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☆ Republicans sure don't sound like they're about to block Democrats from filling Dianne Feinstein's Judiciary Committee seat
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-29 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Dianne Feinstein's seat on the Judiciary committee is now empty in the wake of her death. AdvertisementAdvertisementIn the wake of Sen. Dianne Feinstein's death, questions are swirling over how the California Democrat's now-empty seat on the Senate Judiciary Committee will be filled. In order to change the membership of any Senate committee, the chamber has to pass a resolution to make that change official. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer can do so via a simple voice vote if no Republicans object to the change. Sen. JD Vance of Ohio said it was up to Republicans on the Judiciary Committee and that he would "probably support" whatever decision they made.

Persons: Dianne Feinstein's, —, Sen, Joe Biden's, Josh Hawley, Chuck Schumer, Republican Sen, Ron Johnson, Johnson, Marco Rubio, Ted Cruz, Mike Braun, JD Vance, Ohio, Todd Young, Rand Paul of Kentucky, Paul, Ben Cardin, Bob Menendez, Feinstein, Mitch McConnell, Sheldon Whitehouse, Whitehouse, Hawley, I'm, She's Organizations: Service, Republicans, Democratic, GOP, Republican, Indiana, Committee, Senate Foreign Relations, Bob Menendez of New, Judiciary, Twitter, Democrats Locations: California, Josh Hawley of Missouri, Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, Marco Rubio of Florida, Ted Cruz of Texas, Ben Cardin of Maryland, Bob Menendez of, Bob Menendez of New Jersey, Rhode

☆ Chinese hackers stole 60,000 emails from senior State Department officials in May, source says
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-28 | by ( Sean Lyngaas | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —The Chinese hackers who breached multiple US government agencies in May stole some 60,000 emails from senior State Department officials, including information on officials’ travel itineraries, a Senate staffer briefed on the matter told CNN. The hackers were also able to access a list of every State Department email address, according to the Senate staffer. That kind of reconnaissance could be useful information for any follow-on hacking efforts aimed at the State Department. At a press briefing Thursday, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller confirmed that the hackers accessed about 60,000 State Department emails. “[T]his was a hack of Microsoft systems that the State Department uncovered and notified Microsoft about,” Miller told reporters.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Republican Sen, Eric Schmitt of Missouri, Matthew Miller, ” Miller, China Nicholas Burns, Gina Raimondo, Daniel Kritenbrink, Don Bacon of Nebraska, Schmitt, ”, ” Schmitt Organizations: CNN, State Department, Republican, State Department IT, State, Department, Microsoft, The State Department, Biden, East Locations: Pacific, China, East Asia, Blinken

☆ 'Just shut your mouth:' Populist Republicans back UAW workers' demands while slamming union leadership
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-26 | by ( Bryan Metzger | Nora Naughton | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +11 min

Hawley and Vance support striking auto workers, but they're not on the same page as union leadership. AdvertisementAdvertisementAs strikes at auto manufacturing plants continue across the country, some populist-minded Republicans are breaking from their party's long-standing orthodoxies and backing the United Auto Workers' demands. Last week, Fain even slammed Donald Trump as part of the "billionaire class" following the news that the former president would address union workers in Michigan this week. So far, the only company that has figured out how to squeeze consistent profits out of electric cars is Tesla, which does not use more union labor. The union is now aiming to rebuild its reputation and influence in automotive labor and the labor movement writ large.

Persons: Hawley, Vance, they're, It's, —, what's, Sen, JD Vance, Ohio, Josh Hawley, Biden, Shawn Fain, They've, Fain, Donald Trump, Sherrod Brown, Brown, we've, Detroit's Ford, Matt Wegener, Wegener, EVs, Charmonique Demings, Trump —, Trump Organizations: PRO, Service, United Auto Workers, Republicans, UAW, GM, Stellantis, Biden's, Democrat, Michigan Assembly, Ford's Michigan, Trump, US, Detroit —, National Labor Relations Board, Supreme, Bloomberg, Biden, Battery, EV, Volkswagen, Tesla, Republican, Ford, Democratic, Democratic Party, American Locations: Josh Hawley of Missouri, China, Wentzville , Missouri, Michigan, Ohio, Detroit, Trump's Michigan, States, Mexico, Canada, Missouri

☆ The 10 most affordable US cities for renters
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-25 | by ( Noah Sheidlower | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Jefferson City, MO, ranks as the most affordable metro area in the US for renters. Jefferson City, MO, ranked as the most affordable metro area for US renters, according to data from the US Census Bureau. For the top cities, Insider analyzed the share of residents with affordable rent, meaning the percent of residents who pay less than 30% of their income on rent. Around two-thirds of renters in Sheboygan and Appleton had affordable rent, while 63% in Racine had affordable rent. The data supports recent findings that wealthier Americans are moving to Montana and Idaho for more affordable rent.

