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☆ Laken Riley: Vigil to be held for Augusta University student killed on UGA campus as a suspect remains in custody
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-25 | by ( Elizabeth Wolfe | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —A vigil will be held Monday afternoon for Laken Hope Riley, an Augusta University nursing student who was found dead after jogging on the University of Georgia campus last week, as her suspected killer’s immigration status has drawn the scrutiny of Republican leaders. Riley, who was a UGA student until May 2023, was found dead Thursday near a lake on the university’s campus from blunt force trauma, according to UGA Police Chief Jeff Clark. Riley’s killing has left the University of Georgia to grieve two tragic deaths that occurred less than a day apart: Her body was discovered just hours after the death of a UGA student the previous night. The Monday afternoon vigil will be co-hosted by Riley’s Alpha Chi Omega sorority at UGA in remembrance of both of the dead students, the university said. Clark referred to Riley’s killing as a “crime of opportunity,” noting he believes the suspect acted alone.

Persons: Laken Hope Riley, Riley, Jeff Clark, Jose Antonio Ibarra, Ibarra, Clark, haven’t, ” Clark, outcries, Brian Kemp, Joe Biden, ” Kemp, Joe Biden’s, Mike Johnson, Riley’s, Biden, “, ” Jose Antonio Ibarra Clarke, Greg Abbott, Diego Ibarra, Peers, ’, ”, ” Riley, ” Laken Hope Riley, Lauren Phillips, “ I’m, LISTo, CNN’s Ashley R, Williams, Rebekah Riess, Priscilla Alvarez, Isabel Rosales, Jaide Timm, Garcia, Jamiel Lynch Organizations: CNN, Augusta University, University of Georgia, Republican, UGA, UGA Police, Investigators, GOP, Riley’s Alpha Chi Omega, Police, ” Police, Customs, Georgia Gov, Sheriff’s, Governors, Republican Texas Gov, Democratic, Biden, Pew Research, ICE, New York City, NYPD, US, Office, Middle, Middle District of Georgia, Augusta University College of Nursing, UAC, Facebook, of Nursing, Hispanic Student Association Locations: Venezuelan, Mexico, Middle District

☆ The war in Ukraine in 12 key moments
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-24 | by ( Sophie Tanno | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +13 min

We’ve been taking a look at some of the most significant moments of the war so far. Putin’s announcement signaled the start of Russia’s war in Ukraine, which has so far cost the lives of over 10,300 civilians, according to the United Nations. May 20, 2023: Russia takes control of BakhmutUkrainian army medics treat wounded soldiers at a stabilisation point near Bakhmut frontline. June 2023: Ukraine counteroffensiveUkrainian soldiers shoot rounds into Russian positions with an S60 anti-aircraft canon placed on a truck, outside Bakhmut. February 8, 2024: Ukraine military chief firedCommander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valerii Zaluzhnyi during an event dedicated to Ukraine's Independence Day on August 24, 2023 in Kyiv.

Persons: Vladmir Putin, Putin, We’ve, ’, Volodymyr Zelensky, Pavel Klimov, ”, Marko Djurica, Russia's, Kolya Serga, Ed Ram, Sefa, Diego Herrera Carcedo, Moscow, Bakhmut, Wojciech Grzedzinski, Wagner, Prigozhin, Reuters Yevgeny Prigozhin, Russia’s Wagner, Alexander Lukashenko, Mike Johnson, Samuel Corum, Ukraine Valerii, Yan Dobronosov, Zelensky, Ukraine’s, General Valerii Zaluzhnyi, CNN’s Jennifer Hauser, Victoria Butenko, Daria Tarasova, Andrew Carey Organizations: CNN, NATO, Reuters, Ukraine, United Nations, Presidential Press, Snake, Social Media, Anadolu Agency, Concord, Putin, Getty, Republican, Armed Forces, Moscow Locations: Russia, Ukraine, Moscow, Russia’s, Kyiv, United States, Russian, West, Dnipro, Hroza, Kharkiv, Bucha, Moskva, Crimea, Kherson, Ukrainian, Kremlin, Belgorod, Bakhmut, NATO, Robotyne, Mariupol, Washington , DC, Avdiivka

Yet large numbers of Americans believe the founders intended the U.S. to be a Christian nation, and many believe it should be one. The idea of a Christian America means different things to different people. Robert Jeffress, pastor of First Baptist Church of Dallas, said he doesn’t identify as a Christian nationalist, but does believe America was founded as a Christian nation. Six in 10 U.S. adults said the founders intended America to be a Christian nation, according to a 2022 Pew Research Center survey. About 45% said the U.S. should be a Christian nation.

