We all know what happens when voice acting goes wrong. There’s a reason your brain still reads "It's-a-me, Mario!" in Charles Martinet’s legendary voice, not whatever Chris Pratt’s doing (or isn’t doing) in The Super Mario Bros. Movie. Paramount's Sonic the Hedgehog family flicks are playing the same adaptation game, but avoid making the same mistakes when it comes to gimmick casting that doesn’t benefit the role. That's the problem with celebrity stunt casting in animated movies and why it should be avoided — you sacrifice quality for a (hopeful) box office cheat code. Everyone's favorite Parks and Recreation brat isn't just Ben Schwartz-ing through Sonic's dialogue. The actor strives to honor Sonic's voice in past SEGA video games while putting his spin on a more juvenile character interpretation. There's an art to Schwartz's voice acting and acknowledgment of Sonic's prior iterations. Like Mario, Sonic's voice appears in television shows and video games when speech became more than 8-bit garble or speech synthesis. Why would you want to erase all that history and relation? The difference in quality between The Super Mario Bros. Movie and Sonic the Hedgehog film franchise depicts the stark contrast between memorable and forgettable revamps. Universal and Illumination's mushroom-eating adaptation opts for the aforementioned celebrity stunt castinga cold and transactional method focused on maximizing profits at all costs. Sonic the Hedgehog invests in transformative voice acting, where the draw isn't who's behind pixelated recordings but the characters on screen. It's an animated film's job to immerse audiences in fantastical worlds, which the hybrid live-action Sonic movies accomplish whether in the fictional town of Green Hills, modern-day Tokyo, or a digitized mushroom planet. That’s because no matter the backdrop, Schwartz and company want you to believe Sonic, Tails, and the whole gang are real. They don’t want the credit themselves. The Super Mario Bros. Movie boasts a stacked cast, but what do they bring to their character personalities? Jack Black grumbles and croons as a serviceable Bowser (Black himself is a cartoon character, so that checks out), but even impressionist Keegan-Michael Key's Toad is oddly flat. Luigi sounds like Charlie Day but vaguely New Yorker, Donkey Kong is straight-up Seth Rogen, Princess Peach is an unaltered Anya Taylor-Joy — there's no passion behind vocal development. It's the equivalent of dialogue cosplay if purchased on Temu, like slapping a novelty mustache on Chris Pratt while he holds a plunger. Meanwhile, Ben Schwartz has a motormouth zip about his words that matches Sonic's hyperspeed lifestyle. Schwartz can be hilarious as Sonic does his best Quicksilver from X-Men impression during slow-motion action scenes, but also heartfelt and emotional when Sonic faces insurmountable odds or learns everlasting lessons. There's depth to Schwartz's vocal performance that speaks to the values of professional voice acting, which is infinitely harder than it looks. You’re reading lines off scripts in silent isolation, unable to interact with co-stars who’ll share scenes with your pixelated and dubbed role — yet Schwartz makes it look easy. Sonic never feels out of place next to James Marsten or Jim Carrey, as Schwartz’s range, through sound only, hits more dimensions than live-action actors benefitting from all their theatrical tools. What's distracting and frustrating about The Super Mario Bros. Movie is how all the film's voices have countless reference points, none of which the studio cares to duplicate or reward. When novels or comic books are adapted to film, there's a freedom to cast without direct audible comparisons. But a video game series with hours upon hours of line readings from voice actors who are still readily available for role reprisals? It's not only disrespectful to the artists who've mastered their crafts and helped galvanize a studio's brand, but distracting from a fanbase standpoint. Slaslfilm’s BJ Colangelo makes a compelling case to "stop screwing with legacy characters," and she's right. Sonic the Hedgehog 2 takes its reverence for its source material a step farther,, introducing beloved animal buddies Miles "Tails" Prower and Knuckles the Echidna. Now, Tails has one of the more unique voices in the Sonic universe — so Paramount went right to the source by hiring Tails' voice actress since 2010, Colleen O'Shaughnessey. Knuckles eventually went to Idris Elba, but not as stunt casting. Elba's take on Knuckles understands the fight-first character, echoing his Drax-like barbarian mannerisms with a gruff warrior's tone. There's even a video of Elba wearing personalized Knuckles gloves during recording sessions so he can disappear into the role, which helps us forget there's an Englishman in a box somewhere reading lines. Then there's the casting of Keanu Reeve as Shadow in Sonic The Hedgehog 3. A handful