car game NBA Cup Today: Updated Bet365 bonus code SYRACUSE secures $150 in bonus bets for the weekendJuan Soto has made a decision. The star outfielder reportedly agreed to a 15-year, $765-million deal with the New York Mets , according to multiple reports on Sunday. The Mets, along with the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox , Toronto Blue Jays and Los Angeles Dodgers , were linked to Soto throughout the free agency process since the season concluded. Soto, 26, was one of the most high-profile free agents in recent history given his age and abilities. The four-time All-Star had 41 home runs and 109 RBIs with a .289 batting average last season for the Yankees. Previously, he played for the Washington Nationals from 2018 to 2022 and the San Diego Padres from 2022 to 2023. In his seven-year career, Soto has 201 home runs and 592 RBIs with a World Series win in 2019, five Silver Slugger awards and a batting title in 2020. He was a key part of the Yankees' run to the World Series in 2024, batting .327 with four home runs in 14 postseason games before New York lost the Fall Classic to Los Angeles. Snatching Soto away from a crosstown rival is another victory for Steve Cohen, who hasn't been shy about spending since buying the Mets in 2020. His team made the National League Championship Series last season for the first time since 2015. The hope, obviously, is that a player of Soto's caliber will put the Mets over the top with their World Series drought now reaching 39 years. Retaining Soto had been the Yankees' top priority this offseason -- and keeping him away from rivals in Queens, Boston and Los Angeles would have been a huge victory for owner Hal Steinbrenner. The Yankees went from 82-80 in 2023 to Game 5 of the World Series in 2024, largely due to Soto being added to the lineup. He and Aaron Judge formed one of the scariest power duos in the league, but their partnership lasted just one season. With Soto now signed, business could pick up with transactions expected across the league at the winter meetings this week. Executives arrived in Texas for the annual event on Sunday and will stay through Thursday.

NAPOLI CONCEDED TOP spot in Serie A to red-hot Atalanta on Sunday after falling to a 1-0 home defeat to Lazio and dropping to two points from the summit. Fiorentina remained on Napoli’s heels after their 1-0 home win over Cagliari in their first league match since midfielder Edoardo Bove’s sudden collapse last weekend. In soaking wet Naples, Gustav Isaksen stunned the home fans with a brilliant strike, which rifled past Napoli goalkeeper Alex Meret and kept Lazio right in a crowded league title race. Lazio are fifth but only three points behind new league leaders Atalanta, who sit top of the pile thanks to a club record-equalling ninth straight Serie A win over AC Milan on Friday. Napoli now have three teams just a point behind them, including Inter Milan and Lazio who also dumped Antonio Conte’s team out of the Italian Cup on Thursday. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa both struck the woodwork for Napoli, who are hunting a fourth league title after being crowned champions in 2023. But the hosts were frustrated by dogged Lazio, who were largely on the back foot but came close on a couple of occasions before Isaksen smashed in his second Serie A goal of the season. Isaksen had stung Meret’s fingers with a similar effort midway through the first half, while Fisayo Dele-Bashiru crashed a rocket of a shot onto the bar six minutes after the break. Kvaratskhelia skimmed the crossbar with a free-kick in first-half stoppage time, while Anguissa glanced a header onto the post moments before Isaksen struck his winner. Danilo Cataldi fired in the only goal of the game in the 24th minute to give Fiorentina an eighth straight win in Italy’s top flight, not counting their interrupted match with Inter Milan which was goalless when Bove fell. Promising midfielder Bove, 22, has been in Florence’s Careggi hospital for a week as he undergoes tests, with reports in Italian media saying that his career in Italy is effectively over. Before kick-off, Fiorentina captain Luca Ranieri expressed anger at reports that Bove was set to have a defibrillator fitted, which would force him to look for a club abroad due to stringent health regulations in Italian sport. Christian Eriksen had to leave Inter Milan in 2021 in the wake of his cardiac arrest and collapse while playing for Denmark at that year’s European Championship. Eriksen was banned from playing in Italian football after having an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator, or ICD, fitted but now plays for Manchester United and still represents his country. “I ask for a bit of respect for both him and for his privacy because a series of untrue things have been written and said about him,” said Ranieri. Raffaele Palladino also insisted that he and his players were “waiting to welcome him back on the pitch soon”. Cataldi dedicated his superb opener to his good friend and fellow Roman Bove, with the pair on loan at Fiorentina from capital city clubs Lazio and Roma. The 30-year-old ran to a pitchside camera to make the number four — Bove’s shirt number — and a heart with his fingers after rifling Lucas Beltran’s lay-off into the top corner. Cataldi’s goal left spirited Cagliari 15th, two points above Verona who dropped into the relegation zone on goal difference after being flattened 4-1 by Empoli. Verona dropped behind Como following a heavy home defeat — their seventh loss in eight league matches — and an entertaining 2-2 draw for Cesc Fabregas’ side at bottom club Venezia.