Persons: Donald Trump, God, it’s, Trump, ”, Eric McDaniel, McDaniel, “, ” Trump, Mike Johnson, Thomas Jefferson, Johnson, Steve Bannon, Jerusalem ”, Charlie Kirk, Robert Jeffress, “ I’m, I’m, shouldn’t, John Jay —, —, ” Jeffress, doesn’t, ” Anthea Butler, Butler, John, Joe Biden, John Jay, Patrick Henry, Samuel Adams, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Jesus, George Washington Organizations: U.S, Republicans, Constitution, Pew Research Center, University of Texas, America, Republican, Washington Metropolitan Area, Vocal, Trump, Kentucky Republican, Baptist Church of, Supreme, University of Pennsylvania, Blacks, Native, John Fea, Messiah University, Democratic, Religion Research Institute, Fea, Lilly Endowment Inc, AP Locations: Independence, U.S, America, Washington, Jerusalem, ” Recent Texas , Oklahoma, Baptist Church of Dallas, Mechanicsburg , Pennsylvania, Brookings

Over the course of several days, The Associated Press interviewed a cross section of voters in Northampton County to ask whether Biden's messaging around the fate of democracy was resonating. These voters represented parts of the very coalition Biden will need to win Pennsylvania again — Black voters, Latinos, independents and moderates from both parties. A Biden campaign spokesperson said the democracy message is central to the campaign but it is not the only one the campaign will use to reach voters. Getting Black voters engaged is going to take more from Biden, she believes, because so far his campaign messages have not resonated. But Lopez thinks messages of fear and Trump imperiling American democracy are essentially meaningless for many of the county's working class voters.

Persons: Raymond Santiago, Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Biden, Santiago isn't, ”, Trump, ” Biden, Evelyn Fermin, “, Curt Balch, Balch, ’ ” Balch, Christian Miller, That's, Miller, ” Miller, Christopher Borick, Harry Truman, Republican Thomas Dewey, ” Borick, Hillary Clinton, Anna Kodama, Kodama, “ That’s, Esther Lee, Lee, Guillermo Lopez Jr, Lopez Organizations: Bethlehem Steel, Hispanic, GOP, Northampton County, Trump, Independence Hall, Associated Press, Biden, Pennsylvania, —, Lehigh Hispanic, U.S, Capitol, Biden’s, Republican, Republican Party, Institute of Public, Muhlenberg University, Democrats, NAACP, Lehigh, AP Locations: BETHLEHEM, Pa, Lehigh, Northampton County, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, Valley Forge , Pennsylvania, America, Philadelphia, New Jersey, Dominican Republic, Hellertown, Nazareth, Northampton, Allentown, Ohio, Europe, Emmaus

☆ Navalny’s death puts a new spotlight on key dividing line between Trump and Biden
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-16 | by ( Kevin Liptak | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

“Make no mistake: Putin is responsible for Navalny’s death. A few moments earlier, Secretary of State Antony Blinken linked Navalny’s death directly to Russia’s president. Asked whether Navalny’s death might spur Congress to act in providing more Ukraine aid, Biden was hopeful. Even so, Johnson said in a statement Friday that Putin “is likely directly responsible” for Navalny’s death. “I made it clear to him that I believe the consequences of that would be devastating for Russia,” Biden said in Geneva, where the summit was held.

