tschram

tschram

  • Joined: August 30, 2022
  • Articles: 9387

Partisan divide on COVID policy widens in state legislatures

JEFFERSON CITY – In Democraticled Washington state, just four lawmakers were present in the 98-member House this week as they convened a mostly remote session with an abundance of caution. Anyone working there is required to be tested for COVID-19 three days a week and show proof of vaccination – including a booster shot – to step onto the House floor.

Biden redoubling focus on testing

WASHINGTON – The Biden administration is redoubling its efforts to expand supply and accessibility of COVID-19 testing as it faces mounting criticism over long lines and supply shortages for testing nationwide and confusion about when to get tested amid the omicron surge.

Shoppers find some groceries scarce

Benjamin Whitely headed to a Safeway supermarket in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday to grab some items for dinner. But he was disappointed to find the vegetable bins barren and a sparse selection of turkey, chicken and milk.

Biden, Senate Dems to discuss voting bills

WASHINGTON – President Joe Biden is set to meet with Senate Democrats at the Capitol on Thursday, a visit intended to deliver a jolt to the party’s long-stalled push for voting and elections legislation.

UN seeks $5B to bring stability to Afghanistan

GENEVA – The United Nations on Tuesday made what it called a record $5 billion appeal to help Afghanistan and its neighboring countries, warning half of the country faces acute hunger, millions of children are out of school and farmers are struggling against drought – even as Afghanistan stabilizes from decades of conflict after the Taliban takeover in August.

Reader’s late responses to text messages annoy friends

Dear Annie: Recently, a friend confronted me about something that I didn’t think was a big deal: Sometimes I forget to respond to texts for a while, and then I reply and say that I just saw the message. Technically, most of the time, it’s a lie; I did see the message, and I just got sidetracked or zoned out or didn’t feel like replying until later. But I just say it to try to make the other person feel better or to smooth things over. I’m certainly not trying to be deceitful. My friend who always tells it like it is, God bless her, called me out for this behavior in front of a group of mutual friends. A few laughed and agreed that I do this. It was brought up in a joking manner, but it still ruffled my feathers a bit. Am I really in the wrong here? Is there a more tactful way to handle things when you take a while to respond to someone? — Delayed

Rail merger connects traffic with single line

A fusion of two railroads should occur sometime within the next year or so, creating a first for the North American continent. A proposed merger of two Class I systems, the Canadian Pacific (CP) and Kansas City Southern (KCS), would establish the first to connect Canada, the U.S. and Mexico with a single line.