Obama calls Texas GOP's redistricting plan a 'power grab that undermines our democracy'

Obama calls Texas GOP's redistricting plan a 'power grab that undermines our democracy'

WASHINGTON –Former President Barack Obamajumped into the nation's cross-country redistricting fight, calling Texas Republicans' push to add five new GOP congressional seats "a power grab that undermines our democracy." Obama's remarks,made in a statementposted Aug. 5 on X, come as PresidentDonald Trumphas pressured Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and Republicans in the GOP-controlled Texas state legislature to approve new congressional maps to help Republicans maintain control of the U.S. House during the 2026 midterm elections. "We can't lose focus on what matters – right now, Republicans in Texas are trying to gerrymander district lines to unfairly win five seats in next year's midterm elections," Obama said. More:Trump says Republicans are 'entitled' to more congressional seats in Texas Former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, who chairs the National Democratic Redistricting Committee, has helped lead Democratic efforts to fight the proposed Texas maps. Holder called the effort "an authoritarian move"during an Aug. 3 appearance on ABC's "This Week." Redistricting is required by federal law every 10 years following the release of new U.S. Census Bureau figures; however, Trump pushed Texas Republicans to jumpstart the process in the middle of the decade. The president argued during an Aug. 5 appearance on CNBC that Republicans "are entitled to five more seats" in Texas because of his 2024 election victory in the state. The 38-member Texas congressional delegation is currently comprised of 25 Republicans, 12 Democrats and there is one vacant seat that leans Democratic. The new maps, advanced by a Texas legislative committee Aug. 2, create five new GOP-leaning districts and target Democratic incumbents, which would give Republicans in Congress more cushion to defend theirslim House majority of 220-212. Abbott this week orderedTexas law enforcement to arrestDemocratic lawmakers who fled the stateto prevent the legislature from having a quorum to block avote on redistricting. More:Texas Gov. Greg Abbott orders arrest of Democratic lawmakers who fled over redistricting The plan has ignited a nasty and partisan tug-of-warwith Democratic governors in Illinois, New York and California pledging to return the favor and redraw their congressional maps to add more Democratic districts. In California, Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom has proposed temporarily setting aside his state's independent redistricting commission to create new Democratic-leaning congressional districts. House Democrats in the California legislature took steps this week toward a plan that could create up to six new gerrymandered Democratic congressional seats to offset the redistricting in Texas. The California legislature is on track to vote on a redistricting proposal the week of Aug. 18, which would put the new maps before voters during a Nov. 4 special election. Contributing: Phillip Bailey of USA TODAY This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Obama blasts Texas GOP redistricting plan as a 'power grab'

byMario Satorik

in

August 06, 2025

Obama calls Texas GOP's redistricting plan a 'power grab that undermines our democracy'

Obama calls Texas GOP's redistricting plan a 'power grab that undermines our democracy' WASHINGTON –Former President Barack Obam...

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Texas state lawmakers in Illinois evacuated from their hotel after threat

Texas state lawmakers in Illinois evacuated from their hotel after threat

Democratic state legislators from Texas were evacuated from their suburban Chicago hotel Wednesday morning following a threat at the property, and a news conference set to feature Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin was canceled. Later in the morning, Gov. JB Pritzker authorized Illinois State Police to become involved in protecting the lawmakers. "I am aware of reports that threats were made against Texas elected officials in our state. Threats of violence will be investigated and those responsible will be held accountable,"Pritzker said on X. "I have instructed @ILStatePolice to ensure we maintain public safety." Durbin was to join the Illinois Democratic voices who have rallied behind the Texas Democrats, who traveled to the state in an effort to block the passage of a new Republican-drawn congressional map. Because the members are absent, the Texas state House does not have a quorum to move forward with legislation. The public announcement system inside the hotel issued an evacuation directive around 7:15 a.m. local time, and lawmakers and staff rushed outside, according to one of the people inside. "This morning, a threat was made against the safety of the members of the Texas House Democratic Caucus," three Texas state House Democrats said in a statement. "We are safe, we are secure, and we are undeterred and unintimidated. We are grateful for Governor Pritzker, local, and state law enforcement for their quick action to ensure our safety." In an interview with NBC News, state Rep. John Bucy said the legislators and other guests spent about two hours outside the hotel Wednesday morning and said they're "going to continue fight to this fight for voting rights." About 400 people in all were evacuated, according to the St. Charles Police Department. The Kane County bomb squad was asked to assist, and police said no device was found during a search. The investigation continues, according to police. The Democratic legislators left Texas for Chicago, Boston and Albany, New York, on Sunday, after the Texas state Legislature began a special session aimed at, among other things, drawing a new congressional map giving Republicans a path to a five-seat gain in the 2026 midterm elections. Republicans are protecting a narrow three-seat majority in the chamber ahead of the midterms. Bucy told NBC News the Democratic legislators do not plan to return to Texas anytime soon. "Look, we've made a commitment to kill this special session," he said. "

byMario Satorik

in

August 06, 2025

Texas state lawmakers in Illinois evacuated from their hotel after threat

Texas state lawmakers in Illinois evacuated from their hotel after threat Democratic state legislators from Texas were evacuated from their ...

