State News

--maryland----------------------------

Dec 9, 2022: Capital-Gazette: ‘It’s personal’: Maryland Democrats say US electoral count bill elicits searing Jan. 6 memories
“It’s still difficult,” Cardin says. “We relive it when we see the videos today.”
That jarring afternoon may remain lodged in his memory, but Cardin and many of his colleagues — including fellow U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland and Baltimore-area U.S. Rep. John Sarbanes — are pushing for pending legislation to lessen the chances of similar insurrections by eliminating ambiguity in the electoral count system that officially decides who will be president. Cardin was a member of an informal, bipartisan Senate group that developed the pending bill.

Maryland: - Baltimore Post-Examiner - Capital Gazette -

USA Today: Election 2022 live updates: Justice Department sending monitors to battleground states
With one day before the Nov. 8 election, both Democratic and Republican leaders portrayed confidence and optimism heading into the home stretch.
President Joe Biden will stick close to home on Monday, campaigning in Maryland for gubernatorial candidate Wes Moore. Former President Donald Trump returns to Ohio to rally support around Republican Senate candidate JD Vance.
Both were out over the weekend, along with former President Bill Clinton, spending time on on both coasts to rally their party faithful and try to persuade any remaining undecided voters to come to their side of the aisle
11.7.22

The Guardian: Wes Moore bids to become Maryland governor: ‘I’m running against an insurrectionist’
Wes Moore will in all likelihood be the next governor of Maryland. A month before election day, one poll gave him a 32-point lead over his Republican opponent, Dan Cox.
If successful, Moore will be the state’s first Black governor – and only the third Black governor of any state. He stresses the need for bipartisan support in a time of divide.
10.6.22

==massachusetts======

Reps. Pressley, Omar Introduce Long COVID Moonshot Bill
WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) and Congresswoman Ilhan Omar (MN-05) introduced the Long Covid Research Moonshot Act, which would provide the National Institutes of Health (NIH) with $1 billion in mandatory funding per year for a decade to support studies, the pursuit of treatments, and the expansion of care for U.S. patients impacted by the condition. Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) introduced companion legislation last month. “Those experiencing Long COVID have been facing their challenges unheard for far too long, and they deserve a robust federal response that demonstrates that we see them, we have not forgotten about them, and we will not stop fighting to get them the care they need and deserve,” said Congresswoman Pressley. “Our bill builds on previous legislation to invest the resources necessary to confront this crisis head-on and it will help ensure that no one is left out or left behind in our pandemic recovery. I’m grateful to Rep. Omar and our colleagues for their partnership.” “Long COVID is a silent health crisis impacting over twenty-three million Americans, including one million children,” said Rep. Omar. “We must take bold action to help Americans suffering from long COVID. I’m proud to lead this effort in the House with Rep. Pressley to recognize long COVID as the public health emergency that it is and invest in countering the effects of this terrible disease.” “For far too long, millions of Americans suffering from long Covid have had their symptoms dismissed or ignored—by the medical community, by the media, and by Congress,” said Sanders, chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP). “That is unacceptable and has got to change. The legislation that we have introduced finally recognizes that long Covid is a public health emergency and provides an historic investment into research, development, and education needed to counter the effects of this terrible disease.” The Long Covid Research Moonshot Act is cosponsored by Reps. Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Eleanor Holmes (DC), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), Raul Grijalva (AZ-07), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Adam Smith (WA-09), Cori Bush (MO-01), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Barbara Lee (CA-12), James P. McGovern (MA-02), Jahana Hayes (CT-05), Nydia M. Velázquez (NY-07), Jamaal Bowman (NY-16), Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03), Gwen Moore (WI-04), Zoe Lofgren (CA-18), Kevin Mullin (CA-15), Maxwell Alejandro Frost (FL-10).
(Ayanna Pressley 9/30/24) READ MORE>>>>>

March 3, 2023: Vermont Public: Advocates want more focus on educational needs of foster children in Massachusetts
A Massachusetts advocacy group is calling on school districts to put more effort into foster children, who tend to do worse academically than those not in state care.