Persons: Lucie, Louis Organizations: Metro, Service, Census Locations: Jefferson City ,, Ohio , Wisconsin, Wyoming, Wall, Silicon, Missouri , Wisconsin, Jefferson City, Missouri, Lima, Ohio, Wisconsin, Sheboygan, Appleton, Racine, Wyoming , South Dakota , Montana , North Carolina, Washington, Montana and Idaho, Florida, Homosassa Springs, Naples, Port St, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, York, Newark, Jersey City, Midwest, Northeast, Lincoln , Fresno, St, Tampa

Missouri officials struck back at one of the clinics that unsuccessfully challenged new state restrictions on gender affirming care, accusing the clinic in a lawsuit of failing to provide proper care for transgender minors even before the new law took effect. Every major medical organization, including the American Medical Association, has opposed bans on gender-affirming care for minors and supported their access to medical care when treatments are administered appropriately. Doctors who treat transgender patients say those decades of use are proof the treatments are not experimental. Critics of providing gender-affirming care to minors have raised concerns about children changing their minds. Yet the evidence suggests detransitioning is not as common as opponents of transgender medical treatment for youth contend, though few studies exist and they have their weaknesses.

Persons: Andrew Bailey, didn't, Bailey, Louis Children’s, detransitioning Organizations: Republican, St, Southampton Community Healthcare, Southampton, Washington University Transgender, Louis Children’s Hospital, University of Missouri Health Care, American Medical Association, Drug Administration, FDA Locations: Missouri, Louis, Columbia

☆ Opinion | What Republicans Say (and Don’t Say) About the Auto Workers’ Strike
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-23 | by ( Jamelle Bouie | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +3 min

But beyond the presidential contenders, there were also the ostensibly populist Republicans who have placed workers at the center of their case. They haven’t even blamed management for the strike, despite the fact that the U.A.W. And they haven’t voiced support for the largest, most ambitious organizing goal of the U.A.W. As (my former editor and colleague) Harold Meyerson notes in a piece for The American Prospect:The long-term future of the U.A.W. foreign-owned auto factories that are spread across the South, also falls well short of the levels that U.A.W.

Persons: “, Joe Biden’s, Josh Hawley, J.D, Vance, Ohio, Marco Rubio, Harold Meyerson, ”, Elon Organizations: Republicans, GM, Ford Locations: China, Missouri, Florida, Stellantis

The video posted on the X platform, formerly known as Twitter, caught the attention of Jonathan Riley, a liberal activist in Durham, North Carolina, who posted Sunday that it showed “Missouri Republicans at a literal book burning," though he'd later walk that statement back to a “metaphorical” book burning. “It fit a narrative that they wanted to put out there,” Freedom Fest organizer Debbie McFarland said about claims that Eigel burned books. Experts who study political extremism said images involving fire or bonfires have long been associated with extremist groups. Eigel’s critics quickly posted online images involving the Ku Klux Klan and Nazi book burnings before World War II. Talking about book burning enough can plant the idea in people's minds so that ”people think it’s actually a righteous thing to do."

Persons: Louis, Sen, Bill Eigel, ” Eigel, Eigel, ”, Kurt Braddock, Jonathan Riley, he'd, Debbie McFarland, Mike Parson, State Jay Ashcroft, Mike Kehoe, Ashcroft, Gregg Keller, Eigel’s, “, Eric Greitens, Flamethowers, Donald Trump, Kristi Noem’s, Evan Perkoski, it's, ” “, Javed Ali, Braddock, ” Eigel's, Ali, he’s, ___ Hanna, ___, John Hanna Organizations: JEFFERSON CITY, Missouri, Associated Press, ”, American University, Republicans, Twitter, Missouri Republicans, Gov, State, AP, GOP, Ku, Navy, Senate, Name, torching, Ku Klux Klan, University of Connecticut, University of Michigan Locations: Mo, St, Missouri, Washington, Defiance , Missouri, Durham , North Carolina, Jefferson City, U.S, Arizona, Alabama, South Dakota, Topeka , Kansas

At least 22 states have now enacted laws restricting or banning gender-affirming medical care for transgender minors. “His depression, his anxiety had pretty much dissipated because he was receiving the gender-affirming care,” Thurow said. In North Dakota, the law allows treatment to continue for minors who were receiving care before the law took effect in April. Providers there have simply stopped gender-affirming care, said Brittany Stewart, a lawyer at Gender Justice, which is suing over the ban in the state. But there's one key difference: gender-affirming care is ongoing.

