Trump endorses Gov. Jim Justice in West Virginia Senate primary

Tlaib refuses to apologize for blaming Israel for Gaza hospital blast, attacks Biden

Source: ABC News

Democratic Rep. Rashida Tlaib refused to apologize Wednesday for saying Tuesday that Israel is to blame for the hospital explosion that day in Gaza, an accusation that sparked political backlash against Tlaib from Republicans as Israel denies fault.

Tlaib joined thousands of protesters calling for a ceasefire in Gaza during a solidarity rally hosted by the left-leaning group Jewish Voice for Peace at the National Mall. She was visibly emotional, at times pausing her speech to openly weep and criticizing lawmakers who have not backed a ceasefire resolution.

"As an American, not just as a member of the United States Congress, I am ashamed. I am ashamed that they're saying, 'not yet. Maybe next week.' ... How many more have to die?" Tlaib said.

She also addressed the backlash, applauding attendees for the "courage it's taken to speak up."

Read more: https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/tlaib-refuses-apologize-blaming-israel-gaza-hospital-blast/story?id=104085727

Biden would lose in matchup vs. Trump, according to CNBC survey; Israel funding has strong support

Source: CNBC

The CNBC All-America Economic Survey also finds support for President Joe Biden at nearly all-time lows and that he would lose by 4 points to former President Donald Trump in a head-to-head race.

According to the survey, 39% of the public believe the U.S. government should favor Israelis over Palestinians in their conflict, compared with 34% after the 2014 Gaza war. Meanwhile 36% believe the U.S. should treat both the same, compared with 53% in 2014. Nineteen percent are undecided, up from 9% in 2014, suggesting the situation remains fluid and actions by either side could still move public opinion. (The prior results come from an NBC News survey in August 2014 conducted one month after the Gaza war.)

Meanwhile, 74% of the public believe it is either somewhat or very important for the U.S. government to fund military aid to Israel. That compares with 72% who say it’s important to fund securing the border with Mexico and foreign humanitarian aid. A smaller, but still solid 61% majority respond that it’s important to fund military aid to Ukraine compared with 52% who support military and economic aid to Taiwan.

Meanwhile, a combination of negative views on the economy and geopolitical tensions looks to be eroding support for President Biden. Americans’ overall approval rating for the president fell to 37% with 58% disapproving. It’s the highest disapproval and second-lowest approval rating of Biden’s presidency.

Read more: https://www.cnbc.com/2023/10/18/biden-would-lose-in-match-up-vs-trump-according-to-cnbc-survey-israel-funding-has-strong-support.html

Wish I could post polls, but have no credit cards to become a Star Member, so I'll just ask...

1) Do you think Jordan gets voted Speaker tomorrow?

2) Do you think it will go several rounds for days?

3) Or do you think he will never become Speaker?

Jordan wins over some GOP skeptics ahead of speaker vote

Source: CNN

Rep. Jim Jordan won the support of several key skeptics in the Republican conference Monday, bolstering momentum for his bid for speaker ahead of a planned floor vote on Tuesday.

House Armed Services Chairman Mike Rogers and House Appropriations Defense subcommittee Chairman Ken Calvert – two key defense hawks, the GOP bloc perhaps most weary of Jordan – announced Monday morning they would back Jordan on the House floor. And Rep. Ann Wagner of Missouri, who called Jordan a “non-starter” for speaker last week, said Monday that she would support the Ohio Republican, too – as did Rep. Vern Buchanan of Florida, another previous holdout.

“Jim Jordan and I spoke at length again this morning, and he has allayed my concerns about keeping the government open with conservative funding, the need for strong border security, our need for consistent international support in times of war and unrest, as well as the need for stronger protections against the scourge of human trafficking and child exploitation,” Wagner said in a statement. “Jim Jordan is our conference nominee, and I will support his nomination for Speaker on the House floor.”

Even with the additional support, Jordan still faces an uphill climb to be elected speaker. On the floor, he can afford to lose only four Republicans if every member votes, because a speaker needs a majority of the full House to be elected.

Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2023/10/16/politics/house-speaker-fight-jim-jordan/index.html

Governor Hochul signs legislation to refresh alcohol laws in New York State

Source: WROC

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation Saturday that will work to modernize New York’s laws that are related to alcoholic beverages.

Hochul says this is in an effort to expand options for consumers, as well as support New York’s small businesses that serve alcoholic beverages.

Part of this legislation would allow for the sale of beer, mead, braggot, and cider on any day of the week including Sundays. Another part will allow both liquor and wine stores to expand hours on Sundays, and will be able to open at 10 a.m., and close at 10 p.m.

