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Jesse Butler pleaded no contest to ten rape-related charges, got youthful offender status, and walked out of court with probation and community service. No prison. No sex offender registry. And if he makes it to his 19th birthday in August without incident, his record gets sealed forever. But the case isn't over. Attorney Rachel Bussett just filed a motion that could change everything. In this breakdown, we examine every legal avenue that could still put Butler behind bars. The Marsy's Law challenge arguing victims' constitutional rights were violated when the plea deal was struck minutes before the hearing. The untested statutory argument that "reverse certification" from adult to youthful offender may not even be legal in Oklahoma rape cases. The probation violation path—Butler has already missed two check-ins. The federal grand jury investigation being pushed by State Rep. JJ Humphrey. And the possibility that new victims could come forward with fresh charges. We also look at the research that makes this a public safety issue. Studies show victims of intimate partner strangulation are 750 percent more likely to be killed by that same partner. Court documents describe one victim as being 30 seconds from death. Police found video evidence of Butler strangling her unconscious—because according to affidavits, he wanted to watch it later. The DA defends the deal. The families say they were blindsided. Bussett says the system failed from beginning to end. The February 3rd hearing could reopen everything—or nothing changes and the clock runs out. This is about more than one case. It's about whether victim's rights actually mean anything, and whether the justice system protects survivors or shields the connected. #JesseButler #MarsysLaw #StillwaterOklahoma #VictimsRights #YouthfulOffender #TrueCrime #PayneCounty #CriminalJustice #RachelBussett #JusticeForSurvivors Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video? Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/@hiddenkillerspod Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspod X Twitter https://x.com/tonybpod Listen Ad-Free On Apple Podcasts Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/true-crime-today-premium-plus-ad-free-advance-episode/id1705422872
Hidden Killers With Tony Brueski | True Crime News & Commentary
Jesse Butler pleaded no contest to ten rape-related charges, got youthful offender status, and walked out of court with probation and community service. No prison. No sex offender registry. And if he makes it to his 19th birthday in August without incident, his record gets sealed forever. But the case isn't over. Attorney Rachel Bussett just filed a motion that could change everything. In this breakdown, we examine every legal avenue that could still put Butler behind bars. The Marsy's Law challenge arguing victims' constitutional rights were violated when the plea deal was struck minutes before the hearing. The untested statutory argument that "reverse certification" from adult to youthful offender may not even be legal in Oklahoma rape cases. The probation violation path—Butler has already missed two check-ins. The federal grand jury investigation being pushed by State Rep. JJ Humphrey. And the possibility that new victims could come forward with fresh charges. We also look at the research that makes this a public safety issue. Studies show victims of intimate partner strangulation are 750 percent more likely to be killed by that same partner. Court documents describe one victim as being 30 seconds from death. Police found video evidence of Butler strangling her unconscious—because according to affidavits, he wanted to watch it later. The DA defends the deal. The families say they were blindsided. Bussett says the system failed from beginning to end. The February 3rd hearing could reopen everything—or nothing changes and the clock runs out. This is about more than one case. It's about whether victim's rights actually mean anything, and whether the justice system protects survivors or shields the connected. #JesseButler #MarsysLaw #StillwaterOklahoma #VictimsRights #YouthfulOffender #TrueCrime #PayneCounty #CriminalJustice #RachelBussett #JusticeForSurvivors Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video? Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/@hiddenkillerspod Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspod X Twitter https://x.com/tonybpod Listen Ad-Free On Apple Podcasts Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/true-crime-today-premium-plus-ad-free-advance-episode/id1705422872
State Rep. Jay DeBoyer, Chair of the Michigan House Oversight Committee, joins Steve and lays out what he describes as overwhelming evidence of conflicts of interest involving Attorney General Dana Nessel. DeBoyer says the AG's lack of participation and transparency during the committee's bipartisan investigation raises serious questions about bias at the state's highest law-enforcement office. He details two cases examined by the committee, including a campaign finance matter involving a family connection and an investigation into a politically connected attorney, where subpoenas were issued, key parties were allegedly never interviewed, redactions were improperly applied, and required isolation walls were breached. DeBoyer says both files now appear closed with no enforcement action, calling the situation either gross incompetence or cronyism, and warns that when justice is tilted by personal relationships, public trust is put at risk.
WA employers cut 14,500 jobs in September and the unemployment rate held at 4.5%, which is still higher than the national average. Actor and Director Rob Reiner and his wife were tragically murdered in their LA home last night. The suspect is their son Nick Reiner. Guest: State Representative Chris Corry (R-Yakima) on the state’s response to the flooding and the anti-business climate in Washington. // Big Local: In a surprising move, King County Executive-elect Girmay Zahilay is cutting the equity and racial and social justice office. Some communities near Highway 2 are concerned about the flooding damage’s impact on the local economy. A very fortunate gambler near Tacoma turned a $2 bet into over $60k. // You Pick the Topic: The CEO of McDonald’s gave some ‘tough love’ to young workers.
Today on the Steve Gruber Show, State Rep. Gina Johnsen of Michigan's 78th District joins the conversation about the Michigan DOGE Task Force Initiative, a Republican-led effort to cut government waste, eliminate inefficiency, and restore accountability and transparency in state government. As a member of the task force, she explains how lawmakers are looking at everything from bloated administrative costs to overlapping departments so taxpayer dollars can be better directed toward veterans, families, and those truly in need, not buried in bureaucracy. Johnsen's work reflects common-sense, taxpayer-first governance and puts a spotlight on reform that aims to strengthen trust in government.
State Rep. Kim Kendall hopes to prevent another Guana debacle by creating rules around environmental land swaps.
On this edition of Bring It On!, host Clarence Boone and guest co-host Dr. Gloria Howell spend the hour with Indiana State Rep. Cherrish Pryor (D-Indianapolis) to discuss the Republican-led redistricting efforts. Rep. Pryor is the House Minority Floor Leader and a member of the House Committee on Elections and Apportionment. On Dec. 2, Indiana …
Today's episode of the America's Work Force Union Podcast spotlights Carrie Lee Patterson, a multifaceted arts professional and proud member of four unions. As an actor, director, writer and dialect coach, Patterson is affiliated with Actors' Equity Association, SAG-AFTRA, the American Guild of Musical Artists and the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers. Patterson discussed her career journey, the importance and challenges posed by artificial intelligence in the entertainment industry, her impact as an educator and her advocacy in a historic Illinois public transit campaign that united 30 different unions. America's Work Force Union Podcast welcomed Jay Edwards, Republican candidate for Ohio State Treasurer, who discussed his background and steadfast support for labor. As a former Ohio House representative hailing from Nelsonville, Ohio, Edwards has made a name for himself by defying party stereotypes and championing union issues. Edwards discussed his upbringing in southeast Ohio, his personal connection to the working class, his approach to labor relations and his vision for the office of the state Treasurer.
