Monday, January 12, 2026

progress

Similar Projects on US Highway 169
US Highway 169 spans multiple states, including Kansas, Missouri, Minnesota, Iowa, and Oklahoma, with various departments of transportation (e.g., KDOT, MoDOT, MnDOT) overseeing improvements. The Spring Hill Travel Plaza project focuses on intersection enhancements like turn lanes, traffic signals, and right-of-way adjustments for better flow and safety. Below, I've compiled a list of similar ongoing, planned, or recently completed projects emphasizing traffic safety, operational improvements, interchanges, and pavement work along US 169. I've prioritized those in Kansas (near the original project) and grouped others by state for clarity. These are drawn from state DOT sources and coalitions, with timelines as of early 2026.Kansas Projects
  • 191st Street & US 169 Traffic Signal Project (Spring Hill, Johnson County): This involves installing a new traffic signal at the intersection, similar to the Spring Hill Plaza's signal addition. It's aimed at improving safety and flow amid growth. Design is complete, with construction potentially starting fall 2025 pending approvals.
  • US 169 Pavement Overlay (Johnson and Miami Counties): Asphalt overlay on lanes and chip seal on shoulders from Spring Hill south to the Miami County line. Focuses on roadway maintenance for smoother traffic; work occurred in 2025 during daytime hours.
  • US 169 Corridor Coalition Improvements (Southeast Kansas): A coalition effort including interchange upgrades at K-47 & US 169, adding passing lanes, and turn lanes at high-risk intersections. These enhance safety and capacity, much like the storage lane extensions in the Spring Hill plan. Multiple phases are planned or proposed.
  • Rumble Strip Installation (Neosho and Other Southeast Counties): Adding rumble strips along sections like from north of K-47 to Allen County for safety alerts. This is a low-cost traffic calming measure; work was scheduled for 2025 in one-lane setups.
Missouri Projects
  • US 169 Safety and Operational Improvements (Clay County, near Smithville): Adds turn lanes, improves sight distance, and enhances drainage at US 169 and 188th Street. Similar to Spring Hill's focus on intersection geometry; completed in 2024 after starting in 2023.
  • US 169 Northbound Bridge Replacement and Traffic Shift (Clay County, near Kansas City Downtown Airport): Involves replacing an aging bridge over BNSF railroad, with temporary head-to-head traffic on the southbound bridge and crossovers. Speed limits reduced; full replacement slated for summer 2026, with shifts starting spring 2026.
  • US 169 Bridge Rehabilitation at NW Cookingham Dr. (Clay County): Bridge deck work with closures and detours; improves structural integrity for better traffic reliability. Completed in late 2025.
Minnesota ProjectsMinnesota has a high concentration of US 169 projects through the Corridor Coalition, focusing on safety, mobility, and multi-modal access.
  • US 169 / Hwy 282 / CR 9 Interchange (Jordan, Scott County): Constructs a new interchange with bridges, roundabouts, pedestrian tunnels, sidewalks, and noise walls. Enhances safety and flow; construction began spring 2025 and continues through 2027, with Hwy 169 open during work.
  • Hwy 169 & County Road 130 Interchange Mobility Project (Maple Grove/Hennepin County): Reconstructs and widens the bridge over Hwy 169, adds turn lanes, reconfigures ramps, replaces signals, and includes multi-use trails. Total cost ~$21 million; in planning/design phase as of 2026.
  • US 169 at Hwy 25 (CSAH 25) J-Turn Project (Great Scott Township, St. Louis County): Installs a J-Turn for safer turns across traffic; construction in 2025.
  • Hwy 169 Revitalization (Mankato/North Mankato): Pavement reconstruction, roundabout at Webster Ave., signal removal and access closure at Lind St., bridge repairs, and safety enhancements. Phased for 2027-2028 construction.
  • US 169 Corridor Coalition Projects (Various, e.g., Hennepin/Scott Counties): Includes 11 planned/proposed projects like managed lanes, Bloomington Ferry Bridge replacement, and interchanges at TH 41/CSAH 78 (completed post-2018). Two in progress as of 2026, emphasizing safety by removing direct access points.
  • Hwy 169 Bridge Updates (Princeton): Improves eight bridges with one-lane traffic 24/7; focuses on structural upgrades for better flow, starting April 2025.
  • Hwy 169 Improvements Between Hwy 55 and 62: Pavement and safety upgrades; milestones reached by 2016, but ongoing elements tie into broader corridor work.
  • Hwy 169 Noise Wall and Bridge Construction (Shakopee Area): One-lane restrictions northbound between Hwy 282 and 21 through spring 2026 for noise walls and bridges.
These projects often share goals of reducing congestion, improving safety at intersections, and accommodating growth, similar to the Spring Hill initiative. For the most current details, check state DOT websites, as timelines can shift due to funding or weather. If you need more specifics on a particular project or state, let me know!


