| Sarah McBride wins Delaware race, becoming nation's 1st openly transgender state senator Posted: 03 Nov 2020 07:31 PM PST  Delaware made history on Tuesday, electing the nation's first openly transgender state senator.
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| Mitch McConnell: GOP needs to do better in suburbs, with college voters, women Posted: 04 Nov 2020 10:08 AM PST  Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), who was projected to secure another term in the upper chamber on Tuesday and is now waiting to find out if he'll remain majority leader, said Wednesday that he's generally pleased with the Republican Party's performance in the 2020 general election. "We had, overall, I think a better election than most people thought we were gonna have," he told reporters.But he also acknowledged there is a lot of room for improvement -- for starters, he suggested the GOP needs to catch up with the Democratic Party when it comes to online fundraising, heaping praise on the opposition's small donor platform, ActBlue, which brought in a lot of money; McConnell called it a "terrific model."As for demographics, the senator said he wants to see Republicans "win back the suburbs" and improve with college-educated and women voters. > Mitch McConnell acknowledges the "improvement" Republicans must make make with crucial voting blocs: "We need to win back the suburbs. We need to do better with college-educated voters than we're doing lately. And we need to do better with women." https://t.co/fxHKy8hSEp pic.twitter.com/IHeWsy7Dvt> > -- CBS News (@CBSNews) November 4, 2020More stories from theweek.com The left just got crushed A Biden presidency might essentially be over before it can begin Biden has now received more votes for president than any other candidate in U.S. history
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| Mississippi approves flag with magnolia, ‘In God We Trust’ Posted: 02 Nov 2020 10:36 PM PST  Mississippi will fly a new state flag with a magnolia and the phrase "In God We Trust," with voters approving the design Tuesday. The magnolia flag was the only design on the general election ballot, and voters were asked to say yes or no. A majority said yes. Mississippi has been without a flag since late June, when legislators surrendered the last state banner in the U.S. that included the Confederate battle emblem — a red field topped by a blue X with 13 white stars.
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| Biden calls for patience, says, 'We're going to win this,' as presidential race remains too close to call Posted: 03 Nov 2020 10:01 PM PST  Former Vice President Joe Biden, appearing early Wednesday in Wilmington, Del., praised his supporters' patience and expressed optimism about his chances of winning the presidential election.
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| Huckabee: 'Would be a shame if Philadelphia became a place where liberty also died' Posted: 04 Nov 2020 06:28 AM PST  Fox News contributor Mike Huckabee blasts Philadelphia's election vote count delay.
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| Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Carnival Corp. cancel cruises through the end of the year Posted: 02 Nov 2020 07:08 PM PST  Royal Caribbean Group, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. and Carnival Corp. announced they will cancel most sailings through the end of 2020.
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| Cardinal Timothy Dolan: Supreme Court can root out Philadelphia's anti-Catholic bigotry Posted: 04 Nov 2020 02:01 AM PST  Since this nation's very beginnings, the Church has gone to meet the needy, only to be met with opposition from those who disagree with its beliefs.
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| Judge orders Election Day sweep for missing mail ballots, including in South Florida Posted: 03 Nov 2020 11:32 AM PST  A federal judge ordered the U.S. Postal Service to sweep mail facilities for undelivered ballots on Election Day in areas nationwide, including South Florida.
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| Democrat Cory Booker defeats GOP challenger Rik Mehta in race for US Senate seat in New Jersey Posted: 03 Nov 2020 10:10 PM PST  Incumbent Democratic Sen. Cory Booker faced off against Rik Mehta for a US Senate seat in New Jersey.
