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Jonathan Bernstein: What to make of Trump’s mad power grab plan

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:52:12 GMT

Donald Trump and his allies are pledging to remake the presidency if he is elected again, giving him and the office more authority than it has ever had and certainly far more than the framers of the US Constitution envisioned.The biggest problem with Trump’s plan for an all-powerful, unconstrained presidency, using in part proposals from his conservative allies at the Heritage Foundation, is that it’s a formula for authoritarian government.One-person rule — even elected one-person rule — is simply not compatible with republican ideals.It’s also contrary to the words and spirit of the U.S. Constitution, which establishes what political scientist Richard Neustadt called a system of “separated institutions sharing powers.” That’s even more true when that person has consistently shown contempt for the rule of law.But perhaps less obvious is that this version of the presidency, in which the entire sprawling executive branch of the governmen...

Letters: The work of talented mural artists brightens St. Paul

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:52:12 GMT

The joy of muralsAlways an upbeat start to the day when the front page of the Pioneer Press highlights what’s happening in the arts in our city. In this particular case, a magnificent mural currently being painted as part of the upcoming Chroma Zone Mural and Art Festival (“Industrial Art,” July 15).The industrial buildings in the University/Raymond area have served as canvases for many artists over the past several years. Not only do these murals allow many incredibly talented artists to showcase their work, but they also lighten and brighten up the area and our lives as well.Art, in my opinion, will keep us civilized and united.Ursula  Krawczyk, St. Paul  Forgive Tesla loans, too?The president is hell bent on forgiving debts of former college students. And he wants badly to do it on his own, without any need for senators or congress men and women to vote on it.And they are not keen on having to vote on it. Some even think that since taxpayers loaned the mone...

$96 million investment to provide connectivity to thousands in Alta.

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:52:12 GMT

By Erika MathieuSunny South NewsThe Provincial and Federal governments are partnering to invest over $96 million in broadband infrastructure across the Province.The latest funding allocation is a part of Alberta’s joint commitment of $780 million with the Federal government to improve access to high-speed internet in rural, remote and Indigenous communities as part of the Alberta Broadband Strategy.The Province expects the $96 million investment to provide connectivity to high speed internet to over 10,000 households across the province and will deliver broadband to over 2,000 Indigenous households. Construction has begun in 26 of the 40 rural communities slated for improvements. Brocket (Piikani Nation), Carmangay, Ensign, Brant, Cayley, Champion, Vulcan, Travers, and Little Bow Resort are among the communities in southern Alberta with construction currently underway.The release issued by the Provincial government indicated a number of quantifiable outcomes are expected, “once univ...

Federal government announces $160 million investment into Alberta-based solar projects

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:52:12 GMT

By Erika MathieuSunny South NewsSeveral solar farms in southern Alberta will benefit from a cash injection from the federal government.The announcement was made on July 11 by Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources. The federal investment, which exceeds $160 million, will help fortify solar energy production at nine solar power projects across the province. The programs announced on July 11 will expand upon earlier investments into the Prairie’s solar sector.The funding will see the federal government partner with Indigenous communities, workers and industry to deliver clean energy products. The announcement by the federal government highlighted the “immense potential” of Alberta for solar power generation, which combined with ambitious Indigenous partners, skilled workers and other community partners, “is powering a surge in clean energy development in the region.”The collaboration between Concord Green Energy, a subsidiary of Concord Pacific, and Athabasca Chipewyan Firs...

DC rezoning approved for Malloy Drainage

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:52:12 GMT

By Nikki JamiesonSunny South NewsUnused land from the Malloy Drainage Project has been rezoned to Direct Control.A public hearing for the rezoning bylaw was held during Coaldale town council’s regular July 10 meeting.LUB Rezoning Bylaw 874-P-06-23 concerns a portion of land that was purchased by the Town in order to construct the south portion of Phase 2(a) of the Malloy Drain stormwater holding project. As part of the sale of the portion of land, the Town had agreed to sell back the unused portions of the land to the former owner once the project was completed.According to the subdivision approval, one condition to resell those unused lands back to the former owner was that the lands in question were to be reincorporated back into the adjacent piece to the west, rather than creating a stand-alone title, as the creation of a new acreage space would not be in line with the expected urban style development of the area.However, the former landowner would prefer not to incorporate the l...

