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Real World Economics: Beefing about beef prices? Look down the food chain

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:51:12 GMT

Edward LottermanOne hears much beefing about beef prices these days.A recent online comment moaned about paying $72 for three New York strip steaks at Costco. We got a large beef roast and paid $48. What’s going on? Why are prices so high?The answer is simple: Many things. Teasing out the exact cause and effect takes time. But consider these factors:Price gouging by monopolies is the root of all inflation for the progressive Elizabeth Warren-Bernie Sanders wing of the Democratic party. In one aspect and to a degree they are right, although the root causes of inflation remain in the Fed’s monetary policies.However, a government fixation from the 1930s through the 1970s on busting monopolies and punishing price fixing has swung 180 degrees — to government for the next four decades turning a blind eye to abusive market power. In that time, there was a lot of consolidation and adoption of business practices that reduced competition and increased consumer costs in many industries.T...

Duck Donuts joins Colonie Farmers Market at Crossings Park

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:51:12 GMT

COLONIE, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- While National Donut Day was on June 2nd, Duck Donuts in Latham is keeping the party going with a visit to NEWS10 to talk about their summer offerings. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Duck Donuts will be available at the Colonie Farmers Market at Crossings Park this season. Additionally, their Latham shop features cool treats for hot summer days like cold brew and ice cream.NEWS10's Giuliana Bruno interviewed Duck Donuts Manager, "Donut Dave," about the latest at the build-your-own treat shop. You can watch the full interview in the player above.

Thousands impacted by Schenectady County power outage

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:51:12 GMT

SCHENECTADY COUNTY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- More than 20,000 National Grid customers lost power Sunday morning in Schenectady County, according to an online outage map. The outages spanned across Schenectady and Rotterdam. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! A National Grid spokesperson and Schenectady Fire Chief Don Mareno told NEWS10 the outage is attributed to two incidents in Rotterdam. A fire at a BBQ restaurant on Mariaville Road between 6:00 a.m. and 6:30 a.m. that impacted a power line, and a vehicle that crashed into a power pole on Altamont Avenue, both contributed to the issues.According to National Grid's outage map, most of the affected areas had their power restored by 9:45 a.m.

Omar Harfouch denounces state anti-Semitism in Lebanon.

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:51:12 GMT

Omar Harfouch, head of the secular initiative for the "Third Lebanese Republic" and a fighter against corruption, denounces Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati's anti-Semitic decision to cancel the Lebanese state's contract with French lawyers who are trying to recover Lebanese funds looted by the political class. These funds, passed illegally and hidden in European banks, were recently frozen because one of the Jewish lawyers correctly intervened, but with the implied excuse of religious affiliation, the PM cancelled the contract. For Harfouch, the whole world must shed light on Lebanon's racist, sectarian and anti-Semitic laws and decisions that persecute any Lebanese woman or man if he communicates, deals with or stands next to a Jew anywhere in the world. Discriminating against citizens on such grounds totally violates human rights, according to the UN Charter.

Police investigating 2 deadly shootings in Pomona 

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:51:12 GMT

Authorities are investigating after two deadly shootings occurred in Pomona Saturday night and early Sunday morning. One man was found with gunshot wounds near Holt Avenue and Loranne Avenue around 7:30 p.m. Saturday evening. The man was transported to a nearby hospital, where he died due to his injuries. Another man was found shot to death in an alley off Garey Avenue and Grove Street around 12:30 a.m. Sunday morning.  Paramedics declared him dead at the scene. Video captures man rescuing young girl in South Los Angeles attack Both shootings took place within about three miles of each other.Investigations are underway, and it is not known if they are connected. Motives for the crimes have not yet been determined. Anyone with information on either incident is urged to contact the Pomona Police Department at 909-620-2085. Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477. 

