Tag: redistricting

Posted on

Redistricting Games: South Carolina, Alabama, Florida, Tennessee

Vote - ballot showing Democrats and Republicans (image via Depositphotos)

Republican-led redistricting games continue this week in several states in advance of the mid-term elections this fall with some good and bad news.

• NBC News: The GOP-led South Carolina Senate has voted against a new congressional map, ending the last-minute redistricting effort in the state for now. The failed vote was a surprise rejection of Donald Trump, who wanted lawmakers to pass a redrawn map that would eliminate the state’s one majority-Black district. Continue reading “Redistricting Games: South Carolina, Alabama, Florida, Tennessee”

Posted on

‘Devil Wears Prada 2’ Surpasses Original Film’s Box Office + More

Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, and Stanley Tucci in "The Devil Wears Prada 2"

Happy Friday! Some news stories for you as we head into the weekend.

• Deadline: The Meryl Streep/Anne Hathaway dramedy The Devil Wears Prada 2 will outstrip the original 2006 film’s global lifetime box office of $326.5 million today – just a week after the sequel’s release. Folks are projecting it could hit over $700 million worldwide by Sunday.

• Page Six: There’s Broadway chatter that Lea Michele called out of CHESS this week after being snubbed by the Tony Awards nominations on Tuesday. Continue reading “‘Devil Wears Prada 2’ Surpasses Original Film’s Box Office + More”

Posted on

2 Lawsuits Filed Challenging Florida Redistricting

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis

Yesterday I reported that Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) had quickly signed into law a new aggressively gerrymandered electoral map following last week’s Supreme Court ruling that kneecapped the Voting Rights Act.

Experts say the new map makes it likely that four districts currently held by Democrats would flip to Republicans.

As expected, several pro-voting and civil rights groups have filed lawsuits over the new map alleging it violates the Sunshine State’s constitution. Continue reading “2 Lawsuits Filed Challenging Florida Redistricting”

Posted on

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.

Posted on

Zane Phillips Keeps It Country (And Shirtless) In Orville Peck Teaser + More

Zane Phillips (screen caps)

Some news items you might have missed:

• OUT: Country music star Orville Peck flirts with hottie Zane Phillips (above) in a workout-inspired teaser video promoting Peck’s new EP Appaloosa. Continue reading “Zane Phillips Keeps It Country (And Shirtless) In Orville Peck Teaser + More”

Posted on

‘The Bold & The Beautiful’ To Feature Gay Couple + More News

The long-running daytime drama 'The Bold & The Beautiful'

Some news items for you as we head into the weekend:

• Deadline: The Bold & the Beautiful is about to get more ‘beautiful’ as the long-running daytime drama will feature a gay male couple for the first time as the series begins its 39th season next week. Continue reading “‘The Bold & The Beautiful’ To Feature Gay Couple + More News”

Posted on

Pedro Pascal May Star In New Gay Romance ‘De Noche’ + More News

Pedro Pascal (via Depositphotos)

Some news items for you as we head into the holiday weekend:

• Gayety: Pedro Pascal is reportedly in negotiations to step into the lead role in Todd Haynes’ highly anticipated gay romance, De Noche, filling the void left by Joaquin Phoenix’s abrupt departure in August 2024 just days before filming was slated to begin.

• The Advocate: I highly recommend this interview with Dr. Demetre Daskalakis, who resigned from the CDC this week over Health Sec. Kennedy’s and Trump’s dismantling of vaccine policy. He points out the many ways that politicizing science is impacting the public. Great read. Continue reading “Pedro Pascal May Star In New Gay Romance ‘De Noche’ + More News”

Posted on

‘South Park’ Trolls Dog-Killer Kristi Noem + LGBTQ Magazine Round-Up + More

South Park takes on Homeland Security Secretary and known dog killer Kristi Noem

Some news items you might have missed:

• Pride.com: South Park’s newest episode eviscerates Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem for killing a puppy and abusing Botox, complete with a pit crew reattaching her face. The episode also features VP JD Vance as Trump’s baby oil-wielding man-baby. Continue reading “‘South Park’ Trolls Dog-Killer Kristi Noem + LGBTQ Magazine Round-Up + More”