Viridian Reclaimed Wood introduces a new line of engineered reclaimed hardwood flooring in four different species, according to Viridian co-owner Joe Mitchoff.

The Reclaimé Collection’s new line extensions offer the visual and charm of a floor constructed from reclaimed, vintage wood in a laminate flooring construction, according to Quick-Step.

The newspaper asserts that Ranked Choice Voting "cratered" voter engagement. That's bullshit. by Wm. Steven Humphrey

Starting in January 2025, Portland will have the most diverse, and politically balanced City Council in the history of our city. Full stop.

The reason why we’re able to celebrate this indisputable fact is thanks to charter reform and ranked choice voting, which allowed citizens from every demographic and Portland neighborhood the opportunity to serve their city (and the rest of us to vote for them). 

But despite those two objectively correct statements, local media continues to platform the dishonest cynics who have been fighting charter reform and ranked choice voting from the beginning. The Oregonian, who loves writing intellectually dishonest headlines like this, really outdid themselves with this recent post-election article: Portland’s ranked-choice debut causes voter engagement to crater; 1 in 5 who cast ballots chose no one for City Council. 

Let’s break it down, shall we? Using the word “crater” to describe Portland’s voter engagement, and attempting to lay the blame on the doorstep of ranked choice voting, is not only an unethical choice, it’s factually incorrect. While overall voter turnout wasn’t what it was in 2020 (79%), Portland engagement still reached 74.5%—that’s still three-quarters of our total population. Does that sound like overall engagement “cratered” to you?

 And perhaps it’s true that one-out-of-five voters chose not to rank any candidates for City Council and mayor—though, as a reasonable person, I might wait until that number got a little bit higher before labeling it as “cratering.” And yes, it is absolutely correct that a historically large group of candidates ran for City Council this year, which probably stunned some voters who aren’t used to doing a lot of research. BUT! And let me say this loud and proud so everyone in the back can hear it: Having a lot of candidates who love their community and want to serve it is A VERY GOOD THING. (And it’s even better for democracy.) And while we can definitely do more as a city to make sure minority and low-income communities have the information they need in future races, according to the Oregonian’s own numbers, four out of five Portlanders successfully filled out their ballots without their brains exploding. So actually, I’d call that a big win. 

And that’s my problem with this poorly headlined article: The main thesis seems to be that just because one-in-five Portland voters chose not to cast votes in two races, this is somehow the fault of ranked choice voting. That’s bullshit. And here’s why: Let’s imagine ranked choice voting never existed, and Portlanders were still choosing just a single candidate for every office. Thanks to the general ineptitude of the current City Council—which inspired so many people to run against them—a huge number of candidates would’ve still been on that ballot. And if that had occurred, voters would have been confronted with the exact same conundrum.

Oh, and if you do happen to dip into the O’s article, here’s a little media studies trick: While most news outlets claim objectivity as their guiding star, if you want to spot potential bias, head to the final paragraph of just about any article, and see who gets the last word. In the case of this Oregonian story, the last word was given to a failed conservative Council candidate, Bob Weinstein, who freely admits he was never in favor of charter reform in the first place, and issued this damning indictment of ranked choice voting: “It’s very anti-democratic, to me, to have a result like this.”

I’m curious: Which of the following results is the most “anti-democratic”? Was it three-quarters of the population voting? Was it the large number of candidates who, after 100 years of being shut out of elections, were finally given a chance to fairly compete? Was it the actual result, which was getting (as mentioned before) the most diverse and politically balanced City Council we’ve had in the history of our city? Or was it “anti-democratic” simply because he lost?

Unfortunately, we’ll probably be reading a lot more thoughtless headlines and hearing a lot more anti-Charter Reform language from Portland’s conservative business class. Frankly, the old system worked GREAT for them, giving the wealthy an outsized voice and control over policy in City Hall. And even though the new council will have conservative voices who will fight valiantly to ensure the rich continue getting richer, that’s not good enough for those who want absolute power. In short, if you like what conservatives did to Measure 110, keep an eye out on what they’re planning to do to Charter Reform.

For the rest of us, there’s an old saying: “Progress, not perfection.” We’re sorry to break the hearts of the Oregonian headline writers and the bad actors who have dominated Portland politics for over a century, but new, vital forms of government—like any new plan or system that regular folks like you put into action every single day—will NEVER be perfect from the start, and need time and grace in order to operate at top proficiency. That said, if one-in-five voters refusing to choose a candidate in two races is the worst thing to happen in an election where we make sweeping changes for the very first time? I’d say democracy continues to be in pretty good shape. 

But that’s just my opinion—from deep in the “crater.”

Libero Copper and Gold Corp. (LBC:TSX.V; LBCMF:OTCQB) announced the progress and objectives of its 14,000-metre exploration program at the Mocoa porphyry copper-molybdenum project in southern Colombia. Read more to discover how this ambitious program targets high-grade copper and molybdenum zones.

Light, leavened naan bread is the model for Maya Kaimal Fine Indian Foods’ double-baked Maya Kaimal Naan Chips.

