Planting the Seeds for Progress

Source: Foundation for Economic Education
by Keli‘i Akina

“Like many local business owners, Hawaii’s farmers and ranchers have to deal with rules and regulations that often make it harder to run a successful enterprise. They also share the same concerns about the high cost of housing and how it affects their ability to attract and retain employees. This year, with encouragement from my colleagues at the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, the state Legislature took steps in the right direction to help.” (07/28/26)

https://fee.org/articles/planting-the-seeds-for-progress/

Is the US Ready for Radical Change?

Source: Common Dreams
by CJ Polychroniou & Alexandra Boutri

“The US is the richest country in the world, yet an international outlier on many measures. Among industrialized nations, the US spends a lower percentage of its GDP on public social expenditure, has no universal healthcare system, union density is at an all-time low, and the average American’s standard of living is in decline, as ‘nearly half of US households can’t make ends meet.’ Of course, delusional President Donald Trump continues to say that the US is the ‘hottest country in the world.’ Is the US, however, ready for radical change?” (07/28/26)

https://www.commondreams.org/opinion/us-ready-radical-change

Uganda: Regime declares country free of Ebola after last patient was discharged in mid-June

Source: Seattle Times

“Ugandan authorities said on Tuesday the East African country is ‘free’ of Ebola after the last patient was discharged in mid-June, a delicate milestone as the virus continues to plague a remote part of neighboring Congo. Uganda always insisted its outbreak was linked to the larger one that started in eastern Congo’s province of Ituri, which shares a land border with Uganda. … Confirmed cases in Congo have reached 3,262, its Ministry of Health said in an overnight update. Data by Congolese health authorities showed that 1,437 patients have died, in what officials have said is the fastest Ebola outbreak on record.” (07/28/26)

https://archive.is/YcCSB

The Eleven-Inch Foot

Source: Law & Liberty
by Amy Peikoff

“On July 14, the House of Representatives passed the Sunshine Protection Act by a vote of 308 to 117. The bill would impose Daylight Saving Time year-round, nationwide, and President Donald Trump has promised to sign it. It now sits in the Senate, where Majority Leader John Thune has voiced misgivings about a federal mandate, and Senator Tom Cotton has asked that it never reach the floor. The ensuing debate has been conducted entirely in terms of policy: circadian health versus evening commerce, school-bus-stop safety versus after-work golf. Those are pertinent questions, and they have a clear answer. But there is an antecedent question that no one in Congress appears to have asked: where, exactly, does the federal government get the power to legislate noon away from the sun?” (07/28/26)

https://lawliberty.org/the-eleven-inch-foot/

The Fed Is Expected to Hold Rates. The Rules Say It Shouldn’t

Source: The Daily Economy
by Matthew Schaffer

“The Federal Open Market Committee is expected to leave its policy rate unchanged at this week’s meeting, with CME FedWatch assigning close to a 65 percent probability that the FOMC will maintain the current target range of 3.5 to 3.75 percent. For the second meeting in a row, that expected outcome is at odds with the guidance provided by the leading monetary rules. This raises the question of whether the new Warsh-led Fed is prepared to follow through on its promise of delivering price stability.” (07/28/26)

https://thedailyeconomy.org/article/the-fed-is-expected-to-hold-rates-the-rules-say-it-shouldnt/

KY: Beshear ups demand for McConnell health status

Source: CNBC

“Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D) demanded that Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) verbally address constituents and demonstrate his ability to serve or resign his seat in a blunt letter sent to the senator and his staff. It’s been more than 40 days since 84-year-old conservative stalwart McConnell has appeared outside of pictures released by his office after being hospitalized. His lengthy absence and past health scares are fueling speculation about his capacity to serve. … Under Kentucky law, Senate vacancies — which can occur due to resignation, expulsion or death — are filled by a special election.” [editor’s note: Beshear should schedule the special election on grounds that, if McConnell is even alive, he has constructively resigned – TLK] (07/28/26)

https://www.axios.com/2026/07/28/mcconnell-health-update-beshear-demand-letter

Sorry, data center haters. You’re on the wrong side of history.

Source: USA Today
by Gene Marks

“In the 19th century, thousands of miles of railroad were built, and the opposition to them was intense. These weren’t organized environmental groups. They were conservationists, local residents, business owners, landowners, parents, farmers, Native American tribes and taxpayers enraged at how their elected leaders were spending their money. Many in the 19th century didn’t want trains rolling through their backyards. Many today don’t want data center complexes in theirs. You can’t blame them. Where would America be today without its railroads? … More than 150 years later, little has changed. Today’s data centers are yesterday’s railroads. They are the infrastructure behind everything that powers our economy. Railroads moved freight. Data centers move information and make modern commerce possible.” (07/28/26)

https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2026/07/28/ai-data-center-workforce-reductions-tech-innovation/91020896007/