Persons: ”, Becky Hormuth, Louis Children’s, Hormuth, “, James Thurow, Louis, ” Thurow, “ He’s, Sen, Mike Moon, Justin Brown, Dale Wright, Brittany Stewart, they’ve, ” Stewart, Jasmine Beach, it's, she's, “ It’s, Devon Dolney, ___ Mulvihill, Jack Dura Organizations: LOUIS, —, Republican, Washington University Gender, St, Louis Children’s Hospital, Washington University, University of Missouri Health Care, Gender Justice, Campaign, Southern Equality, Tate, Associated Press Locations: Missouri, North Dakota, U.S, North Carolina, Utah, St, Ferrara, Fargo , North Dakota, Minnesota, Chicago, Cherry Hill , New Jersey, Bismarck , North Dakota

☆ Anti-affirmative action group, emboldened by US Supreme Court, targets scholarships
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-22 | by ( Joseph Ax | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

The challenges are part of a growing campaign against diversity initiatives after a U.S. Supreme Court landmark ruling in June outlawed use of race in college admissions, commonly known as affirmative action. A departmental spokesperson said the office for civil rights does not discuss details of its cases. But you can't do it through racial discrimination, and the Supreme Court has been very clear about that." On Tuesday, the organization that won the Supreme Court case, Students for Fair Admissions, filed a new lawsuit challenging affirmative action admission practices at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. The Supreme Court had exempted military academies from its June decision, saying in a footnote that these schools might have "distinct" interests.

Persons: Evelyn Hockstein, William Jacobson, Jacobson, Evan Caminker, Joseph Ax, Colleen Jenkins, David Gregorio Our Organizations: U.S, Supreme, Harvard University, University of North, REUTERS, Conservative, Cornell University, U.S . Department, Western Kentucky University, Kansas State University, University of Nebraska, Education Trust, Democratic, Belmont University, The University of Missouri, Republican, University of Michigan, The, Harvard, Fair, U.S . Military Academy, West, Thomson Locations: University of North Carolina, Washington , U.S, Lincoln, American, Missouri

☆ GOP senator who's friends with Fetterman says she 'very much' disagrees with the new dress code despite not signing on to her party's letter slamming the change
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-21 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Just 3 GOP senators did not sign onto a letter condemning the new Senate dress code. That includes Sen. Katie Britt, who's good friends with Sen. John Fetterman. But the Alabama senator says she "very much" disagrees with the change anyway. "When I walked in that day, his energy and demeanor was totally different," Britt told the Associated Press of her hospital visit. "I very much disagree with Senator Schumer's unilateral change to the Senate dress code," said Britt.

Persons: Sen, Katie Britt, who's, John Fetterman, Chuck Schumer, Democratic Sen, John Fetterman of, Josh Hawley, Mike Braun, Indiana, Braun, Alabama, Britt, Schumer's, —, Fetterman Organizations: Senate, Service, Republican, Democratic, Capitol, Pennsylvania, Associated Press Locations: Alabama, Wall, Silicon, John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, Missouri

☆ Nearly every GOP senator has signed a letter blasting the Senate's new dress code: 'We must protect the sanctity of that place at all costs'
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-20 | by ( John L. Dorman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Nearly every GOP senator signed a letter blasting Schumer's decision to relax Senate attire rules. "Allowing casual clothing on the Senate floor disrespects the institution we serve," the 46 senators wrote. "The Senate is a place of honor and tradition, and the Senate floor is where we conduct the business of the American people," the letter read. AdvertisementAdvertisement"The world watches us on that floor and we must protect the sanctity of that place at all costs," the letter continued. "Allowing casual clothing on the Senate floor disrespects the institution we serve and the American families we represent."

