2 minutes
Amid a decade of die-offs and a sharp decline in the population of gray whales that swim along the Pacific coast of North America, three environmental groups are preparing to sue the Trump administration over its failure to bring back Environmental Species Act protections for the animals. The Center for Biological Diversity, the International Marine […]
Amid a decade of die-offs and a sharp decline in the population of gray whales that swim along the Pacific coast of North America, three environmental groups are preparing to sue the Trump administration over its failure to bring back Environmental Species Act protections for the animals. The Center for Biological Diversity, the International Marine […]
3 minutes
NASA astronaut and Artemis II Mission Specialist Christina Koch was honored Wednesday with the Order of the Tar Heel, the highest award bestowed by the North Carolina Commissioner of Labor. Koch, a Jacksonville native and N.C. State University graduate, became the first woman to travel beyond low Earth orbit, and with her crew broke the […]
NASA astronaut and Artemis II Mission Specialist Christina Koch was honored Wednesday with the Order of the Tar Heel, the highest award bestowed by the North Carolina Commissioner of Labor. Koch, a Jacksonville native and N.C. State University graduate, became the first woman to travel beyond low Earth orbit, and with her crew broke the […]
10 minutes
Democratic gubernatorial candidate David Crowley polled slightly ahead of Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany in the first Marquette Law School poll conducted since the primary earlier this month. The poll results were released Wednesday. The poll was conducted from Aug. 12, the day after the primary, through Aug. 20. Surveyors interviewed 891 Wisconsin registered voters, […]
Democratic gubernatorial candidate David Crowley polled slightly ahead of Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany in the first Marquette Law School poll conducted since the primary earlier this month. The poll results were released Wednesday. The poll was conducted from Aug. 12, the day after the primary, through Aug. 20. Surveyors interviewed 891 Wisconsin registered voters, […]
14 minutes
El contraste entre Williams y Aston Martin revela cuánto pesa acertar con el desarrollo del coche en una F1 cada vez más condicionada por la evolución técnica.
El contraste entre Williams y Aston Martin revela cuánto pesa acertar con el desarrollo del coche en una F1 cada vez más condicionada por la evolución técnica.
15 minutes
The new general manager of the Kern County Water Agency adheres to a deceptively simple mantra: More water, less cost. Contained in that sentiment are whole worlds of political, regulatory and legal complexities. Which is why the agency recently hired a second person to represent Kern’s interests in Sacramento. Taryn Ravazzini, was officially hired as […]
The new general manager of the Kern County Water Agency adheres to a deceptively simple mantra: More water, less cost. Contained in that sentiment are whole worlds of political, regulatory and legal complexities. Which is why the agency recently hired a second person to represent Kern’s interests in Sacramento. Taryn Ravazzini, was officially hired as […]
17 minutes
La ópera prima del director canario Chedey Reyes plantea una historia de ciencia ficción, terror y comedia desarrollada íntegramente desde la cabina de un avión comercial.
17 minutes
La ópera prima del director canario Chedey Reyes plantea una historia de ciencia ficción, terror y comedia desarrollada íntegramente desde la cabina de un avión comercial.