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| Trump sounds 'exhausted' Posted: 03 Nov 2020 07:18 AM PST  President Trump just capped off a frantic effort in the final stretch of his re-election campaign, holding multiple rallies a day several days in a row, including five apiece on Sunday and Monday. And it sounds like the hectic schedule has taken a toll.The president appeared on Fox & Friends on Tuesday morning as polls opened around the country, and many observers noted that he sounded exhausted.> I've never heard Trump sound like this. There was a clear difference in his demeanor and energy level between Kenosha & Grand Rapids last night. https://t.co/kJJO6CHYKC> > -- John T. Bennett (@BennettJohnT) November 3, 2020Even his rhetoric was a bit toned down -- Trump has stirred controversy throughout the campaign over how he may react to results on election night, and there have been reports (which he's denied) that he's planning to declare a premature victory if ahead. But on Tuesday, Trump merely said he'll declare victory "when there's victory, if there's victory ... there's no reason to play games." > An exhausted-sounding Trump on when he'll declare victory: "When there's victory. If there's victory ... there's no reason to play games." pic.twitter.com/MiuuPjTe1E> > -- Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) November 3, 2020More stories from theweek.com COVID-19 keeps proving everyone wrong Is this the year the New South turns blue? Democrats' first priority
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| NC man says he was told at polls to cast second ballot. ‘How was I able to vote twice?’ Posted: 04 Nov 2020 02:33 PM PST  "There's definitely a flaw in the system, for sure. That's concerning."
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| Mitch McConnell says a coronavirus relief package should be passed by the end of the year — and opens the door to including a key Democratic demand Posted: 04 Nov 2020 10:50 AM PST  The Senate Republican leader said another coronavirus relief package should be passed by the end of the year, and could include state and local aid.
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| A 20-year-old college student died while quarantining in her dorm room after developing symptoms of COVID-19 Posted: 04 Nov 2020 11:08 AM PST  Bethany Nesbitt, a 20-year-old psychology student at Grace College, suffered a pulmonary embolism, the result of blood clots caused by the virus.
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| More women and more Black women than ever ran for Congress in 2020, but they still lost ground Posted: 04 Nov 2020 04:02 PM PST  In 2020, Black women set a new record – 117 entered primaries for the House and 13 for the U.S. Senate, according to the Center for American Women and Politics.In total, 643 women were candidates in congressional primary and general elections, including a record number of Asian or Pacific Islander, Latina, Middle Eastern or North African and Native American women. Still, women ended up losing eight seats in Congress. In 2018, the nation elected 127 women – and 48 women of color – to the House and Senate. This year, that dropped to 117 women and 45 women of color.Throughout my career as a political science professor, I've studied women's representation in mayoral, congressional, gubernatorial and presidential elections. Here's my look at the female demographics of Congress following the 2020 elections. Freshmen no moreMany of the women first elected to Congress in 2018 retained their seats.All four members of "the Squad" were reelected. These women – Ayanna Pressley, Ilhan Omar, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Rashida Tlaib – are Democratic women of color known for their progressive policies, including the Green New Deal.Also reelected were Illinois Democrat Lauren Underwood, winner of a predominantly white and Republican district in 2018; Jahana Hayes, the first Black woman to represent Connecticut; and Georgia's Lucy McBath, winner in a district that had been held by Republicans for almost four decades. These reelections prove that their victories in 2018's "pink wave" weren't a fluke and that they have real staying power in Congress. In some of the 2020 congressional races, Black women ran against each other – a sign of their strong participation. For example, Florida's Val Demings, Florida's Frederica Wilson and Georgia's Nikema Williams – who will succeed the late civil rights icon John Lewis – won their congressional races after defeating other Black females. Notable newcomersSome women will be joining Congress for the first time in January.Cori Bush, a Black Lives Matter activist, became Missouri's first Black female congresswoman and represents a district that includes the cities of St. Louis and Ferguson, the site of the police killing of African American teenager Michael Brown in 2014. Ferguson also elected its first Black female mayor this year.Bush defeated African American Congressman William Lacy Clay Jr.. Clay, Jr. and his father represented the district for over 50 years. Other women of color joining Congress for the first time include Telemundo journalist Maria Elvira