Persons: John Fetterman, fretting, Chuck Schumer, Sen, Rick Scott of, Schumer, Scott, Mike Braun, Katie Britt, Alabama, Josh Hawley of, John Fetterman of, Fetterman, Joe Manchin —, — Organizations: GOP, Service, New York Democrat, Indiana, Republican, New York Times, Senate, Republicans, West, Times Locations: Wall, Silicon, Rick Scott of Florida, Josh Hawley of Missouri, John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, West Virginia

☆ House Oversight Committee to hold first Biden impeachment inquiry hearing next week
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-19 | by ( Spencer Kimball | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Rep. James Comer of Kentucky, the Oversight Committee chair, said Tuesday that he plans to subpoena the personal bank records of Hunter Biden , the president's son, and his brother James Biden. The House Oversight Committee will hold the first hearing on the impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden on Sept. 28, a committee spokesperson said Tuesday. A spokesperson for the oversight committee said the subpoenas could come as early as this week. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-California, last week directed three GOP-led committees to launch an impeachment inquiry into Biden. The impeachment inquiry is being led by Comer on the Oversight Committee, Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan of Ohio, and Ways and Means Committee Chair Jason Smith of Missouri.

Persons: Joe Biden, James Comer of, Hunter Biden, James Biden, James Comer, Kevin McCarthy, Biden, McCarthy, Comer, Jim Jordan of, Jason Smith of, Jordan, Smith, Hunter, James, Ian Sams, Jamie Raskin Organizations: Prince George's Community College, UNITED STATES, GOP, Jason Smith of Missouri, White, Republicans, Maryland Locations: Largo , Maryland, James Comer of Kentucky, Ky, Rayburn, California, Jim Jordan of Ohio

☆ Flamethrowing Missouri Republicans have wildly different responses to accusations that they were book-burning on a Friday night
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-19 | by ( Hannah Getahun | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Two Missouri Republicans were accused of burning books at a fundraising event Friday night. Schroer wrote alongside a photo of him using the flamethrower. Neither candidate specified that they were burning books during the event. Schroer denied that they were burning books, writing on X that the "fake news" was spreading "division and hate." Crystal Quade, Missouri House Minority Leader Crystal Quade and the sole Democratic gubernatorial candidate for the state, condemned Eigel on X.

Persons: Nick Schroer, Bill Eigel, Schroer, James Murphy, Schroer's, Murphy, Eigel, Quade, Crystal Quade Organizations: Missouri Republicans, Service, Missouri State Senators, State, Charles County Central Committee, Democratic Locations: Missouri, Wall, Silicon, St, Charles County, Jeff

CNN —House Speaker Kevin McCarthy unilaterally gave his conference the green light to launch an impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden. “There has to be an aha moment.” Rep. Darrell Issa of California, a Republican member of the House Judiciary Committee, told CNN. McCarthy – who spoke for 15 minutes before a scheduled presentation on their Biden impeachment inquiry – also expressed annoyance over their spending struggles and inability to find consensus, saying “hell yeah” he is frustrated. “Until I see the evidence of an impeachable offense, I’m not in favor of impeachment inquiry or impeachment.”Some moderates in swing districts, though, are expressing support for the impeachment inquiry, and dismissing concerns that it could negatively impact the GOP. Some House Republicans cautioned that an impeachment inquiry does not make articles of impeachment inevitable.

Persons: Kevin McCarthy, Joe Biden, McCarthy, Biden –, Darrell Issa of, “, Hunter Biden, –, ” Issa, Republicans –, Jim Jordan, “ We’re, ” Jordan, ”, McCarthy –, Biden, impeaching Biden, Clinton, Tom Cole, Kat Cammack, Brian Mast, Dan Newhouse, Donald Trump, Tim Burchett, Jim Jordan’s, Republicans don’t, McCarthy’s, We’ve, Matt Gaetz, James Biden, “ Hunter Biden, Hunter, can’t, Scott Perry of, James Biden’s, ” Comer, James Comer, Jordan, Jason Smith of Missouri, They’ve, ” McCarthy, Nancy Pelosi, Mike Johnson, ” Newhouse, Comer, Jordan trekked, John Thune of, ” Sen, Lindsey Graham of, ” Graham, There’s, Ken Buck, Ken Buck of Colorado, Buck, ” Buck, I’m, Nick LaLota, ” Johnson, ” Mast Organizations: CNN —, House Republicans, ”, Republican, CNN, Republicans, Ohio Republican, Capitol, GOP, Senate, Dan Newhouse of Washington, hardliner, Hunter Biden, McCarthy’s, Democrats, Senate Republican, Biden Locations: Darrell Issa of California, Ohio, Florida, Dan Newhouse of, Tennessee, John Thune of South Dakota, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, Ken Buck of, “, New York

