Podcast appearances and mentions of virginia democrats

Governor Glenn Youngkin has again vetoed legislation Virginia Democrats say will protect abortion access from future U.S. Supreme Court action. Republicans feared it would open up doctors to legal liability, but the bill's authors disagree. Brad Kutner has more.

The Trump administration revokes the visas of two international UVa alumni, among around three dozen statewide… Recent federal policy changes could affect the management of our local national forests… Virginia Democrats, leaning into attacks on Elon Musk, outraise Republicans by millions, and Jeff Schapiro has analysis….

US President Donald Trump unveiled a new tariff policy on Wednesday afternoon to impose new tariffs on nearly all US trading partners, including a 34 percent levy on China.美国总统唐纳德·特朗普于当地时间周三下午宣布实施新的关税政策，将对包括中国在内的几乎所有美国贸易伙伴加征新关税，其中对中国商品将征收34%的关税。Trump, speaking from the White House Rose Garden, announced an "economic emergency", introducing a 10 percent "baseline" tariff on imported goods and additional punitive tariffs targeting around 60 countries with what he called "unfair trade practices".在白宫玫瑰园发表讲话时，特朗普宣布美国进入"经济紧急状态"，提出对进口商品征收10%的"基准"关税，并对约60个存在所谓"不公平贸易行为"的国家加征惩罚性关税。Trump said the tariff on all countries, except Canada and Mexico, will take effect on Saturday. He also announced that there would be "individualized" tariffs for countries that have the largest trade deficits with the United States, which would go into effect on April 9.特朗普表示，除加拿大和墨西哥外，针对所有国家的关税将于本周六生效。他还宣布，对美存在最大贸易逆差的国家将实施"差别化"关税政策，该措施将于4月9日生效。"For decades, our country has been looted, pillaged, raped and plundered by nations near and far, both friend and foe alike," Trump said, claiming that the tariffs were designed to boost domestic manufacturing."数十年来，我们的国家被远近邻邦、盟友与对手共同掠夺、劫掠、压榨和剥削。"特朗普声称，这些关税政策旨在重振美国制造业。During his remarks, Trump displayed a chart detailing various US trading partners, highlighting what he claimed were the tariffs those countries imposed on the United States. He then proposed that the US would apply reciprocal tariffs at half the rate charged by each nation, including China's alleged 67 percent effective tariff rate when factoring in "currency manipulation and trade barriers".在演讲过程中，特朗普展示了一份详细列举美国各贸易伙伴的图表，重点强调他声称的这些国家对美征收的关税水平。他进而提出，美国将按各国现行税率的一半征收对等关税，其中包括在考虑"货币操纵和贸易壁垒"因素后，中国据称实施的67%实际有效关税。China, a central focus, was on the top of the chart, followed by the European Union.作为核心关注对象的中国在图表中位列首位，欧盟紧随其后。"[On China], we're going to be charging a discounted reciprocal tariff of 34 percent,"said Trump. Before today's announcement, Trump had already imposed 10 percent tariffs on Chinese goods in two separate rounds, one in February and another in March.美国总统特朗普说："针对中国，我们将征收34%的折扣对等关税。"在今天的宣布之前，特朗普已经对两轮中国商品征收10%的关税，一轮是在2月，另一轮是在3月。Later, White House documents detailed specific rates: China faces a 54 percent total tariff, with a new 34 percent added to the existing 20 percent, as confirmed by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. Other rates include the EU at 20 percent, Vietnam at 46 percent, Japan at 24 percent, Korea at 25 percent, India at 26 percent, Cambodia at 49 percent.白宫文件显示，中国商品实际总关税将达54%，即在现有20%基础上新增34%。财政部长斯科特·贝森特确认了这一叠加机制。 此次加征关税前，特朗普政府已在今年2月和3月分两批对中国商品加征10%关税。根据最新清单，其他主要经济体税率分别为：欧盟20%、越南46%、日本24%、韩国25%、印度26%、柬埔寨49%。Trump said that the tariffs would address years of "unfair" trade practices, during which he claimed other countries had been exploiting the US.特朗普声称，这些关税将纠正多年来的"不公平"贸易行为，制止他国"剥削"美国。US stock markets quickly erased earlier gains following Trump's remarks. In after-hours trading, S&P 500 futures dropped by 1.5 percent.在特朗普发表上述讲话后，美国股市迅速回吐早盘涨幅。标普500指数期货在盘后交易中下挫1.5%。Numerous US lawmakers criticized Trump's tariff hike. Senator Tim Kaine, a Virginia Democrat, said that "many of my Republican colleagues in Congress have already expressed concerns about these tariffs". Kaine authored a resolution to block Trump's tariffs on Canadian imports, which passed the Senate on Wednesday.众多美国议员批评了特朗普的加征关税措施。弗吉尼亚州民主党参议员蒂姆·凯恩透露，“我在国会的许多共和党同事已经表达了对这些关税的担忧”。凯恩撰写了一项决议，阻止特朗普对加拿大进口商品加征关税，该决议于周三在参议院获得通过。"His [Trump's] half-baked trade war will only raise prices for consumers," said Senator Peter Welch, a Vermont Democrat.佛蒙特州民主党籍参议员彼得·韦尔奇直言："这场（特朗普）草率发动的贸易战只会推高消费者物价。"Senator Susan Collins, a Maine Republican, said: "If these tariffs go into effect, it will be so harmful. And as price hikes always do, they will hurt those the most who can afford them the least."缅因州共和党籍参议员苏珊·柯林斯警告称："这些关税一旦实施将造成严重损害。正如物价上涨的惯常效应，承受能力最脆弱的群体必将首当其冲。"Speaking shortly after Trump, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said the reciprocal tariffs announced by the US President will "fundamentally change the international trading system". He also said Canada would fight American tariffs with countermeasures, although his country and Mexico were not on the list of new tariffs.Trump described the exclusion as an effort to stop illegal immigration and drug smuggling.在特朗普宣布政策后，加拿大总理马克·卡尼随即表示，美国总统推行的对等关税政策将"从根本上改变国际贸易体系"。尽管加墨两国未被列入新关税清单，但卡尼强调加拿大将采取反制措施。特朗普将这一排斥行动描述为遏制非法移民和毒品走私的努力。Hours before Trump's announcement, Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for the United Nations (UN), told China Daily at Wednesday's noon briefing that the UN has "expressed concern about what we've seen", which is "a rise in economic protectionism" and is concerned "about the impact it could have on the global economy".在特朗普正式宣布前数小时，联合国秘书长发言人斯特凡·杜加里克于周三午间例行记者会上回应《中国日报》提问时表示，联合国已对当前"经济保护主义抬头态势表示关切"，并担忧此举"可能对全球经济产生冲击"。Dujarric told the press conference at the UN headquarters in New York last week that the UN consistently encourages member states to settle trade disputes through constructive dialogue or established mechanisms.杜加里克上周在纽约联合国总部记者会上重申，联合国始终倡导会员国通过建设性对话或既有机制解决贸易争端。"I think we've spoken about the issue of tariffs and our position remains the same. We live in a very much global interlinked economy. It is important that member states resolve their trade issues through constructive engagement or through existing architecture, whether it's within the UN or not. And we've seen other countries put up tariffs. These are things that can have very severe impacts on the global economy," he said.“我想我们已经谈到了关税问题，我们的立场仍然不变。我们生活在一个深度互联的全球经济体系当中。各成员国无论通过联合国框架内外的建设性接触或现有机制解决贸易争端都至关重要。我们也看到其他国家提高了关税。这些因素都会对全球经济产生非常严重的影响，"杜加里克说。Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, said on Tuesday that Europe has a plan to retaliate if Trump imposes widespread tariffs. "Europe did not start this confrontation," she said to EU lawmakers.欧盟委员会主席乌尔苏拉·冯德莱恩周二表态，若特朗普实施全面关税，欧盟已制定反制预案。她对欧盟立法者说：“欧洲并没有挑起这场对抗”。"There's only one conclusion: Trump is convinced that he's smarter than the many economists and business leaders who have urged him not to raise tariffs and risk a trade war," Anthony Moretti, an associate professor in the Communication and Organizational Leadership Department at Robert Morris University in Pennsylvania, told the China Daily.宾夕法尼亚州罗伯特莫里斯大学传播与组织领导系副教授安东尼·莫雷蒂向《中国日报》分析指出："唯一合理的解释是，特朗普坚信自己比众多经济学家和商界领袖更高明——这些人士反复警告加征关税将引发贸易战风险。""A trade war would harm Americans and people from all over the world, and it will damage bilateral relations," he said.莫雷蒂说："贸易战不仅将伤害美国民众和世界各国人民，更会严重损害双边关系。"Trump signed another executive order effective May 2 to remove tariff exemptions for Chinese imports valued at $800 or less and intends to apply the same measure to other countries once the federal government confirms it has the necessary staffing and resources in place. The "de minimis" exemption was helpful to popular e-commerce websites Temu and Shein.特朗普签署的另一项行政令于5月2日生效，取消了对价值800美元或以下的中国进口商品的关税豁免，并打算在联邦政府确认必要的人员和资源到位后，对其他国家实施同样的措施。这项“最低限度”豁免曾对热门电商平台Temu和Shein有所帮助。Moretti said that Trump "slammed" China twice on Wednesday. "The 34 percent tariffs will likely draw the bigger headlines, and any response from China will only magnify what he said. But the president also eliminated the‘de minimis' rule that eliminated tariffs on imported items of less than $800," he said. "In effect, what the president has decided is that everything entering the US from China must include a tariff. ""特朗普周三实际上对中国实施了双重打击。"莫雷蒂解读道，"34%的特别关税固然占据新闻头条，中方任何反制措施都将放大其政策效应。但更隐蔽的杀招在于废止800美元以下商品免税规则——这意味着总统实质上决定，所有中国输美商品都必须缴纳关税。"And that means higher prices whether the item is inexpensive or costly. Poorer Americans will especially feel the pain of higher prices because they have fewer dollars to spend," Moretti added."无论商品价格高低，最终都将推升终端售价。对经济拮据的美国低收入群体而言，这种物价上涨带来的痛感将尤为强烈。"莫雷蒂补充道。impose new tariffs征收关税the largest trade deficits最大贸易逆差reciprocal tariffs对等关税hikev.上涨；上升economic protectionism经济保护主义tariff exemptions关税豁免

Virginia Democrats predict dire consequences if Republicans in Washington cut funds to entitlement programs like Medicaid, social security and SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Brad Kutner spoke with some of those potentially impacted and has this report. 

Elected leaders across the region are grappling with the economic fallout of the White House's continued push to shrink the federal government. Some economists fear it could send the D.C.-area into a recession. Clark Mercer, who leads the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, got behind the mic to break down the economic impact a shrinking federal workforce could have the region.687,000 people living in D.C., Maryland, and Virginia work for the federal government, according to COG. Mercer compared the D.C. area to other company towns. "We are more reliant in this region on the federal government than Detroit is on the auto industry, or Houston is on oil and gas... by a long shot," he said.He says the D-C region's reputation as recession-proof is now being tested, and we could see unemployment rates higher than at the height of the pandemiPlus, he explained what a shrinking federal workforce means for local government budgets, housing, and public transportation.Virginia Democratic Party Chair Susan Swecker announced recently she was stepping down. Her decade-long tenure heading up the Virginia Democrats has seen plenty of ups and downs, including flipping a Northern Virginia Congressional seat, Republican Glenn Youngkin's gubernatorial win in 2021, and a blue wave in 2023. She joined Kojo and Tom to share what she's learned over her ten years at the helm, and what advice she has for Democrats nationwide. They also discussed the upcoming governor and House of Delegates races.Swecker predicted that Virginia Republicans will suffer this year at the ballot box due to their support of President Donald Trump's federal job cuts"I don't want anybody to be hurt. This is gut-wrenching. But do I think they're gonna pay a price, Republicans, at the polls for what they're doing and standing lock, stock and barrel behind Donald Trump? Yes, I do," she said.Swecker also talked about the future of federal workers and what's next for the Virginia Democratic party.Become a member of WAMU: wamu.org/donateSend us questions and comments for guests: kojo@wamu.orgFollow us on Instagram: instagram.com/wamu885

Governor Glenn Youngkin will soon consider a handful of bills aimed at transforming electricity generation. Michael Pope reports.

