The Latest Political News From Trusted Sources

 The Atlantic (www.theatlantic.com)

Focuses more on longer features pieces, delving deeper into political stories than other publications.

• The Well Fixer’s Warning
• He Taught a Ta-Nehisi Coates Essay. Then He Was Fired.
• The 1 Thing That Could’ve Changed the War in Afghanistan
• Cornel West on Why the Left Needs Jesus
• ‘He Thought What He Was Doing Was Good for People’

FiveThirtyEight (fivethirtyeight.com)

It began as a polling aggregation website in 2008, but it has since been acquired by ESPN. Now, the site focuses on statistical analyses of political data.

• Republican Views On Immigration Are Shifting Even Further To The Right Under Biden
• What Americans Think About Ending The War In Afghanistan
• Afghanistan Has Fallen To The Taliban. How Will Americans Judge Biden’s Decision To Withdraw?
• Politics Podcast: Americans Wanted To End The War In Afghanistan. Will That Change?
• Do You Buy That … The 2020 Census Contained Good News For Democrats?

FactCheck.org (www.factcheck.org)

FactCheck.org fact checks and rebuts false claims made by politicians and partisan groups; it is an important resource for keeping politicians honest. It won a Webby for best political blog.

• Marine General Supports Vaccinations for Military
• CDC Document Discusses Strategy To Protect Displaced People From COVID-19
• Biden Leaves Misleading Impression on U.S. Debt
• Misinformation About Face Masks
• Biden and Buttigieg Overstate Jobs Impact from Infrastructure Bill

The Nation (www.thenation.com)

It was founded as a successor to The Liberator, William Lloyd Garrison's abolitionist, and it continues to carry the progressive torch. It won a Webby for best political blog.

• If Liz Cheney’s Assigning Blame for an “Epic Failure” in Afghanistan, She Can Start With Her Father
• Rather Than Focus on How the US Got Out of Afghanistan, Focus on How It Got In
• West Virginia Activists Are Coming for Joe Manchin
• Governor Cuomo Resigns
• Public Education Is Set Up to Fail in the Pandemic

Reddit Politics (www.reddit.com)

Redditors share politics news and offer their own (widely varying) opinions on this subreddit.

• Americans rank George W. Bush as the president most responsible for the outcome of the Afghanistan war: Insider poll
• FBI joins investigation into QAnon-affiliated leak of voting machine logins in Colorado
• Gorbachev, who pulled Soviets from Afghanistan, says U.S. campaign was doomed from start
• CNN calls out Ted Cruz for "running off to Cancun" after GOP senator mocks reporter in Afghanistan | “Rather than running off to Cancun in tough times," CNN PR said, Clarissa Ward "is risking her life"
• Biden argues U.S. troops shouldn't fight in war that 'Afghan forces are not willing to fight for themselves'

Pro-Trump super PAC America First Action kicks off $22 million ad blitz in swing states

 

A super PAC backing President Donald Trump is unleashing a wave of new ads against Democratic nominee Joe Biden as the commander in chief struggles in nationwide polls and the campaign appears to be in need of air cover.  

The PAC, America First Action, is announcing a $22 million spending spree on digital and TV ads that will target the key battleground states of Florida, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Ohio.

These ads will air from now until Election Day in November. It's in addition to the PAC's recent decision to spend over $18 million on ads in those four states.  

The spots focus, in part, on the ongoing protests in states such as Wisconsin. One of the PAC's messages is that under a Biden administration, small business owners won't be as protected from potential rioters as they are under Trump.

The ads argue that Biden doesn't have the mental stamina to be president. Another ad looks to paint Biden as a president who will defund the police. 

The nation has been experiencing widespread protests often in reaction to the killing of Black men and women by police. Biden, who is not in favor of defunding the police, has said that looters and rioters should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

A health assessment of Biden showed that he is a "healthy, vigorous, 77-year-old male, who is fit to successfully execute the duties of the Presidency." 

Brian O. Walsh, the president of America First Action, told CNBC late Tuesday that the additional $22 million is just the beginning of their spending spree for the final months of the election.... 

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/pro-trump-super-pac-america-first-action-kicks-off-2422-million-ad-blitz-in-swing-states/ar-BB18RnP8

North Carolina Flash Flood Alert

A very quick diary as I am going to crash early. Stress has caught up with me. However I wanted to alert people in the area which includes Winston Salem, Greensboro, High Point and surrounding areas.

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Fort Sill tribe asks New Mexico court to reconsider decision

The state Supreme Court denied the Fort Sill Apaches' initial petition in March without offering an explanation. The tribe had argued that Martinez ignored requests by its chairman to sign on to existing compacts.