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:The likelihood of a major swing back away from the Donald Trump GOP in Texas, especially among Latino voters, is casting doubt on the prospects of the new congressional map benefiting Trump in the way he had intended: https://www.cnn.com/2025/12/14/politics/texas-redistricting-gop-latinos?cid=external-feeds_iluminar_msn...While they're grossed out by Henry Cuellar's recent pardon by Trump, it appears likely to play to Democrats' electoral advantage next year: https://www.texastribune.org/2025/12/15/henry-cuellar-trump-pardon-local-gop-fallout-disappointed/?_bhlid=acec7a9626e11d6a2a5d3ce13794f1944cea35a9Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett leads State Rep. James Talarico by 8 points in the first polling comparing them in the Senate race: https://www.kxan.com/news/texas-politics/jasmine-crockett-leads-james-talarico-in-first-poll-post-announcement/The Democratic primary contest between Congresswoman Julie Johnson and former Congressman Colin Allred appears to have potential for inter-party ugliness: https://www.texastribune.org/2025/12/15/north-texas-congress-colin-allred-julie-johnson-dallas-33rd-district-2026/?_bhlid=562456b20cdc6ef38105bc9c837f423f13c6295dWe hope to see you TONIGHT in Dallas for the second of our two 2025 Holiday Parties! https://progresstexas.org/blog/live-podcast-lineup-progress-texas-holiday-parties-now-releasedSee the full list of 2026 races and candidates, courtesy of Lone Star Left, HERE and HERE.Check out our web store, including our newly-expanded Humans Against Greg Abbott collection: https://store.progresstexas.org/Thanks for listening! Our monthly donors form the backbone of our funding, and if you're a regular, we'd like to invite you to join the team! Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
The parents of Jesse Butler's victims are breaking their silence — and what they're revealing is devastating. Jesse Mack Butler, 18, of Stillwater, Oklahoma, pleaded no contest to 11 felony charges including attempted rape, rape by instrumentation, and domestic assault by strangulation against two teenage girls. One victim was strangled until she lost consciousness and required surgery on her neck. Her doctor told her she was 30 seconds away from dying. Police found video on Butler's phone of him strangling the other victim. He faced 78 years in prison. Instead, a judge granted him "youthful offender" status — and he received community service, counseling, and supervision until his 19th birthday. No prison. No sex offender registry. If he complies, his record gets wiped clean. The victims' families say they were never consulted about the plea deal. Both girls were willing to testify. That choice was taken from them. Butler's father is the former Director of Football Operations at Oklahoma State University. The judge who granted youthful offender status holds two degrees from OSU. No direct impropriety has been proven — but the families and protesters are demanding answers. "Community service for this type of crime, that's nothing," one victim's father told Nightline. "People get that for minor crimes." State Rep. J.J. Humphrey is calling for a grand jury investigation. Protesters have surrounded the courthouse at every hearing. And the parents have one message for America: "Love shouldn't hurt." #JesseButler #Stillwater #Oklahoma #TrueCrime #JusticeForSurvivors #YouthfulOffender #NoJailTime #DomesticViolence #TeenDatingViolence #LoveShouldntHurt Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video? Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/@hiddenkillerspod Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspod X Twitter https://x.com/tonybpod Listen Ad-Free On Apple Podcasts Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/true-crime-today-premium-plus-ad-free-advance-episode/id1705422872
Hidden Killers With Tony Brueski | True Crime News & Commentary
The parents of Jesse Butler's victims are breaking their silence — and what they're revealing is devastating. Jesse Mack Butler, 18, of Stillwater, Oklahoma, pleaded no contest to 11 felony charges including attempted rape, rape by instrumentation, and domestic assault by strangulation against two teenage girls. One victim was strangled until she lost consciousness and required surgery on her neck. Her doctor told her she was 30 seconds away from dying. Police found video on Butler's phone of him strangling the other victim. He faced 78 years in prison. Instead, a judge granted him "youthful offender" status — and he received community service, counseling, and supervision until his 19th birthday. No prison. No sex offender registry. If he complies, his record gets wiped clean. The victims' families say they were never consulted about the plea deal. Both girls were willing to testify. That choice was taken from them. Butler's father is the former Director of Football Operations at Oklahoma State University. The judge who granted youthful offender status holds two degrees from OSU. No direct impropriety has been proven — but the families and protesters are demanding answers. "Community service for this type of crime, that's nothing," one victim's father told Nightline. "People get that for minor crimes." State Rep. J.J. Humphrey is calling for a grand jury investigation. Protesters have surrounded the courthouse at every hearing. And the parents have one message for America: "Love shouldn't hurt." #JesseButler #Stillwater #Oklahoma #TrueCrime #JusticeForSurvivors #YouthfulOffender #NoJailTime #DomesticViolence #TeenDatingViolence #LoveShouldntHurt Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video? Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/@hiddenkillerspod Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspod X Twitter https://x.com/tonybpod Listen Ad-Free On Apple Podcasts Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/true-crime-today-premium-plus-ad-free-advance-episode/id1705422872
The annual KPW legislative previews have begun! Union County Judge and new KACo President Adam Onan joins the show to talk about KACo's priorities in the 2026 legislative session. Also, candidate filings continue, a State Rep draw's Elon's ire, and there's a mess in Ann Arbor.
The parents of Jesse Butler's victims are breaking their silence — and what they're revealing is devastating. Jesse Mack Butler, 18, of Stillwater, Oklahoma, pleaded no contest to 11 felony charges including attempted rape, rape by instrumentation, and domestic assault by strangulation against two teenage girls. One victim was strangled until she lost consciousness and required surgery on her neck. Her doctor told her she was 30 seconds away from dying. Police found video on Butler's phone of him strangling the other victim. He faced 78 years in prison. Instead, a judge granted him "youthful offender" status — and he received community service, counseling, and supervision until his 19th birthday. No prison. No sex offender registry. If he complies, his record gets wiped clean. The victims' families say they were never consulted about the plea deal. Both girls were willing to testify. That choice was taken from them. Butler's father is the former Director of Football Operations at Oklahoma State University. The judge who granted youthful offender status holds two degrees from OSU. No direct impropriety has been proven — but the families and protesters are demanding answers. "Community service for this type of crime, that's nothing," one victim's father told Nightline. "People get that for minor crimes." State Rep. J.J. Humphrey is calling for a grand jury investigation. Protesters have surrounded the courthouse at every hearing. And the parents have one message for America: "Love shouldn't hurt." #JesseButler #Stillwater #Oklahoma #TrueCrime #JusticeForSurvivors #YouthfulOffender #NoJailTime #DomesticViolence #TeenDatingViolence #LoveShouldntHurt Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video? Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/@hiddenkillerspod Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspod X Twitter https://x.com/tonybpod Listen Ad-Free On Apple Podcasts Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/true-crime-today-premium-plus-ad-free-advance-episode/id1705422872
Hidden Killers With Tony Brueski | True Crime News & Commentary
The parents of Jesse Butler's victims are breaking their silence — and what they're revealing is devastating. Jesse Mack Butler, 18, of Stillwater, Oklahoma, pleaded no contest to 11 felony charges including attempted rape, rape by instrumentation, and domestic assault by strangulation against two teenage girls. One victim was strangled until she lost consciousness and required surgery on her neck. Her doctor told her she was 30 seconds away from dying. Police found video on Butler's phone of him strangling the other victim. He faced 78 years in prison. Instead, a judge granted him "youthful offender" status — and he received community service, counseling, and supervision until his 19th birthday. No prison. No sex offender registry. If he complies, his record gets wiped clean. The victims' families say they were never consulted about the plea deal. Both girls were willing to testify. That choice was taken from them. Butler's father is the former Director of Football Operations at Oklahoma State University. The judge who granted youthful offender status holds two degrees from OSU. No direct impropriety has been proven — but the families and protesters are demanding answers. "Community service for this type of crime, that's nothing," one victim's father told Nightline. "People get that for minor crimes." State Rep. J.J. Humphrey is calling for a grand jury investigation. Protesters have surrounded the courthouse at every hearing. And the parents have one message for America: "Love shouldn't hurt." #JesseButler #Stillwater #Oklahoma #TrueCrime #JusticeForSurvivors #YouthfulOffender #NoJailTime #DomesticViolence #TeenDatingViolence #LoveShouldntHurt Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video? Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/@hiddenkillerspod Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspod X Twitter https://x.com/tonybpod Listen Ad-Free On Apple Podcasts Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/true-crime-today-premium-plus-ad-free-advance-episode/id1705422872
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:Analysis of the contrast between the approaches of Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett and State Rep. James Talarico deepens and is shaping the parameters of the primary contest between them: https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2025/12/jasmine-crockett-james-talarico-texas-senate-primary-democrats-future.html...Also, Crockett's strategy to mobilize and grow the Democratic base comes into contrast with the more traditional strategy of inter-party persuasion of Talarico come into contrast: https://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/jasmine-crockett-texas-senate-race-vibes-based-political-strategy.html...Meanwhile the GOP is eager to face Crockett, claiming to have "lured" her into running for Senate: https://www.foxnews.com/video/6386303950112Lone Star Left's Michelle Davis focuses on the woefully underqualified Julie Pickren of the State Board of Education and the Democrats seeking to rid the state of her destructive influence: https://www.lonestarleft.com/p/the-2026-texas-democratic-primaries-976South Texas Democratic Candidate Etienne Rosas tried to ask Governor Greg Abbott a question at a Weslaco event earlier this week, and ended up forcibly ejected from the event by a local police officer: https://www.chron.com/politics/article/abbott-event-rosas-removed-21237141.phpConditions for detainees at a South Texas immigrant detention center are reported to have become deplorably inhumane: https://www.cnn.com/2025/12/09/politics/migrant-families-ice-detention-facility-texasSee the full list of 2026 races and candidates, courtesy of Lone Star Left, HERE and HERE.We had a blast at our first of two holiday parties in Austin, and are excited to see YOU at the second in Dallas! Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available now: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/progress-texas-holiday-parties-2025Check out our web store, including our newly-expanded Humans Against Greg Abbott collection: https://store.progresstexas.org/Thanks for listening! Our monthly donors form the backbone of our funding, and if you're a regular, we'd like to invite you to join the team! Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA) has put together a 'greatest hits' album of classic takes, and Dan revisits one of those where the Senator asks 'health experts' the simple question - 'do you support abortion up to the moment of birth for a healthy mother and a healthy infant?'Kentucky state representative Sarah Stalker (D) expresses that she 'doesn't feel good about being white every day,' and goes on to describe her white privilege. Dan and Ryan scoff at this notion.
