The Presidential Debate

Ayana Elizabeth Johnson has a tenuous relationship with the word “hope.” The marine biologist, policy expert, teacher, and author is too much of a pragmatist to rely on something so passive. Hope as a noun is defined as having an expectation of a positive outcome. To Johnson, that’s not in line with reality.

This story was originally published by the Guardian and is reproduced here as part of the Climate Desk collaboration. A hulking steel plant in Middletown, Ohio, is the city’s economic heartbeat as well as a keystone origin story of JD Vance, the hometown senator now running to be Donald Trump’s vice-president. Its future, however, may hinge upon $500 million in funding from landmark climate legislation that Vance has called a “scam” and is a Trump target for demolition. In March, Joe Biden’s administration announced the US’s largest ever grant to produce greener steel, enabling the Cleveland-Cliffs facility in Middletown to build one of the largest hydrogen fuel furnaces in the world, cutting emissions by a million tons a year by ditching the coal that accelerates the climate crisis and befouls the air for nearby locals. In a blue-collar urban area north of Cincinnati that has long pinned its fortunes upon the vicissitudes of the US steel industry, the investment’s promise of a revitalized plant with 170 new jobs and 1,200 temporary construction positions was met with jubilation among residents and unions. “It felt like a miracle, an answered prayer that we weren’t going to be left to die on the vine,” said Michael Bailey, who is now a pastor in Middletown but worked at the plant, then owned by Armco, for 30 years. “America needs “a leader who rejects Joe Biden and Kamala Harris’s green new scam and fights to bring back our great American factories,” Vance said. “It hit the news and you could almost hear everybody screaming, ‘Yay yay yay!’” said Heather Gibson, owner of the Triple Moon cafe in central Middletown.

Based sheriff.

Forget about likeability. Which candidate will better promote biblical values?

Elon Musk should stop trying to be a Xitter troll. He can't do it. And never fuck with my guy, Stephen King. I love Taylor Swift. Her music makes me happy. End of story. — Stephen King (@StephenKing) September 15, 2024 What are your fav TS songs? — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 16, 2024 My fave Taylor Swift song.

The City Council on Monday gave final approval to converting the billing structure for Denver’s voter-supported sidewalk repair and construction program to a flat $150 for more than 95% of property owners next year, doing away with the highly variable billing approach outlined in the original measure. Property owners with large lots will still pay more.