19 minutes
Para João Pedro Stedile, dirigente do Movimento dos Trabalhadores Rurais Sem Terra (MST), a melhor homenagem ao legado de Fidel Castro não está em discursos, mas nas urnas. A declaração foi feita nesta quarta-feira (26) no lançamento oficial de “Fidel e Cuba Socialista – Queimar os Céus”, documentário do Brasil de Fato sobre o pensamento […] Fonte
Para João Pedro Stedile, dirigente do Movimento dos Trabalhadores Rurais Sem Terra (MST), a melhor homenagem ao legado de Fidel Castro não está em discursos, mas nas urnas. A declaração foi feita nesta quarta-feira (26) no lançamento oficial de “Fidel e Cuba Socialista – Queimar os Céus”, documentário do Brasil de Fato sobre o pensamento […] Fonte
20 minutes
Brazilian authorities have temporarily relaxed an environmental rule for the Belo Monte hydropower plant on the Xingu River in the northeastern Amazon. The change comes in anticipation of another potentially severe, El-Niño-fueled dry season. Under the temporary measure, Belo Monte’s operator Norte Energia can cut the flow of the dam’s 119 square-kilometer (46 square-mile) intermediate […]
Brazilian authorities have temporarily relaxed an environmental rule for the Belo Monte hydropower plant on the Xingu River in the northeastern Amazon. The change comes in anticipation of another potentially severe, El-Niño-fueled dry season. Under the temporary measure, Belo Monte’s operator Norte Energia can cut the flow of the dam’s 119 square-kilometer (46 square-mile) intermediate […]
20 minutes
(The Center Square) - A legal challenge has been filed against the proposal planned for the November ballot to ask Pierce County voters if they want to amend the county charter to make the office of sheriff an appointed, rather than elected, position. Amendment 53, if passed, would also remove Pierce County Sheriff Keith Swank from office in January, two years ahead of the end of his current term. “The people on the left on the charter review commission, their main purpose was to remove me from office because they didn't want to do it with the recall process because that wouldn't stand muster in court, because I haven't done anything wrong,” Swank said in an Aug. 24 interview with The Center Square. Pierce County is one of a handful of counties in Washington that have a county charter, which Swank describes as a mini-constitution, that sets up the structure, powers, and rules for county government. Every ten years, members of the Charter Review Commission, which consists of three elected representatives from each of the seven council districts, review the charter and debate and settle on amendments to put before voters. “And they want to make the sheriff an appointed position because the current executive is a Democrat,” said Swank. “They are banking on this county being a Democrat county now, and think that if they have a Democrat executive, they'll be able to put a like-minded sheriff in place.” Swank said during public hearings of the Charter Review Commission earlier this year, some citizens testified in support of making the sheriff an appointed position, but the majority were opposed, even if they didn’t like him. “One guy called me a mouth breather and a knuckle dragger, but said he’d be voting against this thing because [he] wanted to vote for sheriff. Even though that guy doesn't like me, and doesn't want me to be the sheriff, we're on the same team here, right? So, I'm hoping even people who don't like me will say, 'I want the right to vote for my sheriff or against this guy if he runs again.'" The legal challenge that aims to keep Amendment 53 off the ballot was filed last Friday against Pierce County in Thurston County Superior Court. The plaintiffs are Hollie Rogge, a former charter commission member, Jeff Joseph, a private citizen and former precinct committee officer for the GOP, and former Washington State Auditor Brian Sonntag, who is a Democrat. “This is not a partisan issue. It's not a partisan office. It's a question of right and wrong. And it is absolutely wrong to be able to, with a charter amendment, eliminate not just the office, but the current office holders’ term, halfway through his elected term of office. I've never heard of anything like that. I've never seen anything like that,” said Sonntag in a Wednesday interview with The Center Square. Rogge said she joined the lawsuit because she believes the amendment is unconstitutional. “There is no provision in the Washington State Constitution that allows for an appointment of the office of the sheriff,” Rogge told The Center Square. “They already voted in 2006 by a 66% majority to have an elected sheriff. And they voted, as recently as 2024, for Keith Swank. The voters have voted; their voice has been heard. And so I want to represent the voice of the voter, which will be taken away if this gets passed.” Joseph echoed those concerns. “The harm is that you’re putting a lot of people who support Keith Swank and support the voters right to elect the sheriff, to spend time, money and effort on a campaign they shouldn’t have to wage,” he said. Their attorney Joan Mell told The Center Square she’s confident their challenge is on sound legal footing. “The idea that home rule charter counties can have more power and authority than the state to create [their] own government, including stripping their local community from all power to elect their officials is insane,” said Mell. If the amendment remains on the ballot and is approved, Swank, who was elected to a four-year term in November 2024, would be removed on Jan. 1 2027. County Executive Ryan Mello would then appoint a new sheriff who would have to be confirmed by the County Council. The original amendment 53 did not include a provision to remove Swank from office by the first of year if approved by voters. As reported by The Center Square, Commissioner Justin Leighton, who serves District 7, which includes Gig Harbor, Key Peninsula, and parts of North Tacoma, added last minute language to terminate Swank’s four-year term early, on Jan. 1, 2027, in mid-June, just two weeks before final approval of amendments to be sent to the ballot. “The voters I believe need a clean up or down decision," Leighton said. "In my mind this is a clean up or down vote on the idea of appointed sheriff or an elected sheriff.” “This is the moment where we change our county's constitution, so to speak," Leighton told The Center Square. " At the end of the day, we the charter are not deciding anything. We are deciding what is put forward for consideration by the voters and they will decide.” Mell said their case is set to go before a judge Sept. 4. "I don't know what the court intends to do but we already have the scheduling order that compels a tight timeline," she said. Ballots need to be finalized ahead of printing deadlines in early to mid-September.
