April 29th – The Big Bend Sentinel
Officials from the CDC have reported 15 cases of blood clotting from the vaccine and 3 deaths, all in women. Thus far, over 8 million doses have been administered, meaning 0.0001875% of recipients have experienced the severe adverse effects and 0.0000375% have died. She would be the first woman of color to hold the position of Air Force undersecretary. Marfa Saturday Market kicks off May 1MARFA – Marfa Saturday Market will open for the season on Saturday, May 1, at 9:30 a.m. at the pavilion behind the Marfa Visitor Center/USO Building. Formerly known as Farmstand Marfa, the market will kick off a new season with local foods, products, arts and crafts and more.
bigbendsentinel.comPresident Biden nominates Gina Ortiz Jones for Under Secretary of the Air Force
In an announcement made on April 27, President Joe Biden nominated San Antonio native Gina Ortiz Jones for Under Secretary of the Air Force. She earned a BA and MA in economics from Boston University which she attended on a four-year Air Force ROTC scholarship. While serving in the Air Force, Jones was an intelligence officer and who deployed to Iraq with the 18th Air Support Operations Group supporting close air support operations. In 2018, Jones challenged Republican Rep. Will Hurd for 23rd Congressional District seat but lost the race by less than 1,000 votes. I know she’ll continue to make our hometown proud in the United States Air Force leadership.
outinsa.comIn blue and red states, milestone wins for LGBTQ candidates
According to the LGBTQ Victory Fund, which recruits and supports LGBTQ candidates, that leaves only Alaska, Louisiana and Mississippi as states that have never elected an LGBTQ legislator. With the addition of Jones and Torres, there will be nine openly LGBTQ members of the House as of January. Two other Democrats became the first openly transgender people to win seats in their states’ Houses: Taylor Small in Vermont and Stephanie Byers in Kansas. And in New York, Jabari Brisport, a gay math teacher, became the first openly LGBTQ person of color elected to the legislature. And in southwestern Michigan’s 6th District, Jon Hoadley, seeking to become the state’s first openly gay congressman, lost to 17-term GOP Rep. Fred Upton.
2020 races that haven’t been called yet
By midnight, Biden had racked up 205 electoral votes to Trump’s 171, according to the Associated Press. Congressional District 23UPDATE: Republican Tony Gonzales wins election to U.S. House in Texas' 23rd Congressional District, AP reports. Gonzales' lead, which ballooned to 14,000 votes before midnight, is a much healthier advantage than past races in the district’s history, but it remained too close to call with only 78% of precincts reporting. “With thousands of ballots yet to be counted, the Gonzales campaign’s attempt to declare victory is premature,” Jones' campaign manager Lacey Morrison said. Flores stunned the Texas political landscape by winning the District 19 state senate seat.
Election results 2020: Balance of Power for Congress: Which party will control U.S. House, Senate?
Find other election results Type to search all races...Get more election results on our homepage and Vote 2020 page. Be the first to know by downloading our newsreader app or signing up for breaking news email alerts. Can’t see the map below? Click here. Early voting results will be released at 7 p.m. CST on Nov. 3, 2020Find more context on key races below:
5 things to watch on Election Day in Texas
Editor’s note: Get election results on our homepage and Vote 2020 page. While the top of the ballot has received the most attention, the balance of the Texas House of Representatives is also at stake. For the first time in years, Democrats have a chance to flip the 150-member Texas House, which has been controlled by Republicans for more than a decade. There are 18 to 22 state House races that Democrats are targeting. More key races for Congress, Texas Senate, County CommissionersAside from the Texas House and president, there are several high-profile federal-, state- and county-level races that have local implications.
Election results 2020: Congressional races in the San Antonio area (South, Central, West Texas)
Published: November 2, 2020, 10:55 am Updated: November 3, 2020, 12:16 pmFind other election results Type to search all races...Get more election results on our homepage and Vote 2020 page. Be the first to know by downloading our newsreader app or signing up for breaking news email alerts. Early voting results will be released at 7 p.m. CST on Nov. 3, 2020Find more context on key races below:
WATCH LIVE: Gina Ortiz Jones, MJ Hegar attend Get Out The Vote meet-and-greet in San Antonio
SAN ANTONIO – Texas Democrats Gina Ortiz Jones and MJ Hegar will visit San Antonio for a Get Out The Vote event ahead of Election Day. Congressman Joaquin Castro and Democratic National Committee Chair Tom Perez will also attend the event, which begins at 10 a.m. Delays are possible; if there is not a livestream event available, check back at a later time. Perez also spoke in San Antonio Sunday amid a tour in South Texas to encourage residents to vote on Election Day on Tuesday. Election Day is Tuesday, and polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Keep up with the latest voting headlines here.
