Among the most important races in the Nov. 3 election are those not making headlines, yet a functional American democracy depends on them — the contests for state-level positions.

Local governments on the East End are losing hundreds of thousands of dollars in missed revenue by not charging for public parking in some areas.

This column is being written toward sunset from the harbor at Plymouth, Mass. Alone time, something so many of us say we want, is elusive, but I have had time to think this week.

“Cancel” is the word of the year, and not just in the social-shunning sense.