Let’s prepare a Texas welcome for the NRA
by Wade Rathke New Orleans I realize that talking about guns and their giant conservative enabler, the National Rifle Association, will have many of you thinking that we’re talking about the siege at the US Capitol…
Crowd chaos underlines differences in Instigators versus Organizers
by Wade Rathke January 19, 2021 Pearl River The post-mortem on the Capitol mob scene has been bizarrely interesting from an organizing perspective. A lot of it has been more about name-calling than analysis. This…
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…
Federal Court Strikes Down Trump Coal Power Plant Rule
‘Major Win for the Planet’ “This decision frees up the new Biden administration to begin working immediately on the science-based greenhouse pollution rules we desperately need to make up for lost time.” by Andrea Germanos, staff…
Over 500 videos, inside the Capitol Riot: what the Parler videos reveal
The trove of more than 500 videos recovered from a largely pro-Trump social platform provides a uniquely immersive account of the violence and confusion as seen from inside the insurrection. by Alec MacGillis Sunday, January 17,…
Health officials ramp up COVID-19 vaccines with new sites, eligibility in AZ
by Haleigh Kochanski, Cronkite News Friday, January 15 WASHINGTON – T he Arizona Department of Health Services said Friday it is expanding its COVID-19 vaccination programs, adding distribution at pharmacies and at a second state-run site in…
NRA, reviled gun lobby group, files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy
‘Thoughts and Prayers to the NRA’ “The world will be a better place when the NRA is finally destroyed. Looks like that day is closer.” by Jon Queally, staff writer Friday, January 15 “Thoughts and prayers.”…
Officials prep for possible inauguration protests at Arizona Capitol
By Ryan Knappenberger, Cronkite News Friday, January 15, 2021 The Arizona Capitol is surrounded by two rows of chain-link fence and police presence has been increased, as authorities brace for possible violence in response to the…
Memphis-area residents without internet must wait days for vaccination appointments, while others go to the front of the line
The county’s decision to prioritize vaccinations for internet users — and its failure to set aside any appointments for callers — raises issues of equity and access, say experts. by Wendi C. Thomas and Hannah Grabenstein,…
Promised vaccine stockpile doesn’t exist. Governors demand Trump answer for deception
States “thought they were getting more doses and they planned for more doses and opened up to 65 and up, thinking they were getting more.” by Kenny Stancil, staff writer Friday, January 15, 2021 Earlier this…
Mr. Transactional, Mitch McConnell
by Wade Rathke January 15, 2021 Little Rock To follow politics in Washington these days, we don’t need a telescope, we need a Geiger counter. Some of the mischief is crystal clear, but way too…
Video details tense moments as Capitol Mob sought out lawmakers
“Where They Countin’ the Votes?!” New video, found in an archive of data uploaded to Parler, includes a fresh look at the mob’s confrontation with Eugene Goodman, the officer credited for luring rioters away from senators…
Biden’s $1.9 trillion relief plan: $400 unemployment boost, $1,400 checks, and billions in additional aid
“Congress should immediately move to pass President-elect Biden’s plan,” said Claire Guzdar of the Groundwork Collaborative. “And we can’t stop there.” by Jessica Corbett, staff writer Thursday, January 14 With less than a week until he…
New IG report, says ACLU, shows just how far Trump team ‘was willing to go to destroy’ immigrant families
“Just when you think the Trump administration can’t sink any lower, it does.” by Brett Wilkins, staff writer Friday, January 15 As a former leading U.S. Justice Department official on Thursday said he regretted the role…
Arizona lawmakers split as Trump impeached by House for a second time
“Donald Trump is not just incompetent. He’s not just corrupt. He’s downright dangerous and should never be allowed to hold public office again,” Rep. Ruben Gallego, D-Phoenix, said in a statement after the vote. “That’s why…
Arrests in Minnesota after Water Protectors chain themselves inside pipe section to halt Line 3 construction
“Enbridge’s last-ditch effort to build fossil fuel infrastructure is killing people and the planet.” by Jessica Corbett, staff writer Thursday, January 14 Water protectors were arrested Thursday after halting construction at a Minnesota worksite for Enbridge’s…
Indigenous women urge Biden to stop pipelines and respect Treaty Rights
“Joe Biden, we are asking you to stand on the right side of history and humanity by putting an immediate end to the deadly pipelines destroying our Earth, our communities, and all life.” by Jessica Corbett,…
Bond modification sought after alleged Kenosha killer Kyle Rittenhouse drinks beer, flashes white power signs with so-called ‘Proud Boys’
“The defendant’s continued association with members of a group that prides itself on violence, and the use of their symbols, raises the significant possibility of future harm.” by Brett Wilkins, staff writer Thursday, January 14, 2021…