AP: “North Carolina Republican legislative leaders have replaced state government attorneys with a private lawyer to defend them in litigation challenging the rules on when felony offenders can get their voting rights restored. A judicial panel plans to issue an order soon that says anyone convicted of a felony can register to vote after they’ve completed their…
“Herschel Walker files for Georgia Senate race”
Politico: “Former football standout Herschel Walker has officially filed to run for Senate in Georgia, adding a dose of star power to the Republican bench in one of the nation’s premier midterm races. Walker, who plans to announce his candidacy Wednesday, enters a multi-candidate GOP primary for the right to take on Democratic Sen. Raphael…
Book Looks at How TX Power Plant Helped Fight Climate Change
TX Observer: “In 2014, in far-flung West Texas, a group of energy developers floored industry insiders: They began operation of a sprawling solar farm in the heart of the Permian Basin, one of the world’s most productive oil fields. Named the Barilla Solar Project, the facility had the capacity to generate 30 megawatts of power—enough…
“In Florida, DeSantis cut jobless aid just as virus began terrifying new wave”
WaPo: “By June, Meli Feliciano’s family appeared to have finally found a measure of stability after being jolted by the economic devastation of the coronavirus pandemic. Her husband had secured a good job in construction, and she was receiving hundreds of dollars in weekly federal and state unemployment aid, giving her some breathing room while…
Small Businesses in Memphis Having Difficulty Staffing Back Up
WaPo: ““People left the labor market in droves during the pandemic and they’re not coming back,” said economist Marianne Wanamaker, a University of Tennessee professor, noting that the country’s labor force participation rate has been stagnant at 61 percent. “We are way behind the predicted employment recovery.” One muggy day on Main Street in Memphis,…
MS Public Health Officials Ask Anti-Vaxxers to Stop Taking Livestock Medication as Alternative COVID Treatment
WaPo: “The plea from Mississippi’s top doctor to a state grappling with the nation’s second-lowest vaccination rate seemed simple: Do not take ivermectin — a drug intended for treating worms in livestock — to prevent or treat the coronavirus. Despite no scientific evidence that ivermectin is effective at preventing or treating covid-19, State Health Officer…
“A Texas GOP official’s covid-19 death went viral. Then came calls for vaccination — and bitter divides.”
WaPo: “When H. Scott Apley died at 45 of covid-19, he became a face of vaccine refusal by the political right. A GoFundMe drive for his wife and baby son drew scorn as the Dickinson City Council member’s social media posts circulated. “I wish I lived in the area!” the Houston-area member of the Texas Republican Party’s governing…
NC Man Bomb Threat Capitol Standoff, Says Illegal Immigrants Getting Free Healthcare, That Biden Should Resign and Then Trump Will Be President Again
Vox: “But Ibanez’s comment may have been intended to obscure an uncomfortable truth for America’s most-watched cable news network. In videos streamed to Facebook before and during the bomb threat while he sat in a truck, Roseberry made clear he’s immersed in right-wing conspiracy theories and grievances that receive heavy play on Fox. “Once this dickhead Biden’s out…
“Texas GOP Voting Bill on Fast Track After Standstill Ends”
AP: “The sudden end of Texas Democrats’ 38-day walkout has put Republicans back on a fast track to pass a sweeping voting bill and is causing rifts among some Democrats who said Friday they felt “betrayed” by colleagues who returned to the state Capitol. Texas is the last big GOP-controlled state that has not passed…
TX Doctors Broach Topic of Prioritizing Vaccinated Over Un-Vaccinated When Treatment Resources Scarce
Dallas Morning News: “Updated at 8:15 p.m. Aug. 19, 2021: After this story was posted, Dr. Mark Casanova gave interviews to local media and revised his story. He described the memo to the task force as a “homework assignment.” In a reversal, he told NBC-5 that vaccinations should not be among the factors hospitals should consider…