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KAHULUI, Hawaii, Aug 13 (Reuters) - Hawaii Governor Josh Green on Sunday called a part of the island of Maui that was devastated by wildfires a "war zone," as the death toll reached 93 and was expected to keep climbing. "We're at 93 (victims) now ... it's a war zone, but the help is incredible." The death toll made the blaze Hawaii's worst natural disaster, surpassing a tsunami that killed 61 people in 1960, a year after Hawaii became a U.S. state. [1/2]The shells of burned houses and buildings are left after wildfires driven by high winds burned across most of the town in Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii, U.S. August 11, 2023. Reuters Graphics'TOO GRIM'Authorities began allowing residents back into west Maui on Friday, although the fire zone in Lahaina remained barricaded.

Persons: Josh Green, Green, We'll, Joe Biden, Deanne Criswell, we've, a.m, Mike Blake, Marco Garcia, David Ljunggren, Jorge Garcia, Sandra Stojanovic, Maria Caspani, Joseph Ax, Daniel Wallis, Raju Gopalakrishnan, William Mallard, Paul Simao Organizations: MSNBC, Reuters Graphics Reuters, Sunday, National Fire Protection Association, Officials, Hawai'i Department of Land, Natural Resources, Federal Emergency Management Agency, FEMA, Reuters Graphics, Authorities, Facebook, Thomson Locations: KAHULUI, Hawaii, Maui, Lahaina, obliterating, it's, U.S, Paradise , California, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Maui County, Kula, Kahului, Honolulu , Hawaii

[1/5] The shells of burned houses and buildings are left after wildfires driven by high winds burned across most of the town in Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii, U.S. August 11, 2023. RAPID ADVANCEAuthorities began allowing residents back into west Maui on Friday, though the fire zone in Lahaina remained barricaded. "When I see Lahaina town itself, I cannot describe the feelings I get," said Lacuesta, who was headed to a church shelter next to continue his search. Subsequent updates were focused on the Kula fire, which had burned hundreds of acres and forced some local evacuations. But at around 3:30 p.m., according to the county's updates, the Lahaina fire flared up.

Persons: Anne Lopez, Josh Green, Dacruz, We'll, Lacuesta, a.m, Mike Blake, Marco Garcia, Joseph Ax, Daniel Wallis Organizations: Hawai'i Department of Land, Natural Resources, REUTERS, Federal Emergency Management Agency, FEMA, CNN, Facebook, Thomson Locations: Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii, U.S, REUTERS KAHULUI, Kahului, Kula, Maui County, Honolulu , Hawaii

Aug 12 (Reuters) - A Georgia prosecutor probing whether Donald Trump and his allies illegally sought to overturn the state's 2020 election results is expected to seek an indictment from a grand jury next week. "I'll certainly answer whatever questions are put in front of me," said Duncan, a Republican who has criticized Trump's false conspiracy theories about the 2020 election. Special Counsel Jack Smith, who brought the Washington case, has also charged Trump separately in Florida with illegally retaining classified documents after leaving office and with obstruction of justice. In a post on his Truth Social site on Saturday, Trump again called the Georgia investigation a "witch hunt." Her investigation began soon after Trump made a phone call to the state's top election official, Republican Brad Raffensperger, and urged him to "find" enough votes to alter the outcome.

Persons: Donald Trump, Fani Willis, Geoff Duncan, Duncan, George Chidi, Trump, Joe Biden's, Jack Smith, Willis, Republican Brad Raffensperger, Biden, Chidi, Joseph Ax, Daniel Wallis Organizations: CNN, Republican, Trump, Thomson Locations: Georgia, Atlanta, Fulton County, Washington, Florida

Senator Brian Schatz of Hawaii told MSNBC. In a late evening statement, Maui County said that the death toll had risen to 80. [1/9]A view of damage cause by wildfires in Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii, U.S., in this undated picture posted on August 11, 2023. County officials began allowing Lahaina residents back to their homes on Friday, even though much of Maui's western side remained without power and water. "Hot spots still exist and wearing a mask and gloves is advised," Maui County said in a statement.