Persons: Alexey Navalny’s, Vladimir Putin, Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Putin, ” Biden, Roosevelt, “ Putin, ” Trump, Nikki Haley, Fani Willis ’, Trump, Putin’s, Biden, “ It’s, Kamala Harris, Antony Blinken, “, ”, Mike Johnson, Johnson, Putin “, Tucker Carlson, Carlson, Trump’s, ” Haley, Truman, “ Trump, he’d, Navalny, we’re, ” Harris, Harris, Navalny’s, CNN’s Haley Britzky, Lauren Fox, Kate Sullivan Organizations: CNN, White, GOP, Fulton, NATO, Biden, Munich Security Conference, Republican, Republicans, Ukraine, Fox News, South Carolina Gov, South, Putin, Super, Ukraine wavers, “, Trump Locations: Washington, Russia, Fulton County, Georgia, Europe, Moscow, Ukraine, Munich, United States, South Carolina, Michigan , Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Latvian, Lithuanian, Polish, Geneva, Asia, transatlanticism

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A longtime public utilities regulator announced her candidacy on Thursday for North Dakota's lone U.S. House seat. North Dakota has an open race for its House seat because Republican Rep. Kelly Armstrong, first elected in 2018, is running for governor. Photos You Should See View All 22 ImagesOther Republican House candidates include former state representative Rick Becker, a plastic surgeon, and former state senator Tom Campbell, a potato farmer. A Democrat hasn't won a statewide election in North Dakota since 2012. If elected, she would be the first woman to represent North Dakota in the U.S. House.

Persons: —, Republican Julie Fedorchak, Fedorchak, ” Fedorchak, Kelly Armstrong, Rick Becker, Tom Campbell, Trygve Hammer, Democrat hasn't Organizations: N.D, North, Republican, Public Service Commission, GOP, Committee, Energy, Commerce, Democrat, Republican Party, Voters, U.S . House Locations: BISMARCK, North Dakota's, Bismarck, North Dakota, North, Fargo, U.S

☆ The Republican House Majority Just Became Even Smaller
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-14 | by ( Matthew Cullen | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

When the Democrat Tom Suozzi won yesterday in a special election in New York, it narrowed the Republican majority in the House to the point where the party can only afford two defections on otherwise party-line votes. It also means that any three Republicans could tank a bill, or that they could threaten to do so to gain leverage. Suozzi’s eight-point victory in a district last won by a Republican could offer Democrats a playbook for competing on turf where President Biden and the party remain deeply unpopular. Suozzi broke with party orthodoxy on crime, taxes and, above all, immigration, calling on Biden to shut down the southern border. Suozzi’s election, however, probably doesn’t add much clarity to November’s presidential contest: Over the last three decades, there has been essentially zero relationship between presidential results and special election outcomes, our political analyst Nate Cohn wrote.

Persons: Tom Suozzi, Biden, Suozzi, Nate Cohn Organizations: Republican, Republicans, Biden Locations: New York

☆ Chinese tech startups quietly stop testing driverless cars on Californian roads
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-14 | by ( Tom Carter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Read previewChina’s leading ride-hailing firm has dropped out of a program that allows it to test self-driving vehicles on Californian public roads. Ride-hailing giant Didi has withdrawn from California’s autonomous vehicle testing program, according to the California Department of Motor Vehicles, as several rival Chinese firms also scaled back their self-driving operations in the state. Future Publishing/Getty imagesDidi is not the only Chinese company that appears to be scaling back autonomous vehicle testing in California, or pulling out entirely. That's a significant decline from the previous year, when Chinese autonomous vehicle companies conducted over 450,000 miles of testing. AdvertisementHe said that public backlash toward autonomous vehicles in cities like San Francisco had increased the risks of negative PR for companies testing the technology on public roads.

Persons: —, Didi, WeRide, AutoX —, That's, Sesame, Bob Latta, Cruise, that's, ” John Helveston, ” Helveston Organizations: Service, California Department of Motor Vehicles, Business, DMV, Baidu, Future Publishing, Pegasus Technology, NBC, Republican, Anadolu, Getty, George Washington University Locations: California, Shanghai, China, Jiaxing, San Francisco

☆ Speaker Johnson’s historically narrow House majority will shrink further after Democrats flip seat in New York
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-14 | by ( Clare Foran | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson is overseeing one of the smallest House majorities in history – and Democrat Tom Suozzi’s win in a New York special election will shrink it further. With a breakdown of 219 to 213, House Republicans will only be able to lose only two votes to pass legislation on party-line votes if all members are present and voting. Former New York Democratic Rep. Brian Higgins resigned from Congress earlier this month, former Ohio GOP Rep. Bill Johnson resigned last month and former Speaker Kevin McCarthy resigned at the end of last year. The exact size of the far right of the House Republican Conference can vary from issue to issue. The fate of these politically vulnerable members will be key to whether the GOP can hold on to its majority.