(The Center Square) - A legal challenge has been filed against the proposal planned for the November ballot to ask Pierce County voters if they want to amend the county charter to make the office of sheriff an appointed, rather than elected, position. Amendment 53, if passed, would also remove Pierce County Sheriff Keith Swank from office in January, two years ahead of the end of his current term. “The people on the left on the charter review commission, their main purpose was to remove me from office because they didn't want to do it with the recall process because that wouldn't stand muster in court, because I haven't done anything wrong,” Swank said in an Aug. 24 interview with The Center Square. Pierce County is one of a handful of counties in Washington that have a county charter, which Swank describes as a mini-constitution, that sets up the structure, powers, and rules for county government. Every ten years, members of the Charter Review Commission, which consists of three elected representatives from each of the seven council districts, review the charter and debate and settle on amendments to put before voters. “And they want to make the sheriff an appointed position because the current executive is a Democrat,” said Swank. “They are banking on this county being a Democrat county now, and think that if they have a Democrat executive, they'll be able to put a like-minded sheriff in place.” Swank said during public hearings of the Charter Review Commission earlier this year, some citizens testified in support of making the sheriff an appointed position, but the majority were opposed, even if they didn’t like him. “One guy called me a mouth breather and a knuckle dragger, but said he’d be voting against this thing because [he] wanted to vote for sheriff. Even though that guy doesn't like me, and doesn't want me to be the sheriff, we're on the same team here, right? So, I'm hoping even people who don't like me will say, 'I want the right to vote for my sheriff or against this guy if he runs again.'" The legal challenge that aims to keep Amendment 53 off the ballot was filed last Friday against Pierce County in Thurston County Superior Court. The plaintiffs are Hollie Rogge, a former charter commission member, Jeff Joseph, a private citizen and former precinct committee officer for the GOP, and former Washington State Auditor Brian Sonntag, who is a Democrat. “This is not a partisan issue. It's not a partisan office. It's a question of right and wrong. And it is absolutely wrong to be able to, with a charter amendment, eliminate not just the office, but the current office holders’ term, halfway through his elected term of office. I've never heard of anything like that. I've never seen anything like that,” said Sonntag in a Wednesday interview with The Center Square. Rogge said she joined the lawsuit because she believes the amendment is unconstitutional. “There is no provision in the Washington State Constitution that allows for an appointment of the office of the sheriff,” Rogge told The Center Square. “They already voted in 2006 by a 66% majority to have an elected sheriff. And they voted, as recently as 2024, for Keith Swank. The voters have voted; their voice has been heard. And so I want to represent the voice of the voter, which will be taken away if this gets passed.” Joseph echoed those concerns. “The harm is that you’re putting a lot of people who support Keith Swank and support the voters right to elect the sheriff, to spend time, money and effort on a campaign they shouldn’t have to wage,” he said. Their attorney Joan Mell told The Center Square she’s confident their challenge is on sound legal footing. “The idea that home rule charter counties can have more power and authority than the state to create [their] own government, including stripping their local community from all power to elect their officials is insane,” said Mell. If the amendment remains on the ballot and is approved, Swank, who was elected to a four-year term in November 2024, would be removed on Jan. 1 2027. County Executive Ryan Mello would then appoint a new sheriff who would have to be confirmed by the County Council. The original amendment 53 did not include a provision to remove Swank from office by the first of year if approved by voters. As reported by The Center Square, Commissioner Justin Leighton, who serves District 7, which includes Gig Harbor, Key Peninsula, and parts of North Tacoma, added last minute language to terminate Swank’s four-year term early, on Jan. 1, 2027, in mid-June, just two weeks before final approval of amendments to be sent to the ballot. “The voters I believe need a clean up or down decision," Leighton said. "In my mind this is a clean up or down vote on the idea of appointed sheriff or an elected sheriff.” “This is the moment where we change our county's constitution, so to speak," Leighton told The Center Square. " At the end of the day, we the charter are not deciding anything. We are deciding what is put forward for consideration by the voters and they will decide.” Mell said their case is set to go before a judge Sept. 4. "I don't know what the court intends to do but we already have the scheduling order that compels a tight timeline," she said. Ballots need to be finalized ahead of printing deadlines in early to mid-September.
