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☆ A mom got $192,000 in student debt wiped out last year. But her servicer just told her the relief was a mistake — and she has to figure out how to afford monthly payments again.
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-09 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Anne, 46, received notice in June that her loans were forgiven thanks to her years of public service. But in late February, MOHELA told her the relief was an error, and her balance was reinstated. AdvertisementAnne breathed a sigh of relief in June when she received the notice she waited years for: her nearly $200,000 student-loan balance was forgiven. I really can't believe this is true," Anne told Business Insider. BI previously spoke to another borrower, Okwara, who MOHELA told that the loan forgiveness he received last year was a mistake.

Persons: Anne, MOHELA, —, She's, Anne isn't, I'm, Okwara, she's, it'll, I've Organizations: Service, Public, Business, PSLF, BI, Education Department

Speaking at the Next.io forum on internet gambling and sports betting, several mentioned New York and Maryland as likely candidates to start offering internet casino games soon. And some noted that, despite years of difficulty crafting a deal that satisfies commercial and tribal casinos and card rooms, California is simply too big a market not to offer internet gambling. Shawn Fluharty, a West Virginia state delegate and chairman of a national group of legislators from gambling states, listed New York and Maryland as the most likely states to add internet gambling soon. Both men acknowledged the difficulty of passing online casino legislation; Thirty-eight states plus Washington, D.C., currently offer sports betting, compared to seven with internet casino gambling. Fluharty said four casinos opened in Pennsylvania after the state began offering internet casino gambling.

Persons: ”, Rob Heller, Shawn Fluharty, Brandt Iden, Iden, Fluharty, Joseph Addabbo, Kathy Hochul, Edward King, ” Adam Greenblatt, “, Wayne Parry Organizations: Spectrum Gaming Capital, West Virginia ., Betting, Gaming, Washington , D.C, New, Acies Investments, BetMGM Locations: U.S, New York, Maryland, California, Rhode, New Jersey , Connecticut, Delaware , Pennsylvania, Michigan, West Virginia, West Virginia . Nevada, Washington ,, Pennsylvania, Texas, www.twitter.com

☆ Van Jones: There’s hope and despair in what happened to my home state
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-02 | by ( Van Jones | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

CNN —Many were shocked last year when the Tennessee legislature dramatically expelled state representatives Justin Jones and Justin Pearson. When I was a legislative intern, the state of Tennessee was controlled by the Democrats and my boss was a man named Jimmy Naifeh. But even in my Southern home state, no opponent tried to score cheap political points based on his Arab background. Left-leaning or moderate Tennesseeans have virtually no say in their state legislature on the political matters that govern their lives. Van Jones, with Justin Pearson and Justin Jones CNNSo even on issues like gun violence — on which a large majority of Tennesseans in both parties would like “red flag” laws — nothing gets done.

Persons: Anderson Cooper ”, Van Jones, Justin Jones, Justin Pearson, Gloria Johnson, Pearson, Jones, —, Jimmy Naifeh, I’m, won’t, Odessa Kelly, Kelly, Matthew Shoaf, Shoaf Organizations: CNN, GOP, Tennessee House, Tennessee Capitol, Tennessee, Democrats, Democratic Party, Tea Party, Republican, Justin Jones CNN, Odessa, Democratic, Congressional District, The, The Tennessee General Assembly Locations: Tennessee, Nashville, Lebanese, American, . Tennessee, Democratic, Tennessee’s, The Tennessee, Odessa, Sumner County

☆ A new Biden is on display and he’s trying to be a problem-solver
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-27 | by ( Zachary B. Wolf | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

CNN —Who is this new Joe Biden we’re seeing, just in time for election season? He’s getting directly involved in government funding, calling congressional leaders down to the White House to negotiate in front of a crackling fire. Talking about a ceasefireFacing a protest vote from pro-Palestinian Democrats in Michigan in Tuesday’s primary, Biden was sharing some optimism on the Middle East. “My hope is by next Monday, we’ll have a ceasefire,” Biden said, a massive cone of mint chip halfway to his mouth. The Democratic divide on the Middle East is a growing political issue at home for Biden.