But he’s hoping that they will give senators some realistic direction as he tries to do what Congress hasn't done for many years — pass meaningful regulation of the tech industry. “It’s going to be a fascinating group because they have different points of view,” Schumer said in an interview with The Associated Press ahead of the forum. Many members of Congress agree that legislation will probably be needed in response to the quick escalation of artificial intelligence tools in government, business and daily life. In the United States, most major tech companies have expressed support for AI regulations, though they don’t necessarily agree on what that means. Blumenthal’s framework calls for a new “licensing regime” that would require tech companies to seek licenses for high-risk AI systems.

Persons: Chuck Schumer, Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg, Elon Musk, Bill Gates, Schumer, Republican Sen, Mike Rounds, “ It’s, ” Schumer, ” Rounds, “, ”, Mark Warner, Democratic Sen, Martin Heinrich of, Todd Young, Indiana —, Sam Altman, Forrester, Sen, Young, ” Young, “ We’ve, Dana Rao, We’ve, Richard Blumenthal, Conn, Josh Hawley, ” Blumenthal, ___ O'Brien, Ali Swenson, Kelvin Chan Organizations: WASHINGTON, Capitol, Microsoft, Republican, Associated Press, AP, Democratic, European Union, Adobe Locations: South Dakota, Martin Heinrich of New Mexico, Indiana, U.S, United States, Europe, Josh Hawley of Missouri, Providence , Rhode Island, New York, London

Artificial intelligence is again in focus this week in Washington, as leading tech executives — including Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, Sundar Pichai, Satya Nadella and Sam Altman — as well as labor leaders and civil society groups meet on Wednesday with lawmakers behind closed doors. The gathering is the first of a series of Schumer’s listening sessions before lawmakers start writing rules. “This is an all-hands-on-deck moment for Congress—we need AI experts, ethicists, labor leaders, civil rights groups, the world of academia, defense and beyond helping us with the work ahead,” he wrote Tuesday on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter. Two separate Senate hearings devoted to A.I. It includes an independent office to oversee A.I., licensing and safety standards, and making executives liable for their tech.

Persons: Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, Sundar Pichai, Satya Nadella, Sam Altman —, Chuck Schumer, ”, Richard Blumenthal, Josh Hawley Organizations: Elon, Democratic, Twitter Locations: Washington, New York, Connecticut, Republican, Missouri

(AP) — A Missouri judge has upheld the constitutionality of the state's Senate districts in a case that provided the first legal test of revised redistricting criteria approved by voters. Cole County Circuit Judge Jon Beetem rejected claims that the Senate map unlawfully divided certain local governments into multiple Senate districts, but an attorney said Wednesday that his clients are considering an appeal. In Missouri, two separate bipartisan citizen commissions are supposed to redraw state House and Senate districts after each census to account for population changes. Hatfield said he doesn't believe the constitutional criteria make it OK to split a county into multiple districts when it could be kept whole. The Senate districts were defended in court by Attorney General Andrew Bailey's office.

Persons: Jon Beetem, “, Chuck Hatfield, Beetem, Hatfield, doesn't, Andrew Bailey's, Bailey, Madeline Sieren, ” Organizations: JEFFERSON CITY, —, Cole, Republican, Judicial Locations: Mo, Missouri, state's, ” Missouri, Louis, Hazelwood, Buchanan County, St

CNN —House Speaker Kevin McCarthy announced Tuesday he is calling on his committees to open a formal impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden, even as they have yet to prove allegations he directly profited off his son’s foreign business deals. While McCarthy has already publicly threatened to launch an inquiry, sources say that McCarthy has sent even stronger signals about his intentions behind closed doors. Punchbowl first reported McCarthy’s expected message on an impeachment inquiry. But Tuesday’s news will mark a real effort by McCarthy to start moving ahead and get House Republican skeptics on board with proceeding. House Republican leadership will need to formally whip votes at some point which they have not yet done.