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NFL employee injured in shooting at league headquarters 'doing incredibly well,' says commissioner Roger Goodell

NFL employee injured in shooting at league headquarters 'doing incredibly well,' says commissioner Roger Goodell

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell told ESPN on Wednesday that the employee who was injured in theJuly 28 shootingat the league's office in New York City is "doing incredibly well" and that the organization is "working through it" as a group. Goodell appeared on ESPN to promote theNFL's new deal with the network, but he began by giving an update on the employee. "It's been a tough week for not just the NFL, but I think everybody at our Park Avenue offices," Goodell said. "Our other tenants each lost employees. It's a sad thing for us to have to bear. But I think our group is pulling together, as they normally do. We're a resilient group. Collectively, I think we're pulling together. The good news is our colleague is doing incredibly well, is going to be OK and we're obviously comforted by that. It's hard to understand the unexplainable and the senselessness of it. But the pain is real for everybody and we're all working through it." Dianna Russini ofThe Athletic reportedthat finance department employee Craig Clementi was struck in the back by a bullet while calling other NFL employees towarn them about the shooting. Clementi reportedly continued to make calls while being transported to the hospital. Shane Tamura, the suspected 27-year-old gunman, opened fire inside the high-rise at 345 Park Ave. building, killing four, including off-duty NYPD officerDidarul Islam, and leaving another in critical condition. According to the NYPD,Tamura walked into the lobbyof the building and immediately started the shooting spree. From the lobby, Tamura took an elevator to the 33rd floor, where he killed another person before taking his own life with a gunshot to the chest. Police told ABC that Tamura left a note suggesting the NFL was his target.New York City Mayor Eric Adams later told reportersthat the NFL was the target of Tamura's rampage and that he appeared to have mistakenly taken the wrong elevator to the 33rd floor, which houses offices of the building's owner Rudin Management Company. Tamura reportedly left a three-page note and wrote that he targeted the NFL because he believed he suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain disease associated with repeated head trauma that's commonly associated with football and other collision sports. Tamura's note accused the NFL of concealing the dangers to players' brains from playing football in order to maximize profits,according to ABC. The note also included a request from Tamura to study his brain for CTE, which can be detected only via postmortem inspection.

byMario Satorik

in

August 06, 2025

NFL employee injured in shooting at league headquarters 'doing incredibly well,' says commissioner Roger Goodell

NFL employee injured in shooting at league headquarters 'doing incredibly well,' says commissioner Roger Goodell NFL commissioner Ro...

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Arizona High School Soccer Coach and Mom of 3 Dies Unexpectedly at 44

Arizona High School Soccer Coach and Mom of 3 Dies Unexpectedly at 44

FC Tucson Former soccer star and longtime coach Kelly Pierce died last week of cardiac arrest The Arizona mother of three led Salpointe Catholic in Tucson to six girls state championships "Kelly's life was about her sons, her family and soccer," a GoFundMe organizer wrote An Arizona community is mourning the loss of a local soccer star and coach who died last week at the age of 44. Kelly Pierce died on Friday, Aug. 1 from cardiac arrest,according to theArizona Daily Star. The former FC Tucson star coached her alma mater Salpointe Catholic in Tucson to six girls state soccer championships over eight years beginning in 2018. Pierce also won two state championships while on the team in 1998 and 1999. The mother of three was widely known in the area for her soccer talent, and had been involved in youth soccer for nearly 20 years,according to a GoFundMeorganized on her behalf. FC Tucson "Kelly's death and soccer accolades have been announced by local, state and national media," organizer Rebecca Collins wrote. "She was an inspiration to not only her family but many young women during her career as a player and then a coach, including Pima Community College, Mountain View High School, Salpointe Catholic High School, CDO soccer league, and FC Tucson." Collins shared that Pierce was an inspiration to young female athletes, instilling "self confidence and their power as individuals." https://people-app.onelink.me/HNIa/kz7l4cuf "She was the unspoken leader among her cousins, who all respected her, loved her and looked up to her," she added. Local sportswriter Andy Moralesshared a tribute to his friend on X. "She is the most accomplished female soccer figure in Southern Arizona history," he wrote. "There can be no argument there." Pierce leaves behind three sons — Tyler, 22, Brady, 17, and Camden, 14 — and extended family members. "She will leave a huge hole in this family and will be dearly missed," Collins wrote. "She knew her plan in life and was always confident. Kelly's life was about her sons, her family and soccer." Read the original article onPeople

