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Reluctant to retire, leaders raise a tough question: How old is too old?

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 16:18:56 GMT

After a series of troubling moments this week, an uncomfortable question has become unavoidable, leaving voters, strategists and even politicians themselves wondering: Just how old is too old to serve in public office?For years, like so many children of aging parents across America, politicians and their advisers in Washington tried to skirt that difficult conversation, wrapping concerns about their octogenarian leaders in a cone of silence. The omertà was enabled by the traditions of a city that arms public figures with a battalion of aides, who manage nearly all of their professional and personal lives.“I don’t know what the magic number is, but I do think that as a general rule, my goodness, when you get into the 80s, it’s time to think about a little relaxation,” said Trent Lott, 81, a former Senate majority leader who retired at the spry age of 67 to start his own lobbying firm. “The problem is, you get elected to a six-year term, you’re in pretty good shape, but four years lat...

Crews contain 100-acre fire along I-580 in Livermore

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 16:18:56 GMT

(KRON) -- Crews contained a vegetation fire that burned along Interstate 580 in Livermore on Saturday, according to fire officials. Large Pleasanton fire causes road closure The fire, which was originally started by a car, spread into nearby vegetation just before 7 p.m. and grew to 100 acres before it was contained. Officials say wind helped the fire, located along Flynn and Carroll Roads, spread into more vegetation. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now KRON4 Breaking News SIGN UP NOW Freeway traffic was interrupted as a result of the fire, officials said. Cal Fire crews were able to contain the fire by 8:30 p.m.

Matz pitches six strong innings as Cardinals stop Cubs’ eight-game win streak with 3-0 victory

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 16:18:56 GMT

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Steven Matz and two relievers combined on a five-hitter, and the St. Louis Cardinals snapped the Chicago Cubs’ eight-game winning streak with a 3-0 victory Sunday.Tyler O’Neill, Andrew Knizner and Paul Goldschmidt drove in runs in the first two innings for the Cardinals before the pitchers took it from there. Matz (2-7) allowed four hits in six innings with two strikeouts and no walks. He has not allowed an earned run over his last two starts, covering 12 innings.Giovanny Gallegos tossed two hitless innings. JoJo Romero threw a scoreless ninth to pick up his first save.St. Louis salvaged the final game of the four-game set and had lost its previous six home games to the Cubs.Chicago starter Kyle Hendricks (4-5) allowed three runs on eight hits over seven innings. He entered the contest with a 13-3 career mark against St. Louis.Chicago had been on its longest winning streak since an 11-game run July 31-Aug. 12, 2016.O’Neill brought in Lars Nootbaar with a singl...

After trading Scherzer to Texas, GM Billy Eppler says the Mets are not rebuilding

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 16:18:56 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — After trading Max Scherzer to the Texas Rangers, general manager Billy Eppler insisted the New York Mets are not tearing down their underachieving team. “I do want to be clear that it’s not a rebuild. It’s not a fire sale,” Eppler said Sunday at Citi Field. “It’s not a liquidation.”So maybe Justin Verlander will stay put in the end.New York traded Scherzer to AL West-leading Texas for minor league infielder Luisangel Acuña in a high-profile deal both teams announced Sunday after news of the agreement broke Saturday evening.Acuña, the younger brother of Atlanta star Ronald Acuña Jr., was rated one of Texas’ top prospects. The Mets said he will be optioned to Double-A Binghamton, where he will initially play shortstop.Scherzer waived his no-trade clause to complete the deal, and the Mets will send cash to Texas. The three-time Cy Young Award winner also agreed to opt in on the final year of his contract in 2024 at $43.3 million, according to reports that sa...

Cejka wins playoff with Harrington at wet and windy Senior British Open

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 16:18:56 GMT

BRIDGEND, Wales (AP) — Germany’s Alex Cejka prevailed over Ireland’s Padraig Harrington on the second playoff hole to win the Senior British Open at Royal Porthcawl on Sunday.Cejka birdied the second extra hole to claim his third senior major title after he and Harrington had finished tied on 5-over par following a final round played in miserable wet and windy conditions.Harrington, who also finished runner-up to Darren Clarke last year, narrowly missed an eagle putt on the first extra hole and could only make par when the players returned to the 18th after duffing a chip from the back of the green.Overnight leader Cejka began the final round with a double bogey on the first and dropped another shot on the fourth, but battled back to hold a two-shot lead with two holes to play.A bogey on the 17th halved the 52-year-old Cejka’s advantage and Harrington birdied the last to force extra holes.“What a day,” Cejka said at the presentation ceremony. “I still can’t believe that I’m he...