Persons: Kevin McCarthy, Joe Biden, McCarthy, “, ”, Hunter, James Comer of, Jason Smith of, Jim Jordan of, Biden Organizations: CNN —, California Republican, Capitol, Representatives, Republicans, Republican, CNN, Republican House, House Republican Locations: California, James Comer of Kentucky, Jason Smith of Missouri, Jim Jordan of Ohio, Punchbowl

(AP) — Abortion advocates asked a judge on Monday to rewrite what they call misleading descriptions of several constitutional amendments on abortion rights that voters could see on Missouri’s 2024 ballot. Missouri is among several states, including Ohio, where abortion opponents are fighting efforts to ensure or restore access to the procedure following the fall of Roe v. Wade last year. In Missouri, summaries of proposed constitutional amendments are provided on ballots to help voters understand what the measures would do. Ballot measures on abortion could also be put before voters in 2024 in states including Arizona, Maryland, New York and South Dakota. In all of them, including generally conservative Kansas and Kentucky, the abortion rights side prevailed.

Persons: Roe, Wade, State Jay Ashcroft, Tony Rothert, Jason Krol Lewis, Lewis, Rothert, Andrew Bailey, Scott, Fitzpatrick, Bailey, —, Geoff Mulvihill Organizations: JEFFERSON CITY, —, State, Supreme, Republican, Missouri Supreme, Associated Press Locations: Mo, Missouri, Ohio, U.S, Arizona , Maryland , New York, South Dakota, Oklahoma, Kansas, Kentucky, Cherry Hill , New Jersey

Circuit Court of Appeals for a new ruling to prevent the "improper result" of allowing parts of the lower court order "to regain effect even after having been held invalid by this court." The plaintiffs allege that U.S. officials lobby social media platforms to suppress what the government considers to be misinformation, violating users' right to free speech under the U.S. Constitution's First Amendment. While the case was still at an early stage, Doughty issued a preliminary injunction banning a wide range of communications between a slew of officials and social media companies. The panel limited the injunction's reach to a smaller group of officials, including White House staff, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It said that the 5th Circuit should either put the parts of Doughty's order that it reversed on hold, or finalize its order immediately.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Joe Biden's, Terry Doughty, Doughty, Brendan Pierson, Alexia Garamfalvi, Aurora Ellis Organizations: REUTERS, Justice Department, U.S, Circuit, Appeals, Biden, Democrat, District, X Corp, White House, Centers for Disease Control, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Supreme, Thomson Locations: Louisiana, Missouri, Monroe , Louisiana, New York

☆ FBI and White House likely coerced social media platforms into removing posts, appeals court rules
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-11 | by ( Lauren Feiner | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

A federal appeals court on Friday limited the scope of a district court ruling that sought to limit communications between government agencies and social media companies, while finding that several agencies likely violated the First Amendment. The ruling will make it easier for several federal agencies to communicate with social media companies like Meta , Google and X, previously known as Twitter, as many do to flag concerns they see on the platforms. At the same time, the appeals court concluded that the White House, Surgeon General's office and Federal Bureau of Investigation likely violated the First Amendment by coercing social media platforms into moderating posts on their sites. The appeals court vacated all but one of ten prohibitions Doughty set out in the initial injunction. The White House, Surgeon General's office, FBI and CDC did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Persons: Joe Biden, Terry A, Doughty, Donald Trump, That's Organizations: Idalia, White, Meta, Google, Western, Western District of, State Department, Facebook, Washington Post, Federal Bureau of, Centers for Disease Control, Infrastructure Security Agency, National Institute of Allergy, FBI, CDC, Twitter, YouTube Locations: Maui, Hawaii, Washington ,, Missouri, Louisiana, Western District, Western District of Louisiana

☆ Trump told ex-Arizona GOP Senate nominee Blake Masters that he wouldn't be able to beat conservative favorite Kari Lake in a Senate primary next year, report says
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-10 | by ( John L. Dorman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Trump told Blake Masters he couldn't defeat Kari Lake in an Arizona Senate primary, per the Times. At the same time, former television journalist Kari Lake — another Trump favorite — won the GOP gubernatorial primary. Both candidates were more reflective of the new and Trumpier Arizona Republican Party, which had been moving away from the center-right ideology of figures like former Gov. The former president reportedly told Masters he didn't think the ex-candidate could defeat Lake in a Senate primary next year, according to The New York Times. According to the Times, Lake is eyeing an October entry into the Republican Senate primary.

