Author: Reporter

U.S. Democratic process in jeopardy as GOP state legislatures seek control of local election offices

Lawmakers in several Republican-led states have been looking to exert more authority over state and local election offices, claiming new powers that Democrats warn could be used to target left-leaning counties in future elections. The moves range from requiring legislative approval of court settlements in election-related lawsuits to creating paths for taking over local election offices. In North Carolina, a Republican proposal working its way through the General Assembly would change the composition of state and county election boards and give lawmakers sole authority to appoint board members. Republican lawmakers in Texas recently approved legislation that not only eliminates...

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Trends show political migrations to red and blue states are further driving America’s polarization

Once he and his wife, Jennifer, moved to a Boise suburb last year, Tim Kohl could finally express himself. Kohl did what the couple never dared at their previous house outside Los Angeles, the newly-retired Los Angeles police officer flew a U.S. flag and a “Thin Blue Line” banner representing law enforcement outside his house. “We were scared to put it up,” Jennifer Kohl acknowledged. But the Kohls knew they had moved to the right place when neighbors complimented him on the display. Leah Dean is on the opposite end of the political spectrum, but she knows how the...

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CDC analysis finds overall gun suicide rate in America hit an all-time high in 2022

About 49,500 people took their own lives last year in the United States, the highest number ever, according to new government data posted in August. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which posted the numbers, has not yet calculated a suicide rate for the year, but available data suggests suicides are more common in the U.S. than at any time since the dawn of World War II. “There’s something wrong. The number should not be going up,” said Christina Wilbur, a 45-year-old Florida woman whose son shot himself to death last year. “My son should not have died,”...

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Biden’s decision to stand in UAW picket line makes him first sitting president to join an ongoing strike

President Joe Biden joined United Auto Workers strikers on their picket line on September 26 as their work stoppage against major carmakers hit day 12, a demonstration of support for organized labor unparalleled in presidential history. “You deserve the significant raise you need,” President Biden said through a bullhorn while wearing a union baseball cap after arriving at a General Motors parts distribution warehouse located in a suburb west of Detroit. He walked along the picket line, exchanging fist bumps with grinning workers. He encouraged them to continue fighting for better wages despite concerns that a prolonged strike could...

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Trump to bypass second Republican presidential debate to promote lie that he supports Union workers

When former President Donald Trump visits Detroit on September 27, he will be looking to divert blistering criticisms from a United Auto Workers union leadership that has said a second term for him would be a “disaster” for workers. Trump will bypass the second Republican presidential debate that day to instead visit striking autoworkers in Michigan, where he has looked to position himself as an ally of blue-collar workers by promising to raise wages and protect jobs if elected to a second term. But union leaders say Trump’s record in the White House speaks for itself. Union leaders have...

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Advocate for Ukraine: General Mark Milley leaves behind tangled legacy as he steps down as chairman

On a frigid U.S. air base in Germany, the top U.S. military officer was in his element. Striding along the training area in his fatigues, Army Gen. Mark Milley bellowed at the Ukrainian troops gathered around him. “Slava Ukraini!” he hollered, again and again, the “glory to Ukraine” battle cry. A bit nervously, the Ukrainians shouted back the traditional response, “Heroyam slava,” meaning glory to the heroes. It was a classic scene of a powerful general rallying the troops, but one that would have made Biden administration officials wince. They have consistently stressed that this is Ukraine’s war, not...

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