Reactions to the death of Rosalynn Carter

posted in: Politics | 0

ATLANTA — Reactions to the death of Rosalynn Carter, former first lady and global humanitarian:

President Joe Biden said the Carters “brought grace” to the White House. “He had this great integrity, still does. And she did too,” Biden told reporters as he was boarding Air Force One to leave Norfolk, Virginia on Sunday night. “God bless them.” Biden said he spoke to the family and was told that Jimmy Carter was surrounded by his children and grandchildren.

Later the White House released an official joint statement from the president and first lady Jill Biden saying that Carter inspired the nation. “She was a champion for equal rights and opportunities for women and girls; an advocate for mental health and wellness for every person; and a supporter of the often unseen and uncompensated caregivers of our children, aging loved ones, and people with disabilities,” the statement said.

Former President George W. Bush called Carter a woman of dignity and strength. “There was no greater advocate of President Carter, and their partnership set a wonderful example of loyalty and fidelity. She leaves behind an important legacy in her work to destigmatize mental health. We join our fellow citizens in sending our condolences to President Carter and their family,” Bush said in a statement with former first lady Laura Bush.

U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff of Georgia said Carter would be remembered for her compassionate nature and passion for women’s rights, human rights and mental health reform. “The State of Georgia and the United States are better places because of Rosalynn Carter,” Ossoff said in a statement. “I join all Georgians and Americans in mourning her loss. May Rosalynn Carter’s memory be a blessing.”

Former President Donald Trump said Carter “earned the admiration and gratitude” of the nation. “From her days as a U.S. Navy spouse, to the Georgia Governor’s Mansion, to her tenure as First Lady of the United States, and her later work at the Carter Center and volunteering with Habitat for Humanity, she leaves behind a legacy of extraordinary accomplishment and national service,” Trump said on Truth Social.

Former first lady Melania Trump said Carter leaves behind a meaningful legacy. “We will always remember her servant’s heart and devotion to her husband, family, and country. May she rest in peace,” Melania Trump said on X, formerly Twitter.

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Carter was a “saintly and revered public servant” driven by faith, compassion and kindness. “On the world stage, First Lady Carter was a pioneer. Her historic, high-stakes diplomatic mission to Latin America in 1977 ushered in a new era of engagement in the region. Two years later, she became the first sitting First Lady to address the World Health Organization, where she argued that mental health was an aspect of physical health – and that health is a human right,” Pelosi said in a statement offering condolences to the Carter family.

Former President Bill Clinton and former first lady Hillary Clinton called Carter a champion of human dignity. “Thanks to her mental health advocacy, more people live with better care and less stigma. Because of her early leadership on childhood immunization, millions of Americans have grown up healthier. And through her decades of work at the Carter Center and with Habitat for Humanity, she spread hope, health, and democracy across the globe,” the former president and former secretary of state said in a joint statement. “Rosalynn will be forever remembered as the embodiment of a life lived with purpose.”

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens called Carter “the model for the modern day First Lady” and praised her work promoting mental health awareness. “She never stopped advocating for mental health or the Equal Rights Amendment,” Dickens said in a statement. “The city of Atlanta joins all of Georgia — and mourners around the world — as we honor the memory of First Lady Rosalynn Carter.”

Former first lady Michelle Obama said Rosalynn Carter sometimes offered advice during their periodic lunches at the White House. “She reminded me to make the role of First Lady my own, just like she did. I’ll always remain grateful for her support and her generosity,” Obama said in a statement. “Today, Barack and I join the world in celebrating the remarkable legacy of a First Lady, philanthropist, and advocate who dedicated her life to lifting up others. Her life is a reminder that no matter who we are, our legacies are best measured not in awards or accolades, but in the lives we touch.”

Habitat For Humanity, the Georgia-based charity that the Carters worked for tirelessly, said its members were saddened by the former first lady’s passing. “She was a compassionate and committed champion of #HabitatforHumanity and worked fiercely to help families around the world,” the nonprofit said on X.

Carter’s legacy will be a source of pride for her home state, said U.S. Rep. Nikema Williams, the chair of the Democratic Party of Georgia. “Georgia Democrats join our entire state, nation, and the world in mourning the loss of former First Lady Rosalynn Carter — an extraordinary humanitarian, fierce mental health advocate, and beloved daughter of Georgia,” Williams said.

