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Avery County Board of Elections Addresses Security Gaps Ahead of Fall Vote

Avery County Board of Elections Addresses Security Gaps Ahead of Fall Vote

The Avery County Board of Elections recently convened its monthly August meeting to address security vulnerabilities and finalize its agenda in preparation for the upcoming fall vote. Board members Minnie Johnson and Gary McClure, alongside Director Fabienne Dellinger, were present to hear updates from Chair Crystal Vance and Deputy Director Joseph Trivette. The meeting focused on identifying and rectifying potential security weaknesses within the electoral process to ensure the integrity and smooth operation of the fall elections. Discussions included various aspects of election security, ranging from physical safeguards to procedural enhancements, all aimed at bolstering public confidence and preventing any disruptions. The board's proactive approach underscores a commitment to maintaining a secure and transparent voting environment for all county residents. This session was a critical step in the ongoing efforts to prepare for the significant electoral events scheduled for the fall.

Peyton Watson makes a stellar first impression in Cleveland

Peyton Watson makes a stellar first impression in Cleveland

Watson said all of the right things. in his introductory press conference.

House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan Subpoenas Boulder and Fairfax County DAs Over 'Preferential Treatment' of 'Criminal Aliens'

House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan Subpoenas Boulder and Fairfax County DAs Over 'Preferential Treatment' of 'Criminal Aliens'

House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, has issued subpoenas to the district attorneys of Boulder, Colorado, and Fairfax, Virginia. The subpoenas are part of an ongoing investigation into sanctuary jurisdictions and their policies concerning the prosecution of foreign national criminals. Chairman Jordan accuses both District Attorneys, Michael Dougherty of Boulder County and Steve Descano of Fairfax County, of providing “preferential treatment” to “criminal aliens” and failing to cooperate with the committee's requests for information. According to Fox News Digital, Jordan stated in separate letters to the DAs that their offices' lenient treatment of foreign national criminals endangers communities and allows them to evade both criminal and immigration accountability. The committee has been investigating district attorneys who consider immigration status in criminal complaints, even when the crime is unrelated to the suspect's legal status. Dougherty criticized the subpoena as a "political s...

Seattle Mayor Wilson Unveils Gun Violence Reduction Plan Amid Council Criticism

Seattle Mayor Wilson Unveils Gun Violence Reduction Plan Amid Council Criticism

Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson has introduced a new gun violence reduction plan, proposing to move over $5 million in community violence intervention contracts into the city’s emergency response system. The plan also includes expanding youth programs, police patrols, mental health resources, and investments in neighborhoods like Rainier Beach. The Community Assisted Response and Engagement Department (CARE) is designated to lead these efforts, coordinating community-based violence intervention providers with emergency responders. Councilmember Maritza Rivera has criticized the plan, arguing it largely rehashes existing programs and lacks a new, focused deterrence strategy, specifically advocating for collaboration with the National Network for Safe Communities (NNSC). Mayor Wilson's plan does include a focused-deterrence approach involving CARE, police, and community organizations, with law enforcement pursuing legal consequences for violence.

Senate Committee to Vote on Brian Johnson's Nomination for CFPB Director

Senate Committee to Vote on Brian Johnson's Nomination for CFPB Director

The Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee has scheduled an Executive Session for Thursday, September 17, 2026, to vote on the nomination of Brian Johnson to be the Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). This vote follows a confirmation hearing for Johnson that took place on July 23. If the Committee approves Johnson's nomination, it will then be reported to the full Senate and placed on the Senate Executive Calendar, awaiting floor consideration. The timing of a full Senate vote will depend on when Senate leadership schedules the nomination, with approximately two weeks available before the scheduled pre-election recess on October 5. Johnson, an executive at Capital One bank and a former CFPB appointee, would not immediately replace Acting Director Mark Paoletta if confirmed. President Trump would first need to complete the appointment, and Johnson would need to take the oath of office.

