Author: Randy Slovacek

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Indiana State Senate Votes Down Proposed Redistricting Map

The governor of Indiana vetoed a bill that would have banned transgender girls from participating in school sports that align with their gender identity.

Indiana’s GOP-controlled state Senate has voted down a redistricting map that would have wiped out Indiana’s two Democratic-held seats in the House, despite intense pressure from Donald Trump.

The vote was 31-19. A majority of the 40 Republicans voted no.

From Politico:

The failed vote is the culmination of a brass-knuckled four-month pressure campaign from the White House on recalcitrant Indiana Republicans that included private meetings and public shaming from Trump, multiple visits from Vice President JD Vance, whip calls from Speaker Mike Johnson and veiled threats of withheld federal funds.

The members held out in spite of pipe bomb threats, unsolicited pizza deliveries to their homes, and swattings of their homes.

The failed vote saves the seats of two sitting members, Democratic Reps. André Carson and Frank Mrvan, whose districts had been carved up to become heavily Republican under the proposed map.

Read more here.

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Judge Orders Immediate Release Of Kilmar Abrego García

Kilmar Abrego Garcia

A federal judge in Maryland today ordered the release of Kilmar Abrego García from ICE custody “immediately.”

The El Salvadoran was mistakenly deported this year before being returned to the United States where he’s basically been used as a pawn by the Trump administration. Continue reading “Judge Orders Immediate Release Of Kilmar Abrego García”

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Egypt And Iran Want Out Of World Cup Pride Match + More News

soccer

Some news items as we hippity-hop over Hump Day:

• The Advocate:  Seattle PrideFest has encouraged folks attending the June 26 World Cup match to bring rainbow flags to celebrate Pride Month. But leaders in each nation’s football federations publicly rebuked the idea, saying such events clashed with their cultural and religious values.

The nations involved in the first-ever World Cup Pride Match — Egypt and Iran — are asking FIFA to cancel it, calling it “culturally and religiously contrary” to their values. Both countries have criminalized same-sex sexual relations.

• JoeMyGod: One Million Moms is really concernstipated over a new ad from Kohls Department Store that playfully insinuates using the “elf-word.” #srsly Continue reading “Egypt And Iran Want Out Of World Cup Pride Match + More News”

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Defense Dept Asks Appeals Court To Reinstate Ban On HIV+ Recruits

Defense Department

The Defense Department is asking a panel of judges at the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals to reinstate its policy banning prospective service members who are HIV+ even though they are asymptomatic and have undetectable viral loads. Continue reading “Defense Dept Asks Appeals Court To Reinstate Ban On HIV+ Recruits”

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Man Caught Tearing Down Pride Flag: “Call 1-800-Who-Cares, No Gay People”

Pride flag torn down from candy shop in Doylestown, PA

Surveillance video caught a man tearing down a Pride flag from a candy shop in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, on Saturday. Owners of the shop say it’s the 4th time the store has been targeted in recent years. Continue reading “Man Caught Tearing Down Pride Flag: “Call 1-800-Who-Cares, No Gay People””

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‘The Queen Of Versailles’ To Close Early + Appeals Court Upholds Military Trans Ban + More

Kristin Chenoweth in "The Queen of Versailles (official Facebook)

Some news stories you might have missed:

• Playbill: Broadway’s “The Queen of Versailles” starring Kristin Chenoweth has moved up its final performance to December 21 due to “harsh economic realities.” Following very mixed reviews, the show announced it would close after the holidays on January 4. Continue reading “‘The Queen Of Versailles’ To Close Early + Appeals Court Upholds Military Trans Ban + More”

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Immigrants Approved To Be Naturalized Pulled Out Of Line Before Pledging Allegiance

U.S. flag

Just when you thought that the Trump administration couldn’t sink any lower, there’s this moment in history. Immigrants approved for citizenship were ‘plucked out’ of line moments before pledging allegiance — the final step in the citizenship process.

The immigrants were already approved to be naturalized following years of going through the proper steps including legally acquiring a green card, undergoing extensive interviews, multiple background checks, classes and a citizenship test. Continue reading “Immigrants Approved To Be Naturalized Pulled Out Of Line Before Pledging Allegiance”