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WASHINGTON — American Airlines briefly grounded flights nationwide Tuesday because of a technical problem just as the Christmas travel season kicked into overdrive and winter weather threatened more potential problems for those planning to fly or drive. Government regulators cleared American flights to get airborne about an hour after the Federal Aviation Administration ordered a national ground stop for the airline. The order, which prevented planes from taking off, was issued at the airline's request. The airline said in an email that the problem was caused by trouble with vendor technology that maintains its flight operating system. An American Airlines employee wearing looks toward quiet check-in counters Tuesday in the American terminal at Miami International Airport in Miami. Dennis Tajer, a spokesperson for the Allied Pilots Association, a union representing American Airlines pilots, said the airline told pilots at 7 a.m. Eastern that there was an outage affecting the system known as FOS. It handles different types of airline operations, including dispatch, flight planning, passenger boarding, as well as an airplane's weight and balance data, he said. People are also reading... New director transitioning to role at community food pantry Beatrice man pleads guilty to receiving child sex abuse images Former Beatrice man sentenced for sex assault of runaway Is John Dutton real? Meet the powerful rancher seemingly inspiring the 'Yellowstone' legend At the courthouse, Dec. 21, 2024 Gage County says board had authority to deny permit for broadband provider Meyn, charged in death of 4-month-old, has case continued to March Sex offender arrested for not reporting change in employment Downtown Beatrice festive for the holidays Nebraska volleyball libero Lexi Rodriguez signs with LOVB's Omaha team At the courthouse, Dec. 14, 2024 Main Street welcomes new director Matt Rhule and Nebraska football plan Pinstripe Bowl practice in Central Park As Brenda Lee turns 80, the Christmas song she sang as a teen is a holiday staple Milke pre-trial hearing in Beatrice shooting death continued to March Some components of FOS have gone down in the past, but a systemwide outage is rare, Tajer said. Flights were delayed across American's major hubs, with only 37% leaving on time, according to Cirium, an aviation analytics company. Out of the 3,901 domestic and international American Airlines flights scheduled for Tuesday, 19 were canceled. Cirium noted that the vast majority of flights departed within two hours of their scheduled departure time. A similar percentage — 36% — arrived at their destinations as scheduled. Meanwhile, the flight-tracking site FlightAware reported that 3,712 flights entering or leaving the U.S., or serving domestic destinations, were delayed Tuesday, with 55 flights canceled. It did not show any flights from American Airlines. Cirium said Dallas-Fort Worth, New York's Kennedy Airport and Charlotte, North Carolina, saw the greatest number of delays. Washington, Chicago and Miami experienced considerably fewer delays. Travelers wait in line for security checks Tuesday at the Los Angeles International Airport in Los Angeles. Amid the travel problems, significant rain and snow were expected in the Pacific Northwest at least into Christmas Day. Showers and thunderstorms developed in the South. Freezing rain was reported in the Mid-Atlantic region near Baltimore and Washington, and snow fell in New York. Because the holiday travel period lasts weeks, airports and airlines typically have smaller peak days than they do during the rush around Thanksgiving, but the grind of one hectic day followed by another takes a toll on flight crews. Any hiccups — a winter storm or a computer outage — can snowball into massive disruptions. That is how Southwest Airlines stranded 2 million travelers in December 2022, and Delta Air Lines suffered a smaller but significant meltdown after a worldwide technology outage in July caused by a faulty software update from cybersecurity company CrowdStrike. Many flights during the holidays are sold out, which makes cancellations even more disruptive than during slower periods. That is especially true for smaller budget airlines that have fewer flights and fewer options for rebooking passengers. Only the largest airlines, including American, Delta and United, have "interline agreements" that let them put stranded customers on another carrier's flights. An American Airlines employee wearing a Santa Claus hat walks through the American terminal Tuesday at Miami International Airport in Miami. This will be the first holiday season since a Transportation Department