Persons: Joe Biden we’re, Donald Trump’s, He’s, Biden, we’ll, ” Biden, Seth Meyers, uncommitted ”, Trump President Joe Biden, ”, Trump, “, Melania, Mercedes, Kamala Harris, Mike Johnson, Johnson, Joe Biden, Evan Vucci, Meyers, He’ll, Jennifer Agiesta, there’s, Barak Ravid, Axios, Wolf Blitzer, Ravid, ” Ravid, “ I’m, Joe Biden’s, Alabas, –, ” Farhat, CNN’s Boris Sanchez, Melanie Zanona Organizations: CNN, Palestinian Democrats, Democratic, Biden, Arab, voters, Michigan, Trump President, Republican, Gallup, Republicans, Democrats, White, Capitol, Trump Locations: New York, Michigan, Manhattan, Israel, Ukraine, Brownsville , Texas, Eagle, , Texas, Gaza, Arab

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

☆ McCarthy foes face blowback as primary threats grow and GOP donors shut wallets
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-11 | by ( Melanie Zanona | Manu Raju | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

CNN —Donors no longer want to contribute to their campaigns. So we obliged her,” one House Republican told CNN. Rep. Tim Burchett of Tennessee told CNN some “very wealthy folks” shut their wallets to him in the aftermath of his vote. “If you’ve watched, just her philosophy and the flip-flopping, I don’t believe she wins reelection,” McCarthy told CNN. “We are an incumbent-driven organization and support all House Republican incumbents call,” said a spokesman for the National Republican Campaign Committee.

Persons: Kevin McCarthy, Manu Raju ”, Nancy Mace, Bob Good, Matt Rosendale, McCarthy, Mace, “ I’m, Trump, Kevin McCarthy’s, ” Mace, “, ”, Ron DeSantis, Donald Trump, Good, Mace aren’t, Tim Burchett, “ They’ve, ” Burchett, I’m, Burchett —, —, “ He’s, I’d, Andy Biggs of, Biggs, Matt Gaetz, ” Biggs, Bob, Nancy, Mike Johnson, “ McCarthy couldn’t, ” Gaetz, he’s, Gaez, Drew Angerer, Brian O, Walsh, you’ve, Catherine Templeton, John McGuire, Jeff Miller, Marjorie Taylor Greene, McGuire, Tim Sheehy, Rosendale, McCarthy’s, Mark Lamb, Eli Crane, Lamb, Crane, hasn’t, ” Crane, “ Crane, there’s, Mace —, Mace doesn’t, ” McCarthy, Tom Williams, Johnson, Greg Steele, CNN’s David Wright, Sam Fossum, Morgan Rimmer Organizations: Republicans, CNN, Capitol, GOP, Senate, Good, Main Street Caucus, Republican Governance Group, Republican, 1st Congressional District, Freedom Caucus, Florida, ”, Politico, Navy SEAL, Montana Senate, Trump’s, Burchett, Tennessee Republican, Caucus, National Republican Campaign Locations: Washington, South Carolina, Virginia, Montana, Tennessee, Andy Biggs of Arizona, Florida, Washington ,, Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, Rosendale, California, Arizona, Crane, Trump’s Nevada, Las Vegas, Israel

☆ Matt Gaetz is trying to oust a GOP congressman who once screamed at him on the House floor
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-07 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

In January 2023, Rep. Mike Bost got up and screamed at Matt Gaetz as he trashed Kevin McCarthy. Now, Gaetz is backing Bost's primary challenger: failed GOP gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey. Gaetz called the Illinois congressman "lackluster" and compared him to Liz Cheney. AdvertisementRepublican Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida is seeking to end the career of a fellow GOP congressman who once screamed at him on the House floor. Gaetz is endorsing Darren Bailey — a former Illinois state representative who was the GOP's unsuccessful nominee for governor in 2022 — in his primary campaign against Rep. Mike Bost.