Recording from the 15th Annual NewDEAL Leaders Conference in Washington, D.C., host Ryan Coonerty talks with New Hampshire State Representative and Democratic Leader Alexis Simpson about the importance of ethical leadership in these troubled times, how she approaches her legislative priorities, and how her weekends as a minister in her community informs how she does her job as a legislator. Ryan and Simpson also discuss New Hampshire's status as a swing state and "picker of presidents," and what all Americans need to know about how the state evaluates those who pursue our nation's highest office. Tune in to this insightful conversation. IN THIS EPISODE: • [01:04] How State Representative Alexis Simpson's role as a clergywoman informs her work in the legislature. • [04:34] The role that faith plays in helping her to find hope in troubled times and to navigate political life. • [07:51] Her journey from ministry to serving in New Hampshire's citizen legislature. • [10:43] Solution-based leadership based on an experience she had serving on the Environment and Agriculture Committee. • [12:38] Systems to organize New Hampshire's minority Democratic Party. • [14:27] Navigating struggles with the cost of living due to rising rental costs, taxes, and basic needs. • [16:29] The political state of play in New Hampshire in 2025. • [21:28] New Hampshire's key role as the picker of presidents. • [24:53] What State Representative Simpson most wants people to know about her state. • [26:57] Why social crises are more urgent than ever before. • [29:11] The importance of not losing hope in people across political barriers.
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:For the first time in half a century, Democrats are on the ballot in every single state, federal and judicial election in 2026: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zEYSRjVXZb4...The National Democratic Party and the House Democratic Campaign Committee are zeroing in on five potential State House seats to flip: https://www.texastribune.org/2025/12/10/texas-house-legislature-election-2026-national-democrats/...Lone Star Left projects runoffs in the races for Governor and Attorney General, but a likely outright primary win for State Rep. Vikki Goodwin, who is running for Lt. Governor: https://www.lonestarleft.com/p/the-2026-texas-democratic-primariesAnybody else find Governor Abbott's warning to Texas high school administrators not to resist the state installation of Turning Point USA clubs in every high school in the state a little...Hitler Youth-ish? https://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/editorials/2025/12/11/gov-abbotts-endorsement-of-turning-point-usa-doesnt-pass-smell-test/The New York Times takes a deep dive on the MAGA overrunning of UT Austin: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/10/us/university-of-texas-republicans-academic-freedom-faculty.htmlThe Texas Tribune takes a deep dive on the reasons Texas A&M ran off president Mark Welsh: https://www.texastribune.org/2025/12/11/mark-welsh-texas-a-m-president-takeaway/A growing number of promising college professor candidates are choosing to skip the headaches of teaching at Texas colleges: https://www.houstonpress.com/news/university-professors-say-they-dont-want-to-teach-in-texas/See the full list of 2026 races and candidates, courtesy of Lone Star Left, HERE and HERE.We had a blast at our first of two holiday parties in Austin, and are excited to see YOU at the second in Dallas! Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available now: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/progress-texas-holiday-parties-2025Check out our web store, including our newly-expanded Humans Against Greg Abbott collection: https://store.progresstexas.org/Thanks for listening! Our monthly donors form the backbone of our funding, and if you're a regular, we'd like to invite you to join the team! Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
Talking Family Farm Preservation Act in State Senator Andrew Chesney and State Rep. Tony McCombie. A visit with University of Illinois Collegiate Farm Bureau member Blake Twenhafel.Update from State Ag Pest Survey Coordinator Kelly Estes.Monthly update from State Treasurer Michael Frerichs.
Missouri's 2026 legislative session begins on Wednesday January 7 in Jefferson City. State Rep. John Martin, who serves on the House Elementary and Secondary Education Committee, appeared live on 939 the Eagle's "Wake Up Missouri":
4pm: Video Guest – Jim Walsh – State Rep and Chairman of The WA state GOP // Jim’s Top 3 MOST EGREGIOUS BILL contenders in 2026: HB-1380: Homeless Bill of Rights // SB-5283: Lower Sentences for Sex Criminals // HB-1399: A.G. Decertifying Sheriffs // In Jim’s “Good Laws” category; he just filed HB-2121 which would exempt schools from the new state sales tax on services // Video Guest – Jenny Mckeefry – Suncadia Christmas Controversy // John debating “the holiday tree” on the Sammamish city council
6pm: Video Guest – Jim Walsh – State Rep and Chairman of The WA state GOP // Jim’s Top 3 MOST EGREGIOUS BILL contenders in 2026: HB-1380: Homeless Bill of Rights // SB-5283: Lower Sentences for Sex Criminals // HB-1399: A.G. Decertifying Sheriffs // In Jim’s “Good Laws” category; he just filed HB-2121 which would exempt schools from the new state sales tax on services // Video Guest – Jenny Mckeefry – Suncadia Christmas Controversy // Transportation Sec. Duffy now wants to add gyms to airports
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:The Democratic primary contest between Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett and State Rep. James Talarico for the nomination for the U.S. Senate takes center stage in Texas following the filing deadline: https://www.texastribune.org/2025/12/09/jasmine-crockett-texas-senate-democratic-primary-turnout-persuasion-2026/...A bombshell NOTUS report says that the National Republican Senatorial Committee is behind manipulative polling and covert digital information seeding meant to encourage Crockett to enter the Senate race: https://www.notus.org/senate/jasmine-crockett-nrsc-texas-senate...Former Democratic nominee for Railroad Commissioner Katherine Culbert, who has filed for that same race in 2026 as a Republican, is accused of misleading Lone Star Left writer Michelle Davis about her campaign intentions as late as October: https://www.lonestarleft.com/p/how-katherine-culbert-tried-to-useAnother Democratic win after a long Republican winning streak - another sign of a building blue wave - comes as Democrat Eileen Higgins is elected mayor of Miami, Florida: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/09/miami-mayor-election-winner-eileen-higginsGovernor Abbott and Lt. Governor Dan Patrick announce the state-sponsored establishment of new Turning Point USA chapters at all Texas high schools, complete with warnings against local resistance: https://www.texastribune.org/2025/12/08/texas-turning-point-usa-greg-abbott-high-schools/A majority of the Arlington City Council, ignoring overwhelming public testimony, votes not to reinstate protections for their LGBTQ+ residents: https://www.texastribune.org/2025/12/09/arlington-texas-lgbtq-discrimination-protections/Blinn Community College in Brenham has led the charge on the bathroom bill, installing laminated paper signs designating bathrooms specifically for "biological" men and women: https://www.chron.com/culture/article/blinn-college-biological-bathroom-signs-21230334.phpAustin techbro California transplant, Palantir and University of Austin co-founder Jon Lonsdale is calling for the return of public executions of people convicted of violent crimes: https://www.chron.com/politics/article/texas-joe-lonsdale-public-executions-21230890.phpThe U.S. Supreme Court paves the way for book banning as it declines to hear an case challenging the removal of books by local officials in Llano: https://www.axios.com/2025/12/09/texas-book-removal-case-supreme-court-llano-countySee the full list of 2026 races and candidates, courtesy of Lone Star Left, HERE and HERE.We had a blast at our first of two holiday parties in Austin, and are excited to see YOU at the second in Dallas! Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available now: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/progress-texas-holiday-parties-2025Check out our web store, including our newly-expanded Humans Against Greg Abbott collection: https://store.progresstexas.org/Thanks for listening! Our monthly donors form the backbone of our funding, and if you're a regular, we'd like to invite you to join the team! Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
State Rep. Deanna Frazier Gordon ends her race for Congress, Beshear gives an update on the state's medical marijuana program, U.K. partners with Microsoft to collaborate on A.I., and how high schools are helping prepare students for college or a career.
High-profile Democratic Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett launches her campaign for the U.S. Senate. We'll look at how she'll compete in a crowded field against primary opponent State Rep. James Talarico and prospective general election foes incumbent Sen. John Cornyn and Attorney General Ken Paxton.Last month Texas voters approved funding for a dementia prevention and research institute. […] The post With Crockett in, Texas Democrats mull Senate race strategy appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.
State Rep. Jamie Thompson of Michigan's 28th District joins The Steve Gruber Show to break down the growing national fight over men competing in women's sports. Fresh off a major Title IX press conference, Thompson explains how recent federal actions have reshaped the debate, what it means for female athletes, and why so many parents, coaches, and lawmakers are sounding the alarm. She lays out the legal, cultural, and safety concerns surrounding the issue, emphasizing the need to protect fairness and opportunity for young women across Michigan and the country. A direct, unapologetic conversation about sports, rights, and the battle over Title IX's original intent.
