I know it's a bit late to be referencing classic holiday films, but every time I think of Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, I'm reminded of the scene from "Christmas Vacation" when Clark Griswold finds out that, instead of a Christmas bonus he's been counting on, he's gotten...

“People come up to you and you know what they’re going to say, that it reminds them of their first relationship or the love of their life.”

Cool new proggy sounds you from Ligh5ts Of Skadi, Jenny Potter, Pearl Handles Revolver and more in Prog's Tracks Of The Week

Sensitivity is romance on a lot of chocolate. Especially when you know your spouse doesn't get why you're emotional, upset, irritated, or frustrated. Nothing is more functionally romantic than a spouse who listens and meets you where you're at—even if that means they're putting up with you being irrational, temperamental, weepy, or snippy.

10 Movies of All Kinds to Celebrate Valentine's Day

Southern California finally has rain, but it’s the most significant rainstorm of the season. It’s been bringing flash floods, severe thunderstorms, and life-threatening debris flows. This is only a month after the fierce Santa Ana winds propelled the firestorm across LA County. Street flooding and mudslides have occurred across the region since Thursday evening. Some […] The post Heavy Rains Hit Malibu: Mudslides, Life-Threatening Rock Slides appeared first on www.independentsentinel.com.

Minnesota hasn’t had a Republican senator since Norm Coleman lost his re-election bid in 2008, but Minnesota Republicans might have their best chance since then to win a Senate seat after Democratic Sen. Tina Smith announced on Thursday that she will not run for re-election in 2026. The GOP is already excited about the opportunity in the blue state. National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman Tim Scott told The Daily Wire, “Minnesota is in play, and we play to win. Minnesotans deserve a Senator who will fight for lower taxes, economic opportunity, and safer communities.” In her retirement announcement, Smith reassured her constituents that Democrats have a “deep bench of political talent” from which her replacement will arise. Smith didn’t mention any names specifically — possibly out of embarrassment for who’s actually on that bench — so we compiled a list of potential candidates Democrats have to offer. Tim Walz Credit: SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images Minnesota Democratic Gov. Tim Walz is fresh off running one of the worst presidential campaigns in modern American history alongside former Vice President Kamala Harris. The failed 2024 vice presidential candidate, who had his pants pulled down on national TV by JD Vance during their debate in October, sits at the top of Minnesota’s “deep bench” of potential Senate candidates. The open Senate seat would give 60-year-old Walz a chance to stay relevant on a national level, a development that could push Democrats’ male outreach efforts back decades. The New York Times reported that an aide confirmed Walz is considering a run for Senate while also mulling a third term as governor. As ridiculous as it sounds, if Walz decides against the Senate bid, Democrats might be forced to make an even more bizarre choice. Ilhan Omar Credit: Valerie Plesch/Bloomberg via Getty Images Rep. Ilhan Omar could try to ride her wave of Somali support all the way to the Senate. The openly anti-America and anti-Israel Democrat will be “talking with Minnesotans about the future of the Senate seat,” according to her spokesman. This is the same woman who once described the 9/11 terror attacks as a day “when some people did something,” and compared the U.S. and Israel to Hamas and the Taliban. There’s no denying that an Ilhan Omar Senate bid would gain some traction in Minneapolis and Mogadishu, but her anti-America sentiment probably won’t play well on the farms in Traverse and Martin counties. Keith Ellison Credit: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images Former DNC deputy chair and current Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison is another politician being floated to run for Minnesota’s open Senate seat. Ellison, like Walz and Omar, already has experience in Congress as he served in the House from 2007 to 2019. And like Walz and Omar, Ellison has a great track record of pushing radical leftist policies. Ellison is probably best known for his ties to antisemitic Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan, and prosecuting Derek Chauvin, who was convicted of second- and third-degree murder in the death of George Floyd. The Democrat AG also made headlines for comparing conservative Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas to a “house slave” and celebrating Brazil’s crackdown on free speech when the country banned X. What a guy. Peggy Flanagan Credit: Natasha Campos/Getty Images for IllumiNative Minnesota Lieutenant Gov. Peggy Flanagan has essentially already thrown her hat in the ring for Senate, writing on X on Thursday, “I love Minnesota and my intention is to run for U.S. Senate and continue to serve the people of this state.” Flanagan is known for her complete support of life-altering gender surgeries on children. In 2023, Flanagan used her position to vouch for gender procedures on minors while wearing a shirt emblazoned with a dagger next to the phrase “Protect Trans Kids.” A few other Democratic candidates could emerge as the 2026 race heats up, including Reps. Angie Craig and Kelly Morrison, or former Rep. Dean Phillips. But running against the name recognition of politicians like Walz and Omar could prove difficult in a Democratic primary. They are the true stars of the Democrats’ “deep bench” in Minnesota.

What would you do if your workplace surprised you with a visit from some adorable baby penguins? Staff members at Adventure Aquarium were beyond delighted when their day was interrupted by a pair of fuzzy little birds! In a heart-melting video on social media, African penguin chicks Gabby and Shubert stopped by for a playdate with aquarium employees. Everyone totally fell in love with these precious animals! In the clip, biologists from Adventure Aquarium brought the baby penguins to meet some of the other staff members. These employees were thrilled when the two fluffy chicks waddled out of their pet carrier to say hello! Although Gabby and Shubert were kept safe within the confines of a small enclosure, team members still got to see them up close. @adventureaqua Gabby and Shubert made some new friends! Our biologists surprised the staff with a special visit from our newest African penguin chicks! This surprise was fun for our staff and helped Gabby and Shubert socialize! ♬ original sound – Adventure Aquarium During their visit, the baby penguins wandered around their pen with curiosity, uttering the sweetest little squeaks as they did so. They received lots of attention from staff, who were absolutely mesmerized by the young animals. All in all, it looks like the surprise was a total success! This field trip was an important socialization opportunity for the baby penguins. In their post, Adventure Aquarium shared that this outing was just as beneficial for the baby penguins as it was for the employees. “Not only was this a fun surprise for our staff, but it also helps Gabby and Schubert socialize!” they wrote in their video. This clip has received hundreds of thousands of views on social media. Apparently, some commenters really wanted to take these baby penguins home after seeing how cute they were! “Add to cart,” joked one user. Screengrab from TikTok Another added, “Totally want one.” Screengrab from TikTok It must be pretty awesome to work somewhere that occasionally surprises you with baby penguins. We just might be a little jealous! You can find the source of this story’s featured image here. The post Fuzzy Baby Penguins Go On A Field Trip To Brighten Zoo Staff’s Day! appeared first on InspireMore.

The restaurant and fashion industries are often and rightly critiqued for the mountains of landfill waste they produce, but the same can—and really should—be said about cosmetics and hygiene products. In response, an Ivorian immigrant to Arizona has created a fully compostable, plant-based refillable skincare dispenser made of sugarcane and bamboo pulp. Inventor Mory Diané […] The post Entrepreneur Is Tackling 120 Million Tons of Plastic Waste–One Deodorant Stick at a Time appeared first on Good News Network.