Aging Playgrounds Can Be Hazardous; Replacing Them Is Costly

By AMELIA THOMSON-DEVEAUX and LINLEY SANDERS WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump will start implementing a far-reaching agenda when he takes office for the second time on Monday, but a poll finds that despite his claims of an “unprecedented and powerful mandate,” the incoming Republican president lacks broad support for some of his top priorities. Just over half of US adults favor eliminating taxes on earnings from tips, according to the survey from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, but some of his other pledges — like pulling out of the Paris climate agreement, increasing oil drilling on federal lands and imposing new tariffs — are less widely favored. There is room for opinion to shift on many of the proposals, since a sizable share of Americans hold a neutral view.

DEAR MISS MANNERS: We have friends who seem to think every little milestone should be celebrated like a small wedding. They hold celebrations and attach a wish list, sometimes with hundreds of gift ideas, to every invitation. Birthday parties, gender-reveal parties, baby showers (for every child, often asking for a box of diapers as well as a gift), housewarming parties … it’s never-ending. Should I mention that a thank-you card is never issued?

President-elect Donald Trump selected opera tenor Christopher Macchio to perform the national anthem at Monday’s inauguration, at which Carrie Underwood will also perform “America the Beautiful.” Here’s a list of some singers at previous presidential inaugurations: John F Kennedy, 1961: Contralto Marian Anderson sang “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Lyndon B. Johnson, 1965: The United States Marine Band performed the national anthem. Richard Nixon, 1969: The Mormon Tabernacle Choir accompanied by the United States Marine Band performed the national anthem. Richard Nixon, 1973: Jazz great Ethel Ennis sang the national anthem. FILE – Lady Gaga performs the National Anthem as President-elect Joe Biden watches during the 59th Presidential Inauguration at the U.

By JOSH BOAK, Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump is returning to the White House ready to immediately overhaul the government using the fastest tool he has — the executive order. An incoming president signing a flurry of executive orders is standard practice. Executive orders allow a president to wield power without action from Congress.

By JON GAMBRELL, Associated Press DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Yemen’s Houthi rebels have signaled they now will limit their attacks in the Red Sea corridor to only Israeli-affiliated ships, just as a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip entered its second day Monday. The Houthis’ announcement, made in an email sent to shippers and others on Sunday, likely won’t be enough to encourage global firms to reenter the route that’s crucial for cargo and energy shipments moving between Asia and Europe.

By MARC LEVY, Associated Press HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — The bitcoin-friendly administration of President-elect Donald Trump and an expanding lobbying effort in statehouses could push states to become more open to crypto and lead public pension funds and treasuries to buy into it. Proponents of the uniquely volatile commodity argue it is a valuable hedge against inflation, similar to gold. Many bitcoin enthusiasts and investors are quick to say government-backed currencies are prone to devaluation and increased government buy-ins will stabilize future price swings, giving them more legitimacy and boosting already rising prices. But the risks are significant.