24 minutes
Together: juntos, de Michael Shanks, utiliza el body horror para llevar al límite una relación de pareja y convertir algo tan cotidiano como el amor y la dependencia emocional en una experiencia cada vez más inquietante.
Together: juntos, de Michael Shanks, utiliza el body horror para llevar al límite una relación de pareja y convertir algo tan cotidiano como el amor y la dependencia emocional en una experiencia cada vez más inquietante.
30 minutes
Flick protege al joven talento azulgrana tras un estreno irregular y pone el foco en una cuestión clave: gestionar su crecimiento.
Flick protege al joven talento azulgrana tras un estreno irregular y pone el foco en una cuestión clave: gestionar su crecimiento.
31 minutes
Data center owners in North Dakota have reaped tens of millions of dollars in state sales tax breaks in the last two years, figures that have ballooned as public scrutiny has intensified on data center projects. The Legislature’s interim Tax Reform and Relief Advisory Committee on Wednesday heard a series of reports about data center […]
Data center owners in North Dakota have reaped tens of millions of dollars in state sales tax breaks in the last two years, figures that have ballooned as public scrutiny has intensified on data center projects. The Legislature’s interim Tax Reform and Relief Advisory Committee on Wednesday heard a series of reports about data center […]
32 minutes
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Wednesday announced a lawsuit against the U.S. government and its contractors over unauthorized water wells that federal agencies used to construct a wall along the state’s border with Mexico.
32 minutes
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Wednesday announced a lawsuit against the U.S. government and its contractors over unauthorized water wells that federal agencies used to construct a wall along the state’s border with Mexico.
35 minutes
Ricardo Darín será una de las figuras protagonistas de la 74.ª edición del Festival Internacional de Cine de San Sebastián, donde presentará junto a Diego Peretti la película argentina Lo dejamos acá, dirigida por Hernán Goldfrid.
Ricardo Darín será una de las figuras protagonistas de la 74.ª edición del Festival Internacional de Cine de San Sebastián, donde presentará junto a Diego Peretti la película argentina Lo dejamos acá, dirigida por Hernán Goldfrid.