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:As the filing deadline expires, the full picture of the primaries in the 2026 elections are set, including as expected, a Senate run for Dallas Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/08/us/colin-allred-senate-texas-primary.html...A battle is brewing between Colin Allred and Rep. Julie Johnson, who are now Democratic primary opponents for CD 33: https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/politics/elections/colin-allred-files-run-new-house-seat-also-sought-after-rep-julie-johnson/287-4a128864-f352-4034-b930-00083565eb84...A surprising move for Congressman Marc Veasey, who foregoes an eighth run for Congress and filed for Tarrant County Judge, setting up a Dem clash with Tarrant County Commissioner Alisa Simmons in that race: https://www.texastribune.org/2025/12/08/marc-veasey-tarrant-county-judge-democratic-primary-2026/Agriculture Commissioner Clayton Tucker ends up unopposed in the primary, and he notes that State Rep. Jon Rosenthal does the same in the Railroad Commissioner race - noting also that the last Democratic nominee in that race, Katherine Culbert - nominated over Progress Texas endorsee Bill Burch - filed again yesterday as a Republican: https://progresstexas.org/podcast/happy-hour-145-meet-our-progress-texas-primary-endorseesWe had a blast at our first of two holiday parties in Austin, and are excited to see YOU at the second in Dallas! Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available now: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/progress-texas-holiday-parties-2025Check out our web store, including our newly-expanded Humans Against Greg Abbott collection: https://store.progresstexas.org/Thanks for listening! Our monthly donors form the backbone of our funding, and if you're a regular, we'd like to invite you to join the team! Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
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State Rep. Brad Paquette (MI-37) joins the show to discuss the growing controversy in Lansing after an FDA memo allegedly links 10 child deaths to COVID vaccines. Despite the memo, Michigan Democrats are doubling down on childhood vaccine advocacy, raising questions about transparency, safety, and political priorities. Rep. Paquette breaks down what the memo says, what lawmakers should be doing, and why parents deserve clear answers, not more rhetoric.
This episode of Vermont Viewpoint was published 12/05/2025.
Mike Steinmeyer, Missouri State Rep On Jackxsit | 12-5-25See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How a truancy diversion program is working in a Kentucky middle school, what's next in the case against State Rep. Daniel Grossberg, how a Kentucky couple is navigating the demands of caregiving for a loved one, and a look at one Eastern Kentucky county's efforts to attract visitors.
Giganti & Giganti Fine Jewelry on Robbins Road hosts the show as guest host State Rep. Mike Coffey chats about the store's offerings with Carl Giganti. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Giganti & Giganti Fine Jewelry on Robbins Road is the site of the conversation with guest host State Rep. Mike Coffey and Josh Giganti, Jake Giganti, Kate Snyder, Chris Hembrough, Frank Coffey, Ward 7 Ald. Brad Carlson and Carl Giganti. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The holiday show from Giganti & Giganti Fine Jewelry features guest host State Rep. Mike Coffey with Sam from Mariah's Steakhouse, Shareen and Dani from BJ Grand Salon & Spa, Josh Giganti and Jake Giganti, and Mylas Copeland from Green Toyota.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On Tuesday, Matt Van Epps (R) defeated State Rep. Aftyn Behn (D) in a special election to represent Tennessee's Seventh Congressional District (TN-07). Van Epps, a former Army officer endorsed by President Donald Trump, received roughly 54% of the vote for a nine-point victory over Behn, a former social worker and community healthcare organizer. Former Rep. Mark Green's (R) resignation in July triggered the special election, and the race drew national attention and significant outside spending. Van Epps's win preserves the 220–213 majority Republicans held prior to Green's resignation. Ad-free podcasts are here!To listen to this podcast ad-free, and to enjoy our subscriber only premium content, go to ReadTangle.com to sign up!Watch our most recent live event.In October, we hosted a live event at the Irvine Barclay Theatre in Irvine, California. The evening provided us with another opportunity to meet and mingle with Tangle readers and featured a round table discussion on issues relevant to California. Executive Editor Isaac Saul hosted a discussion with Alex Thompson, Ana Kasparian, and our own Editor-at-Large Kmele Foster on immigration, gerrymandering, the 2028 presidential election, and more. Today, we're releasing the video of that full discussion. You can watch it on our YouTube channel here!You can read today's podcast here, our “Under the Radar” story here and today's “Have a nice day” story here.You can subscribe to Tangle by clicking here or drop something in our tip jar by clicking here. Take the survey: What do you think the special election signals about next year's midterms? Let us know.Our Executive Editor and Founder is Isaac Saul. Our Executive Producer is Jon Lall.This podcast was written by: Isaac Saul and edited and engineered by Dewey Thomas. Music for the podcast was produced by Diet 75.Our newsletter is edited by Managing Editor Ari Weitzman, Senior Editor Will Kaback, Lindsey Knuth, Kendall White, Bailey Saul, and Audrey Moorehead. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
State Rep. Peter Abbarno visited the YWCA Clark County domestic violence shelter to learn about housing and service gaps for survivors. He called for increased legislative support for shelter expansion and restoring financial accountability for offenders under House Bill 1169. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/rep-peter-abbarno-tours-ywca-clark-county-domestic-violence-shelter-calls-for-stronger-support-services-and-accountability-for-offenders/ #ClarkCounty #DomesticViolence #Legislation
State Representative Peggy Gossett-Seidman tells us about a bill that aims to stop Florida from selling driver data.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
State Rep. Jason Woolford (R-Howell) joins The Steve Gruber Show to discuss his push to extend Concealed Pistol License (CPL) rights to all legal adults in Michigan. Woolford breaks down why he believes responsible, law-abiding adults should have equal access to firearms protection, and how current age-based restrictions fail to reflect real-world threats or constitutional principles. The conversation dives into the legislation he's championing, what it means for personal safety, and how Michigan fits into the broader national debate over Second Amendment rights. Whether you're following gun-rights issues closely or just tuning in, this segment offers a clear look at the arguments driving one of the state's most talked-about proposals.
Jeff Farnan, Representative for Missouri's 1st district, joins Chris and Brad Young and explains how he came to create legislation that would curb artificial intelligence scams. He says AI is, 'a great tool,' but there are always going to be people taking advantage of it. He says Missouri is one of only 3 states without any 'deepfake' laws.
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4pm: Video Guest – Jim Walsh – State Rep and Chairman of The WA State GOP // WA Democrats’ latest run at taxing the state’s largest companies // Latest on the three initiative gathering efforts // Talking Sports with RY // ‘Backdoor browsing’ is the commuter guilty pleasure none of us can resist
6pm: Video Guest – Jim Walsh – State Rep and Chairman of The WA State GOP // WA Democrats’ latest run at taxing the state’s largest companies // Latest on the three initiative gathering efforts // Talking Sports with RY // ‘Backdoor browsing’ is the commuter guilty pleasure none of us can resist
State Rep. Yunker brings details of a million dollar check written to the tribes to backfill Snap benefits, was it all on the up and up? Former State Sen. Baertschiger talks with me about the drug boats, Gov Kotek war against the citizens.