of voice actors have put their spin on Shadow as a baddie and anti-hero, which Reeves manipulates into his John Wickian hedgehog. You can hear Reeves in Shadow's bluntness and gravel, but there's a more profound parallel. Shadow's history is one of coldness and tragedy at the hands of G.U.N., which Reeves handles with empathy. Reeves himself has dealt with unthinkable hardships throughout his life, tying this sympathetic bond between actor and character. Keanu Reeves isn’t playing Shadow the Hedgehog, he is Shadow the Hedgehog, and the parallels between actor and character help develop a well-rounded alien who is himself on screen, not the man behind the words (even if he sounds just like him). Each actor's connection to their colorful counterparts is the secret sauce that's elevated Paramount's Sonic franchise above other video game adaptations. The Super Mario Bros. Movie sold itself on the backs of Chris Pratt, Jack Black, and the entire ensemble cast. Sonic the Hedgehog has enlisted equally impressive stars, but these movies aren't about Keanu Reeves or Idris Elba. Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, and Shadow are the stars — the characters are who we’re talking about after after the credits roll. When you watch any Sonic the Hedgehog after or before The Super Mario Bros. Movie, the debate over celebrity stunt casting falls apart. As an Italian, I laughed when Chris Pratt was announced as Mario but kept an open mind only to be proven wrong. As a Sonic fan who saw those nightmare first renderings of Sonic with teeth, I entered even more nervous — once again proven wrong. Paramount's voice cast choices have been aces thus far, endearing these movies to Sonic fans instead of pushing them away. Let's give kudos where appropriate — the fantastic voice actors selflessly bringing Sonic and his buddies to life on the big screen.A federal judge has refused to endorse the Jefferson County sheriff's request to immediately appeal a claim brought against her for a detainee's death, allegedly caused by the constitutional violations of the jail's private medical provider. Earlier this year, U.S. District Court Judge Charlotte N. Sweeney permitted a lawsuit to proceed against contractor Wellpath. She explained the company's own policies and its employees' failure to properly treat Abby Angelo's illness in the Jeffco jail amounted to violations of her constitutional rights, if proven true. Sweeney further concluded Sheriff Reggie Marinelli, as a stand-in for the county, could be held liable for Wellpath's constitutional violations under the theory that the sheriff could not delegate to a third party her ultimate obligation to provide adequate medical care. The principle that governments cannot contract out their responsibilities and avoid legal liability is known as the "non-delegable duty doctrine." Marinelli quickly moved to appeal Sweeney's conclusion to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit, arguing the appellate court has never adopted the doctrine and it should have the chance to clarify whether it is a valid legal theory. On Nov. 15 , Sweeney declined to give her blessing to Marinelli's request for a mid-case appeal. Sweeney acknowledged the 10th Circuit has not "formally ruled" on whether to accept the non-delegable duty doctrine, but there was seeming consensus elsewhere that local governments may be held liable when they delegate their authority to a contractor who acts unconstitutionally. "No circuit court has rejected the nondelegable duty doctrine as an acceptable avenue for municipal liability in the context of counties delegating their duty to provide adequate medical care to private prison health care providers," she wrote. Therefore, "there is no substantial ground for difference of opinion." Attorney {span}David Gartenberg applauds for U.S. District Court Judge Charlotte N. Sweeney at a legal event in Denver on July 21, 2023.{/span} In the underlying case, Angelo entered the Jeffco jail on June 19, 2021 following her arrest. Nine days later, deputies found her unresponsive. Her cause of death was allegedly tricuspid valve endocarditis, a heart infection that may not have been fatal had Angelo received antibiotics or even surgery. Angelo's surviving child and her mother sued Wellpath, as well as the five nurses who interacted with Angelo in the days leading up to her death. The plaintiffs alleged the defendants were liable for failing to provide medical care in violation of Angelo's constitutional rights, as well as negligence and wrongful death. Sweeney largely sided against the defendants in their attempt to dismiss the lawsuit. Among other things, she found the allegations sufficient that Jeffco contracted with Wellpath to provide medical care at the jail, subjecting Marinelli to liability for any unconstitutional policies and customs by the company. Marinelli then asked Sweeney to certify an immediate