San Antonio Express-News editorial criticizes anti-LGBTQ smears in local political races
All Photos / FacebookNorth East ISD District 3 candidates Ione McGinty and Omar Leos. Texas District 23 Congressional candidates Republican Tony Gonzales and Democrat Gina Ortiz Jones. An editorial in the October 29 issue of the San Antonio Express-News points out anti-LGBTQ claims made in two local political races: The first for a seat on the NEISD school board, the other a race for a U.S. House seat. An October 20 interview with the Express-News reports that McGinty, when confronted with criticism of her campaign’s flyer said, “I think that’s ridiculous. The claim takes Jones’ words out of context.
sacurrent.comAP declares Tony Gonzales winner in Texas Congressional District 23
Republican Tony Gonzales wins election to U.S. House in Texas' 23rd Congressional District2:40 a.m. — Republican Tony Gonzales wins election to U.S. House in Texas' 23rd Congressional District, AP reports. Hurd had endorsed Republican Tony Gonzales, whose victory Tuesday night dealt Democrat Gina Ortiz Jones a second defeat in as many years. With 68.6% of precincts reporting, Tony Gonzales is up by five percentage points with 51% of the vote. 8:28 p.m. — In what is expected to be a close race all night, Republican Tony Gonzales is currently leading in Congressional District 23. Texas' Congressional District 23 (KSAT/Brittney Daniels)Both candidates have served their countries.
South Texas U.S. House candidate Tony Gonzales launched run before leaving Navy, filings show
click to enlarge Twitter / @TonyGonzales4TXTony Gonzales is the Republican candidate in the race to represent Texas' 23rd House District. Gonzales discussed that campaign with thefor a July 31, 2019 article , which stated that day would be "his last day in uniform. "I was active duty military. "On the recording, Jones responds that Gonzales filed his election paperwork in May. "So, he just admitted that he violated federal regulations by filing for federal office while he was still on active duty," she says.
sacurrent.comWATCH: Health care, veterans issues take center stage in Texas Congressional District 23 debate
Jones is hoping to flip the district for the Democrats while Tony Gonzales hopes to keep the district red and succeed Will Hurd. Throughout the debate, Jones and Gonzales traded barbs over health care. “If you want to know how much Tony Gonzales cares about your health and your health care, go to his website and look under the issues page," Jones said. On veterans issues, Gonzales said he helped pass the Veterans Affairs Accountability Act, which helped protect whistleblowers and increased discipline on misconduct. “Tony Gonzales was silent when this president insulted our fallen heroes.
LIVE COVERAGE: Congressional debate hosted by KSAT in Uvalde
Follow along with our live coverage of the debate between Republican Tony Gonzales and Democrat Gina Ortiz Jones from the heart of Congressional District 23, at Southwest Texas Junior College in Uvalde. Read more about the race:The hour-long debate will air live on KSAT, KSAT.com and all of KSAT’s free streaming platforms starting at 7 p.m. Southwest Texas Junior College and Sul Ross State University are the hosts, and KSAT’s Steve Spriester will be the moderator. We want our viewers to weigh in on the issues they want to hear about from the candidates. In a race where the margin is usually razor-thin, debates can make the difference. And, for more election news and key races, visit KSAT’s Vote 2020 page or sign up for our free election newsletter.
Texas Congressional District 23 candidates give their stance on the biggest issues facing their voters
Jones has made health care a primary cornerstone of her campaign, and she called her district “one of the most medically-underserved districts in the country." “It was the number one issue before this pandemic,” Jones said. However, his website does not include a specific plan on health care. “I think it is absolutely possible to secure our border without a border wall and to treat people with humanity and respect." Like Gonzales, Jones thinks there’s an opportunity to help reform the current immigration system.