Persons: Mike Johnson, Tom Suozzi’s, Suozzi, Republican Mazi Pilip, George Santos, Brian Higgins, Bill Johnson, Kevin McCarthy, Johnson, McCarthy, Chuck Schumer, Joe Biden, Santos Organizations: Republican, GOP Rep, Republicans, Former New York Democratic, Ohio GOP, House Republican, Democratic, GOP Locations: –, New York

☆ Baltic, Nordic Lawmakers Complain That US Lacks Urgency on Ukraine Aid
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-08 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +3 min

By Jonathan LandayWASHINGTON (Reuters) - Senior Nordic and Baltic lawmakers visiting Washington on Thursday expressed alarm at what they called a lack of urgency and a clear strategy by the United States to help Ukraine defeat Moscow's invasion. "Guys, wake up," Zygimantis Pavilionis, chairman of the Lithuanian parliament's foreign affairs committee, said in comments directed at Democrats and Republicans. All but Sweden are NATO members. Delegation members said they met administration officials and lawmakers, but mainly sought to speak to Republicans resisting fresh aid. "All of our countries around this table have (given) more than 1% of GDP of military aid to Ukraine.

Persons: Jonathan Landay WASHINGTON, Vladimir Putin, Pavilionis, Rihards Kols, Joe Biden, Marko Mihkelson, Kols, Jonathan Landay, Don Durfee, David Ljunggren Organizations: Nordic, Baltic, U.S, NATO, Lithuanian, Democrats, Republicans, Ukraine, Kyiv, Estonian Locations: Washington, United States, Ukraine, Moscow's, Russian, Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, Sweden, Denmark, Iceland, Norway, U.S, Latvian, Europe, The U.S, Russia, Moscow

A border security package instantly collapsed in the Senate. Congress failed in stunning fashion this week as Republicans in both the House and the Senate revolted in new and unimaginable ways against their own agenda. But it’s not a way to govern," said Republican Rep. Victoria Spartz of Indiana. Now, without naming Trump, McConnell says he will support the Republican Party's eventual nominee for president, though it's clear the two have a deteriorated relationship. First-term Republican Rep. Cory Mills of Florida acknowledged the week's setbacks were not why he came to Congress after a military career.

Persons: Mayorkas, —, it’s, Victoria Spartz, Kevin McCarthy, Mike Johnson, Mitch McConnell, Donald Trump's, Johnson, ”, Sen, Mitt Romney, “ Let’s, Romney, “ We’ve, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Hal Rogers, impeaching Mayorkas, I’m, ” Mayorkas, Al Green of, Nancy Pelosi, George Santos, Steve Scalise, They're, Katherine Clark of, McConnell, Mike Lee of, Ted Cruz, ” Lee, Chuck Schumer, Trump, “, I've, Democratic Sen, Patty Murray, Donald Trump, Cory Mills, “ We're, Mills, “ We’re, there’ll, Kevin Freking, Stephen Groves, Mary Clare Jalonick, Rebecca Santana, Ken Ritter Organizations: WASHINGTON, — Homeland, Congress, Republican Rep, Victoria, Republican House, Republican Party, Republican, GOP, Trump, Biden, Super Bowl, Republicans, Democratic, GOP Rep, Senate, Capitol, realigning, Press Locations: Ukraine, Russia, Victoria Spartz of Indiana, U.S, R, Utah, Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, Mexico, Washington, Las Vegas, Al Green of Texas, New York, Katherine Clark of Massachusetts, Mike Lee of Utah, Ted Cruz of Texas, Israel, Taiwan, Florida, American