36 minutes
Controlador das marcas Habib’s, Ragazzo e Tendall Grill, o Grupo Gennius entrou em recuperação judicial com uma dívida declarada de R$ 265,2 milhões. O pedido foi apresentado na segunda-feira (24) e aceito pela Justiça de São Paulo no dia seguinte (25). O juiz Jomar Juarez Amorim, da 1ª Vara de Falências e Recuperações Judiciais de São Paulo, nomeou a consultoria KPMG como administradora judicial. Notícias relacionadas:STF valida proibição de devedor contumaz pedir recuperação judicial.Em nota, o grupo afirmou que a medida busca preservar a sustentabilidade dos negócios e informou que as lojas continuam funcionando normalmente. Causas da crise No processo, o grupo atribuiu as dificuldades financeiras aos efeitos da pandemia de covid-19, à expansão do delivery e à alta dos juros. Segundo a empresa, a redução do fluxo de consumidores em shoppings e centros urbanos afetou as lojas físicas. Ao mesmo tempo, o crescimento das plataformas de entrega mudou os hábitos de consumo. A alta da Selic (juros básicos da economia) também encareceu as dívidas e pressionou o capital de giro. “As operações do Grupo seguem funcionando normalmente, mantendo o atendimento aos clientes, a rotina e a qualidade de suas unidades”, respondeu o grupo Gennius em nota. Estrutura e dívida A recuperação judicial envolve 178 pessoas jurídicas, incluindo: 119 lojas próprias do Habib’s; 26 unidades do Ragazzo; 6 churrascarias Tendall; 10 franqueadoras e holdings; 17 sociedades operacionais. Do total da dívida declarada, R$ 22,3 milhões são trabalhistas e R$ 241,7 milhões estão em categorias de créditos quirografários, obrigações financeiras sem garantia real (como hipotecas, penhores ou alienação fiduciária). Próximos passos A KPMG terá 15 dias para apresentar um relatório sobre a situação das empresas. Os credores poderão contestar valores ou solicitar a inclusão de dívidas na relação apresentada pela companhia. O Grupo Gennius terá 60 dias para apresentar um plano de recuperação judicial. Caso não cumpra o prazo, o processo poderá ser convertido em falência. A Justiça suspendeu ações e execuções contra as empresas, mas negou o pedido para liberar recebíveis bancários usados como garantia. Plano de retomada O grupo pretende realizar uma reorganização societária e afirma que planeja abrir novas unidades em mercados considerados promissores, além de ampliar o foco no delivery. Fundado em 1987, o Habib’s cresceu com uma estratégia baseada em preços baixos e grande volume de vendas. Posteriormente, o grupo diversificou os negócios com as marcas Ragazzo e Tendall Grill.
Controlador das marcas Habib’s, Ragazzo e Tendall Grill, o Grupo Gennius entrou em recuperação judicial com uma dívida declarada de R$ 265,2 milhões. O pedido foi apresentado na segunda-feira (24) e aceito pela Justiça de São Paulo no dia seguinte (25). O juiz Jomar Juarez Amorim, da 1ª Vara de Falências e Recuperações Judiciais de São Paulo, nomeou a consultoria KPMG como administradora judicial. Notícias relacionadas:STF valida proibição de devedor contumaz pedir recuperação judicial.Em nota, o grupo afirmou que a medida busca preservar a sustentabilidade dos negócios e informou que as lojas continuam funcionando normalmente. Causas da crise No processo, o grupo atribuiu as dificuldades financeiras aos efeitos da pandemia de covid-19, à expansão do delivery e à alta dos juros. Segundo a empresa, a redução do fluxo de consumidores em shoppings e centros urbanos afetou as lojas físicas. Ao mesmo tempo, o crescimento das plataformas de entrega mudou os hábitos de consumo. A alta da Selic (juros básicos da economia) também encareceu as dívidas e pressionou o capital de giro. “As operações do Grupo seguem funcionando normalmente, mantendo o atendimento aos clientes, a rotina e a qualidade de suas unidades”, respondeu o grupo Gennius em nota. Estrutura e dívida A recuperação judicial envolve 178 pessoas jurídicas, incluindo: 119 lojas próprias do Habib’s; 26 unidades do Ragazzo; 6 churrascarias Tendall; 10 franqueadoras e holdings; 17 sociedades operacionais. Do total da dívida declarada, R$ 22,3 milhões são trabalhistas e R$ 241,7 milhões estão em categorias de créditos quirografários, obrigações financeiras sem garantia real (como hipotecas, penhores ou alienação fiduciária). Próximos passos A KPMG terá 15 dias para apresentar um relatório sobre a situação das empresas. Os credores poderão contestar valores ou solicitar a inclusão de dívidas na relação apresentada pela companhia. O Grupo Gennius terá 60 dias para apresentar um plano de recuperação judicial. Caso não cumpra o prazo, o processo poderá ser convertido em falência. A Justiça suspendeu ações e execuções contra as empresas, mas negou o pedido para liberar recebíveis bancários usados como garantia. Plano de retomada O grupo pretende realizar uma reorganização societária e afirma que planeja abrir novas unidades em mercados considerados promissores, além de ampliar o foco no delivery. Fundado em 1987, o Habib’s cresceu com uma estratégia baseada em preços baixos e grande volume de vendas. Posteriormente, o grupo diversificou os negócios com as marcas Ragazzo e Tendall Grill.