Back in 2008 when the country entered a recession, states like Virginia took austerity measures to help balance their books. But some of those cost-saving measures live on today, even as the Commonwealth collects billions in surplus funds. Brad Kutner has more on the bipartisan effort to see the school support staff cap removed. 

Recapping the Henrico Schools' Career Rodeo; Virginia Democrats work to protect expanded Medicaid coverage; two mothers work for safer driver and passenger laws in Virginia; our Henrico Small Business Spotlight focuses on a card and collectible show company; the Citizen debuts language-translation option.Support the show

Democratic majorities in Virginia's House and Senate released their budget proposals for the 2025 legislative session Sunday. Brad Kutner has some of the highlights. 

A leaked copy of a buyout offer to federal workers shows they have a choice: leave by the end of the week with months of severance or potentially be fired without benefits later on. Brad Kutner reports on how Virginia lawmakers are responding to the news.

Some of Governor Glenn Youngkin's proposed tax cuts hit some speed bumps this week. Michael Pope has this check on their status.

Friday, January 24th, 2025Today, the Trump Administration is running up against the bureaucracy they're trying to dismantle; a federal judge has blocked Trump's birthright citizenship nonsense; Virginia Dems advance reproductive, voting and marriage rights amendments; more than 50 Reddit communities are banning links to Musk's Twitter; inauguration ratings were in the toilet this year; DHS has suspended all its advisory committees as the national health institute pulls all funding for medical research; an aide to Speaker Johnson advises him against subpoenaing Cassidy Hutchinson for fear it will expose sexually explicit text messages sent to her by congressmen; and Allison and Dana deliver your Good News.Thank You DeleteMeTo get 20% off of your DeletMe plan, go to joindeleteme.com/DAILYBEANS, and enter code DAILYBEANS at checkout.Thank You IQBARIQBAR is offering our podcast listeners an exclusive deal: twenty percent off all IQBAR products, plus get FREE shipping. Just text “dailybeans” to 64000.Guest: John FugelsangTell Me Everything — John FugelsangThe John Fugelsang PodcastSiriusXM ProgressStories:More than 50 Reddit communities ban X links to protest Musk (Kat Tenbarge | NBC News)Virginia Dems Advance Reproductive, Voting and Marriage Rights Amendments (Chris Walker | Truthout)TV viewing figures fall for Trump's inauguration | Donald Trump (Alexi Duggins | The Guardian)Aide to House Speaker Johnson advised against subpoena of Jan. 6 witness over concerns about ‘sexual texts' from lawmakers - Jacqueline Alemany, The Washington Post - Anchorage Daily NewsDHS terminates all its advisory committees, ending its investigation into the Chinese-linked telecom hack (Nicole Sganga | CBS News)Judge blocks Trump's ‘blatantly unconstitutional' executive order that aims to end birthright citizenship(Tierney Sneed | CNN Politics)Trump hits NIH with ‘devastating' freezes on meetings, travel, communications, and hiring (MEREDITH WADMAN, JOCELYN KAISER | Science | AAASGood Trouble Today's good trouble comes from an op ed in teen vogue that explains how to start an ICE Watch neighborhood program in your community.ICE Watch Programs Can Protect Immigrants in Your Neighborhood — Here's What to Know | Teen VogueWatch DutyWatch Duty Fire Public Safety Information (App) Cal FireIncidents | CAL FIREFrom The Good NewsWhat Do We Mean By Sex and Gender? (Yale School Of Medicine) Check out other MSW Media podcastshttps://mswmedia.com/shows/Subscribe for free to MuellerSheWrote on Substackhttps://muellershewrote.substack.comFollow AG and Dana on Social MediaDr. Allison Gill Substack|Muellershewrote, Twitter|@MuellerSheWrote, Threads|@muellershewrote, TikTok|@muellershewrote, IG|muellershewrote, BlueSky|@muellershewroteDana GoldbergTwitter|@DGComedy, IG|dgcomedy, facebook|dgcomedy, IG|dgcomedy, danagoldberg.com, BlueSky|@dgcomedyHave some good news; a confession; or a correction to share?Good News & Confessions - The Daily Beanshttps://www.dailybeanspod.com/confessional/ Listener Survey:http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=BffJOlI7qQcF&ver=shortFollow the Podcast on Apple:The Daily Beans on Apple PodcastsWant to support the show and get it ad-free and early?Supercasthttps://dailybeans.supercast.com/Patreon https://patreon.com/thedailybeansOr subscribe on Apple Podcasts with our affiliate linkThe Daily Beans on Apple Podcasts

Governor Glenn Youngkin expressed concerns about illegal drone use across the Commonwealth during his trip to President-elect Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate last week. Brad Kutner caught up with a Virginia state senator who has a bill to address the issue. 

Friday, January 10th, 2025Today, Rudy Giuliani will appear in person before Judge Beryl Howell in one of his many contempt hearings; Supreme Court Justice Sam Alito asked Trump for a favor an hour before Trump petitioned the high court to stop his sentencing which so far is scheduled to happen today; Jim Jordan's star witness in the Biden impeachment farce has been sentenced to six years in prison for making it all up; a New York appeals court rules that the Fox Corporation must face Smartmatic's $2.7B defamation lawsuit; Virginia Democrats keep control of the state house following the first elections after Trump won; and Allison and Dana delivers your Good News.Thank You HomeChefFor a limited time, HomeChef is offering you 18 Free Meals PLUS Free Dessert for Life and of course, Free Shipping on your first box! Go to HomeChef.com/DAILYBEANS.Guest: John FugelsangTell Me Everything - JohnFugelsang.comThe John Fugelsang Podcast (Apple)The Sexy Liberal Save The World Comedy Tourhttps://sexyliberal.comStories:Trump speaks with Justice Alito amid push to halt criminal sentencing (Katherine Faulders, Jonathan Karl, and Devin Dwyer | ABC News)Alexander Smirnov: Ex-FBI informant behind fake Biden-Ukraine bribery allegations sentenced to 6 years in prison (Marshall Cohen | CNN Politics)Rupert Murdoch's Fox Corp. must face 2020 election defamation lawsuit, appeals court rules (Marshall Cohen | CNN Business)Virginia Democrats keep control of Statehouse in first elections after Trump winGood Trouble - Reality WinnerReality Is Us - Petition to Pardon Reality WinnerSomething to dohttps://www.justice.gov/doj/webform/your-message-department-justiceChoose “Message to the Attorney General” from the drop down.From The Good NewsOur Dogs - Rocket Dog RescueSend your message to the Department of JusticeThe Deluge | Book by Stephen Markley | Official Publisher Page | Simon & Schuster Check out other MSW Media podcastshttps://mswmedia.com/shows/Subscribe for free to MuellerSheWrote on Substackhttps://muellershewrote.substack.comFollow AG and Dana on Social MediaDr. Allison Gill Substack|Muellershewrote, Twitter|@MuellerSheWrote, Threads|@muellershewrote, TikTok|@muellershewrote, IG|muellershewrote, BlueSky|@muellershewroteDana GoldbergTwitter|@DGComedy, IG|dgcomedy, facebook|dgcomedy, IG|dgcomedy, danagoldberg.com, BlueSky|@dgcomedyHave some good news; a confession; or a correction to share?Good News & Confessions - The Daily Beanshttps://www.dailybeanspod.com/confessional/ Listener Survey:http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=BffJOlI7qQcF&ver=shortFollow the Podcast on Apple:The Daily Beans on Apple PodcastsWant to support the show and get it ad-free and early?Supercasthttps://dailybeans.supercast.com/Patreon https://patreon.com/thedailybeansOr subscribe on Apple Podcasts with our affiliate linkThe Daily Beans on Apple Podcasts

President-elect Donald Trump has signaled both opposition and support for a federal ban on contraceptives, and Virginia Democrats are saying this puts future access to birth control at risk. Brad Kutner has more on the bipartisan legislative effort to protect access from last year that will return this General Assembly session. 

Today's West Coast Cookbook & Speakeasy Podcast for our especially special Daily Special, Smothered Benedict New Year's Day Wednesday, is now available on the Spreaker Player!Starting off in the Bistro Cafe, former Republican Member of Congress and January 6 Intelligence Committee advisor Denver Riggleman has the receipts Trump wants to hide.Then, on the rest of the menu, the Justice Department accused six major landlords of colluding to keep rents high; a lawsuit alleges racial and gender discrimination led to an Air Force contractor's death; and, Virginia Democrats kept control of the Statehouse in the first elections after Trump's win.After the break, we move to the Chef's Table where the now pro-Putin Austrian far right has a mandate to try to lead a government for the first time since World War II; and, self-exiled Venezuelan opposition leader Edmundo González, who defeated Maduro in last year's presidential election, said his son-in-law was kidnapped in Caracas.All that and more, on West Coast Cookbook & Speakeasy with Chef de Cuisine Justice Putnam.Bon Appétit!The Netroots Radio Live Player​Keep Your Resistance Radio Beaming 24/7/365!“It may be safely averred that good cookery is the best and truest economy, turning to full account every wholesome article of food, and converting into palatable meals what the ignorant either render uneatable or throw away in disdain.” - Eliza Acton ‘Modern Cookery for Private Families' (1845)Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/west-coast-cookbook-speakeasy--2802999/support.

Plus: The Charlottesville City Council talks trucks, Richmond Public Schools has a new electronic devices policy — and other Central Virginia news.  

Republican candidates may not have won Tuesday's statewide races in Virginia.  But Donald Trump's success at the national level has Virginia Democrats looking for ways to turn the party's luck around in the future, as Brad Kutner reports.

Sweet Briar College will now only accept applications from prospective students who were assigned female at birth… Federal regulators give the North Anna nuclear plant in Louisa County a clean bill of health… Virginia Democrats hope the Harris-Walz proposals on housing will boost the ticket in the election this year….

Democrats in Virginia are hoping the Harris-Walz policy proposals on housing will be a benefit in the election this year. Michael Pope reports.

Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley was in Richmond Wednesday morning supporting former President Donald Trump's 2024 campaign. Among the promises made by Trump so far is a vow to let states decide for themselves on the issue of abortion. But, as Brad Kutner found out, not everyone believes the former president. 

Senator Tim Kaine stands behind President Biden's decision to stay in the race, but other Virginia Democrats aren't so sure… Meanwhile, the Virginia Bar Association cancels its planned debate between Kaine and Republican challenger Hung Cao… Rodents captured in Virginia this summer – a type of woodrat -- are headed to breeding programs in other states to help bolster the populations there….

Questions about President Joe Biden’s future as a candidate are following other Democrats as they work through their own campaigns across the country. Among them is Virginia Senator Tim Kaine. He spoke with Brad Kutner. 