rule took effect that requires airlines to give customers an automatic cash refund for a canceled or significantly delayed flight. Most air travelers were already eligible for refunds, but they often had to request them. Passengers still can ask to get rebooked, which is often a better option than a refund during peak travel periods. Finding a last-minute flight on another airline tends to be expensive. An American spokesperson said Tuesday was not a peak travel day for the airline — with about 2,000 fewer flights than the busiest days — so the airline had somewhat of a buffer to manage the delays. The groundings happened as millions of travelers were expected to fly over the next 10 days. The Transportation Security Administration expects to screen 40 million passengers through Jan. 2. Airlines expect to have their busiest days on Thursday, Friday and Sunday. American Airlines employees check in travelers Tuesday in the American terminal at Miami International Airport in Miami. Many flights during the holidays are sold out, which makes cancellations more disruptive than during slower periods. Even with just a brief outage, the cancellations have a cascading effect that can take days to clear up. About 90% of Americans traveling far from home over the holidays will be in cars, according to AAA. "Airline travel is just really high right now, but most people do drive to their destinations, and that is true for every holiday," AAA spokesperson Aixa Diaz said. Gasoline prices are similar to last year. The nationwide average Thursday was $3.04 a gallon, down from $3.13 a year ago, according to AAA. Charging an electric vehicle averages just under 35 cents per per kilowatt hour, but varies by state. Transportation-data firm INRIX says travel times on the nation's highways could be up to 30% longer than normal over the holidays, with Sunday expected to see the heaviest traffic. Flight nightmare? Here's how to get compensated Flight nightmare? Here's how to get compensated "It's not the destination, it's the journey," said American essayist Ralph Waldo Emerson. Ralph clearly was not among the travellers on one of more than 350 cancelled or 1,400 delayed flights after a worldwide tech outage caused by an update to Crowdstrike's "Falcon Sensor" software in July of 2023. U.S. airlines carried nearly 863 million travellers in 2023, with Canadian carriers accounting for another 150 million, many of whom experienced lost luggage, flight delays, cancellations, or were bumped off their flights. It's unclear how many of them were compensated for these inconveniences. Suffice it to say, posting a crabby rant on social media might temporarily soothe anger, but it won't put wasted money back in pockets. Money.ca shares what to know in order to be compensated for the three most common air travel headaches. Lost Luggage Bags elected to go on a vacay without you? Check off the following: Alert the airline, both in person and in writing, of any missing bags. Remember, the clock starts ticking immediately. After 21 days, the baggage is considered lost and the airline is liable for it and its contents. Contact the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) or Canadian Transportation Agency , who will query the airline on your behalf and give them a 30-day deadline to respond. Usually, the airline will resolve the issue, but if it doesn't, or if you're unsatisfied with the offer, the next level is mediation. Beyond that, the case could move to adjudication, a court-like process with a panel deciding on the outcome. On international flights, you have up to two years to file litigation. If you expect a large payout, think again. Tariffs (air carrier contracts) limit the compensation amounts for "loss of, damage to, or the delay in delivery of baggage or other personal property." In the case of Air Canada, the maximum payout is $1,500 per passenger in the currency of the country where the baggage was processed. To raise that limit, purchase a Declaration of Higher Value for each leg of the trip. The charge is $0.50 for each $100, in which case the payout limit is $2,500. For Delta Air Lines, passengers are entitled to up to $3,800 in baggage compensation, though how much you'll receive depends on your flight. Delta will pay up to $2,080 for delayed, lost, and damaged baggage for international travellers, almost half of what U.S. domestic passengers can claim. If your flight is marked delayed for more than 30 minutes, approach the gate agent and politely request food and hotel vouchers to be used within the airport or nearby. Delayed/Cancelled Flights Different air carriers and jurisdictions have their own compensation policies when flights are