Mayor Hogan has a chance to help kids in Aurora, and across the whole country. Later this month, the Council of Mayors will consider resolutions in support of expanding quality early education to every child in America. Kids who attend preschool not only do better in school as they grow older -- they're also more likely to go to college and get a good job. But for many families, a quality preschool program is simply too expensive or not available. Last year a bipartisan bill was introduced in Congress that would help every child get access to quality preschool. We need more support from the local level to push this measure forward. Support from Mayor Hogan and his colleagues is the kind of local support that we will need to win. What we need to do right now is to demonstrate widespread support from people like you.

Mayor Hancock has a chance to help kids in Denver, and across the whole country. Later this month, the Council of Mayors will consider resolutions in support of expanding quality early education to every child in America. Kids who attend preschool not only do better in school as they grow older -- they're also more likely to go to college and get a good job. But for many families, a quality preschool program is simply too expensive or not available. Last year a bipartisan bill was introduced in Congress that would help every child get access to quality preschool. We need more support from the local level to push this measure forward. Support from Mayor Hancock and his colleagues is the kind of local support that we will need to win. What we need to do right now is to demonstrate widespread support from people like you.

June 15, 2014 U.S. District Judge Harry S. Mattice Regarding: Carol Chalk I am making an official plea for mercy for my sister Carol Chalk. Carol Chalk arrested and charged with federal “drug” crimes. There is nothing in Carol’s history/background that poses a threat “serious or otherwise” to society. We are requesting she be offered alternative sentencing to imprisonment and/or incarceration as a first offense and no criminal background? Does Carol comprehend her actions and the laws presented to her including, but not limited to “all” evidence and how that evidence was obtained in her case? Does she understand the facts involved or said facts in the decision-making, main choices, does she weigh up the consequences of any choices and understand how the consequences affect her; and can she communicate her understanding? Does stress, grief, depression, certain medical conditions, hearing impairment, vision, etc. affect a person’s decision-making capacity? Does Carol articulate reasoning, is her comprehension consistent over time, and does she understand and/or comprehend consequences? (I’ve known Carol “all” of our lives and I know that she “does not” understand and/or comprehend this whole process. Carol is not a high profile criminal, sex offender, armed robber, serial killer, weapons dealer, and/or NOTORIOUS drug dealer. The streets are NO safer with her absence; in fact, clean ups should start where true “change and safety” can make a difference in society. She signed a “plea” that she absolutely did not understand. Carol is on medication for high blood pressure – Uncontrolled high blood pressure increases the risk of serious health problems, including heart attack and stroke. Carol is on medication for diabetes – If you have diabetes, no matter what type, it means too much glucose in the blood,although the reasons may differ. Too much glucose can lead to serious health problems. Carol has on-going female gynecological female issues I have been asked to write a letter of plea or explanation as to why my sister should receive a less harsh sentencing, but what do I say? How do I plea effectively to a system that appears determined to imprison and/or incarcerate Carol? How and when does change occur if not by those in a position to make change? I beg you on behalf of Carol’s family and her grandson to please be as lenient as possible or as the law allows. Carol’s criminal history category is not higher than a two and she does not have more than one criminal history point. Meredith and District Attorney don’t want Carol to receive the Safety Valve, but in Carol’s case no one was harmed during the offense, she has little or no history of criminal convictions, no violence or gun was used. Carol is not the leader, manager, or organizer of anything. The Safety Valve is to prevent people from getting more time than they deserve. Federal Prisons are overcrowded and almost half of all federal offenders are nonviolent drug offenders, not violent criminals. Judge we are asking that you sentence Carol as a nonviolent, low-level, first-time offender. We need to save space for violent and career criminals. Public safety is our main focus, concern, and goal, so shy sentence non-violent criminals the same as violent criminals. I know that God judges all. I have faith that he is working in this case as he works in every aspect of our lives. Thank you, Audrey R Harris

Because as with drilling for oil, strip mining for coal, nuclear energy, fracking is so misguided and based on short-sighted greed and in no way benefits our planet and life on it.

Currently many communities have zoning bylaws in place that prohibit the posting of lost pet signs. I have been impacted by these bylaws. Two and half years ago, my Siberian husky, Bridgett, went missing and these zoning laws cost me thousands of dollars and impeded my ability to locate and trap my dog. I am not alone in this. There are many, many pet owners fighting the same battle. I am a certified Missing Animal Response Technician trained by Kat Albrecht, the founder of Missing Pet Partnership. I am also the team leader for their Lost Pet Consultants. I understand missing animal behavior and know how long they can survive on their own. These bylaws need to be amended. There is a simple win/win solution for the communities and the pet owners. All we want is to bring our pets home. Let's make this happen.

You are making vehicles I cannot drive. You did not think of drivers with handicaps.

Because as with drilling for oil, strip mining for coal, nuclear energy, tracking is so misguided and based on short-sighted greed and in no way benefits our planet and life on it.

It's appalling that the same man who forced almost 50,000 Native Americans off their lands and forced them on a death march is still honored on our currency.

Tesla has fought tooth and nail to get into the car market, as fossil fuel monopolies tried to get it shut out of entire states. Now instead of sacrificing its principles, it's doubling down on them.

It is imperative that the neighborhoods of Bushwick and East Williamburg, Brooklyn receive more dedicated bike lanes, specifically on Broadway between Marcy Avenue and Gates Avenue. On June 10th , 2014, Zack Xochil Fortune, an acquaintance of mine and a neighborhood figure, was hit by a car and killed at the intersection of Boradway and Myrtle. I live in Bushwick and just like many other community members I ride a bike every day for both recreation and work. With the increase in people living in my community - the number of cars, pedestrians, bikers and other commuters has vastly risen creating a dangerous environment for cyclists. Bicycle safety is personal to me on multiple levels and the catastrophe that took a fellow citizens life may have been prevented if proper action had been taken sooner. This is an issue of public and individual safety and with the addition of more bike lanes, the quality of life in our neighborhood will be greatly improved.

Mystery groups have already spent over $1 million in the primary election for just one seat on the NC Supreme Court. More money for nasty ads is coming into the state every day. The US Supreme Court opened the floodgates for Super PACs and outside groups in its Citizens United decision. It argued that big money would be held accountability through "modern disclosure" - rapid, electronic reporting of who's behind the money. But we don't even have that tool of accountability in North Carolina! Candidates are also raising millions of dollars and a majority only submit paper reports disclosing information about the donors. The State Board of Elections is swamped in paper. Fortunately, a bipartisan coalition in the NC House passed two bills to improve all this and now it's up to the NC Senate to pass them. H918 requires rapid, electronic disclosure of outside groups spending big money; H919 requires candidates raising over $10,000 to submit detailed, electronic disclosure reports. That's a good start! If you live in North Carolina, please support these measures by signing the petition.

Our broken immigration system deports 1100 people per day, tearing apart countless families. Congressman Roskam represents a district with a growing immigrant population, but his actions continue to show his anti-immigrant nature. It's time for Peter Roskam to be the leader the Illinois and America needs.