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Clemson football coach Dabo Swinney, South Carolina football coach Shane Beamer and Coastal Carolina football coach Tim Beck all came together at the Statehouse to urge lawmakers to pass a law allowing their schools to directly compensate their athletes. The call for name, image and likeness legislation came Tuesday in a South Carolina House education committee hearing. They packed the hearing room, and South Carolina women's basketball coach Dawn Staley and men's basketball coach Lamont Paris prowled the halls of the House's office building to meet with legislators before the meeting started. The bill would overhaul a law passed a few years ago when name, image and likeness laws were just starting. The bill is also needed for lesser known, smaller teams, Coastal Carolina women's basketball coach Kevin Pederson said.

Persons: Dabo Swinney, Shane Beamer, Tim Beck, Dawn Staley, Lamont Paris, Swinney, Beamer, Shannon Erickson, ” Beamer, Kevin Pederson, ” Pederson, Anderson, Beck Organizations: COLUMBIA, — Clemson, Coastal Carolina, Statehouse, South Carolina House, South Carolina women's, men's, NCAA, Republican House Education, Public, Coastal, Republican Locations: South Carolina, South, Beaufort, Coastal Carolina, Cromer

☆ Biden Threatens Veto of U.S. House's Standalone Israel Aid Bill
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-05 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

By Patricia Zengerle(Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden's admninistration said on Monday he would veto a standalone bill backed by House of Representatives Republicans that would provide aid to Israel, as it backs a broader bill providing assistance to Ukraine and Israel and providing new funds for border security. Officials from the Democratic president's administration have been working for months with Senate Democrats and Republicans on legislation unveiled on Sunday combining billions of dollars in emergency aid for Ukraine, Israel and partners in the Indo-Pacific region, with an overhaul of U.S. immigration policy. Republican House leaders said days before its release on Sunday night that they would reject the bipartisan Senate bill, and instead vote on a bill proiding aid only to Israel. War in Israel and Gaza View All 194 ImagesThe Republican-majority House passed an Israel-only bill in November, but it was never taken up in the Democratic-led Senate, as members worked on Biden's request for Congress to approve the broader emergency security package. (Reporting by Patricia Zengerle; additional reporting by Eric Beech and Costas Pitas; Editing by Stephen Coates)

Persons: Patricia Zengerle, Joe Biden's admninistration, Eric Beech, Costas Pitas, Stephen Coates Organizations: Republicans, Emergency National Security, Management, Democratic, Democrats, Republican Locations: Israel, Ukraine, Gaza

As they discussed the measure, LGBTQ+ advocates outside the room cried out: “Trans rights are human rights.” Two of the subcommittee members are Republican and one is a Democrat. Iowa’s civil rights law protects against discrimination in employment, wages, public accommodations, housing, education and credit practices based upon certain characteristics of a person. That includes gender identity, as well as someone’s race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, religion, national origin and disability status. Sexual orientation and gender identity were not originally included in Iowa’s Civil Rights Act of 1965. About half of U.S. states include gender identity in their civil rights code to protect against discrimination in housing and public places, such as stores or restaurants, according to the Movement Advancement Project, an LGBTQ+ rights think tank.

Persons: Matt Windschitl —, —, ”, they've, Jeff Shipley, Shipley, expletives, Iowans, Annie Sarcone, ” Iowa’s, Kim Reynolds, Neil Gorsuch Organizations: DES, Republican, Democrat, Iowa Capitol, Iowa’s Civil, Des Moines Queer Youth Resource, Iowa Legislature, ” Iowa’s Republican, Republican Gov, Human, Movement Advancement, Supreme Locations: DES MOINES, Iowa, U.S

And it certainly wouldn’t be the first time states have lent a hand to Abbott to help border security efforts. Kevin Stitt also sent National Guard troops to the border last year – about 50 of them each – to, at least symbolically, bolster Abbott’s efforts. “[Abbott] is exactly right to invoke Texas’ constitutional authority to defend itself,” she said in a statement. “It's unfortunate that there is a governor in Texas, Governor Abbott, who has politicized this issue of what's happening on the border. “Governor Greg Abbott is using the Texas National Guard to obstruct and create chaos at the border,” Rep. Joaquin Castro, Texas Democrat, said in a statement.

