Co-founder of election org Black Voters Matter says when it comes to voting, ‘we won’t Black down’
by Rebekah Sager | Daily Kos | Sept 26 | tinyurl.com/Iguana1464
You may not have heard of Black Voters Matter (BVM). Their work has brought millions of dollars to grassroots election organizations and mobilized countless Black and brown voters in the last six years. The group works year-round to increase voter registration, advocates for policies around voting rights, and funds and inspires civic engagement in marginalized communities nationwide.
Federal judge clears UCF prof Robert Cassanello to sue over DeSantis’s Stop Woke Act’
by FlaglerLive | Sept. 9 | tinyurl.com/Iguana146
A federal judge cleared the way for a UCF professor to continue challenging a new state law (Gov. Ron DeSantis’ “Stop WOKE Act”) that restricts the way race-related concepts can be taught in classrooms. The professor, Dr. Robert Cassanello, will speak at the CMC’s anniversary event on Oct. 15. See page 24 for details. Cassanello and other plaintiffs argue that it violates First Amendment rights and is unconstitutional vague.
It’s time to prosecute Ron DeSantis: As migrants confirm they were misled, calls for prosecution of DeSantis (and Abbott) grow
by Common Dreams | Sept. 19 | tinyurl.com/Iguana1463
As Republican Governors Ron DeSantis of Florida and Greg Abbott of Texas continued to defend their plot to put refugees and migrants from Latin America on planes and busses to northern cities and communities, critics of the ‘cruel’ and ‘immoral’ actions have said the two should face investigation and ultimately criminal prosecution for misleading and mistreating the people at the center of their political gamesmanship.
MSNBC host explains why Trump’s chances of facing federal prosecution have ‘skyrocketed’
by Alex Henderson | AlterNet | Sept. 21 | tinyurl.com/Iguana1465
Twenty months after leaving the White House, former President Donald Trump continues to be the subject of a variety of investigations — from Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis in Georgia to New York State Attorney General Letitia James to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s January 6 select committee to the U.S. Department of Justice. During a Sept. 19 commentary on DOJ’s Mar-a-Lago/documents probe, MSNBC’s Lawrence O’Donnell argued that Trump’s chances of facing a federal prosecution have “skyrocketed.”
Providers make their case to Florida Supreme Court on preserving abortion access: Lower court violated their right to sue on patients’ behalf, they argue
by Michael Moline | Florida Phoenix | Sept. 1 | tinyurl.com/Iguana1466
The Florida Supreme Court should take up an appeal against the state’s 15-week abortion ban because of a lower appeals court’s disregard of settled law allowing abortion providers to challenge restrictions on behalf of their patients, a group of clinics argued.
“Statewide book bans” are coming to Florida’s classrooms, enforced by the far right
by Kathryn Joyce | Salon | Oct. 1 | tinyurl.com/Iguana1461
In March, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed into law a policy that bans schools from using any books that are age inappropriate and allows parents broad access to challenge all books and materials used for instruction or in school libraries. Over the last month, Florida teachers have been sharing examples of the culling process on social media, with multiple examples of books featuring Black characters being cut, while books about Thanksgiving, the Pilgrims, Dick Cheney and Pope John Paul II are allowed. Florida Republicans were asked to promise that the banned books would not literally be burned. They voted that down.
‘The best economic choice’: Switching to renewable energy could save the world $12 trillion by 2050
by Jessica Corbett and Common Dreams | Alternet | Sept. 14 | tinyurl.com/Iguana1467
Peer-reviewed research released Tuesday by a team at the University of Oxford reveals that transitioning to 100% clean energy within the next three decades could save not only lives and the planet but also $12 trillion. “There is a pervasive misconception that switching to clean, green energy will be painful, costly, and mean sacrifices for us all—but that’s just wrong,” an Oxford professor said.
USDA to spend $500 million extending high-speed internet to rural America
by Jacob Fischler | Florida Phoenix | Sept 22 | tinyurl.com/Iguana1470
The U.S. Dept. of Agriculture will spend more than $500 million in loans and grants to telecommunications providers to bring high-speed internet to rural areas across 20 states. “We now have for the first time a genuine opportunity to literally cover all of America,” a former Iowa governor, said.
Visa is going to track gun store sales. Republicans are furious.
by Sam Sutton | Politico | Sept. 23 | tinyurl.com/Iguana1471
The new merchant code would identify retailers that sell firearms and ammunition. Democrats and activists pushing for gun restrictions say it will help law enforcement spot suspicious transactions that contribute to mass shootings/illegal firearms trafficking. Republican lawmakers are inflamed.
What to know about the new surprise medical bills law
by Carol Levine | Next Avenue | Jan. 3 | tinyurl.com/Iguana1473
The No Surprises Act took effect in January. For years, millions of Americans who experienced a medical emergency could get a bill from a doctor they did not choose and who did not accept their insurance. The “No Surprises Act” makes those bills illegal.
Zeezenia International Market to reopen after fire: The Middle Eastern market will return after more than three months
by Erina Anwar | Alligator | Sept. 21 | tinyurl.com/Iguana1462
The store, one of the only Middle Eastern and Mediterranean markets in Gainesville, was forced to close down in June after a fire. The Gainesville community’s support prompted the owners to work non-stop to reopen so soon after the fire.