Salazar, a Republican who unseated Donna Shalala in Florida, and attorney Teresa Fernandez, a Democrat from New Mexico. Some underdogs didn't make itSo who lost?Arkansas's Joyce Elliott, a teacher and veteran state legislator, came up short in her bid to become the first African American congressional member from Arkansas.Florida's Pam Keith, a military veteran and attorney, lost by a wide margin to her Republican opponent. Patricia Timmons-Goodson, the first African American member of the North Carolina Supreme Court whose federal judicial nomination by Barack Obama was blocked by Republicans, failed to win a seat in Congress. Also coming up short was Tennessee's Marquita Bradshaw, a single mother and environmental activist who would have been Tennessee's first Black female congressional member if she had won. California's Tamika Hamilton, Georgia's Vivian Childs, Maryland's Kimberly Klacik and Ohio's Lavern Gore are all Republicans who ran in mostly urban Democratic districts, but none won on election night. All Black female congresswomen – with the exception of Utah's Mia Love, who served one term in the House – have been Democrats, suggesting that the path to victory is especially steep for Black Republican women. A white man's government?For most of its history, the members of both Houses of Congress have been white men. The monotony began to break in 1917 when Montana's Jeannette Rankin became the first female congresswoman. In 1964, Hawaii's Patsy Mink became the first Asian American congresswoman. The first Latina, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen of Florida, was elected in 1989. In 1968, the late Shirley Chisholm became the first Black woman to serve in Congress. Four years later, two more Black women arrived in Congress, Barbara Jordan of Texas and Yvonne Braithwaite-Burke of California. Chisholm called Black women "catalysts for change" in politics. U.S. Rep Maxine Waters, a Democrat from California, once tweeted, "I cannot be intimidated and I'm not going anywhere." [Deep knowledge, daily. Sign up for The Conversation's newsletter.]Kimberlé Crenshaw's theory of intersectionality suggests Black women are disadvantaged because of the "intersection" of their racial, gender and class identities. One result is that they encounter disadvantages when running for office. Some of these women were disadvantaged by their race, gender or class when running against well-funded incumbents. Yet, my work in the field of women and politics also suggests that the long tradition of Black female political leadership in America is gaining momentum.This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit news site dedicated to sharing ideas from academic experts. It was written by: Sharon Austin, University of Florida.Read more: * Did prehistoric women hunt? New research suggests so * Why there's so much legal uncertainty about resolving a disputed presidential electionSharon Austin does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
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| 'Our land has been captured': Villagers attest to Chinese annexation of Nepalese territory Posted: 03 Nov 2020 09:43 AM PST  China's annexation of 150 hectares of Nepal - dismissed by the Foreign Ministry in Beijing as "rumours" - has been corroborated by fresh testimony from Nepalese villagers. On Monday, The Daily Telegraph revealed that members of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) had seized land in five districts of the tiny Himalayan country by sending troops across the undefended border. The soldiers then moved stone pillars which had previously demarcated the boundary further into Nepalese territory, before constructing buildings which included military bases, according to Nepalese politicians. Beijing employed similar tactics when it annexed at least 60 square kilometres of Indian territory in Ladakh in June, where clashes saw 20 Indian troops die of reported clubbing and rock-throwing. The Chinese Foreign Ministry said that allegations of the PLA annexing Nepalese territory were a "completely unfounded rumour." A spokesperson told The Telegraph: "[I have] an accurate and clear answer for you… that report is not based on facts, that is based on pure rumour." But on Tuesday, villagers from the Humla district in the north-west of Nepal were steadfast in claiming Chinese troops had seized Nepalese land. Paljor Lama, 46, from the Limi Valley, said since the time of his grandparents several stone boundary pillars separated Nepal from China in an area of lowland called Yaktuk Dosha. Overnight in June, Chinese troops moved these pillars inland and annexed around 30 hectares of Nepalese territory. "The land which has been used by local people for a long time is now under the control of China. It is clear that our land has been captured," said Mr Lama.
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| Brazil president's senator son charged with corruption Posted: 04 Nov 2020 09:07 AM PST  Brazilian prosecutors on Wednesday charged President Jair Bolsonaro's son Flavio with corruption, accusing him of skimming money off the top of his staffers' salaries when he was a Rio de Janeiro state lawmaker.