Congressional candidate Tony Gonzales evasive when asked if KKK is a terrorist organization
The Republican candidate, who was endorsed by Trump, would not commit to labeling the Ku Klux Klan as a terrorist organization when put on the spot. Watch Oct. 8: Debate between Tony Gonzales, Gina Ortiz Jones in CD-23 raceBut Gonzales became visibly uncomfortable when Aguillon asked him about his views on MS-13 and the KKK. “Look, I don’t support the KKK,” Gonzales said. But labeling a domestic group as a terrorist organization is complicated, federal officials have previously said, and could lead to a conflict with the First Amendment. No U.S.-based extremist group has ever been formally designated as a terrorist organization.
A recent history of Texas’ most competitive congressional district: CD-23
Texas Republican Will Hurd has held the Congressional District 23 seat since 2014, but that doesn’t mean the seat will be reliably red this November as he departs from office. Jones won 48.73% of the vote, while Hurd won 49.17%, a difference of 0.44% or 926 votes. After the narrow win, Hurd quickly decided against seeking reelection, leaving Senator Tim Scott as the only Black Republican in Congress. Democrat Gina Ortiz Jones and Republican Tony Gonzales are candidates for Texas' Congressional District 23. While Jones has the fundraising advantage on Gonzales, Gonzales carries the endorsements of Trump and Hurd.
Texas CD-23 candidates face off in debate
Editor’s note: Find live coverage of the debate here. KSAT is hosting a debate from the heart of CD-23, at Southwest Texas Junior College in Uvalde. We want our viewers to weigh in on the issues they want to hear about from the candidates. Submit questions that you’d like to hear the candidates answer in the prompt below. And, for more election news and key races, visit KSAT’s Vote 2020 page or sign up for our free election newsletter.
Bexar County to play big role in tight race between Gina Ortiz Jones, Tony Gonzales in Texas' CD-23
The competitive border district spans nearly all of Texas' southwestern border and up to San Antonio. The two also find themselves on opposite sides of the health care debate, too. Jones is in favor of universal health care and wants to provide a public option in an effort to make health care more affordable. The runoff was so close that the Gonzales was not deemed the winner until weeks after the runoff election. While the expected increase in turnout for 2020 may benefit Jones, polls continue show a tight race between both candidates.
Obama Endorses San Antonio Candidates Wendy Davis and Gina Ortiz Jones for U.S. House Seats
San Antonio-area Democrats Wendy Davis and Gina Ortiz Jones are among 27 Texas candidates endorsed by former President Barack Obama ahead of November 3 election. Davis is running for Texas’s 21st congressional district, which includes a part of northeast San Antonio. The Texas 23rd congressional district encompasses parts of western San Antonio and stretches across the southwestern portion of Texas all the way to El Paso. It will be either Tony Gonzales or Raul Reyes, Jr.“I’m so honored to be endorsed by President Barack Obama!,” Jones wrote on Twitter. Help share the good news and join our campaign to flip #TX23!”Following is the full list of Obama’s Texas endorsements:Sima Ladjevardian, U.S. House, Congressional District 2Lizzie Fletcher, U.S. House, Congressional District 7Adrienne Bell, U.S. House, Congressional District 14Wendy Davis, U.S. House, Congressional District 21Sri Preston Kulkarni, U.S. House, Congressional District 22Gina Ortiz Jones, U.S. House, Congressional District 23Candace Valenzuela, U.S. House, Congressional District 24Colin Allred, U.S. House, Congressional District 32Erin Zwiener, State House, District 45James Talarico, State House, District 52Keke Williams, State House, District 54Angela Brewer, State House, District 64Sharon Hirsch, State House, District 66Jeff Whitfield, State House, District 92Joe Drago, State House, District 96Elizabeth Beck, State House, District 97Jessica González, State House, District 104Terry Meza, State House, District 105Joanna Cattanach, State House, District 108Brandy Chambers, State House, District 112Rhetta Andrews Bowers, State House, District 113Celina Montoya, State House, District 121Natali Hurtado, State House, District 126Gina Calanni, State House, District 132Ann Johnson, State House, District 134Jon Rosenthal, State House, District 135Akilah Bacy, State House, District 138
outinsa.comTexas congressional candidate backed by Donald Trump remains in too-close-to-call runoff with Ted Cruz's pick
From left, Tony Gonzales and Raul Reyes are running for the Texas Congressional District 23 seat that is being vacated by U.S. Rep. Will Hurd, R-Texas. Texas TribunePresident Donald Trump's choice to replace retiring U.S. Rep. Will Hurd, R-Helotes, was in a too-close-to-call runoff Tuesday night against a candidate endorsed by U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz. The Trump-backed Tony Gonzales was trailing Cruz's pick, Raul Reyes, by just 11 votes out of 24,533 with all polling locations reporting, according to unofficial results. Gonzales, a former Navy cryptologist backed by Hurd and House leaders, nabbed Trump's endorsement earlier this month, just three days after Cruz endorsed Reyes. Trump had endorsed another candidate in the Texas runoffs, Ronny Jackson, the former White House doctor running to replace retiring U.S. Rep. Mac Thornberry, R-Clarendon.