Persons: Nobody, Brian Schatz, Josh Green, Green, Fire Chief Bradford Ventura, Hawaii Josh Green, Richard Bissen, NBC's, Andrew Rumbach, Marco Garcia, Mike Blake, Brendan O'Brien, Jonathan Allen, Rich McKay, Andrew Hay, Daniel Trotta, Dan Whitcomb, Doyinsola, Joseph Ax, Frank McGurty, Jonathan Oatis, Sandra Maler, Frances Kerry Organizations: Hawaii, U.S, MSNBC, CNN, Fire Chief, REUTERS, Facebook, Urban Institute, University of Hawaii, Police, Thomson Locations: MAALAEA, Hawaii, Maui, Lahaina, United States, Maui County, U.S, Kula, Washington

☆ Ohio voters reject ballot measure in win for abortion rights advocates
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-08 | by ( Joseph Ax | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

The results in the special election were a crucial victory for abortion rights advocates, who would have faced the daunting prospect of securing a super-majority of voters this fall if the measure had passed. Ballot initiatives have become powerful tools for abortion rights activists in states where abortion opponents, usually Republicans, control the legislature or hold the governor's office. On Tuesday, abortion rights groups in Arizona, a key presidential swing state, launched an effort to put the issue before voters in November 2024. Abortion rights opponents have called the November referendum extreme, claiming its vague language would allow minors to get abortions and gender-affirming surgery without parental consent. Other groups supporting Tuesday's referendum collected funds from Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America and The Concord Fund, a conservative dark-money group.

Persons: Read, Ohioans, Joe Biden, Mike DeWine, Jen Miller, Richard Uihlein, Susan B, Anthony Pro, Joseph Ax, Dan Whitcomb, Cynthia Osterman Organizations: Republican, Associated Press, U.S, Supreme, Republican Ohio, League of Women Voters, Ohio Republicans, Illinois Republican, America, The, Fund, Tides Foundation, Thomson Locations: Ohio, Kansas, Kentucky, Arizona, Illinois, California, Lincoln

☆ Ohio special election could determine future of abortion rights in the state
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-08 | by ( Joseph Ax | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

If it passes, a super-majority of voters would be required to approve a November referendum that seeks to enshrine abortion rights into the state constitution. Political groups on both sides of the abortion issue have poured millions of dollars into the state ahead of the vote. Ballot initiatives have become powerful tools for abortion rights activists in states where abortion opponents, usually Republicans, control the legislature or hold the governor's office. Voters in Kansas and Kentucky, both solidly conservative states, rejected measures last year that would have declared that their state constitutions do not protect abortion rights. Abortion rights opponents have called the November referendum extreme, claiming its vague language would allow minors to get abortions and gender-affirming surgery without parental consent.

Persons: Wade, Megan Jelinger, Mike DeWine, Jen Miller, Richard Uihlein, Susan B, Anthony Pro, Joseph Ax, Cynthia Osterman Organizations: United States Supreme, Women's Health Organization, REUTERS, Republican, U.S, Supreme, League of Women Voters, Ohio Republicans, Illinois Republican, America, The, Fund, Tides Foundation, Thomson Locations: Ohio, Columbus , Ohio, Dobbs, Kansas, Kentucky, Illinois, California

REUTERS/Cheney OrrAug 4 (Reuters) - U.S. prosecutors flagged a threatening social media post from Donald Trump in a late-night court filing on Friday, arguing that it suggests he might intimidate witnesses by improperly disclosing confidential evidence received from the government. On his Truth Social site, the former president wrote, "IF YOU GO AFTER ME, I'M COMING AFTER YOU!" The prosecutors' filing asked U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan to issue a protective order prohibiting Trump and his lawyers from sharing any discovery materials with unauthorized people. Protective orders are routine in cases involving confidential documents, but prosecutors said it was particularly important to restrict public dissemination given Trump's social media statements. He faces a possible fourth indictment in Georgia, where Atlanta prosecutors have been investigating his efforts to overturn the election results there.

