THUMBS DOWN

October ends with cold snap

For the second year in the row, south central Minnesota experienced a warmer than average October, then saw temperatures drop right before Halloween night. Temperatures in the 80s were not uncommon this October. Combined with a lack of rain, it was one of the driest October’s on record. This all ended Halloween when freezing rain and slush fell in the early morning and the winter season began.

It’s not unusual for the first winter blast to hit on October. The Halloween blizzard of 1991 still haunts Minnesotans three decades later, but when temperatures changes so rapidly, it feels like we’re being robbed on a proper autumn. It feels especially unfair to the children who had to trick-or-treat in the cold.

THUMBS DOWN

Changing the clocks back again

Sunday morning at 2 a.m. all clock will turn back an hour to 1 a.m. as daylight savings comes to an end. In the fall, we fall back an hour and in the spring we spring forward an hour. Of these two times we change the clock, call back is the lesser of two evils because at least we get an extra hour of sleep. We will be robbed of the extra hour in the spring and it will cause unnecessary chaos, but at least we’re changing the clocks for a good reason and everyone supports this system. Right?

Actually, no. Daylight savings is very unpopular. Both political parties have tried to stop this and received overwhelming support to end it, but we just can’t get away from the twice a year clock adjustments.

THUMBS UP

Tuesday is Election Night

The 2024 general election is Tuesday. An election is always a time to be excited. After months of hearing about this elections, and the constant arguing, it is a relief for the big day to finally be here. While the election itself will likely not stop the arguing, but at least It is the chance for us as citizens of The United States to actually take actions instead of just talking about it.