CNN: “A grieving father says he wants to know what led to the death of his 22-year-old son on the day he was supposed to be released from an Alabama correctional facility. Daniel Terry Williams died November 9 after his family took him off life support following what the Alabama Department of Corrections called a…
“How an Abortion Case Shaped Mike Johnson’s Path to the Speakership”
NY Times: “For many people in Louisiana, the allegations against the Delta Clinic of Baton Rouge were a grim confirmation of what they already suspected. For the young lawyer, the case was also an opportunity. Still in his 20s, Mike Johnson was already a rising star in Louisiana’s anti-abortion movement. His firm’s lawsuit against Delta,…
“At least 21 candidates qualify for Alabama 2nd Congressional District race”
AL Reflector: “The race to fill Alabama’s new 2nd Congressional District will be a crowded one. At least 21 candidates – 13 Democrats and eight Republicans – had entered the race by the time qualifying ended at 5 p.m. on Friday. As of 5 p.m. Friday, the Democratic candidates were: At least eight Republicans are vying…
“Mistrial declared for ex-Louisville officer charged with violating Breonna Taylor’s civil rights in fatal raid”
WaPo: “A federal judge declared a mistrial Thursday when a jury could not reach a verdict in the case of a former Louisville police detective charged with violating the civil rights of Breonna Taylor and others in a March 2020 raid that resulted in Taylor’s fatal shooting by police. Jurors informed U.S. District Judge Rebecca…
“TX Legislature Votes to Seize Immigration Authority from Feds”
TX Observer: “On Tuesday evening, the Texas House passed Senate Bill 4—a precedent-shattering measure that grants immigration enforcement powers to state and local police, magistrates, and judges—possibly teeing up a major U.S. Supreme Court case down the road. SB 4 had already passed the state Senate and now heads to the desk of Governor Greg Abbott,…
“Alabama ethics law rewrite: A dangerous step toward legal corruption”
AL Political Reporter: “State Rep. Matt Simpson and his committee are the latest in line to attempt a rewrite. While there is a legitimate need to clarify and strengthen the law, the direction of these efforts should not move toward weakening the law to the brink of sanctioning what can only be termed “legal corruption.”…
“Durham DA Deberry’s entry shakes up Democratic race for NC attorney general”
North State Journal: “Durham County District Attorney Satana Deberry announced on Friday that she is running for North Carolina attorney general next year. Her candidacy shakes up a Democratic primary for the job that had appeared to swing heavily toward U.S. Rep. Jeff Jackson. Now Jackson, who got into the race two weeks ago after…
“Q&A with Mitch Landrieu: Why doesn’t Biden get credit for his achievements?”
WaPo: “Two years ago this week, President Biden signed the bipartisan infrastructure bill into law. The day before, on Nov. 14, 2021, he named former Louisiana lieutenant governor and New Orleans mayor Mitch Landrieu as his senior adviser responsible for overseeing the historic $1.2 trillion law’s implementation. Last week, I sat down with Landrieu to discuss what has been…
“Louisiana lawmakers have until Jan. 15 to enact new congressional map, court says”
AP: “The Louisiana Legislature has until Jan. 15 to enact a new congressional map after a lower court last year ruled that the current political boundaries dilute the power of the state’s Black voters, a federal New Orleans appeals court said Friday. However, whether current Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards will call a special session…
“What It Means to Be a Texan Is Changing in Surprising Ways”
NY Times: “Understanding the reality of Texas matters. With a population of over 30 million, Texas is increasingly shaping the cultural and political direction of the country. Its economy is one of the largest in the world, growing faster than the nation’s as a whole. The state has long been defined by demographic change, particularly its…