appeal to the 10th Circuit. She argued circuit courts around the country disagreed about the validity of the non-delegable duty doctrine and that an answer from the Denver-based appeals court would apply to at least 10 other cases currently pending in Colorado. Although federal judges in Colorado have predominantly backed the idea that local governments may be held liable for their contractors' unconstitutional practices, Marinelli cited the one judge who has separated himself from the pack. In a pair of orders in March and July, both involving a plaintiff who suffered illness or death in jail, U.S. District Court Judge Daniel D. Domenico rejected the idea that counties are "automatically liable for any unconstitutional actions that a contractor might take." Domenico, a rumored candidate for the 10th Circuit under a Republican administration, suggested instead that a government may be liable if it "knowingly takes on a risk that its contractor is likely to violate constitutional rights." colorado politics file The Byron White U.S. Courthouse in downtown Denver houses the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. The plaintiffs in Angelo's case responded that Domenico's beliefs aside, the "overwhelming body of law" in Colorado, plus other circuit courts' approval of the non-delegable duty doctrine, provided no basis to immediately ask for the 10th Circuit's intervention. Sweeney agreed that Marinelli's request did not meet the criteria for a detour to the appeals court. In addition to finding a consensus among other courts, Sweeney noted an immediate appeal would still mean the claims against Wellpath would move forward. And if the 10th Circuit ultimately agreed with her, she added, "litigation would be complicated by an appeals process with the same result as in the original order." The case is Estate of Angelo et al. v. The Board of County Commissioners et al.wild casino sign up bonus code 。

AP Trending SummaryBrief at 5:02 p.m. ESTTrump is named Time's Person of the Year and rings the New York Stock Exchange's opening bell NEW YORK (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump rang the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange after being recognized by Time magazine as its person of the year. The honors Thursday for the businessman-turned-politician are a measure of Trump’s remarkable comeback from an ostracized former president who refused to accept his election loss four years ago to a president-elect who won the White House decisively in November. At the stock exchange, Trump was accompanied by his wife, Melania Trump, daughters Ivanka and Tiffany and Vice President-elect JD Vance. Trump grinned as people chanted “USA” before he opened the trading day and raised his fist. YouTube TV is hiking its monthly price, again. Here's what to know NEW YORK (AP) — Are you a YouTube TV subscriber? Your monthly bills are about to get more expensive again. YouTube has announced that it’s upping the price of its streaming service’s base plan by $10 — citing rising content costs and other investments. The new $82.99 per month price tag will go into effect starting Jan. 13 for existing subscribers, and immediately for new customers who sign up going forward. YouTube TV has rolled out a series of price hikes over the years. When launched back in 2017, the going price of its streaming package was $35 a month. By 2019, that fee rose to $50 — and has climbed higher and higher since. Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre's brotherhood is still strong after 30 years with new album 'Missionary' LOS ANGELES (AP) — When it comes to music, there’s one person in particular Snoop Dogg trusts to steer the ship without question: hit-making producer Dr. Dre. Their bond, built over 30 years of brotherhood, began when Dr. Dre shaped Snoop’s game-changing debut, “Doggystyle,” a cornerstone of hip-hop history. From young dreamers chasing stardom to legends cementing their legacies, the duo has always moved in sync. Now, the dynamic pair reunites for Snoop’s “Missionary,” his milestone 20th studio album, which releases Friday. The 15-track project features several big-name guest appearances including Eminem, 50 Cent, Sting, Method Man, Jelly Roll, Tom Petty, Jhené Aiko and Method Man. Country star Morgan Wallen sentenced in chair-throwing case NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Country music star Morgan Wallen has pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor counts of reckless endangerment. He had been charged for throwing a chair from the rooftop of a six-story bar in Nashville and nearly hitting two police officers with it. Wallen appeared in court alongside his attorney on Thursday. He was sentenced to spend seven days in a DUI education center and will be under supervised probation for two years. According to the arrest affidavit, Wallen was accused of throwing a chair off the roof of Chief’s