Wrangler has expanded its retail footprint in India with the inauguration of six new stores. Located in Ujjain, Goa, Indore, Bilaspur, Katihar, and Bareilly, these additions bring Wrangler's total store count to 58 across India.

[Written by Stephen Wright] It has been exactly three years since Dame Flora Duffy became the island’s first athlete to win a gold medal at the Olympic Games. She claimed victory in the women’s triathlon at the rescheduled Tokyo Games on July 27, 2021, to become only the second Bermudian to medal at the Olympics […]

[Written by Stephen Wright] Jonah Smith has backed himself to claim glory in the Bermuda Motocross Association’s New Year’s Trophy Race at the Bermuda Motorsports Park in Southside, St David’s, on Sunday. Smith, widely regarded as the island’s top rider, will compete in the Expert class against American Denver Rigsby and local riders such as […]

Bernews and TROIKA Bermuda recently invited children from around the island to enter a colouring competition in order to win tickets to see a production of Beauty and the Beast tomorrow [Aug 28]. The contest, which ran for nearly two weeks, received about 100 entries from colouring enthusiasts, each of them 12 or under. Eight […]

Australian law firm Gerard Malouf & Partners on Thursday said it had filed class action lawsuits against the country's top two retailers, Woolworths and Coles , for allegedly encouraging misleading discount claims on everyday products.

Australian law firm Gerard Malouf & Partners on Thursday said it had filed class action lawsuits against the country's top two retailers, Woolworths and Coles, for allegedly encouraging misleading discount claims on everyday products. The two supermarket giants are currently in court, sued by the…

Consumer champion Which? not amused by fruit-based giant's alleged preference for its own cloud storage service UK consumer group Which? has filed a £3 billion action against Apple over alleged competition law breaches related to its iCloud service.…

Social media posts falsely claim that Elon Musk banned author Stephen King from X, the social media platform owned by Musk. The rumor that King was banned originated on a satirical website. King's X account remains active, and he used it on Nov. 13 to debunk the claim.

The post Musk Did Not Ban Stephen King from X, Contrary to Online Claims appeared first on FactCheck.org.

Spotify goes after YouTube's video podcast dominance by removing ads for paid subscribers and introducing a new revenue program for creators.

The Montreal Canadiens had a day off yesterday and there was no player movement, but the recent struggles in net could lead to some moves.

Veteran netminder was waived by Anaheim after John Gibson came off injured reserve

The foundation that benefits the Windsor Regional Hospital is making an urgent fundraising appeal to buy new patient equipment. 

At the conclusion of the fall semester, Penn State will once again institute a Holiday Heat Reduction Program at University Park, aimed at lowering building temperatures during the holiday break. This annual energy savings initiative saves the University energy costs and has proven to be an important factor in helping the University pursue its energy conservation and greenhouse gas reduction goals.

It was also learnt that India A players have reported in Perth and will be part of the intra-squad match.

सोलापुर पुलिस ने एआईएमआईएम के राष्ट्रीय अध्यक्ष सांसद असदुद्दीन ओवैसी को नोटिस दिया. खास बात यह है कि यह नोटिस भरे मंच पर दिया गया. ओवैसी सोलापुर मध्य विधानसभा क्षेत्र के उम्मीदवार फारूक शाब्दी की प्रचार रैली में आए थे और मंच पर थे. इसी दौरान ओवैसी को  नोटिस दिया गया.

As the dust settles after one of the most contentious election seasons in modern history, TV host and online personality James Deakin reflects on the shifting power dynamics in the world of journalism, censorship, and the impact of political endorsements in his new commentary uploaded on the Peanut Gallery Media Network’s online platforms. According to Deakin, the media landscape has been forever altered, and it’s clear: “The (American) mainstream media are officially dead.” Watch the full episode on the PGMN YouTube channel here: Deakin’s sharp critique points out that US-based mainstream outlets have lost the trust of the public. “People […]...

Keep on reading: As Trump reclaims the Presidency, James Deakin says 'people have had enough' of celebrity endorsements

The recent report that over 684,000 Nigerians die from non communicable diseases, NCDs, annually, is a source of concern. Non communicable diseases are diseases that are not contagious. Most Nigerians have been battling with communicable or infectious diseases like cholera, Human Immuno Virus, HIV, tuberculosis among others. Such diseases have, however, attracted public attention as […]

Stakeholders raise concern as non-communicable diseases claim 684,000 Nigerians

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre bristled when FOX Business correspondent Edward Lawrence asked her if President Biden apologized to President-elect Trump.

The Federal Trade Commission will get a chance to argue its case for Meta’s breakup in court. On Wednesday, US District Judge James Boasberg allowed the FTC’s lawsuit against the social media giant to move forward (PDF link). The FTC first sued Meta in 2020 in an attempt to force the company, then known as Facebook, to divest itself of Instagram and WhatsApp. Alongside dozens of attorneys general, the agency alleged Meta acquired the platforms in 2012 and 2014 to stifle growing competition in the social media market.