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| Letters to the Editor: Voter suppression backfired. That doesn't mean the GOP didn't try hard Posted: 04 Nov 2020 03:00 AM PST  Republican lawmakers put obstacles in the way of voters, who reacted defiantly. This doesn't let the GOP off the hook.
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| ‘Someone may have to pay a price’: Judge lashes Postal Service for defying ballot order Posted: 04 Nov 2020 09:53 AM PST  The Postal Service did not comply with a last-minute court order to deploy postal inspectors to sweep facilities for undelivered ballots.
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| Democrats raised more than $315 million to decisively lose 6 Senate races Posted: 04 Nov 2020 11:05 AM PST  Democrats raised an unprecedented amount of money to challenge Republicans' Senate majority. It didn't pay off.Democratic Senate candidates set fundraising record after fundraising record throughout 2020, bringing in a combined $315 million as they tried to flip races in Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Montana, South Carolina, and Texas. But Democrats ended up losing all six of those races as of Wednesday, and in most cases, the results weren't even close.Democrat Jaime Harrison led the 2020 fundraising charge as he tried to unseat Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), bringing in a huge $107.5 million only to lose by about 14 points, early results indicate. Amy McGrath meanwhile brought in more than $88 million, but suffered an even bigger 20-point loss as she tried to oust Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.). Theresa Greenfield in Iowa, Sara Gideon in Maine, Steve Bullock in Montana, and M.J. Hegar in Texas are projected to lose by smaller margins, but still failed to fulfill polls that predicted potential flips.Two Senate races in Georgia and another in North Carolina are still up in the air, though early results indicate they're all headed in Republicans' favor. One of Georgia's races will head to a runoff, with Sen. Kelly Loeffler (R) in close competition against Rev. Raphael Warnock (D). And even if Democrat Cal Cunningham wins in North Carolina and Democrat Jon Ossoff wins in Georgia's other race, it still won't be enough to turn the Senate blue.Only John Hickenlooper in Colorado and Mark Kelly in Arizona are projected to pick up wins for Democrats, but a projected loss for Sen. Doug Jones (D-Ala.) will negate one of those gains, and a still-undecided tossup for Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.) could solidify the Senate's status quo.More stories from theweek.com The left just got crushed A Biden presidency might essentially be over before it can begin Biden has now received more votes for president than any other candidate in U.S. history
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| The Electoral College can pick a president who got fewer votes. Here's why and how. Posted: 04 Nov 2020 11:09 AM PST  The 2020 presidential election again highlights one of the most confusing and controversial parts of the U.S. elections: The Electoral College.
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| 'Together, we can move forward': Gap deletes tone-deaf election tweet after online backlash Posted: 04 Nov 2020 09:54 AM PST  The now-deleted tweet sparked backlash on social media, as critics slammed the brand for the tone-deaf post amid the polarizing election.
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| A man with an allergy to cold air almost died after stepping out of a hot shower Posted: 04 Nov 2020 08:47 AM PST  A Colorado man went into anaphylactic shock after stepping out of a hot shower. Cold urticaria can also be triggered by cold water or drinks.
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| Key West voters put limits on cruise ships but a legal battle looms Posted: 03 Nov 2020 06:02 PM PST  By wide margins, Key West voters Tuesday approved three referendums to limit cruise ship traffic on the island by cutting the number of passengers that can hit the streets and banning larger ships from unloading at all.
