Portside

Ukraine is in many ways a Russian version of the wild, untamed American West. Roughly translated, the region’s name means "borderland." . . . In roughly the same period that the United States displaced Mexico and Plains Indians in a rush to the Pacific, Russian forces pushed out Turks and Tatars in a drive south toward the Black Sea.

A $10.10 minimum for waiters, cab drivers, and their tipped compatriots will be a huge deal. For a little perspective, consider this: There are about 1.5 million workers who earn the federal minimum wage. There are almost 1.8 million who earn less, in most cases because they are tipped. Especially in a service-heavy economy like Hawaii’s, this will likely put money in a lot of workers’ pockets.

On Wednesday, the National Research Council published a 464-page report, two years in the making, that looks at the stunning four-decade rise of incarceration in the United States and concludes that all of its costs — for families, communities, state budgets and society — have simply not been worth the benefit in deterrence and crime reduction.

Three consultants were sentenced to prison for committing possibly the greatest theft in New York City's history. This was a $100 million fraudulent scheme to modernize the city's payroll system. It was part of former Mayor Bloomberg's plan to contract out as city jobs as possible. The result was predictable.

Three consultants were sentenced to prison for committing possibly the greatest theft in New York City's history. This was a $100 million fraudulent scheme to modernize the city's payroll system. It was part of former Mayor Bloomberg's plan to contract out as city jobs as possible. The result was predictable.