Author: Just the News

Wisconsin voters on Tuesday approved two constitutional amendments to tighten election integrity in the Badger State.

Arizona Democratic Rep. Grijalva Announces Cancer Diagnosis

Congressman Raúl Grijalva, D-Ariz., announced Tuesday that he had been diagnosed with cancer.

“A few weeks ago, I sought medical treatment for a persistent cough which was initially diagnosed as pneumonia,” Grijalva said. “After further testing and imaging, my physician discovered that I have cancer.”

White House Blames ‘Misinformation’ for Transgender Day of Visibility Outrage

“It is actually unsurprising that politicians are seeking to divide and weaken our country with cruel, hateful, and dishonest rhetoric,” the White House press secretary said.

The White House is blaming “misinformation” for the outrage that ensued after it observed Transgender Day of Visibility, which fell on the same day as Easter this year.

High Energy Costs Drive Revolt Against States’ Climate Policies but Commitments Hard to Dislodge

Arizona Corporation Commissioners in front of power station

The Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) recently took the unusual step of voting to pull back on the state’s renewable energy targets, over concerns they are too costly and produce few benefits.

Most states are moving in the other direction, following California’s lead, but there are signs of some hesitation as the real costs of these policies are realized.

California Considers Expanding Assisted Suicide Access Without Terminal Diagnosis

The new law would allow people with early to mid-stage dementia to end their life.

The California legislature is considering a law that would greatly expand the state’s assisted suicide policies to allow people to end their lives without being diagnosed with a terminal disease, including dementia patients.

Judge Forcefully Rejects Hunter Biden Bid to Dismiss Federal Tax Charges

Biden in total filed eight different motions for dismissal using different arguments, though Scarsi rejected each.

A judge on Monday rejected first son Hunter Biden’s request to dismiss tax charges brought against him by special counsel David Weiss.

Attorney John Eastman Officially Declared Ineligible to Practice Law, Pending Appeal

Judge Yvette Roland last week recommended Eastman’s disbarment, finding that he violated ethics rules during his support of former President Donald Trump’s election challenges.

‘Almost Orwellian’: Feds Black Out Nearly All Emails about Trucker Surveillance Proposal

A Department of Transportation component slammed the brakes following semi-furious opposition to its proposal for “on demand” law enforcement surveillance of commercial vehicles a year and a half ago.

It took another six months to turn over the records after a FOIA lawsuit to compel their release, a day before they were due in court Thursday, with no indication yet from FMCSA when it would release a final rule.

Johnson Proposes Ukraine Aid ‘Innovations’ Including Loans, Using Seized Russian Oligarch Money

Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said he expects the House to move forward with an aid package that would provide support for Ukraine with “some important innovations,” which may include loans for the war-torn Eastern European nation and using seized assets from Russian oligarchs.

On Fox News’ “Sunday Night In America” Johnson appeared receptive to a plan that would offer Ukraine a loan rather than aid, as Congress has already approved $113 billion in response to Russia’s invasion since February 2022, per the Government Accountability Office.

California Fast Food Workers Face Layoffs as State’s $20 Minimum Wage Goes into Effect

All fast-food employees, regardless of age, will see a $20 an hour minimum wage in California, while the federal minimum wage is between $4.25 and $7.25, depending on age and length of time working.

California fast-food chains are laying off workers, raising prices and deciding against opening new stores as the state implements a minimum wage that is more than 175 percent higher than that required by the federal government.

Florida Supreme Court Approves Abortion Ballot Measure, Upholds 15-Week Limit

March 31, 2024 Just the News

The measure will need 60 percent support to take effect.

The Florida Supreme Court on Monday approved a ballot measure that would expand abortion access in the Sunshine State, though it also upheld an existing ban on the procedure after 15 weeks.

Trump Posts $175 Million Bond in New York Civil Fraud Case

April 1, 2024 Just the News

Former President Donald Trump on Monday officially posted a $175 million bond in his New York civil fraud case, preventing state Attorney General Letitia James from seizing his assets while he appeals the verdict.

Chinese Illegal Alien Arrested After Trespassing on Military Base in California

A Chinese national was arrested after driving onto a Marine Corps base in California and refusing to leave, U.S. Customs and Border Protection confirmed.

Border Patrol agents confirmed to a local news outlet that the Chinese national was arrested Wednesday after entering onto the base in Twentynine Palms.

Biden Declares 2024 Easter Sunday Date as ‘Transgender Day of Visibility’

March 30, 2024March 30, 2024 Just the News

President Joe Biden declared March 31 “Transgender Day of Visibility,” the same 2024 date for Easter Sunday.

“NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim March 31, 2024, as Transgender Day of Visibility,” the White House wrote in a Friday press release.