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| Man 'forced' to inform on fellow Uighurs for China is shot in Turkey Posted: 03 Nov 2020 06:06 PM PST  An Uighur man who claimed to have been forced to inform on fellow Uighurs to Chinese authorities has been hospitalised in a serious condition after being shot in Istanbul, Turkish media reported on Tuesday. Yusufujrang Aimaitijiang had gone outside to get cigarettes when he was shot twice on Monday evening, the private news agency DHA reported. Mr Aimaitijiang suffered injuries to his shoulder and arm while the gunman escaped, the DHA report said. Members of Turkey's Uighur community said Mr Aimaitijiang was also known as Yusupjan Emet and Yusuf Amat. Using the name Amat, he told Al Jazeera in February 2019 that he was forced to inform on fellow Uighurs by China. "My role was to feed information to officials. I reported on everything people did - what they ate, drank, what they did in private in their homes, whether it was friends or relatives, I shared it all," Amat said. He said he started spying in 2012 because his mother was taken hostage, and officials tortured her and threatened to keep her unless he agreed to cooperate. He claimed he had been sent to spy abroad between 2012 and 2018 in countries such as Afghanistan, Pakistan and Turkey, Al Jazeera reported. He added that Beijing has "countless" such informants across the world, some of whom also abduct Uighurs and bring them back to China. There are around 50,000 Uighur refugees in Turkey, which has linguistic and cultural connections with the Uighurs. Many have fled a crackdown on Uighur Muslims in northwest China, where camps and prisons have been used against them in the Xinjiang region. Beijing says they are vocational centres aimed at combating extremism. READ MORE: How Turkey is sending Muslim Uighurs back to China without breaking its promise Uighurs tell Australian inquiry of 'harassment' from China
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| Man arrested after allegedly pushing a 73-year-old grandmother onto Brooklyn subway tracks Posted: 03 Nov 2020 03:24 PM PST  Luis Hernandez, 38, also allegedly assaulted the woman's grandson and his 82-year-old grandfather, New York City police say.
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| MSNBC’s Joy Reid Labels Justice Clarence Thomas ‘Uncle Clarence’ Posted: 04 Nov 2020 07:03 AM PST  MSNBC contributor Joy Reid referred to Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas as "Uncle Clarence," invoking a racial slur during an early-Wednesday panel on the election.The panel, led by anchor Rachel Maddow, was discussing the possibility that legal challenges to vote counts in crucial swing states would end up in the Supreme Court. Republican senators managed to confirm Justice Amy Coney Barrett to the Court last week, cementing a 6-3 majority of conservative justices.> MSNBC's Joy Reid refers to Justice Clarence Thomas as "Uncle Clarence" > pic.twitter.com/kIGtejgLz6> > -- Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) November 4, 2020If "somehow" vote counts are legally challenged and cases "end up in the Supreme Court, do any of you guys trust uncle Clarence and Amy Coney Barrett and those guys to actually follow the letter of the law? No!" Reid said, repurposing the "Uncle Tom" slur against Justice Thomas. "I mean, it is a completely politicized Supreme Court, [and] you can't just trust that they're going to do the right thing."Reid has a history of controversial remarks, including homophobic statements and supporting 9/11 conspiracy theories. In September, Reid also lashed out at Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron by saying he put his party before his identity as a black man."You have to always look at [political] party," Reid said. "Party is the religion now in America, especially for Republicans. Don't look at the fact that this guy is black. That does not mean anything. He is a Republican, through and through."
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| Michelle Fischbach unseats Rep. Collin Peterson in Minnesota Posted: 03 Nov 2020 10:44 PM PST  Republican Michelle Fischbach has upset Democratic U.S. Rep. Collin Peterson, the chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, who was seeking a 16th term. Fischbach is a conservative former state senator who briefly served as lieutenant governor in 2018 when Tina Smith resigned the seat upon her appointment as a U.S. senator. Fischbach argued during the campaign that Peterson was too close to Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other liberals.
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| Graham beats heavily funded opponent in SC Posted: 03 Nov 2020 08:50 PM PST 
Graham, the Senate Judiciary Committee chairman who was massively out-fundraised by Democrat Jaime Harrison, rode to victory after presiding over the Senate confirmation of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett.
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| Michigan's election has more than 77,000 spoiled ballots. Here's what that means. Posted: 03 Nov 2020 04:01 PM PST  An official said 77,000 ballots were spoiled in Michigan as of Tuesday morning, but that number requires some context.
