Democrat Xp Lee secured victory in a special election to fill the seat of the late Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman, defeating Republican Ruth Bittner. The election, held in a Democratic district, restored a legislative tie in the state house, following the assassination of Hortman and her husband in June. Lee, a former city council member and Hortman mentee, vowed to carry forward Hortman’s legacy amid national concern over political violence, which spurred the election. The accused perpetrator, Vance Boelter, is facing charges for the murders of Hortman and her husband, as well as attempted murder of other Democratic lawmakers.
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Director Kash Patel faced accusations of concealing information regarding Jeffrey Epstein and President Trump during congressional inquiries. Patel deflected questions about Trump’s involvement in Epstein files, citing legal limitations despite previous promises of transparency. He also sidestepped queries about meeting with Epstein’s victims and their credibility. Republicans countered by accusing Democrats of political grandstanding, highlighting a lack of prior concern during previous administrations.
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Documents reveal that Donald Trump’s Aberdeenshire golf course has violated sewage contamination limits 14 times since 2019, with eight incidents categorized as “upper tier” events. These breaches, identified by the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (Sepa), involved exceeding limits for contaminants such as biochemical oxygen demand, suspended solids, and ammoniacal nitrogen. While Trump International maintains their system has not caused environmental damage, Sepa reports that the breaches have happened. The golf course, which includes a hotel and restaurants, built the course in 2012 despite Sepa’s initial objections.
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Denmark has increased its military presence in Greenland with Exercise Arctic Light, a large training mission, due to concerns about potential threats from Russia and China in the Arctic. While Danish officials publicly express these concerns, they also state no immediate military threat exists. However, this military buildup, including a $9 billion arms purchase from European manufacturers instead of the U.S., seems to be a response to former U.S. President Donald Trump’s interest in Greenland. The message to allies is Denmark is actively protecting its territory.
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Following a Truth Social post by Donald Trump, California Governor Gavin Newsom responded with a scathing rebuke. Trump’s post contained false claims about low-income housing in Pacific Palisades and the state’s wildfire response. Newsom’s office called out Trump’s fabricated claims, urging him to take “dementia meds.” This latest exchange continues the rivalry between Newsom and Trump, with the governor frequently criticizing the former president.
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A recent IBRiS poll revealed that a significant majority of Poles dismissed the notion that a Russian drone incursion into Polish airspace was accidental, contradicting statements made by U.S. President Donald Trump. The poll showed that 81.7% of respondents rejected the possibility of an accident, while only a small fraction agreed with Trump’s assessment. Polish officials also rejected Trump’s characterization, with leaders like Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski accusing Russia of deliberate violation. The survey was conducted via telephone interviews with over a thousand respondents in mid-September.
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Brazil’s recent conviction of former President Bolsonaro for attempting to overturn his election defeat stands in stark contrast to the US, where institutions have struggled to hold Trump accountable. The parallels between Bolsonaro and Trump are striking, yet Brazil’s institutions, with a history of overcoming dictatorship, were able to defend democracy through strong judicial action and a non-partisan military. Key lessons for the US include the necessity of a pro-democracy Supreme Court, the importance of other democratic institutions standing firm, and conservatives breaking from populist movements. Ultimately, Brazil’s experience highlights the potential for democracy to prevail when leaders in key institutions demonstrate the courage to defend it.
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A Guardian investigation reveals the Trump administration has significantly weakened efforts to combat human trafficking across multiple federal agencies, potentially undermining decades of progress. Key initiatives at the State Department, Department of Justice, and Department of Homeland Security have been cut back, with personnel shifted, grants delayed or canceled, and an annual report on trafficking’s global trends stalled. These actions, coupled with a focus on deporting immigrants, are viewed by anti-trafficking advocates as a retreat that will allow traffickers to operate with greater impunity. The Trump administration has defended its actions, citing border security efforts as a key strategy against human trafficking, but critics argue that the administration’s moves have a negative impact on victims and survivors.
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Reports indicate that President Trump’s economic and immigration policies are negatively impacting American farmers, particularly those reliant on exports. Tariffs imposed on Chinese imports led to retaliatory measures, including China halting purchases of US soybeans, a major export crop. This situation has made American farmers uncompetitive, leading to financial distress and crop surpluses. Additionally, anti-immigrant policies have created labor shortages, further exacerbating the challenges faced by farmers, highlighting the multifaceted impact of the administration’s actions on this crucial sector.
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During a press briefing, President Trump claimed he was unfamiliar with murdered Minnesota State Rep. Melissa Hortman when asked if flags should have been lowered to half-staff after her death. He later stated he would have authorized the lowering of flags if requested by the Minnesota Governor. This response came after Trump ordered flags lowered for right-wing activist Charlie Kirk, who was assassinated, highlighting the increasing concerns about political violence. Trump also commented on the political divide, claiming radicals on the left were the problem.
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John Q. Hosedrinker