Shoot us a Text.Thursday is upon us and we're breaking down Lithia Motors' strategic layoffs aimed at saving $150 million annually, Virginia's decision to reverse its adoption of California's strict EV standards, as well as IKEA hiring Roblox workers (you read that right).Show Notes with links:Lithia Motors is targeting $150 million in annual savings through strategic layoffs and other employee cost reductions, primarily focusing on U.S. positions.Senior Director of Finance Jardon Jaramillo described the cuts as "very targeted" rather than a broad reduction as he said "We're not announcing a mass layoff.” "These are changes at the store level," and gave examples including taking action on "underperforming general managers."The layoffs are part of a plan to eliminate $250 million in annual selling, general, and administrative expenses.Additional savings will come from reducing inventory and third-party service provider costs.Changes will include leadership adjustments at the store level, targeting underperforming general managers.They will also be laying off 6 of their 13 communications employeesEfforts are also being made to improve storewide adoption of Lithia's online vehicle shopping platform, Driveway.The 60-day plan, launched in May, aims to impact Lithia's financial results significantly in Q3.Virginia's Governor Glenn Youngkin announced the state's withdrawal from California's stringent EV standards, citing a lack of legal obligation and insufficient consumer demand.Virginia initially adopted California's EV standards in 2021 under former Gov. Ralph Northam.Governor Youngkin argues that the government shouldn't dictate vehicle choices, advocating for less strict federal emissions rules.Only 9% of vehicles sold in Virginia in 2023 were electric, reflecting weak consumer demand.The Alliance for Automotive Innovation supports the move, stating that California's EV standards may not suit other states due to varying consumer demand.Environmental groups and Virginia Democrats criticized the move as undemocratic and potentially illegal.The Biden administration has granted automakers more time to comply with federal emissions rules, aiming for over half of new-vehicle sales to be electric by the early 2030s."Virginians deserve the freedom to choose which vehicles best fit the needs of their families and businesses," said Youngkin.IKEA is launching a virtual store in Roblox and will pay players £13.15 or €14.80 per hour to work there. The store, dubbed “The Co-Worker,” will offer immersive career experiences.Players can create virtual homes using IKEA furniture and items.A limited number of players can apply for paid virtual career roles, with applications open from June 3 to June 16, 2024.Applicants must be 18 or older and reside in the UK or Ireland.Chosen applicants will complete virtual interviews and receive an hourly IKEA Co-Worker rateHosts: Paul J Daly and Kyle MountsierGet the Daily Push Back email at https://www.asotu.com/ JOIN the conversation on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/asotu/ Read our most recent email at: https://www.asotu.com/media/push-back-email

Charlottesville community comes together to reclaim the former site of a Confederate statue, Virginia Democrats say budget compromise falls short without RGGI and other stories

Virginia first entered the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative in 2020, and it's added over $800 million dollars to state efforts to combat climate change. While Governor Glenn Youngkin has tried to pull the state out of the agreement, Democrats said Tuesday they managed to still achieve some environmental wins despite RGGI cuts. Brad Kutner has […]

People formerly incarcerated at Riverside Regional Jail accuse staff of inhuman treatment. Governor Glenn Youngkin has vetoed more bills than any other governor in the history of the commonwealth. During a Monday press call, Virginia Democrats criticized Gov. Glenn Youngkin for vetoing bills that would have protected access to birth control.

Andrew, Tom and Carl discuss new data revealing how the Biden campaign is outspending Trump and the GOP in critical swing states and the politics surrounding today's trip by President Biden to Florida to talk about abortion. Then, they talk about today's Democratic primary in Pennsylvania where Representative Summer Lee faces a challenge from Jewish voters over her position on Israel. Also, Virginia Democrats have cleared the primary field for Representative Abigail Spanberger to be their candidate. And the prime minister of Papua New Guinea reacts to President Biden's claim that his uncle was eaten by cannibals on the island nation during World War II. Next, Carl Cannon talks with GOP pollster David Winston about independent voters in the November election. And winding it up, Tom Bevan is joined by RCP senior elections analyst Sean Trende to discuss Senate races in Maryland and Wisconsin.

After some justices of the U.S. Supreme Court suggested they should reconsider precedent protecting access to contraceptives, Virginia Democrats passed a law that would protect such access. But the governor has yet to sign it, and advocates want him to act, as Brad Kutner reports from Richmond. 

The Governor of Virginia, Glenn Youngkin, who comes from the Republican side of the political spectrum, recently halted the progression of two Democrat-favored legislative proposals. This political move took place on a Thursday, and Governor Youngkin felt the responsibilities of his office to illuminate his reasons behind opposing these two proposed bills that have stirred quite a conversation around the state. There was a significant discussion about one of the bills that proposed the legalizing of cannabis for its retail sales across Virginia. Alongside this was another maximum wage increment bill gearing to gradually increase Virginia's minimum wage limit to $15 by the year 2026. Governor Youngkin remained vigilant regarding the repercussions it could have on Virginians, especially the young ones, and he expressed his concern saying that this bill could potentially endanger their 'health and safety'. This hesitance towards the proposal of the recreational cannabis bill established him as a firm guardian of public wellbeing. In 2021, Virginia became the pioneer among Southern states in decriminalizing marijuana, however, the legislation did not extend to permitting its retail trade, as per the information by the Associated Press. This notable past action positions Virginia as part of the vanguard states in revising previous laws related to marijuana. As per the current regulations in the state, Virginia citizens of 21 years or older are allowed to possess and cultivate limited amounts of marijuana. Additionally, they can also apply for cannabis procurement under the state's medical programs. However, with Governor Youngkin's recent veto, recreational weed sales continue to be off the table. Another piece of legislature met the inevitable fate of being vetoed by Gov. Glenn Youngkin. This law had prominent support from the Democrats, and proposed a gradual elevation of the state's current minimum wage level, which is set at $12 per hour. The proposal aimed at an increase to $13.50 by the year 2025 and eventually, to $15 by 2026. Governor Youngkin called attention to how such a move might 'threaten market flexibility and economic competitiveness'. Maintaining a delicate balance between people's livelihood and market economics, the governor's action echoed the importance of economic sustainability in these unpredictable times. Deepening his concerns, Gov. Youngkin relayed apprehensions about the implications of the minimum wage bill on small businesses, especially in Virginia's rural areas. He was considerate of the varied economic scenarios between the metropolitan areas in the northern part of the state and the more rural southern locales. The gulf between economic vibrancy in different parts of the state was a concern driving the Governor's grip over the veto pen. His rationale relayed a sentiment that the conditions of urban areas cannot be universally applied to rural ones, recognizing the economic diversity within the state. It was in the year 2020, when Virginia Democrats sanctioned a hike in the minimum wage, setting it at a level of $12 per hour. This democratic action endorsed the possibility of subsequent increments in the future, contingent on the state assembly's approval. As the legislation stands, to revisit and adjust the minimum wage upward, the approval of the state's Assembly potential increases would be required in the future. While some champion for wage inflation, this procedural necessity ensures a layer of checks-and-balances in governing the state's wage norms. Presently, Virginia prides itself in its relatively higher minimum wage benchmark compared to more than half of the country. This fact reveals the state's proactive endeavors in ensuring its working citizens' welfare while maintaining delicate economic balance. In reconsidering both bills, Virginia's Governor, Glenn Youngkin, has expressed his stance towards placing the health, safety, and economic wellbeing of Virginians at the forefront. This approach reflects a deep regard for the various potential impacts of legislation on citizens and the state's general economy. These recent rejections underline that any law that could perturb the existing balance between enterprise competitiveness, economic stability, public health, and citizen welfare needs to be rigorously scrutinized. Sitting at the helm of state governance, Governor Youngkin's decisions represent both caution and due care. Although the political climate remains charged with different perspectives on these issues, the broader narrative revolves around creating prosperous societal conditions. The story of these vetoed bills in Virginia is just a chapter in the ongoing discourse on balancing public welfare and economic viability. Real News Now Website Connect with Real News Now on Social Media Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RealNewsNowApp/ X Twitter: https://twitter.com/realnewsapp Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realnews/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@realnewsnowapp Threads: https://www.threads.net/@realnews/ Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/realnewsnow Truth Social: https://truthsocial.com/@RealNews YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@realnewsnowapp End Wokeness: https://endthewokeness.com #realnewsnow  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Earlier this week, Governor Glenn Youngkin vetoed a plan from Virginia Democrats for a retail marijuana market. It comes years after the state decriminalized the substance, allowing an illicit market to flourish. Brad Kutner has more from Richmond. 

This week, Candi and Victoria tackle opposing talking points from national candidates on both sides of the aisle. Plus, hear the inside scoop on the Virginia Democrat attempts to hold the Governor's stadium hostage.

In the 6 AM Hour: Larry O'Connor and Mercedes Schlapp discussed: WMAL GUEST: 6:05 AM - INTERVIEW - REP. MATT ROSENDALE - R-Montana - discussed the upcoming State of the Union. Virginia Democrat celebrates blocking Youngkin's sports arena plans with grave meme WASHINGTON POST: Va. lawmakers to remove arena from budget, blocking Youngkin's best shot for it Georgia lawmaker blasts MSNBC hosts for mocking voter concerns about immigration after Laken Riley's death WMAL GUEST: 6:35 AM - INTERVIEW - CHUCK SMITH - running for U.S. Senate in Virginia WEBSITE: https://chucksmithva.com/ White House dodges Biden-Trump debate questions, Trump responds Where to find more about WMAL's morning show:  Follow the Show Podcasts on Apple podcasts, Audible and Spotify. Follow WMAL's "O'Connor and Company" on X: @WMALDC, @LarryOConnor,  @Jgunlock,  @patricepinkfile and @heatherhunterdc.  Facebook: WMALDC and Larry O'Connor Instagram: WMALDC Show Website: https://www.wmal.com/oconnor-company/ How to listen live weekdays from 5 to 9 AM: https://www.wmal.com/listenlive/ Episode: Thursday, March 7, 2024 /  6 AM Hour  O'Connor and Company is proudly presented by Veritas AcademySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Virginia Citizen Defense League president Philip Van Cleave joins Cam with an update on the wave of gun control bills still advancing in the legislature after a key deadline on Tuesday, including semi-auto bans, "gun-free zones", and more.

Virginia Democrats are aiming to tighten the rules around how the state changes its voter rolls; Richmond's new auditor says he's started reviewing how many restaurants may be behind on meals tax payments; The Virginia Senate unanimously advanced a bill yesterday to remove Richmond from the list of casino-eligible cities.

Next Monday gun owners will be flocking to Richmond for the Virginia Citizens Defense League's Lobby Day and Rally. VCDL head Phillip Van Cleave tells Cam there are a lot of reasons for Second Amendment advocates to show up, starting with the onslaught of bills targeting lawful gun owners that have been introduced in recent days.