A weekly magazine-style radio show featuring the voices and stories of Asians and Pacific Islanders from all corners of our community. The show is produced by a collective of media makers, deejays, and activists. Important Links We Belong Here campaign page We Belong Here Partner organizations: Asian Law Caucus |Asian Refugees United | Hmong Innovating Politics | Hmong Family Association of Lansing | Rising Voices Transcript Nina Phillips: Hello and welcome. You are tuning into APEX Express, a weekly radio show uplifting the voices and stories of Asian Americans. I'm your host Nina Phillips, and tonight we are doing something a little different. Earlier this month on Monday, November 3rd, communities of Hmong and Nepali speaking, Bhutanese Americans, fellow immigrants and allies, gathered together at a virtual [00:01:00] community event called We Belong Here. The goal: to shed light on the continued detainment and deportation of immigrant communities in the United States and the specific challenges faced by Bhutanese, Hmong, and Southeast Asian folks. Tika Basnet: When, uh, my husband got detained on April 8, I took one week after to reach out Aisa and she told me, Hey Tika, come forward, you know, your story is powerful. People need to know your story. Nina Phillips: That was the voice of Tika Basnet. Her husband, Mohan Karki is a Nepali speaking Bhutanese refugee from Ohio who has spent months in ICE detention, trapped in legal limbo. Tika has been working tirelessly to bring her husband home and shared her story with us at We Belong Here. Tonight, we are bringing you a recording of this virtual community gathering. You'll hear more from Tika about the Free Mohan Karki campaign and from Ann Vue, [00:02:00] the spouse of Lue Yang, a Hmong community leader from Michigan, who is also currently detained and facing deportation. Ann is leading the movement to Bring Lue Home, and we'll be sharing more later about how you can get involved as well and support both of these campaigns. You will also hear from state representatives of Michigan and Ohio, the music and spoken word performance of Asian Refugees United, and community tools and resources that a vital in helping to keep our immigrant loved ones safe. The host of this community event was Miko Lee, APEX producer, and a voice that you might be familiar with. Alrighty, without further ado, here's Miko. Miko Lee: We belong here. What we recognize right now is there's almost. 60,000 people being held in detention right now, immigrants that are being held in detention. It is a pandemic that is happening in our country that's impacting all of our people, and we need [00:03:00] to be able to take action. Tonight we're talking very specifically, not with this 60,000 people that are in detention now, but just two of those stories, so that you can get a sense of what is happening in the Bhutanese and Hmong communities and what's happening right now, and to talk about those particular stories and some actions you can take. First I wanna recognize that right now we are on native lands, so all of us except our original indigenous people, are from other places and I'd invite you to go into the chat and find your native land. I am speaking with you from the unceded Ohlone land, and I wanna honor these ancestors, these elders that have provided for us and provided this beautiful land for us to be on. So I invite you to share into the chat your name, your pronoun, and also what indigenous land you are living on right now in this Native American Heritage Month. Thank you so much to all of you that have joined [00:04:00] us. We are really seeing the impact of this administration on all of our peoples, and particularly tonight in terms of the Hmong and Nepali speaking, Bhutanese communities. These are communities that have been impacted, specifically refugee communities that have been impacted in incredible detrimental ways by this administration. And tonight what we really wanna do is talk to you about what is going on in our communities. We wanted to make sure we translated so that we have as much access into our communities as possible because we wanna be as inclusive of our world as we can. We Belong Here is focusing on the fact that all of us belong here. We belong in this land, and we are telling these stories tonight in the context of these sets of people particularly that have so many similarities in terms of Hmong folks who worked with our US government and worked with our US military during the Vietnam War and then came [00:05:00] here as refugees and stayed in this country to the Nepali speaking Bhutanese folks, who left their country from ethnic cleansing and then went into refugee camps and now took refuge in the United States. So these are all stories that are impactful and powerful, and it's really what it means to be American. we have come from different places. We see these attacks on our people. right now I would like to bring to the fore two empowering women, refugees themselves. Hailing from places as different as Somalia and Southeast Asia, and they're gonna talk about some of the detention and deportations that are happening right now. First I'd like to focus on Rep Mai Xiong, who's from Michigan's 13th District. I hand it over to the representative. Rep. Mai Xiong: Good evening everyone. I'm state representative, Mai Xiong, and it is a pleasure to meet all of you virtually. I'm coming to you from Warren, Macomb County, Michigan, and I represent the 13th [00:06:00] house of district, uh, the communities of Warren Roseville and St. Claire Shores. I've lived here in Michigan for over 20 years now. I came to the United States at a very young age, was born in a refugee camp and came here when I was three years old. So I grew up in Ohio. And then I moved to Michigan to attend college. Never thought that I would ever be serving in the State House. I previously served as a county commissioner here in Macomb. And, uh, last year when President Trump got elected, I had very quiet fears that as a naturalized citizen, that even I did not feel safe given the, um. The failure in our immigration system. So we have seen that play out, uh, with this administration, with the, attempts to get rid of birthright citizenship de-naturalization. And, you hear the rhetoric from officials about, deporting the worst of the worst criminal, illegal aliens. And we [00:07:00] know, as Miko mentioned in, in her introduction, that, refugees came here through a legal pathway. The Hmong in particular served alongside America during the Vietnam War and were persecuted from Laos. So my parents fled Laos. And so growing up I didn't have, uh, citizenship. Um, and so we have seen, uh, in this administration that refugees are now caught up in this, immigration effort to get rid of people who came here through legal pathways Lue is a father. He is a community leader. Uh, he is a well-respected member of our community as all of these individuals are. And at some point our system failed them and we are working extremely hard, to get their stories out. But what I have found with many of these families is that they are, uh, afraid to come forward. They are ashamed. There is a stigma involved and, uh, culturally, as many of you may [00:08:00] know, if you are of Asian American descent, and a fear of, uh, retaliation. And as the only Hmong American elected here in Michigan, I'm grateful that I have, uh, the ability to. have those connections and to be such a visible, uh, member of my community that many of these individuals. Felt comfortable enough to reach out to me. But the reality is back in July we didn't know anything other than, the number of people who were detained. And that was through a firsthand account from loved ones who you know, were accompanying their loved one and got detained. And so it was literally like trying to find missing people and then getting the word out to let them know that, hey, there's actually, there's help out there. The volunteer attorneys, the nonprofits, the Immigration Rights Center, uh, here in Michigan, I mean, everybody has been doing a phenomenal job because I think the majority, the vast majority of Americans understand that, um, these [00:09:00] individuals that are being taken out of our communities are not a, a threat to society. They are members of our community. They've lived here for decades. They have jobs, they have children. And when you when you take an individual out of our community, it actually does more harm then it does to make any one of us safe. So that's the message that I have been sharing with others, uh, not only in having a connection and being a refugee just like these individuals, but advocating for them and making it clear that these are our neighbors, these are our children's classmates, parents, and it doesn't make any one of us feel safer. One of the things I am. Upset about that I continue to talk about is that we're not actually in a immigration crisis. We share here in Michigan, we share an international border with Canada, and we have never had an issue with border security. The [00:10:00] problem is the policies that have been put in place, that these individuals have been caught up in our immigration system for decades, and it is extremely hard for them to obtain citizenship or to even know what their rights are. And so we really need, in addition to advocating for these families, we need immigration reform. Throwing money at a problem is not going to solve the problem. If anything, we have are, we are in an economic crisis. Miko Lee: Thank you so much for joining. Um, I'd love to turn the baton over to another one of our powerful women representatives, Rep. Munira Abdullah from Ohio's Ninth District. Rep Abdullah. We pass it over to you. Thank you so much. Rep. Munira Abdullahi: Uh, thank you for having me and also Rep Mai Xiong, it is really great to see you. I'm grateful to have been able to see you go from Commissioner to State Rep, doing amazing things on social media as well. I'm very, a big fan. Uh, my name is Munira Abdullahi. I represent District Nine in Ohio, which is in the Columbus area. Northland, [00:11:00] uh, Manette Park. Uh, a little bit of New Albany in Westerville city schools. Um, I'm also a refugee. My family fled Somalia and Civil War, and I was born in refugee camp in Kenya. And then we came to the United States when I was about two, three years old, uh, and ended up moving to Ohio when I was like four. First moved to Utah, salt Lake City, Utah, and then to Ohio when I was about five years old. And so I certainly understand the fear of being an immigrant in a new country and, um, struggling to belong and figure out where are your place is. And, and also just adjusting to a whole new society, um, with the language barriers and, and all of the the barriers are in the way. And then that fear of, your immigration status. You know, before my parents were, you know, passed their, their, uh, citizenship test, right. It was very scary. Um, and I know many families who feel the same way right now, especially with this new administration. Um, with the OCE raids that are happening that are really disrupting our communities and our [00:12:00] families. Um, we have a, a, a cons, a constituent of mine, um, who is now, uh, in prison. We have, uh, have a couple actually. One is Leonardo Faso, and then I know one we're gonna talk about soon is Mohan Karki, who is his family, I believe, is on this call. Uh, and he was taken by ICE. And he's, uh, you know, the, the breadwinner and the, the caregiver of his family. And so it's really important not to forget that a lot of these people who are being taken by ICE are like the breadwinners and, and, and the caretakers of these families. And now the family's left with a hole, uh, in