bar on April 7. The chair landed about a yard from the officers. Witnesses told police they saw Wallen pick up a chair, throw it off the roof and laugh about it. Indian teen Gukesh Dommaraju becomes the youngest chess world champion after beating Chinese rival NEW DELHI (AP) — Indian teenager Gukesh Dommaraju has become the youngest chess world champion after beating the defending champion Ding Liren of China. Dommaraju, 18, secured 7.5 points against 6.5 of his Chinese rival in Thursday's game which was played in Singapore. He has surpassed the achievement of Russia’s Garry Kasparov who won the title at the age of 22. Dommaraju is now also the second Indian to win the title after five-time world chess champion Viswanathan Anand. The Indian teen prodigy has long been considered a rising star in the chess world after he became a chess grandmaster at 12. He had entered the match as the youngest-ever challenger to the world crown after winning the Candidates tournament earlier this year. 'Vanderpump Rules' star James Kennedy arrested on suspicion of misdemeanor domestic violence BURBANK, Calif. (AP) — Police say “Vanderpump Rules” star James Kennedy has been arrested on suspicion of misdemeanor domestic violence. Police in Burbank, California, say officers investigated reports of an argument between a man and a woman at a residence late Tuesday night and arrested the 32-year-old Kennedy. He was released from jail after posting bail. A representative of Kennedy did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment. The Burbank city attorney will decide whether to file charges. Kennedy is a DJ and reality TV star who has appeared for 10 seasons on “Vanderpump Rules” — the Bravo series about the lives of employees at a set of swank restaurants. The wife of a Wisconsin kayaker who faked his own death moves to end their marriage MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The wife of a Wisconsin kayaker who faked his own drowning so he could abscond to Europe has filed a court action to end the couple's marriage. Online court records indicate Emily Borgwardt filed a petition in Dodge County Circuit Court on Thursday seeking to annul her marriage to Ryan Borgwardt. A hearing has been set for April. According to court documents, Ryan Borgwardt staged his own drowning by leaving his overturned kayak floating on Green Lake. He flew to Eastern Europe, where he spent several days in a hotel with a woman before taking up residence in the country of Georgia. He is charged with misdemeanor obstruction in Green Lake County. San Francisco names street for Associated Press photographer who captured the iconic Iwo Jima photo SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A block in downtown San Francisco has been renamed for acclaimed photojournalist Joe Rosenthal, who won the Pulitzer Prize for his iconic photo of U.S. Marines raising the flag on the Japanese island of Iwo Jima during WWII. The longtime staff photographer for the San Francisco Chronicle, who died in 2006 at age 94, is also remembered for the 35 years he spent documenting the city's famous and not so famous for the daily newspaper. He photographed a young Willie Mays getting his hat fitted as a San Francisco Giant in 1957. He also photographed joyous children making a mad dash for freedom on the last day of school in 1965. Nearly half of US teens are online 'constantly,' Pew report finds Nearly half of American teenagers say they are online “constantly,” despite concerns about the effects of social media and smartphones on their mental health. That's according to a new report published Thursday by the Pew Research Center. As in past years, YouTube was the single most popular platform teenagers used — 90% said they watched videos on the site, down slightly from 95% in 2022. There was a slight downward trend in several popular apps teens used. For instance, 63% of teens said they used TikTok, down from 67% and Snapchat slipped to 55% from 59%. Wander Franco's sex abuse trial has been postponed 5 months PUERTO PLATA, Dominican Republic (AP) — The trial against Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco, who has been charged with sexually abusing a minor, sexual and commercial exploitation against a minor, and human trafficking, has been postponed until June 2, 2025. Dominican judge Yacaira Veras postponed the hearing Thursday at the request of prosecutors because of the absence of several key witnesses in the case. Franco’s lawyers asked the court to reconsider the postponement, arguing Franco must report to spring training in mid-February. The judge replied that Franco is obligated to continue with the trial schedule and his conditional release from detainment.With technical prowess and considerable style, Marta danced around two sliding defenders, outwitted a goalkeeper and calmly scored as another player rushed forward in desperation to stop her. It was more Marta Magic.

