December 2021

Warm December

Thoughts of a white Christmas were all but banished as temperatures rose to unseasonably warm this December. Critters normally in hibernation and brumation — hibernation for coldblooded animals — were poking their heads out even on Christmas Eve, like the bee who stung a reporter at Cruse Dog Park or the black rat snake former Outdoors Reporter Wes Johnson found on the Fellows Lake bike trail.

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The First Amendment

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

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‘Build Back Better’ falters under its own weight; dividing it could save it

Media coverage of the debate over “Build Back Better,” President Joe Biden’s $1.75 trillion social policy and climate plan currently stalled in Congress, has focused so much on legislative strategy and the political drama between Biden and Sen. Joe Manchin that the most crucial element — what the package would actually do — has gotten lost in the noise.

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Majority of county high school hoops teams not done with ’21 yet

Brookfield in tourney this week, Marceline, Meadville have Thursday play Even with only a couple of days remaining in the “old” year, a majority of Linn County high schools still have unfinished 2021 basketball business. While Linn County R-1 and southern county neighbor Mendon: Northwestern have terminated play until after New Year’s Day, Brookfield, Marceline and Meadville are due to have games today or tomorrow before turning the calendar page.

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