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fed

The Federal Reserve's dual mandate is the core statutory objective for U.S. monetary policy, as established by Congress in the Federal Reserve Act (most clearly amended in 1977). It directs the Fed to conduct policy to promote maximum employment and stable prices (with moderate long-term interest rates often viewed as a byproduct of achieving the first two, reducing it effectively to two coequal goals).
This is the exact language from the law (12 U.S.C. § 225a): monetary policy should "promote effectively the goals of maximum employment, stable prices, and moderate long-term interest rates." In practice, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) and Fed officials refer to it as the "dual mandate" because stable prices and moderate long-term rates are seen as interconnected—long-term rates tend to stay moderate only in a low-inflation, stable environment.The Two Goals Explained
  1. Maximum Employment (also called "maximum sustainable employment")
    • This means the highest level of employment (or lowest sustainable unemployment rate) the economy can achieve without triggering accelerating inflation.
    • It's not a fixed number like "4% unemployment" because the level that can be sustained changes over time due to demographics, technology, labor market dynamics, regulations, and other non-monetary factors.
    • The Fed assesses it using a broad range of labor market indicators: unemployment rate, underemployment, labor force participation, job vacancies, wage growth, etc.
    • A strong labor market benefits everyone by providing broad-based opportunities, reducing inequality, and allowing marginalized groups to enter or advance in the workforce. High employment uses labor resources efficiently and supports overall prosperity.
  2. Stable Prices (price stability)
    • This means low and predictable inflation over the longer run, so households and businesses can plan, save, borrow, and invest without worrying about sharp price swings.
    • Since 2012, the FOMC has explicitly judged that an inflation rate of 2 percent per year—as measured by the annual change in the Price Index for Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE)—is most consistent with this goal.
    • Why 2%? It's low enough to avoid the costs of high inflation (e.g., distorting decisions, eroding purchasing power) but provides a buffer against deflation (falling prices, which can lead to delayed spending, debt burdens, and economic stagnation).
    • Price stability fosters confidence and a healthy environment for growth and employment.
How the Fed Pursues the Dual MandateThe FOMC sets monetary policy (primarily by influencing short-term interest rates via tools like open market operations) to move the economy toward both goals simultaneously. The goals are often complementary—a stable, low-inflation environment supports sustainable job growth—but trade-offs can arise (e.g., during supply shocks or when inflation is too high, tighter policy to fight inflation may temporarily slow employment gains).
  • In recent years (including into 2026), the Fed has navigated post-pandemic inflation surges by raising rates aggressively, then easing as inflation fell while the labor market stayed resilient. Officials monitor the "balance of risks" between overshooting on inflation or undershooting on employment.
  • The framework was updated in 2020 to emphasize average inflation targeting (allowing inflation to run moderately above 2% for a time after periods below target) and a more inclusive view of maximum employment.
As of January 2026, amid ongoing political pressures (including debates over Fed independence and Chair Jerome Powell's leadership—his chair term ends in May 2026), the dual mandate remains unchanged and central to the Fed's decisions. Powell and other officials continue to emphasize pursuing both goals without favoring one over the other politically.In short, the dual mandate gives the Fed flexibility to support a strong, stable economy for all Americans, balancing jobs and low inflation as its primary mission.


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Henry McClure 
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Dr. Sounds

There's no precise global headcount for sound bath participants, but data shows explosive growth, with millions engaging in the practice, reflected in a booming sound therapy market (projected to hit $2.26 billion by 2032) and significant increases in retreats and online interest, indicating widespread adoption for stress relief and wellness. A 2020 survey noted 40% of urban adults were interested in attending, while some studies show massive percentage increases in attendance, with major wellness providers integrating it globally. [1, 2, 3, 4]  
Evidence of Popularity: 

• Market Growth: The global sound therapy market is expanding rapidly, driven by demand for stress relief, with significant regional growth in Asia-Pacific, Europe, and North America. 
• Surging Interest: Online searches for sound healing jumped 83% in 2023, and the number of sound bath studios in major cities tripled between 2019-2022. 
• Increased Offerings: The launch of over 4,200 new sound bath retreats globally in 2023 shows massive mainstream adoption, from small studios to corporate wellness programs. 
• Reported Benefits: A 2020 survey found 70% of participants reported significant reductions in anxiety and stress after sessions, making it a popular, accessible alternative to other therapies. [1, 2, 3, 5]  

While exact figures are elusive, the consistent reports of exponential growth and high demand suggest millions participate, making it a mainstream wellness phenomenon rather than a niche practice. [1, 2, 3, 4, 6]  

AI responses may include mistakes.