Persons: Mike Bost, Matt Gaetz, Kevin McCarthy, Darren Bailey, Gaetz, Liz Cheney, —, Darren Bailey —, Darren Organizations: Service, Republican, GOP, Rep, Business Locations: Illinois, Florida, Southern Illinois

Biden's support among Black voters has waned considerably since he assembled his winning coalition four years ago. Lackluster turnout among Black voters in South Carolina’s primary could signal a broader dip in enthusiasm. Biden will need to energize Black voters in the key swing states of Georgia, Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania. South Carolina school districts reported over 1,600 teacher vacancies at the beginning of the 2023-24 school year, a 9% increase from the year before, according to a report from the South Carolina Education Association. Joshua Singleton, a 19-year-old sophomore at South Carolina State, shared the sentiment: “We should have, you know, younger presidents to represent us."

Persons: Democrats ’, Joe Biden, What’s, Biden, That’s, Donald Trump, Kamala Harris, Moore, “, Olivia Ratliff, ”, Ratliff, Kailyn Wrighten, Wrighten, —, we’ve, Sheridan Johnson, Johnson, Laverne Brown, there’s, — Biden, Charles Trower, Joshua Singleton, Seth Whipper, ” Biden, Harris, Tony Thomas, Saundra, Austin Nichols, ” Nichols, ” LaJoia Broughton, Broughton, don’t, Dr, Byron L, Benton, Joseph Biden, Emily Swanson, Jonathan Logan Organizations: —, Democrats, Democratic, Black, AP, Associated Press, NORC, for Public Affairs Research, Republican, South Carolina State University, Supreme, South Carolina Education Association, Biden, South Carolina State, Trump, America, Moriah Missionary Baptist Church, Mother Emanuel AME Church, Jonathan Logan Family Foundation Locations: CHARLESTON, S.C, South Carolina, South, Georgia , Michigan, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Columbia, Orangeburg, Charleston, Carolina, American, U.S, Blythewood , South Carolina, “, Blythewood, North Charleston

☆ Tennessee’s Legislature Can’t Move Past the Bitter Clashes of 2023
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-02 | by ( Emily Cochrane | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

When the Tennessee legislature convened on Thursday, custom dictated that Representative Justin Jones, the Nashville Democrat who was expelled last year, take his turn to lead the House in the Pledge of Allegiance. He quietly declined, and once again drew the ire of Republicans. Saying that Mr. Jones’s behavior was a “disgrace,” State Representative Jeremy Faison, a member of the Republican leadership, went so far as to call for his resignation. Mr. Jones, who has risen in national prominence by sparring with the state’s Republican supermajority, later responded that he “couldn’t bring myself to join their performative patriotism,” given the party’s support for former President Donald J. Trump and what Mr. Jones described as an effort to “undermine liberty and justice for all.”It was one of the clearest signs yet that the animosity from 2023, when Republicans expelled Mr. Jones and State Representative Justin Pearson of Memphis for leading a gun control protest on the House floor, had spilled into the new year.

Persons: Justin Jones, Jeremy Faison, Jones, couldn’t, ”, Donald J, Mr, Justin Pearson Organizations: Nashville Democrat, Republican, Trump, State Locations: Tennessee, Memphis

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — A video taken by a high school student shows an Indiana lawmaker flash a gun to students who were visiting the statehouse to talk to legislators about gun control. Alana Trissel, 17, said state Rep. Jim Lucas asked the students what brought them to the Capitol and began to defend gun rights. A student off camera asked Lucas if he means carrying a firearm. Just over six minutes into the 10-minute video, Lucas said, “I'm carrying right now," and holds open his suit jacket exposing a holstered handgun. It was not immediately clear what kind of gun Lucas was carrying.