Persons: Trump, Blake Masters, Kari Lake, Mark Kelly, Donald Trump, Kari Lake —, —, Doug Ducey, Sen, John McCain, Masters, Democratic Sen, Kelly, Katie Hobbs, Steven Cheung, Insider's Bryan Metzger, GOP Sen, Josh Hawley, Hawley, JD Vance, Ohio, Sinema, she'll, Ruben Gallego, energize Trump, Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb Organizations: Arizona Senate, . Masters, Service, Senate, Trump, GOP, Arizona Republican Party, Democratic, Masters, Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Times, Republican Senate, Arizona Republican, Rep, Pinal County Sheriff, Republican Locations: Arizona, Wall, Silicon, Maricopa County, Josh Hawley of Missouri, Pinal County, Mexico

☆ WATCH: Kamala Harris dances to Q-Tip's 'Vivrant Thing' as she hosts a celebration honoring the 50th anniversary of hip-hop
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-10 | by ( John L. Dorman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

The vice president was seen enjoying the scene and dancing to Q-Tip's 1990s classic "Vivrant Thing." "Hip-hop is the ultimate American art form," Harris said in her remarks to guests at the event. The lyrics flowed: "Imprinted on my mind every minute / Make my plans and you always in it / It's such a vivrant thing / Vivrant thing, a vivrant thing / And even though we both fly / Give each other space and not the evil eye." Advertisement Advertisement Watch:"Hip-hop is the ultimate American art form," Harris said in her remarks, per a pool report. AdvertisementAdvertisement"Every day, Vice President Harris is fighting for the people," Harvey Mason, Jr., chief executive of The Recording Academy, said at the event.

Persons: Kamala Harris, Harris, MC Lyte, Roxanne Shante, Lil, Wayne, Fat Joe, Jeezy, Chuck D, Sen, Raphael Warnock of, Wes Moore, Cori Bush, Harvey Mason , Jr Organizations: Saturday, Service, Naval Observatory, CNN, Gov, Biden, Black, The Recording Academy Locations: Washington, Wall, Silicon, Washington , DC, Raphael Warnock of Georgia, Maryland, Missouri

REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration Acquire Licensing RightsSept 8 (Reuters) - A federal appeals court on Friday ordered the White House, the FBI and top health officials to not "coerce or significantly encourage" social media companies to remove content that the Biden administration considers to be misinformation. Circuit Court of Appeals narrowed much of an injunction that restricted Biden administration contact with social media companies issued by a Louisiana judge. The agencies are barred from coercing, threatening or pressuring social media companies to remove content. The attorneys general of Louisiana and Missouri, along with several individuals who say they were censored on social media, had sued Biden administration agencies and officials last year. The Biden administration has argued that it asked social media companies to take down posts it considered to be harmful misinformation, but never forced them to do so.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Biden, Andrew Bailey, Joe Biden's, Donald Trump ., Terry Doughty, Nate Raymond, Jonathan Stempel, Brendan Pierson, Bill Berkrot, Alexia Garamfalvi, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: REUTERS, White, FBI, Circuit, Facebook, YouTube, 5th, Republican, U.S . Centers for Disease Control, Prevention, Democratic, Supreme, U.S . Department of Justice, Biden, Twitter, Donald Trump . U.S, District, Thomson Locations: New Orleans, Louisiana, Missouri, U.S, Monroe , Louisiana, Boston, New York

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A federal appeals court Friday significantly whittled down a lower court's order curbing Biden administration communications with social media companies over controversial content about COVID-19 and other issues. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans on Friday said the White House, the Surgeon General, the Centers for Disease Control and the FBI cannot “coerce” social media platforms to take down posts the government doesn’t like. Even the appeals court’s softened order doesn’t take effect immediately. The administration has 10 days to seek a Supreme Court review. The case was heard by judges Jennifer Walker Elrod and Edith Brown Clement, nominated to the court by former President George W. Bush; and Don Willett, nominated by former President Donald Trump.

Persons: evening's, Joe Biden’s, Hunter, Jeff Landry, “, Terry Doughty's, Friday's, Jennifer Walker Elrod, Edith Brown Clement, George W ., Don Willett, Donald Trump, Doughty Organizations: ORLEANS, —, Biden, U.S, Circuit, Centers for Disease Control, FBI, Facebook, District, National Institute of Allergy, Infrastructure Agency, State Department, Trump Locations: New Orleans, Louisiana, Missouri, U.S

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