Henry McClure  
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Sunday, January 11, 2026

Tim is grimm

**Yes, the core claim in the image is real, but with an important clarification.**

The meme/image accurately states that **Minnesota Statute § 609.066** (Authorized Use of Deadly Force by Peace Officers) was **amended and signed into law by Governor Tim Walz on July 23, 2020**, as part of police reform legislation (the Minnesota Police Accountability Act) passed during a special session following the George Floyd protests.

However, the **exact wording** quoted in the image/meme — "If a driver accelerates toward an officer standing in front of the vehicle, this creates an immediate, life-threatening danger. The officer doesn't need to wait until impact; they can act based on the apparent intent and proximity." — **does not appear verbatim** in the statute.

The actual law uses more general, legal language that covers this exact kind of scenario:

- Deadly force is justified only if an **objectively reasonable officer** believes (based on the **totality of the circumstances**, without hindsight) that it's **necessary**:
  - To protect the officer or another from **death or great bodily harm**, where the threat:
    - Can be articulated with specificity,
    - Is reasonably likely to occur absent action by the officer, and
    - Must be addressed without unreasonable delay.

This standard explicitly allows officers to respond to **imminent threats** (like a vehicle accelerating toward them) based on reasonable perception of **intent**, **proximity**, and **danger** — without having to wait for actual impact or injury, as long as the criteria are met.

The 2020 amendments (noted in the statute's history as 2Sp2020 c 1 s 9,10) **refined** the rules to emphasize limits on deadly force (e.g., proportionality, no force based solely on self-harm risk, and legislative intent to reduce excessive use), while still clearly permitting it in cases of genuine, imminent life-threatening danger — including from vehicles used as weapons.

This interpretation is widely discussed in recent online posts (often in political contexts mocking or "owning" Walz), and sources like the official Minnesota Revisor of Statutes confirm the amendment date and the practical application to vehicle threats.

**Bottom line**: The law does support officers acting in the described situation without waiting for impact — the meme just paraphrases it in plain, dramatic language rather than quoting the statute word-for-word. The bill signing date and statute number are correct.



Henry McClure  
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Saturday, January 10, 2026

COOK

A Kansas County Commissioner's oath focuses on faithfully executing public duties and supporting Constitutions, while a Kansas lawyer's oath emphasizes upholding laws, ethical conduct, client fidelity, and preventing legal abuses (like falsehoods or delays) while supporting the Constitutions. Both swear to support the U.S. and Kansas Constitutions; the key contrast is the Commissioner's general duty to their office versus the lawyer's specific duty to the courts, clients, and the integrity of the legal profession, ensuring justice within the system. [1, 2, 3]

Kansas County Commissioner Oath (General Form)
  • Core Duty: "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support the constitution of the United States and the constitution of the state of Kansas, and faithfully discharge the duties of [Office Name]."
  • Focus: General public service, upholding governmental laws and constitutions, and diligently performing elected responsibilities for the county. [1]
Kansas Lawyer Oath (Rule 726)
  • Core Duties: Support U.S. & Kansas Constitutions; avoid malice, falsehoods, or delaying justice; conduct oneself uprightly and according to law; discharge duties with fidelity.
  • Focus: Professional ethics, client advocacy, maintaining the integrity of the court, and preventing abuse of the legal system (e.g., fraudulent suits). [2]
Comparison & Contrast
  • Similarities:
    • Both swear to support the U.S. Constitution and the Kansas Constitution.
    • Both commit to faithfully discharging duties and upholding the law.
  • Differences:
    • Scope: Commissioner's oath is broad for public office; lawyer's oath is specific to legal practice and court conduct.
    • Ethical Specifics: Lawyer's oath includes explicit prohibitions against specific misconduct (lying, delaying for profit/malice) unique to legal practice, which aren't in the general Commissioner's oath.
    • Fidelity: Commissioner swears fidelity to their office; lawyer swears fidelity to the court, client, and legal ethics. [1, 2, 4, 5]
In essence, the Commissioner pledges allegiance to the office and public trust, while the lawyer pledges allegiance to the legal process and ethical standards within that system. [1, 2]


AI responses may include mistakes.



--
Henry McClure 
Time kills deals
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