March 3, 2023: WCVB: New chair of Massachusetts GOP says party 'aware' of ongoing investigation
While the Massachusetts Republican Party works to solve some serious money issues, the party's new chair said they are aware of an ongoing outside investigation.
Amy Carnevale, who became the party's leader earlier this year, answered questions about the financial troubles during an interview for Sunday's episode of "On The Record."

March 3, 2023: NBCBoston: Bill Proposes Stricter Animal Abuse Laws in Mass.
People convicted of animal abuse can still own, adopt and foster pets under Massachusetts law, unless the abuse was of a sexual nature. A bill pending on Beacon Hill, titled An Act to Protect Animals from Convicted Animal Abusers, would expand the law to include other types of abuse, including torture, mutilation and dogfighting.

======michigan==========

About 62% of likely Michigan general election voters in a Detroit News/WDIV (Channel 4) poll said former President Donald Trump does not deserve re-election and someone else should be given a chance to do better, a better showing than President Joe Biden.

Biden struggling in Michigan as Trump grabs strong lead, poll shows
President Joe Biden's support is on shaky ground in Michigan, and he trails Republican Donald Trump by 8 percentage points in a head-to-head matchup 10 months before the Nov. 5 election, according to a new statewide poll commissioned by The Detroit News and WDIV-TV (Channel 4). The survey of 600 likely general election voters in the battleground state found only 17% said Biden, the Democratic incumbent, deserved another term leading the country. That number marked a low for a major public officeholder in modern Michigan political history, said Richard Czuba, founder of Lansing-based Glengariff Group, which conducted the poll.
(Craig Mauger/Detroit News 1/9/24)
READ MORE>>>>>

Michigan:
- Daily Mining Gazette - Detroit News
- Holland Sentinel - Michigan Live -
Oceanas Herald-Journal - 62DetroitCBS
- WIN 98.5
- WoodTV
- WWMT -

April 28, 2023: WWMT: Retired W. Michigan U.S. Rep. Fred Upton receives honorary WMU degree
Retired, longtime U.S. Congressman Fred Upton (R-St. Joseph) received an honorary degree from Western Michigan University Saturday.
Upton, who spent 18 terms in the U.S. House of Representatives, did not run for re-election in 2022 as a result the U.S. Congressional districts being redrawn.

Associated Press: Future of American democracy loomed large in voters’ minds
Michigan voters approved a wide-ranging initiative backed by voting-rights advocates. Among other things, it would expand early voting options, require state-funded return postage and offer drop boxes for absentee ballots. The measure also specified that the Board of State Canvassers has only a “clerical, nondiscretionary” duty to certify election results.
11.9.22

Feb 21, 2023: The Bulwark: The Michigan State GOP Doubles Down on Losing
Its new leader, Kristina Karamo, is an election denier and conspiracist who wants to steer the party away from moderate donors and swing voters—and straight toward extreme MAGA.

Dec 15, 2022: Capitol Gazette: Two get prison time for assisting Gov. Gretchen Whitmer kidnap plotter
Two men who forged an early alliance with the leader of a plot to kidnap Michigan’s governor were sentenced Thursday to lengthy prison terms for assisting him before the FBI broke up the scheme in 2020.
Pete Musico was given a minimum term of 12 years and his son-in-law Joe Morrison got 10 years. A third person, Paul Bellar, was awaiting his sentence at the same hearing in Jackson County.

NBC News: Who was the biggest loser Tuesday? Trump
In Michigan, the Trump-endorsed Republican nominee, Tudor Dixon, got trounced in the governor’s race by Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. To add insult to injury, Trump’s pick for Michigan secretary of state — the person who, crucially, will oversee the 2024 election in the state — lost her bid to a Democratic challenger. 11.9.22

New York Times: Tracking Problems at the Polls
Election officials are on alert for voter intimidation. Problems with voting equipment in Arizona and Michigan have been seized on by the right. Our reporters are covering the issues from polling places around the country. 11.8.22

