Author: From the Wire
Biden praised for pause on drilling leases
“Let’s Turn This ‘Temporary Halt’ to Permanent Ban” “The federal oil and gas program is nothing but an injustice,” said Jeremy Nichols of WildEarth Guardians. by Andrea Germanos, staff writer Thursday, January 21 President Joe Biden…
‘A hugely consequential first move’: Biden offers to extend nuclear START Treaty with Russia
“After four years of efforts to kill arms control and chase the false security of nuclear dominance, the U.S. is coming back to its senses,” said one peace activist. “Unless you’re a defense contractor, this is…
Biden team says Trump vaccine distribution plan nonexistent — ‘Affirmation of complete incompetence’
“There is nothing for us to rework,” said one of President Biden’s Covid advisers. “We are going to have to build everything from scratch.” by Kenny Stancil, staff writer Thursday, January 21 In a development that…
ProPublica and The Pudding offer scholarships to help pay for your journalism expenses in 2021.
25 scholarships to help you attend a journalism conference and/or to support your work. by Adriana Gallardo, Ash Ngu and Mollie Simon We are proud to announce our sixth annual scholarship program. This year we are…
Biden’s path to citizenship for immigrants could face an uphill battle
by Ryan Knappenberger, Cronkite News Thursday, January 21 WASHINGTON – President Joe Biden unveiled a sweeping immigration reform bill Wednesday that would create a pathway to citizenship for millions of undocumented immigrants, preserve DACA and end…
Trump pardons former Rep. Rick Renzi for fraud, extortion convictions
by Sarah Oven, Cronkite News WASHINGTON – In one of his last acts as president, Donald Trump on Wednesday pardoned two Arizonans, including former Rep. Rick Renzi who was convicted of extortion, racketeering and other charges…
As Romney says Covid relief bill ‘not well-timed,’ Biden urged to abandon GOP outreach, move swiftly on relief package
“A Republican minority shouldn’t be allowed to hold the nation’s economic recovery and public health hostage.” by Jake Johnson, staff writer Thursday, January 21 With Covid-19 killing thousands of people each day in the U.S. and…
Under pressure from workers, Biden fires anti-union labor board lawyer
“Today is a good day,” declared the SEIU, which had called on the president to immediately oust NLRB General Counsel Peter Robb. by Jessica Corbett, staff writer Thursday, January 21 Along with signing a slate of…
How many vaccine shots go to waste? Several states aren’t counting.
The CDC says health facilities should report unused and spoiled COVID-19 vaccines, but many are failing to do so. At a time when there aren’t enough shots to meet demand, significant numbers may be going in…
Biden Inaugural confronts the Jan. 6 riot head-on, calls for an end to “this uncivil war”
It’s become a ProPublica tradition for our president, Richard Tofel, who wrote a book on President Kennedy’s inaugural address, to offer an instant analysis of suchspeeches. Here are his thoughts for today. If President Joe…
Cheaper solar power means low-income families can also benefit – with the right kind of help
“Until recently, rooftop solar panels were a clean energy technology that only wealthy Americans could afford. But prices have dropped, thanks mostly to falling costs for hardware, as well as price declines for installation and other…
The radicalization of Kevin Greeson
How one man went from attending President Barack Obama’s inauguration to dying in the mob protesting Donald Trump’s election loss during the Capitol insurrection. by Connor Sheets, AL.com This article was produced in partnership with AL.com_,…
Warning against further erosion of civil liberties, Tlaib leads charge against new domestic terrorism laws
“While many may find comfort in increased national security powers in the wake of this attack, we must emphasize that we have been here before and we have seen where that road leads.” by Kenny Stancil,…
Police, soldiers bring lethal skill to militia campaigns against US government
Militia members associated with the Three Percenters movement conducting a military drill in Flovilla, Ga., in 2016, days after Trump’s election. After his 2020 defeat, Three Percenters were involved in the Jan. 6, 2021 insurrection at…
Hello Joe, ByeDon. ‘He’s Gone’: Celebrations as Trump —Worst and Most Dangerous President in American History— Departs White House.
—”Goodbye and good riddance Donald Trump. See you at your trial,” said Sen. Ed Markey. by Jake Johnson, staff writer Wednesday, January 20, 2021 Donald Trump is still technically president, but Americans on social media and…
Trump grants clemency to Bannon on final day of Presidency
‘Even Nixon Didn’t Pardon His Cronies on the way out’: “Amazingly, in his final 24 hours in office, Donald Trump found one more way to fail to live up to the ethical standard of Richard Nixon.”…
Trump’s big gamble to gut US power plant emissions rules fails in court, opening door for powerful new climate rules
by Daniel Farber, University of California, Berkeley Wednesday, January 20, 2021 The day before Joe Biden’s inauguration, he got a big judicial win for his climate agenda. The case involved plans for cutting power plant emissions…
Report shows corporate landlords received public funding yet still kicked out tenants
In Arizona ‘Subsidizing the Spread of Covid’ “Giving ‘Covid relief’ to those most likely to evict is like giving money to stop climate change to oil barons—it makes the problem worse.” by Kenny Stancil, staff writer…
How Operation Warp Speed created vaccination chaos
States are struggling to plan their vaccination programs with just one week’s notice for how many doses they’ll receive from the federal government. The incoming Biden administration is deciding what to do with this dysfunctional system….
“Sense of entitlement”: Rioters faced no consequences invading state capitols. No wonder they turned to the U.S. Capitol next.
Armed far-right mobs met little law enforcement resistance when they repeatedly attacked state capitols. You can draw a direct line from that kind of impunity to the riot at the U.S. Capitol on Jan 6. by…
Twitter and YouTube banned Steve Bannon. Apple still gives him millions of listeners.
Steve Bannon broadcasts election denialism and apocalyptic calls to action several times a day via Apple’s podcast app. He’s not the only one using the platform to spread claims that became a rallying cry of the…
Senate Democrats prove ‘Democracy Reform is a top priority’ by putting ‘For the People Act’ first
“From a violent insurrection at the Capitol to the countless attempts to silence the vote of millions of Americans, attacks on our democracy have come in many forms,” said incoming Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. by Jessica…
Memo details steps Biden can take to sidestep GOP obstruction, from reconciliation to shutting down the filibuster
“Biden was elected with a mandate to break gridlock and deliver results. He should use it.” by Jake Johnson, staff writer Tuesday, January 19 With Senate Republicans already indicating that they will attempt to block passage…
Yellen bolsters demand for Biden to enact bold FDR-style agenda,
‘Smartest Thing We Can Do Is Act Big’ “Instead of feel-good talk of unification,” said journalist John Nichols, “FDR called out the Wall Street speculators, the bankers, and their conservative apologists.” by Kenny Stancil, staff writer…