Persons: Donald Trump, Cheney Orr, Democrat Joe Biden, Jack Smith, Trump, Tanya Chutkan, Joseph Ax, Simon Cameron, Moore Organizations: U.S, Republican, REUTERS, Democrat, Trump, Thomson Locations: Montgomery , Alabama, U.S, Washington, Miami, Manhattan, Georgia, Atlanta

NEW YORK, Aug 4 (Reuters) - Thousands of people overran New York City's Union Square and the surrounding streets on Friday in a chaotic scene after a popular live streamer announced a "giveaway" event, with police struggling to contain fans throwing projectiles and injuring officers. The event was promoted by Kai Cenat, best known for his live streams on the gaming site Twitch and YouTube videos. He had earlier announced a "huge giveaway" on his Instagram account for 4 p.m. Jeffrey Maddrey, the highest-ranking uniformed officer for the New York City Police Department, told reporters that police were questioning Cenat and that charges against him were possible, including inciting a riot. In a video posted Thursday, Cenat told his followers that the giveaway would include computers and Playstation 5 consoles.

Persons: Kai Cenat, choppers, Jeffrey Maddrey, Cenat, Maddrey, Joseph Ax, Kanishka Singh, Brad Brooks, Deepa Babington, Rosalba O'Brien Organizations: New York City Police Department, Union Square, YouTube, Thomson Locations: New York, Manhattan, New York City, U.S, Washington

He may soon face more charges in Georgia, where a state prosecutor is investigating his attempts to overturn the election there. TRUMP STILL THE REPUBLICAN FRONT-RUNNER Trump's legal woes have done little to damage his status as Republican front-runner. The indictment describes a phone call in which Pence told Trump there was no legal basis for the theory that Pence could block certification of the election. Although Pence repeatedly told Trump he lacked the authority to reject electoral votes from certain states, Trump kept repeating the claim. On Jan. 6, as he spoke to his supporters before they attacked the Capitol, Trump said: "If Mike Pence does the right thing, we win the election."

Persons: Donald Trump, Jack Smith, Trump, Judge Moxila Upadhyaya, Joe Biden, Smith, Tanya Chutkan, Upadhyaya, Chutkan, John Lauro, Thomas Windom, Biden, Todd Blanche, Judge Moxila, Jane Rosenberg, Donald J, Fani Willis, Ron DeSantis, Mike Pence, Pence, Sarah N, Lynch, Jacqueline Thomsen, Andrew Goudsward, Luc Cohen, Jason Lange, Tim Reid, John O'Connell, Jeff Mason, Patrick McFarland, Joseph Ax, Scott Malone, Daniel Wallis, Howard Goller Organizations: U.S, U.S . Capitol, Republican, Democratic, Biden, America, Republicans, Secret, REUTERS, TRUMP STILL, Reuters, Trump, White, Justice Department, U.S . House, Capitol, Thomson Locations: Washington, Bedminster , New Jersey, Ukraine, American, United States, America, New York, Georgia, Atlanta, Florida

WASHINGTON, Aug 3 (Reuters) - Donald Trump pleaded not guilty on Thursday to federal charges that he orchestrated a plot to try to overturn his 2020 election loss in what U.S. prosecutors call an unprecedented effort by the then-president to undermine the pillars of American democracy. He previously pleaded not guilty to federal charges that he retained classified documents after leaving office and New York state charges that he falsified documents in connection with hush money payments to a porn star. Trump may soon face more charges in Georgia, where a state prosecutor is investigating his attempts to overturn the election there. The indictment describes a phone call in which Pence told Trump there was no legal basis for the theory that Pence could block certification of the election. Although Pence repeatedly told Trump he lacked the authority to reject electoral votes from certain states, Trump kept repeating the claim.