Friday News Flyover, December 8, 2023Intro: On this episode of The Heartland POD for Friday, December 8th, 2023A flyover from this weeks top heartland stories including:Texas abortion bans creating legal confusion | MO Pastor jailed facing sexual abuse charges | Sen Josh Hawley and Rep Cori Bush speak against defense bill without funds for St. Louis residents exposed to radiation | AL Senator Tommy Tuberville gives up his misguided military holds | Dolly Parton gives books to millions of kids, if you didn't knowWelcome to The Heartland POD for a Flyover Friday, this is Sean Diller in Denver, Colorado. With me as co-host today is Adam Sommer, how you doing Adam?We're glad to have you with us. If you're new to our shows make sure you subscribe and leave a 5 star rating wherever you listen. You can also find Heartland POD content on Youtube and on social media with @ THE heartland pod, and learn more at thehearltandcollective.com Alright! Let's get into the storieshttps://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2023/12/06/1217637325/texas-woman-asks-court-for-abortion-because-of-pregnancy-complicationsUpdated Thursday, Dec. 7 at 1:55 p.m."Kate Cox needs an abortion, and she needs it now." Thus began a petition filed in a Texas district court this week, asking a judge to allow the abortion to be performed in the state, where abortion is banned with very limited exceptions.On Thursday, Judge Maya Guerra Gamble of Travis County, Texas, ruled from the bench, granting permission for Cox to have the abortion she is seeking. Cox's fetus has a genetic condition with very low chances of survival and her own health and fertility are at risk if she carries the pregnancy to term.The petition was filed by the Center for Reproductive Rights, which is the group behind a high profile case heard at the Texas Supreme Court last week.In that case the group's senior staff attorney Molly Duane argued on behalf of 20 patients and two OB-GYNs that the medical exception to the ban on abortion in the state's laws is too narrow and vague, and that it endangered patients during complicated pregnancies. An attorney for the state argued the exception is already clear and that the plaintiffs didn't have standing to sue.On the very day of those arguments, Nov. 28, Kate Cox, a 31-year-old mother of two who lives in the Dallas area, got "devastating" news about her pregnancy, the filing says. At nearly 20-weeks gestation, she learned that her fetus has Trisomy 18 or Edwards Syndrome, a condition with extremely low chances of survival.So, as the Texas Supreme Court considered whether its abortion laws endangered patients with pregnancy complications in the past, Cox was trying to figure out what to do in her present situation.Cox had already been in the emergency room three times with cramping and other concerning symptoms, according to court documents. Her doctors told her she was at high risk of developing gestational hypertension and diabetes, and because she had had two prior cesarean sections, carrying the pregnancy to term could compromise her chances of having a third child in the future, the brief says.Last Thursday, she reached out for the Center for Reproductive Rights. Five days after that, the group filed this petition on her behalf.The filing asked a Travis County district court for a temporary restraining order against the state of Texas and the Texas Medical Board, blocking enforcement of Texas's abortion bans so that Cox can terminate her current pregnancy. It also would block enforcement of S.B. 8, which allows civil lawsuits to be filed against those who help patients receive abortions.That would protect the other plaintiffs in the case, Cox's husband, Justin, and Dr. Damla Karsan, who is prepared to provide the abortion if the court grants their request. Karsan is one of the OB-GYN plaintiffs in the Zurawski v. the State of Texas case.Thursday's ruling will allow Karsan to provide an abortion without threat of prosecution. It only applies to Cox, her husband and Karsan. Issuing the ruling, Judge Guerra Gamble said: "The idea that Ms. Cox wants so desperately to be a parent and this law may have her lose that ability is shocking and would be a genuine miscarriage of justice."There are currently three overlapping abortion bans in Texas. Abortion is illegal in the state from the moment pregnancy begins. Texas doctors can legally provide abortions only if a patient is "in danger of death or a serious risk of substantial impairment of a major bodily function, " the law says."I don't know what that means," Duane says of the language of the medical exception. "But I think [Cox's] situation must fall within whatever it is that that means."The Texas Attorney General's office did not respond to a request for comment on Cox's case, but the office argued in the Zurawski case that the medical exception needs no clarification.Sponsor MessageTexas Alliance for Life, a group that lobbied in the state legislature for the current abortion laws, published a statement about Cox's case Wednesday. "We believe that the exception language in Texas laws is clear," wrote the group's communication director Amy O'Donnell, and accused the Center for Reproductive Rights of pretending to seek clarity while really attempting to "chisel away" at Texas's abortion laws.The timeline of this case was very quick. "I have to be honest, I've never done this before, and that's because no one's ever done this before," Duane says. "But usually when you ask for a temporary restraining order, the court will act very, very quickly in acknowledgement of the emergency circumstances."The hearing was held via Zoom on Thursday morning.The State of Texas cannot appeal the decision directly, says Duane. "They would have to file what's called a writ of mandamus, saying that the district court acted so far out of its jurisdiction and that there needs to be a reversal," Duane explains. "But filing a petition like that is not does not automatically stay the injunction the way that an appeal of a temporary injunction does."In the meantime, the justices of the Texas Supreme Court are considering the Zurawski case, with a decision expected in the next few months. "I want them to take their time to write an opinion that gets this right and will protect patients, doctors and their families going forward," Duane says."But the reality is that in the meantime, people are going to continue to be harmed," and Cox couldn't afford to wait for that decision, Duane says.Duane praises Cox for her bravery in publicly sharing her story while in the midst of a personal medical crisis. "She's exceptional – but I will also say that the pathway to this has been paved by all the other women in our lawsuit," she says. "There is strength in numbers."https://www.kmbc.com/article/court-documents-independence-missouri-pastor-charged-child-molestation/46058889Court documents state that multiple people under the age of 18 accused Virgil Marsh of sexually assaulting them between 2011 and 2018.Marsh, 71, is now in the Jackson County jail.He was charged with two counts of first-degree of child molestation and first-degree statutory sodomy.A probable cause statement indicates that Marsh told police he was a current pastor in Independence and admitted he had "inappropriately touched" one of the victims.He did tell police he 'potentially kissed' a second victim on the mouth but denied sexually touching them.He also told police he has asked for forgiveness with God and is no longer the man who "had previously done things to the victim," the probable cause reads.https://missouriindependent.com/2023/12/07/compensation-for-st-louis-victims-of-nuclear-waste-stripped-from-federal-defense-bill/Compensation for St. Louis victims of nuclear waste stripped from federal defense billProvisions that would have compensated those exposed to radioactive waste left over from the Manhattan Project were removed on WednesdayBY: ALLISON KITE - DECEMBER 7, 2023 9:03 AM      A joint investigation by The Independent and MuckRock.U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley said Thursday he would do everything he could to stop a federal defense spending bill after a provision offering compensation to Americans exposed to decades-old radioactive waste was removed. Speaking on the floor of the Senate, the Missouri Republican called the decision to remove compensation for Americans who have suffered rare cancers and autoimmune diseases a “scar on the conscience of this body.”“This is an injustice,” Hawley said. “This is this body turning its back on these good, proud Americans.”This summer, the Senate amended the National Defense Authorization Act to expand the existing Radiation Exposure Compensation Act to include parts of the St. Louis region where individuals were exposed to leftover radioactive material from the development of the first atomic bomb. It would have also included parts of the Southwest where residents were exposed to bomb testing. But the provision was removed Wednesday by a conference committee of senators and members of the U.S. House of Representatives working out differences between the two chambers' versions of the bill.Even before the text of the amended bill became available Wednesday night, U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri was decrying the removal of the radiation compensation policy. “This is a major betrayal of thousands and thousands of Missourians who have been lied to and ignored for years,” Hawley said in a post on social media Wednesday. Dawn Chapman, a co-founder of Just Moms STL, fought back tears Wednesday night as she described hearing the “gut-wrenching” news from Hawley's staff. Chapman and fellow moms have been advocating for families exposed to or near radioactive waste for years. “I actually thought we had a chance,” Chapman said. But she said the group hopes to get the expansion passed another way. “Nobody has given up on it,” Chapman said.The St. Louis region has suffered from a radioactive waste problem for decades. The area was instrumental in the Manhattan Project, the name given to the effort to build an atomic bomb during World War II. Almost 80 years later, residents of St. Louis and St. Charles counties are still dealing with the fallout. After the war, radioactive waste produced from refining uranium was trucked from downtown St. Louis to several sites in St. Louis County where it contaminated property at the airport and seeped into Coldwater Creek. In the 1970s, remaining nuclear waste that couldn't be processed to extract valuable metals was trucked to the West Lake Landfill and illegally dumped. It remains there today.During the Cold War, uranium was processed in St. Charles County. A chemical plant and open ponds of radioactive waste remained at the site in Weldon Spring for years. The site was remediated in the early 2000s, but groundwater contamination at the site is not improving fast enough, according to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.For years, St. Louis-area residents have pointed to the radioactive waste to explain rare cancers, autoimmune diseases and young deaths. A study by the federal Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry found people who lived along Coldwater Creek or played in its waters faced an increased risk of cancer.Chapman said she knew two individuals who made calls to members of Congress while receiving chemotherapy. It's hard to ask people to keep fighting for the legislation, she said. “They're not going to see another Christmas, and they're not going to see the compensation from this,” Chapman said. “This won't help them.” An investigation by The Missouri Independent, MuckRock and The Associated Press this summer found that the private companies and federal agencies handling and overseeing the waste repeatedly downplayed the danger despite knowledge that it posed a risk to human health.After the report was published, Hawley decried the federal government's failures and vowed to introduce legislation to help. So did U.S. Rep. Cori Bush, D-St. Louis. In a statement Wednesday night, she said the federal government's failure to compensate those who have been harmed by radioactive waste is “straight up negligence.”“The people of St. Louis deserve better, and they deserve to be able to live without worry of radioactive contamination,” Bush said. Missouri's junior senator, Republican Eric Schmitt, grew up near the West Lake Landfill. He said in a statement that the “fight is far from over” and that he will look into other legislation to get victims compensation.“The careless dumping of this waste happened across Missouri, including in my own backyard of St. Louis, and has negatively impacted Missouri communities for decades,” Schmitt said. “I will not stop fighting until it is addressed.”Already, two state lawmakers have pre-filed legislation related to radioactive waste in advance of the Missouri General Assembly reconvening in January. One doubles the budget of a state radioactive waste investigation fund. The other requires further disclosure of radioactive contamination when one sells or rents a house.In July, the U.S. Senate voted 61-37  to adopt Hawley's amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act expanding the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act to include the St. Louis area. It would have also expanded the coverage area to compensate victims exposed to testing of the atomic bomb in New Mexico. The amendment included residents of New Mexico, Colorado, Idaho, Montana and Guam and expanded the coverage area in Nevada, Utah and Arizona, which are already partially covered.The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimated that expanding the program could cost $147.1 billion over 10 years with St. Louis' portion taking up $3.7 billion of that. The amendment would have also renewed the program for existing coverage areas. Without renewal, it will expire in the coming months. Hawley said, however, the “fight is not over.” “I will come to this floor as long as it takes. I will introduce this bill as long as it takes,” he said. “I will force amendment votes as long as it takes until we compensate the people of this nation who have sacrificed for this nation.” https://www.azmirror.com/2023/12/06/in-bid-to-flip-the-legislature-blue-national-dems-announce-spending-on-az/With Republicans holding the barest of majorities in the Arizona Legislature, national Democrats are already making major investments in a bid to flip the state's legislature blue. The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee on Wednesday announced it would spend $70,000 in Arizona to aid in candidate recruitment for key races, hiring staff, digital investments and more. The spending is the start of the DLCC's push in swing states where the committee hopes to either solidify Democratic majorities or pick up seats and win legislative control. The money is part of an initial $300,000 push in swing states by the DLCC, with Arizona and Michigan getting the lion's share of the money. The DLCC is also spending money in New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and North Carolina. In Arizona, Republicans have one-seat majorities in both the 60-member state House of Representatives and the 30-member state Senate. DLCC interim President Heather Williams told the Arizona Mirror that the committee is hoping to flip the House and Senate in part by highlighting the extreme positions of Republican lawmakers. Many proposed law changes inspired by those extreme positions earned vetoes from Gov. Katie Hobbs earlier this year. “The Republican majority in both chambers is vulnerable,” Williams said, adding that this is only the committee's “initial investment,” as the group anticipates spending much more in 2024. Williams did not elaborate on which Arizona races the group plans to target, but mentioned that the group aims to do something similar to what happened in Virginia this year. Last month, Virginia Democrats gained control of the House and solidified their control of the Senate. The DLCC hopes to mirror that in Arizona. In that election, all 140 seats in the Virginia legislature were up for grabs, and Democrat wins will block Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin's ability to fully enact his conservative agenda. The DLCC ended up spending more than $2 million in Virginia. “Here is what we know about Republicans, they are legislating in a way across the country that is not where their constituents are,” Williams said, citing access to abortion and health care for women as key. Republicans and Democrats are eyeing a number of key state house races for 2024 but Williams is confident that her party will come out on top, adding that the DLCC intends to have a dialogue with voters and to help people get registered to vote. “I think we feel really strong with our position as an organization,” Williams said, adding that having Hobbs, a former state lawmaker as a Democratic ally in the governorship will offer advantages. https://alabamareflector.com/2023/12/05/tuberville-relents-on-months-long-blockade-of-most-military-nominees-blaming-democrats/WASHINGTON — After blocking hundreds of U.S. military promotions for most of 2023 in protest of a Pentagon abortion policy, Sen. Tommy Tuberville of Alabama said Tuesday he will lift his holds on all of them except for a handful of four-star general nominees.The senator, who sits on the Senate Committee on Armed Forces, said he told his fellow Senate Republicans “it's been a long fight” but ultimately he said Democrats were to blame for stalling hundreds of service members from moving up in the chain of command. Tuberville had said repeatedly that Democrats could bring each of the nominees to the floor for votes, which would take hours of debate.