AL Political Reporter: “An updated report shows that a third of COVID-19 deaths in Alabama were associated with high community rates of uninsured, while a separate report shows that Black Alabamians and women make up a disproportionate percentage of low-wage workers without health insurance. Alabama is one of 12 states that has not expanded Medicaid,…
“Houston police reform items announced”
Off the Kuff: “Mayor Sylvester Turner on Thursday unveiled a sweeping effort to reform policing in Houston by banning no-knock warrants for non-violent offenses, restructuring the police oversight board, publicly releasing body camera footage when officers injure or kill residents, expanding diversion programs and allowing online and anonymous complaints against officers. The reform package, which…
“No charges files in [TX] Capitol date rape drug incident”
Off the Kuff: “The Texas Department of Public Safety and Travis County District Attorney’s Office said Thursday “that there is not enough evidence to support” an allegation that a lobbyist used a date rape drug on a Capitol staffer and that “no crime occurred in this instance.” “DPS has conducted a thorough investigation following allegations…
“3 men charged with federal hate crimes in killing of Ahmaud Arbery in Georgia”
NBC News: “Three Georgia men previously charged in the killing of Ahmaud Arbery were indicted Wednesday by a federal grand jury and charged with hate crimes and attempted kidnapping. Arbery was jogging in Brunswick, Georgia, when Travis McMichael, 35, and his father, Gregory McMichael, 65, pursued him in their truck and shot him dead on…
Many Questions, Few Answers in Shooting Death of Andrew Brown, Jr. in Elizabeth City, NC
WaPo: “Night after night, they march: parents pushing strollers, a grandma with two hip replacements, preachers, lawyers, lifelong residents and recent transplants. Some are Black, some White — all protesting the death of Andrew Brown Jr., a Black man who was killed in a fusillade of gunfire from sheriff’s deputies. The April 21 shooting aggravated racial tensions…
“Everything You Need To Know About The Special Election In Texas’s 6th District”
FiveThirtyEight: “On Saturday, voters will decide who among 23 candidates — 11 Republicans, 10 Democrats, one independent and one libertarian — will replace Rep. Ron Wright, who died in February after contracting COVID-19. One of five special elections to take place during President Biden’s first few months in office, this jungle primary in Texas is arguably the most competitive, as the…
Democratic Candidate for SC Governor Off to Good Fundraising Start
Political Wire: “Joe Cunningham (D) raised more than $400,000 in the first 48 hours of his bid for South Carolina governor, besting the total that incumbent Gov. Henry McMaster (R) brought in over the first three months of the year, the Charleston Post & Courier reports.”
Two New Candidates in Race for US Senate Seat in NC
As if you needed any more evidence the two parties occupy different realities, the GOP offers up a “liberal agenda crusher” who drives a monster truck in his ad while the Democrats offer an accomplished jurist who recently served on the state Supreme Court. News & Observer: “Republican U.S. Rep. Ted Budd is the latest…
Sex Scandal in TX – Lobbyist Accused of Drugging Staffer
NBC News: “Allegations that a Texas lobbyist drugged a legislative aide shook the state Capitol on Monday, leading to some lawmakers restricting access to their offices as both law enforcement and a major lobbying firm said they were investigating. Republican Dade Phelan, the speaker of the Texas House of Representatives, said in a rare speech…
Changes Proposed at GA’s Stone Mountain, Some Say Not Enough
ABC News: “A park near Atlanta with a giant carving of Confederate leaders would publicly acknowledge that it was a gathering spot for the Ku Klux Klan, relocate Confederate flags and remove the carving from its logo under proposals unveiled Monday to address criticism of its Confederate legacy. Stone Mountain Memorial Association CEO Bill Stephens…