Persons: Alana Trissel, Jim Lucas, Lucas, aren't “, “ I'm, Lucas didn’t, ”, ” Trissel, “, Trissel Organizations: INDIANAPOLIS, statehouse, Burris Laboratory School, Associated Press, Capitol, Republican, Statehouse, Franklin College, Wednesday, Parkland, Indiana Locations: Indiana, Muncie, Seymour, Franklin , Indiana, Parkland , Florida, Uvalde , Texas, The Republic of Columbus , Indiana

☆ A guaranteed basic income program in Minneapolis found that even after a year of giving recipients $500 a month, they weren't working any less
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-28 | by ( Katie Balevic | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Read previewThe city of Minneapolis is experimenting with a guaranteed basic income program, and the preliminary results are promising. Minneapolis has provided $500 monthly payments with no strings attached to 200 low-income families for the last year. Flint, Michigan — for example — recently opened enrollment for a basic income program for pregnant mothers, giving them a lump sum during pregnancy and $500 a month for their baby's first year of life. In Iowa, two Republican state representatives are pushing legislation to ban basic income programs, Business Insider reported. A lawmaker in Texas, meanwhile, called a newly launched basic income program in Harris County, which includes Houston, unconstitutional.

Persons: — Organizations: Service, Business Locations: Minneapolis, Denver, Flint , Michigan, In Iowa, Texas, Harris County, Houston

☆ Opinion | Dobbs Overturned Much More Than Roe v. Wade
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-27 | by ( Jamelle Bouie | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

Most of my writing this week was on the recent elections in Iowa and New Hampshire, but most of my reading was focused elsewhere. In particular, I want to highlight this report from Jessica Valenti, published in her excellent newsletter, on proposed travel bans for abortion care in Tennessee and Oklahoma. The Tennessee ban, proposed by State Representative Jason Zachary, would make it a felony to take a minor out of state to obtain an abortion. I have written about how abortion bans implicate a broad set of rights tied to our personal and bodily autonomy, including the right to travel between states. The federal government, by contrast, was a limited government of enumerated powers — a government that could take only such action as allowed by the Constitution.

Persons: Jessica Valenti, Jason Zachary, Valenti, ”, —, Kate Masur, Be, “ Organizations: State, Constitution Locations: Iowa, New Hampshire, Tennessee, Oklahoma, The Tennessee, ” The Oklahoma, “

☆ Watch the moment Lauren Boebert was asked to 'give the definition of carpetbagger' in the first GOP debate in her new district
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-26 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Read previewOn Thursday, Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert faced several GOP opponents in the first primary debate for Colorado's 4th congressional district. Related stories"My boys and I needed a fresh start," said Boebert. In the CO-04 GOP primary debate last night, @RepBoebert was asked by opponent @LynchForCO to "give the definition of carpetbagger." "My boys and I needed a fresh start," said Boebert. pic.twitter.com/pQ5Jslc7wr — bryan metzger (@metzgov) January 26, 2024Boebert had been facing a bruising reelection bid in her old district, which she won by less than 600 votes in 2022.

Persons: —, Lauren Boebert, It's, Boebert, That's, Mike Lynch, Colorado House —, Lynch, Mary, Jayson, @RepBoebert, @LynchForCO, pQ5Jslc7wr — bryan metzger, @metzgov, Deborah Flora, Sen, Kerry Donovan, wouldn't, Donovan Organizations: Service, Republican, GOP, Business, Colorado House, Capitol, Democrat Locations: Colorado, Denver, Fort Lupton, Colorado's

☆ Vermont Becomes Latest State to Propose Wealth Taxes
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-23 | by ( David W. Chen | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Lawmakers in Vermont are introducing legislation this week that would impose new taxes on the state’s wealthiest residents, joining a growing national campaign being pushed by Democrats who believe that the measures will gain traction as states reckon with post-pandemic budget squeezes. One proposal in Vermont would tax people with more than $10 million in net worth on their capital gains, even if the gains have not yet been realized. Another would add a 3 percent marginal tax on individual incomes exceeding $500,000 a year — a measure that supporters contend could pump $98 million, or almost 5 percent of the annual budget, into the state’s coffers. To underscore the bills’ importance to the Democratic leaders who control the legislature, both are being sponsored by State Representative Emilie Kornheiser of Brattleboro, who chairs the Ways and Means Committee. “We want to make sure that all Vermonters are paying their fair share.”

