Comment on Report: US makes modest gains in graduation rate

WASHINGTON — In October 1984, Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware was invited to address a conservative Baptist church near Wilmington as he campaigned for a third term. Biden, hardly the favorite of social conservatives, was in hostile political territory. But as the incumbent, he was given the first speaking slot — and he used it to hold court uninterrupted for nearly an hour.

One of the biggest reasons for such division in this country is not Taylor Swift or pickleball, but the extinction of local news. I have no interest in rehashing why the lack of local news has resulted in us not knowing each other or that news deserts give mega-news sources an inordinate amount of influence.

Why do Republicans follow Fox, OAN and the like, even after Fox’s $787.5 million election-lie settlement? Facing threats of legal action, OAN several days ago retracted a Trump story that Michael Cohen, not Trump, had an affair with adult film actress Stormy Daniels. This is not journalism. These are not isolated instances but a pattern of misinformation, disinformation and lies. Far-right news network OAN retracts article about Michael Cohen and Stormy Daniels https://t.co/EYyxBX3R9J — Morning Joe (@Morning_Joe) April 30, 2024 It’s Orwellian propaganda, cultivating an audience of useful idiots through anger, fear, indignation and blinding them to the truth.

The snowbirds are gone, the equestrian crowd (horsebirds?), too. So why is this weekend so disorientingly packed with things to do? Not complaining, just trying to plan my outfit.  We have F1 Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix and all the DJs and celebrity-encrusted hoopla that comes before the main event on Sunday outside Hard Rock Stadium.

Dear Amy: We live on a street with curb parking in front of the houses, as well as private driveways. We have lived here for more than 10 years and basically park peacefully wherever we want to, including using the available on-street parking. We all do that. We just got new neighbors who seem to want to claim the two curb spaces in front of their house.