their, in their home. And so, we really need to remember to take care of these families. I know there's gonna be a GoFundMe that that will be shared. Um, but finding these families and supporting them. Um, in any way that we can monetary, you know, checking on them, giving, you know, helping them with food. Now we have SNAP benefits are being cut for many, many, many Americans. We are struggling as is, but immigrants in particular are struggling a lot, lot more, um, with these raids and, and with the uncertainties. But one thing I wanna remind everyone is that, you know, through community we [00:13:00] find strength. And so that, um, understanding, you know, where our communities are, where people are suffering and finding our place and helping with that, right? Whether that might, might be, uh, maybe we have the financial capabilities to, to support, maybe we can cook for someone. Um, maybe we can advocate where, where we have the ability to advocate. Whatever we can do, we have a responsibility to do it. Um, and there are successes. I know in Ohio it's a little different where we can't really advocate anything on the state level because it's like they, we just make things worse. We're in a very rough, super minority, the Democrats and super minority, and we have bills in the State House we're trying to fight against that are trying to make it worse, where we're trying to get rid of Republicans in the State House are trying to get rid of like a sanctuary cities, um, and penalize cities that don't engage, uh, or don't cooperate with ICE. Um, we have currently a bill, which actually this is, this might be more of a, on a positive note, is we had a bill house bill one. That sought to ban immigrants, certain immigrants from owning land in certain areas. [00:14:00] But because of community engagement, because of advocacy, because of collaboration with community advocacy groups, that Bill was effectively paused. Like, as of now, it's paused because people came and advocated. They spoke to their representatives, they testified, they called, they protested, um, they had press conferences. They brought so much attention to the bill, and it just became so. Obvious that people don't want this bill. And that pressure really got to the majority in the State House. And that bill has been paused, right? It was created to keep Chinese Americans from buying land specifically. Um, and that list can change, by the way. It's an, it's a, a rotating list. The Secretary of State can add whatever countries that they want to, that list, so it's very harmful. But the Asian American community came together alongside with us representatives in the State House and, and effectively like paused that bill. So there's there are positive things we could, we could achieve as a community when we fight together and communicate and stand with one another regardless of our nationality. We're all struggling here. We're [00:15:00] all in the same place. We're all, uh, in need of one another. And that's why I was reminding people was like, when we are in need of one another. And when one person is struggling, we should all be feeling that. Miko Lee: Thank you Rep Munira. Thank you so much for joining us. And yes, we are all part of a collective community that needs to be working together. And Rep Munira talked about Mohan Karki and next we're gonna see a short video performance that was created by Asian refugees United, uh, Maxine Hong Kingston said, “in a time of destruction, create something”. So we're gonna watch this video that was created. Uh, it's a shortcut of a performance by Asian Refugees United. Nina Phillips: Hello, it's APEX Express host Nina Phillips here chiming in with a couple words on this performance. It's a very music and spoken word forward piece, so you should get a good sense of the production through just the audio. The youth performers from Asian Refugees United do a wonderful job of embodying the story of Mohan Karki and his family through music and [00:16:00] movement and dance as well. Very evocative. If you'd like to see this short video clip in full, with the visuals, please visit the website of Asian Americans for Civil Rights and Equality. That's accre.org/our-voices/webelonghere. Enjoy the show. ARU Performer: Mohan Karki, I was detained by an ICE officer to be deported to a country that I never been to. A country. That I don't belong to [00:17:00] a country I wasn't born to, that I don't speak the language of. When they moved me to a detention center in Michigan, I called my wife Tika. They're taking me, I told her my voice was calm, but inside I was breaking into a million pieces. It felt like a goodbye, not just to her, but to the life we built together to the dreams that we planted seeds for. I was just 17 years old when I decided who I was before I could even speak up for myself. I stand here as a victim of an unjust system that never gave me a chance.[00:18:00] I am a man with purpose. I worked hard. I drove trucks. I supported my family, and I loved my wife Tika, and waited for the day that I would finally meet our baby. [Speaks in Nepali] How do I tell my daughter that leaving her was never my choice? Now I wait for the news. Now would completely change everything. Will they send me back to Bhutan? Will I be deported like the ones before me? No one talks about what happens to us [00:19:00] once we're gone. We vanish. Into silence. Where do I belong? You belong here. They belong here. We belong here. [Singing in Nepali] [Speaks in Nepali] What type of future do we wanna build? A future where we can all belong? A future where we can coexist, [00:20:00] coexist in nature. And coexist with each other. A future where another Mohan Karki does not have to fear of being displaced all over again. A future where Mohan Karki does not have to be separated from his new born baby girl. A place where people like Mohan Carkey can have home, a future and community, a future with family, a future and harmony. A future to heal. A future to grow. Above all, a future to belong. I hope the future is more generous to all of us. [Singing in [00:21:00] Nepali] Miko Lee: Can you all give it up in the chat for those performers. Nawal was our interpreter at the very beginning of this, and to show the power of how art can transform things at that performance, the ACLU was there. And actually because of that, we were able to find a pro bono lawyer to be able to help with one of, uh, Mohans Habeas Corpuses cases and just that's an example of Asian refugees United, that was their work before all of these detentions were going on. It was youth empowerment and storytelling, but they had to pivot, given the shape of our world. I wanna transition us to our panel of speakers of powerful. Again, powerful women. [00:22:00] Um, Ann Vue who is the spouse of Lue Yang, Tika Bassett, who is the spouse of Mohan Karki and Aisa Villarosa, who has been our brilliant, dedicated lawyer from Asian Law Caucus working on this. So we're not gonna go over and tell the entire stories of each of these people and what happened to them. And if you want that, you can listen to the radio show that we did on APEX Express. Tika, I wanted to start with you and just hear from you, what is your response after watching that video about your husband? Tika Basnet: Yeah, it is really beautiful story. Um, thank you ARU for, um, representing my husband story. Um, it just make, make me cry and I was crying while watching the video and it remind me what happened. Since seven month ago. And, um, yeah. Hi, my name is Tika Basnet. I'm from Ohio and I've been fighting for my husband deportation and detention since seven month ago. Without the community and without all the [00:23:00] support that I got from organization, I don't think it is possible that my husband will still be here. And the reason that this is possible is because I reach out to them without getting fear, without getting afraid of what will happen if I speak outside. So, um, yeah, um, it is really difficult. What is going on right now. Sometime I don't wanna speak because of the current policy. Uh, it make me feel, even though I'm US citizen, um, sometime I feel like if I speak something against the policy, I, they will might, they might gonna take my citizenship away. And then, um, I realized that, if I speak then it'll help me. Right now, um, ICE is not letting my husband come home, even though it is been seven month and our attorney try everything in a possible way. Uh, the ICE is not letting my husband come out. I dunno how long it'll take. I don't know. don't wanna, yeah. Thank you. Miko Lee: No, you can speak more. Tika. Do you wanna add? Tika Basnet: Yeah, um, especially I wanna thank you [00:24:00] ARU and Aisa and Miko. Everything is happening right now is because of them, because I reached out to them. If I did not, I feel like my husband is story will be one of those Bhutanese people that disappear. I don't know what happened to them. I hope, uh, the reason that I'm fighting for my husband case is because he deserve fear. Uh, he has a family member here. He has a community that loves him. He was supporting his parent, he was supporting us. We don't have a country. Um, this is our country and we belong here. Thank you. Miko Lee: You. Thank you, Tika. I wanna bring Ann Vue up to speak about your husband, Lue Yang and his case and what's going on with his case. Very complicated case. What is going on with his case right now? Ann Vue: So first of all, Thank you guys so much for. Giving Tika and I this space just to share our stories of families who are fighting every day, um, just to stay together. So [00:25:00] currently with Lue's case right now we are, we just got his, um, stay of removal approved the emergency stay of removal approved. I might, um, have the right lingo for that, but, uh, so as of October 22nd our Michigan governor's, pardon was issued for Lue. So we were so grateful for that. I know our, our Michigan lawmakers are working around the clock uh, Michigan DHS team to bring him back to Michigan, uh, where we have a petition currently filed for his release while his case, uh, is ongoing. Miko Lee: Thanks Ann. And I just wanna point out that there's in, even though these communities are distinct and these two men are distinct, beautiful individuals, there are so many commonalities between the two. Um, both born in refugee camps, both in one case, the Bhutanese, the Nepali speaking Bhutanese, folks having escaped ethnic cleansing to then go to a. Uh, [00:26:00] refugee camp to then come to the US and in another families who worked with the American government in the Secret War in Vietnam, who then again became refugees and came to the US. Two young men who when they were young, like very young, um, with their peers, were involved in incidents that had, uh, really bad legal advice. That did not help them in the process. And that is why even though they're amazing contributing members in our current society, they have this past old, almost like childhood record that is impacting them. And both of them are impacted by statelessness because. Even though they're being deported, they're being deported to a place of which it is not their home. They might not speak that language. They might not have connections with that. Their home is here in America. Um, that is why we say use the terminology we belong here. Um, before we go a little bit more into personal stories [00:27:00] I saw from Asian Law Caucus, I wonder if you can give a little bit of an overview about the broader, legal actions that are taking place around these kidnappings. Aisa Villarosa: Yeah, thanks Miko. And just huge love to Ann and Tika. Reiterating that these are two refugee communities bonded through not just this frustrating, heartbreaking