Joel Connelly

What, then, is their responsive to outsized weather events? The California fires evoke a political response: Blame public officials, notably those who have warned of global warming and sought to shrink the state's carbon footprint. Trump has blamed the Southern California fires on “incompetence” of local and state governments. Earlier, he threatened at the time of the 2018 Paradise disaster to withhold federal money and firefighting resources from the Golden State.

Established December 31st, 1975, the NRA "protects the historic and archaeological values of the Hells Canyon area and the area of the Snake River between Hells Canyon Dam and the Oregon – Washington border" (Wikipedia). It contains the deepest river canyon in North America but is not as well known as the region's other natural treasures, like Mount Rainier or Crater Lake.

North America's tallest peak, known as Denali, is a gem of The Last Frontier. Alaskans, even committed Republicans, support calling it by the name Denali, and President Obama honored their wishes many years ago by officially changing the mountain's name. Donald Trump is now trying to change it back to McKinley with a vindictive, petty executive order.

North America’s tallest peak, known as Denali, is a gem of The Last Frontier. Alaskans, even committed Republicans, support calling it by the name Denali, and President Obama honored their wishes many years ago by officially changing the mountain’s name. Donald Trump is now trying to change it back to McKinley with a vindictive, petty executive order.

“Denali” is roughly translated as “the great one” or “the high one.” And that it is, capping the Alaska Range at 20,320 feet.

Trump told reporters on January 20th that he planned to impose 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico beginning on February 1st, 2025. Leaders in Canada are trying to get him to change his mind... and preparing for the fallout if he won't.

Happy golden anniversary, Hells Canyon National Recreation Area! Roll on, Snake River, roll on!

So it goes for Canada. The late Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau, father of Justin, famously equated living next door to the United States with being in bed with an elephant. Even if the beast is benign, said he, you “feel every twist and grunt.”

The United States is facing a web of constitutional crises now that a Republican trifecta has descended on the nation's capital. Democracy's future is in doubt, but most national political coverage just doesn't reflect that reality. That's unacceptable.

The former chair of the Senator Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions joined other Democratic senators in asking extremely pointed questions of the nominee during the second of two confirmation hearings.