Persons: Emilie Kornheiser, ”, Kornheiser, “ Organizations: Democratic, State Locations: Vermont, Brattleboro

☆ How one man’s walk across America became a journey of advocacy
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-20 | by ( Brammhi Balarajan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

That day, “tiny seeds were planted,” and Ringer got a sense that he could do this one day – he could walk across America. Courtesy Holden Minor RingerCreating walkable communitiesTo prepare for his journey – which started in March 2023 – Ringer started going on longer walks, eventually doing a nine-day walk from Vancouver to Seattle. He started off the journey with a backpack full of gear, but a lot has changed over the months. The journey also opened his eyes to the intense safety risks of walking through a country that centers around vehicle use. “At the start of the walk, I was thinking – maybe I want to walk across the world next.

Persons: CNN — Holden Ringer, he’s, Ringer, “, ” Ringer, didn’t, Forrest Gump, ’ ”, ” He’s, Holden Ringer, Holden, He’s, Smiley, it’s, ”, who’ve, –, he’d, hadn’t Organizations: CNN, KFC, Emory University, America Locations: America, Seattle, Georgia, Kansas, Atlanta, Nashville , Tennessee, Vancouver, Washington ,, New York, Connecticut, Oregon, Dia de, Boise , Idaho, Missouri, Colorado

☆ Iowans weigh Trump’s legal woes as they decide who to back in caucuses
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-13 | by ( Arit John | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Ames, Iowa CNN —Teresa Garman has attended decades worth of Iowa caucuses, but views Monday’s meeting as the most consequential. In interviews, Iowans expressed an array of opinions on Trump’s legal problems, from anger over what they say they believe is a “witch hunt,” echoing the former president’s criticism, to a desire to move on and focus on issues plaguing the country. Among those who were not considering the former president, 57% said Trump was controversial and 48% said they were concerned about his legal issues. “If Trump is the nominee, it’s going to be about January 6, legal issues, criminal trials,” DeSantis said during a CNN debate Wednesday. “I think that Vivek is, in a roundabout way, even better for Trump than Trump being in there,” Sherman said.

Persons: Iowa CNN — Teresa Garman, Ron DeSantis –, he’ll, Donald Trump, “, Trump, ”, ” Trump, –, Iowans, Nikki Haley, DeSantis, Vivek Ramaswamy, Haley, Ramaswamy, Donald Trump Jr, Joe Biden, ” Marian Webster, she’s, Biden, – Webster, it’s, ” DeSantis, Sandy Wigdahl, It’s, ” Dan Boyle, caucusing, Boyle, “ He’s, He’s, ” Boyle, I’ll, Trump’s, Pat Goodman, Goodman, ” Goodman, ” Ramaswamy, Loren Sherman, Vivek ”, Sherman, Vivek, ” Sherman, “ Vivek, Ebony Davis, Kit Maher, Veronica Stracqualursi Organizations: Iowa CNN, Ames, Florida Gov, Iowa, Trump, ” Trump –, GOP, Hawkeye State, Former South Carolina Gov, CBS, Tower, CNN, UN, West Des Moines, Ramaswamy Locations: Ames, Iowa, Florida, Colorado, New York, Urbandale, Ankeny, Des Moines, Clive, West Des, Waukee

☆ The Texas GOP voted against a proposed ban on members associating with Nazi sympathizers
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-03 | by ( Kenneth Niemeyer | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

The Texas GOP voted against a ban on associating with Nazi sympathizers. The proposed ban came after a top state conservative met with Nick Fuentes, a white nationalist who praises Hitler. AdvertisementThe Texas GOP executive committee voted against a measure that would ban Republicans from associating with Holocaust deniers and Nazi sympathizers. The committee, by a vote of 32 to 29, removed the clause from a pro-Israel resolution, according to The Texas Tribune. The Texas Tribune took photos of Fuentes entering Pale Horse Strategies, a conservative consulting agency owned by Stickland, in October.