Coaldale’s Ride For Dad event supports prostate cancer research and awareness

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:52:12 GMT

By Erika MathieuSunny South NewsThe Southern Alberta (Coaldale) Motorcycle Ride For Dad will return to Coaldale July 22.The poker ride will begin and end at KC’s Pub at the Coaldale Inn. Registration will open that morning at 9 a.m., with a departure time of 11 a.m. The route will take riders through Taber, Hays, and Enchant before heading back to Coaldale.All proceeds from the event will go to support prostate cancer education and research efforts. Since 2000, the Ride For Dad organization has raised nearly $40 million for the Prostate Cancer Fight Foundation to support prostate cancer research and awareness.Co-chair for the Southern Alberta (Coaldale) chapter of the Ride for Dad, Mark Anderson, said the 2023 event will also include the opportunity for owners of classic cars and hot rods to participate with a shorter route for car owners interested in participating in an out-and-back ride from Coaldale to Taber, rather than the entire 250km route.Anderson became involved with the C...

Lethbridge County awards $4,500 in bursaries

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:52:12 GMT

By Erika MathieuSunny South NewsLethbridge County has selected recipients of the 2023 Post-Secondary Bursary Award.Earlier this year, council passed a resolution to modify the bursary program, opting to increase the value of each of the three scholarships from $1,000 to $1,500. County Councillor, Lorne Hickey announced the award winners during the July 6 regular council meeting.Abigail Giacchetta, Elayna Vucurevich, and Emma Reurink will each receive $1,500 from Lethbridge County to help ease the financial burden of attending post-secondary school and cover some of the associated expenses.During the meeting, Coun. Hickey noted the exceptional quality of the 22 applications received by the committee. Judging criteria included the recipient’s demonstrated commitment to community leadership and service, academic merit, and took into consideration the applicant’s future goals. The committee included County councillors Lorne Hickey and Mark Sayers, as well as Deputy Reeve John Kuerbis.“I...

What does the latest interest rate hike mean for your wallet?

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:52:12 GMT

The Bank of Canada has once again increased its benchmark interest rate, this time by .25 basis points to five percent, amid growing apprehension from a number of financial experts regarding its potential impact on consumers. And their concerns are not unfounded.Let us examine the evidence …Undoubtedly, food and housing constitute the fundamental necessities of life. Pertinent data reveals that the cost of housing exerts a considerable influence on our grocery expenditures. Notably, despite prevailing inflation, the latest quarterly results from Empire/Sobeys/IGA indicate a $16 million decline in food sales compared to the corresponding quarter of the previous year. That’s right, $16 million. Similarly, Loblaw/Provigo experienced a mere 3.1 percent increase in food sales over the past year, despite inflation consistently exceeding nine percent for the preceding 12 months. Metro witnessed a modest 5.8 percent rise in food sales at their stores during the last quarter.In essence, reta...

Researchers discuss outcomes of inflexible universal emissions policy on local producers

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:52:12 GMT

By Erika MathieuSunny South NewsDr. Linda Gorim, associate professor and WGRF Chair in Cropping Systems at the University of Alberta gave a talk during Farming Smarter’s “Plot Hop” event on July 13.Dr. Gorim’s presentation outlined enhanced efficiency and fertilizers, and later delved into an important conversation about the role of regionally-relevant research in drafting policies for farmers and producers.“I think you are all aware that the Government of Canada wants to cut down fertilizer emissions by 30 per cent by 2030, and to do that there’s this huge push for us to employ 4R practices on our farms.”The 4R practices refer to “right source, right rate, right time, and right place,” and is a framework used to guide farmers to farm management practices which keep nutrients in fields.Gorim said of her ongoing trial grows on the Farming Smarter plots, “we know that for a very long time here on the prairies, producers have been asked to use enhanced efficiency and fertilizers.” Thes...

County ups their funding 
commitment for Malloy Drain Project

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:52:12 GMT

By Erika MathieuSunny South NewsThe Malloy Drain Steering Committee recently heard updates from the project’s technical committee regarding the status of the project.A project overview was presented to the Committee and provided a summary of how the project has evolved since the last phase was completed and also included a revised cost estimate outlining the “significant” increase in projected costs since the original estimate was completed in 2017. Included in the presentation was also a revision of the project’s original scope of work as costs have increased.The report to council noted the Town of Coaldale has recently drafted a letter to the Minister of Environment and Protected Areas, Rebecca Schultz alongside a request to the Province to increase the government’s funding commitment for the project from $1,238,000 to $4,445,850. The request to the Province noted proposed the three parties (Lethbridge County, the Town of Coaldale and SMRID) would increase their funding contributi...