“We fought hard. We did the right thing for the unborn and for our military, fighting back against executive overreach, and an abortion policy that's not legal,” Tuberville said after announcing his about-face to his fellow Senate Republicans during their regularly scheduled weekly lunch.Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-New York, said Tuesday that he would move the nominations to the floor “as soon as possible, possibly later this afternoon.”“I hope no one does this again, and I hope they learned the lesson of Sen. Tuberville. And that is he held out for many, many months, hurt our national security, caused discombobulation to so many military families who have been so dedicated to our country, and didn't get anything that he wanted,” Schumer said.Tuberville has blocked hundreds of nominees since the spring because he opposes a recent Pentagon policy that allows armed services members time off and travel reimbursement should they need to seek an abortion in a state where it remains legal.Roughly 80,000 active-duty female service members are stationed in states where legislatures enacted full or partial bans following the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, according to a RAND analysis.The Biden administration and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin maintain the policy is legal, as did a 2022 Department of Justice opinion.The list of nominees affected by Tuberville's months-long hold grew to 451 members of the military as of Nov. 27, according to a Department of Defense official. Majority staff for the Senate Armed Services Committee list 445 affected nominees.Tuberville's agreement to halt his protest means that all but 11 of those nominees are expected to clear final Senate approval, according to figures from committee's majority staff.Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky said Tuesday that GOP senators are “pleased obviously that that situation seems to have been ameliorated by recent announcements by the senator from Alabama.”Sen. Jack Reed, chair of the Senate Armed Forces Committee, said in a statement Tuesday he's “glad that hundreds of our nation's finest military leaders will finally receive their hard-won, merit-based promotions.”“They, and their families, have shown us what grace and grit look like in the face of hardship. Senator Tuberville's actions have been an affront to the United States military and the Senate,” said Reed, a Democrat from Rhode Island.“He has jeopardized our national security and abused the rights afforded to all Senators. No Senator should ever attempt to advance their own partisan agenda on the backs of our troops like this again.”Threat of Democratic-led procedure changeTuberville's change in course arrived as Schumer was poised to bring to the floor a Democratic-led rules resolution to bypass the Alabama senator's blockade.The proposed temporary change in floor process would have allowed senators to quickly approve large blocs of nominations simultaneously on the floor, saving hours and hours that would have been required to vote on each individually.Tuberville said Tuesday that he and fellow Republican senators decided they did not want to see any changes to Senate floor procedures and that is the reason he decided to lift his blockade.“All of us are against a rule change in the Senate, OK. We're all against it,” Tuberville said.The Alabama senator's own Republican colleagues have grown publicly frustrated with his stalling of military promotions.GOP senators, including Dan Sullivan of Alaska, Joni Ernst of Iowa and Todd Young of Indiana, have on two occasions held the Senate floor into the wee hours bringing forward the names of nominees, only to meet Tuberville's objections.Some frustrated Republicans last week mulled whether to support the Democratic-led effort to override Tuberville's blockade. Democrats would have needed nine of them to pass the change in procedure.“I have said that right now I support Tommy Tuberville, but if he makes a statement that he's going to maintain this posture through this Congress I intend to vote for nominations under the rules suspension,” Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina told States Newsroom Nov. 29.https://ohiocapitaljournal.com/2023/12/06/ohio-senate-wants-to-stop-you-from-growing-weed-house-fights-back/Ohio Senate wants to stop you from growing weed; House fights backBY: MORGAN TRAU - DECEMBER 6, 2023 4:55 AMWhile Ohio Senate Republicans move to dramatically change recreational marijuana policy, the House is fighting back in a bipartisan fashion — saying the will of the voters must be followed.On Thursday, adults 21 and older in Ohio will be able to smoke weed and grow up to six plants.When Issue 2 passed in November, state Rep. Jamie Callender (R-Concord) knew he could be part of clarifying public policy. He invited WEWS/OCJ's Morgan Trau to his introduction of H.B. 354 in a “skeleton” session Tuesday morning. Skeleton sessions are when typically two lawmakers gather with the House clerk and take less than five minutes to introduce policy.“We preserve the things that the people voted on,” he told Trau after he banged the gavel and Finance Chair state Rep. Jay Edwards (R-Nelsonville) watched.Callender, who has been an outspoken supporter of marijuana, has been working on recreational implementation for years. Issue 2 came after all of his efforts were purposely stalled in the Statehouse.“The Marijuana Legalization Initiative” allows Ohioans to grow up to six plants, with 12 per household. In addition, the proposal would impose a 10% tax at the point of sale for each transaction. It also establishes the Division of Cannabis Control within the Ohio Department of Commerce.Ohioans voted in favor of the statute 57-43%.“I'm glad it passed and I'm excited that we're going to be able to take some of these measures that make it a more responsible act,” Callender said. “I want to make sure that here in this chamber, the People's House, that we carry out the will of the people — and the people have spoken.”His bill doesn't make major changes, but it does add safeguards — like guidelines on advertising, public smoking bans and provisions that give local governments more of a say in where tax revenue goes. It also explains that home grow must take place at residential addresses.“We've seen folks aggregate those six plants and, in essence, create a mega farm which is simply an aggregation or a co-op of a whole lot of home grows,” he said, saying that he is trying to prevent that.The bill, one that Callendar says has bipartisan support in the House, deeply contrasts the Senate's version.The proposal by state Sen. Rob McColley (R-Napoleon) also includes guard rails to prevent exposure to children, including advertising guidelines. It would require marijuana to be packaged in a child-resistant container and prevents “cartoon character” or other pop culture figures whose target audience is a child from being used in weed marketing.However, those safety guidelines are the end of the common ground.The Senate proposal would reduce how much weed you could possess from 2.5 ounces to 1 ounce and 15 grams of marijuana concentrates to 5 grams; It would make weed less strong by limiting THC levels for plants to 25%, when the minimum was 35%. In addition, it would limit extracts to 50%, when the minimum was 90%; and it would make marijuana more expensive by raising the tax from 10% to 15%.It also changes where the taxes go.As mentioned, it was a 10% tax at the point of sale. It was 36% revenue to the cannabis social equity and jobs fund; 36% to the host community cannabis fund to provide funds to jurisdictions with adult-use dispensaries; 25% to the substance abuse and addiction fund; and 3% to the division of cannabis control and tax commissioner fund. Issue 2 capped the number of dispensaries permitted at once to 350, but the bill cuts that down to 230.The Senate version ups to 15% tax at the point of sale. It is 30% to the law enforcement training fund, 15% to the marijuana substance abuse treatment and prevention fund, 10% to the safe driver training fund, and the remaining 45% goes to the grand revenue fund — aka, the state lawmakers.“The social equity program — when you really got down to the nuts and bolts of it — it was tax revenue being collected to be put right back into the hands of the industry,” McColley said. “It was a tax grab by the industry to prop up more dispensaries within the industry.”The “Social Equity and Jobs Program” was established by Issue 2. It is designed to fix “the harms resulting from the disproportionate enforcement of marijuana-related laws” and “reduce barriers to ownership and opportunity” to those “most directly and adversely impacted by the enforcement of marijuana-related laws,” according to the initiative.The most significant change is the proposal eliminates home grow.“The opposition has been all around the black market,” McColley said. “It's been around, ‘how do we keep these plants from then being transferred and sold illegally?'”After facing backlash, McColley assured he wasn't going against the will of the people, since he believes that the voters didn't really know everything that they were voting on.“I think what the voters really voted for would have been access to products,” the senator added.Clearly, the voters want home grow, Callender argued. Access to products means access to home grow, he said.It isn't just Callender who is frustrated with the legislation moving through the other chamber. Dozens of Republican and Democratic representatives are infuriated with the Senate.One with a unique perspective is state Rep. Jeff LaRe (R-Violet Twp.) The Senate took his legislation, H.B. 86, that revised the limit on the gallons of spirituous liquor that a micro-distillery may manufacture each year and added their marijuana proposal onto his bill.“Slap in the face of Ohio voters,” LaRe told WEWS/OCJ.The lawmaker doesn't support recreational marijuana, but he does respect the will of Ohioans, he added.“It's unfortunate they want to use a bill that is focused on helping certain small businesses recover from the pandemic to fast-track language that changes the intent of the ballot initiative,” he said. “I believe we should look into where the tax dollars are spent, but this goes way beyond those details.”Democrats agree. House Minority Whip State Rep. Jessica Miranda (D-Forest Park) says she can't and won't support the Senate version.“I'm not a fan of turning my back on the Ohio voters and the will of what they said when they overwhelmingly passed Issue 2,” Miranda said.When asked what happens if the two chambers don't reach a compromise, Callender said he will be in better standing — since the House can just block the Senate version.“I'm okay with just letting the initiated statute go into effect, which is a pretty strong bargaining position,” he said. “If we don't come up with an agreement, I'll trust the rule-making process, trust Commerce to make good rules to do this.”The Senate is expected to pass the marijuana bill out of committee Wednesday morning, putting it on the floor for a full vote later in the day. The House version is set to be heard Wednesday, as well.This article was originally published on News5Cleveland.com and is published in the Ohio Capital Journal under a content-sharing agreement. Unlike other OCJ articles, it is not available for free republication by other news outlets as it is owned by WEWS in Cleveland.Follow WEWS statehouse reporter Morgan Trau on Twitter and Facebook.https://capitolnewsillinois.com/NEWS/dolly-parton-imagination-library-officially-launches-statewide-in-illinoisPritzker says goal is to send free books to all children, ages 0-5By PETER HANCOCKCapitol News Illinoisphancock@capitolnewsillinois.comSPRINGFIELD – Illinois families with infants and toddlers now have access to free children's books that can be sent directly to their home, regardless of their income.Gov. JB Pritzker on Tuesday announced the official launch of the state's partnership with Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, a program founded by the country music legend in 1995 in her home county in east Tennessee. It now sends free books every month to nearly 3 million children in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia and Ireland.“Today, I couldn't be prouder to announce that the Imagination Library is working with the state of Illinois to begin our journey to provide every child under the age of five an opportunity to receive a free book delivered to them every single month,” Pritzker said at an event at the Bloomington Public Library.Pritzker first announced in June that the state had formed a partnership with the Dollywood Foundation, Parton's philanthropic organization, after Illinois lawmakers included $1.6 million in this year's budget to fund the state's share of the program. Other funding comes from the Dollywood Foundation and local, county-based organizations.Since then, about 44 local programs have been operating in the state, serving roughly 4 percent of eligible children. But Dollywood Foundation executive director Nora Briggs said the goal is to reach all of the estimated 755,000 children under age 5 in Illinois.“We know that nothing is more basic, more essential, more foundational to a child's success in life than the ability to read,” Briggs said. “The research is clear. We cannot wait until kindergarten for children to have access or exposure to books. It must happen early. It must start in the home environment. And reading at home requires books.”People who are interested in enrolling their child in the program can find their local provider on the “check availability” tab located at imaginationlibrary.com. From there, applicants submit basic information including their address, their child's name and date of birth, and the parents' information.Once a child's eligibility is approved, they will start receiving one book each month, addressed to them. Each child within an age group receives the same monthly book. Books on the distribution list are chosen by a panel of early childhood literacy experts who review potential titles for inclusion in the distribution list. In addition to funding the Imagination Library program this year, lawmakers also approved Pritzker's “Smart Start Illinois” initiative that will provide $250 million this year for early childhood programs, including expanded access to preschool, wage support for child care workers, early intervention programs, and home visiting programs.“We're making our mark on every aspect of early childhood, and working with Dolly Parton's Imagination Library literacy efforts will begin now at the earliest ages,” Pritzker said. “Illinois is well on its way to solidifying our status as the number one state in the nation to raise young children.” Capitol News Illinois is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news service covering state government. It is distributed to hundreds of newspapers, radio and TV stations statewide. It is funded primarily by the Illinois Press Foundation and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation, along with major contributions from the Illinois Broadcasters Foundation and Southern Illinois Editorial Association.Stories in today's show originally appeared in the Missouri Independent, Capitol News Illinois, Alabama Reflector, Michigan Advance, Arizona Mirror, KMBC9 Kansas City, Ohio Capital Journal, and NPR News @TheHeartlandPOD on Twitter and ThreadsCo-HostsAdam Sommer @Adam_Sommer85 (Twitter) @adam_sommer85 (Post)Rachel Parker @msraitchetp (Post) Sean Diller (no social)The Heartland Collective - Sign Up Today!JOIN PATREON FOR MORE - AND JOIN OUR SOCIAL NETWORK!“Change The Conversation”Outro Song: “The World Is On Fire” by American Aquarium http://www.americanaquarium.com/