delayed or cancelled. For example, under European Union rules, passengers may receive up to 600 Euros, even when travelling on a non-EU carrier. Similarly, the DOT states that travellers are entitled to a refund "if the airline cancelled a flight, regardless of the reason, and the consumer chooses not to travel." However, US rules regarding delays are complicated. Some air carriers, such as Air Canada, do not guarantee their flight schedules. They're also not liable for cancellations or changes due to "force majeure" such as weather conditions or labour disruptions. If the delay is overnight, only out-of-town passengers will be offered hotel accommodation. Nevertheless, many airlines do offer some compensation for the inconvenience. If your flight is marked delayed for more than 30 minutes, approach the gate agent and politely request food and hotel vouchers to be used within the airport or nearby. Flight Compensation in the U.S. In terms of cash compensation, what you'll get can differ significantly based on things like departure location, time, carrier, and ticket class. The DOT offers a helpful delay and cancellations dashboard designed to keep travellers informed about their compensation rights. The dashboard is particularly helpful because, as the DOT states on its website, "whether you are entitled to a refund depends on a lot of factors—such as the length of the delay, the length of the flight, and your particular circumstances." Flight Compensation in Canada The Canadian Transportation Agency is proposing air passenger protection regulations that guarantee financial compensation to travellers experiencing flight delays and cancellations, with the level of compensation varying depending on the situation and how much control the air carrier had. The proposed regulations include the following: A plane must return to its gate after three hours on the tarmac. Minimum requirements will be set for procuring food, drink, lavatories, ventilation, and access to electronic communications during the delay. For larger airlines, payouts will range from $400 for a 3-6 hour delay, to $700 for 6-9 hours, and $1,000 for more than nine hours. For smaller carriers, the compensation would be $125, $250, and $500, respectively. Here's the loophole: If the delay is related to the air carrier's maintenance problems, no compensation is required. The airline is obligated to complete the passenger's itinerary. If the new ticket is for a lower class of service, the air carrier would have to refund the cost difference; if the booking is in a higher class of service, passengers cannot be charged extra. If the passenger declines the ticket, the airline must give a full refund, in addition to the prescribed compensation. For overnight delays, the air carrier needs to provide hotel accommodation and transportation free-of-charge. Again, if you are unsatisfied, the Canadian Transportation Agency or Department of Transportation may advocate on your behalf. Bumped Off the Flight Passengers get bumped because airlines overbook. When this happens, the air carrier must compensate you. For international flights in the US, the rate is 200% of your one-way fare to your final destination, with a $675 maximum. If the airline does not make travel arrangements for you, the payout is 400% of your one-way fare to a maximum of $1,350. To qualify, you must check-in by the stated deadline, which on international flights can be up to 3 hours ahead. Keep in mind that if you accept the cash, you are no longer entitled to any further compensation, nor are you guaranteed to be rebooked on a direct flight or similar type of seat. Don't be too quick to give up your boarding pass. Negotiate for the best compensation deal that would include cash, food and hotel vouchers, flight upgrade, lounge passes, as well as mileage points. But avoid being too greedy—if the gate attendant is requesting volunteers and you wait too long, you'll miss the offer. According to Air Canada's tariff, if a passenger is involuntarily bumped, they'll receive $200, in cash or bank draft, for up to a two-hour delay; $400 for a 2-6 hours delay; and $800 if the delay is over six hours. (Air Canada was forced to raise its payouts in 2013 due to passenger complaints.) The new rules would raise the payout significantly: $900 for up to six hours; $1,800 for 6-9; and $2,400 for more than nine hours, all to be paid within 48 hours. Statistically speaking, Delta Airlines is the carrier most likely to bump. A few years ago, Delta raised its payout maximum to $9,950, while United Airlines tops out at $10,000. This story was produced by Money.ca and reviewed and distributed by Stacker. Get local news delivered to your inbox!

