Author: David Donovan
The Texas National Movement’s (TNM) ‘Texas First’ pledge has two new signatories from the recent appointments of the chair and vice-chair of the Republican Party of Texas (RPT). At the Texas GOP convention in San Antonio last week Abraham George and D’Rinda Randall were elected as chair and vice-chair respectively. Increasing Tensions Unsplash user Courtney Rose The tense relationship between the federal government and Texan authorities has only become more fraught of late as the secessionist movement has become more vocal. The Lone Star State was previously a fully independent country between 1836 and 1845 before the Mexican-American war which…
A lawsuit against the new water rules set out by the Environmental Protection Agency will be heard by the Supreme Court. Back in April, the Biden administration in association with the EPA implemented new national limits on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances present in drinking water. The Danger of PFAS Wikipedia user Brocken Inaglory PFAS which are also known as “forever chemicals” have been connected to a range of health issues such as cancer. Though some states had already introduced limits on the permitted amount of PFAS in drinking water, this would be the first nationwide implementation. Impact on Drinking Water…
Republican representative for Georgia Marjorie Taylor Greene faces backlash after she shared a post to X to celebrate her 50th birthday. The far-right figure has been in the news lately for a heated debate she had with Representative Jasmine Crockett at the House Oversight Committee. Viral Bikini Photo X user mtgreenee The post featured Greene in a bikini and went viral on X as it was viewed over 3.2 million times, reposted 7,500 times, and garnered over 28,000 comments in just two days. In the photo, Greene smiles as she dons a straw hat and poses next to a pillar…
A 10-year-long dispute between the federal government and The Osage Nation in conjunction with its Mineral Council regarding installing wind turbines in the area continues. The US Court of International Trade Judge Jennifer Choe-Groves has issued a ruling mandating that a wind farm be dismantled in Osage County which was deemed a considerable victory for The Osage Nation. Permanent Injunctive Relief Wikimedia Commons user Fralambert The ruling offered permanent injunctive relief for the United States and the Osage Nation through their Minerals Council to order the removal of the wind turbines as a matter of ongoing trespassing. Through the Osage…
In a vote of 6-to-3, the Supreme Court has now made it much harder to challenge state redistricting plans as being unconstitutional in the racial gerrymandering case. The redistricting map which was drawn up by the South Carolina legislature was seen by the lower court as a “bleaching of African American voters.” South Carolina Congressional Districts Wikimedia Commons user Elisa rolle Following the 2020 Census, new lines were drawn for congressional districts in Republican-led South Carolina which were up for debate. The disparity between voters in District 1 and District 6 was a difference of about 88,000 voters, with the…
The rate of minimum wage for workers in California has become a hotly contested issue in the state after the recent introduction of a $20 minimum wage. This comes as unions and labor groups have suggested that the increase to $20 an hour may not be enough for people to meet their basic needs in California. Increases in Long Beach Wikimedia Commons user Vmenkov The rate of minimum wage across California has increased in several parts of the state including in Long Beach where hotel workers have had their wage increased to $23 an hour. This comes amidst ambitions to…
San Diego County has formally called for an investigation from both state and federal public health agencies into the impact of cross-border pollution in the area. Public health director for San Diego County, Dr. Wilma Wooten, has submitted to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) an official public health request. Spillage from Tijuana Wikimedia Commons user Cbjorquez The directive comes at the behest of Nora Vargas, county Chairperson, who has reported that communities in her district have been suffering from sewage and toxic chemicals from Tijuana. CDC Director Mandy Cohen was the recipient of a letter from…
A year ago, a new minimum wage increase was signed and approved for healthcare workers in California which is due to come into effect starting on June 1. The financial crisis gripping the state is casting doubt on whether the increase will be implemented as planned as lawmakers in California are eager for a delay. Reasons for Minimum Wage Increase Government of California The high cost of living as well as the effects of inflation have meant that healthcare workers are not able to make ends meet which inspired a push for an increase in the minimum wage. Back in…
At California’s top court on Tuesday, judges were faced with the prospect of allowing voters the power to let app-based drivers like Uber or Lyft categorize drivers in the state as independent contractors. This ruling would mean they would not be considered employees who would have greater benefits compared to being independent contractors. San Francisco Lawsuit Wikimedia Commons user Ilya Plekhanov The California Supreme Court convened to hear arguments in a lawsuit proposed by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU). The union along with four drivers claim that a ballot measure passed back in 2020 which is known as Proposition…
Further approval of $7.7 billion in student loan debt forgiveness has been announced by the Biden administration. This brings the total debt forgiven since President Biden took office to $167 billion. This is the latest round of debt forgiveness in Biden’s effort to cancel out student loan debt for millions of borrowers. A Relief for Struggling Americans Flickr user Phil Roeder Many have voiced their appreciation for debt forgiveness amidst spiraling debt for many Americans as they deal with cutbacks across the board. Others have been quick to call out Biden’s wiping of student loan debt as being unfair and…