======minnesota==========

Minnesota:
- Star-Tribune - The Journal -

Joe Teirab wins Republican primary in 2nd Congressional District, will face Rep. Angie Craig in November
Joe Teirab will face incumbent Democratic Rep. Angie Craig in the November general election after being declared the winner in the Republican primary in Minnesota's 2nd Congressional District. Teirab did not earn the GOP's endorsement, but the candidate who did, Tayler Rahm, dropped out of the primary race in July to take a job on former President Donald Trump's election campaign. (CBS News; 8/14/24) READMORE>>>>>

MTG profiles Rep. Ilhan Omar over language translation and threatens to censure and deport her
Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) has become the target of Republican ire after an inaccurate translation of a speech given last week in Somalia sparked a desire to racially and culturally profile her – with Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA ) took up the charge and demanded their censure and deportation. In the speech in question, delivered at the Minneapolis Hyatt Hotel at a ceremony marking the recent elections in Puntland, a region of Somalia, Omar reportedly told the audience that Somalia would remain united and use its influence to keep it that way Minnesota Reformer, which, combined with Republicans’ unclear understanding of the rest of her speech, led to her loyalty to the United States being questioned. (World Times Today 2/1/24) READ MORE>>>>>

“Today I am introducing a motion of censure against Ilhan Omar for admitting to working as a foreign agent for a foreign country,” Greene said in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday. “I urge my colleagues to vote no confidence, but I wish I had the votes to expel and deport them.”

April 25, 2023: Star-Tribune: Attorney general proposed as gatekeeper of Minnesota health care mergers
Legislation empowers Minnesota's lawyer to evaluate whether mergers are good for the state, not just whether they meet charitable, business laws.

Jan 13, 2023: The Journal: Lafayette to receive $1 million in federal funding
U. S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith announced Thursday they have secured $1 million in federal funding through the Fiscal Year 2023 budget to improve drinking water access in Lafayette.

Sept 16, 2014: Talking Points Memo: Governor Calls NFL Star's Child Abuse Case An 'Embarrassment' To Minnesota
Adrian Peterson may be an athletic icon in Minnesota, but the state’s governor didn’t mince words on Tuesday in rebuking the former NFL MVP over accusations of child abuse.
A day after the Minnesota Vikings announced it will reinstate its star running back, Gov. Mark Dayton (D) signaled his disagreement with the decision, calling Peterson’s alleged actions “a public embarrassment to the Vikings organization and the State of Minnesota.

--missouri-------------------------------

Bill would open Missouri public school sports to homeschool students
A bill to allow home-educated students to participate in Missouri public school activities is back for the upcoming legislative session — and has been coupled with provisions rolling back state oversight of homeschooling families. Sen. Ben Brown, a Washington Republican, pre-filed a 52-page bill that largely resembles the version he sponsored that cleared the Senate last session. While it initially was only two pages and focused on giving homeschool kids the opportunity to play sports and join clubs in public schools, it now would add a new category for home-educated students and rescind attendance officers’ authority over homeschool families. (Anelise Hanshaw/Muddy River News 12/30/23)
READ MORE>>>>>

State Rep. Maggie Nurrenbern, a Kansas City Democrat, said what concerns her about the legislation is “simply not knowing which students are being homeschooled.”
“It’s imperative… that when parents make the decision to homeschool their child, we have some reporting procedures in place so that we know which students are actually being homeschooled,” she said in an interview with The Independent.

Missouri: - ABC30 St Louis - Joplin KSN12 - Kansas City Star - KHSB41 - Ky3 Springfield - Springfield News-Leader - Standard Democrat -

Jan 13, 2023; KHSB: Kansas City, Missouri, City Council to consider antisemitism resolution
The Kansas City, Missouri, City Council is tentatively scheduled to introduce a resolution next week to “recognize the growing problem of antisemitism in America.”
The resolution is sponsored by Mayor Quinton Lucas and Councilwoman Andrea Bough.