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FORT WAYNE, Ind. , Nov. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Indiana Michigan Power (I&M), an American Electric Power AEP company, has filed a joint settlement with the Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor (OUCC), Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft, Google, the Data Center Coalition (DCC), and the Citizens Action Coalition (CAC). This settlement is the result of a collaborative negotiation process that supports I&M's ability to provide the best service possible for all customers and allows the company to continue pursuing opportunities that support the economic growth of its communities. It also addresses power demand increases with the recently announced data centers locating in northeast Indiana , as well as potential future large load customers, while ensuring reliable and affordable service for all customers. The settlement will require new large load customers, including data centers, to make long-term financial commitments proportional to their size to ensure the costs to serve these customers are reasonably recovered from the customer, and not passed on to existing customers. These investments will support the ongoing grid modernization for the benefit of all customers. Data centers provide the digital infrastructure enabling the applications, technologies, and services that have become central to our daily lives and modern economy—everything from banking and medical care to online education and entertainment. The growing demand for digital services can require a significant amount of electricity around the clock to operate. To serve this increased power demand, I&M is required to invest in additional generation, as well as new transmission facilities to meet customer needs and maintain a safe and reliable grid for all customers. In April, AWS announced an $11 billion investment in a data center campus just west of New Carlisle, Ind. that will create at least 1,000 jobs and Google announced a $2 billion data center in Fort Wayne . These investments are among the largest economic development projects in the state of Indiana and bring significant benefits to surrounding communities. "AWS is excited to be expanding our operations in Indiana and be part of the state's growing tech sector. We have recently announced an $11 billion investment that will create numerous well-paying jobs and significantly contribute to the state's economy," said Brandon Oyer , Head of Energy & Water for the Americas, AWS. "Through continued partnership with I&M, this agreement supports the ongoing investment to modernize the local electric grid for the benefit of all ratepayers and ensure that costs to support data center growth are not passed along to other customers." I&M is currently in conversations with additional data center customers, who have also expressed an interest in locating in the northeast Indiana region. The settlement filed with the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) recognizes the energy needs of new large customers and proposes additional commitments that these customers must meet when establishing electric service. These new requirements are important to balance the interest of the new customers with the interest of I&M's existing customers. The new structure will enable I&M to optimize its existing and future investments to serve these new large loads in a way that is expected to reduce energy rates for all customers over time. In addition, the settlement ensures that such net new investments will be reasonably recovered from these large load customers. "I&M looks forward to working with some of the leading technology companies in the world that have chosen to locate in northeast Indiana . It is an exciting time for our region and I&M is committed to doing our part to support these customers as they bring investments and jobs to Indiana. I&M has the responsibility to serve the new customers, while also protecting existing customers, including residential, small business and those within other industries, from impacts related to necessary infrastructure improvements required to serve these customers," said Steve Baker , I&M president and chief operating officer. Protecting the interests of all customers was an important consideration of all parties that participated in the settlement agreement, including the OUCC and CAC. "Data centers will play a critical role in Indiana's future economic development in the years to come, while requiring substantial increases in power generation and transmission infrastructure," said Indiana Utility Consumer Counselor Bill Fine. "The terms in this agreement will ensure a balanced approach as those investments