Persons: Nick Fuentes, Hitler, —, Jonathan Stickland, Fuentes, Stickland, Rolando Garcia, " Garcia Organizations: Texas GOP, Nazi, Service, The Texas Tribune, Republican, Stickland, Defend Texas Liberty, Defense Texas Liberty, Rome News, Tribune, The Tribune, Business Locations: Texas, Israel, Republican Texas

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Former Ambassador to Poland and longtime Tennessee Republican politician Victor Ashe sued state election officials on Wednesday over a law he claims is so vague that he could be prosecuted for voting in a Republican primary. They argue that Tennessee voters aren't registered by party, and the law does not define what it means to be a bona fide party member, to declare allegiance to a party or long that allegiance must last. The league also worries that volunteers could be subject to a separate law that punishes people who promulgate erroneous voting information. Tennessee voters often decide which primary to participate in based on campaign developments. The lawsuit names Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett, Coordinator of Elections Mark Goins and Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti as defendants.

Persons: Victor Ashe, ”, Ashe, “ Ashe, Phil Lawson, State Tre Hargett, Mark Goins, Jonathan Skrmetti, Goins, Skrmetti Organizations: Tennessee Republican, Republican, Knoxville News, Tennessee Republican Party, Democrat, The League of Women Voters, Democratic, Republicans, State Locations: Tenn, Poland, Nashville, Tennessee, Knoxville

☆ Car dealers are worried about an EV reckoning. I asked our transportation reporter what's going on.
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-30 | by ( Katie Notopoulos | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Car dealers sent a letter urging Biden to "tap the brakes" on an electric vehicle mandate. Two-thirds of new cars must be EVs by 2032 — but dealers say EV sales are slumping, and hurting them. Local car dealers have a lot of political influence; Biden could look to expand tax incentives. AdvertisementCar dealers aren't happy with President Joe Biden's mandate to have two-thirds of all new cars be electric vehicles by 2032. I was surprised to hear about this letter from car dealers, because I thought that electric vehicles were in hot demand.

Persons: Biden, —, Joe Biden's, Axios, Nora Naughton, Biden —, Tesla, There's, Bolt, That's Organizations: Local, Service, EV, Business, Government, National Automotive Dealers Association, Car, Tesla, Ford Locations: Detroit, Washington ,

Political Cartoons View All 1274 ImagesNew Jersey's law banning smoking in public businesses specifically exempts Atlantic City's casinos. “I feel extremely confident that people will lose their jobs” under a total smoking ban. Support for a casino smoking ban is widespread among New Jersey lawmakers, with a bipartisan majority in both chambers, and Democratic Gov. Shreveport, Louisiana ended a smoking ban in its casinos in June. The casino industry opposes a smoking ban, saying it would lose customers and revenue if smoking were banned while still being allowed in casinos in nearby states.

Persons: “, ”, Lamont White, Nicole Vitola, Sen, Richard Codey, Joseph Vitale, ” Vitale, Fred Madden, ” Madden, Mark Giannantonio, Phil Murphy, Chris Moyer, “ We're, Christina Renna, ___, Wayne Parry Organizations: Democratic, Capitol, Democrat, Casino Association of New, New, Democratic Gov, Atlantic City, Chamber of Commerce Southern, Gaming, Washington , D.C, Resorts — Locations: TRENTON, N.J, Atlantic City, Casino Association of New Jersey, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island , Virginia , Kansas , Michigan, Nevada, Shreveport , Louisiana, Chamber of Commerce Southern New Jersey, Vegas, Washington ,, Boston, Maryland, Ocean, www.twiter.com

☆ As Groundwater Dwindles, Powerful Players Block Change
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-24 | by ( Christopher Flavelle | Mira Rojanasakul | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +19 min