40 minutes
(The Center Square) – California Attorney General Rob Bonta co-led a lawsuit Wednesday to block a new federal rule governing mail-in ballots. But a former U.S. Department of Justice lawyer who's now working at a think tank says the suit is unnecessary. Prompted by President Trump’s Executive Order No. 14399, the U.S. Postal Service rule requires states to enroll eligible mail-in voters onto USPS-managed lists and conform to new postal envelope design standards. The USPS stated it would refuse to deliver ballots for voters not on these lists or ballots sent in non-compliant envelopes. The lawsuit by Democratic attorneys general was filed Wednesday morning in the U.S. District Court for Massachusetts. But the litigation wasn't needed, said Hans von Spakovsky of Advancing American Freedom, a Washington, D.C., conservative advocacy organization founded by former Vice President Mike Pence, a Republican. The claims made in Wednesday's lawsuit area are as "defective" as those made in the states' previous lawsuit against the Trump administration over mail-in ballots, according to Spakovsky. "All the state has to do is provide a list to the Postal Service of all of the registered voters that are qualified and approved by the state to receive a mail-in ballot," Spakovsky told The Center Square Wednesday. "The procedure set up in the rule will in no way prevent any eligible, registered voter from being able to cast a ballot," said Spakovsky, senior legal fellow at Advancing American Freedom. Spakovsky noted the U.S. Postal Service's tracking system will give states an ability they haven't had to track mail-in ballots to ensure they're not delivered to the wrong address or stuck in a USPS distribution center. He added that the USPS rule applies to federal agencies and does not "unconstitutionally infringe on the states' administration of election." But Bonta and his fellow Democratic attorney generals say states, not the federal government, should set rules for elections. This is California’s 86th lawsuit against Trump in 83 weeks. The litigation follows a Monday decision by the U.S. Supreme Court granting an emergency stay requested by the Trump administration. The Supreme Court ruled that the states' earlier challenge to the executive order was filed too early but noted attorneys general could challenge the U.S. Postal Service rule implementing Trump's order. Speaking to reporters Wednesday in a virtual press conference, Bonta said Trump “does not have the authority” here. "Neither Congress nor the Constitution give the Postal Service the power to regulate elections or refuse to deliver lawful mail-in ballots,” said Bonta, a Democrat running for reelection on Nov. 3 against Republican attorney Michael Gates. Trump issued the executive order in March, stating that this is about enhancing federal election integrity, preventing noncitizens from voting, and establishing new standards and procedures for mail-in and absentee ballots. Twenty-three other Democratic attorneys general are involved in the lawsuit, along with Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, who's also a Democrat. "President Trump doesn't get to rewrite our voting system on a whim,” said Bonta. “And the United States Postal Service cannot sidestep the laws that govern the Postal Service just to carry out the president's agenda." After the Supreme Court decision in favor of Trump, California Gov. Gavin Newsom responded by saying that the Golden State would be filing a new lawsuit. Newsom also pushed for state legislation that will establish new felonies and misdemeanors for seizing election materials or interfering with mail-in ballot delivery. The White House dismissed the Democratic governor's comments. “The Supreme Court ruling was a major win for the security of American elections,” White House spokeswoman Lauren Bis told The Center Square Tuesday in an email. “Radical Democrats continue to oppose commonsense measures that protect the security of mail-in ballots and ensure only Americans are electing American leaders.” Bis added that the Trump administration will “continue to lawfully enact the agenda President Trump was elected on – which includes the safety and security of our elections.” When asked Wednesday for comment, Bonta told The Center Square that “the president and the United States Postal Service are violating the Constitution” of the United States. “We have a U.S. Constitution that is stronger than any president or any federal department, including the U.S. Postal Service, and they're blatantly, brazenly breaking the law, and they are interfering with our elections,” said Bonta. “They have no right to do it. So whatever their spin, their script, their disinformation, the people of this country deserve better than a president who continues to break the law and tries to interfere with our elections.” Bonta added that Newsom was “absolutely right” when he said California was going to sue. “Today, we are suing, and we feel very confident in our case,” said Bonta. The Center Square reached out to Bonta's office in hope of getting answers about whether regulations could prevent potential fraud with mail-in ballots and ensure noncitizens aren't voting in state and federal elections. The Center Square also contacted the office to ask if the new U.S. Postal Service rule could inadvertently keep ballots out of the hands of registered voters. The Center Square did not hear back by publication time. Besides Bonta in California, the Democratic attorneys general filing the suit are from Nevada, Washington state, Massachusetts, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia and Wisconsin. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, is also among the plaintiffs.