are made, protecting residential, commercial, and industrial customers from bearing the costs of new infrastructure necessary to serve new, large-volume customers." "As ratepayer advocates since 1974, Citizens Action Coalition takes very seriously our role as watchdogs for utility consumers," said Kerwin Olson , CAC Executive Director. "This settlement includes significant protections for I&M ratepayers as these large new loads come online in Indiana and provides for increased transparency into the energy needs and impacts of these new customers. Additionally, the contribution to INCAA will enable meaningful assistance and support for low-income Hoosiers in managing their monthly energy bills, including weatherization services to make homes more efficient, healthier, and safer." To further demonstrate the commitment of supporting the local communities, the companies that are signatories to this joint settlement—AWS, Microsoft, and Google—have each agreed to provide an annual contribution of $500,000 for five years to the Indiana Community Action Association, which provides various programs to support low-income Hoosiers once those companies begin taking service in the I&M service territory. "Since breaking ground on our campus in Fort Wayne , Google has been committed to being part of Indiana's economic future and supporting communities across the state to thrive for the long term. The inclusion of community support in this settlement builds on that commitment. We are building a strong partnership with Indiana Michigan Power and look forward to working together to explore opportunities for us to invest in new solutions, like grid-enhancing technologies, that will strengthen energy infrastructure for all Indiana customers," said Amanda Peterson Corio , Global Head of Energy at Google. About Indiana Michigan Power (I&M) Indiana Michigan Power (I&M) is headquartered in Fort Wayne , and its approximately 2,000 employees serve more than 600,000 customers. More than 85% of its energy delivered in 2023 was emission-free. I&M has at its availability various sources of generation including 2,278 MW of nuclear generation in Michigan , 450 MW of purchased wind generation from Indiana , more than 22 MW of hydro generation in both states and approximately 35 MW of large-scale solar generation in both states. The company's generation portfolio also includes 1,497 MW of coal-fueled generation. About American Electric Power (AEP) Our team at American Electric Power AEP is committed to improving our customers' lives with reliable, affordable power. We are investing $54 billion from 2025 through 2029 to enhance service for customers and support the growing energy needs of our communities. Our nearly 16,000 employees operate and maintain the nation's largest electric transmission system with 40,000 line miles, along with more than 225,000 miles of distribution lines to deliver energy to 5.6 million customers in 11 states. AEP also is one of the nation's largest electricity producers with approximately 29,000 megawatts of diverse generating capacity. We are focused on safety and operational excellence, creating value for our stakeholders and bringing opportunity to our service territory through economic development and community engagement. Our family of companies includes AEP Ohio, AEP Texas, Appalachian Power (in Virginia , West Virginia and Tennessee ), Indiana Michigan Power, Kentucky Power, Public Service Company of Oklahoma , and Southwestern Electric Power Company (in Arkansas , Louisiana , east Texas and the Texas Panhandle ). AEP also owns AEP Energy, which provides innovative competitive energy solutions nationwide. AEP is headquartered in Columbus, Ohio . For more information, visit aep.com. News releases and other information about I&M are available at IndianaMichiganPower.com View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/im-and-stakeholders-file-large-load-settlement-to-advance-grid-reliability-and-support-economic-growth-302314657.html SOURCE Indiana Michigan Power © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.Russian state news agencies say ousted Syrian leader Bashar Assad is in Moscow and given asylum