They serve on the board of Groundwater Management District 3, which since 1996 has overseen the pumping of 16.2 trillion gallons of groundwater — enough to fill Lake Mead, the country’s largest reservoir, twice over. From Maryland to Hawaii groundwater levels are falling, often the result of overpumping and underregulation, made worse by climate change. Groundwater Levels at Goldstrike Mine Observation wells at Goldstrike show a pattern of immense groundwater withdrawals. “And money talks.”Kansas City Groundwater Management District 3 KANSAS Wichita KANSAS Groundwater Management District 3 Kansas City Groundwater Management District 3 KANSAS WichitaGrowing corn in the Kansas drylandsIn Kansas, the power of the men who run Groundwater Management District 3 is enormous. Groups like Groundwater Management District 3 have until 2026 to come up with plans to sustain groundwater.

Persons: Lake Mead, —, Catherine Hospital —, we’re, ”, Lindsay Vaughn, David Robert Elliott, Joe Newland, Nevada Adam Sullivan, Christina Erling, Erling, Adam Sullivan, Emily Najera, Kim Raff, Julie Pazina, ” Barrick, Michael McCarthy, Barrick, ” Mr, McCarthy, Michael H, Taylor, Patrick Donnelly, don’t, Helena Billings, it’s, Galt, Wylie Galt, Bill Galt, Dutton, Wylie, Errol Galt, Galt’s, Matthew Hamon, The New York Times Eugene Graf, Montana homebuilders, The New York Times Montana, Brad Dundas, Dundas, Mr, John Tubbs, Tubbs, The New York Times Errol Galt, Eugene Graf, Graf, Guy Alsentzer, “, Lucas Bessire, Vaughn, Newland, Mark Rude, Kan, The New York Times Mark Rude, Ms, Lall, Ali Zaidi, Biden, Jared Huffman, Huffman Organizations: Groundwater Management, Walmart, State, The New York Times, Kansas Farm Bureau, New York Times, NEVADA Carson City Las, Barrick, Carson City Las, NEVADA Carson City, North, Barrick Gold Corporation, Nevada Gold Mines, Nevada, of Water, University of Nevada, Center for Biological Diversity, Republican, Representatives, The Times, Galt, state’s Department of Natural Resources, The New York, Montana Fish, Montana Building Industry Association, KANSAS, KANSAS Wichita KANSAS Groundwater Management, KANSAS Wichita, Kansas drylands, Management, Kansas City Topeka, Kansas City, Topeka Wichita, Survey, University of Oklahoma, Groundwater, Kansas, Columbia Water Center, Columbia University, Natural Resources Defense Council, Marin Municipal Water District, Fisheries Locations: United States, Garden City, Kan, America, Lake, Kansas, Maryland, Hawaii, Barrick, NEVADA Carson, Carson, Nevada, Canada, Goldstrike, North America, Barrick’s, ” MONTANA, Helena, Bozeman MONTANA, Helena Billings Bozeman, Montana, Galt, ”, Broadwater County, Elk, Confederate, Sulphur Springs, Mont, Upper Missouri, Townsend, ” Kansas, Groundwater Management District, KANSAS Wichita KANSAS, KANSAS Wichita KANSAS Groundwater Management District, KANSAS, Kansas drylands In Kansas, District, Wichita, Kansas City Topeka, Management District, Topeka, Kansas City, Arkansas, Washington, California, Marin

☆ Charleston Elects Republican Mayor for First Time Since 1870s
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-23 | by ( Nicholas Bogel-Burroughs | More About Nicholas Bogel-Burroughs | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The City of Charleston this week elected a Republican mayor for the first time since the mid-1870s, signifying a new chapter for the centuries-old southern city. The new mayor, William Cogswell, a former state representative and real estate developer, won a tight runoff election on Tuesday against Mayor John Tecklenburg, a Democrat who was seeking his third term in office. Mr. Cogswell’s election indicates a shift for Charleston, a stubbornly left-leaning city that has consistently elected Democratic mayors — including one to 10 terms — even as the state as a whole has not voted for a Democratic president since 1976. The mayor’s office in Charleston is technically nonpartisan, though mayors are often known to identify with a party. The city’s last Republican mayor served until 1877, according to city records and The Associated Press.