Friday News Flyover, December 8, 2023Intro: On this episode of The Heartland POD for Friday, December 8th, 2023A flyover from this weeks top heartland stories including:Texas abortion bans creating legal confusion | MO Pastor jailed facing sexual abuse charges | Sen Josh Hawley and Rep Cori Bush speak against defense bill without funds for St. Louis residents exposed to radiation | AL Senator Tommy Tuberville gives up his misguided military holds | Dolly Parton gives books to millions of kids, if you didn't knowWelcome to The Heartland POD for a Flyover Friday, this is Sean Diller in Denver, Colorado. With me as co-host today is Adam Sommer, how you doing Adam?We're glad to have you with us. If you're new to our shows make sure you subscribe and leave a 5 star rating wherever you listen. You can also find Heartland POD content on Youtube and on social media with @ THE heartland pod, and learn more at thehearltandcollective.com Alright! Let's get into the storieshttps://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2023/12/06/1217637325/texas-woman-asks-court-for-abortion-because-of-pregnancy-complicationsUpdated Thursday, Dec. 7 at 1:55 p.m."Kate Cox needs an abortion, and she needs it now." Thus began a petition filed in a Texas district court this week, asking a judge to allow the abortion to be performed in the state, where abortion is banned with very limited exceptions.On Thursday, Judge Maya Guerra Gamble of Travis County, Texas, ruled from the bench, granting permission for Cox to have the abortion she is seeking. Cox's fetus has a genetic condition with very low chances of survival and her own health and fertility are at risk if she carries the pregnancy to term.The petition was filed by the Center for Reproductive Rights, which is the group behind a high profile case heard at the Texas Supreme Court last week.In that case the group's senior staff attorney Molly Duane argued on behalf of 20 patients and two OB-GYNs that the medical exception to the ban on abortion in the state's laws is too narrow and vague, and that it endangered patients during complicated pregnancies. An attorney for the state argued the exception is already clear and that the plaintiffs didn't have standing to sue.On the very day of those arguments, Nov. 28, Kate Cox, a 31-year-old mother of two who lives in the Dallas area, got "devastating" news about her pregnancy, the filing says. At nearly 20-weeks gestation, she learned that her fetus has Trisomy 18 or Edwards Syndrome, a condition with extremely low chances of survival.So, as the Texas Supreme Court considered whether its abortion laws endangered patients with pregnancy complications in the past, Cox was trying to figure out what to do in her present situation.Cox had already been in the emergency room three times with cramping and other concerning symptoms, according to court documents. Her doctors told her she was at high risk of developing gestational hypertension and diabetes, and because she had had two prior cesarean sections, carrying the pregnancy to term could compromise her chances of having a third child in the future, the brief says.Last Thursday, she reached out for the Center for Reproductive Rights. Five days after that, the group filed this petition on her behalf.The filing asked a Travis County district court for a temporary restraining order against the state of Texas and the Texas Medical Board, blocking enforcement of Texas's abortion bans so that Cox can terminate her current pregnancy. It also would block enforcement of S.B. 8, which allows civil lawsuits to be filed against those who help patients receive abortions.That would protect the other plaintiffs in the case, Cox's husband, Justin, and Dr. Damla Karsan, who is prepared to provide the abortion if the court grants their request. Karsan is one of the OB-GYN plaintiffs in the Zurawski v. the State of Texas case.Thursday's ruling will allow Karsan to provide an abortion without threat of prosecution. It only applies to Cox, her husband and Karsan. Issuing the ruling, Judge Guerra Gamble said: "The idea that Ms. Cox wants so desperately to be a parent and this law may have her lose that ability is shocking and would be a genuine miscarriage of justice."There are currently three overlapping abortion bans in Texas. Abortion is illegal in the state from the moment pregnancy begins. Texas doctors can legally provide abortions only if a patient is "in danger of death or a serious risk of substantial impairment of a major bodily function, " the law says."I don't know what that means," Duane says of the language of the medical exception. "But I think [Cox's] situation must fall within whatever it is that that means."The Texas Attorney General's office did not respond to a request for comment on Cox's case, but the office argued in the Zurawski case that the medical exception needs no clarification.Sponsor MessageTexas Alliance for Life, a group that lobbied in the state legislature for the current abortion laws, published a statement about Cox's case Wednesday. "We believe that the exception language in Texas laws is clear," wrote the group's communication director Amy O'Donnell, and accused the Center for Reproductive Rights of pretending to seek clarity while really attempting to "chisel away" at Texas's abortion laws.The timeline of this case was very quick. "I have to be honest, I've never done this before, and that's because no one's ever done this before," Duane says. "But usually when you ask for a temporary restraining order, the court will act very, very quickly in acknowledgement of the emergency circumstances."The hearing was held via Zoom on Thursday morning.The State of Texas cannot appeal the decision directly, says Duane. "They would have to file what's called a writ of mandamus, saying that the district court acted so far out of its jurisdiction and that there needs to be a reversal," Duane explains. "But filing a petition like that is not does not automatically stay the injunction the way that an appeal of a temporary injunction does."In the meantime, the justices of the Texas Supreme Court are considering the Zurawski case, with a decision expected in the next few months. "I want them to take their time to write an opinion that gets this right and will protect patients, doctors and their families going forward," Duane says."But the reality is that in the meantime, people are going to continue to be harmed," and Cox couldn't afford to wait for that decision, Duane says.Duane praises Cox for her bravery in publicly sharing her story while in the midst of a personal medical crisis. "She's exceptional – but I will also say that the pathway to this has been paved by all the other women in our lawsuit," she says. "There is strength in numbers."https://www.kmbc.com/article/court-documents-independence-missouri-pastor-charged-child-molestation/46058889Court documents state that multiple people under the age of 18 accused Virgil Marsh of sexually assaulting them between 2011 and 2018.Marsh, 71, is now in the Jackson County jail.He was charged with two counts of first-degree of child molestation and first-degree statutory sodomy.A probable cause statement indicates that Marsh told police he was a current pastor in Independence and admitted he had "inappropriately touched" one of the victims.He did tell police he 'potentially kissed' a second victim on the mouth but denied sexually touching them.He also told police he has asked for forgiveness with God and is no longer the man who "had previously done things to the victim," the probable cause reads.https://missouriindependent.com/2023/12/07/compensation-for-st-louis-victims-of-nuclear-waste-stripped-from-federal-defense-bill/Compensation for St. Louis victims of nuclear waste stripped from federal defense billProvisions that would have compensated those exposed to radioactive waste left over from the Manhattan Project were removed on WednesdayBY: ALLISON KITE - DECEMBER 7, 2023 9:03 AM      A joint investigation by The Independent and MuckRock.U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley said Thursday he would do everything he could to stop a federal defense spending bill after a provision offering compensation to Americans exposed to decades-old radioactive waste was removed. Speaking on the floor of the Senate, the Missouri Republican called the decision to remove compensation for Americans who have suffered rare cancers and autoimmune diseases a “scar on the conscience of this body.”“This is an injustice,” Hawley said. “This is this body turning its back on these good, proud Americans.”This summer, the Senate amended the National Defense Authorization Act to expand the existing Radiation Exposure Compensation Act to include parts of the St. Louis region where individuals were exposed to leftover radioactive material from the development of the first atomic bomb. It would have also included parts of the Southwest where residents were exposed to bomb testing. But the provision was removed Wednesday by a conference committee of senators and members of the U.S. House of Representatives working out differences between the two chambers' versions of the bill.Even before the text of the amended bill became available Wednesday night, U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri was decrying the removal of the radiation compensation policy. “This is a major betrayal of thousands and thousands of Missourians who have been lied to and ignored for years,” Hawley said in a post on social media Wednesday. Dawn Chapman, a co-founder of Just Moms STL, fought back tears Wednesday night as she described hearing the “gut-wrenching” news from Hawley's staff. Chapman and fellow moms have been advocating for families exposed to or near radioactive waste for years. “I actually thought we had a chance,” Chapman said. But she said the group hopes to get the expansion passed another way. “Nobody has given up on it,” Chapman said.The St. Louis region has suffered from a radioactive waste problem for decades. The area was instrumental in the Manhattan Project, the name given to the effort to build an atomic bomb during World War II. Almost 80 years later, residents of St. Louis and St. Charles counties are still dealing with the fallout. After the war, radioactive waste produced from refining uranium was trucked from downtown St. Louis to several sites in St. Louis County where it contaminated property at the airport and seeped into Coldwater Creek. In the 1970s, remaining nuclear waste that couldn't be processed to extract valuable metals was trucked to the West Lake Landfill and illegally dumped. It remains there today.During the Cold War, uranium was processed in St. Charles County. A chemical plant and open ponds of radioactive waste remained at the site in Weldon Spring for years. The site was remediated in the early 2000s, but groundwater contamination at the site is not improving fast enough, according to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.For years, St. Louis-area residents have pointed to the radioactive waste to explain rare cancers, autoimmune diseases and young deaths. A study by the federal Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry found people who lived along Coldwater Creek or played in its waters faced an increased risk of cancer.Chapman said she knew two individuals who made calls to members of Congress while receiving chemotherapy. It's hard to ask people to keep fighting for the legislation, she said. “They're not going to see another Christmas, and they're not going to see the compensation from this,” Chapman said. “This won't help them.” An investigation by The Missouri Independent, MuckRock and The Associated Press this summer found that the private companies and federal agencies handling and overseeing the waste repeatedly downplayed the danger despite knowledge that it posed a risk to human health.After the report was published, Hawley decried the federal government's failures and vowed to introduce legislation to help. So did U.S. Rep. Cori Bush, D-St. Louis. In a statement Wednesday night, she said the federal government's failure to compensate those who have been harmed by radioactive waste is “straight up negligence.”“The people of St. Louis deserve better, and they deserve to be able to live without worry of radioactive contamination,” Bush said. Missouri's junior senator, Republican Eric Schmitt, grew up near the West Lake Landfill. He said in a statement that the “fight is far from over” and that he will look into other legislation to get victims compensation.“The careless dumping of this waste happened across Missouri, including in my own backyard of St. Louis, and has negatively impacted Missouri communities for decades,” Schmitt said. “I will not stop fighting until it is addressed.”Already, two state lawmakers have pre-filed legislation related to radioactive waste in advance of the Missouri General Assembly reconvening in January. One doubles the budget of a state radioactive waste investigation fund. The other requires further disclosure of radioactive contamination when one sells or rents a house.In July, the U.S. Senate voted 61-37  to adopt Hawley's amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act expanding the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act to include the St. Louis area. It would have also expanded the coverage area to compensate victims exposed to testing of the atomic bomb in New Mexico. The amendment included residents of New Mexico, Colorado, Idaho, Montana and Guam and expanded the coverage area in Nevada, Utah and Arizona, which are already partially covered.The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimated that expanding the program could cost $147.1 billion over 10 years with St. Louis' portion taking up $3.7 billion of that. The amendment would have also renewed the program for existing coverage areas. Without renewal, it will expire in the coming months. Hawley said, however, the “fight is not over.” “I will come to this floor as long as it takes. I will introduce this bill as long as it takes,” he said. “I will force amendment votes as long as it takes until we compensate the people of this nation who have sacrificed for this nation.” https://www.azmirror.com/2023/12/06/in-bid-to-flip-the-legislature-blue-national-dems-announce-spending-on-az/With Republicans holding the barest of majorities in the Arizona Legislature, national Democrats are already making major investments in a bid to flip the state's legislature blue. The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee on Wednesday announced it would spend $70,000 in Arizona to aid in candidate recruitment for key races, hiring staff, digital investments and more. The spending is the start of the DLCC's push in swing states where the committee hopes to either solidify Democratic majorities or pick up seats and win legislative control. The money is part of an initial $300,000 push in swing states by the DLCC, with Arizona and Michigan getting the lion's share of the money. The DLCC is also spending money in New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and North Carolina. In Arizona, Republicans have one-seat majorities in both the 60-member state House of Representatives and the 30-member state Senate. DLCC interim President Heather Williams told the Arizona Mirror that the committee is hoping to flip the House and Senate in part by highlighting the extreme positions of Republican lawmakers. Many proposed law changes inspired by those extreme positions earned vetoes from Gov. Katie Hobbs earlier this year. “The Republican majority in both chambers is vulnerable,” Williams said, adding that this is only the committee's “initial investment,” as the group anticipates spending much more in 2024. Williams did not elaborate on which Arizona races the group plans to target, but mentioned that the group aims to do something similar to what happened in Virginia this year. Last month, Virginia Democrats gained control of the House and solidified their control of the Senate. The DLCC hopes to mirror that in Arizona. In that election, all 140 seats in the Virginia legislature were up for grabs, and Democrat wins will block Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin's ability to fully enact his conservative agenda. The DLCC ended up spending more than $2 million in Virginia. “Here is what we know about Republicans, they are legislating in a way across the country that is not where their constituents are,” Williams said, citing access to abortion and health care for women as key. Republicans and Democrats are eyeing a number of key state house races for 2024 but Williams is confident that her party will come out on top, adding that the DLCC intends to have a dialogue with voters and to help people get registered to vote. “I think we feel really strong with our position as an organization,” Williams said, adding that having Hobbs, a former state lawmaker as a Democratic ally in the governorship will offer advantages. https://alabamareflector.com/2023/12/05/tuberville-relents-on-months-long-blockade-of-most-military-nominees-blaming-democrats/WASHINGTON — After blocking hundreds of U.S. military promotions for most of 2023 in protest of a Pentagon abortion policy, Sen. Tommy Tuberville of Alabama said Tuesday he will lift his holds on all of them except for a handful of four-star general nominees.The senator, who sits on the Senate Committee on Armed Forces, said he told his fellow Senate Republicans “it's been a long fight” but ultimately he said Democrats were to blame for stalling hundreds of service members from moving up in the chain of command. Tuberville had said repeatedly that Democrats could bring each of the nominees to the floor for votes, which would take hours of debate.