Persons: Donald Trump, Trump, Joe Biden, Jack Smith, Smith, Judge Moxila Upadhyaya, Biden, Fani Willis, Ron DeSantis, Mike Pence, Pence, Rudy Giuliani, Trump's, Sarah N, Lynch, Jacqueline Thomsen, Andrew Goudsward, Luc Cohen, Jason Lange, Tim Reid, John O'Connell, Patrick McFarland, Joseph Ax, Scott Malone, Daniel Wallis, Howard Goller Organizations: U.S, U.S . Capitol, Trump, Democratic, Biden, Social, TRUMP, Reuters, Reagan Washington National Airport, Republican, White, Justice Department, U.S . House, Capitol, Thomson Locations: Washington, New York, Georgia, Atlanta, Arlington , Virginia, U.S, Florida

WASHINGTON, Aug 3 (Reuters) - Former U.S. President Donald Trump is due to appear in court on Thursday to face charges he led a wide-ranging conspiracy built on lies to overturn the 2020 presidential election, culminating in a violent attack on the seat of American democracy. Trump, the front-runner for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, is scheduled to appear in a magistrate's courtroom at 4 p.m. Trump may soon face more charges in Georgia, where a state prosecutor is investigating his attempts to overturn the election there. Former U.S. President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks during a campaign rally in Erie, Pennsylvania, U.S., July 29, 2023. Although Pence repeatedly told Trump he lacked the authority to reject electoral votes from certain states, Trump kept repeating the claim.

Persons: Donald Trump, Trump, Jack Smith, Democrat Joe Biden, Biden, Fani Willis, Ron DeSantis, Lindsay DeDario, Mike Pence, Pence, Rudy Giuliani, Trump's, Sarah N, Lynch, Jacqueline Thomsen, Luc Cohen, Andrew Goudsward, Tim Reid, John O'Connell, Patrick McFarland, Joseph Ax, Scott Malone, Daniel Wallis Organizations: Former U.S, Washington , D.C, U.S . Capitol, Democrat, Trump, Social, Republican, Democratic, Reuters, White, Justice Department, REUTERS, Secret Service, D.C, U.S, House, Capitol, Thomson Locations: Former, Washington ,, New York, Georgia, Atlanta, Erie , Pennsylvania, U.S, Washington, Bedminster , New Jersey

Former U.S. President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks during a campaign rally in Erie, Pennsylvania, U.S., July 29, 2023. REUTERS/Lindsay DeDario/File PhotoAug 3 (Reuters) - Former U.S. President Donald Trump is due to appear in court on Thursday to face charges he led a wide-ranging conspiracy built on lies to overturn the 2020 presidential election, culminating in a violent attack on the seat of American democracy. Trump, the front-runner for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, is scheduled to appear in a magistrate's courtroom at 4 p.m. Trump may soon face more charges in Georgia, where a state prosecutor is investigating his attempts to overturn the election there. Although Pence repeatedly told Trump he lacked the authority to reject electoral votes from certain states, Trump kept repeating the claim.

Persons: Donald Trump, Lindsay DeDario, Trump, Jack Smith, Democrat Joe Biden, Biden, Fani Willis, Ron DeSantis, Mike Pence, Pence, Rudy Giuliani, Trump's, Sarah N, Lynch, Jacqueline Thomsen, Tim Reid, Joseph Ax, Michael Perry Organizations: U.S, Republican, REUTERS, Former U.S, Washington , D.C, U.S . Capitol, Democrat, Trump, Democratic, White, Justice Department, Secret Service, D.C, House, Capitol, Thomson Locations: Erie , Pennsylvania, U.S, Former, Washington ,, New York, Georgia, Atlanta, Thursday's, Florida, Washington

☆ Redistricting battles could determine control of US House in 2024
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-03 | by ( Joseph Ax | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

But a series of legal challenges, including a major U.S. Supreme Court ruling, have cast many of those district lines into doubt. Legal experts said the ruling bolsters similar challenges in Georgia and Louisiana, where voting rights groups have argued that Republican-drawn maps marginalized Black voters. In Ohio, the state Supreme Court appears set to alter course after previously finding Republican maps violated the state constitution’s prohibition on gerrymandering. In Wisconsin, the most expensive state Supreme Court election in U.S. history resulted in a new liberal majority. OTHER BATTLESLast month, the Utah Supreme Court heard arguments over the state’s Republican-drawn congressional map, which carved Democratic Salt Lake County into four separate districts.