Pete Buttigieg Endorses Gina Ortiz Jones for the Texas 23rd Congressional District Seat
Gina Ortiz Jones, whos running for the Texas 23rd Congressional District Seat, was among 22 candidates endorsed by former presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg on May 13. In a statement on the Win the Era website, Buttigieg writes, An Air Force Veteran, Gina Ortiz Jones ran a pioneering and very close race in 2018 in a key, fast-evolving Texas Congressional district. Now its an open seat, and her style of leadership is needed on Capitol Hill more than ever. In 2018, Jones challenged Republican Rep. Will Hurd for 23rd Congressional District seat but lost the race by less than 1,000 votes. Win the Era will continue to announce additional candidate endorsements in the coming months.Following is the list of the other candidates endorsed by Win the Era.
outinsa.comGina Ortiz Jones Listens to the Experts
Democratic nominee Gina Ortiz Jones hasnt been elected to serve the people of Texas 23rd Congressional District. Looking back, Jones campaign didnt have the messianic feel of Beto ORourkes 2018 run for the U.S. Senate. I tell her that Im holding up two imaginary Gina Ortiz Jones Barbie Dolls, one from 2018 and one from this year. To be honest, I dont think theyre going to be too different. Jones invites Texas brightest minds to appear on her weekly town halls, which she posts on her Facebook page, along with Spanish captions.
outinsa.comGlitter Political: Gina Ortiz Jones Listens to the Experts and Voters on COVID-19
click to enlarge Jade Esteban EstradaDemocratic nominee Gina Ortiz Jones hasnt been elected to serve the people of Texas 23rd Congressional District. To be honest, I dont think theyre going to be too different. They are motivated by the same things, making sure that the community is well represented. And it was equally heart wrenching to think that that killer was motivated by the words of our countrys leader. And thats why Ive always said, its not just what our leaders do, its also what they dont do.
sacurrent.comDemocrats in 2 Key San Antonio House Races Out-Raising Their Opponents
click to enlarge Courtesy PhotoGina Ortiz Jones is running to represent the South Texas district being vacated by retiring GOP House member Will Hurd. Voters will decide in a runoff which of two Republicans Tony Gonzales or Raul Reyes will face her in November. Gonzales ended the quarter with $272,000 in cash and Reyes with just over $45,000. Meanwhile, Davis raised $1.2 million during the quarter, giving her a nearly $2 million in total cash. Her opponent, freshman Republican U.S. Rep. Chip Roy pulled in $456,000 for the quarter, bringing his cash on hand to $1.5 million.
sacurrent.comJones, Gonzales Emerge as Favorites to Replace Hurd in 23rd District
The Castro twins, along with numerous other progressive powerhouses, have endorsed Jones second bid for the 23rd District seat. The 23rd congressional district had boomeranged between the parties since 2006 when longtime U.S. Rep. Henry Bonilla, a Republican, lost his seat to Democrat Ciro Rodriguez. In 2018, Hurd became the first representative of the district to win three consecutive terms since Bonilla. The 23rd District is nearly 70 percent Latino, and Tony Gonzales reflects the districts demographic makeup. The San Antonio resident has received about $400,000 in campaign contributions thus far.
