Nancy Pelosi has stepped down from Democratic leadership after nearly 20 years. The House Speaker said on November 17 that she does not plan to have a position in the new Congress. Pelosi makes the decision after Republicans take control of the House post midterm elections. The attack on her husband, Paul Pelosi, in October … Continue reading
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Were four conservative justices “scared” to side against Republican leaders in the court’s recent opinion on felon voting rights? Gov. Terry McAuliffe thinks so. The Richmond Times-Dispatch (http://bit.ly/2aYNhZW ) reports that McAuliffe blasted last month’s 4-3 Supreme Court of Virginia ruling Monday during an appearance on a WIQO-FM radio show. The … Continue reading
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — The Latest on fallout from GOP Gov. Paul LePage’s obscenity-laced tirade against a Democratic legislator (all times local): 9:50 a.m. Maine Republican Gov. Paul LePage has met with a Democratic lawmaker to apologize for leaving an obscene rant on his voicemail and for making a comment about aiming a gun between … Continue reading
JERUSALEM (AP) — Oscar-winning actress Helen Mirren said Wednesday, June 22, she was a “believer” in Israel and rejected efforts to boycott it. Mirren showered Israeli artists with praise and said she opposed both the efforts by pro-Palestinian groups to boycott them and the decision of some international artists to shun Israel. “I think that … Continue reading
LONDON (AP) — Britain’s long and difficult referendum campaign has resumed in earnest after a three-day halt caused by the killing of Labour Party lawmaker Jo Cox in a brazen knife and gun attack. The death has cast a pall over the referendum set for Thursday, and its impact on the eventual results — if … Continue reading
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Oscar-winning actress Anne Hathaway was appointed a goodwill ambassador Wednesday for the U.N. agency promoting gender equality and the empowerment of women. UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, who announced the appointment, called her a longstanding supporter of women’s and girls’ rights. She said Hathaway will put the spotlight on women’s … Continue reading
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Hillary Clinton has scheduled a campaign stop in Virginia’s Hampton Roads area. The presumptive Democratic presidential nominee’s campaign made the announcement Saturday. Clinton will be in Virginia on Tuesday, June 21. Her campaign says Clinton will “discuss her vision of an America that is stronger when it is united, and lay … Continue reading
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court said Monday it will review a districting plan for the Virginia House of Delegates that challengers say gives too little power to African-American voters in an effort to boost Republican strength. The case concerns claims that a plan approved in 2011 illegally packed black voters into a dozen legislative … Continue reading
WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump has invested in some of the companies that he uses as punching bags on the campaign trail, according to new financial documents he submitted to the U.S. government. In his 104-page public financial disclosure report, the presumptive Republican nominee reported holding investments in companies like Ford Motor Co., Apple Inc. … Continue reading
WASHINGTON (AP) — Six decades after the Supreme Court outlawed separating students by race, stubborn disparities persist in how the country educates its poor and minority children. A report Tuesday by the nonpartisan Government Accountability Office found deepening segregation of black and Hispanic students at high-poverty K-12 public schools. These schools often offered fewer math, … Continue reading
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Virginia spent hundreds of dollars an hour for private attorneys for state officials, according to an annual report from the attorney general’s office. Last year, the state spent $14.8 million on outside attorneys for government officials, the Daily Press reported. The report showed the hourly rates ranged from $125 for immigration … Continue reading
LAS VEGAS (AP) — As Oregon and Kentucky queue up to vote in the Democratic presidential nominating contest, the pall of a divisive state party convention in Nevada hangs over the race. The Nevada Democratic Party shuttered its offices for security reasons Monday and wrote a letter to the Democratic National Committee accusing supporters of … Continue reading
WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump is moving quickly to install political operatives in more than a dozen states, targeting Maine and Minnesota among others that traditionally favor Democrats, as the Republican White House contender lays the groundwork for an expanded electoral battlefield. The staffing expansion, outlined by campaign strategists not authorized to speak publicly about … Continue reading
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Virginia Republican lawmakers failed to override several of Democratic Gov. Terry McAuliffe’s vetoes Wednesday on coal-related tax credits, legislation related to clergy opposed to same-sex marriage and other issues. Lawmakers returned to Richmond for a one-day legislative session to vote on McAuliffe’s vetoes and amendments to legislation passed earlier this year. … Continue reading
WASHINGTON (AP) — In an extraordinary display of internal discord, the chairman of the Republican Party’s rules committee accused top GOP officials Saturday of “a breach of our trust” by improperly trying to impede a proposed change in bylaws that would make it harder for party leaders to nominate a fresh candidate for president. … Continue reading
Spartan Echo 