Persons: reconvenes, Leah Millis, –, ”, Michael Li, University’s, “, Kathy Hochul, Janet Protasiewicz Organizations: YORK, House, U.S . Capitol, Republican, REUTERS, Republicans, Census, Supreme, Center for Justice, U.S, Democrat, REPUBLICAN, STATE, Democratic, Ohio’s Republican, DEMOCRATIC, Utah Supreme Locations: New York, Utah, U.S, Washington , U.S, New, Black, Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina, Ohio, In Wisconsin, Democratic Salt Lake County, New Mexico

The four-count, 45-page indictment charges Republican Trump with conspiring to defraud the U.S. by preventing Congress from certifying Democrat Joe Biden's victory and to deprive voters of their right to a fair election. The charges stem from Special Counsel Jack Smith's sprawling investigation into allegations Trump sought to reverse his loss to Biden. "President Trump will not be deterred by disgraceful and unprecedented political targeting!" [1/5]Former U.S. President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks during a campaign rally in Erie, Pennsylvania, U.S., July 29, 2023. Tuesday's charges represent a second round of federal charges by Smith, who was appointed special counsel in November by U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland.

Persons: Donald Trump, Trump, Joe Biden's, Mike Pence, Tanya Chutkan, Barack Obama, Jack Smith's, Biden, Weeks, Smith, Trump's, Rudy Giuliani, Jeffrey Clark, John Eastman, Pence, Lindsay DeDario, Giuliani, Robert Costello, Eastman, Charles Burnham, Clark, General Merrick Garland, Stormy Daniels, Kevin McCarthy, Ron DeSantis, Fani Willis, Garland, Jacqueline Thomsen, Sarah N, Lynch, Rami Ayyub, Andrew Goudsward, Luc Cohen, Jack Queen, Kanishka Singh, Dan Whitcomb, Costas Pitas, Mike Scarcella, Tim Reid, Jeff Mason, Gram Slattery, Joseph Ax, Scott Malone, Will Dunham, Howard Goller, Grant McCool, Michael Perry Organizations: U.S, Capitol, Republican, ., Trump, Congress, Justice, REUTERS, Reuters, Presidential, TRUMP, REPUBLICAN, Republicans, Democratic, Justice Department, Thomson Locations: American, Washington, U.S, Washington ,, Nazi Germany, Georgia, Erie , Pennsylvania, Miami, Manhattan's, Florida, Fulton County, The Hague, Kosovo, New York

Former U.S. President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks at a campaign event in Council Bluffs, Iowa, U.S., July 7, 2023. According to the indictment, Trump ignored advisers who told him the election was not fraudulent and helped organize fake slates of electors to try to capture electoral votes in states he had lost. The Trump campaign issued a statement accusing the Biden administration of targeting him for political gain. Trump, 77, the first former U.S. president to face criminal charges, has been indicted on three separate occasions this year. Many Republican officials, unwilling to anger Trump's substantial base of supporters, attacked Biden instead, claiming that the latest charges were politically motivated.

Persons: Donald Trump, Scott Morgan, Jack Smith, Trump's, Joe Biden's, Trump, Biden, President Trump, Smith, General Merrick Garland, Fani Willis, Willis, Ron DeSantis, Sarah N, Lynch, Jacqueline Thomsen, Joseph Ax, Scott Malone, Michael Perry Organizations: U.S, Republican, REUTERS, Trump, Capitol, Soviet Union, Department, White, Biden, Thomson Locations: Bluffs , Iowa, U.S, Washington, Georgia, Nazi Germany, The Hague, Manhattan, Atlanta, Florida

The four-count, 45-page indictment charges Republican Trump with conspiring to defraud the U.S. by preventing Congress from certifying Democrat Joe Biden's victory and to deprive voters of their right to a fair election. The charges stem from Special Counsel Jack Smith's sprawling investigation into allegations Trump sought to reverse his loss to Biden. The indictment lays out numerous examples of Trump's election falsehoods and notes that close advisers, including senior intelligence officials, told him repeatedly that the election results were legitimate. "President Trump will not be deterred by disgraceful and unprecedented political targeting!" Tuesday's charges represent a second round of federal charges by Smith, who was appointed a special counsel in November by U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland.

