Please know that updates will be the evenings of Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday moving forward. Federal holidays and the like will still be taken. Hope y’all are enjoying the feed and sharing the insights. Sincerely, Yellow Dog
“Mississippi House OKs new court system — to be appointed by white state officials — for second-Blackest U.S. city, stoking tension”
CNBC: The Mississippi House has approved the creation of a new court system in which judges and prosecutors would be appointed by state officials — who all happen to be white — for the capital of Jackson, which has the second-highest percentage of Black residents among U.S. cities. The bill proposing the new court, which needs approval from the state Senate and governor…
“After string of losses, some NC Democrats are seeking a new direction”
Charlotte Observer: “Like most North Carolina Democrats, Anderson Clayton was disheartened after the 2022 midterms. In her native Person County, where she serves as the county party chair, too many rural voters just couldn’t see a Democrat they were willing to vote for, even at the local level. Seeing the North Carolina Democratic Party struggle…
“Democrats counter Republican-backed bill requiring schools to out transgender students to parents”
NC Policy Watch: “State Democrats went on the offense Tuesday, countering controversial Senate Bill 49 (SB 49), a Republican-backed Parents Bill of Rights modeled after Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” law, with versions of their own. House Bill 58 and Senate Bill 74, titled “Parents’ and Students’ Bill of Rights” were filed on Monday. The bills, which are…
“Mark Walker Floats a Test Balloon”
the Assembly: “Former U.S. Rep. Mark Walker, who unsuccessfully ran for U.S. Senate in 2022, is seriously considering a run for governor, setting up a potential primary showdown with presumed Republican front-runner Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson. In a text message to The Assembly, Walker confirmed he’s taking meetings about a possible gubernatorial run. Two close advisers…
“Tennessee House Speaker Mulls Rejecting US Education Money”
HuffPo: “One of Tennessee’s most influential Republican lawmakers says the state should stop accepting the nearly $1.8 billion of federal K-12 education dollars that help provide support for low-income students, English learners and students with disabilities. House Speaker Cameron Sexton told The Associated Press that he has introduced a bill to explore the idea during…
“All shook up: Why Dems see sliver of opportunity in deep-red Mississippi”
Politico: “Republicans have had a lock on the Mississippi governorship for decades. But Democrats hope that a candidate with one of the most famous last names in America can change that. Democrats are coalescing around Brandon Presley, a public service commissioner and a distant cousin of Elvis Presley to challenge Republican Gov. Tate Reeves. Reeves…
“Rumors About Tyre Nichols Allegedly Having a Relationship with Ex of Cop Are Unsubstantiated”
Snopes: “On Jan. 30, 2023, a number of tweets and memes went viral, claiming that Haley and Nichols were connected prior to the assault, and allegedly through Haley’s ex-girlfriend or ex-wife. These rumors were reportedly refuted by Nichols’ stepfather, and, so far, none of the claims have been substantiated by an independent investigation, or any other parties…
“Mapping the Legacy of Prison Hunger Strikes in TX”
TX Observer: “Hunger strikes remain one of the primary ways people can call attention to conditions inside prisons, short of a federal lawsuit (which, after 1990s legislation, became much more difficult). Robert Perkinson, author of Texas Tough: The Rise of America’s Prison Empire, said multiple factors can lead prisoners to engage in what we might call extreme…
“Jeremy Hutchinson sentenced to nearly 4 years in prison [in AR corruption trial]”
AR Times: “U.S. District Judge Kristine Baker on Friday sentenced Jeremy Hutchinson, the former Republican senator, to 46 months in prison. Hutchinson, son of former U.S. Sen. Tim Hutchinson and nephew of former Gov. Asa Hutchinson, has been all over the news in recent years for charges of bribery, submitting false income taxes and being a deadbeat dad who doesn’t pay child support….