This past April, Meta asked Judge Boasberg to dismiss the case. In addition to noting that the FTC had previously approved both acquisitions, Meta argued that the agency had failed to show that the company held monopoly power in the social networking services market, and that, in buying Instagram and WhatsApp, it had harmed consumers. Additionally, the company claimed that it had invested billions of dollars in both platforms and made them better as a result, to the benefit of social media users everywhere.

While he did not entirely dismiss the lawsuit, Boasberg did force the FTC to narrow its case, dismissing an allegation that Facebook had provided preferential access to developers who agreed not to compete with it.

“We are confident that the evidence at trial will show that the acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp have been good for competition and consumers. More than 10 years after the FTC reviewed and cleared these deals, and despite the overwhelming evidence that our services compete with YouTube, TikTok, X, Apple’s iMessage, and many others, the Commission is wrongly continuing to assert that no deal is ever truly final, and businesses can be punished for innovating,” a Meta spokesperson told Engadget. “We will review the opinion when it’s filed.”

Judge Boasberg will meet with the two sides on November 25 to schedule the trial. The FTC lawsuit, it should be noted, was filed under the previous Trump administration, though whether it moves forward and in what form will depend on who President-elect Trump appoints to lead the agency.

The Reform UK leader said the agreement to hand over the islands is opposed in the United States.

Pakistan's premier fast bowler Shaheen Afridi has reclaimed the No.1 position in the ICC Men's ODI Bowler Rankings, a spot he initially held during last year's Cricket World Cup in India.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday expressed confidence that Congress party would win by-elections in all three constituencies of the state.

U.K. consumer rights group ‘Which?’ is filing a legal claim against Apple under competition law on behalf of some 40 million users of iCloud, its cloud storage service. The collective proceeding lawsuit, which is seeking £3 billion in compensation damages (around $3.8 billion at current exchange rates), alleges that Apple has broken competition rules by […]

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Israeli warplanes launched a strike at dawn targeting a residential apartment in a building in the Dawhet

Russia's state Investigative Committee said in a statement that an improvised explosive device had detonated in an act of terrorism, killing a serviceman whom it did not identify

The first concert on November 15 will feature tunes from Tamil and Hindi films, followed by tributes to Coldplay, Mozart, Queen, and Abba in the upcoming months

A House hearing on Wednesday focused on unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP) featured testimonies from several witnesses who made allegations about the U.S. government's involvement with UFOs and possible alien technologies.

Rockies top prospect Brendan Rodgers realizes he has to keep his spirits light even though his assignment is heavy.

Teemu Laitinen (Finland) serves as the Bus4Life driver in Ukraine, Hungary, Moldova and Romania.

CBS EcoMedia CEO Paul Polizzotto's latest company wants to make donating to nonprofits easier

At Aptos Engage 2018, all eyes were on the cloud, and omnichannel optimization

1. Amid Uddhav Sena's Bag Checking Claims, EC Officials Check Luggage of Shinde, Fadnavis  News18
2. 'Bag-checked': CM Shinde, Ajit Pawar, Fadnavis post frisking videos as Uddhav Thackeray questions EC  The Times of India
3. Uddhav's convoy stopped at Maha-Goa border amid bag check row | 'Entirely Compromised Commission' | Inshorts  Inshorts
4. Eknath Shinde's Bag Checked In Palghar Amid Uddhav Thackeray's Accusations  NDTV
5. EC officials check Eknath Shinde's bag in Palghar amid Uddhav Thackeray checking row  Hindustan Times

1. ₹50000 for 1 night in Ahmedabad? Fans claim Coldplay’s upcoming concert skyrocketed hotel prices  Hindustan Times
2. Coldplay announces 4th India show in Ahmedabad: Check out ticket sale details  Hindustan Times
3. Everything You Need to Know About The World's Largest Cricket Stadium In Ahmedabad, Which Will Hold Coldplay's Gujarat Concert  NDTV
4. Coldplay Announces New Concert in Ahmedabad: Know The Date and How To Book Tickets  News18
5. Coldplay announces fourth show in Ahmedabad after Mumbai due to unprecedented demand  Moneycontrol

1. Garena Free Fire MAX Redeem Codes for November 12: Claim Exclusive Rewards Today!  The Hans India
2. Garena Free Fire MAX redeem codes for November 12: Win free diamonds, skins, and more  The Times of India
3. Garena Free Fire MAX Redeem Codes Today, November 13: Win Free Gifts, Skins And Much More  Jagran English
4. Free Fire Mystery Shop: Rewards, duration, and more  Sportskeeda
5. Garena Free Fire MAX redeem codes for November 13, 2024: Win bundles, new outfits, and more rewards...  Moneycontrol

Durham manufacturer Wolfspeed is suing a pair of former longtime employees.

In a tragic incident in Gilgit-Baltistan's Diamer district, a bus carrying a wedding party fell into the Ind River, leading to the death of at least 26 individuals. This sorrowful event occurred on Tuesday when the bus, en route from Astore

During the recent by-elections in Madhya Pradesh, tensions ran high with allegations of electoral malpractice leading to significant disruptions. In the heart of these disputes, Congress state president Jitu Patwari and BJP state president VD Sharma staged protests near the Election Commission