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Soucheray: Why do we think we should spend a billion-plus for a West Seventh streetcar?

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 19:28:00 GMT

We are told that for 25 years now, Ramsey County authorities have been planning new transit options for what they call the Riverview Corridor and the rest of us call West Seventh Street. This quarter-century mark is apparently offered as evidence of their tenacity to bring about a streetcar line in the absence of any public demand or need whatsoever.“The community, especially the younger generation, they prefer rail,” Ramsey County Commissioner Rafael Ortega, who chairs the county’s Regional Rail Authority, told the Pioneer Press in the week before Christmas.Really?Joe SoucherayOne night before Christmas, I went to Union Depot to pick up a kid of a kid I used to have. To satisfy some primitive curiosity, he took the train from Chicago to St. Paul.“How was it?” I asked when he got into the car.“Ridiculous,” he said, meaning that the trip took almost nine hours, including a kerfuffle in Winona when he was thought to be among a group of smokers who were threatened to ...

Mary Ellen Klas: DeSantis is flaming out and blaming Trump

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 19:28:00 GMT

As Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ presidential campaign flames out, he’s setting the table to blame everyone but himself. His argument? The dozens of indictments filed against former President Donald Trump have “distorted” the primary and “crowded out other stuff.”He blames aggressive prosecutors for applying the law, particularly Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg who indicted Trump in April for allegedly falsifying business records related to hush money paid to adult-film actress Stormy Daniels.“I would say if I could have one thing change, I wish Trump hadn’t been indicted on any of this stuff,” DeSantis told the Christian Broadcasting Network in an interview that aired Dec. 21.“… Someone like a Bragg would not have brought that case if it was anyone other than Donald Trump,” he continued. “Someone like that’s distorting justice, which is bad, but I also think it distorted the primary.”Can ...

118th National Western Stock Show kicks off amid ongoing makeover of historic stomping grounds

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 19:28:00 GMT

The 118th edition of the National Western Stock Show officially kicks off this weekend on its historic stomping grounds, which are in the middle of a makeover to turn the 250-acre complex in northeast Denver into a year-round attraction.Depending on the weather, the 16-day event could set an attendance record, said Paul Andrews, stock show CEO and president. The record is 726,927 visitors, set in 2006 on the event’s 100th anniversary.Last year’s total of approximately 702,000 visitors was the stock show’s fourth-highest mark and a solid return to pre-pandemic numbers. Andrews believes this year’s attendance could range from 650,000-750,000. It depends on whether a big snow storm hits.“A factor I just don’t control is the weather,” Andrews said.The National Western, which organizers call the Super Bowl of livestock shows, draws business people and participants from across the country and world. Andrews said people from all 50 states are set t...

These seldom-seen 49ers will get their shot Sunday against Rams

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 19:28:00 GMT

SANTA CLARA — The most star-driven team in the NFL will go heavy on the supporting cast.The 49ers (12-4) will host the Los Angeles Rams (9-7) in the regular-season finale Sunday, with both teams cognizant that what lies ahead is more important than anything that happens on the grass at Levi’s Stadium.While the game plans from coaches Kyle Shanahan and Sean McVay will have a vanilla preseason flavor, the 49ers and Rams don’t have 90-man exhibition rosters and there is no junior varsity. The 49ers won’t have the capability to sit their nine Pro Bowl players or 12 alternates.And while Shanahan has already decided to rest quarterback Brock Purdy in favor of Sam Darnold and sit running back Christian McCaffrey with a mild calf strain, rest assured a number of other front-line players will make cameo appearances for a series or three or three and then take the rest of the afternoon off.Running backs Elijah Mitchell and Jordan Mason are relatively familiar and will ...

Warriors crowd begs for Moses Moody, delivers standing ovation upon his return

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 19:28:00 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO — Late in the third quarter, when the Warriors were struggling to pull ahead of the three-win Detroit Pistons, the Chase Center crowd tried telling head coach Steve Kerr who to put in the game.“Moody-Moody-Moody!” the sellout crowd chanted.The fans got their wish in the fourth quarter. And when Moses Moody arrived at the check-in table and removed his warm-up gear, the crowd gave him a standing ovation.After sitting the bench for three consecutive games, Moody finally got back in the mix during the Warriors’ 113-109 win over the Pistons on Friday.He checked in early in the fourth quarter and played for six minutes. It was the first time since Dec. 28 that Moody saw some game action. He didn’t score but collected a rebound.“I thought he was great tonight, bringing a lot of energy,” Kerr said. “Great to hear the fans chanting his name. He’s a fan favorite for a reason, he plays hard. Being out of the loop the last few games has been tough on him but he always...