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| The New York Times and Fox News election needles are completely at odds Posted: 03 Nov 2020 06:39 PM PST  Needle, needle, on the wall, who's the fairest candidate of all?Turns out, it totally depends on which needle you're asking. The New York Times rolled out its infamous election needle again on Tuesday night, with a competing needle available for election watchers on Fox News. But depending on which you were looking at, you'd have a very different impression of how the night is going for your preferred candidate:> Either NYT or Fox News is getting this very wrong right now pic.twitter.com/Rj6rSwZQf9> > — Will Oremus (@WillOremus) November 4, 2020Let's, uhh, take a closer look at that:> A tale of two needles in North Carolina.> > NYT's needle has Trump at 88% to win NC. > Fox's needle has Biden at 92% to win NC. pic.twitter.com/Hj7O9jWOvd> > — Mark Helenowski (@markhelenowski) November 4, 2020Nate Cohn, of The New York Times, offered some insight into why his publication's needles specifically might be skewing so much toward Trump. "[A]ll three states are in the same model," he explained, asking rhetorically if the results in Florida might "bias us a bit in [North Carolina and Georgia], especially in Latino areas? I think that's at least possible in [Georgia] burbs."Alexander Panetta of The Washington Post added his two cents, too: "Based on my comparison of counties [in North Carolina] in 2016 to counties in 2020 the Fox one makes more sense," he tweeted. "Except — it means SFA unless you know A) what the mail votes vs. in person are and B) how the votes by different methods break down."Maybe for 2024, we can get additional needles that project the odds of the needles being right?More stories from theweek.com COVID-19 keeps proving everyone wrong Is this the year the New South turns blue? Democrats' first priority
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| Federal judge says he'll force USPS Postmaster General Louis DeJoy to show up in court and explain what happened to mail-in voting Posted: 04 Nov 2020 02:18 PM PST  Judge Emmet Sullivan accused the Postal Service of slow-walking his orders and threatened to depose the postmaster general.
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| Lung damage found in COVID dead may shed light on 'long COVID': study Posted: 03 Nov 2020 04:02 PM PST  A study of the lungs of people who have died from COVID-19 has found persistent and extensive lung damage in most cases and may help doctors understand what is behind a syndrome known as 'long COVID', in which patients suffer ongoing symptoms for months. Scientists leading the research said they also found some unique characteristics of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, which may explain why it is able to inflict such harm. "The findings indicate that COVID-19 is not simply a disease caused by the death of virus-infected cells, but is likely the consequence of these abnormal cells persisting for long periods inside the lungs," said Mauro Giacca, a professor at King's College London who co-led the work.
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| Another Fort Hood Soldier Has Been Arrested for Murder: Authorities Posted: 04 Nov 2020 09:54 AM PST  A Fort Hood soldier has been arrested for the murder of a 32-year-old woman found dead inside a Days Inn motel room last July, authorities said.Cory Gafton, 20, was arrested and charged Tuesday afternoon with the July 2019 murder of Chelsea Cheatham, ending an exhaustive year-long investigation. According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, one of Gafton's co-workers told authorities the 20-year-old soldier confessed to killing Cheatham. Grafton is currently being held in Killeen City Jail.Dead Suspect in Disappearance of Fort Hood Soldier Sexually Harassed Her: Lawyer"Through the investigation, Detectives with the Homicide Unit received information from a witness that 20-year-old Cory Grafton was at the scene at the time Chelsea Cheatham was murdered," Killeen Police Department said in a Wednesday statement.A spokesperson for Fort Hood confirmed to The Daily Beast that Grafton is "an active duty Soldier assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division" at the Army post. "The unit continues to cooperate with the Killeen Police Department and the Texas Rangers," the spokesperson added.Killeen Police said on June 3, 2019, Cheatham was found around 10:40 p.m. unconscious and not breathing inside a Days Inn in Killeen, about six minutes away from Fort Hood. The 32-year-old was pronounced dead about an hour later and an autopsy from the Southwestern Institute of Forensic Sciences in Dallas later ruled her death a homicide.Authorities refused to identify Cheatham's cause of death.Despite the suspicious circumstances, the case quickly went cold, prompting authorities in June to appeal to the public for leads and offer a $1,000 reward for any information leading to an arrest.On Sept. 2, Texas Rangers informed the Killeen Police Department about the Sexual Assault Kit Initiative Program, which uses advanced DNA testing to help solve cases. Authorities said through the program, investigators were about to identify Grafton as a possible suspect.