NoneSmitha Vishveshwara: What connects us in this polarizing moment through space and time and humanity

Google and the DOJ make their final arguments in the ad tech monopoly caseManhattan police have obtained a warrant for the arrest of 26-year-old Luigi Nicholas Mangione , suspect in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson . Mangione was arrested at a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania, while carrying a gun, mask and writings linking him to the ambush. Mangione is being held without bail in Pennsylvania on charges of possession of an unlicensed firearm, forgery and providing false identification to police. Late Monday, Manhattan prosecutors charged him with five counts, including murder, criminal possession of a weapon and criminal possession of a forged instrument. Here's the latest: That’s according to a spokesperson for the governor who said Gov. Hochul will do it as soon as possible. Luigi Nicholas Mangione, the suspect in the fatal shooting of a healthcare executive in New York City, apparently was living a charmed life: the grandson of a wealthy real estate developer, valedictorian of his elite Baltimore prep school and with degrees from one of the nation’s top private universities. Friends at an exclusive co-living space at the edge of touristy Waikiki in Hawaii where the 26-year-old Mangione once lived widely considered him a “great guy,” and pictures on his social media accounts show a fit, smiling, handsome young man on beaches and at parties. Now, investigators in New York and Pennsylvania are working to piece together why Mangione may have diverged from this path to make the violent and radical decision to gun down UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in a brazen attack on a Manhattan street. The killing sparked widespread discussions about corporate greed, unfairness in the medical insurance industry and even inspired folk-hero sentiment toward his killer. ▶ Read more about Luigi Mangione Peter Weeks, the Blair County district attorney, says he’ll work with New York officials to try to return suspect Luigi Mangione there to face charges. Weeks said the New York charges are “more serious” than in Blair County. “We believe their charges take precedent,” Weeks said, promising to do what’s needed to accommodate New York’s prosecution first. Weeks spoke to reporters after a brief hearing at which a defense lawyer said Mangione will fight extradition. The defense asked for a hearing on the issue. In the meantime, Mangione will be detained at a state prison in western Pennsylvania. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office said Tuesday it will seek a Governor’s warrant to secure Mangione’s extradition to Manhattan. Under state law, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul can issue a warrant of arrest demanding Mangione’s return to the state. Such a warrant must recite the facts necessary to the validity of its issuance and be sealed with the state seal. It would then be presented to law enforcement in Pennsylvania to expedite Mangione’s return to New York. But Blair County District Attorney Peter Weeks says it won’t be a substantial barrier to returning Mangione to New York. He noted that defendants contest extradition “all the time,” including in simple retail theft cases. Dickey, his defense lawyer, questioned whether the second-degree murder charge filed in New York might be eligible for bail under Pennsylvania law, but prosecutors raised concerns about both public safety and Mangione being a potential flight risk, and the judge denied it. Mangione will continue to be housed at a state prison in Huntingdon. He has 14 days to challenge the detention. Prosecutors, meanwhile, have a month to seek a governor’s warrant out of New York. Mangione, wearing an orange jumpsuit, mostly stared straight ahead at the hearing, occasionally consulting papers, rocking in his chair, or looking back at the gallery. At one point, he began to speak to respond to the court discussion, but was quieted by his lawyer. Luigi Mangione, 26, has also been denied bail at a brief court hearing in western Pennsylvania. He has 14 days to challenge the bail decision. That’s with some intervention from owner Elon Musk. The account, which hasn’t posted since June, was briefly suspended by X. But after a user inquired about it in a post Monday, Musk responded “This happened without my knowledge. Looking into it.” The account was later reinstated. Other social media companies such as Meta have removed his accounts. According to X rules, the platform removes “any accounts maintained by individual perpetrators of terrorist, violent extremist, or mass violent attacks, as well as any accounts glorifying the perpetrator(s), or dedicated to sharing manifestos and/or third party links where related content is hosted.” Mangione is not accused of perpetrating a terrorist or mass attack — he has been charged with murder — and his account doesn’t appear to share any writings about the case. He shouted something that was partly unintelligible, but referred to an “insult to the intelligence of the American people.” He’s there for an arraignment on local charges