(The Center Square) – California Attorney General Rob Bonta co-led a lawsuit Wednesday to block a new federal rule governing mail-in ballots. But a former U.S. Department of Justice lawyer who's now working at a think tank says the suit is unnecessary. Prompted by President Trump’s Executive Order No. 14399, the U.S. Postal Service rule requires states to enroll eligible mail-in voters onto USPS-managed lists and conform to new postal envelope design standards. The USPS stated it would refuse to deliver ballots for voters not on these lists or ballots sent in non-compliant envelopes. The lawsuit by Democratic attorneys general was filed Wednesday morning in the U.S. District Court for Massachusetts. But the litigation wasn't needed, said Hans von Spakovsky of Advancing American Freedom, a Washington, D.C., conservative advocacy organization founded by former Vice President Mike Pence, a Republican. The claims made in Wednesday's lawsuit area are as "defective" as those made in the states' previous lawsuit against the Trump administration over mail-in ballots, according to Spakovsky. "All the state has to do is provide a list to the Postal Service of all of the registered voters that are qualified and approved by the state to receive a mail-in ballot," Spakovsky told The Center Square Wednesday. "The procedure set up in the rule will in no way prevent any eligible, registered voter from being able to cast a ballot," said Spakovsky, senior legal fellow at Advancing American Freedom. Spakovsky noted the U.S. Postal Service's tracking system will give states an ability they haven't had to track mail-in ballots to ensure they're not delivered to the wrong address or stuck in a USPS distribution center. He added that the USPS rule applies to federal agencies and does not "unconstitutionally infringe on the states' administration of election." But Bonta and his fellow Democratic attorney generals say states, not the federal government, should set rules for elections. This is California’s 86th lawsuit against Trump in 83 weeks. The litigation follows a Monday decision by the U.S. Supreme Court granting an emergency stay requested by the Trump administration. The Supreme Court ruled that the states' earlier challenge to the executive order was filed too early but noted attorneys general could challenge the U.S. Postal Service rule implementing Trump's order. Speaking to reporters Wednesday in a virtual press conference, Bonta said Trump “does not have the authority” here. "Neither Congress nor the Constitution give the Postal Service the power to regulate elections or refuse to deliver lawful mail-in ballots,” said Bonta, a Democrat running for reelection on Nov. 3 against Republican attorney Michael Gates. Trump issued the executive order in March, stating that this is about enhancing federal election integrity, preventing noncitizens from voting, and establishing new standards and procedures for mail-in and absentee ballots. Twenty-three other Democratic attorneys general are involved in the lawsuit, along with Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, who's also a Democrat. "President Trump doesn't get to rewrite our voting system on a whim,” said Bonta. “And the United States Postal Service cannot sidestep the laws that govern the Postal Service just to carry out the president's agenda." After the Supreme Court decision in favor of Trump, California Gov. Gavin Newsom responded by saying that the Golden State would be filing a new lawsuit. Newsom also pushed for state legislation that will establish new felonies and misdemeanors for seizing election materials or interfering with mail-in ballot delivery. The White House dismissed the Democratic governor's comments. “The Supreme Court ruling was a major win for the security of American elections,” White House spokeswoman Lauren Bis told The Center Square Tuesday in an email. “Radical Democrats continue to oppose commonsense measures that protect the security of mail-in ballots and ensure only Americans are electing American leaders.” Bis added that the Trump administration will “continue