byMario Satorik

in

August 06, 2025

Arizona High School Soccer Coach and Mom of 3 Dies Unexpectedly at 44

Arizona High School Soccer Coach and Mom of 3 Dies Unexpectedly at 44 FC Tucson Former soccer star and longtime coach Kelly Pierce died last...

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Exclusive-Trump administration memo urges countries to reject plastic production caps in UN Treaty

Exclusive-Trump administration memo urges countries to reject plastic production caps in UN Treaty

By Olivia Le Poidevin and Valerie Volcovici GENEVA/WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The United States has sent letters to at least a handful of countries urging them to reject the goal of a global pact that includes limits on plastic production and plastic chemical additives at the start of U.N. plastic treaty talks in Geneva, according to a memo and communications seen by Reuters. In the communications dated July 25 and circulated to countries at the start of negotiations on Monday, the U.S. laid out its red lines for negotiations that put it in direct opposition to over 100 countries that have supported those measures. Hopes for a "last-chance" ambitious global treaty that tackles the full life cycle of plastic pollution from the production of polymers to the disposal of waste have dimmed as delegates gather for what was intended to be the final round of negotiations. Significant divisions remain between oil-producing countries— who oppose caps on virgin plastic production fueled by petroleum, coal, and gas — and parties such as the European Union and small island states, which advocate for limits, as well as stronger management of plastic products and hazardous chemicals. The U.S. delegation, led by career State Department officials who had represented the Biden administration, sent memos to countries laying out its position and saying it will not agree to a treaty that tackles the upstream of plastic pollution. "We will not support impractical global approaches such as plastic production targets or bans and restrictions on plastic additives or plastic products - that will increase the costs of all plastic products that are used throughout our daily lives," said the memo Reuters understands was sent to countries who could not be named due to sensitivities around the negotiations. NAIROBI MEETING The U.S. acknowledged in the memo that after attending a preliminary heads of delegation meeting in Nairobi from June 30 to July 2, "we plainly do not see convergence on provisions related to the supply of plastic, plastic production, plastic additives or global bans and restrictions on products and chemicals, also known as the global list". A State Department spokesperson told Reuters each Party should take measures according to its national context. "Some countries may choose to undertake bans, while others may want to focus on improved collection and recycling," the spokesperson said. John Hocevar, Oceans Campaign Director for Greenpeace USA, said the U.S. delegation's tactics under Trump marked a "return to old school bullying from the U.S. Government trying to use its financial prowess to convince governments to change their position in a way that benefits what the U.S. wants". A diplomatic source from a country supporting an ambitious treaty said that the treaty would be a key example of trying to preserve the multilateral system amidst a challenging global context. "Either multilateralism becomes the lowest common denominator, and we are only able to move forward on unambitious things, or we show that we are capable of having a global framework on important issues," they said. One of the world's leading producers of plastics, the U.S. has also proposed revising the draft objective of the treaty to reduce plastic pollution by eliminating a reference to an agreed "approach that addresses the full life cycle of plastics", in a proposed resolution seen by Reuters. A source familiar with the negotiations told Reuters it indicated that the U.S. is seeking to roll back language that had been agreed in 2022 to renegotiate the mandate for the Treaty. "Refusing to include plastic production in this treaty is not a negotiation stance. It is economic self-sabotage," Juan Carlos Monterrey-Gomez, head of delegation for Panama, told Reuters. "Those blocking progress are not protecting their industries. They are locking their people out of the next wave of prosperity." The U.S. stance broadly aligns with the positions laid out by the global petrochemicals industry, which stated similar positions ahead of the talks, and a number of powerful oil and petrochemical producer countries that have held this position throughout the negotiations. Over 100 countries have backed a cap on global plastic production. In the U.S., the Trump administration has numerous measures to roll back climate and environmental policies that it says place too many burdens on industry. Plastic production is set to triple by 2060 without intervention, choking oceans, harming human health and accelerating climate change, according to the OECD. (Reporting by Valerie Volcovici in Washington and Olivia Le Poidevin in Geneva, editing by Ed Osmond and Nick Zieminski)

byMario Satorik

in

August 06, 2025

Exclusive-Trump administration memo urges countries to reject plastic production caps in UN Treaty

Exclusive-Trump administration memo urges countries to reject plastic production caps in UN Treaty By Olivia Le Poidevin and Valerie Volcovi...

