Latest news with #localElections
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Adam Fire Cat to open drive-thru coffee shop in Fayetteville
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — Adam Fire Cat, a frequent candidate in local elections, has received approval to open a drive-through-only coffee shop in Fayetteville. The Fayetteville Planning Commission voted unanimously on May 27 to grant a conditional use permit (CUP) for the business, which will occupy the former Bank of Fayetteville building on School Avenue in the same lot as Mountain Man Supplies and Pawn. Fire Cat said he plans to operate the shop daily from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m., with three employees per shift and three designated parking spaces for staff. The 4,400-square-foot building will require minor modifications, including a sliding service window, new outlets, signage and a replaced sink. The business will serve hot coffee and prepackaged food with no onsite cooking. Fayetteville man accused of attacking two unhoused residents while they were sleeping 'This business model is simplistic and will not require any special features of note to impact the building as it stands currently,' Fire Cat wrote in his CUP application. Fire Cat has previously made unsuccessful campaigns for mayor and for city council. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Zawya
5 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Nigeria: Forum demands administrative, financial autonomy for SIECs
To restore public confidence in State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs) as credible agents of grassroots democracy, the Forum of State Independent Electoral Commissions of Nigeria (FOSIECON) has called for strategic measures to rebrand and reposition these local election management bodies. The call and recommendations were contained in a communiqué issued at the end of FOSIECON's 13th National Delegates' Conference (NDC), held in Jos, Plateau State from May 20-25, 2025. The communiqué was jointly signed by Chief Barr. Jossy C. Eze, National Chairman, and Associate Professor Joseph I. Aremo, National Secretary of the Forum. The communiqué called for the administrative independence and financial autonomy of SIECs to be prioritised, describing this as a necessary step toward strengthening their ability to deliver on their constitutional mandates. 'Improved autonomy,' the communiqué stated, 'is the foundation for restoring public trust in the conduct of local government elections.' To address growing concerns about public perception and misinformation, the communiqué urged SIECs to 'embark on regular public engagements with election stakeholders across the 768 local government areas,' adding that such efforts would help build public confidence in the capacity of SIECs to conduct credible and transparent polls. It also highlighted the critical role of political parties and citizens in enhancing democratic accountability. According to the communiqué, 'Political parties, as the only platforms for nominating candidates for elections, should evolve mechanisms that support the emergence of leadership with proven integrity.' It further called on the electorate to 'consistently monitor and assess the performance of their elected representatives in order to promote accountability.' Building on existing electoral reforms, the communiqué recommended the extension of legal and institutional frameworks that have strengthened the operations of INEC and also enable financial autonomy for SIECs, noting that such reforms would enable more effective and standardised performance at the state level. On legislative reform, the communiqué urged state houses of assembly to 'adopt the relevant provisions of the Electoral Act 2022 regarding the procedure for conducting Area Council elections.' Doing so, it said, would 'help ensure uniformity and certainty in the conduct of local government elections.' In addition, the communiqué emphasised the importance of grassroots education and voter mobilisation, encouraging SIECs to deepen partnerships with civil society organisations and development partners to support voter education and civic engagement. 'All politics is local,' the communiqué read, 'and it is essential that SIECs become not just administrators of elections but champions of civic competence.' The communiqué also rejected calls for the abolition of SIECs, labelling such proposals as 'mischievous and anti-federalist.' It reaffirmed that SIECs remain constitutionally protected and vital to Nigeria's democratic development. This position was publicly supported by Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang and his Nasarawa State counterpart, Abdullahi Sule, both of whom attended the conference as special guests. Themed 'Local Government Elections in Nigeria: Issues, Challenges, and Opportunities,' the conference brought together participants from all 36 states, including representatives from academia, civil society, and key electoral stakeholders. Officials from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN) programme, Development Alternatives Incorporated (DAI), and the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) were also in attendance. Technical sessions featured expert presentations, including a keynote address by Prof. Samuel Egwu, INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner for Benue State. Other sessions explored topics such as SIECs' Independence: Panacea for Credible LG Polls by Assoc. Prof. Mohammed B. Babanumma; Election Management Bodies, Electoral Process and the Law by Prof. Alphonsus Okoh Alubo, SAN; The Role of SIECs in Grassroots Democracy by Barr. Cynthia Mbamalu; and Voter Education, Civic Competence, and Participatory Democracy in Nigeria by Mr. Martins Oloja. More than 300 delegates from across the federation participated in the conference, reaffirming FOSIECON's commitment to strengthening electoral credibility and inclusive democracy at the grassroots level. Copyright © 2022 Nigerian Tribune Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Angela Rayner blasts leadership rumours: I don't want to be leader of the Labour Party
Angela Rayner has shut down growing rumours that she is seeking to challenge Sir Keir Starmer for the leadership of the Labour Party, saying she doesn't want to lead the party. Sir Keir's deputy categorically ruled out holding the position at any point in the future, despite a growing belief within Labour that she would be the most likely successor as the prime minister battles plummeting approval ratings following brutal results at the local elections. It comes after The Independent revealed that a large number of MPs from the so-called 'soft left' of the party are organising to try to force a change of direction, with allies of Ms Rayner urging her to organise a leadership contest. But asked whether she would like to shut down the leadership rumours, Ms Rayner told Sky News. 'Yeah. Absolutely not. I don't want to be leader of the Labor Party.' She added: 'I'm very happy and honoured to be deputy prime minister of country, and I've got a lot in my in tray to prove that I can do the job that I'm doing and deliver on those milestones for people in the country. That's what I'm interested in.' Pressed on whether she has any intention of being leader in the future, she said: 'I have no desire to go for the leadership of the Labour Party. My desire is to deliver for the people of this country who have given me opportunities beyond what I could have dreamed of.' Asked whether she could say she will never be leader, she said: 'Never.' There was fevered speculation over a possible leadership challenge from the deputy prime minister after a memo containing apparent tax rise plans was leaked, alongside media briefings alleging that she could be demoted. It comes amid growing questions over Sir Keir's leadership after Labour suffered a bruising defeat at the local elections, losing two-thirds of the council seats they had in 2021– as well as losing the previously Labour-held Runcorn and Helsby parliamentary seat to Reform UK. There is growing unease over the direction of the party under Sir Keir following a turbulent 10 months in office - with concern over the party's hard line on migration, upcoming welfare cuts and last year's decision to means test the winter fuel payments. While the prime minister has since announced plans to water down the changes to winter fuel, there is still stark concern from backbenchers that the government is alienating its key voters.