The Carter Center said it was grieving the passing of its co-founder. “She was a partner in good deeds with her husband, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, as they traversed the globe to strengthen democracy, resolve conflicts, advance human rights, and eliminate debilitating diseases after their time in the White House,” the center said in a statement. In lieu of flowers, Carter requested that those wishing to honor her memory do so through contributions to the Carter Center’s Mental Health Program or the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers, the statement said.

Wandering moose continues central Minnesota trek to stardom

posted in: News | 0

Rut the moose photographed on public property Tuesday, Nov. 14, “just outside of Sauk Centre.” (Contributed / Danielle Magnuson)

SAUK CENTRE — The wandering moose who has appeared on more screens in west central Minnesota than any other moose since Bullwinkle of television cartoon fame continues his trek to stardom.

In the past week, the Central MN Moose on the Loose Facebook group dedicated to tracking the wandering moose has posted images and sightings of the young bull in the Sauk Centre and Melrose areas. Three days ago, he was spotted near the Sauk Centre airport, and the more recent sightings indicate he remains in the area.

He’s been given names ranging from Rut to Bullwinkle. Photographs indicate he is a young bull, quite likely a yearling.

The most recent Facebook postings indicate concern that he will need to cross Interstate 94 if he remains on his current, northerly trajectory.

“Rut” the moose walks southward along the east shore of Green Lake in rural Spicer on Wednesday morning, Oct. 31, 2023. (Screenshot from Cela Kava Dolan video)

The moose was sighted in Kandiyohi and Meeker counties in late October. A video captured him walking along the shores of Green Lake at month’s end.

Jeremy Gehrke, with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources office in New London, said the local office has not received any reports about the moose since it moved northward into Stearns County.

Gehrke reminded people that they should give the moose a wide berth and not pester him. Moose are large and powerful animals and should be avoided, he pointed out.

It’s not uncommon for moose to wander in areas south of their range. In some cases, moose can wander due to a brainworm that adversely affects their health.

But Gehrke said there are also cases in which a moose will wander on its own, with no obvious signs of health distress. He said the photos he has seen of this moose suggest it is a healthy male.

There is no way to predict where the moose may go, but it is possible that his northward trajectory indicates he is headed back to more suitable habitat in northern Minnesota.

Motorists should be extra cautious this time of year, not only because of this moose. Deer remain active due to the rutting season and are more nocturnal after the nine-day firearm season. That means there is a higher likelihood of deer and vehicle collisions, especially during low-light periods and at night, he advises.

Related Articles

Environment |


Joe Soucheray: There they were, bobbing and weaving, ruffians at my window

Environment |


More than $34.2 million raised on Give to the Max Day as Como Zoo reveals baby giraffe’s name

Environment |


Orphaned sea otters make Minnesota Zoo their new home

Environment |


Goats and sheep grazed on a hillside on the Capitol grounds in St. Paul on Wednesday

Woodbury: Public invited to Dec. 13 open house on Radio Drive expansion project

posted in: News | 0

The public is invited to a Dec. 13 open house on the Radio Drive expansion project.

The open house will be from 4 to 6 p.m. at the East Ridge High School, at 4200 Pioneer Drive in Woodbury, in the Media Center. There will be no formal presentation about the project.

The proposed project will be on Radio Drive from Military Road (County Highway 20) to Hargis Parkway. It will expand the two-lane highway to a four-lane highway, and add multi-modal trails. The project will also build facilities to manage and treat stormwater runoff, and aims to improve safety along the corridor, considering a traffic circle or roundabout at the intersection of Radio Drive and Dale Road.

Public engagement and preliminary design will occur in 2023 and 2024, with final design coming in 2024 and 2025. This is the second open house on the project, closing the concept development stage of the project.

Property acquisition will occur in 2025 and 2026, with construction planned for 2027.

For more information, contact Andrew Giesen, design engineer, at 651-430-4336 or andrew.giesen@co.washington.mn.us.

Related Articles

Local News |


Woodbury woman is driving force behind city’s K-9 program

Local News |


Woodbury City Council broke open meeting law when it suspended SRO program, state says

Local News |


Hope Breakfast Bar to open fifth location in Woodbury

Local News |


‘It wasn’t easy for us, but for some reason, I wasn’t afraid.’ On Veterans Day, a World War II veteran remembers

Local News |


Stillwater malt shop to offer free meal to veterans

During visit to border, Texas governor endorses Trump

posted in: Politics | 0

EDINBURG, Texas — Donald Trump picked up the Texas governor’s endorsement Sunday during a visit to a U.S.-Mexico border town and promised that his hard-line immigration policies in a second presidential term would make Greg Abbott’s “job much easier.”