Persons: Gregg Abbott, Biden, Abbott, ” Abbott, ”, “, Bertrall Ross, James Madison, Trump, –, ” Trump, Ron DeSantis, ” DeSantis, Kristi Noem, Kevin Stitt, Mike Johnson, Alejandro Mayorkas, Karine Jean, Pierre, Governor Abbott, ” Jean, we’ve, he's, – Jean, Greg Abbott, Joaquin Castro, Abott Organizations: Texas Gov, White, University of Virginia, Karsh Center for Law and Democracy, U.S ., Appeals, Circuit, Border Patrol, Texas National Guard, National Guard, Florida Gov, U.S, South Dakota Gov, Oklahoma Gov, Biden Administration, Republican, Homeland, Mayorkas, White House, CNN, Republicans, Democrats, ”, Texas Democrat Locations: U.S, Mexico, Texas, United States, “ Texas, Florida, Alabama , Arkansas, Georgia , Idaho , Iowa, Louisiana , Montana , Nebraska, North Dakota , Oklahoma, South Carolina , Tennessee , Utah, West Virginia, Wyoming, ”

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden have extended an invitation to attend the president's State of the Union address to a Texas woman who sued her state and lost over the ability to get an abortion to end a wanted pregnancy. The Texas Supreme Court denied Katie Cox’s request. But by then, her lawyers said, she had already traveled out of state for an abortion. “They thanked her for her courage in sharing her story and speaking out against the impact of the extreme abortion ban in Texas,” Jean-Pierre said. Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris and their spouses on Tuesday centered their first major campaign rally of the election year on abortion rights.

Persons: Joe Biden, Jill Biden, Katie Cox’s, Cox, Karine Jean, Pierre, “, ” Jean, hadn't, Biden, Kamala Harris, Roe, Wade, Donald Trump, Mike Johnson Organizations: WASHINGTON, Texas Supreme, Sunday, U.S . Capitol, Supreme, Union, Republican Locations: president's State, Texas

☆ Opinion: One big lesson from New Hampshire
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-23 | by ( John | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

America is a divided nation, even on the subject of open primaries. New Hampshire is a good example of why more states should move toward more open primaries, not fewer. For instance, Louisiana has long enjoyed an open primary, but its new GOP governor is swearing to make a closed partisan primary reality. That’s why an effort to create open primaries in Washington, DC, is meeting stiff resistance from local Democrats. Election reform efforts like open primaries are a practical, citizen-led step towards healing our divisions and fitfully forming a more perfect union.

Persons: John Avlon, “, Donald Trump, –, there’s, John Bynum, ”, they’re “, ” Bynum Organizations: CNN, Republican, Republicans, New, GOP, Trump, Trump’s Locations: “ Lincoln, CNN — New Hampshire, . New Hampshire, New Hampshire, Iowa, Louisiana, Tennessee, Washington , DC, Nevada, Arizona, Pennsylvania, Tulsa , Oklahoma, Tulsa

ATLANTA (AP) — An attempt to state that Georgia's appointed State Election Board has the legal power to investigate Republican Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger's handling of elections blossomed into a constitutional showdown Tuesday, with a lawyer for Raffensperger saying board members can't legally oversee him. “We’re looking to empower the State Election Board so that they can have oversight responsibility and that there’s no confusion about where that oversight responsibility is vested,” said Ethics Committee Chairman Max Burns, a Sylvania Republican. Activists have been pushing the State Election Board to investigate whether Raffensperger mishandled his audit of Fulton County's 2020 results, motivated by unproven claims of fraud. The board deadlocked 2-2 in December on whether it had such authority, and two board members asked lawmakers to clarify the law. Supporters said they can go forward because most of Raffensperger's election responsibilities are outlined in state law, not the Georgia Constitution.