Google Threatens to Demonetize Wall Street Watchdog as GOP Targets Ad Collusion

March 30, 2024 Just the News

Google’s artificial intelligence isn’t particularly bright when it comes to evaluating publishers’ compliance with its advertising policies, if the experience of a heterodox economics blog with outsized influence is any indication.

With a megaphone from Twitter Files journalist Matt Taibbi, both darlings of progressives in the “Occupy Wall Street” era, Naked Capitalism accused Google of making “flagrant errors” in its threats to demonetize the 18-year-old site for verboten content.

NYC Council Appeals Ruling Against Non-Citizens Voting Law While D.C. Receives Favorable Ruling

March 30, 2024 Just the News

The New York City Council has filed an appeal to the state’s highest court to reverse an intermediate appellate court’s ruling that struck down the city’s law allowing non-citizens to vote in local elections while Washington, D.C., recently had its non-citizens voting law upheld.

Cities are experiencing varying levels of success with their non-citizen voting laws, as New York City’s has been struck down twice in court while D.C.’s has survived an initial challenge.

Judge Expresses Skepticism of Hunter Biden’s Move to Dismiss Tax Charges: Report

March 29, 2024 Just the News

Hunter Biden in courtroom (composite image)

Judge’s skepticism indicates trial could begin in June, coinciding with his father’s election campaign.

The judge handling the California tax case against the first son appeared skeptical of Hunter Biden’s attempt to have his tax charges tossed.

Montana Supreme Court Overturns State Voting Reform Laws

March 29, 2024 Just the News

Following the 2020 presidential election, which faced allegations of mass voter fraud from former President Donald Trump and his supporters, many states moved to restricting mail-in or absentee voting practices.

The Montana Supreme Court struck down multiple voting reform laws on Wednesday, declaring them unconstitutional.

States Focus on Squatting as TikToker Encourages Illegal Immigrants to ‘Invade’ Homes

March 29, 2024 Just the News

State and local officials are working to prevent property owners from having their residences taken over by squatters as a social media influencer from Venezuela encouraged illegal immigrants to “invade” homes in the U.S.

The issue of squatting has arisen in both Florida and Georgia, states fighting against squatting, while a New York City resident was arrested for trying to prevent a squatter from reentering her home. Squatting has become a concern with the influx of illegal immigrants as a Venezuelan national encouraged others to squat in Americans’ homes.

From DACA to Deportation to Murder: Michigan the Latest State Hit by Immigration Enforcement Lapse

March 28, 2024March 27, 2024 Just the News

Brandon Ortiz-Vite in front of other illegal immigrants (composite image)

An illegal immigrant, who once lived in the country as a DACA recipient before he was deported in 2020, was arrested over the weekend as a suspect in the slaying of a 25-year old Michigan woman. The incident is the second shocking murder of a young woman by an illegal immigrant this year, following the killing of Laken Riley in Georgia.

Michigan State Police began investigating the murder of Ruby Garcia, from Grand Rapids, after her body was found on a major highway that cuts through the city’s downtown. The body was discovered at 11:38 pm on Friday evening with apparent gunshot wounds, according to The Midwesterner.

FISA Renewal Deadline Fast Approaching amid Bipartisan Call for Ending Warrantless Surveillance

March 28, 2024March 27, 2024 Just the News

Mike Lee and Dick Durban in front of FISA court (composite image)

The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) renewal deadline is fast approaching as conservative lawmakers and some Democrats continue their push for ending warrantless surveillance.

Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, including conservative and progressive legislators, have called for reforming section 702 of FISA ahead of the April 19 deadline.

Judge Recommends Disbarment of Attorney John Eastman over Efforts to Challenge 2020 Election

A California judge has recommended disbarring attorney John Eastman, determining that he violated ethics rules by pushing former President Donald Trump’s election fraud claims.

Former U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman Dead at 82

Former Connecticut Democratic Sen. Joseph Lieberman died Wednesday at the age of 82, his family confirmed.

Republicans Take on Ballot Harvesting, Drop Boxes but Legally Using them in 2024 Election Cycle

As Alabama has banned ballot harvesting and Republican lawmakers in Pennsylvania are fighting ballot drop boxes, GOP campaign efforts are using those same tools where legal.

Democrats have long focused on mail-in and early voting while Republicans have warned of potential insecurities of those methods. Now the GOP is starting to embrace it this election cycle. However, the acceptance of mail-in voting as a tool isn’t preventing Republicans from looking to secure or ban certain aspects of it, such as ballot harvesting and ballot drop boxes.

