Joseph Wood went to buy gas in Ventura in anticipation of driving up the coast to visit his children this week. The 39-year-old gig driver knew he had money on a debit card connected to his unemployment payments when his purchase was declined.

Unable to fill up his tank, he found his card was frozen. By the time it unlocked Monday, $1,380 had disappeared.

The US Supreme Court refused to hear a last ditch attempt by Maine Republicans Tuesday to prevent ranked choice voting from being used in Maine’s presidential election -- a first in both state and US history.

The Associated Press reports that Maine Republicans filed the appeal after the first votes had already been cast. Not only have ballots been sent out to overseas voters, but additional absentee ballots were returned this week either by mail or in person.

Michael Allman joins host T.J. O’Hara on Deconstructed to discuss the challenges facing public schools during the COVID-19 pandemic and in general. Mr. Allman is a candidate for School Board in California’s San Dieguito Union High School District. He is a local CEO and an experienced board member having chaired numerous public and private boards and as well as chairing several audit committees. Mr.

Hear more of this story at 6 p.m. Wednesday on "The Extra Point" on Mightier 1090am.

It’s not easy to get work done during a pandemic. Even for the fortunate who kept their pre-pandemic jobs, productivity has taken it on the chin in 2020.

The same goes for those in the lawmaking business.

Editor's Note: This article originally appeared on The Fulcrum and has been republished on IVN with permission from the publisher.

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Almost every state has opted to make voting by mail easier in light of the coronavirus pandemic, but the shift toward early and remote voting has not been uniform across the country.

For the first time in San Diego history, voters will only have the option of electing a Democrat in a few city races, including mayor. 

The mayor’s race pits Democrat Barbara Bry against Democrat Todd Gloria in the November runoff. Republican Scott Sherman failed to secure enough votes during the primary to be a part of the top two candidates for mayor. Four other city races feature two Democrats. 

The race to replace San Diego’s Mayor is a little different this year. For the first time in history, two Democrats are in the runoff for the City’s top executive position. 

Without a party label to highlight their differences, here’s what the local media has to say:

My father was a Jamaican immigrant, and I was raised in poverty by my single mother. My husband is Mexican and Puerto Rican — our family is proudly multiracial. We urge Californians to vote “no” on Proposition 16 in November. 

This is an independent opinion. Have one of your own? Email it to hoa@ivn.us