“We fought hard. We did the right thing for the unborn and for our military, fighting back against executive overreach, and an abortion policy that's not legal,” Tuberville said after announcing his about-face to his fellow Senate Republicans during their regularly scheduled weekly lunch.Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-New York, said Tuesday that he would move the nominations to the floor “as soon as possible, possibly later this afternoon.”“I hope no one does this again, and I hope they learned the lesson of Sen. Tuberville. And that is he held out for many, many months, hurt our national security, caused discombobulation to so many military families who have been so dedicated to our country, and didn't get anything that he wanted,” Schumer said.Tuberville has blocked hundreds of nominees since the spring because he opposes a recent Pentagon policy that allows armed services members time off and travel reimbursement should they need to seek an abortion in a state where it remains legal.Roughly 80,000 active-duty female service members are stationed in states where legislatures enacted full or partial bans following the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, according to a RAND analysis.The Biden administration and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin maintain the policy is legal, as did a 2022 Department of Justice opinion.The list of nominees affected by Tuberville's months-long hold grew to 451 members of the military as of Nov. 27, according to a Department of Defense official. Majority staff for the Senate Armed Services Committee list 445 affected nominees.Tuberville's agreement to halt his protest means that all but 11 of those nominees are expected to clear final Senate approval, according to figures from committee's majority staff.Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky said Tuesday that GOP senators are “pleased obviously that that situation seems to have been ameliorated by recent announcements by the senator from Alabama.”Sen. Jack Reed, chair of the Senate Armed Forces Committee, said in a statement Tuesday he's “glad that hundreds of our nation's finest military leaders will finally receive their hard-won, merit-based promotions.”“They, and their families, have shown us what grace and grit look like in the face of hardship. Senator Tuberville's actions have been an affront to the United States military and the Senate,” said Reed, a Democrat from Rhode Island.“He has jeopardized our national security and abused the rights afforded to all Senators. No Senator should ever attempt to advance their own partisan agenda on the backs of our troops like this again.”Threat of Democratic-led procedure changeTuberville's change in course arrived as Schumer was poised to bring to the floor a Democratic-led rules resolution to bypass the Alabama senator's blockade.The proposed temporary change in floor process would have allowed senators to quickly approve large blocs of nominations simultaneously on the floor, saving hours and hours that would have been required to vote on each individually.Tuberville said Tuesday that he and fellow Republican senators decided they did not want to see any changes to Senate floor procedures and that is the reason he decided to lift his blockade.“All of us are against a rule change in the Senate, OK. We're all against it,” Tuberville said.The Alabama senator's own Republican colleagues have grown publicly frustrated with his stalling of military promotions.GOP senators, including Dan Sullivan of Alaska, Joni Ernst of Iowa and Todd Young of Indiana, have on two occasions held the Senate floor into the wee hours bringing forward the names of nominees, only to meet Tuberville's objections.Some frustrated Republicans last week mulled whether to support the Democratic-led effort to override Tuberville's blockade. Democrats would have needed nine of them to pass the change in procedure.“I have said that right now I support Tommy Tuberville, but if he makes a statement that he's going to maintain this posture through this Congress I intend to vote for nominations under the rules suspension,” Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina told States Newsroom Nov. 29.https://ohiocapitaljournal.com/2023/12/06/ohio-senate-wants-to-stop-you-from-growing-weed-house-fights-back/Ohio Senate wants to stop you from growing weed; House fights backBY: MORGAN TRAU - DECEMBER 6, 2023 4:55 AMWhile Ohio Senate Republicans move to dramatically change recreational marijuana policy, the House is fighting back in a bipartisan fashion — saying the will of the voters must be followed.On Thursday, adults 21 and older in Ohio will be able to smoke weed and grow up to six plants.When Issue 2 passed in November, state Rep. Jamie Callender (R-Concord) knew he could be part of clarifying public policy. He invited WEWS/OCJ's Morgan Trau to his introduction of H.B. 354 in a “skeleton” session Tuesday morning. Skeleton sessions are when typically two lawmakers gather with the House clerk and take less than five minutes to introduce policy.“We preserve the things that the people voted on,” he told Trau after he banged the gavel and Finance Chair state Rep. Jay Edwards (R-Nelsonville) watched.Callender, who has been an outspoken supporter of marijuana, has been working on recreational implementation for years. Issue 2 came after all of his efforts were purposely stalled in the Statehouse.“The Marijuana Legalization Initiative” allows Ohioans to grow up to six plants, with 12 per household. In addition, the proposal would impose a 10% tax at the point of sale for each transaction. It also establishes the Division of Cannabis Control within the Ohio Department of Commerce.Ohioans voted in favor of the statute 57-43%.“I'm glad it passed and I'm excited that we're going to be able to take some of these measures that make it a more responsible act,” Callender said. “I want to make sure that here in this chamber, the People's House, that we carry out the will of the people — and the people have spoken.”His bill doesn't make major changes, but it does add safeguards — like guidelines on advertising, public smoking bans and provisions that give local governments more of a say in where tax revenue goes. It also explains that home grow must take place at residential addresses.“We've seen folks aggregate those six plants and, in essence, create a mega farm which is simply an aggregation or a co-op of a whole lot of home grows,” he said, saying that he is trying to prevent that.The bill, one that Callendar says has bipartisan support in the House, deeply contrasts the Senate's version.The proposal by state Sen. Rob McColley (R-Napoleon) also includes guard rails to prevent exposure to children, including advertising guidelines. It would require marijuana to be packaged in a child-resistant container and prevents “cartoon character” or other pop culture figures whose target audience is a child from being used in weed marketing.However, those safety guidelines are the end of the common ground.The Senate proposal would reduce how much weed you could possess from 2.5 ounces to 1 ounce and 15 grams of marijuana concentrates to 5 grams; It would make weed less strong by limiting THC levels for plants to 25%, when the minimum was 35%. In addition, it would limit extracts to 50%, when the minimum was 90%; and it would make marijuana more expensive by raising the tax from 10% to 15%.It also changes where the taxes go.As mentioned, it was a 10% tax at the point of sale. It was 36% revenue to the cannabis social equity and jobs fund; 36% to the host community cannabis fund to provide funds to jurisdictions with adult-use dispensaries; 25% to the substance abuse and addiction fund; and 3% to the division of cannabis control and tax commissioner fund. Issue 2 capped the number of dispensaries permitted at once to 350, but the bill cuts that down to 230.The Senate version ups to 15% tax at the point of sale. It is 30% to the law enforcement training fund, 15% to the marijuana substance abuse treatment and prevention fund, 10% to the safe driver training fund, and the remaining 45% goes to the grand revenue fund — aka, the state lawmakers.“The social equity program — when you really got down to the nuts and bolts of it — it was tax revenue being collected to be put right back into the hands of the industry,” McColley said. “It was a tax grab by the industry to prop up more dispensaries within the industry.”The “Social Equity and Jobs Program” was established by Issue 2. It is designed to fix “the harms resulting from the disproportionate enforcement of marijuana-related laws” and “reduce barriers to ownership and opportunity” to those “most directly and adversely impacted by the enforcement of marijuana-related laws,” according to the initiative.The most significant change is the proposal eliminates home grow.“The opposition has been all around the black market,” McColley said. “It's been around, ‘how do we keep these plants from then being transferred and sold illegally?'”After facing backlash, McColley assured he wasn't going against the will of the people, since he believes that the voters didn't really know everything that they were voting on.“I think what the voters really voted for would have been access to products,” the senator added.Clearly, the voters want home grow, Callender argued. Access to products means access to home grow, he said.It isn't just Callender who is frustrated with the legislation moving through the other chamber. Dozens of Republican and Democratic representatives are infuriated with the Senate.One with a unique perspective is state Rep. Jeff LaRe (R-Violet Twp.) The Senate took his legislation, H.B. 86, that revised the limit on the gallons of spirituous liquor that a micro-distillery may manufacture each year and added their marijuana proposal onto his bill.“Slap in the face of Ohio voters,” LaRe told WEWS/OCJ.The lawmaker doesn't support recreational marijuana, but he does respect the will of Ohioans, he added.“It's unfortunate they want to use a bill that is focused on helping certain small businesses recover from the pandemic to fast-track language that changes the intent of the ballot initiative,” he said. “I believe we should look into where the tax dollars are spent, but this goes way beyond those details.”Democrats agree. House Minority Whip State Rep. Jessica Miranda (D-Forest Park) says she can't and won't support the Senate version.“I'm not a fan of turning my back on the Ohio voters and the will of what they said when they overwhelmingly passed Issue 2,” Miranda said.When asked what happens if the two chambers don't reach a compromise, Callender said he will be in better standing — since the House can just block the Senate version.“I'm okay with just letting the initiated statute go into effect, which is a pretty strong bargaining position,” he said. “If we don't come up with an agreement, I'll trust the rule-making process, trust Commerce to make good rules to do this.”The Senate is expected to pass the marijuana bill out of committee Wednesday morning, putting it on the floor for a full vote later in the day. The House version is set to be heard Wednesday, as well.This article was originally published on News5Cleveland.com and is published in the Ohio Capital Journal under a content-sharing agreement. Unlike other OCJ articles, it is not available for free republication by other news outlets as it is owned by WEWS in Cleveland.Follow WEWS statehouse reporter Morgan Trau on Twitter and Facebook.https://capitolnewsillinois.com/NEWS/dolly-parton-imagination-library-officially-launches-statewide-in-illinoisPritzker says goal is to send free books to all children, ages 0-5By PETER HANCOCKCapitol News Illinoisphancock@capitolnewsillinois.comSPRINGFIELD – Illinois families with infants and toddlers now have access to free children's books that can be sent directly to their home, regardless of their income.Gov. JB Pritzker on Tuesday announced the official launch of the state's partnership with Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, a program founded by the country music legend in 1995 in her home county in east Tennessee. It now sends free books every month to nearly 3 million children in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia and Ireland.“Today, I couldn't be prouder to announce that the Imagination Library is working with the state of Illinois to begin our journey to provide every child under the age of five an opportunity to receive a free book delivered to them every single month,” Pritzker said at an event at the Bloomington Public Library.Pritzker first announced in June that the state had formed a partnership with the Dollywood Foundation, Parton's philanthropic organization, after Illinois lawmakers included $1.6 million in this year's budget to fund the state's share of the program. Other funding comes from the Dollywood Foundation and local, county-based organizations.Since then, about 44 local programs have been operating in the state, serving roughly 4 percent of eligible children. But Dollywood Foundation executive director Nora Briggs said the goal is to reach all of the estimated 755,000 children under age 5 in Illinois.“We know that nothing is more basic, more essential, more foundational to a child's success in life than the ability to read,” Briggs said. “The research is clear. We cannot wait until kindergarten for children to have access or exposure to books. It must happen early. It must start in the home environment. And reading at home requires books.”People who are interested in enrolling their child in the program can find their local provider on the “check availability” tab located at imaginationlibrary.com. From there, applicants submit basic information including their address, their child's name and date of birth, and the parents' information.Once a child's eligibility is approved, they will start receiving one book each month, addressed to them. Each child within an age group receives the same monthly book. Books on the distribution list are chosen by a panel of early childhood literacy experts who review potential titles for inclusion in the distribution list. In addition to funding the Imagination Library program this year, lawmakers also approved Pritzker's “Smart Start Illinois” initiative that will provide $250 million this year for early childhood programs, including expanded access to preschool, wage support for child care workers, early intervention programs, and home visiting programs.“We're making our mark on every aspect of early childhood, and working with Dolly Parton's Imagination Library literacy efforts will begin now at the earliest ages,” Pritzker said. “Illinois is well on its way to solidifying our status as the number one state in the nation to raise young children.” Capitol News Illinois is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news service covering state government. It is distributed to hundreds of newspapers, radio and TV stations statewide. It is funded primarily by the Illinois Press Foundation and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation, along with major contributions from the Illinois Broadcasters Foundation and Southern Illinois Editorial Association.Stories in today's show originally appeared in the Missouri Independent, Capitol News Illinois, Alabama Reflector, Michigan Advance, Arizona Mirror, KMBC9 Kansas City, Ohio Capital Journal, and NPR News @TheHeartlandPOD on Twitter and ThreadsCo-HostsAdam Sommer @Adam_Sommer85 (Twitter) @adam_sommer85 (Post)Rachel Parker @msraitchetp (Post) Sean Diller (no social)The Heartland Collective - Sign Up Today!JOIN PATREON FOR MORE - AND JOIN OUR SOCIAL NETWORK!“Change The Conversation”Outro Song: “The World Is On Fire” by American Aquarium http://www.americanaquarium.com/