Christian Post: School shooting leaves 3 dead, including gunman, in St. Louis; several injured
A gunman entered a Missouri high school and opened fire on Monday, killing two and injuring several others. Authorities say the suspected shooter died at a hospital. 10.24.22

--montana-----------------------

Biden gets support from key lawmakers as he tells Democrats he won’t step aside after debate
On Capitol Hill, more prominent voices lined up behind Biden, including the chair of the House’s Congressional Progressive Caucus, Rep. Pramila Jayapal, who was not ready to cast aside the president, saying that the threat of a second Trump presidency remains too high. Yet one of the most endangered Democrats this election cycle, Sen. Jon Tester of Montana, said in a statement, “President Biden has got to prove to the American people — including me — that he’s up to the job for another four years.” (AP 7/8/24) READ MORE>>>>>

Montana: - Billings Gazette - Flathead Beacon - Sidney Herald -

Zorek Richards

April 7, 2023:
Republican state lawmakers in Montana are advancing legislation that would alter next year’s U.S. Senate primary in an apparent bid to thwart the reelection of Sen. Jon Tester, one of several Democrats on the ballot in GOP-leaning states.
The measure would allow the top two candidates in the primary, no matter their party, to win slots on the 2024 general election ballot. It’s now before House lawmakers after passing in the Senate by a 27-23 vote on Tuesday.
Seven Republicans joined all of the chamber’s Democrats in voting against the measure.

Nov 17, 2022: Flathead Beacon: Blackfeet Nation Challenges Montana Ban on Vaccine Mandates as Infringement on Sovereignty
“This case is really about the state of Montana attempting to assert its jurisdiction within the Blackfeet Nation’s territory,” said Mark Carter, a staff attorney with the Native American Rights Fund, a nonprofit that represents the tribe. “What happens on the reservation directly affects the health and safety of Blackfeet citizens and all those within the reservation.”
Other states pushed back against pandemic restrictions: At least 25 states beyond Montana permanently whittled down public health powers in 2021.
Montana’s vaccine mandate ban is the subject of a separate lawsuit, led by the Montana Medical Association, in which the plaintiffs argue that the law is unconstitutional and prevents health care facilities from providing a safe environment for patients. A decision by U.S. District Judge Donald Molloy was pending as of mid-November.

nebraska

==nevada======================

Trump campaign sues Nevada, alleges counting of non-postmarked mail ballots
The suit hinges on an official’s testimony that said non-postmarked ballots can be counted within three days of Election Day, but did not provide direct proof. The Trump campaign has filed its third lawsuit challenging election procedures in Nevada, now alleging that state elections officials are counting non-postmarked mail ballots after Election Day, without providing clear evidence of such a practice occurring. The suit, announced Monday and filed in Carson City District Court by lawyers also representing the Republican National Committee (RNC) and Nevada GOP, hinges on April testimony from Mark Wlaschin, the deputy secretary of state for elections, who said the office accepts and counts ballots received in the mail up to three days after Election Day, even if it does not have a clear postmark.
(Nevada Independent 6/4/24) READ MORE>>>>>

Nevada: - Las Vegas Review Journal - Nevada Appeal - Nevada Independent - Record-Courier -

RFK Jr. files new petition to land on Nevada ballot; earlier effort stuck in court
The campaign must gather at least 10,095 signatures by July 5 after its original petition was deemed invalid for omitting a running mate. Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s independent presidential campaign has filed a new petition with Nevada election officials to qualify for the November general election, after the candidate’s previous petition did not meet state requirements of including a vice presidential candidate on signature forms. The signature gathering deadline for independent presidential candidates is July 5, meaning the campaign has less than one month to gather at least 10,095 signatures before state officials can undertake a signature verification process. (Nevada Independent 6/7/24) READ MORE>>>>>

MAGA candidate’s former mother-in-law pens scathing op-ed calling for her to quit
A Trump-aligned candidate running for Congress in Nevada’s competitive 3rd district, was the subject of a scathing op-ed accusing her of infidelity, lying and raising a murderer – written by her former mother-in-law. The piece, published last week in The Nevada Globe
about Elizabeth Helgelien, was written by Christine Halseth whose late son, Daniel Halseth, was married to her for 11 years. Mr Halseth was murdered in 2021 by the teenage daughter he shared with Ms Helgelien, Sierra Halseth, and her boyfriend Aaron Guerrero. The pair stabbed Mr Halseth before setting his house on fire and attempting to flee. They were caught and are now serving life sentences. In an op-ed titled ,“The Worst Congressional Candidate Ever?”, Christine Halseth said voters should not support Ms Helgelien, a former Nevada state senator now running for the US House of Representatives.
(The Independent 3/18/24) READ MORE>>>>>