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Washington's tax freedom day comes later than usual | Don Brunell

Will you celebrate Tax Freedom Day this year? Until April 24, every penny we've earned in 2015 goes to pay your taxes. While this year, national Tax Freedom Day is 114 days into the year, for us in Washington, it won't arrive until April 29. In 2015, Americans will pay $3.28 trillion in federal taxes and $1.57 trillion in state and local taxes, for a total tax bill of $4.85 trillion.

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Man's obituary: Don't vote for Hillary

A North Carolina man's obituary asked two things of friends and family: instead of sending flowers for the funeral, give the money to charity. And don't vote for Hillary Rodham Clinton in 2016.

http://ift.tt/1HmxazY

McCaskill challenges MU students to speak up about sexual assault

Sen. Claire McCaskill returned to the University of Missouri campus on Saturday to discuss the topic of sexual assault. McCaskill spoke on campus last fall about the same issue during her campus listening tour.

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Rail Runners Ground Fort Wayne Flite, 100-86

Led by Fred Sturdivant's team-high 16 points and Alex Wells , the Chattanooga Rail Runners defeated visiting Fort Wayne Flite, 100-86, Sunday at Brainerd High School.

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'Unforgiveable and Absolutely Unimaginable': Victims...

Every day when Dr. Rosslyn Biggs goes to work as a federal government veterinarian she is reminded of her mother, one of 168 people killed in the Oklahoma City bombing and honored Sunday on the 20th anniversary of the deadliest terrorist attack on U.S. soil until Sept. 11, 2001.

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Amid Denver's Marijuana Celebration, Police Tweet Friendly...

Denver police said there were no major problems as marijuana celebrations continued for a second day on Sunday, but police tweeted a reminder that while recreational use of marijuana is legal in Colorado, people still can't use it in public. "We'd prefer not to be buzzkills this 4/20 weekend.

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GOP Candidates Spar Over Party's Future

The biggest gathering yet of Republican presidential hopefuls this past weekend sharpened divisions in the broad field of candidates over the path to return the GOP to the White House, making the 2016 primary race a moment for the party to define its national identity. On one side are Jeb Bush and Sens. Rand Paul and Lindsey Graham, who emphasized that the party's nominee needs to reach beyond the GOP's base of mostly white and older conservative voters, given how the general electorate is growing increasingly diverse.

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'Fast Track' Trade Bill Taps Tension in Ohio

WARREN, Ohio-Rep. Tim Ryan doesn't need to travel far from home to see the damage he ascribes to bad trade deals. "You can see how it's hollowed out," said the Democratic lawmaker, pointing to empty or underutilized steel plants on a recent tour of his district in northeast Ohio.

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US 'Reviewing Options' on North Korea Over Human Rights Violations

"We're reviewing options related to accountability for North Korean officials responsible for serious human rights violations, which the Commission of Inquiry concluded in many instances may amount to crimes against humanity," a State Department spokesperson told VOA's Korean Service, in reference to a United Nations panel report on North Korea's human rights conditions released in February 2014. The State Department official said Friday the U.S. will work with the international community to press for North Korea "to stop these serious violations, to close its prison camps, to urge greater freedoms for North Koreans and to seek ways to advance accountability for those most responsible."

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West Virginia's Manchin chooses Senate over statehouse

Faced with the choice of returning to the job he loved in West Virginia or trying to break the partisan gridlock in Washington, Sen. Joe Manchin has opted for gridlock. During an interview on CBS' Face the Nation Sunday, Manchin said he will abandon the idea of running for West Virginia governor in 2016 -- a job to which he'd previously said he looked forward to returning.

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Obama: 'No Greater Threat' to Planet than Climate Change

"Today, there's no greater threat to our planet than climate change," Obama said. "Climate change can no longer be denied or ignored."

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Rand Paul's views don't deserve backlash

On April 7, Sen. Rand Paul announced his run for presidency. As soon as he declared his candidacy, The Foundation for a Secure and Prosperous America, a neoconservative nonprofit, revealed that they will launch an advertisement attacking Paul on his foreign policy views.

http://ift.tt/1Hmx7E8

Bill de Blasio's endorsement holdout show

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio refused to endorse Hilary Clinton in her run for President. ORG XMIT: IACN102 You've got to love Bill de Blasio.

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International religious freedom bill hopes to fight terrorism, promote security

Washington D.C., Apr 19, 2015 / 04:45 pm .- A bill boosting promotion of religious freedom abroad could deter terror groups like ISIS, protect vulnerable minorities and foster global security, advocates say. The bill is "an important first step in improving the ability of our nation to advance religious freedom globally," stated Bishop Oscar Cantu of Las Cruces, chair of the U.S. Bishops' Committee on International Justice and Peace, in an April 10 letter to Congress.

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Cuba could elect non-Communist officials

Hildebrando Chaviano - one of two opposition candidates who could become the Cuba's first non-Communist elected officials in decades. Photo / AP Cubans voted Sunday in local elections featuring two opposition candidates who could become the island's first non-Communist elected officials in decades.