Lawmakers Challenge Trump Administration's East Potomac Golf Course Contracts

Lawmakers Challenge Trump Administration's East Potomac Golf Course Contracts

The Trump administration has awarded contracts to begin work on President Trump’s planned takeover of the East Potomac Golf Links in Washington, D.C., according to Democrats on the House Natural Resources Committee. Rep. Jared Huffman of California, the committee's top Democrat, revealed during a hearing that the National Park Service hired a civil engineering firm for the project without public announcement or congressional notification. A lawsuit has been filed, arguing that the administration's redevelopment plan violates the 1897 congressional act that established the park for public recreation. Huffman stated that a contract worth nearly $400,000 was approved last week for environmental and historic preservation compliance work, and the park service has since posted a projected construction contract of up to $49 million. Lawmakers, including Reps. Jamie Raskin, Glenn Ivey, Eleanor Holmes Norton, and Don Beyer, have sent a letter to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and acting park service director Jessic...

Representative Lauren Boebert Questions Democrats' Conduct During Late House Session

Representative Lauren Boebert Questions Democrats' Conduct During Late House Session

U.S. Representative Lauren Boebert has made headlines for suggesting that Democrats might have had 'liquid courage' during a late-night House session. According to TMZ, Boebert spoke outside the Capitol on Tuesday night, implying that Democrats were unusually rowdy. She noted that while her Freedom Caucus group is typically the most boisterous, the opposition party was noticeably louder than usual during the recent late-night votes. Boebert, known for her hard-right political style and controversial remarks, did not explicitly claim that Democrats were under the influence of alcohol, but her comments and expressions conveyed the suggestion. This incident follows a pattern of Boebert making pointed statements without direct accusations, similar to a November 2021 elevator incident involving Representative Ilhan Omar.

Bipartisan Lawmakers Advocate for Posthumous Medal of Honor for SFC Alwyn Cashe

Bipartisan Lawmakers Advocate for Posthumous Medal of Honor for SFC Alwyn Cashe

A bipartisan group of lawmakers, including retired Navy SEAL Dan Crenshaw (R-TX), former Green Beret Michael Waltz (R-FL), and Stephanie Murphy (D-FL), formally requested the upgrade of Sergeant First Class Alwyn Cashe's Silver Star to the Medal of Honor. This request was made on October 17, 2019, the fourteenth anniversary of the incident where Cashe, despite being soaked in fuel and on fire, repeatedly re-entered a burning Bradley Fighting Vehicle to rescue his soldiers in Iraq. Cashe later died from his burns on November 8, 2005. The effort to upgrade his medal faced a significant hurdle: a federal law requiring the Medal of Honor to be awarded within five years of the act. Defense Secretary Mark Esper supported the upgrade in August 2020, contingent on Congress waiving this five-year bar. Representative Murphy subsequently introduced HR 8276, a waiver bill, which passed the House unanimously on September 22, 2020. President Trump signed the waiver into law in December 2020 as part of the annual defense...

Rep. Pete Aguilar and Democratic Leaders Express Concerns Over Impeachment Process Against President Trump

Rep. Pete Aguilar and Democratic Leaders Express Concerns Over Impeachment Process Against President Trump

Rep. Pete Aguilar, alongside House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Democratic Whip Katherine Clark, has voiced concerns regarding the timing and process of an impeachment resolution against President Trump. The resolution, introduced by Rep. Al Green, accused President Trump of abusing presidential power through immigration enforcement policies, citing deaths during encounters with federal agents and alleged constitutional rights violations. However, Aguilar and other Democratic leaders did not support Green's resolution, instead voting 'present.' They emphasized that impeachment is a 'sacred constitutional vehicle' that necessitates extensive investigations, hearings, and fact-finding before any action is taken. The House ultimately voted to table the impeachment resolution by a margin of 232-147, with 47 lawmakers voting present, effectively blocking the effort for the time being.

Massachusetts Municipal Association to Host Legislative Breakfast Meetings in October

Massachusetts Municipal Association to Host Legislative Breakfast Meetings in October

The Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA) is scheduled to conduct its fall series of Legislative Breakfast Meetings throughout October. These meetings will take place in various communities across the Commonwealth, including Great Barrington, Leicester, Lowell, Needham, Northampton, and Westport. The purpose of these gatherings is to provide an informal setting for local leaders, legislators, and MMA staff to network and discuss issues pertinent to both local and state levels. The MMA’s Legislative Division staff will present updates on current legislative activities impacting cities and towns. Key discussion points will include the fiscal 2027 state budget, a fiscal 2026 supplemental spending package funded by “Fair Share” revenue, the transportation infrastructure bond bill, and the PROTECT Act. Additionally, attendees will receive updates on pending bills related to economic development, energy costs, environmental measures, and other legislative priorities. A light breakfast and coffee will be prov...