therivardreport.comTexas Democrats weighing ballots, bullets in 2020 campaigns
AUSTIN, Texas (Reuters) - Texas Democrats are pulling out a new playbook in this years congressional races, loudly backing gun control in a bet a strategy that paid off in Virginia can also win elections in a conservative-leaning state long associated with gun rights. FILE PHOTO: Former Texas state Senator Wendy Davis smiles during the "Politicon" convention in Pasadena, California, U.S. June 25, 2016. Gun control will be a strong part of her campaign message as she takes aim at an Austin-area U.S. House of Representatives seat that Republicans have held for 41 years. For me, this is a moral courage issue.TRICKY BALANCELongtime observers of Texas politics warn that candidates backing gun control may want to rein in expectations. The gun issue is a good mobilizer for Democrats at this stage, early in the campaign, said James Henson, a University of Texas political scientist and pollster.
feeds.reuters.comRep. Will Hurd will not seek re-election
By Alex HartmanPulse Staff ReporterPhoto courtesy of 2017 Friends of National Service AwardsTexas Republican Will Hurd of Congressional District 23 announced he will not run for re-election in 2020; his district includes Palo Alto College. I have made the decision to not seek re-election for the 23rd Congressional District of Texas in order to pursue opportunities outside the halls of Congress to solve problems at the nexus between technology and national security, Hurd tweeted on Aug 1, 2019. I hope they can make change, said Bailee Garetz, a Political Science major who is a Palo Alto College alumna. With re-election just around the corner and the Congressional seat up for grabs, supporters of Hurd are also wondering what the future congressperson will bring to the United States House of Representatives. Someone who understands the community and wants to be partially involved with the community, said Michael Andrade, a sophomore at Palo Alto College.
pacpulse.comCongressional Candidate Gina Ortiz Jones Raises $1 Million in Third Quarter
click to enlarge Wikimedia Commons / Jay GodwinGina Ortiz Jones speaks during an event last summer. Gina Ortiz Jones, the leading Democratic candidate to replace retiring U.S. Rep. Will Hurd, has pulled in $1 million in third-quarter contributions, according to her campaign.The haul is the largest off-year quarterly fundraising total ever reported for Texas' 23rd District, which includes San Antonio and two-thirds of the U.S.-Mexico border, Jones' camp also said.Jones, a former Air Force intelligence officer, is running again to represent the district after losing to Hurd, a Republican, in 2018 by fewer than 1,000 votes. After Hurd announced his retirement, the nonpartisan Cook Political Report moved the district into its "leans Democratic" category. "Im honored by the groundswell of support weve received, and together were building a grassroots campaign to stand up to the corporate special interests and bring commonsense priorities like quality, affordable health care and lower prescription drug costs to Washington, D.C.," Jones said in a written statement.At least two lesser-known Democrats are challenging Jones in the primary.
sacurrent.comLiz Wahl, the Cable News Anchor Who Resigned On-Air, Wants to Bring a Global Perspective to District 23
Thats when it was like, OK, this is not another point of view, this is propaganda.To take a stand, Wahl resigned on air. She [was] working for the [Russian] government. However, after interviewing Wahl, Walters gave her a winning on-air endorsement for her future job search.Citing the 2016 presidential election, Wahl says Russian disinformation has become an even greater threat. And thats scary.If Wahl brings a global perspective to the District 23 race, she wont be the first. Im a strong anti-Trumpist, because I dont think hes representative of conservative values for the Republican Party. Right now, the GOP has made its transition to the far right, and I dont think swinging to the far, far left is going to be the answer.Wahl says the federal government needs to address pressing issues such as healthcare and immigration reform.
sacurrent.comTop Political Handicapper Says South Texas District 'Leans Democrat' After Will Hurd's Departure
click to enlarge Courtesy Photo / Gina Ortiz JonesAfter narrowly losing to Will Hurd in 2018, Gina Ortiz Jones is running to represent the same district in 2020. Following Republican U.S. Rep. Will Hurd's announcement that he won't run again in 2020, nonpartisan election handicapper the Cook Political Report has shifted Texas' 23rd congressional district from the "toss up" category to "leans Democrat." "Republicans will be hard-pressed to find a candidate who can replicate Hurd's appeal," Cook analyst David Wasserman wrote, adding that the congressman was "probably the only Republican capable of holding Texas's massive 23rd District. "Wasserman acknowledged the recent victory of Republican Pete Flores in a state senate district that overlaps with much of the 23rd. However, Jones ended June with $597,000 in campaign funds, giving her a leg up on challengers from either side of the aisle.
