The Wisconsin Senate, controlled by Republicans, voted Thursday to remove Meagan Wolfe, the state's nonpartisan top elections official, ahead of the 2024 presidential election. This has caused instability for the more than 1,800 local clerks who run elections in the state and has been met with criticism from Democrats who say it was done improperly. GOP leaders cited conspiracy theories and threats from election skeptics as the reason for their decision.
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Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin will resume abortion care services next week after a judge ruled that a centuries-old state law does not apply to abortions. Meagan Wolfe, administrator of the Wisconsin Elections Commission, is expected to stay in her post despite Republicans voting to fire her, a lingering outgrowth of Donald Trump's 2020 big lie campaign. Planned Parenthood's President and CEO, Tanya Atkinson, said their priority is patients and the community, and they are eager to provide essential care to people in the state.
The Biden administration has requested a stay from the Supreme Court on a 5th Circuit Court of Appeals panel ruling regarding its communication with social media companies. The ruling would have placed restrictions on the Biden administration's contact with social media companies, and the outcome of the case could have far-reaching implications for the government’s ability to regulate social media companies and the free speech rights of social media users. The government has filed a stay application with the Supreme Court and intends to file a petition by October 13.
Hunter Biden, son of President Joe Biden, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Delaware on three felony counts related to his purchase of a firearm in October 2018. The indictment alleges that Biden made a false statement on a form used for firearms purchases, and his legal team has maintained that he had entered into a binding non-prosecution agreement. If convicted, Biden could face up to 10 years in prison for each of the three counts.
UAW Prepares for Possible Strike on Friday as Contract Talks with Big Three Automakers Reach Impasse
UAW Prepares for Possible Strike on Friday as Contract Talks with Big Three Automakers Reach Impasse
UAW members are preparing to strike on Friday if their union leaders cannot reach an agreement with Ford, GM, and Stellantis on a new labor contract. The current contract expires one minute before midnight on Thursday, and UAW President Shawn Fain has indicated that workers are ready to walk off the job if necessary. The strike could have a significant impact on the auto industry, but it is unclear how long it will last.
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) issued a challenge to his right-wing detractors during a closed-door House GOP meeting on Thursday morning, daring them to file a motion to vacate the speaker's chair. This challenge comes as McCarthy faces pressure from members to comply with their demands, but he has the support of the majority of the House Republican caucus and is expected to remain in the position for the foreseeable future. It is unclear if any of his detractors will take him up on his challenge and file the motion to vacate the speaker's chair.
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) announced on Tuesday that the House Republicans would begin an impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden. Longtime Democratic political consultant James Carville responded to the announcement by saying he was actually “happy” about it, as he wanted to let the American public see how “nonexistent” the case is that the president did anything wrong. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) pushed back on McCarthy's statement, citing her own precedent in 2019 when she opened an inquiry into then-President Donald Trump.
Danelo Cavalcante, a convicted murderer, was apprehended in Pennsylvania after a two-week manhunt involving hundreds of officers. He had escaped from prison with a razor blade and intended to flee the country, surviving on watermelon from a farm and burying himself in leaves and brush. He is now facing additional charges related to his escape.