South Carolina House member RJ May, under the screen name “joebidennnn69,” has agreed to plead guilty to distributing child sexual abuse material. The former Republican, who resigned earlier this year, is accused of exchanging 220 files of child sexual abuse content on Kik. Facing up to 20 years in prison per count, May will also be required to register as a sex offender and could be fined $250,000. May, who acted as his own attorney, is scheduled to formally change his plea in federal court.
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Oregon State Representative Cyrus Javadi has announced his departure from the Republican Party, becoming a Democrat. Javadi cited the GOP’s abandonment of core principles like fiscal responsibility and the rule of law as the reason for his switch. His move strengthens the Democratic supermajority in the Oregon House, weakening Republican influence. Javadi stated he found more common ground with Democrats focused on problem-solving. The switch comes amid a backdrop of shifting party affiliations nationwide.
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A Justice Department staffer was secretly recorded stating the department would redact all Republican names from the Jeffrey Epstein investigation files before their release. The staffer, speaking to an undercover operative, indicated that only the names of liberal Democrats would remain visible in the files, despite the administration’s claim of transparency in providing the files to Capitol Hill. The Justice Department has since confirmed the video’s authenticity while denying the staffer’s claims, stating his comments were based on media reports and lacked knowledge of the review process. The incident has fueled conservative backlash over the administration’s handling of the Epstein files, with a House Oversight Committee subpoena and legal action being taken to ensure the material’s release.
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James E. Yokeley, the GOP election chairman of Surry County, North Carolina, was arrested for allegedly drugging his granddaughters’ ice cream with cocaine and MDMA. Police responded to a report where the children discovered pills in their ice cream purchased at a Dairy Queen. Video footage revealed Yokeley placing the pills in the ice cream, leading to his arrest on multiple felony charges, including child abuse and contaminating food. Yokeley has been barred from seeing his granddaughters, and the Surry County Board of Elections is aware of the situation.
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During a town hall event in Bolivar, Missouri, Republican Representative Mark Alford faced criticism from constituent Fred Higginbotham. Higginbotham, a farmer, expressed his anger over funding issues and criticized Alford’s perceived alignment with former President Donald Trump. The outburst, captured in a C-Span clip, resulted in applause from some audience members, highlighting growing discontent among constituents. Despite the heated exchange, Alford acknowledged Higginbotham’s concerns and stated his staff would speak with him, and will continue hosting town halls in his district.
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Texas lawmakers have approved new congressional maps that are likely to benefit Republicans in the upcoming elections. The redistricting plans, which passed the Texas House of Representatives after a period of opposition from Democrats, are expected to create several new Republican-leaning seats, potentially solidifying the party’s majority in Washington D.C. The maps were drawn amidst a contentious debate over gerrymandering, with Democrats accusing Republicans of drawing the maps along racial lines. Other states, including California, are considering similar actions, with California’s Governor Gavin Newsom responding with, “It’s on, Texas.”
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Texas Representative Nicole Collier filed a writ of habeas corpus, arguing that her confinement in the state Capitol by the Republican majority is unlawful. Collier, along with other Democrats, had previously left the state to block the enactment of new congressional maps. House Speaker Dustin Burrows, a Republican, subsequently required Democratic legislators to sign a form agreeing to 24-hour police surveillance, which Collier refused to do. Collier’s lawsuit contends that the legislature lacks the power to detain a lawmaker based on concerns about future absences, thus making her confinement illegal.
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Vice President JD Vance is touring key districts, including Ohio, to promote the “One Big, Beautiful Bill,” a Republican-led legislative package. The bill includes tax deductions on overtime, a new children’s savings program, and promotes energy extraction, while also incorporating elements of Trump’s immigration agenda. The legislation passed with a narrow margin, with Vance breaking a tie in the Senate. This public relations push is occurring as the White House navigates controversy surrounding the Jeffrey Epstein case and its potential impact on upcoming elections.
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A recent Wall Street Journal poll reveals that over half of registered voters oppose Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill.” The bill’s unpopularity stems from provisions that include substantial tax breaks for the wealthy, cuts to Medicaid funding, and increased spending on immigration enforcement and the fossil fuel industry. The poll showed that Democrats and Independents largely oppose the bill, and most respondents believe the legislation benefits the wealthy while harming the poor, working class, and the U.S. economy. Despite the negative perception, Republicans are blaming the bill’s unpopularity on Democrats.
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During a recent Oklahoma State Board of Education meeting, Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters allegedly had images of nude women displayed on his office television, according to board members Becky Carson and Ryan Deatherage. Carson stated she confronted Walters about the images during the executive session, prompting him to turn off the television. The superintendent’s communications director dismissed the report as a “joke,” while Walters has previously expressed opposition to “sexual material”. State legislators are responding to the allegations, with some calling for an investigation and others advocating for all involved parties to share their perspectives.
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John Q. Hosedrinker