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'Speedway Slammer' immigration jail set to be Trump's next 'Alligator Alcatraz'

'Speedway Slammer' immigration jail set to be Trump's next 'Alligator Alcatraz'

The motorsports company behind the Indy 500 says it was caught off-guard by the Trump administration branding a new immigration detention center as the "Speedway Slammer." Following an Aug. 5 announcement that Indiana house up to 1,000 detained immigrants at a maximum-security prison, Homeland Security touted the agreement online with a mash-up photo that features an IndyCar with an imposing detention center in the background. The Republican-led state volunteered to host the Trump administration's next immigration detention center after Florida created a detention facility dubbed "Alligator Alcatraz." DHS SecretaryKristi Noemhas been touting the administration's efforts to rapidly expand immigration detention capacity amid a surge in immigrant arrests. "If you are in America illegally, you could find yourself in Indiana's Speedway Slammer,"Noem said in an Aug. 5 post on X. "Avoid arrest and self deport now using the CBP Home App." The "Speedway Slammer" nickname is in keeping with a White House effort to sell its growing immigration enforcement effort to the American people. The name references one of Indiana's best-known facilities, theIndianapolis Motor Speedway. The Speedway Slammer 🏁pic.twitter.com/fXlTgWW8jA — Homeland Security (@DHSgov)August 5, 2025 Penske Entertainment, the Speedway's owner, said in a statement to the IndyStar, part of the USA TODAY Network, that it was "unaware of plans to incorporate our imagery as part of announcement." "Consistent with our approach to public policy and political issues, we are communicating our preference that our IP not be utilized moving forward in relation to this matter," the statement said, referring to the company's intellectual property. Speaking to reporters on Wednesday,Tom Homan, the White House "border czar," dismissed concerns about the name of the facility, saying he doesn't name them. He said the focus should be on the work of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. "I don't want the names taken over the great work they're doing," he said. "This is serious work and it's dangerous work." He added: "Bottom line is the state should plan a role in this administration's efforts to remove public safety threats from this nation as quick as possible." Immigrant advocates say the nicknames obscurethe harrowing conditionsthathave been documentedin ICE detention in recent months and dehumanize the people held there. The average daily population in ICE custody rose to 57,000 in early August, from fewer than 40,000 in January, before PresidentDonald Trumptook office, according to ICE data. COMING SOON to Indiana: The Speedway Slammer.Today, we're announcing a new partnership with the state of Indiana to expand detention bed space by 1,000 beds. Thanks to@GovBraunfor his partnership to help remove the worst of the worst out of our country.If you are in… — Secretary Kristi Noem (@Sec_Noem)August 5, 2025 Indiana Gov. Mike Braun signed anexecutive orderin January directing state law enforcement agencies to "fully cooperate" with the federal crackdown on illegal immigration, including investigating, arresting and detaining undocumented immigrants. Indiana has already committed to using empty space at its Miami Correctional Facility on the former Grissom Air Force Base about 70 miles north of Indianapolis to house detained immigrants. The facility has about 3,100 beds, according to Annie Goeller, chief communications officer for IDOC, but part of it has gone unused because of a staffing shortage. More:IDOC prison to house up to 1,000 immigrant detainees as part of effort to ramp up arrests The Trump administration is looking to expand immigration detention capacity through local partnerships, private contracts and on military bases. Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas, became the first military base to erect an ICE detention camp. The administration is eyeing an Indiana base, as well. Elsewhere:First images of ICE migrant detention facility at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas On July 15, Defense SecretaryPete Hegsethoutlined plans to use Camp Atterbury, south of Indianapolis, to hold detained immigrants temporarily. The Trump administration wants to hold up to 1,000 ICE detainees at the military facility, according to Rep. André Carson, D-Ind. Braun told the IndyStar that as of Aug. 5, the Trump administration had not established a timeline for when it will use the military base for a detention camp. "When it comes to our state, we're going to cooperate … as we're housing detainees that have broken the law after they entered illegally," Braun told the IndyStar. "We're going to cooperate with the federal government." Contributing: Brittany Carloni,IndyStar; Eduardo Cuevas, USA TODAY IndyStar reporter Noe Padilla can be reached at npadilla@indystar.com. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star:'Speedway Slammer' set to be Trump's newest immigration jail

byMario Satorik

in

August 06, 2025

'Speedway Slammer' immigration jail set to be Trump's next 'Alligator Alcatraz'

'Speedway Slammer' immigration jail set to be Trump's next 'Alligator Alcatraz' The motorsports company behind the Indy ...