Youth rock and jazz bands from Cupertino music school to perform

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:51:12 GMT

A natural performanceYouth rock and jazz bands from Be Natural Music are performing June 11 in Saratoga to celebrate the Cupertino music school’s first anniversary.The concert is set from noon-3 p.m. at the Tamra Mediterranean Grill, 12019 Saratoga Sunnyvale Road, Saratoga. Admission is free, but Be Natural will be accepting donations for its scholarship program, which awards over $1,400 per month to 33 students. For more information, visit www.benaturalmusic.live/donate.Sidewalk office hoursSanta Clara County Supervisor Joe Simitian will hold “Sidewalk Office Hours” Sunday, June 11, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., at the Cupertino Farmers’ Market at De Anza College.Simitian invites community members to stop by to share their thoughts and concerns about local issues, ask questions and learn about county services. All questions are welcome, and no appointment is required.Midpen honored for financial transparencyFor the seventh consecutive year, the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District ha...

City Lights opens season with new play in old downtown digs

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:51:12 GMT

While City Lights Theater Company is “aggressively looking” for a new space to stage its shows, the move won’t be happening before the start of its 41st season in September.“It’s time for us to move, but we’re going to move when it feels right for us,” executive artistic director Lisa Mallette told a group of supporters assembled for the May 31 season announcement at the 386 Lounge, around the corner from City Lights’ current theater in downtown San Jose.“We’re looking for something like what we have, but bigger,” Mallette said. “We’re looking in downtown first, but if we can’t find anything, we’ll look elsewhere.”City Lights will open its 2023-24 season with the world premiere of “Toxic” by Kit Wilder, an actor, director and fight choreographer who’s currently serving as City Lights’ grant writer. The play focuses on the survivors of a school shooting, who meet five years after the incident to debate gun control.“It’s about learning to listen,” Mallette said of the show, which runs...

County honors Milpitas Memorial Day ceremony

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:51:12 GMT

Memorial Day honorMilpitas city leaders were honored by the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors at the city’s annual Memorial Day Ceremony, held May 29 at the Milpitas Veterans Plaza. A commendation presented by District 3 Supervisor Otto Lee, who represents Milpitas on the county board, reads,  the Board of Supervisors of the County of Santa Clara recognizes and commends the City of Milpitas for helping its residents to pay homage to the importance of Memorial Day, a day to remember the sacrifice and bravery of our heroes.”‘Find Your Voice’ at libraryThe Santa Clara County Library District invites patrons to “Find Your Voice” during the district’s free summer reading program.Throughout the months of June and July, district libraries will be hosting a lineup of programs for children, teens and adults featuring performers, arts and crafts, book clubs and speakers. The program is designed for patrons to discover different ways to express themselves.“According to the Californ...

One killed, one wounded in Oakland shooting

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:51:12 GMT

OAKLAND — A man was killed and a woman critically wounded in a shooting Sunday morning at an East Oakland gas station, authorities said.No other information about the victims has been released, including whether they knew each other.The shooting was reported about 5:30 a.m. Sunday at a gas station at 66th Avenue and San Leandro Street a short distance from the ColiseumThe man was found shot outside at the rear of the station. He was pronounced dead there.The woman was taken to a hospital by another person and was in critical condition, authorities said.At least one structure and some vehicles were hit by the gunfire, but no other injuries were reported.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | Police identify suspect sought in Oakland 4-year-old’s shooting Crime and Public Safety | East bay driver dies following traffic stop and chase Crime and Public Safety | Man shot in West Oakland Crime and Public Safety | Suspecte...

Sunnyvale Community Players launches Studio Series for directors of color

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:51:12 GMT

Players’ 55th seasonMurderous barbers and magical nannies are part of the Sunnyvale Community Players’ 55th season, announced last week.The season opens in September with Disney’s “The Little Mermaid,” followed by Sondheim’s “Sweeney Todd” in October. In February 2024, the Players are set to stage Disney’s “Mary Poppins” as the company’s junior show. The regular season closes in April with Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Jesus Christ Superstar.”In January the Players are staging the first show in the company’s new Studio Series, which will give new and aspiring directors of color the opportunity to direct for the first time under the mentorship of seasoned directors.  The series’ inaugural play is “The Last Five Years,” a modern musical that chronicles the five-year life of a marriage, from meeting to break-up from the groom’s point of view and from break-up to meeting from the bride’s.Season tickets are available at https://www.sunnyvaleplayers.org.Public Safety awardsThe Sunnyvale Departme...