New York Times: Democrats Hold the Senate, as Cortez Masto Ekes Out a Victory in Nevada
Senator Catherine Cortez Masto defeated Adam Laxalt, the state’s former attorney general. Democrats now will try to add to their control of the chamber in Georgia’s runoff election on Dec. 6. 11.12.22

Politico: Ringleader of Trump-aligned election officials nears Nevada takeover
If Republican Jim Marchant wins his close secretary of state race, he could fundamentally reshape elections here, with enormous ramifications for how they are run in Nevada. He has called for eliminating mail voting, curtailing early voting and pushing for hand counts of ballots — despite evidence that the practice is more error-prone than using machines — and could generally make it more difficult to vote in the state. If he refused to certify accurate election results down the road, it could sow chaos in the state and nationally.11.1.22

--new hampshire----------------------

Haley woos independents in final New Hampshire push against Trump
PORTSMOUTH/KEENE, New Hampshire, Jan 21 (Reuters) - Tom Mita, a 45-year-old non-profit worker in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, is not registered with a political party. That makes him the perfect target for Nikki Haley, who needs independent voters for a chance to prevail in this pivotal primary state. Mita is thinking about voting for Haley, he told a pair of door knockers who were canvassing on behalf of the former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations outside his suburban home on Saturday, but he isn't completely sold on her candidacy. (Gram Slattery/Reuters 1/21/24) READ MORE>>>>>

New Hampshire: - WMUR -

“Haley’s refusal to admit that the Civil War was rooted in slavery last night in Berlin is just the latest of her shameful attempts to whitewash our country’s history," said New Hampshire Democratic Party Chair Ray Buckley. "From defending the Confederate flag and leaders to equating Black History Month with Confederate History Month, Haley’s record bowing to the extreme fringes of the MAGA base speaks volumes and is yet another reason why New Hampshire voters will reject her next year.”

Nikki Haley expands on Civil War comment after backlash
Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley on Thursday addressed the backlash to her Wednesday night comments about what she thought was the cause of the American Civil War, during which she notably did not cite slavery as a cause, sparking criticism. “Of course, the Civil War was about slavery," said Haley at a Thursday town hall in New Hampshire. "We know that. That’s unquestioned. Always the case. We know the Civil War was about slavery.”
(Abby Cruz/ABC News 12/27/24)
READ MORE>>>>>

Nov 18, 2022: Term Limits Congress: REP. KAREN REID PLEDGES TO SUPPORT CONGRESSIONAL TERM LIMITS
U.S. Term Limits (USTL), the leader in the national, non-partisan movement to limit terms for elected officials, is gathering support from state lawmakers across the nation. Its mission is to get 34 states to apply for an amendment proposal convention specific to term limits on Congress. New Hampshire state Rep. Karen Reid (Hillsborough 27), has committed support for term limits on Congress by signing the Term Limits Convention pledge.

Associated Press: Future of American democracy loomed large in voters’ minds
In New Hampshire, voters reelected Republican Gov. Chris Sununu to a fourth term but rejected three congressional candidates who were either endorsed by Trump or aligned themselves with the former president. Instead, voters sent Democratic incumbents back to Washington.
11.9.22

WMUR: Full New Hampshire 2022 general election results
U.S. SENATE:
Dem: Maggie Hassan
GOP: Donald Bolduc

GOVERNOR
R: Chris Sununu (i)
R: Tom Sherman

Feb 15, 2023: Roll Call: DHS chief Mayorkas talks immigration with Latino Senate Democrats
The group, which met in the Senate Foreign Relations committee room for nearly an hour, included Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Menendez of New Jersey, Sen. Alex Padilla of California, who chairs the Judiciary Committee’s immigration panel, and Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada and Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico.