“You’ll be able to focus on other things in Texas,” Trump told Abbott as they each appeared before a crowd of about 150 at an airport hangar in Edinburg.

Abbott, a longtime ally and fellow border hawk, said he was proud to endorse the former president, who is the Republican Party’s front-runner for the 2024 nomination.

“We need a president who’s going to secure the border,” Abbott said, speaking in a town that is about 30 miles from the Hidalgo Port of Entry crossing with Mexico. “We need Donald J. Trump back as our president of the United States of America.”

Earlier, Trump served meals to Texas National Guard soldiers, troopers and others who will be stationed at the border over Thanksgiving. Trump and Abbott handed out tacos, and the former president shook hands and posed for pictures.

“What you do is incredible, and you want it to be done right,” Trump told them.

Abbott said about the Guard members and Texas troopers who are stationed at the border: “They should not be here at this time. They should be at home.” He said that ”the only reason why they are here is because we have a president of the United States of America who is not securing our border.”

Trump has been laying out immigration proposals that would mark a dramatic escalation of the approach he used in office and that drew alarms from civil rights activists and numerous court challenges. Though Trump has peppered campaign speeches with his immigration plans, he only made brief remarks in border country on Sunday. He spoke for only about 10 minutes against a backdrop of state police choppers, a plane and an armed patrol boat — all used by Texas at the border.

Trump did not get into the policies he would pursue if elected. He did complain about inflation, the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021 and news media coverage. He said most technology outside of wheels and walls eventually becomes obsolete.

“We just need the walls. And it worked,” Trump said.

His plan calls for building more of the wall along the border.

He also wants to:

— revive and expand his controversial travel ban, which initially targeted seven Muslim-majority countries. Trump’s initial executive order was fought all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, which upheld what Trump complained was a “watered down” version that included travelers from North Korea and some Venezuelan officials.

— begin new “ideological screening” for all immigrants, aiming to bar “Christian-hating communists and Marxists” and “dangerous lunatics, haters, bigots and maniacs” from entering the United States. “Those who come to and join our country must love our country,” he has said.

— bar those who support Hamas. “If you empathize with radical Islamic terrorists and extremists, you’re disqualified,” Trump says. “If you want to abolish the state of Israel, you’re disqualified. If you support Hamas or any ideology that’s having to do with that or any of the other really sick thoughts that go through people’s minds — very dangerous thoughts — you’re disqualified.”

— deport immigrants living in the country who harbor “jihadist sympathies” and send immigration agents to “pro-jihadist demonstrations” to identify violators. He would target foreign nationals on college campuses and revoke the student visas of those who express anti-American or antisemitic views.

— invoke the Alien Enemies Act to to remove from the United States all known or suspected gang members and drug dealers. That law was used to justify internment camps in World War II. It allows the president to unilaterally detain and deport people who are not U.S. citizens.

— end the constitutional right to birthright citizenship by signing an executive order his first day in office that would codify a legally untested reinterpretation of the 14th Amendment. Under his order, only children with at least one U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident parent would be eligible for a passport, Social Security number and other benefits.

— terminate all work permits and cut off funding for shelter and transportation for people who are in the country illegally.

— crack down on legal asylum-seekers and reimplement measures such as Title 42, which allowed Trump to turn away immigrants at the U.S.-Mexico border on the grounds of preventing the spread of Covid-19.

— press Congress to pass a law so anyone caught trafficking women or children would receive the death penalty.

— shift federal law enforcement agents, including FBI and Drug Enforcement Administration personnel, to immigration enforcement, and reposition at the southern border thousands of troops currently stationed overseas. “Before we defend the borders of foreign countries we must secure the border of our country,” he said said.

Trump has made frequent trips to the border as a candidate and president. During his 2016 campaign, he traveled to Laredo, Texas in July 2015 for a visit that highlighted how his views on immigration helped him win media attention and support from the GOP base.

The border has also become a centerpiece of Abbott’s agenda and the subject of an escalating fight with the Biden administration over immigration. The three-term governor has approved billions of dollars in new border wall construction, authorized razor wire on the banks of the Rio Grande and bused thousands of migrants to Democrat-led cities across the United States.