> BREAKING \- We are getting our first look at the Fort Hood soldier charged in the 2019 murder of Chelsea Cheatham in Killeen. Cory Grafton, a 20-year-old soldier from Fort Hood, is charged with murder. pic.twitter.com/dHiWIWIEtF> > — KWTX News 10 (@kwtx) November 4, 2020After interviewing Grafton about the 32-year-old's death and collecting a sample of his DNA, the Texas Department of Public Safety said one of the 20-year-old's co-workers revealed that he had confessed to killing Cheatham. On Tuesday, the test results allegedly confirmed that Grafton's DNA matched the DNA found at the crime scene, and he was subsequently arrested."With the assistance from the Texas Rangers, DNA from the scene was submitted and the results confirmed that Gafton matched the DNA located on Cheatham. On November 3, 2020, detectives with the Homicide Unit obtained a warrant and shortly after 4:00 p.m., the warrant was executed," the Killeen Police Department said.Gafton's arrest marks yet another Fort Hood soldier who has been accused of being involved in a grisly murder.In July, the remains of Vanessa Guillen, a 20-year-old Private First Class stationed in Fort Hood, were discovered in a shallow grave near Leon River.A day after her body was discovered, a military officer, Aaron Robinson, died by suicide after being confronted about his involvement in Guillen's disappearance. Before Guillen went missing, she allegedly told family members, friends, and colleagues that she had been sexually harassed by her superiors on two separate occasions. The family previously said Guillen's sexual harassment allegations led the military base to "cover-up" her initial disappearance.Officials named the suspect as Robinson, a fellow soldier. The Bell County Sheriff's Office identified the second suspect as Cecily Aguilar, who was charged with conspiracy to tamper with evidence two days after her boyfriend, Robinson, died by suicide.According to Natalie Khawam, the family's attorney, Robinson savagely attacked Guillen at the armory after she remarked on his relationship with the estranged wife of a former Fort Hood soldier. When Guillen reminded him that the relationship was in violation of military rules, he allegedly picked up a hammer and began "bludgeoning her head over and over." Robinson then allegedly took Guillen's body to a river and enlisted the help of his girlfriend to dispose of the remains.Last month, Fort Hood officials determined Gullien's death occurred in the line of duty, paving the way for her family to be entitled to certain Army benefits. "Typically, these benefits include compensation to immediately help the family with expenses, funeral with full military honors, the Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance, and final pay and allowances,'' officials said in a statement.If you or a loved one are struggling with suicidal thoughts, please reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741.Read more at The Daily Beast.Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast hereGet our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now!Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more.
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| Oregon Voters Decriminalize Possession of Hard Drugs, Including Heroin, Cocaine, and Meth Posted: 03 Nov 2020 09:46 PM PST  Oregon voters have approved a measure to decriminalize possession of all drugs, including heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamines, for personal use.According to Measure 110, residents caught with small amounts of hard drugs will be required to choose between a $100 fine or a treatment program, but will be spared a jail sentence.Offenders who choose treatment for drug addiction will be able to access new recovery centers for free. The recovery centers will be funded by taxpayer dollars made through the sale of marijuana. Oregon was the first state in the U.S. to legalize marijuana use.The measure was backed by several Oregon officials, including Multnomah County district attorney Mike Schmidt, whose purview includes the city of Portland."Misguided drug laws have created deep disparities in the justice system," Schmidt told the Associated Press last week. "Arresting people with addictions is a cruel punishment because it slaps them with a lifelong criminal record that can ruin lives."About two dozen other district attorneys from the state opposed the measure, saying it "recklessly decriminalizes possession of the most dangerous types of drugs [and] will lead to an increase in acceptability of dangerous drugs."
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| Live Election Day coverage: Arizona picks Biden in historic shift to the left that includes Senate seat Posted: 04 Nov 2020 12:17 AM PST  Arizona, a state that President Donald Trump carried by nearly 100,000 votes four years ago, backed Democrat Joe Biden for president early Wednesday.