Kumbh: Kashi to Jhunsi double railway track boon for devoteesTokio Marine North America Services Named One of Computerworld's 2025 Best Places to Work in ITOAKLAND — The race to be Oakland’s next mayor may have officially kicked off Monday, but the starting line is eerily quiet — and may continue to be until Rep. Barbara Lee makes up her mind about whether to run. Lee, the longtime East Bay congresswoman and stalwart of progressive politics, said late last week in a social media post that she will announce her decision in early January, noting the decision was “not one I take lightly.” In the meantime, Lee has held numerous private meetings with city officials about the issues affecting Oakland, from the ongoing budget crisis to homelessness to policing, two sources with direct knowledge of those conversations told this news organization. The policy “deep dive,” as a source not authorized to speak publicly put it, might offer reassurance to skeptics who worry that the retiring legislator, who has represented Oakland, Alameda, Berkeley and San Leandro in Congress since 1998, would struggle to adapt to running a city full-time. But the larger consequence of Lee’s decision-making timeline is that the run-up to the April 15 special election to replace Mayor Sheng Thao has largely stalled. Most candidates are holding off until Lee makes a move. Hours after the formal start on Monday of the candidate filing period, which lasts until Jan. 17, only two people had scheduled appointments to pull papers for the office — Peter Liu and Mindy Ruth Pechenuk , a pair of fringe prospects who are unlikely to make a dent in the race. Loren Taylor, the runner-up in the 2022 mayoral election, said Monday he plans to pull papers in the coming days, noting in an interview that his desire to help Oakland grow as a city won’t be affected by whom he’s running against. But others, such as former Councilmember Ignacio De La Fuente and lobbyist Isaac Kos-Read, have said they’re holding off. “To be candid, I’m getting a little restless — but out of respect I have to wait,” De La Fuente said Monday in an interview. “Hopefully, she’ll make a decision soon.” An open letter published last week by numerous Oakland leaders urging Lee to run included sign-offs from City Council members Nikki Fortunato Bas, Treva Reid and Dan Kalb, as well as prospective candidate Kos-Read. The letter included signatures from both labor leaders and local political figures who otherwise have often clashed on issues like crime and public spending. “We need someone who can bring the new ideas, policies, resources and opportunities that the people of Oakland deserve,” the letter read. “That person is Barbara Lee.” There are other examples of weighty political races symbolically put on hold amid “will they, won’t they” tension involving potential candidates, including late Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s indecision to run for California governor in 1998. But the upcoming special election in Oakland is unique in how strongly some local leaders seem to be thinking past the election entirely in their overtures to Lee, said political expert Dan Schnur. “These communities and business and labor leaders aren’t begging her to run because they think she’s the only one who can win,” Schnur said. “They think she’s the only one who can govern.” The clearest sign of how many in the city view Lee — who has often weighed in on local affairs to oppose Thao’s recall or support striking teachers or chastise the departing A’s — might be a billboard that popped up in recent weeks along Interstate 880 in East Oakland. “Thank You, Barbara Lee,” it reads, “for bringing over half a billion dollars of federal funds into Oakland in 2024!” The billboard, hoisted near the highway’s High Street exit, also links to a website, thankyoubarbaralee.com, which lists some of Lee’s accomplishments and includes a sign-up form “to add your name to our letter of gratitude!” Both the physical and digital ads were created by the East Oakland Youth Development Center. Selena Wilson, the nonprofit’s CEO, said the gesture had nothing to do with the upcoming special election and was solely intended to honor the congresswoman for her longtime support of the center. Nationally, Lee is perhaps best known for being the only member of Congress to oppose the use of military force following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Her entry into the race would bring a layer of gravitas to the top political office in Oakland, a city whose reputation took a hit after crime rose and the economy declined during the pandemic. But it may also bring back memories of the mayoral tenure of the late Rep. Ron Delllums, whose decorated legacy was hurt by the perception that he was an absentee leader during the Great Recession, or former Gov. Jerry Brown, whose time as mayor coincided with the infamous Riders police brutality scandal. Taylor, meanwhile, is steadfast about wanting to lead, an ambition that has not diminished in the two years since his loss to Thao by fewer than 700 ranked-choice votes. “I think the fact that the others are playing a game of political calculus,” he said, “is indicative of where their leadership commitment is and how confident they are in what they’re bringing to the table.”