I stopped watching college and professional sports regularly a couple of years ago. I used to follow my western Washington teams almost religiously, but after getting married, starting a family, and devoting myself to a cause, I found it took too much time and mental energy. Still, I enjoy catching the occasional game, and there’s nothing quite like a Game 7 of the World Series.
Yesterday’s game had it all: home runs, defensive brilliance, spectacular pitching performances, and enough tension for an entire season. They say football is a game of inches, but baseball might be a game of millimeters. Had Isiah Kiner-Falefa’s toe been just a bit closer to the plate in the bottom of the ninth, he would have scored and the Blue Jays would be celebrating a world championship. Instead, the Dodgers celebrated their second consecutive title.
Betting scandals notwithstanding, professional sports remain an unscripted display of physical and mental excellence. Two teams, each full of the best players in the world, gave it their all until the final moment—both having numerous chances to win, yet never giving up.
It was fun.
As you know, the Gem State Chronicle is reader supported:
- Paid subscribers via Substack get bonus notes with some articles, giving me an opportunity to share behind-the-scenes thoughts with supporters, as well as early access to podcasts.
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The past week at the Chronicle…
On Tuesday, I caught up with the work of the Child Custody & Domestic Relations Task Force, which is debating potential reforms to Idaho’s family law system.
On Wednesday, I looked at the mayoral and council races in Idaho Falls.
On Friday, I shared my debut op-ed in The Hill, which examined how local media covered the Wilder raid last month. Read the op-ed here.
Finally, on Saturday I covered the mayoral and council races in Post Falls, one of Idaho’s most rapidly growing communities.
I also published op-eds by Attorney General Raúl Labrador, Senator Jim Risch, State Senator Tammy Nichols, Lt. Gov. Scott Bedke, Idaho GOP chairwoman Dorothy Moon, Secretary of State Phil McGrane, and Congressman Mike Simpson.
Whether we agree or disagree with our elected officials and influential political figures, I think it’s important to hear what they have to say. The Gem State Chronicle is a resource for as much information as possible to help you be more effective and engaged.
If you would like Gem State Chronicle to publish your work, please submit it to [email protected]. We are pleased to provide an outlet for a wide variety of figures in the world of Idaho politics to share their own messages.
In other news…
Substacks:
- The Idaho Freedom Caucus reflected on its fundraising dinner with Jan Jekielek from The Epoch Times.
- Sen. Brian Lenney explained how illegal aliens commit more crimes than you might think.
- Auron MacIntyre lamented that conservatives failed to unite after the assassination of Charlie Kirk, instead we turned on each other.
- Rep. Heather Scott highlighted the story of a homeschool graduate facing discrimination by a state licensing agency.
- Sen. Glenneda Zuiderveld questioned the state’s response to the quagga mussel.
Videos:
Auron MacIntyre brought classical historian Alex Petkas on to explain the parallels we see today to the Roman grain dole as well as our increasingly removed military:
Nick Freitas lays out what he calls the three factions of the modern American right. I’ll have more to say on this in the near future.
J. Burden and the pseudonymous Bog Beef discuss modern patronage systems and how the Supreme Court might upend half a century of Democratic rule:
Idaho’s own Pastor Doug Wilson sat down with Ross Douthat of the New York Times. Come for the political talk, stay for his explanation of Reformed theology:
Jared Henderson says AI writing is taking over, in ways you might not expect:
Have mobile apps ruined dating? An interesting perspective from Linus Sebastian:
Finally, the interview that set the internet on fire. Without casting judgment in any direction, I urge you to watch the conversation between Tucker Carlson and Nick Fuentes:
Remember to go vote on Tuesday if you haven’t already. Thank you all for your support as I continue to bring you news and analysis that empowers you to make positive change in Idaho. Make sure to subscribe, follow me on Twitter, and follow the Chronicle on Facebook, Telegram, YouTube, and Rumble. Have a great rest of your weekend!
About Brian Almon
Brian Almon is the Editor of the Gem State Chronicle. He also serves as Chairman of the District 14 Republican Party and is a trustee of the Eagle Public Library Board. He lives with his wife and five children in Eagle.