Persons: Donald Trump, Trump, Joe Biden's, Mike Pence, Tanya Chutkan, Barack Obama, Jack Smith's, Biden, Weeks, Smith, Rudy Giuliani, Jeffrey Clark, John Eastman, Pence, Lindsay DeDario, Ted Goodman, Clark, Eastman, General Merrick Garland, Stormy Daniels, Kevin McCarthy, Ron DeSantis, Trump's, Fani Willis, Garland, Jacqueline Thomsen, Sarah N, Lynch, Rami Ayyub, Andrew Goudsward, Luc Cohen, Jack Queen, Kanishka Singh, Dan Whitcomb, Costas Pitas, Mike Scarcella, Tim Reid, Jeff Mason, Gram Slattery, Joseph Ax, Scott Malone, Will Dunham, Howard Goller, Grant McCool Organizations: U.S, Capitol, Republican, ., Trump, Congress, Justice, REUTERS, TRUMP, REPUBLICAN, Republicans, Democratic, Justice Department, Thomson Locations: American, Washington, U.S, Washington ,, Nazi Germany, Georgia, Erie , Pennsylvania, Miami, Manhattan's, Florida, Fulton County, The Hague, Kosovo, New York

July 31 (Reuters) - The judge presiding over a Georgia grand jury investigation into Donald Trump on Monday rejected the former U.S. president's bid to disqualify the lead prosecutor and block any indictments stemming from the probe, which is expected to yield charges in the coming weeks. Trump's lawyers have filed a separate long-shot bid to disqualify Willis that will be heard by another judge next week. The special grand jury was convened at Willis's request to aid in her investigation. The jury, which had subpoena power but not the authority to issue charges, heard testimony from dozens of witnesses. Reporting by Joseph Ax; Additional reporting by Rami Ayyub; Editing by Howard Goller and Lisa ShumakerOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Donald Trump, Robert McBurney, Georgia's, Democrat Joe Biden, Fani Willis, Trump, Willis, Rudy Giuliani, Biden, McBurney, Joseph Ax, Rami Ayyub, Howard Goller, Lisa Shumaker Organizations: Monday, Democrat, Fulton, Trump, Thomson Locations: Georgia, U.S, Fulton County

☆ Trump's $475 mln 'big lie' defamation lawsuit against CNN dismissed
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-29 | by ( Joseph Ax | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

July 29 (Reuters) - A federal judge has thrown out Donald Trump's $475 million defamation lawsuit against CNN, in which the former president claimed the network's description of his election fraud as the "big lie" associated him with Adolf Hitler. The lawsuit, which was filed in October 2022, highlighted five instances in which CNN either published stories or aired comments referring to Trump's assertions about the 2020 election as his "big lie." But the mere use of the phrase "big lie" is not enough to give rise to a true connotation, Singhal wrote. Since launching his first presidential campaign in 2015, Trump has often attacked media outlets whose coverage he dislikes, with CNN a favorite target. Trump is the front-runner for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, despite facing both state and federal indictments.

Persons: Donald Trump's, Adolf Hitler, Judge Raag Singhal, Alejandro Brito, Singhal, Trump, Joseph Ax, Sandra Maler Organizations: CNN, Trump, Nazi, Thomson Locations: Fort Lauderdale , Florida, Lago

July 28 (Reuters) - Here is a list of legal troubles facing former U.S. President Donald Trump, the front-runner for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination. Trump said his attorneys met on Thursday with U.S. Justice Department officials, in a sign charges could come soon. Trump said on his Truth Social platform that the Department of Justice had not told his attorneys when action was likely. Officials have testified that during his final months in office, Trump pressured them with false voter fraud claims. Legal experts said Trump may have violated at least three Georgia criminal laws: conspiracy to commit election fraud, criminal solicitation to commit election fraud and intentional interference with performance of election duties.