Persons: Brad Raffensperger's, Charlene McGowan, Raffensperger's, Bill, ”, Max Burns, It's, Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Trump, Raffensperger, Fulton, it's, “, Steve Gooch, ” McGowan, Lawmakers, Gabriel Sterling, Sterling, John LaHood, LaHood, Jon Burns, let’s, ” Sen Brandon Beach Organizations: ATLANTA, Republican, Raffensperger, Board, Sylvania Republican, Democratic, Georgia, Georgia General Assembly, Governmental, Valdosta Republican Locations: Georgia, Valdosta

ATLANTA (AP) — With a runup in home values sparking higher property taxes for many Georgia homeowners, there is a groundswell among state lawmakers in this election year to provide relief. Political Cartoons View All 253 ImagesIn Texas, voters in November approved a plan cutting property taxes by $18 billion. Pennsylvania is using lottery proceeds to cut property taxes and subsidize rent for seniors and people with disabilities. That owner would have paid more except for a $950 million property tax rebate championed by Gov. More than $2 billion in property value in Columbus is shielded from taxation by homestead exemptions which don't allow for any rise in value.

Persons: Jon Burns, Newington, ”, Jared Walczak, Chuck Hufstetler, Bill, I’ve, Hufstetler, Burt Jones, It's, Atlanta Sen, Jason Esteves, Esteves, Burns, Shaw Blackmon, Kathleen, That's, Suzanne Widenhouse, Brian Kemp, Widenhouse, ” Widenhouse Organizations: ATLANTA, Georgia's, Republican, Tax Foundation, Democratic, Finance, Rome Republican, Associated Press, Georgia Department, Revenue, Georgia counties, Association of, of Georgia, Gov, Atlanta Locations: Georgia, Texas, Kansas, Colorado, Pennsylvania, California, Muscogee County, Columbus

☆ Judge Blocks Republican-Backed North Carolina Provision on Same-Day Voter Registration
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-22 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

The legislation was among new Republican-backed restrictions across the country following the 2020 presidential election, when then-President Donald Trump falsely attributed his loss to fraud. North Carolina is expected to be a closely contested state in this year's presidential contest. Under the new law, a voter who uses same-day registration is sent a postcard to confirm their address. Young voters and minority voters, both groups that tend to vote Democratic, take advantage of same-day registration more frequently. Between 100,000 and 120,000 residents use same-day registration in presidential years, according to the state elections board.

Persons: Joseph Ax, Roy Cooper's, Donald Trump, Trump, Joe Biden, District Judge Thomas Schroeder, Tim Moore, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: Democratic Party, Republican, Democratic, Young, District, State Board Locations: Carolina, North Carolina

☆ Bipartisan tax bill clears key congressional hurdle, teeing up potential House vote
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-19 | by ( Emily Wilkins | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The package released earlier this week was the result of a rare, bipartisan agreement between Republican House Ways and Means Chair Jason Smith (Mo.) To help win more Democratic support, the bill also expands the child tax credit by adjusting it for inflation and allowing Americans who don't have a tax bill to get the credit as a refund, among other changes. In addition to Friday's committee vote, the White House also came out in support of the legislation. In the end, Blumenauer said he would "reluctantly" vote for the bill, but wanted to see the child tax credit expanded further. House Speaker Mike Johnson had yet to confirm when, or even if, he would bring the bill to the House floor for a vote.

Persons: WASHINGTON, Jason Smith, Ron Wyden, Karine Jean, Pierre, Earl Blumenauer, Blumenauer, Mike Johnson, Smith, Wyden Organizations: Business, of Commerce, National Association of Manufacturers, Republican, Democratic, White, Oregon Democrat Locations: Taiwan, Mo, Oregon

☆ Hardline US Republicans Who Cried 'Wolf' Side-Lined by Spending Deal
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-19 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +6 min

"Those individuals have now overplayed their hand," said Republican Representative Greg Murphy, a member of the Republican Study Committee conservative caucus. They now find themselves boxed out on spending, at a time when the nation's debt has surpassed $34 trillion. "At the end of the day, we control one-half of one branch of government, and we're working against Senate Democrats, House Democrats -- to be honest, Senate Republicans -- and the White House," said Representative Kelly Armstrong. And in November, the number of Republican voting against reached 93 on Johnson's initial stopgap spending bill. "I have no doubt that our wonderful Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson, will only make a deal that is PERFECT ON THE BORDER."