“Across New York, breweries, distilleries and other alcoholic beverage businesses are creating jobs and expanding economic opportunity,” Governor Hochul said. “I’m proud to sign this legislation that will modernize the laws governing the sales of alcoholic beverages in New York.”

Read more: https://www.rochesterfirst.com/new-york-state/governor-hochul-signs-legislation-to-refresh-alcohol-laws-in-new-york-state/

New York City Council Member Inna Vernikov arrested for bringing gun to pro-Palestinian rally at Bro

Source: CBS

New York City Council Member Inna Vernikov arrested for bringing gun to pro-Palestinian rally at Brooklyn College

NEW YORK -- New York City Council Member Inna Vernikov surrendered to police after she was photographed with a gun at a rally in support of Palestinians in Brooklyn.

Vernikov, a licensed gun owner, attended the rally Thursday on the grounds outside Brooklyn College.

The NYPD said Vernikov was seen on video with a gun in her waistband during the rally.

Though Vernikov has a license to carry a gun, the NYPD said it was illegal for to bring it on school grounds

Read more: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/new-york-city-council-member-inna-vernikov-arrested-for-bringing-gun-to-pro-palestinian-rally-at-brooklyn-college/ar-AA1iatjA

Mayor Adams to limit NYC shelter stays to 60 days for migrant families with kids

Source: Daily News

Migrant families with children will only be able to stay in city shelters for 60 days at a time under a new policy Mayor Adams is expected to announce as soon as Friday, a source familiar with the matter told the Daily News.

The policy comes on top of an Adams administration restriction limiting consecutive shelter stays for adult migrants without kids to 30 days.

Since the restriction on adults was first implemented in July, migrant families with kids have been the only category of asylum seekers guaranteed beds in the city shelter system without time limits. In rolling out the restriction on adults, Adams and his advisers argued the policy would help the city ensure migrant families with kids are prioritized for placement in the city’s overcrowded shelter systems.

However, with more than 62,000 mostly Latin American migrants still in city shelters, Adams has decided to place the 60-day clock on migrant families with kids, too. He could enact the new restriction as early as Friday afternoon, according to the source, who spoke on condition

Read more: https://www.nydailynews.com/2023/10/13/mayor-adams-to-limit-nyc-shelter-stays-to-60-days-for-migrant-families-with-kids-source/

Emerson Ohio Senate and Presidential polls

It's a year and a month out, so the close Senate race could turn around with so many undecideds. However, Trump leading by 12 is disturbing.

Ohio - Trump vs. Biden: Trump 45, Biden 33 Trump +12

Ohio Senate - Brown vs. Dolan: Dolan 38, Brown 36
Ohio Senate - Brown vs. LaRose: LaRose 39, Brown 38
Ohio Senate - Brown vs. Moreno: Brown 35, Moreno 33


Ohio 2024 Poll: Brown Faces Competitive General Election; Trump Leads Biden in 2024 Matchup

Newsom Vetoes Wiener's Magic Mushrooms Bill, Haney's Bill That Would Have Allowed Cannabis Cafes

Source: SFist

Two groundbreaking drug bills from SF's state legislators went to pot on Gavin Newsom’s desk, as he’s vetoed state Senator Scott Wiener’s bill to decriminalize plant-based psychedelics, and Assemblymember Matt Haney’s bill for Amsterdam-style cannabis cafes.

We had high hopes for two historic drug legalization bills from two of SF’s own state legislators. State Senator Scott Wiener’s bill to decriminalize magic mushrooms and other plant-based psychedelics passed both houses of the legislature and went to Governor Gavin Newsom’s desk in September. Same for Assemblymember Matt Haney’s bill to allow Amserdam-style cannabis cafes, which also passed the Assembly and the Senate with high-flying colors, and awaited Newsom’s signature.

But both were buzzkilled by a veto from Governor Newsom. The Chronicle reports that Newsom vetoed the decriminalization of magic mushrooms on Friday afternoon. Though in a statement, Newsom sounded open to the idea if it had stricter regulations in place.

“California should immediately begin work to set up regulated treatment guidelines — replete with dosing information, therapeutic guidelines, rules to prevent against exploitation during guided treatments, and medical clearance of no underlying psychoses,” Newsom’s statement said.

Read more: https://sfist.com/2023/10/09/newsom-vetoes-wieners-magic-mushrooms-bill-haneys-bill-that-would-have-allowed-cannabis-cafes/