Persons: Donald Trump, Trump, JAN, General Merrick Garland, Trump's, Smith, Walt Nauta, Carlos De Oliveira, De Oliveira, Fani Willis, Brad Raffensperger, Michael Cohen, Stormy Daniels, Daniels, reimbursing Cohen, Cohen, Jean Carroll, Carroll, Letitia James, James, Donald Jr, Eric, Joseph Ax, Luc Cohen, Karen Freifeld, Susan Heavey, Sarah N, Lynch, Jonathan Stempel, Jacqueline Thomsen, Noeleen Walder, Howard Goller, Daniel Wallis Organizations: CAPITOL, U.S, Capitol, U.S . Justice Department, Department of Justice, White, Trump, Prosecutors, Republican Georgia, U.S . Constitution, Trump's, CNN, NEW, GENERAL, New York, Trump Organization, Thomson Locations: Miami, Lago Florida, New Jersey, GEORGIA, Fulton County, Georgia, U.S ., York, Manhattan, Lago, Florida, New York

☆ Publishers, booksellers sue Texas over public school book ban
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-26 | by ( Joseph Ax | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

July 26 (Reuters) - A coalition of booksellers, authors and publishers has sued Texas seeking to block a new state law that bans "sexually explicit" books from public schools. Vendors that do not participate will be barred from selling any books to Texas schools. Any books rated explicit cannot be sold to public schools and must be recalled from libraries. Republican Governor Greg Abbott has said the Texas law protects children, declaring that it "gets that trash out of our schools" when he signed it in June. In May, the writers' group PEN America and others sued a Florida school district for banning books dealing with LGBTQ and race issues.

Persons: Greg Abbott, Joseph Ax, Colleen Jenkins, Bill Berkrot Organizations: Republican, Texas Education Agency, PEN America, American Library Association, Thomson Locations: Texas, Austin, Florida, Arkansas

July 20 (Reuters) - Alabama's Republican-controlled legislature on Friday passed a new congressional map that increased the number of Black voters in one of the state's districts, but Democrats said the plan defied a U.S. Supreme Court ruling intended to protect minority voters' rights. More than one-quarter of Alabama's residents are Black, but under a Republican-drawn map approved in 2021, only one of the state's seven congressional districts, the 7th, is majority Black. Senator Bobby Singleton, a Black Democrat, accused fellow lawmakers of playing a "game" with Black voters. But Republicans said they were confident the 2nd district's new lines provided a meaningful opportunity for Black voters. Last week, a New York state appeals court ordered lawmakers to redraw the state's congressional map.

Persons: Scott Douglas, Terri Sewell, Bobby Singleton, Singleton, Michael Li, New York University's, Josephine Walker, Joseph Ax, Scott Malone, Aurora Ellis Organizations: Republican, U.S, Supreme, Greater Birmingham Ministries, Democratic U.S, Republicans, U.S . House, Representatives, Black, New York, Center for Justice, Democratic, Thomson Locations: Alabama, Black, U.S, New, New York, Washington

☆ Alabama lawmakers clash over Black voters as redistricting deadline looms
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-21 | by ( Joseph Ax | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The plaintiffs in the Supreme Court case have already vowed to challenge either map in court, saying both would still violate the law. In 2022, a three-judge panel in a federal district court invalidated the current map as unlawful. Black Democratic lawmakers have called the maps a slap in the face to Black voters - and to the courts. "It is an embarrassment," said Juandalynn Givan, a Jefferson County legislator, adding that the Republican plan amounted to dropping "an F-bomb on the United States Supreme Court." "There certainly are places in the country where a 42% Black district would elect a Black-preferred candidate," Li said.

