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The head-spinning, stomach-churning legislative session of 2023 is over. But hold on to the Dramamine and the antacids — the 2024 election is happening. So are activist groups seeking to shift votes left, right or sideways. MONEY MONSOON: In federal races — US president, US Senate and US House — candidates, party committees and other political action committees raised $832 million in the first five months of 2023. Candidates for Congress and Legislature have announced it, although the Oregon Secretary of State will not begin taking declarations of candidacy until September 14. FOCUS ON THE FIFTH: The 2022 election featured…

Thursday’s Supreme Court decision banning the use of affirmative action in college admissions drew condemnation from educational leaders, politicians and others in the Pioneer Valley and the state. In statement after statement released shortly after the ruling, these leaders were highly critical of the ruling and vowed to continue efforts to advocate for and advance diversity, equality and inclusion regardless of what the nation’s highest court ruled . Gov. Maura Healey said she would continue to seek greater representation in education despite the ruling in a statement signed by more than 100 higher education leaders, civil rights advocates and state…

TEXAS (CBSNewsTexas.com) – As Pride month draws to a close, some gay and lesbian Texas lawmakers from North Texas expressed concern and disappointment about the recent regular legislative session. State Rep. Julie Johnson, (D) Farmers Branch, a lesbian who has fought for LGBTQ equality for nearly 28 years, said, “The LGBT community is really under attack in the Texas state legislature.” Johnson and Rep. Venton Jones, (D) Dallas, who is gay and has advocated for black and LGBTQ residents, have a bit of a battle. “It was very exhausting to come in day after day after day after day to…

Washington CNN — The Supreme Court’s ruling in favor of a Colorado Christian web designer who refuses to create websites to perform same-sex weddings over religious objections will have a far-reaching impact on other minority groups and could open the door to a large number of research cases. to further reduce civil rights protections in the US. In a 6-3 opinion issued Friday by Justice Neil Gorsuch joined by the court’s five other conservatives, the justices said First Amendment free speech protections allowed web designer Lorie Smith, refusing to expand its same-sex services. weddings The ruling was rooted in free…

Affirmative action for whites? Legacy college admissions are coming under renewed scrutinyBiden Offers New Student Debt Relief Plan, Attacks GOP After Supreme Court RulingSupreme Court rejects Biden’s plan to wipe out $400 billion in student loan debtSupreme Court rules for designer who won’t make wedding websites for gay couplesThe gubernatorial candidate’s plans to attend the rally sparked Republican infighting in Kentucky… READ MORE Affirmative action for whites? Legacy college admissions are coming under renewed scrutiny Biden Offers New Student Debt Relief Plan, Attacks GOP After Supreme Court Ruling Supreme Court rejects Biden’s plan to wipe out $400 billion in student…

Your browser does not support the audio element. This was another frustrating week for people hoping to see Portland leaders address the city’s homelessness problem. Mayor Ted Wheeler abandoned, for now, his plan to get tough on drug use. A new report called the Portland Street Response program successful, then questioned the city’s commitment to its future success. And the head of that program resigned for reasons that remain murky. On this week’s show, OPB editor Anna Griffin and city reporter Alex Zielinski discuss what this complicated news week means for the city’s approach to its most intractable problem and…

Rep. George Santos of New York appeared briefly in federal court Friday in Long Island for what attorneys called a “basic status conference” as the criminal case against him moves forward. It was the first court appearance since the Republican congressman pleaded not guilty last month to a 13-count indictment charging him with fraud, money laundering and theft of public funds. The government has turned over 80,000 pages of material to Santos’ legal team, prosecutor Ryan Harris told the judge, opening discovery in the case. Santos, who has denied wrongdoing, said nothing during the hearing. Their lawyer, Joe Murray, told…

Gov. Jim Justice announced a $1.8 billion tax revenue surplus in his first video appearance since gallbladder surgery Monday. (Screengrab photo) CHARLESTON — In his first video appearance since gallbladder surgery Monday, Gov. Jim Justice praised West Virginia for ending the fiscal year at midnight Friday with more than $1.8 billion in surplus tax revenue. “We just did it with everyone pulling the rope together,” Justice said in a pre-recorded video message Friday morning. “You deserve so much credit, West Virginia. It’s your money and you’re the ones who made it happen. You’re the engines that moved this great state…