Maryland Governor Wes Moore Faces Republican Criticism Over Fiscal Responsibility Claims on National Television

Maryland Governor Wes Moore Faces Republican Criticism Over Fiscal Responsibility Claims on National Television

Maryland Governor Wes Moore's recent appearance on CNBC, where he discussed fiscal responsibility and criticized federal spending, has drawn sharp criticism from Maryland Republicans and conservative media. During the interview, Governor Moore stated that he balances Maryland's budget annually and highlighted his administration's record of decreasing the general fund size while increasing the top line for four consecutive years, which he presented as a model for federal fiscal management. However, Republican critics, including WCBM radio host Kim Klacik and state Delegates Ryan Nawrocki and Matt Morgan, accused Governor Moore of misrepresenting the state's financial situation. They argue that his claims ignore significant tax and fee increases, totaling $3 million, and that the state still faces its largest deficit in history. Critics also pointed to CNBC's ranking of Maryland's economy as the second worst in the country and Moody's recent downgrade of the state's bond rating, suggesting that Governor Moor...

Rep. Nick LaLota Addresses FEC Concerns Regarding Campaign Donations

Rep. Nick LaLota Addresses FEC Concerns Regarding Campaign Donations

U.S. Representative Nick LaLota's campaign committee is currently addressing concerns raised by the Federal Election Commission (FEC) regarding over $18,000 in potentially excessive or impermissible campaign contributions. The FEC's scrutiny includes a $7,000 overage from Stacey Siebel, attributed to a spelling error in her name, which has since been refunded. Additionally, contributions from individuals such as Ukraine-born billionaire Leonard Blavatnik and Andrea Wynn, wife of casino billionaire Steve Wynn, are under review for potentially exceeding federal limits. LaLota's campaign states these issues are being resolved, with some amounts already reattributed or refunded. The FEC's letter, dated Tuesday, does not conclude that the donations are definitively excessive but warns that failure to respond by October 20 could lead to an audit or enforcement action. Despite these issues, LaLota maintains a significant fundraising advantage, with over $3.3 million in the bank compared to his Democratic challeng...

Denver Broncos vs. Jacksonville Jaguars practice report: Thursday

Denver Broncos vs. Jacksonville Jaguars practice report: Thursday

The Denver Broncos offered a bit of good news reporting that running back RJ Harvey was back practicing in a limited way today. The hamstring issue appears to be of the very minor sort. The bigger concern now is that wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr. has been held out of practice with a foot injury. […]

Kennedy Center Faces Closure Amidst Legal Battle Over President Trump's Name Restoration

Kennedy Center Faces Closure Amidst Legal Battle Over President Trump's Name Restoration

The Kennedy Center is set to close most of its facilities for renovations following a board vote to proceed with the shutdown. This decision comes after a federal judge, U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper, once again blocked efforts to restore President Trump's name to the building. The Justice Department has appealed this ruling. President Trump, who was appointed chairman of the Kennedy Center last year by allies on the board, stated that the closure is necessary for safety repairs, which Congress has already funded with $257 million. He argues that the renovation work would only move forward if his name could be re-added to the building, a condition that federal judges have twice ruled requires congressional approval. Lawyers have warned that without these renovations, the venue could deteriorate into an "unsafe, decrepit structure" that might necessitate demolition. A partial ceiling collapse in the main hallway earlier this month underscored the urgent need for repairs. The board had previously vo...

