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Real World Economics: America’s natural bounty became its destiny

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:34:19 GMT

Edward LottermanBefore his disastrous invasion of Russia, Napoleon Bonaparte said, “Geography is destiny!”And even today, this assertion prompts useful thinking about how geography influences development of economies over time and why apparently similar countries can have quite different outcomes.Such effects can be very broad, as on settlement or cropping patterns, but also on very micro levels such as the evolution of the modern agricultural tractor.Start with introductory geopolitics. The U.S. has prospered politically in geographic “splendid isolation.” Thousands of miles of ocean separate us from Europe or Asia. Attacking across these distances, over history, has been virtually impossible. Our neighbor to the north has the same language and similar culture, politics and values. That to the south is also friendly despite having been mostly sinned against rather than sinning, with tensions lingering to this dayNot so for nations on the great northern European plain, stretching fr...

Crash on I-90 involving tractor trailers closes two lanes

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:34:19 GMT

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- An early morning crash on I-90 involving two tractor trailers caused the closure of two lanes for several hours on Sunday. The crash occurred westbound near Exit 25A in Schenectady, and Thruway officials later confirmed that one of the drivers was taken to Albany Medical Center to be treated for minor injuries. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! The center lane has since reopened, however the right lane remains closed while debris continues to be cleared from the roadway. Stay with NEWS10 as updates become available.Check out NEWS10's traffic tracker. You can plan your route and see traffic delays in real-time!

The story of 'Missouri French' in the heart of America

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:34:19 GMT

ST. LOUIS – Did you know that there's a unique type of French exclusively found in eastern Missouri? It's called "Missouri French," and it's one of the dialects of the language that developed in the United States.Missouri French, also known as "pawpaw" French, named after a local fruit tree, is native to the upper Mississippi River region in the Midwest, spanning Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana. Speakers of Missouri French may be descendants of Louisiana French settlers who migrated to Missouri and Illinois. How many malls are still open around the St. Louis area? The first wave of French speakers arrived in the 1730s, establishing Ste. Genevieve as one of the earliest settlements. It became the first French community west of the Mississippi River. The United States acquired the territory that would later become the state of Missouri through the Louisiana Purchase in 1803.Over the years, several cities in Missouri, including St. Louis, Kansas City, and St. Joseph, were established...

FivePoint Amphitheatre abruptly closes permanently after Saturday night concert 

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:34:19 GMT

The curtains have closed one final time at the FivePoint Amphitheatre in Irvine. The amphitheatre suddenly shut down after one last concert – put on by the Zac Brown Band – on Saturday night.  LiveNation made the announcement just hours before the band took the stage.  Del Amo mall increases security to crack down on crime, violence FivePoint Amphitheatre was opened in Great Park in Irvine in 2017 and was always meant to be a temporary venue, with tentative plans between LiveNation and the City of Irvine to construct a permanent venue at the location. However, city officials rejected the entertainment company’s construction proposal over concerns about the location's size and loud noise. According to LiveNation, they are now looking for other sites in Orange County to build a permanent venue.  

Del Amo mall increases security to crack down on crime, violence

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:34:19 GMT

The Del Amo Fashion Center in Torrance is taking action amid increased mayhem, fights, and brawls involving young people. Local authorities are swarming the Del Amo mall this weekend with the intent to crack down on crime for the sake of businesses and keeping frightened families safe. “For us, I have kids and you’re worried,” said Susan Sisay, Torrance resident. “Am I going to go to the store and somebody’s gonna grab my wallet or something like that? Very concerned.”Aside from frequent smash-and-grabs across Los Angeles County, there’s been an increase of fights breaking out at the mall. In August, video captured a large group of teens chasing a young boy through the Del Amo mall before knocking him to the ground. The teens surrounded the boy before beginning to kick and punch him. “I just have to make sure it’s safe for me and my kids to go to the mall, so I’m always looking around to make sure there’s no suspicion,” Sisay added. “I feel sorry for the businesses be...