House Members of Progressive ‘Squad’ Grab More than $220 Million of Earmarks Since 2023

Rep. Rashida Tlaib and Rep. Ilhan Omar standing in front of the US capitol (composite image)

Members of the “Squad” of progressive lawmakers in the House of Representatives, including Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., and Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., wrangled more than $220 million worth of earmarks included in spending bills since the start of fiscal year 2023, according to a watchdog group.

“These eight members, up from 6 last year, have put almost $220 million worth of earmarks into the last two years of congressional spending packages, for causes like environmental justice, diversity, and immigration assistance,” read a new report from OpenTheBooks.com.

Washington State Violated Court Order by Forcing Foster Parents to ‘Affirm’ Gender ID: Lawsuit

The Pacific Northwest has a message for foster and adoptive parents: Agree to affirm a child’s self-determined “sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression,” including using their preferred pronouns and taking them to Pride parades, or leave the program.

Washington state adopted new Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity/Expression (SOGIE) regulations after accepting a permanent injunction against the “nearly identical” Policy 6900 to settle a First Amendment lawsuit by would-be foster parents in July 2021, non-renewed foster parents claim in a new lawsuit.

Container Ship Slams Baltimore’s Key Bridge, Officials Say Vessel Lost Power Just Before Impact

A container ship slammed into a Baltimore bridge early Tuesday, causing it to collapse and send vehicles and road crew members into a river in what authorities declared “a dire emergency.”

Milwaukee Takes More than $1 Million in ‘Zuckerbucks’ Ahead of Vote to Ban Private Election Funding

Milwaukee has accepted more than $1 million in “Zuckerbucks” — the injection of private money into public election administration — just weeks before Wisconsin residents will vote on whether to ban such funds.

The city of Milwaukee, which previously accepted “Zuckerbucks” in 2020, has received a new form of the private funding over two separate grants just weeks prior to Wisconsin voters deciding whether to approve a state constitutional amendment banning “Zuckerbucks.”

After Russian Terror Attack, Prominent Lawmakers Warn ISIS-K Could Strike U.S.

As the world absorbs the horror of the ISIS-K slaughter inside a Russian concert hall, prominent members of Congress are warning the Afghan-based terror group could strike inside the United States.

House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Mike McCaul said Sunday the threat of an attack was heightened by President Joe Biden‘s bungled withdrawal from Afghanistan, which gave ISIS-K a breeding ground to train and carry out attacks.

White House Moves to Repeal Provision in Recently Enacted Spending Bill Banning Pride Flags over U.S. Embassies

The White House says it want to repeal a provision in the recently enacted $1.2 trillion spending bill that effectively prohibit U.S. embassies from flying pride flags.

The provision was championed by congressional Republicans.

State Financial Officers Urge Treasury to Terminate Internal Revenue Service’s ‘Direct File’ Program

A group of 21 state financial officers on Monday urged the Department of the Treasury to terminate the IRS’s Direct File pilot program, contending that its shortcomings were likely to lead to problems for filers, cause needless confusion, and result in lost state revenues.

Bond in Trump’s Civil Fraud Case Reduced to $175 Million from $464 Million

Former President Donald Trump’s bond has been reduced to $175 million in his civil fraud trial.

Possible Bankruptcy for EV Maker Fisker as Industry Hit with Declining Consumer Interest

Fisker electric vehicle on beach with people playing

Electric-vehicle startup Fisker may file for bankruptcy as the declining pace of consumer demand weighs upon the struggling company.

In a March 15 8-K filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the company warned investors that “Fisker did not make a required interest payment of approximately $8.4 million payable in cash on March 15, 2024 (the “Interest Payment”) with respect to Fisker’s unsecured 2.50% convertible notes” and that “the Company has a 30-day grace period to make the Interest Payment.”

Congress Probing Whether IRS Plyng AI to Invade Americans’ Financial Privacy

The House Judiciary Committee has opened an inquiry to whether the IRS is using artificial intelligence to invade Americans’ financial privacy after an agency employee was captured in an undercover tape suggesting there was a widespread surveillance operation underway that might not be constitutional.

Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, and Rep. Harriet Hageman, R-Wyo., sent a letter last week to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen demanding documents, and answers as to how the agency is currently employing artificial intelligence to comb through bank records to look for possible tax cheats.

Survey Finds Nearly 70 Percent of Small Businesses View Gen Z Employees as ‘Least Reliable’

America’s newest entrants into the workforce aren’t making an early favorable impression: 68% of small business owners believe that Generation Z employees are the “least reliable” of their workforce, according to a new Freedom Economy Index survey.

The survey, a product of the Red Balloon job site and the Public Square shopping site, was released Thursday and also found that less than 4% of businesses found that Gen. Z “most aligns with their workplace culture.”

DEI Newsletter Circulates US Intel Community, Promoting Cross-Dressing and Woke Language: Report