Senator Deb Fischer Advances Farm Bill, Secures Year-Round E15 Sale Provision

Senator Deb Fischer Advances Farm Bill, Secures Year-Round E15 Sale Provision

U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE), a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, successfully voted to advance the Farm Bill out of committee, with the legislation passing by a 12-11 vote. The bill includes several of Senator Fischer’s key priorities, most notably a provision allowing for the nationwide year-round sale of E15 gasoline. This provision, which Senator Fischer has championed for a decade, aims to remove the summertime restriction on E15 that has previously been extended through emergency waivers by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The legislation clarifies that consumers are not mandated to purchase E15, nor are gas stations required to install E15 pumps. Additionally, the Farm Bill incorporates other initiatives led or co-led by Senator Fischer, such as the PRECISE Act, PAL Act, LAST ACRE Act, Increasing Tribal Input on Nutrition Act, and the FENCE Act, alongside an amendment to prevent conservation program funds from benefiting foreign adversary companies.

President Trump Restarts Process to Fire Fed Governor Lisa Cook Amidst Supreme Court Block

President Trump Restarts Process to Fire Fed Governor Lisa Cook Amidst Supreme Court Block

President Trump has restarted the process to remove Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, following a previous attempt in 2025 that was blocked by the Supreme Court due to procedural issues. The Supreme Court ruled that Cook was entitled to an explanation of the evidence, an avenue for response, and a deadline. Last month, the administration sent Cook a letter indicating that President Trump was considering her termination and demanded a response by August 26, which she provided. The decision regarding her employment now rests with the administration. This action is part of a broader pattern of President Trump's criticism of the Federal Reserve's monetary policy, which also includes a criminal probe against former Fed Chair Jerome Powell. President Trump has consistently advocated for lower interest rates, expressing his belief that U.S. rates should be 1% or less.

Mets vs Phillies: Lineups, broadcast info, and open thread, 9/17/26

Mets vs Phillies: Lineups, broadcast info, and open thread, 9/17/26

Nolan McLean will start as the Mets begin their final home series of the season.

Rep. Chuck Edwards Files Formal Complaint Against House Ethics Committee Leaders Over Censure Process

Rep. Chuck Edwards Files Formal Complaint Against House Ethics Committee Leaders Over Censure Process

Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-N.C.) has filed a formal complaint with the Office of Congressional Conduct against the leaders of the House Ethics Committee, Chair Michael Guest (R-Miss.) and Ranking Member Mark DeSaulnier (D-Calif.). Edwards alleges that the committee violated its own rules during the investigation that led to his censure. According to Edwards, the committee adopted its report on July 22, 12 days before receiving his formal response, and relied on a procedural waiver he never signed. The House voted 413-2 on September 1 to censure Edwards after the committee concluded he engaged in persistent unprofessional and inappropriate conduct toward two female staffers, creating a hostile work environment. Edwards maintains that his actions were part of a platonic workplace friendship and that the committee's process was unethical, denying him proper procedures to challenge the accusations.

Former Obama White House Staffers Host 'Pod Save America' Podcast

Former Obama White House Staffers Host 'Pod Save America' Podcast

Pod Save America, a prominent podcast, is hosted by former Obama White House staffers Jon Favreau, Jon Lovett, Tommy Vietor, and Dan Pfeiffer. The podcast, produced by Crooked Media, focuses on discussions about current political events and features interviews with notable figures. The hosts, who previously served in the Obama administration, leverage their experience to provide commentary on the political landscape. Crooked Media, the production company behind the podcast, has also explored the use of artificial intelligence for narration and story generation in other projects. The podcast continues to engage its audience with its analysis and interviews, maintaining its relevance in the political commentary sphere.

ILRC Opposes Proposed Changes to Form I-130, Citing Increased Burden on Immigrant Families

ILRC Opposes Proposed Changes to Form I-130, Citing Increased Burden on Immigrant Families

The Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) has formally submitted a comment opposing proposed changes to Form I-130, the Petition for Alien Relative. The proposed revisions would significantly increase the form's length and require petitioners and beneficiaries to provide extensive additional information, including expanded criminal history, employment details, education, and family history. The ILRC argues that many of these new requirements extend beyond the legal purpose of a family petition, creating unnecessary burdens for immigrant families and legal service providers. Furthermore, the organization raises concerns that these changes may violate the Paperwork Reduction Act and the Administrative Procedure Act. The ILRC urges U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to withdraw the proposed modifications and maintain a family-based petition process focused solely on legally relevant questions concerning the petitioner's status and the qualifying family relationship.