Persons: Scott Douglas, Terri Sewell, Juandalynn Givan, Michael Li, New York University's, Li, Joseph Ax, Josephine Walker, Scott Malone, Aurora Ellis Organizations: Republican, U.S, Supreme, Republicans, U.S . House, Senate, Greater Birmingham Ministries, Democratic U.S ., Lawmakers, Black Democratic, United States Supreme, New York, Center for Justice, Black, Democratic, Thomson Locations: U.S, Alabama's, Alabama, Black, Jefferson County, New, New York

☆ Trump's bid to block Georgia election probe rejected by state's top court
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-18 | by ( Joseph Ax | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] Former U.S. President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks at a campaign event in Council Bluffs, Iowa, U.S., July 7, 2023. REUTERS/Scott Morgan/File PhotoJuly 17 (Reuters) - Georgia's top court on Monday rejected former President Donald Trump's latest effort to block an investigation into whether he and his allies illegally sought to interfere with the state's 2020 election, weeks before prosecutors are expected to seek formal charges. Court records showed the Georgia Supreme Court unanimously dismissed the petition, filed last week by Trump's lawyers, that had sought to disqualify Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis and to quash a special grand jury report that recommended indictments against certain individuals. Willis has indicated to local officials that she will seek indictments in the case from a regular grand jury in August. Trump's lawyers previously filed a separate petition asking the state judge who oversaw the grand jury to quash its report and disqualify Willis from the case.

Persons: Donald Trump, Scott Morgan, Donald Trump's, Fani Willis, Willis finalizes, Willis, Trump, Georgia's, Joe Biden's, Joseph Ax Organizations: U.S, Republican, REUTERS, Georgia Supreme, Fulton, Trump, New, Thomson Locations: Bluffs , Iowa, U.S, Georgia, Fulton County, New York

Edward Blum, the founder of the group that brought Thursday's Supreme Court case, made it clear in a statement that he would be watching schools' reaction closely. But such programs could draw legal challenges claiming that schools are simply using other criteria as a substitute for race. A divided appeals court rejected the parents' claim, but many legal observers say the Supreme Court could choose to take up the case. Some employment lawyers also warned that Thursday's decision, while focused on colleges, nevertheless could encourage more legal challenges to corporate diversity and inclusion programs. But in practice, corporate programs can sometimes give the appearance of granting preferences to particular groups, and the Supreme Court ruling could fuel opposition to them, said Krissy Katzenstein, a partner at Baker McKenzie in New York who represents employers.

Persons: McKenzie, John Roberts, Roberts, Dayna Bowen Matthew, George Washington, Brian Fitzpatrick, Edward Blum, Blum, Evan Caminker, Krissy Katzenstein, Baker McKenzie, Joseph Ax, Dan Wiessner, Tom Hals, Amy Stevens, Daniel Wallis Organizations: Baker, . Constitution, Vanderbilt University, University of Michigan, Companies, Thomson Locations: ., California, Virginia, New York

For just as long, critics of affirmative action have questioned whether race-conscious admissions policies are fair or warranted. The Supreme Court weighed in on Thursday, striking down affirmative action policies at Harvard and the University of North Carolina. In 2014, he founded Students for Fair Admissions, the group behind several major Supreme Court challenges to affirmative action - including the cases that led to Thursday's decision. Connerly persuaded his fellow regents to ban affirmative action. He concluded that affirmative action as part of an approach that aimed to remedy historic disadvantages and did not favor unqualified applicants over qualified ones could still be used.

Persons: EDWARD BLUM Edward Blum, Blum, LEE BOLLINGER, Lee Bollinger, Society's, Bollinger, WARD CONNERLY, Jim Crow, Pete Wilson, Connerly, CHRISTOPHER EDLEY, Bill Clinton, Christopher Edley Jr, Clinton, Edley, Joseph Ax, Gabriella Borter, Sharon Bernstein, Donna Bryson, Leslie Adler Organizations: Harvard, University of North, Fair, University of Michigan, U.S, Bollinger, Columbia University, Universities, Republican, Regents, University of California, UC, American, JR, UC Berkeley's, Thomson Locations: University of North Carolina, U.S ., Grutter, Michigan, California, Louisiana, Sacramento

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