L.A. prop store struggling to stay open as actors strike drags on

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:34:19 GMT

As the SAG-AFTRA strike stretches past day 100, small businesses are struggling more than ever to keep their doors open. Hollywood production remains at a standstill and the owner of a prop store is speaking out about the impacts the ongoing strike is having on businesses like his. Marc Meyer, the owner of Faux Library Studio Props, says he’s been helping studios create Hollywood magic for decades, but fears that his business may not survive much longer if striking actors and studios can’t reach an agreement soon. Over the course of 30 years, Meyer has collected a warehouse of period piece treasures that he uses to dress film and television sets. The Hollywood strike has slammed his business to a screeching halt. "We usually have 15 or 20 trucks a day come through here and they would pick different set dressings or desks and furniture and books,” Meyer said. “The landlord keeps saying, ‘what am I gonna do, what is he going to do, because he’s not getting any inco...

Campbell gets $500k from state for ADA improvements

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:34:19 GMT

ADA improvementsState Assemblymember Marc Berman presented the City of Campbell with a check for $500,000 from the state of California for ADA improvements to city hall at the Oct. 17 city council meeting. Berman secured the funding in the 2023-24 state budget.The funds will be used for renovations to public counters and public meeting spaces in Campbell’s city hall, as well as accessibility improvements to the main entrance, which has long sloping ramps that would be improved to meet current standards.Other areas of city hall in need of accessibility upgrades include the community development, planning and building, public works, engineering, and finance and administration departments.This project would also remove the fixed seating in the council chambers and provide for better access to the dais and related spaces.Fruit fly quarantineSome areas of Campbell are within a portion of Santa Clara County that the California Secretary of Agriculture has placed under quarantine for the o...

New state law aims to reduce racial, socioeconomic disparities of pesticide exposure

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:34:19 GMT

Gov. Gavin Newsom recently signed a bill authored by state Assemblymember Alex Lee aimed at reducing the racial and socioeconomic disparities of pesticide exposure.“AB 652 will create an avenue for communities most impacted by pesticide exposure to be heard,” said Lee, whose district includes Milpitas, in a statement. “Historically, these communities have not had the opportunity to provide meaningful input on pesticide policies and programs, and it’s high time for (the Department of Pesticide Regulation) to create an Environmental Justice Advisory Committee. This committee will play an important role in advancing health and environmental equity in California.”Under AB 652, this committee will be formed by Jan. 1, 2026, and will recommend ways for the state to integrate environmental justice considerations into its decision-making processes. The committee will consist of up to 11 members including  environmental justice leaders who represent rural and urban communities with the most ...

Saratoga students qualify for National Speech and Debate Tournament

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:34:19 GMT

Saratoga students are top debatersTwo Saratoga High School students were among the 4% of students from across the country who qualified for the 2023 National Speech and Debate Tournament held in Phoenix, AZ in June.Junior Kinnera Potluri qualified for the first time in the humorous interpretation category after placing third in the California Coastal District Tournament last spring.In his second time qualifying for the tournament, Junior Timothy Leung placed eighth as a semifinalist in program oral interpretation with his speech titled, “Tell My Story.” His speech encourages victims of child molestation to break through cultural or family norms of remaining silent, and do what is necessary for them to heal. Timothy has been an advocate for victims to heal through art and spoke on this topic during Saratoga High School’s “Speak Up for Change” event in January.Also attending the tournament was Jenny Cook, Saratoga High School’s new speech and debate coach. A National Speech and Debate...

Los Gatos home is a Silicon Valley Clean Energy showcase

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:34:19 GMT

Clean energy showcaseLos Gatos resident Justin Liu was among the winners of Silicon Valley Clean Energy’s (SVCE) Electric Showcase Awards for his efforts to go electric in her home.All 16 winners were recognized by the Santa Clara Board of Supervisors on Oct. 2.The Sunnyvale-based clean energy aggregator received more than 150 applications for this year’s awards from Santa Clara County residents and small business owners. The winners include 13 homeowners, an apartment complex, a reform synagogue and a hair salon.Many of the winners utilized rebates available through SVCE with state and federal incentives to help cover the costs of upgrading to heat pumps, induction cooktops, electric vehicle chargers and other technologies. Some have begun by replacing older gas appliances as they burn out, while others have gone fully electric.Opera lectureThe San Jose Opera Guild is hosting a Nov. 1 lecture on “Omar,” the 2023 Pulitzer Prize winner for music by Rhiannon Giddens, with a libretto b...