experience, um, but also this, this solidarity that's building. To share Miko, about the broader legal ramifications, and there was a question in the chat about what's the big deal about a stay of removal? So just for starters, the system that Mohan and Lue got pulled into can be lightning quick with removing folks. Part of this is because Mohan, Lue, so many folks in refugee communities all across the country years and years ago, perhaps when they were teenagers, just like Mohan and Lue, uh, there might have been some sort of, run in with law enforcement. Oftentimes racial profiling [00:28:00] can be involved, especially with the over-policing, right in our country, decades later, after living peacefully in their communities. Oftentimes decades after an immigration judge said to Mohan, said to Lue, you are not a safety risk. You are not a threat to the community. You've done your time. You can come home. Uh, maybe some folks had some ICE check-ins that they would come to every year. Um, and then with this administration, this unprecedented attack on immigrant and refugee rights, that is when we started to see for the very first time as folks have mentioned, these broad deportations, uh, to countries that previously were not accepting refugees primarily because that is the same country of their ancestral persecution. Um, in some cases they have zero connection to the country. Um, and in cases like the Bhutanese refugees, they're actually [00:29:00] expelled from Bhutan when they're removed. Again, all this is happening for the very first time. There are some serious legal questions with due process. Even if immigration court does run on a similar track as a lot of our other court systems, there's still a duty of fairness and often that duty is completely neglected. Nina Phillips: You are tuned into Apex Express on 94.1 KPFA, 89.3 KPFB in Berkeley, 88.1 KFCF in Fresno and online@kpfa.org. Coming up is Klezmer Dances II by The Daniel Pelton Collective. [00:30:00] [00:31:00] [00:32:00] That was Klezmer Dances II by The Daniel Pelton Collective. You are tuned into APEX Express [00:33:00] on 94.1 KPFA. Now back to Miko and her conversation with Tika Basnet and Ann Vue. Two incredibly strong women who are leading campaigns to bring home their respective spouses from ICE detention, and Aisa Villarosa with the Asian Law Caucus. Miko Lee: I would love to speak to a little bit more of the uplifting power of these women that are being highlighted right now. And I'm wondering both for Ann and Tika, if you could talk a little bit about your sense of resilience. because both of your spouses were, even though when they were youth, there were systems impacted in our Asian American communities. There's some shame that's associated with that. And so some people have been really hesitant to speak out. Can you talk a little bit about what encouraged you to speak out on behalf of your husband and how that has made a difference for you in the community? And I'm gonna start with Ann first. Ann Vue: So I would say, um. In the [00:34:00] beginning when Lue was first detained on July 15th. I was scared. I am the first generation born American, uh, um, right here in Michigan. And even myself, I was so scared to say anything to anyone. I remember getting that call from Lue and it just felt so unreal. Quickly playing back to 2008, uh, which would be the third time that the embassy, Laos and Thailand both rejected Lue's entry and how his immigration officer was like, don't wait, start your life. And then fast forwarding it to what had happened, I was scared and, um. Lue and I are both, uh, Hmong community leaders as well. And Lue, of course, um, being president of the Hmong Family Association, him and I decided we're gonna keep a little quiet at first, and I started getting [00:35:00] calls from our Hmong community members. Uh, in concern to them receiving a letter, which is all dated for the same time at the same place that is not usual, where people would normally go see their immigration officer. And immediately that weekend I went to go visit him and I, it was explaining to him that I have received nine calls and I don't know what to do in immediately he. I think that the urgency around his people created that fear and immediately he was like, Hey, we've gotta start talking. You've gotta call you. You have to start making calls. Because he was detained on the 15th. On the 15th, which was Tuesday, and these letters were mailed to the community on that Friday. And immediately him and I started talking more and more and he said, “we have a 50-50 chance. If you don't fight for me and the others, then. We get sent back, you're gonna regret that for the rest of your life or [00:36:00] you fight for us. And as long as you fought all the way till the end, whatever happens, we can live with that”. And immediately, I remember speaking to, uh, attorney Nancy, and I've been mentioning to her that I wanna call, I wanna call Rep Mai. And I wanted to call Commissioner Carolyn Wright and she was like, well make the call and I'm glad that she didn't wait. And she just said, Hey, you know what? She just started talking and immediately Rep Mai called and that's how it kind of started this whole journey. So I am so thankful that I did. I did voice it out because I myself, even as a community leader, I felt hopeless. I felt like as loud as I am, everyone that I, for the first time had no voice. It became, became lonely. I became scared. Because they've got a, you know, we have a family, right, that we're raising together with small children. So I'm glad that we did, uh, [00:37:00] share our story and I'm glad that it is out. And, and that it, it opened the key to many other Southeast Asian families to do the same as well too. Miko Lee: Thank you so much, Anna. And I remember you saying that even Lue was speaking with folks in Spanish to get their stories and share them out as well. Ann Vue: He had to learn it! And you know, I will say that with this whole detention thing, it doesn't just detain our person. It detains our whole family. We're all a part of this, you know? And so, you know, Lue had to learn how to count so he can give the numbers 'cause he was doing it with his hand motions. Because it's a hard system, it's a very complex system to navigate, which is how people go disappearing. And so for him to be able to reach out. Give me phone numbers to these families, regardless. Love beyond borders, right? And I was able to reach out to these families so that that way they know where their person was and [00:38:00] help them get set up so they can, so their families can call them. Miko Lee: Thank you so much for doing that. And you and your husband, both as organizers and continuing to be organizers even when locked up. Tika, I wanna turn it to you and ask about the courage it took to speak up and what keeps you going. Tika Basnet: Yes. So when, uh, my husband got detained on April 8, I took one week after to reach out Aisa and she told me, Hey Tika, come forward. You know, your story is powerful. People need to know your story. And I told first thing to Aisa is our community is very just mental. They doesn't understand. And I've been looking at the video where our Bhutanese people get detained and deported and on common section, the first thing that I noticed was people are commenting, oh, these people are criminal. They are, maybe they, um, kill someone or they rape someone, you know, without. Understanding the people's story. And I, I [00:39:00] was thinking the same, whatever, if I come forward, will they gonna understand my story? Will they gonna talk to me? Will they gonna ask me personally, what is going on? And I actually same as Ann, I, um, I. Was scared to come out. I did not come out in two within two, two months, you know, when, uh, I tried to deport my husband on my due date that I was about to give birth, um, BIA, uh, grant, day of removal, you know, in two month I was crying alone. I was messaging Aisa and I was telling all my pain. And then when they stop my husband deport his son and that day, um. Aisa and ARU, everybody encouraged me. Like, you know, you need to come forward. People need to know your story. And then that day I decide, and I also remember that, um, within one minute after I gave birth, I was messaging, uh, ARU team I think his name [00:40:00] is Pravin or something. I was messaging him, Hey, I'm ready to give, uh, interview. I'm ready to give uh, a story. And that day I decide like I wanna come forward. I don't care what society is thinking, I'm the one that going through and people need to know my story. And, uh, I think, uh, and also I look at my daughter, you know, I don't want, um, her to think that I did not fight for her dad. You know, I want her to think like her mom is, is strong enough to fight and looking at her. That gave me so much power and yeah. And now like give, getting a lot of support, a lot of love is give me like, you know, I, I feel like, um, I wouldn't, uh, get all the support if I was scared and did not, uh, talk about my story. So now like receiving a lot of love from everywhere and that give me couraged to continue and talk about my husband's deportation. Miko Lee: Thank you, Tika. And I wanna recognize that we're running late, but we're gonna get through it if those of you could stay with us a little bit [00:41:00] longer. My one more question to both Ann and Tika is what message do you have for people that are experiencing this right now? Because this, as we said, 60,000 people are detained right now. Your spouses, we, as we have said, it's not just you with your, the children, the grandparents, all the other people. What advice do you have for other folks that are going through this and do you have a message for those folks? Ann Vue: I would say, um, for anyone who is going through what Tika and I and the many are going through that, um, make sure you document everything, get your loved ones Alien Number because you want to track it as you go. Build your circle. Know that you are not alone. Uh, reach out. I'm still learning as I go too. And it's unfortunate that we as family, like have to become attorneys overnight and learn to as well. But make sure that you guys, that you know that you're not alone you know that [00:42:00] we're not fighting the system. We're fighting a system that. Hopes, uh, that we get tired of fighting it. And the moment that you speak up, they can't disappear your loved one quietly. And I am a very big, um, firm believer. There's this scripture that has always carried Lue and I and, uh, I, I can't stress on it enough. And especially to all of those, to all of our, everybody that's on tonight. And beyond that, uh, there's a scripture. It's a Proverbs, right? 