Persons: David Morgan WASHINGTON, Chuck Schumer, Mike Johnson, Johnson, Greg Murphy, Joe Biden, Kevin McCarthy, McCarthy, Bob Good, Dan Bishop, Kelly Armstrong, Schumer, Bishop, Andy Biggs, McCarthy's, Jared Moskowitz, Biggs, Donald Trump, Trump, David Morgan, Makini Brice, Scott Malone, Daniel Wallis Organizations: Republicans, U.S . House, Democratic, Republican, Caucus, North Carolina Republican, Senate, White, Senate Democrats, House Democrats, New York Democrat, Republican Party, Freedom Caucus Locations: Mexico, U.S, Ukraine, Israel, Gaza

Johnson has been under intense pressure from Republican hard-liners, who see the new speaker’s dealmaking with Democrats as anathema to their conservative agenda. And overriding their concerns to pass the short-term funding package with help from the majority of Democrats does little to help his case. Moreover, he argued, working with Democrats and brokering a deal – even if it’s not the one he wants – is necessary given their shrinking majority. Come Monday, their majority will shrink to 217 – the smallest Republican majority in the history of Congress – as Rep. Bill Johnson of Ohio resigned to accept a job as a university president. “Here we are again, with House Democrats once again providing the votes to avert a costly shutdown.

Persons: Mike Johnson, –, ”, Chuck Schumer, Johnson, it’s, Bill Johnson of, Schumer, Brendan Boyle, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Chip Roy, Eli Crane of, Crane, – appropriators Organizations: Republican, Caucus, Republican Party, GOP, House Democrats, ”, House Republicans, Texas, Senate Locations: Bill Johnson of Ohio, Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, Eli Crane of Arizona, Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan

WASHINGTON (AP) — Taiwan’s top diplomat in Washington has a message for both the island's Chinese adversaries and its American friends: Don’t worry that Taiwan’s new president-elect will worsen relations with Beijing and possibly draw the U.S. into a conflict. But Yui said Lai is willing to engage with Beijing, even as the island seeks to strengthen its unofficial ties with Washington for stability in the region. Shortly after Taiwan's election, Biden told reporters that his administration does not support Taiwan’s independence. Yui said it is incumbent upon both Beijing and Taipei to keep the Taiwan Strait peaceful. Before he came to Washington, Yui briefly served as Taiwan's representative to the European Union and Belgium.

Persons: — Taiwan’s, Lai Ching, Alexander Tah, Ray Yui, Lai, Yui, ”, Taiwan's, Tsai Ing, Tsai, he’s, Xi Jinping, Joe Biden, Biden, Scott Kennedy, “, Kennedy, we're, We're, Mike Johnson, Sen, Ben Cardin, ” Yui, Hsiao Bi, Hsiao Organizations: WASHINGTON, Associated Press, AP, Democratic Progressive Party, ”, Washington, Center for Strategic, International Studies, Republican, Republicans, Democrats, U.S . Congress, Democratic, Senate Foreign Relations, M University, European Union, Cultural Locations: Washington, Beijing, Taiwan Strait, U.S, Taiwan, United States, China, Nauru, “ Beijing, Taipei, Panama, Texas, Paraguay, Belgium

His sentence includes a 10-day suspended jail sentence, a mandatory evaluation and a victim impact panel. Rios' sentence is consistent with others for similar offenses, said criminal defense attorney Mark Friese, a long-time practitioner in DUI cases. He noted that Rios' driving privileges will be suspended automatically for 91 days. The House-Senate panel meets between legislative sessions for studies of topics related to law enforcement and the legal system for future or potential legislation. He also previously said he takes responsibility for his “disgusting actions," and apologized “to those I have hurt and disappointed," including law enforcement officers.

Persons: Nico Rios, Rios, Mark Friese, Friese, Mike Lefor, “ Organizations: N.D, North, Republican, Police, Republican Party, Committee, Representatives Locations: BISMARCK, North Dakota, Williston

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