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PunditFact fact-checks the April 19 news shows

A clause about abortion funding in an otherwise noncontroversial sex trafficking bill has stopped the Senate from voting to confirm President Barack Obama's nominee for attorney general, Loretta Lynch. We'll get into the clause and the stalemate in a second.

http://ift.tt/1D3lblM

Senate may soon vote on Loretta Lynch's attorney general nomination

Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, said on Sunday's "Meet The Press" that there will likely be a vote on Loretta Lynch's nomination for attorney general "within the next few weeks." Lynch was nominated to replace Eric Holder in November, but Republicans in Congress have refused to ratify her in part because of the president's executive action on immigration.

http://ift.tt/1P0YAxD

In battle for authenticity, Scott Walker looks to Kohl's

Scott Walker brought his everyman pitch to New Hampshire this weekend, branding himself as the Kohl's-wearing, Harley-riding governor. The Wisconsin Republican's penchant for the discount clothing company -- headquartered in his home state -- first got attention when he spoke before an Iowa audience three months ago, and he's still charming audiences and getting big laughs for his unabashed enthusiasm about the department store.

http://ift.tt/1P0XLoy

West Virginia's Manchin chooses Senate over statehouse

Our eNewspaper network was founded in 2002 to provide stand-alone digital news sites tailored for the most searched-for locations for news. With a traditional newspaper format, more than 100 sites were established each with a newspaper-type name to cover the highest-ranked regions, countries, cities and states.

http://ift.tt/1DBjOgx

Rubio: Chasing the Unicorn

This alleged "feud" between the senator and Univision, which dates back to Rubio's first days as a member of Congress, has not gone unnoticed by politicos . Many question whether the network's apparent anti-Rubio position will kneecap his attempts to court one of the fastest-growing voting blocs in the country.

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Director reveals plot for 'Star Wars' film 'Rogue One'

Widow and daughter, 14, who disappeared without a trace during trip to Times Square three weeks ago, had been 'stressed' by battle over late husband's will with his five grown-up children Senator Robert Menendez used political clout to get visas for three of wealthy donor's foreign girlfriends, according to corruption indictment Jon Stewart says he quit The Daily Show after 17 years because he had become 'depressed' with US politics and 24 hour news 700 feared dead and only 28 survivors as fishing boat packed with migrants trying to reach Europe capsizes of Malta Toll of social media on girls' mental health: Sexualised images fuelling rise in anxiety among pupils aged 11 to 13 Head of the FBI under fire for claims that Polish people were 'murderers and accomplices' who helped kill Jews during the Holocaust How did a 27-year-old black man die of an almost severed spine after he was ... (more)

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Massive wildfires rage in Southern California threatening hundreds of homes

Widow and daughter, 14, who disappeared without a trace during trip to Times Square three weeks ago, had been 'stressed' by battle over late husband's will with his five grown-up children Senator Robert Menendez used political clout to get visas for three of wealthy donor's foreign girlfriends, according to corruption indictment Jon Stewart says he quit The Daily Show after 17 years because he had become 'depressed' with US politics and 24 hour news 700 feared dead and only 28 survivors as fishing boat packed with migrants trying to reach Europe capsizes of Malta Toll of social media on girls' mental health: Sexualised images fuelling rise in anxiety among pupils aged 11 to 13 Head of the FBI under fire for claims that Polish people were 'murderers and accomplices' who helped kill Jews during the Holocaust How did a 27-year-old black man die of an almost severed spine after he was ... (more)

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Republican Graham says '91 percent' chance he'll run for president

He is not yet ready to commit himself, but South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham said on Sunday there was a "91 percent" chance he would enter the Republican presidential race. Graham, a prominent Senate critic of President Barack Obama's foreign policy, was among a group of potential and actual Republican candidates who gathered this weekend in New Hampshire, which holds next year's first presidential primary.

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OpinionWhat if the heavens don't open up over California?

If. In everyday usage, it's almost a throwaway word. But today, with the four-year drought turning California upside down, few words carry more meaning.

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Rangel: Going by the book helps minority party

Few things are as frustrating in the Republican-dominated Texas House of Representatives as when a member delays or kills a bill with a point of order. But for San Antonio's Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer and other Democrats in the 150-member chamber, when you don't have the votes to block legislation you consider harmful, the parliamentary rules can be your most powerful tool to derail it.

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Pitts: 'Normal' is a thing of the past

After all, NRA chief Wayne LaPierre traded his dog whistle for an air horn at a recent gathering of the gun faithful in Washington, D.C. "I have to tell you," he said, "eight years of one demographically-symbolic president is enough." Still, as insults go, it was a rather neatly-crafted twofer.

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