--new jersey--------------------

Trump Says He’d ‘Immediately Deport ‘Anti-Americanism’ Protesters in Bizarre Rally Speech
Much like the college administrators who called the cops on student protesters, Donald Trump‘s solution appears to be using the force of the state to quash any political uprising. While speaking on the war in Gaza during a campaign rally in Wildwood, New Jersey on Saturday, Trump criticized the pro-Palestine protests on American college campuses, saying, “When I’m president, we will not allow colleges to be taken over by violent radicals.” “If you come here from another country and try to bring jihadism, or anti-Americanism, or antisemitism to our campuses we will immediately deport you, you’ll be out of that school,” Trump continued. Trump also alleged the protesters were being funded by political donors who were unaffiliated with the schools. He has previously compared the campus protesters at Columbia University to the Jan. 6 insurrectionists, although he distinguishes the former as destructive and damaging and the latter group as “unbelievable patriots.”
(Rolling Stone 5/11/24) READ MORE>>>>>

June 21, 2021: Campaigns & Elections: NEW JERSEY AND VIRGINIA’S ‘21 ELECTIONS ARE TESTING GROUNDS FOR THE MIDTERMS
This year's elections in Virginia and New Jersey are a big deal for people in those states, but they're also a big deal for political professionals across the country.

new mexico

New York

north carolina

north dakota

ohio

==oklahoma=======

Trump’s violent talk shows signs of taking over Congress
Trump-allied conservatives are using more pugnacious rhetoric than ever, and in some cases, such as an incident Tuesday featuring Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), are ready to make things physical, a trend that is setting off alarm bells on Capitol Hill. Republican and Democratic senators say former President Trump’s bombastic threats and insults, which have proved to be a winning political formula for the GOP, are catching on more broadly in Congress. (Alexander Bolton/The Hill 11/15/23) READ MORE>>>>>

--oregon------------------------

Reuters: Biden, campaigning for Oregon's Kotek, warns about Trump's impact on states
U.S. President Joe Biden warned that former President Donald Trump's hold on the Republican Party would spill into state government on Saturday during an event to boost Democrat Tina Kotek in Oregon's tight race for governor. 10.15.22

Penn Gazette: Candidate for Fayette Pa. House seat assaulted amid warnings about election-related threats and violence
Democrat Richard Ringer said he was bloodied and knocked unconscious by an attacker in his backyard around 5 a.m.
“A guy was standing with his back to me. I went and bear-hugged him, wrestled, ended up on the ground,” said Mr. Ringer, 69, who is running in a contested race for the open 51st House District seat against Republican Charity Grimm Krupa. “He was larger than I am and he pinned me down on my left side. ... He hit me 10 to 12 times in the head, in the face and by the eye and he knocked me out.” 11.1.22

pennsylvania

South carolina

How Trump won South Carolina primary and why Nikki Haley isn’t quitting yet
Frontrunner Donald Trump has cruised to victory in South Carolina’s Republican primary with the support of an almost unwavering base of loyal voters. But rival Nikki Haley says she is not dropping out of the United States presidential race. Despite her loss in a state where she previously won two terms as governor, Haley said she will stay in the race until at least the Super Tuesday primaries on March 5.
(Aljazeera 2/25/24) READ MORE>>>>>

- News2 -

- Nikki Haley -

- Tim Scott -

Feb 16, 2023: Rolling Stone: Nikki Haley Is Unable to Explain Why Voters Should Pick Her Over Trump
The former South Carolina governor is refusing to criticize the former president she's ostensibly trying to dethrone

Feb 1, 2023: NBC News: Sen. Tim Scott heading to Iowa amid 2024 buzz
Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., is holding events in two early presidential primary states amid speculation that he could run for the White House in 2024.

Jan 19, 2023: News2: SC families, law enforcement call on lawmakers to toughen fentanyl penalties
Families from across the state shared their stories of loss Thursday at the South Carolina State House.
They all had one thing in common, they lost someone to a fatal fentanyl overdose.
Lisa Montgomery’s son died of an overdose in 2020. Montgomery urged lawmakers pass legislation to establish penalties for fentanyl-induced homicide.
She said, “It only takes a spark to light a fire and create a difference. I pray today to start that flicker and put an end to the blanket statement of drug dealers eluding they do not know fentanyl is laced in their drugs.”