stemming from his arrest Monday. He was dressed in an orange jumpsuit as officers led him from a vehicle into the courthouse. Local defense lawyer Thomas Dickey is expected to represent the 26-year-old at a Tuesday afternoon hearing at the Blair County Courthouse. Dickey declined comment before the hearing. Mangione could have the Pennsylvania charges read aloud to him and may be asked to enter a plea. They include possession of an unlicensed firearm, forgery and providing false identification to police. In New York, he was charged late Monday with murder in the death of UnitedHealthcare’s CEO Brian Thompson. Mangione likely was motivated by his anger with what he called “parasitic” health insurance companies and a disdain with corporate greed, said a a law enforcement bulletin obtained by The Associated Press. He wrote that the U.S. has the most expensive healthcare system in the world and that the profits of major corporations continue to rise while “our life expectancy” does not, according to the bulletin, based on a review of the suspect’s hand-written notes and social media postings. He appeared to view the targeted killing of the UnitedHealthcare CEO as a symbolic takedown, asserting in his note that he is the “first to face it with such brutal honesty,” the bulletin said. Mangione called “Unabomber” Ted Kaczynski a “political revolutionary” and may have found inspiration from the man who carried out a series of bombings while railing against modern society and technology, the document said. A felony warrant filed in New York cites Altoona Officer Christy Wasser as saying she found the writings along with a semi-automatic pistol and an apparent silencer. The filing echoes earlier statements from NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny who said Mangione had a three-page, handwritten document that shows “some ill will toward corporate America.” Mangione is now charged in Pennsylvania with being a fugitive of justice. A customer at the McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania, where Mangione was arrested said one of his friends had commented beforehand that the man looked like the suspect wanted for the shooting in New York City. “It started out almost a little bit like a joke, my one friend thought he looked like the shooter,” said the customer, who declined to give his full name, on Tuesday. “It wasn’t really a joke, but we laughed about it,” he added. The warrant on murder and other charges is a step that could help expedite his extradition from Pennsylvania. In court papers made public Tuesday, a New York City police detective reiterated key findings in the investigation he said tied Mangione to the killing, including surveillance footage and a fake ID he used to check into a Manhattan hostel on Nov. 24. Police officers in Altoona, Pennsylvania, found that ID when they arrested Mangione on Monday. Mangione is being held without bail in Pennsylvania on charges of possession of an unlicensed firearm, forgery and providing false identification to police. Late Monday, Manhattan prosecutors charged him with five counts, including murder, criminal possession of a weapon and criminal possession of a forged instrument. Mangione doesn’t yet have a lawyer who can speak on his behalf, court officials said. Images of Mangione released Tuesday by Pennsylvania State Police showed him pulling down his mask in the corner of the McDonald’s while holding what appeared to be hash browns and wearing a winter jacket and ski cap. In another photo from a holding cell, he stood unsmiling with rumpled hair. Mangione’s cousin, Maryland lawmaker Nino Mangione, announced Tuesday morning that he’s postponing a fundraiser planned later this week at the Hayfields Country Club north of Baltimore, which was purchased by the Mangione family in 1986. “Because of the nature of this terrible situation involving my Cousin I do not believe it is appropriate to hold my fundraising event scheduled for this Thursday at Hayfields,” Nino Mangione said in a social media post. “I want to thank you for your thoughts, prayers, and support. My family and I are heartbroken and ask that you remember the family of Mr. Thompson in your prayers. Thank you.” Officers used New York City’s muscular surveillance system . Investigators analyzed DNA samples, fingerprints and internet addresses. Police went door to door looking for witnesses. When an arrest came five days later , those sprawling investigative efforts shared credit with an alert civilian’s instincts. A customer at a McDonald’s restaurant in Pennsylvania noticed another patron who resembled the man in the oblique security-camera photos New York police had publicized. He remains jailed in Pennsylvania, where he was initially charged with possession of an unlicensed firearm, forgery and providing false identification to police. By late Monday evening, prosecutors in Manhattan had added a charge of murder, according to an online court docket. It’s unclear whether Luigi Nicholas Mangione has an attorney who can comment on the allegations. Asked at Monday’s arraignment whether he needed a public defender, Mangione asked whether he could “answer that at a future date.”