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Fantasy Football: Which WRs have the best chance to jump into the top 10 at the position this season?

Fantasy Football: Which WRs have the best chance to jump into the top 10 at the position this season?

Every fantasy football season during your draft, the main objective is to find value, players who can outperform their average draft position. With a bigger emphasis on points-per-reception scoring and the NFL being more pass-heavy, wide receivers have arguably become the most important position in fantasy. It's easy to identify and nail your top WR in the first few rounds. What may be difficult is identifying a value pick in the middle rounds who can outperform his ADP and vault into the top-10 among the position. [Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Football league for the 2025 NFL season] In this exercise, we asked a handful of Yahoo Fantasy analysts which receiver they believe has the best chance to jump into that top-10 group when it's all said and done in 2025. Here are their picks for most likely WR to go from being ranked in the 20s and finish in the top 10. It's not a stretch to imagine Sutton as a top-10 receiver. He performed at that level over the final two-thirds of 2024, after the Broncos took the training wheels off rookie quarterback Bo Nix. Sutton just received a juicy extension from Denver, and he's the unquestioned target when this team throws in the red area. I love that Suttoncan regress from last year's production and still offer an ADP profit. But don't overlook his upside, either. —Scott Pianowski Metcalf showed us his fantasy ceiling when he tied for the eighth-most fantasy points among receivers during his 83-catch, 1,303-yard, 10-touchdown campaign back in 2020. Since then, he's shared the field with some talented wideouts. Fortunately in Pittsburgh, target competition won't be a problem. What could be an issue is the mixing of strong personalities with Metcalf, Aaron Rodgers and offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. If they can coexist, even a declining version of Rodgers — who turns 42 in December — might still be an upgrade on the Steelers' quarterback play over the last few seasons. Rodgers also seems more than willing to lock onto his No. 1 receiver. Last season with the Jets, Davante Adams averaged the fourth most targets in the league (10.4) after he reunited with Rodgers over the final 11 games and was the WR9 in fppg during that span. Metcalf isn't at Adams' level, but he has posted double-digit touchdowns twice in his career and could certainly hit that mark again. When you factor in Metcalf having the eighth easiestfantasy strength of schedule, you start to see a fantasy WR who might have a special season in him. —Justin Boone Pickens took a big step forward last year as an individual player with a career-best 72.8% success rate vs. man coverage and 77.6% success rate vs. press (83rd percentile)in Reception Perception. He wasn't consistently locked in throughout the full season but there's every reason to think that will change in Dallas in the most healthy offensive environment he's played in as a pro and as he fights for a new contract. There's yet another level for him to reach as a player and he already ranks 17th among wide receivers in yards per route run over the last two years combined. Now, he should see both his routes, targets and catchable looks increase playing with Dak Prescott in a pass-happy offense. As long as Pickens is locked in, he could have a 2024 Tee Higgins-like season; one of the most productive No. 2 receivers in the league across from a versatile alpha wideout. That's the sort of touchdown ceiling that can launch a guy into the top 10 at the position even if he doesn't become a target hog. —Matt Harmon There's no way to spin Waddle's 2024 campaign positively. The fifth-year WR hit career lows in every metric from yards to yards per route run. And he can't hide behind Tua Tagovailoa's absence. When both were healthy (Weeks 8-14), Tyreek Hill was the only pass-catcher who could boast a +20.0% target share. Jonnu Smith saw more looks than Waddle. De'Von Achane generated more TDs. But there were aspects of the offense working in Waddle's favor. The "Skylar Thompson experience" wasn't just an anchor to the team's efficiency, but their passing volume, too. Miami went from 33.0 dropbacks per game to 39.6 with their QB1 back under center. In other words, the passing pie got larger. The Dolphins traded Smith so he could reunite with his former OC/HC. Said another way, the passing pie has fewer mouths to feed. Waddle was still second in air yards last year, indicating he's still a critical part of the aerial attack. And we're not too far removed from his WR8 finish in 2022. If both he and Tagovailoa can stay healthy, we know a top-10 outcome is in the cards for Waddle. —Chris Allen

byMario Satorik

in

August 06, 2025

Fantasy Football: Which WRs have the best chance to jump into the top 10 at the position this season?

Fantasy Football: Which WRs have the best chance to jump into the top 10 at the position this season? Every fantasy football season during y...

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