Governor Tate Reeves signed a bill eliminating Mississippi’s income tax over 14 years, making it the first state to do so. The legislation, passed due to unnoticed typos nullifying intended economic growth safeguards, also lowers the grocery sales tax and raises the gasoline tax to fund infrastructure improvements. While proponents argue this will stimulate economic growth and attract new residents, critics express concern over a significant budget shortfall, potential cuts to essential services, and increased tax burdens on lower-income residents. The bill’s long-term economic effects remain uncertain, with differing opinions among local officials and experts.
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Elon Musk’s America PAC held a rally in Green Bay, awarding two $1 million checks to petition signers, ostensibly to boost voter turnout in Wisconsin’s Supreme Court race. This action, mirroring similar efforts in prior elections, is viewed by some as a potentially illegal attempt to buy votes by incentivizing petition signing and offering further financial rewards for supporting his preferred candidate, Brad Schimel. The winners’ affiliations raise questions about the selection process, given one winner’s connection to a major Republican donor and the other’s role with the Wisconsin College Republicans. This strategy aims to influence the close election between Schimel and Susan Crawford.
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Senator Cory Booker delivered a 23-hour speech on the Senate floor, the second longest in Senate history, protesting President Trump’s administration. His marathon speech, though primarily symbolic, effectively halted Senate business and served as a high-profile rebuke of the administration’s actions. Booker cited numerous concerns, including potential healthcare cuts and the undermining of democratic institutions, framing the situation as a national crisis. The speech garnered support from fellow Democrats, who joined him on the floor, highlighting the party’s increasing pushback against the Trump administration.
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Senator Cory Booker’s lengthy Senate floor speech, exceeding Ted Cruz’s previous record of 21 hours and 19 minutes, focuses on criticizing the Trump administration’s policies and spending cuts. While not a formal filibuster, Booker’s speech, fueled by readings of various documents and testimonies, is a strategic move by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer to highlight key issues before the midterms. Booker continues to speak, aiming to surpass Strom Thurmond’s all-time record of 24 hours and 18 minutes, and has received praise from fellow Democrats. The speech’s duration remains uncertain.
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The defendant claims the encounter was consensual, stating the complainant initiated contact and consented to sex after he offered to walk her to a shop, but the prosecution argued this was rape, exploiting the victim’s intoxication. The prosecution sought a three-year suspended sentence, while the defense requested no sentence to avoid hindering the defendant’s medical career. The differing accounts of consent form the central conflict in the case.
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Russia’s spring military call-up, totaling 160,000 men aged 18-30, marks the largest conscription since 2011, reflecting a broader military expansion plan to nearly 2.39 million personnel. This increase, exceeding previous spring drafts by 10,000, comes despite ongoing attempts at a ceasefire and reports of conscripts’ deaths in Ukraine. The call-up is attributed to escalating threats stemming from the war in Ukraine and NATO expansion. While officially stated to not participate in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, past instances show that conscripts have been used to replace losses.
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The Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), a trilateral effort between the UK, Japan, and Italy, aims to develop a sixth-generation fighter jet by 2035. While Canada is not currently a partner, the UK government has expressed openness to future collaboration. This aligns with analysts’ suggestions, given Canada’s strong security ties with the UK and its adoption of the F-35, already utilized by GCAP members. GCAP’s advanced capabilities will replace existing fleets and foster international defense cooperation. The program is progressing with a demonstrator aircraft anticipated by 2027.
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Senator Cory Booker delivered a nearly 20-hour speech on the Senate floor, criticizing the Trump administration’s policies and actions. His marathon speech, prompted by constituent pressure for stronger responses to administration actions, highlighted concerns about violations of core American principles and the detrimental effects on various institutions. The speech, while not immediately impacting legislative action, drew comparisons to other lengthy Senate speeches aimed at raising awareness and influencing public debate. Booker’s actions garnered both praise from civil rights leaders and mockery from the White House.
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Senator Cory Booker engaged in a prolonged Senate floor speech, although not a technically defined filibuster, to protest what he views as unacceptable government actions. His speech, exceeding 15 hours, targeted conservative Republicans for various policy positions, including their handling of fiscal issues and support of figures perceived as undermining democratic institutions. Booker’s actions, largely ignored by mainstream media, draw a parallel to historical acts of civil disobedience, aiming for a memorable and impactful protest against the current political climate. He continues to speak out on issues such as threats to Social Security.
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New research reveals that Hamas has removed approximately 3,400 previously reported deaths from its Gaza war casualty figures, including 1,080 children. This significant reduction, identified by Honest Reporting and the Henry Jackson Society, suggests data falsification by Hamas. The deleted entries raise questions about the reliability of Hamas’s casualty reports, which have been widely cited by international media. Analysts suggest this action was an attempt by Hamas to enhance credibility, despite previous concerns regarding inflated civilian casualty numbers. The revised data, they argue, undermines Hamas’s narrative of disproportionate civilian targeting by Israeli forces.
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John Q. Hosedrinker