DES MOINES — Sen. Janice Weiner, of Iowa City, has been chosen by her colleagues to lead the Democrats in the Iowa Senate, the caucus announced late last week. Weiner replaces Pam Jochum, who earlier this year announced her retirement from the Iowa Senate after serving 31 years in the Iowa Legislature. Jochum became the Senate Democratic caucus leader in 2023 when the group voted to make a change from its previous leader, Sen. Zach Wahls, of Coralville. Sen. Janice Weiner, D-Iowa City Weiner was first elected to the Iowa Senate in 2022. Her district, Senate District 45, includes most of Iowa City and University Heights. Prior to the Senate, Weiner served on the Iowa City Council and worked for 26 years as a Foreign Services Officer with the U.S. State Department abroad and in Washington, D.C., according to a Senate Democrats news release. Weiner assumes the top leadership position of a Democratic caucus that in recent elections has dwindled to just 15 members in the 50-member Senate. That’s the smallest number of Senate Democrats since 1972. “I have spent countless hours talking to Iowans all over our state — from small towns to urban centers, from the suburbs to our rural communities. I listened to Iowans describe their struggle to make ends meet, their challenges accessing health care, and their concerns about inadequate resources and a lack of funding for their kids’ public schools. It is clear we have a lot of work to do for the people of Iowa,” Weiner said in a news release. “As I look ahead to 2025 and beyond, Senate Democrats will fight to ensure opportunity for all Iowans — every worker, every family, and every child,” Weiner added. “We will hold those in power accountable, and work to preserve and protect Iowans’ freedoms.” Senate Democrats also elected the remainder of their leadership team: Sen. Bill Dotzler, of Waterloo, as Democratic Whip; and as assistant leaders, Sens. Cindy Winckler, of Davenport; Molly Donahue, of Cedar Rapids; Claire Celsi, of West Des Moines; and Izaah Knox, of Des Moines. The 2025 session of the Iowa Legislature begins Jan. 13. Iowa Republican U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst has announced the creation of the Senate DOGE Caucus, a group of Republican Senators that plans to work with President-elect Donald Trump’s new Department of Government Efficiency. U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst The new department, whose creation and mission is being led by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, has pledged to reduce federal spending by trillions of dollars. Ernst said the Senate DOGE Caucus will expose “trillions in waste, fraud, and abuse.” “Iowans elected me with a mandate to cut Washington’s pork and make ’em squeal,” Ernst said in a news release, making a reference to her 2014 campaign slogan. “From billion-dollar boondoggles to welfare for politicians and trillion-dollar slush funds, my decade-long investigations have exposed levels of abuse that are almost too insane to believe. The tables are finally turning, the knives are out, and waste is on the chopping block.” The news release from Ernst’s office included a statement of support and thanks from Ramaswamy. Ernst said the Senate DOGE Caucus will include Republican Sens. John Cornyn, Texas; Ted Budd, N.C.; Mike Lee, Utah; Rick Scott, Fla.; Roger Marshall, Kan.; and James Lankford, Okla. A House DOGE Caucus also has formed, Ernst said, and is led by Republican Reps. Aaron Bean, Fla.; and Pete Sessions, Texas. Ernst’s office said this week she will release a “Thanksgiving menu of trillions of dollars of cuts to be carved out of Washington’s budget.” Led by Iowa Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Grant Menke, a 16-member delegation recently completed a nine-day trade mission to Japan and Taiwan, according to the Iowa Economic