South Carolina is one of only two states in the U. S. without a hate crime law. This is a big problem. But some counties are not waiting for the state to act. They are taking action themselves. Richland County made history last month. It became the first county in South Carolina to pass a hate crime ordinance. This new law adds extra charges for "hate intimidation. "...
The recent release of a list of so-called "sanctuary" communities has sparked a mix of bewilderment and pushback. This list, aimed at identifying places that supposedly hinder federal immigration enforcement, has been met with skepticism and frustration from various quarters. The list is riddled with errors, including misspelled names and incorrect classifications of...
A big change is coming to Richmond Boulevard in Napanee. The local council has just given the green light to transform a piece of land into a new food destination. Soon, residents and visitors alike will be able to enjoy fresh bread and quality meats from a bakery and butcher shop. The decision to rezone the property at 166 Richmond Boulevard was made during a recen...
The town of Manitou Springs is buzzing with excitement as they have just secured a significant grant to continue the expansion of their popular Creek Walk trail. This trail, which runs alongside Manitou Avenue and Fountain Creek, is set to get a major boost with a quarter-of-a-million-dollar grant from the Colorado Department of Transportation's Revitalizing Main Str...
Holly Hill, South Carolina, is in a standoff with a waste treatment facility. The issue? A smell so strong that it's driving residents indoors and ruining their quality of life. The culprit? Synagro's Waste Recycling Facility, which has been under the microscope for its pungent emissions. The town has been pushing for a solution, but progress has been slow. Synagro ...
The push to ban filtered cigarettes in Santa Cruz County is gaining traction, but there are still hurdles to overcome. This effort is not new. It has been around for over a decade. The main issue is that the current ban only covers unincorporated areas, leaving four cities where filtered cigarettes can still be purchased. This loophole allows smokers to easily buy f...
State governments in the U. S. often pass laws that stop local governments from making their own rules. This is called preemption. These laws can affect many areas, like public health and safety. But who benefits from these state laws? And how do they impact different communities? Preemption laws can make it hard for cities and towns to pass policies that reflect th...
The Colorado House Finance Committee recently voted on a bill that has sparked intense debate. The bill, HB25-1208, initially aimed to reduce base wages for tipped employees. However, after a lengthy process involving multiple amendments and intense discussions, the bill underwent a significant transformation. The initial proposal faced criticism from various stakeh...
Four major cities in the United States are in the hot seat. Boston, Chicago, Denver, and New York are being scrutinized for their sanctuary policies. These policies limit how much these cities help with federal immigration enforcement. The mayors of these cities are set to face questions from a congressional committee. The hearing comes as the current administrat...
In the sunny city of Huntington Beach, a small group of council members, known as the “MAGA-nificent 7, ” made a big splash with a library plaque. They took a simple task—honoring the 50th anniversary of the city’s main library—and turned it into a political statement. The plaque, approved by the council, uses a clever acronym to describe the library. It rea...