Prep roundup: Monte Vista routs James Logan in boys basketball, improves to 15-1

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 19:28:00 GMT

Boys basketballNo. 3 Monte Vista 70, James Logan 27Eleven months after its season ended in the section playoffs with a stunning loss at home to James Logan, Monte Vista left no doubt about the outcome Friday night.The Mustangs, playing on the road in Union City, improved to 15-1 as Daniel Cojocaru scored 16 points and Alex Long added 11 points to lead a balanced scoring attack for the Bay Area News Group’s third-ranked team.Monte Vista led 22-13 after the first quarter and 32-14 at halftime. The Mustangs turned the game into a total rout in the third quarter, scoring 25 points to stretch their advantage to 57-22.Uynam Trinh scored 10 points for Logan, which fell to 3-12.The nonleague game was Monte Vista’s final dress rehearsal before opening East Bay Athletic League on Tuesday at second-ranked De La Salle.Monte Vista has won five in a row since its only loss, 58-54 at St. Mary’s-Stockton on Dec. 22.No. 1 Salesian 76, Pinole Valley 29Salesian extended its winning s...

Opinion: Prop. 47 has responsibly reformed the criminal justice system

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 19:28:00 GMT

During the past decade, there’s been an ongoing effort by those with a vested interest in protecting the old, failed approaches of our criminal justice system to spread disinformation about the impact reforms to that broken system have had.That effort has entered hyperdrive as property crime rates have ticked up from historic lows since the start of the global pandemic. Powerful law enforcement interests hope that will cause collective amnesia, that we all forget the disastrous ruin wrought by the failed “tough on crime” policies of the 1980s and 1990s.The truth is criminal justice reforms like Proposition 47, approved overwhelmingly by voters nine years ago, have pulled California out of a crisis that included multiple people dying weekly from medical neglect in its overstuffed state prisons, a statewide re-arrest rate of over 75% and the entire state prison system nearly being taken over by the federal government.We were failing by every conceivable measure to provide the safety C...

What Chris Paul’s hand surgery means for the Warriors

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 19:28:00 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO — Within seconds of hurting his hand going for a loose ball, Chris Paul seemed to recognize a familiar feeling. Holding his left palm, Paul immediately bolted for the locker room. Later, it was determined Paul would undergo surgery.Paul’s sure hands have all but secured his spot in the Basketball Hall of Fame, but those same hands have also betrayed him. He’s now had 11 hand injuries in his 19-year career, five on his non-shooting hand and six on his right, according to ESPN. There is no timetable for his return, though it is expected he will return sometime this season.“I just feel bad for him,” Steph Curry said. “I just feel for him personally because he does such an amazing job of taking care of his body and preparing himself day in and day out. Nobody sees the amount of hours he puts in, especially at this phase of his career.”Paul’s frustrating history with hands is a tale in itself, but also another punch to a Warri...

PSG defender Milan Škriniar needs operation on left ankle

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 19:28:00 GMT

PARIS (AP) — Paris Saint-Germain defender Milan Škriniar will have an operation after dislocating his left ankle, potentially ruling him out of both legs of the Champions League round-of-16 contest against Real Sociedad.PSG said Saturday that tests revealed damage to the side of the ankle and that he will have the operation next week in Qatar.The French champion did not specify when the Slovakia international will return. Media reports estimated he’ll be out several weeks.The central defender limped off in the 71st minute of Wednesday’s Champions Trophy win over Toulouse and was replaced by new signing Lucas Beraldo — a 20-year-old Brazilian.Škriniar had started to settle following a difficult start to his PSG career after joining from Inter Milan, where he won the Serie A title in 2021, two Italian Cups, and reached the Champions League final last year.Škriniar could now miss both legs against Sociedad — home on Feb. 14, away on March 5.PSG is already without central de...

Caitlin Clark earns 14th career triple-double to lead No. 4 Iowa women to 103-69 rout of Rutgers

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 19:28:00 GMT

PISCATAWAY, N.J. (AP) — Caitlin Clark put on another show on the road much to the joy of her adoring fans.Clark had 29 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds for her 14th career triple-double to lead No. 4 Iowa to a 103-69 win over Rutgers on Friday night.Like many of Iowa’s road contests this season, Friday’s game was a sellout — the first for Rutgers since the team hosted UConn in 2006. Fans, many wearing Clark shirts and jerseys, lined up nearly two hours before tip waiting to get in.They weren’t disappointed. “The crowd was incredible,” Clark said. “There were a lot of little girls, most I’ve seen in a long time. We don’t get to come out to the east coast much. It’s really special the cheer I got when I ran on the court. Some moments you’re never going to forget.”From deep 3-pointers to 30-foot bounce passes that led to layups, the reigning AP Player of the Year made her presence felt on the court and drew loud cheers nearly every time she touched the ball.She had nine points,...