sacurrent.comAnother Texas Republican Follows Will Hurd and Announces He Won't Run
click to enlarge Twitter / @HurdontheHillWill Hurd gives a recent television interview in Washington. And now there are four.On the heels of Congressman Will Hurd's bombshell announcement that he won't seek re-election, a fourth Texas Republican member of the U.S. House Kenny Marchant now says he won't run in 2020.With the retirements of Hurd, who represents San Antonio and a large swath of the U.S.-Mexico border, and Marchant, whose district is in suburban DFW, a total of 11 House Republicans are now bowing out of the race. Only three Democrats have said they won't run.Democrats hold a 37-seat majority in the House, and close 2018 races in some Texas districts suggest Republican control of the state may be eroding faster than many anticipated. Last cycle, Marchant eked out a 3-point victory over underfunded Democratic challenger Jan McDowell.On Monday, Jones' campaign said it raised more than $100,000 in the 24 hours following Hurd's retirement announcement.Texas is the biggest battleground state. Republicans know it and Texas Democrats damn sure know it," Texas Democratic Party Chair Gilberto Hinojosa said, adding that he expects more GOP retirements as the election grows closer.
sacurrent.comGina Ortiz Jones Tops Fundraising in Her Race as Opponent Will Hurd Faces Spanish-Language Attack Ad
click to enlarge Courtesy of Will Hurd // Gina Ortiz JonesWill Hurd and Gina Ortiz Jones are in for a 2020 rematch, this time with both the Republican and Democratic parties pledging to pour in more money and resources. Looks like U.S. Rep. Will Hurd is in for another tough reelection bid.The Republican representing San Antonio and a swath of the South Texas border looks to have been outstripped by Democratic opponent Gina Ortiz Jones on daily fundraising totals. He's also being skewered in the cycle's first Spanish-language ads for failing to speak up vigorously against President Trump's hardline immigration policies.Jones' campaign announced Tuesday that she's raised $12,240 per day in just 48 days of campaigning to represent Texas' sprawling 23rd Congressional District. Hurd, in contrast, raised $7,700 per day over 91 days of campaigning.What's more, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee's Spanish-language digital ad, which started in mid-June, accuses Hurd of selling himself as centrist even though he hasn't taken a strong stand against the president's immigration policies. Meanwhile, the Republican Party has promised to vigorously back Hurd, a two-term incumbent and former CIA officer.
sacurrent.comGina Ortiz Jones Picks Up Early Endorsements for District 23 House Campaign
click to enlarge Courtesy PhotoGina Ortiz Jones is running against U.S. Rep. Will Hurd in what could be one of the nation's costliest races. On Tuesday, national campaign finance reform group End Citizens United became the latest organization to endorse Democratic candidate Gina Ortiz Jones' second run for Congress.The endorsement brings Jones' total endorsements to nearly 30 since announcing on May 14 that she's again pursuing the seat held by Republican U.S. Rep. Will Hurd. Those endorsements range from pro-choice PAC Emily's List and progressive veterans organization Vote Vets to Democratic politicos such as U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro.The Hurd campaign didn't respond to an email request for its list of 2020 endorsements, and none was available on its website.Money-in-politics reform emerged as a key theme in the 2018 race for Texas' 23rd District, which Jones lost by a close enough margin to demand a recount. She has pledged not to accept money from corporate PACs.After 2018's close finish, both the Republicans and Democrats have promised to spend big on the district this cycle. District 23, which includes San Antonio and roughly 2/3 of the U.S.-Mexico border, has frequently flipped between GOP and Democratic control.This go-round, Jones also faces a primary challenges from activist Rosalinda "Rosey" Ramos Abuabara and journalist Liz Wahl.
sacurrent.comRecord number of LGBTQ candidates in Texas sign of progress, candidate says
SAN ANTONIO – At least 48 openly LGBTQ candidates in Texas ran for office this election cycle. That number is roughly three times higher than any previous election cycle, according to Outsmart, a Houston LGBTQ magazine. I was raised in a Catholic household, first-generation American," said San Antonio native Gina Ortiz Jones, who is running for a U.S. congressional seat. "Yeah, I stand on the shoulders of leaders, not only LGBT but strong women," Ortiz Jones said. She said the number of LGBTQ candidates this election cycle is a true sign of the times.