When we think of swing states in presidential elections, Florida, with its fast-growing population, quickly comes to mind, followed by fading industrial powerhouses Ohio, Pennsylvania and Michigan.Wisconsin usually does not make the list. But the Badger State – not particularly big, not particularly influential in national politics – has become a state that President Obama must carry if he is    .. more …

A moving theme in a largely unmoving film. The book on which it’s based must have been so much bigger. You can laud the beauty of emotional values in a movie endlessly, but most of us just want to be entertained. Emotions in themselves are inside of each of us; a good movie is supposed to take you over, to own you, and so to draw those emotions out. Once there, its emotions are your emotions. “The    .. more …

If you could sit down and chat with Louisa May Alcott, the best selling, nineteenth century author, what advice do you think she would give that you could apply to your business, organization, cause, or to you personally?After all, she was a highly successful author and businesswoman, outselling Herman Melville and Henry James by a factor of ten at the peak of her literary career. She made enough    .. more …

NORMAN – Today is the last day to apply for voter registration in order to be eligible to vote in the Annual School Election on Feb. 14, Cleveland County Election Board Secretary Jim Williams said today. Noble, Lexington, Mustang and McLoud schools will have elections.Those who wish to vote in upcoming city, state and federal elections should register as soon as possible to meet various    .. more …

HARLINGEN – Harlingen High School senior Edgar Chacon recently renewed his driver’s license and was asked if he wanted to register to vote. He declined because he thought it was going to be complicated.He learned otherwise when the school district held voter registration rallies Friday, Jan. 20, and again on Monday at Harlingen High and Harlingen High School South.Chacon was one of 491 high    .. more …

Voting has begun amid tight security in key state elections in the Indian states of Punjab and Uttarakhand.Over 20 million voters are eligible to vote for more than 1,800 candidates vying for 187 assembly seats. Five states are holding local elections over the next month – a test for India’s governing Congress party.The first round of the polls in Manipur over the weekend was marked by violence    .. more …

Florida voters aren’t sure if they want Las Vegas-style casinos in the state, but they are certain they don’t want Tallahassee to make the decision, according to a new poll by The Miami Herald and other news organizations released late Sunday. A staggering 81 percent of likely Florida voters surveyed last week said they believe that any proposed changes to state gambling laws should    .. more …