Virginia activists delivered a letter to the offices of Virginia Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine demanding they support a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas War; Virginia Democrats have introduced a constitutional amendment aimed at protecting abortion access — permanently, but it could be a lengthy process; and other stories

The Washington Roundtable: In this past week's off-cycle elections, Ohioans voted to enshrine the right to abortion access in their state constitution; Virginia Democrats took full control of their General Assembly blue; and deep-red Kentucky reëlected Democratic Governor Andy Beshear. Abortion is “an incredibly powerful issue that has the possibility to realign the parties,” the New Yorker staff writer Jane Mayer says, and could make a big difference in 2024. Democrats who have made reproductive rights a part of their platform have secured victories in local and statewide elections since Roe v. Wade was overturned last year. Yet a new poll, out this week, shows President Biden trailing Donald Trump in five of six key battleground states—all of which Biden won in 2020. The New Yorker staff writers Evan Osnos and Susan B. Glasser join Mayer to weigh in on the role that abortion might play in the politics of 2024 as well as the current disconnect between the facts and public mood on the economy, Trump's civil trial, and the presumed Biden-Trump rematch in 2024.

11.10.2023 #RolandMartinUnfiltered: VP Harris Files 2024 Paperwork, Tuberville Blocking Military Appointments, Eric LaSalle's Book Vice President Kamala Harris files the paperwork putting President Joe Biden on South Carolina's 2024 presidential ballot leading off the Democratic presidential primary. Alabama Senator Tommy Tuberville continues to block blocks hundreds of military nominees over the Department of Defense's abortion policy. Virginia Democrats take control of both the Senate and the House of Delegates. Del. Don Scott, Virginia's first Black Speaker of the House, will be in the studio.  Actor Eric LaSalle will join us to discuss his new book, "The Laws of Annihilation." And we'll talk to the sculptor who created the larger-than-life statue of Johnson Publishing Company founder John H. Johnson in his Arkansas hometown.  Download the Black Star Network app at http://www.blackstarnetwork.com! We're on iOS, AppleTV, Android, AndroidTV, Roku, FireTV, XBox and SamsungTV. The #BlackStarNetwork is a news reporting platform covered under Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Comedian Michael Loftus and Glenn Beck's chief writer and researcher, Jason Buttrill, join the show to discuss last night's election results from across the country that left the GOP in shambles. Virginia Democrats swept the state legislature, and Kentucky's gubernatorial race went to the Democrat. Across the country, abortion dominated the elections with Ohio enshrining abortion into its state constitution. The House Oversight Committee led by Congressman James Comer subpoenaed Hunter Biden, James Biden, and their business associate, Rob Walker, for testimony before the panel as part of its investigation into the Biden family's business dealings. Last night, the House voted to censure Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib for her attack on Israel and for calling for the destruction of the Jewish state. Twenty-two Democrats voted with Republicans to censure Tlaib. Eight of those Democrats are Jewish. Congressman Thomas Massie attempted last night to protect Americans from a bill that would add a "kill switch" that would stop drivers who were "impaired" to all cars made after 2026. Today's Sponsors: Right now, you can save $200 on an EdenPure OxiLeaf II Thunderstorm 3-pack for whole-home protection. You get three units for under $200. Put one in your basement, bedroom, family room, kitchen, or anywhere you need clean, fresh air. Go to http://edenpuredeals.com You can get a FREE report with all the details on how the Bank On Yourself strategy adds guarantees, predictability, and control to your financial plan. Just go to http://www.bankonyourself.com/matters Upgrade your sleep with Miracle Made sheets! Go to http://www.TryMiracle.com/NEWS and use code NEWS to claim your FREE THREE-PIECE TOWEL SET and SAVE over 40% off! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It was another busy week for the Biden Administration, as Israel's war against Hamas continues, with Israeli forces pushing deeper into Gaza. FOX News Political Anchor and Washington Correspondent Jared Halpern discusses the Biden Administration's messaging on the war and its efforts to send aid into the Gaza Strip. Jared also touches upon renewed concerns by mayors across the United States about the ongoing crisis at the Southern Border, and the President's trip to Lewiston, Maine to meet with survivors of the recent mass shooting in the state.    Tuesday is Election Day, and the Kentucky gubernatorial race remains close, as incumbent Governor Andy Beshear and Attorney General Daniel Cameron are polling at 47%, according to Emerson College Polling. While the Bluegrass state may decide to keep its Democratic Governor, Virginia Democrats are using Governor Glenn Youngkin's proposed 15-week abortion ban to urge voters to reject GOP votes in the State House and Senate races. The Senate and Governors Editor for the Cook Political Report, Jessica Taylor, explains why Governor Beshear remains popular and why the issue of abortion highlights bigger issues heading into 2024.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lucretia hosts this week, as the fearsome threesome give a brief summary of a recent law school seminar on natural law and the Constitution we presented last week at Berkeley Law before a group of somewhat skeptical students, and then moving on to assaying the Biden impeachment inquiry and Hunter Biden's smoking gun charge, asking why all the White House spokespeople seem to have come from Nerd Central (we mean you, Ian Sams!), and explaining the fundamental asymmetry of the Administrative State in Democratic and Republican presidencies.And isn't it nice that Virginia Democrats have offered us a whole new definition of a "working family"? Who knew that Only Fans might become a new source for campaign contributions. Also: once again the question—are Biden and Harris both on the Democrats' chopping block for next year?Get this: the latest rationale for federal government censorship of the internet is protecting "cognitive infrastructure," which sounds beyond the perverse imagination even of Orwell. And you know how well things go when the government gets interested in infrastructure! But I now have an excuse for the next time I forget something: "My memory hit a pothole in my cognitive infrastructure!"Finally, we close out with some actual news, namely, John Yoo sharing some perspective on his expert witness testimony in the ongoing disbarment proceeding against John Eastman this week.

Escaped PA inmate Danelo Cavalcante is captured. The impeachment trial of AG Ken Paxton continues. A Virginia Democrat live streamed sex acts for money and Democrats blame Glenn Youngkin. CPI inflation numbers come in hotter than expected. The White House tells the media to investigate Republicans' lies on impeachment allegations. An FDA panel says the common over-the-counter decongestant doesn't work.Please visit our great sponsors:Black Rifle Coffeehttps://blackriflecoffee.com/danaChange the lives of Veterans and their families with the Boot Campaign with every purchase of the Ready-to-Drink Coffee!Hartford Gold:CALL 866-887-1188 or text DANA to 998899.Call right now and they will give you up to $5000 of free silver on your first qualifying order. Hillsdalehttps://danaforhillsdale.comGet your free copy of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence today!KelTechttps://KelTecWeapons.comSign up for the KelTec Insider and be the first to know the latest KelTec news. Patriot Mobilehttps://patriotmobile.com/danaGet free activation with the offer code DANA.

A Virginia Democrat live streamed sex acts for money and Democrats blame Glenn Youngkin. Meanwhile, an FDA panel says the common over-the-counter decongestant doesn't actually work.Please visit our great sponsors:Black Rifle Coffeehttps://blackriflecoffee.com/danaChange the lives of Veterans and their families with the Boot Campaign with every purchase of the Ready-to-Drink Coffee!Hartford Gold:CALL 866-887-1188 or text DANA to 998899.Call right now and they will give you up to $5000 of free silver on your first qualifying order. Hillsdalehttps://danaforhillsdale.comGet your free copy of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence today!KelTechttps://KelTecWeapons.comSign up for the KelTec Insider and be the first to know the latest KelTec news. Patriot Mobilehttps://patriotmobile.com/danaGet free activation with the offer code DANA.

Virginia Democrats are betting that defending abortion rights will lead to wins in the state's fall elections. Host Ben Leonard talks with Madison Fernandez, author of POLITICO's Weekly Score, about the momentum building among Democrats despite their 2021 losses on the issue there.    

Just three days after 9/11, Congress authorized a major expansion of executive power: the President could now wage war against terrorism without prior approval. The resolution was called the Authorization for Use of Military Force, and it passed almost unanimously. Its reauthorization, in 2002, brought our country to war with Iraq, and has been used to deploy American forces all over the world. More than twenty years later, the mood in the country has changed dramatically, and lawmakers in both parties are pushing to roll back the President's discretion to use force. A bill to revoke the A.U.M.F. passed the Senate 66–30 a few weeks ago, and it is expected to pass the House as well. David Remnick talks with the senators who led that effort—Tim Kaine, a Virginia Democrat, and Todd Young, a Republican from Indiana—and with Representative Barbara Lee of California, who, in 2001, cast the sole dissenting vote in all of Congress.   Plus, David Remnick remembers the beloved cartoonist Ed Koren, a fixture of the magazine for more than half a century.

Five former Memphis police officers have been charged with second degree murder for the killing of Tyre Nichols, a Black man who died days after he was violently arrested on Jan. 7th.  Footage of the incident is set to be released Friday night — and lawyers for Nichols' family, who have seen the video, compared it to the infamous police beating of Rodney King in 1991.And in headlines: Israeli forces killed 9 Palestinians during a raid in the occupied West Bank, the College Board said it will revise its pilot AP course on African American Studies, and Virginia Democrats defeated three Republican attempts to restrict abortion in the state.Show Notes:What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcastCrooked Coffee is officially here. Our first blend, What A Morning, is available in medium and dark roasts. Wake up with your own bag at crooked.com/coffeeFollow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/whataday/For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday 

In this episode, I address the most important Election Day takeaways.  News Picks: Ron DeSantis absolutely destroys Charlie Crist.  Brian Kemp soundly defeats Stacey Abrams. JD Vance steamrolls Tim Ryan. Stacey Abrams and Beto burned millions on massive Election Day losses.  A Virginia Democrat who ran on the January 6th message, looks like she's going to lose. A big win for a southern border district for Monica De la Cruz. Sarah Huckabee Sanders pulls off a big win.  Michigan is called for Whitmer. How the Democrats lost America. Copyright Bongino Inc All Rights Reserved Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices