Democracy

Ex-lawmaker David Lewis becomes the state’s latest prominent Republican to be a convicted felon

By Alanna Joyner / September 4, 2020 / Comments Off on Ex-lawmaker David Lewis becomes the state’s latest prominent Republican to be a convicted felon

Last week, a federal judge accepted the guilty plea of former State Rep. David Lewis who funneled campaign dollars to his family farm. Lewis pleaded guilty to making false statements to a bank and for failing to file a 2018 federal tax return. Following Greg Lindberg and Robin Hayes, Lewis becomes the state’s latest prominent…

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As Trump Downplayed Coronavirus, His Task Force Warned Of ‘Red Zone’ States Like NC

By Alanna Joyner / September 1, 2020 / Comments Off on As Trump Downplayed Coronavirus, His Task Force Warned Of ‘Red Zone’ States Like NC

New White House documents released today show that in June, top Trump administration officials privately warned seven states about dangerous coronavirus outbreaks that put them in the highest risk “red zone” while the administration publicly downplayed the virus’ risk. According to House Democrats, the reports obtained from the White House coronavirus task force indicates that…

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Cardinal & Pine: Federal Crimes Took David Lewis Down. But Voter Suppression Is What He’ll Be Remembered For.

By Alanna Joyner / August 25, 2020 / Comments Off on Cardinal & Pine: Federal Crimes Took David Lewis Down. But Voter Suppression Is What He’ll Be Remembered For.

Last week, North Carolina State Rep. David Lewis resigned moments before being charged with two federal crimes. Lewis, the chairman of the House Rules Committee since 2015, was found to have conducted a scheme to transfer money from his campaign committee to help his ailing farm. According to court documents, Lewis made $365,000 in transfers…

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As US postmaster testifies to Congress, states sue over mail delays

By Alanna Joyner / August 24, 2020 / Comments Off on As US postmaster testifies to Congress, states sue over mail delays

Six states, including North Carolina, sued the Postal Service and the U.S. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy on Friday, alleging that recent operational and service changes have harmed the ability of states to conduct free and fair elections. On the same day, DeJoy testified before a Senate committee about the operation and integrity of the Postal…

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Cardinal & Pine: Ahead of RNC, Families Who Have Lost Loved Ones to COVID Have a Message: We Blame Trump

By Alanna Joyner / August 24, 2020 / Comments Off on Cardinal & Pine: Ahead of RNC, Families Who Have Lost Loved Ones to COVID Have a Message: We Blame Trump

Amid the Republican National Convention taking place in Charlotte, North Carolina this week, mourners across the nation joined in for the March for the Dead on Friday. As more than 176,000 Americans have passed away from COVID-19, people who have lost loved ones are demanding accountability from the Trump Administration over its mishandling of the…

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Trump’s attacks on voting-by-mail and the Post Office

By Alanna Joyner / August 17, 2020 / Comments Off on Trump’s attacks on voting-by-mail and the Post Office

In a long list of false claims and furious objections to voting-by-mail, Trump admitted on Thursday that he’s willingly blocking proposed federal aid for the U.S. Postal Service in an attempt to make it harder to expand voting by mail. For years, the Postal Service has struggled to stay afloat, and with Louis DeJoy, a…

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The Hill: Senate adjourns until September without COVID-19 relief package

By Alanna Joyner / August 17, 2020 / Comments Off on The Hill: Senate adjourns until September without COVID-19 relief package

Last Thursday, the Senate adjourned until September 8, without reaching a deal for the next round of coronavirus relief legislation. The lack of a deal leaves millions of Americans in financial peril, as the $600 per week federal unemployment benefit, the nationwide moratorium on evictions and the window to apply for Paycheck Protection Program small…

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NPR: Census Cuts All Counting Efforts Short By A Month

By Alanna Joyner / August 12, 2020 / Comments Off on NPR: Census Cuts All Counting Efforts Short By A Month

Last week, the U.S. Census Bureau announced that its ending all counting efforts, including door knocks, responses by mail, over the phone and online, for the 2020 census on Sept. 30 — a month sooner than previously announced.  The last minute change imposed by the Trump administration, could threaten the accuracy of population numbers, especially…

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Mail Delays And Lack Of Funding Fuel Concern Trump Is Undercutting Postal System Ahead of Voting

By Alanna Joyner / August 11, 2020 / Comments Off on Mail Delays And Lack Of Funding Fuel Concern Trump Is Undercutting Postal System Ahead of Voting

Trump has continued his relentless attack on vote-by-mail elections as many are considering the alternative option due to the pandemic. And as the Postal Service announced its three month $2.2 billion loss, its dire financial situation can be traced back to decades of attempts to privatize the mail carrier. Since the first negotiation of the…

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WRAL: Relief packages should be about helping Americans, not just boosting Trump’s reelection

By Alanna Joyner / August 10, 2020 / Comments Off on WRAL: Relief packages should be about helping Americans, not just boosting Trump’s reelection

On Saturday, Trump signed three memoranda and one executive order at his exclusive New Jersey golf resort, ahead of any stimulus bill agreement between the House and Senate. In an attempt to appear to come to the nation’s rescue, Trump’s measures would provide $300 per week in federal unemployment assistance with another $100 a week…

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