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Almanac for April 24, 2026

Today is Friday, April 24, the 114th day of 2026. There are 251 days left in the year. Today in history: In 1916, Irish republicans launched the Easter Rising, a rebellion against British rule in Ireland. Though the rebels surrendered to British forces six days later, the uprising set the stage for republican victories in the Irish general election of 1918 and the establishment of the Irish Free State via the Anglo-Irish Treaty in 1922. Also on this date: In 1800, President John Adams signed legislation providing $5,000 for books for use by Congress, effectively launching the ...

Empty cans and Earth Week

ESCANABA- Henry smiled at the golden sun setting on the far side of the river. Three speckled trout lay in his fishing creel. A shiny new 1956 Ford F-100 pick up truck was parked near the riverbank. Frank Sinatra was sing “You Make Me Feel So Young” on the radio. Henry reached into his ...

Yes, of course, war settles things

Countless protest signs have informed us over the years that "war is not the answer." We hear this message, with varying levels of sophistication and differing underlying worldviews, from institutions and people ranging from Code Pink to Pope Leo. "War does not solve problems," the ...

Dems’ win in Virginia won’t be final say in redistricting

Democrats on Wednesday celebrated an election win in Virginia that could put them slightly ahead in the national redistricting competition that President Donald Trump triggered in an attempt to preserve his party's House majority in this year's midterms, but it will not be the final ...

Almanac for April 23, 2026

Today is Thursday, April 23, the 113th day of 2026. There are 252 days left in the year. Today in history: In 1971, hundreds of Vietnam War veterans opposed to the conflict protested by tossing their medals and ribbons over a wire fence constructed in front of the U.S. Capitol. Also on this date: In 1635, the Boston Latin School, the first public school in what would become the United States, was established. In 1898, Spain declared war on the United States, which responded in kind two days later. (Spain's declaration followed months of tensions with the U.S. government, which ...

Gerrymandering in Virginia — and elsewhere

ARLINGTON, Virginia – On Tuesday, Virginia voters who bother to vote likely took gerrymandering to a new and dangerous level. Gov. Abigail Spanberger, a liberal wolf in moderate clothing, has led a campaign to redraw the state’s congressional districts so that all but one will guarantee ...