The Independent
25-05-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Angela Rayner blasts leadership rumours: I don't want to be leader of the Labour Party
Angela Rayner has shut down growing rumours that she is seeking to challenge Sir Keir Starmer for the leadership of the Labour Party, saying she doesn't want to lead the party. Sir Keir's deputy categorically ruled out holding the position at any point in the future, despite a growing belief within Labour that she would be the most likely successor as the prime minister battles plummeting approval ratings following brutal results at the local elections. It comes after , with allies of Ms Rayner urging her to organise a leadership contest. But asked whether she would like to shut down the leadership rumours, Ms Rayner told Sky News. 'Yeah. Absolutely not. I don't want to be leader of the Labor Party.' She added: 'I'm very happy and honoured to be deputy prime minister of country, and I've got a lot in my in tray to prove that I can do the job that I'm doing and deliver on those milestones for people in the country. That's what I'm interested in.' Pressed on whether she has any intention of being leader in the future, she said: 'I have no desire to go for the leadership of the Labour Party. My desire is to deliver for the people of this country who have given me opportunities beyond what I could have dreamed of.' Asked whether she could say she will never be leader, she said: 'Never.' There was fevered speculation over a possible leadership challenge from the deputy prime minister after a memo containing apparent tax rise plans was leaked, alongside media briefings alleging that she could be demoted. It comes amid growing questions over Sir Keir's leadership after Labour suffered a bruising defeat at the local elections, losing two-thirds of the council seats they had in 2021– as well as losing the previously Labour-held Runcorn and Helsby parliamentary seat to Reform UK. There is growing unease over the direction of the party under Sir Keir following a turbulent 10 months in office - with concern over the party's hard line on migration, upcoming welfare cuts and last year's decision to means test the winter fuel payments. While the prime minister has since announced plans to water down the changes to winter fuel, there is still stark concern from backbenchers that the government is alienating its key voters.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Union County Democratic Committee awarded $20,000 grant
LEWISBURG — The Union County Democratic Committee has been awarded a $20,000 grant from Vote Save America. The organization, one of the nation's leading political action committees, recognized the committee for the work they have done mobilizing citizens to run for office, empowering citizens to participate in the democratic process, and serving the community. Union County was one of several rural counties in Pennsylvania to get 'bluer' last year, delivering 1 percent more of the share of total votes to Kamala Harris in 2024 than they did to Joe Biden in 2020, according to Shari Jacobson, committee chair. 'For too long, rural Americans have been underserved by the Republicans who represent us, and voters are starting to take notice," Jacobson said. "Shrinking access to quality health care, a dearth of affordable housing, and the perpetual lack of broadband and cell service are telling voters that we need more options on the ballot.' In this year's municipal elections, Union County voters will find at least 28 local Democrats running for various seats in voting precincts, municipalities and school districts. Each is ready to deliver for constituents, and Vote Save America's support will help the committee get out the vote for them, Jacobson said. "The UCDC plans to use the grant to support a full-time, year-round office," Shaniqua McClendon, head of Vote Save America and vice president of political strategy at Crooked Media, said. "Vote Save America knows that lasting political change is built year-round and from the ground up. That's why we're proud to support organizations such as the Union County Democratic Committee, who are doing the hard, everyday work of building progressive power. "Having a public-facing office will be more than a workspace; it will be a community anchor, a hub for organizing and a visible commitment to the future we're fighting for." Jacobson said the office will provide a space for the service committee to carry out operations, the elections team to help get out the vote and run voter registration trainings, the high school and college Democrats to meet and the events committee to organize gatherings. Long-range goals include developing skilled volunteers to help Union County residents "fill in the gaps created by the Trump administration's drastic cuts to our local support system," Jacobson said. — THE DAILY ITEM
