has been a fierce defender of taxpayers and a strong advocate for fiscal responsibility.
Schutte highlighted Merantes firm stance against huge tax increases. When the City of Yonkers recently passed its record $1.46 billion budget for 2024-2025, which included a 5.4% property tax increase, Councilmember Merante was the only NO vote. He was also the only councilmember to oppose the historic 20% pay raise that the City Council and Mayor approved for themselves. Calling it unwarranted and unfair to taxpayers, Merante not only opposed the raise but went a step further by donating back his salary increase to worthy community groups and charities.
Schutte continued, Many voters may not know this, but Anthony Merante is the only councilmember who refused a taxpayer-funded city car and free gas. He believes public officials should not burden taxpayers with personal perks. He also praised Merantes dedication to the community, stating, Anthony listens, he cares, and he fights for the community even against all odds. He holds town hall meetings, listens to residents concerns, and acts. For instance, he stood with the community against the UPS expansion that posed safety dangers, and he now opposes the proposed lithium-ion battery facility on Saw Mill River Road. Anthony has consistently fought against developments that threaten safety or quality of life. He always stands with residents..
https://yonkerstimes.com/yonkers-councilmember-anthony-merante-announces-re-election-bid/
The Ten Finalists for Lisa Leslie Center of the Year Award
The final 5 candidates for the award will be released to the public on a day by day basis starting the week of March 4, with voting set to follow on March 8.
2025 Lisa Leslie Award Candidates
Audi Crooks, Iowa State
Ayoka Lee, Kansas State
Clara Strack, Kentucky
Alexis Markowski, Nebraska
Raegan Beers, Oklahoma
Brooklyn Meyer, South Dakota State
Sedona Prince, TCU
Taylor Jones, Texas
Lauren Betts, UCLA
Rayah Marshall, USC
https://uclabruins.com/news/2025/2/7/womens-basketball-betts-tabbed-as-finalist-for-lisa-leslie-center-of-the-year-award
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Current location: San Francisco, CA
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