to lawfully enact the agenda President Trump was elected on – which includes the safety and security of our elections.” When asked Wednesday for comment, Bonta told The Center Square that “the president and the United States Postal Service are violating the Constitution” of the United States. “We have a U.S. Constitution that is stronger than any president or any federal department, including the U.S. Postal Service, and they're blatantly, brazenly breaking the law, and they are interfering with our elections,” said Bonta. “They have no right to do it. So whatever their spin, their script, their disinformation, the people of this country deserve better than a president who continues to break the law and tries to interfere with our elections.” Bonta added that Newsom was “absolutely right” when he said California was going to sue. “Today, we are suing, and we feel very confident in our case,” said Bonta. The Center Square reached out to Bonta's office in hope of getting answers about whether regulations could prevent potential fraud with mail-in ballots and ensure noncitizens aren't voting in state and federal elections. The Center Square also contacted the office to ask if the new U.S. Postal Service rule could inadvertently keep ballots out of the hands of registered voters. The Center Square did not hear back by publication time. Besides Bonta in California, the Democratic attorneys general filing the suit are from Nevada, Washington state, Massachusetts, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia and Wisconsin. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, is also among the plaintiffs.
40 minutes
When arts organizations in line for tourist tax grants were asked in July to acknowledge new diversity, equity and inclusion stipulations to receive public funds for 2027, most hoped the Sarasota County Commission would either provide more clarity or overlook the culture war issue. Instead, without any discussion or further clarification, commissioners on Wednesday [...] The post Sarasota County approves arts grants without DEI debate, leaving Urbanite behind appeared first on Suncoast Searchlight.
When arts organizations in line for tourist tax grants were asked in July to acknowledge new diversity, equity and inclusion stipulations to receive public funds for 2027, most hoped the Sarasota County Commission would either provide more clarity or overlook the culture war issue. Instead, without any discussion or further clarification, commissioners on Wednesday [...] The post Sarasota County approves arts grants without DEI debate, leaving Urbanite behind appeared first on Suncoast Searchlight.
40 minutes
"What makes the tragedy...even more tragic is so much of this war, so much of this violence and suffering, it’s got almost nothing to do with the Afghans themselves."
"What makes the tragedy...even more tragic is so much of this war, so much of this violence and suffering, it’s got almost nothing to do with the Afghans themselves."
41 minutes
Billie Eilish se prepara para asumir uno de sus primeros grandes retos interpretativos en el cine con The Bell Jar, adaptación de la novela de Sylvia Plath que estará dirigida por Sarah Polley.
41 minutes
Billie Eilish se prepara para asumir uno de sus primeros grandes retos interpretativos en el cine con The Bell Jar, adaptación de la novela de Sylvia Plath que estará dirigida por Sarah Polley.
47 minutes
Un hombre sospechoso de cometer un robo residencial murió tras recibir disparos de agentes del Departamento de Policía de San Diego al término de un enfrentamiento que se prolongó durante casi cinco horas cerca de la zona de Loma Portal, informaron las autoridades este miércoles. Los hechos comenzaron alrededor de las 4:40 p.m. del martes, […]
Un hombre sospechoso de cometer un robo residencial murió tras recibir disparos de agentes del Departamento de Policía de San Diego al término de un enfrentamiento que se prolongó durante casi cinco horas cerca de la zona de Loma Portal, informaron las autoridades este miércoles. Los hechos comenzaron alrededor de las 4:40 p.m. del martes, […]