Analysis: Inflation is down overall, so why are my grocery bills still going up?

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 16:18:56 GMT

By: Michael von Massow, University of GuelphDespite Canada’s inflation rate falling to its lowest point in two years, food prices remain high. The Consumer Price Index slowed to 2.8 per cent in June compared to last year, but food prices increased by 8.3 per cent. Food prices in stores increased by 9.1 per cent.The gap between general inflation and food prices is puzzling — and frustrating — for many, especially because the Bank of Canada’s interest rate hikes don’t seem to be affecting food prices at all. In periods of high inflation, central banks raise interest rates to moderate price increases, or, ideally, bring them down.But food prices don’t respond to interest rate policies as much as other factors do. This is because food demand is relatively steady — we can’t put off food purchases like we might put off the purchase of a new computer or car.So if interest rates won’t help bring down food prices, what will?Competition Bureau reportCanada’s competition watchdog, the Competit...

Parts of Cherry Creek Reservoir closed to recreation for toxic algae bloom

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 16:18:56 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) -- Parts of the Cherry Creek Reservoir have been closed to recreation due to toxic blue-green algae bloom.Colorado Parks and Wildlife said swimming, paddleboarding and wading will not be allowed near the marina and West Shades area of the Reservoir.However, boating and fishing will still be allowed.Signs have been placed at the closure areas to inform people of the closure and warn about the dangers of coming into contact with an algae bloom. Headed to the lake? Check for toxic algae blooms "All skin-to-water contact should be avoided for humans and pets," Cherry Creek Operations Manager Larry Butterfield said.Butterfield said contact with the water could cause minor skin rashes and make pets ill.Recreation is closed when water tests above 8 micrograms per liter of the toxic algae microcystin. That threshold is set by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.The water in the Cherry Creek Reservoir tested at 10 micrograms per liter. Samples will contin...

Mom honors late son on his 18th birthday by helping other local children

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 16:18:56 GMT

DILLON, Colo. (KDVR) -- Mom Stephanie Brown would have been celebrating her son JT's 18th birthday next week. But, sadly, JT passed away at just 10 years old after battling epilepsy for several years. “We grew up together I would say,” Brown, a single mom to JT, said. Brown had JT when she was 19 years old. She said the first bit of his childhood was smooth until when he was two years old and suffered his first Febrile seizure. “It was the scariest moment of my life," Brown said, "he turned blue he was unconscious, his eyes rolled back in his head." She said right before JT turned three he was diagnosed with epilepsy. From there she said they tried everything from every medication to alternative treatments but nothing she said helped control JT's seizures. Camp Spark aims to ignite girls’ interest in firefighting “Nothing worked so he was diagnosed with intractable epilepsy, meaning nothing we could do could control his seizures," Brown said. But JT's life went on and she did eve...

Woman found dead after overnight shooting in Miami

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 16:18:56 GMT

Police are investigating a fatal shooting in Miami that left a woman dead. City of Miami Police units responded to the scene of the incident in the area of Northwest 14th Avenue and 58th Terrace, just after midnight on Sunday.Responding officers arrived to find the victim suffering from gunshot wounds. She was pronounced dead at the scene.Several streets in the area were temporarily blocked off while crews worked to remove the body.7News is working to gather more information as it is unclear whether or not any arrests have been made.

National Weather Service confirms EF-1 tornado touched down on Foxboro, Easton line

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 16:18:56 GMT

The National Weather Service has confirmed an EF-1 tornado touched down along the Foxboro/Easton town line on Saturday that had an estimated peak wind of 105 mph.In a post on Sunday, the weather service said the tornado’s path length and width are estimated at 400 yards and 100 yards. The service said it would post additional details about the tornado Sunday evening.Also during the storms, microburst wind damage was confirmed in Brockton, East Bridgewater, and parts of Easton.https://twitter.com/NWSBoston/status/1685743454436085760This is developing news story; stay with 7NEWS on-air and online for the latest details.