Persons: William Cogswell, Mayor John Tecklenburg, Cogswell Organizations: Republican, Mayor, Democrat, Charleston, Democratic, —, Associated Press, Mr Locations: Charleston, state’s

The scaled back package of bills known as the Reproductive Health Act will repeal regulations aimed at abortion providers, known as TRAP laws, that critics had said were designed to close abortion providers. Last November, Michigan voters overwhelmingly approved a citizen-led ballot proposal — known as Prop 3 — that enshrined abortion rights in their state’s constitution. Whitsett, a Detroit Democrat, opposed the repeal of a state law that requires patients to wait 24 hours before receiving an abortion. A group of some of the state's top abortion right advocates slammed Whitsett in a statement after the package's passage. The organization has called restrictions on Medicaid coverage for abortion “de facto abortion bans” for people with low incomes.

Persons: Gretchen Whitmer, Laurie Pohutsky, ” Pohutsky, Roe, Wade, Karen Whitsett, Whitsett, member’s, “, Whitmer Organizations: — Michigan Democrats, Gov, Reproductive, Michigan, Detroit, Democratic, Detroit Democrat, Whitsett, Democrats, Associated Press Locations: LANSING, Mich, Michigan, Detroit

Possession of under a gram of heroin, for example, is only subject to a ticket and a maximum fine of $100. Some lawmakers have suggested focusing on criminalizing public drug use rather than possession. Backers of Oregon’s approach say decriminalization isn’t necessarily to blame, as many other states with stricter drug laws have also reported increases in fentanyl deaths. Despite public perception, the law has made some progress by directing $265 million dollars of cannabis tax revenue toward standing up the state’s new addiction treatment infrastructure. Horvick, the pollster, said public support for expanding treatment remains high despite pushback against the law.

Persons: — Oregon's, ”, John Horvick, Sen, Kate Lieber, Tina Kotek, Kotek, Jason Edmiston, Alex Kreit, Lily Morgan, Heather Jefferis, ” Lieber, “, Geoff Mulvihill, ___ Claire Rush Organizations: DHM Research, Democratic, Democratic Gov, Republican, Survey, Northern Kentucky University, Addiction Law, U.S . Centers for Disease Control, Health, Networks, Oregon Council, Behavioral Health, Associated Press, America Statehouse News Initiative, America Locations: PORTLAND, Oregon, Portland, Hermiston, California, Washington, U.S, Portugal, Philadelphia

The gubernatorial election was decided in October when Jeff Landry, a Republican backed by former President Trump, won outright and avoided a runoff. Voters will cast ballots this weekend to determine the winners of a slew of other races, including three vacant, statewide offices: attorney general, secretary of state and treasurer. Democrats hope to gain a statewide office in the reliably red state as the GOP tries to retain its current offices. The secretary of state race will be closely watched after GOP incumbent Kyle Ardoin declined to seek reelection. Republican Landry is a former state representative from Lafayette and has worked in Ardoin’s office for four years.

Persons: Donald Trump, runoffs, Jeff Landry, Trump, didn't, Republicans “, ” Trump, John Fleming, Dustin Granger, Kyle Ardoin, Nancy Landry, Gwen Collins, Greenup, Republican Landry, Democrat Collins, Alice Lee Grosjean, Huey P, Long, State James Bailey, Landry, Liz Murrill, Joe Biden's, Lindsey Cheek, Cheek Organizations: —, Democratic, Republican, GOP, Republicans, Louisiana Republican Party, Democrat, Ardoin, State, of Elementary Locations: BATON ROUGE, La, Louisiana, Lake Charles, Lafayette, Baton Rouge

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