3:27-28 that says, “Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is your power to act”. And so thank you to those who continues to act when action is really within your reach and. We belong here, our families belong here. And compassion delayed is really compassion denied. And so don't fight alone 'cause that's what they are hoping that we will fight alone, [00:43:00] but we're together in this. Miko Lee: Beautiful, thanks. And Tika, what about you? What advice do you have for other people that are experiencing this with family members? Tika Basnet: So, yeah, um, I'm encouraging everyone like we experiencing this deportation for the first time or. Come forward. You never know. You know how many support you will get. Looking at Ann and my story that if we did not reach out to the community, I don't think our husband will be here at the moment. So you are the one who going through the pain and, uh, sharing your pain will make you at least a relief and you never know. Your husband Deportes and will stop. You will get like support from, from community. So ICE is not deporting only your husband or your like wife or someone, they are deporting your dream, your hope. So when they try to deport my husband, they were deporting my husband, uh, my [00:44:00] daughter future, the future that we talk about. So I am telling everyone that come forward. Story, your story, and you'll get lot of love. You'll get lot of support. And if I did not talk before, I don't think my husband will be here. He'll be one of the person that disappear long time ago. So yeah, please come forward and see your story. And the last thing is, I wanna say we belong here. This is our home and our future is here. Miko Lee: Thank you so much, Tika. Um, Aisa, I wanna turn it over to you. Ann was saying suddenly we have to become lawyers and, and so can you talk about, and even like with Lue's case, it was suddenly he got pardoned at the last minute when he was on a deportation plane, and then it was like, oh, that should fix everything, but it doesn't, so can you talk a little bit about some of the legal ramifications that people should know about? Aisa Villarosa: Sure. And just to say, Mohan, Lue, Tika, Ann, I mean, y'all have lived [00:45:00] several movies in, in just the span of months the amount of stress, both you yourselves as the lead advocate, your families. Uh, so, so for folks watching this is literally Mohan and Lue getting like pulled off planes because of the shared advocacy here, uh, which starts with the decision to speak out. Um, and for folks in the room who aren't sure whether they want to share their story, you know, we're not saying, oh, go to the press so much of it. Involves just opening your heart to a trusted person. Um, many of those people are here in this room uh, my organization, Asian Law Caucus. Uh, in a minute we'll share some links for some of our resources. Uh, the wonderful folks at ARU, there's such a full crew, and if you're part of a community, especially the many, many, too many refugee communities being targeted. You are not alone. So in terms of what the legal battle [00:46:00] looks like, another thing to remember is that for any case, there's usually a, a wave of folks that's needed, uh, for Lue, for Mohan. That's multiple states sometimes because in the immigration world, for example, you could have a very, very old final order of removal. So this is essentially the order that is put forward by an immigration judge. That technically allows a lot of these awful deportations and disappearances to take place. The battle to fight that can be multi-state, uh, multi-issue. So you're talking to a criminal defense attorney, you're talking to an immigrant rights attorney. Uh, but going back to that trust, just talk to someone who both you can trust and someone who has a good lay of the land because these cases are incredibly complex. Folks I work with, sometimes they're physically driving to a law office. Someone named Emily is on the call. You know, we drove to a law office. Turns [00:47:00] out the record we were looking for was, was too old. The, that previous attorney didn't have the record on file. There are so many practical challenges you don't anticipate. So the sooner you do that math and just open your story up, um, to, to a loved one, to a trusted one. And in a little bit we're, we'll share more links for what that process looks like. Miko Lee: So we're gonna move into that call to action. We're running a bit over time, so if you could hang with us for a couple more minutes. Um, we want to one, thank all of our amazing guests so far and then move to our call to action. What can you do? A bunch of people are throwing things into the chat. We're gonna start with Rising Voices. Oh, I guess we're gonna start with OPAWL and Sonya is gonna share about OPAWL's work and the call to action there. Sonya (OPAWL): Hi everyone. My name is Sonya Kapur. I live in Columbus, Ohio, and I'm a member of OPAWL Building AAPI Feminist leadership. I'd like to share a little bit about our efforts to support Mohans Campaign for Freedom and encourage you to donate to [00:48:00] Mohans GoFundMe to cover his legal fees, and the link to the GoFundMe will be in the chat. With the funds raised so far, Tika and Mohan were able to hire a seasoned attorney to review Mohans court documents and work on his case. So your donations will allow Mohan to continue working with his legal team as we fight to bring him home. So even five or $10 will help us get closer to reuniting Mohan with his family and community here in Ohio. A really fun piece of this is that a local, Columbus based illustrator and OPA member Erin Siao, has also created a beautiful art fundraiser to help raise more funds from Mohans release campaign. So when you donate to Mohans GoFundMe between now and November 15th, you receive a complimentary five by seven art print of your choice. Families belong together on the right or on the left. To receive a print, you just email Erin and her. Email address will also be in the [00:49:00] chat, a screenshot of your donation confirmation along with your name and address. You can also send a direct message of the screenshot to her Instagram account, so please consider uplifting our art fundraiser on social media. Encourage others to donate to the GoFundMe and share Mohans story with your family and friends. Miko Lee: Thanks, Sonya and Opal, and we'll turn it over to Emily at Rising Voices. Emily (Rising Voices): Hi, thank you. Um, rising Voices is one of the, uh, many members helping bring Lue Yang home. Just wanna share that. We do have a online petition going that directs you to email the ice field office in Detroit, pressuring them to bring him home. Um, there's also a number to call with a script provided. So nothing has to be reinvented. We please, please encourage you to share this out, and you do not have to be from Michigan to make a call or email every single email. And, all counts. And we also do have a GoFundMe for [00:50:00] him and his family. As we all know legal file, legal fees pile up, so anything counts. Thank you so much everyone. Miko Lee: Thanks Emily. Now we're gonna pass it over to Nawal talking about this event which is connected to disappeared in America. Nawal Rai: Hi everyone. I'm Nawal here again and yeah, so We Belong Here. Uh, today's event was part of the Disappeared in America Weekend of Action, which is a national mobilization action to protect immigrants, uh, expose corporate complicity and honor the lives lost in detention and across America more than 150 towns and cities held. Um. Weekend of Collective action this weekend on November 1st and second, standing in solidarity with immigrants families, uh, from holding freedom vigils outside of ICE facilities to via de Los Mortis gathering, honoring life's lost in detentions to ice out of Home Depot actions. Calling out corporate complicity this weekend was a resounding nation nationwide call for compassion, dignity, and [00:51:00] democracy, and demanding justice and due process for all. The National Action was organized by the Coalition of Partners, including National Day Labor Organizing Network, Detention Watch Network, the Worker Circle, public ci, uh, citizen, and many allied organization across the country. Thank you all. Thank you for joining us today. Miko Lee: Thank you to everyone for showing up today. We thank all of our speakers, all of our many partner organizations. As we were saying, it takes many of us working together collectively. Even though we said there's 60,000 people detained. There are so many more than that. We know that immigrants contribute and refugees contribute immensely to the American experience, and we want everyone to know that we belong here. All of us belong here. This is our home. Thank you so much for joining us all. We appreciate all of you, the interpreters, the translators, the folks behind the scene who helped to make this event happen. Um, shout out to Cheryl Truong [00:52:00] and Nina Phillips for really doing all the tech behind this. And to all of you for showing up tonight, we need each and every one of you to participate to show that you are part of the beloved community, that you are part of believing that America can be a place filled with beloved love instead of hatred. Um, so I would love you all to just all together. Shout out. We belong here. 1, 2, 3. Event Attendees: We belong here. We belong here. We belong here. Miko Lee: Have a great night, and thank you all for joining us. Nina Phillips: This was a recording of a virtual community gathering that took place earlier this month on Monday, November 3rd. It was made [00:53:00] possible by We Belong Here, a coalition of immigrant rights organizations, Asian Americans for Civil Rights and Equality, Asian Refugees United, Asian Law Caucus, Hmong Family Association Lansing, Hmong Innovative Politics, OPAWL and Rising Voices. As I mentioned earlier, you can watch the phenomenal video performance from Asian Refugees United on the website of Asian Americans for Civil Rights and Equality. That's aacre.org/our-voices/webelonghere There's also up-to-date information on how best you can support both the Free Mohan Karki and Bring Lu Home campaigns. We thank all of you listeners out there. Keep resisting, keep organizing. Your voices are important. Let's keep immigrant families together. To close out. Here's a little more from the video performance. [00:54:00] [00:55:00] [00:56:00] [00:57:00] Nina Phillips: For show notes, please check out our website, kpfa.org/program/APEX-express. APEX Express is a collective of activists that include Ama Keane-Lee, Anuj Vaidya, Cheryl Truong, Jalena Keane-Lee, Miko Lee, Nina Phillips, Preeti Mangala Shekar, and Swati Rayasam. Tonight's show was produced by me, Nina Phillips. Get some rest, y'all. Good night. The post APEX Express – November 27, 2025 – We Belong Here: Bhutanese & HMoob Americans in the Struggle Against Statelessness appeared first on KPFA.
With a Republican majority in both the House and Senate, it's more crucial than ever for Democrats to regain power in our government. Steve Schmidt sits down with Tennessee State Rep. Aftyn Behn to discuss the importance of Democratic victories in local and state elections. Check out my full conversation with Rep. Behn on Substack - https://steveschmidt.substack.com/p/bringing-accountability-back-to-tennessee Subscribe for more and follow me here:Substack: https://steveschmidt.substack.com/subscribeStore: https://thewarningwithsteveschmidt.com/Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thewarningses.bsky.socialFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/SteveSchmidtSES/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thewarningsesInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewarningses/X: https://x.com/SteveSchmidtSESSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this episode of American Potential, host David From sits down with Montana State Representative Gary Perry, Chair of the House Energy & Technology Committee, to discuss how Montana can remain a leader in energy production while preparing for the future. Perry outlines his vision for expanding coal and small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs), strengthening transmission infrastructure, and ensuring Montana stays a net energy exporter in the West. He also shares how reliable, affordable energy supports local jobs and keeps Montana's rural communities strong, while explaining the importance of regional cooperation with neighboring states and Canada to stabilize the grid. From Colstrip's legacy to next-generation nuclear, Perry lays out a clear, common-sense path to energy abundance and economic growth for Big Sky Country.
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