Jan 18, 2023: News2: U.S. Sen. Tim Scott and Superintendent of Education to tour North Charleston schools
U.S. Senator Tim Scott and Superintendent of Education Ellen Weaver will tour schools in North Charleston on Wednesday morning.
Sen. Scott and Supt. Weaver will first visit Charleston Classical School, a private school, where they will tour classrooms and participate in a closed conversation with school parents.

Dec 14, 2022: Politico: Come on down? House GOP weighs the right price to topple a speaker
Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C), one of five current public opponents of McCarthy, said one side views the speaker-toppling motion “like drowning everyone in gasoline” and giving all House Republicans a match, while others view it as a precedent that holds party leadership accountable to the rank and file.

South Dakota

tennessee

texas

utah

vermont

May 6, 2023: Globe World News Echo: Vermont Legislature Passes 3-Day Gun Buy Waiting Period, But Gov. Scott Apprehensive

The Vermont Legislature on Friday passed a bill that would impose a 72-hour waiting period for all firearm purchases, which lawmakers claim will help stem suicides and impulsive violent acts.
The bill would also expand the reach of the state’s “red flag” laws, formally referred to as extreme risk protection orders, and creates a criminal charge for negligent firearms storage.
Republican Gov. Phil Scott “has significant concerns about the constitutionality” of the waiting period, a point often echoed by opponents of the legislation.

virginia

Feb 21, 2023: Virginia Pilot: Jennifer McClellan wins special election for Virginia’s 4th District
Democrat Jennifer McClellan defeated her Republican opponent in a special election Tuesday to win a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, where she will be the first Black woman to represent Virginia in Congress.
McClellan, a veteran state legislator from Richmond, prevailed over pastor and Navy veteran Leon Benjamin in the race for the blue-leaning 4th District, which has its population center in the capital city and stretches south to the North Carolina border.

- Tim Kaine -

Virginia Pilot

Feb 16, 2023: Virginian Pilot: U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine pushing to formally end the Gulf and Iraq wars
U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine is among two legislators leading a bipartisan push to reassert Congress’ constitutional right to decide when the military is sent to war.
“It’s time for Congress to start once again authorizing our Article I powers over war, peace and diplomacy,” the Virginia Democrat said Thursday during a virtual news conference.

Dec 16, 2022; Politico: Virginia Dems squeeze House special election into one breakneck week
State Sens. Jennifer McClellan and Joe Morrissey are among the Democrats running for Virginia’s vacant 4th District, previously held by the late Democratic Rep. Don McEachin, who died on Nov. 28, just weeks after winning reelection. The Richmond-based district is heavily Democratic, and thanks to the specifics of how the state handles special elections, the party is using a“firehouse primary” — a party-run vote — next Tuesday, just days after the candidates jumped into the race.

November 23, 2022: CNN: 6 victims shot and killed in a Virginia Walmart include a 16-year-old boy, authorities say
Authorities have identified five of the six people who were killed in a Virginia Walmart after the store’s manager began firing Tuesday night before killing himself.
Five of the deceased victims were identified as Lorenzo Gamble; Brian Pendleton; Kellie Pyle; Randall Blevins; and Tyneka Johnson, according to a Wednesday news release from the City of Chesapeake.
The sixth deceased victim was a 16-year-old boy who authorities are not naming because he was a minor, the city said.

==Washington================

Democrat wins Washington swing district in major blow to Trump and GOP
Democrat Marie Gluesenkamp Perez narrowly defeated far-right candidate Joe Kent in Washington state’s 3rd Congressional District — a stinging loss for Republicans and Donald Trump, who endorsed Kent after he embraced the former president’s lies about the 2020 election. 11.12.22

Washington: - KIRO7 - Seattle PI - Seattle Times - Spokane Favs - Spokesman Review -

Seattle PI: Judge orders Meta to pay $10.5M in legal fees to Washington
Facebook parent company Meta has been ordered to pay $10.5 million in legal fees to Washington state atop a nearly $25 million fine for repeated and intentional violations of campaign finance disclosure laws. 10.28.22

- california - colorado - connecticut -

- Florida - GEORGIA -​