Development Authority, the state agency that coordinated the trip. Iowa Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Grant Menke (Contributed photo) The Iowa delegation visited Taipei, Taiwan, and Tokyo and Osaka in Japan from Nov. 15 to Nov. 23, according to IEDA. The delegation included representatives from Iowa’s meat production, grain, and meat processing industries, and the trip’s purpose was to “encourage trade development, bolster partnerships and identify opportunities to expand export markets,” according to IEDA. The representatives included officials from the Iowa Beef Industry Council, Iowa Corn, Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, Iowa Pork Producers Association and the Iowa Soybean Association. Iowa companies in 2023 exported $1.3 billion in agricultural goods to Japan and $225.1 million to Taiwan, according to IEDA. Japan is Iowa’s fourth-largest export destination and Taiwan the state’s 13th-largest, according to IEDA. “Iowa is an agricultural production powerhouse, so it is vital for our state’s farmers and agribusinesses to be able to share our abundance with the world through trade and to seek new market opportunities for Iowa ag products through participation in international trade missions,” Menke said in a news release. “This North Asian mission allowed our well-rounded ag delegation to build on Iowa’s long-standing friendship and partnership in trade with both Japan and Taiwan — strong, stable markets that depend heavily on imports for their food and agriculture needs and deeply value the reliability and premium quality of Iowa’s meat products and commodities,” Menke added. Women hang a Democratic Party flag at Armored Gardens during the Scott County Democrats election night watch party on Tuesday, November 5, in Davenport. Josué Rodriguez, running for a seat in the Iowa House of Representatives, checks his phone during the Scott County Republicans watch party on Tuesday, Nov. 5, in Davenport. County Chair Kay Pence speaks at the Scott County Democrats watch party at Armored Gardens on Tuesday, November 5, in Davenport. A couple poses for photo at the Scott County Republican Party Headquarters' watch party on Tuesday, Nov. 5, in Davenport. Matt Trimble, running for Scott County Auditor, speaks at the Scott County Democratic watch party at Armored Gardens on Tuesday, November 5, in Davenport. Scott County Sheriff Tim Lane chats with people at the Scott County Republican Party Headquarters' watch party on Tuesday, November 5, in Davenport. The Scott County Democrats held a watch party at Armored Gardens on Tuesday, November 5, in Davenport. People watch coverage of the presidential election at the Scott County Republican Party Headquarters on Tuesday, November 5, in Davenport. People gather at the Scott County Republican Party Headquarters to watch election coverage on Tuesday, November 5, in Davenport. People gather at the Scott County Republican Party Headquarters to watch election coverage on Tuesday, November 5, in Davenport. The Scott County Democrats held a watch party at Armored Gardens on Tuesday, November 5, in Davenport. The Scott County Democrats held a watch party at Armored Gardens on Tuesday, November 5, in Davenport. The Scott County Democrats held a watch party at Armored Gardens on Tuesday, November 5, in Davenport. A couple poses for photo at the Scott County Republican Party Headquarters' watch party on Tuesday, November 5, in Davenport. Josué Rodriguez, running for a seat in the Iowa House of Representatives, checks his phone during the Scott County Republicans watch party on Tuesday, November 5, in Davenport. Special Counsel Jack Smith explains to the court that he has conferred with Trump's legal team, which does not object to the motion for dismissal. (Scripps News) Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.