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| The progressive 'squad' in Congress just got bigger Posted: 03 Nov 2020 06:29 PM PST  Since Democrats took control of the House of Representatives in 2018, the "squad" of freshman lefties — composed of Reps. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez, Ayanna Pressley, Rashida Tlaib, and Ilhan Omar — has gotten a great deal of media attention. But the Democratic leadership has been less impressed. "They're four people," Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi scoffed earlier this year.However, these women will have some new allies in the next Congress. Thanks to primary victories in deep-blue districts, at least three more new members will be joining them. There is Cori Bush, a Black Lives Matter activist who won in Missouri's 1st district, Jamaal Bowman, a former middle school principal who won in New York's 16th district, and Mondaire Jones, a former attorney who won in New York's 17th district. The first two also ousted longtime incumbents.And while seven or so votes is not that many, it's possibly enough to start swaying close votes — particular given that there are several other Democratic representatives who are fairly close to the squad politically, and many others who are close to them on individual issues. The next House may have a serious left-wing faction for the first time in decades.More stories from theweek.com COVID-19 keeps proving everyone wrong Is this the year the New South turns blue? Democrats' first priority
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| Results: California votes on Proposition 22 to allow Lyft and Uber drivers to be independent contractors Posted: 04 Nov 2020 04:32 AM PST  A recent study shows that over 70% of gig workers work more than 30 hours a week but do not receive most employee benefits.
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| Polls show Trump gaining ground in Arizona after falling behind Posted: 02 Nov 2020 08:06 PM PST  Alicia Acuna gives an update on the race in the Grand Canyon State on 'Special Report.'
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| The Kenosha shooter Kyle Rittenhouse could be released from custody on $2 million bail Posted: 03 Nov 2020 08:52 AM PST  Kyle Rittenhouse, who has been hailed as a hero to some conservatives, is accused of killing two men at a Wisconsin protest opposing police brutality.
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| Aspirin could be key in helping Covid-19 patients recover Posted: 04 Nov 2020 08:37 AM PST  Coronavirus patients in British hospitals will be given aspirin in a new trial to find out whether the cheap drug could prevent deadly blood clotting in the lungs. Some studies have shown that nearly 80 per cent of people who die of Covid-19 have thrombosis – or blood clotting – in the lungs, which prevents oxygen from moving through the body and can be fatal. It is thought the virus triggers a massive boost of cytokines, a type of protein which signals to the liver that more clotting is needed, causing the 'sticky blood'. Scientists are hopeful that blood thinners, like aspirin, may help avoid the devastating clotting that can lead to death. If proven effective, it would be the first over-the-counter drug shown to have an impact on coronavirus. Professor Peter Horby, of Oxford University and the chief investigator of the recovery trial, which is looking at several drugs and treatments, said aspirin had been added to their list this week. Speaking at the Science and Technology Select Committee, Prof Horby said: "This week in Recovery we've just added aspirin to the trial because clotting seems to be a big problem. "Aspirin is a very widely available, cheap drug, and if it were to work, that would be a huge treatment boost. Anti-clotting drugs are an area where we did have a gap." Research published late last month by the University of Maryland in the US found that coronavirus patients who were taking a daily low-dose aspirin to protect against cardiovascular disease had a significantly lower risk of complications and death than those not on the drug. Aspirin takers were less likely to be placed in the intensive care unit or hooked up to a mechanical ventilator, and they were more likely to survive the infection compared to hospitalised patients who were not taking aspirin. However, because the US is not conducting a trial into aspirin the findings are only observational, and it is unknown whether giving aspirin more widely would be beneficial.
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| New York elects first South Asian Americans to state Assembly Posted: 04 Nov 2020 07:36 AM PST  There are more than 300,000 South Asians in New York City, and this is the first time the community has elected a desi representative.
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| Australia calls for clarity from China over embargo reports Posted: 04 Nov 2020 01:55 AM PST  Australia's trade minister on Wednesday called for "greater clarity" from China over reports an embargo could hit a slew of industries by the end of the week and further escalate tensions.
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| Democrats falling short in bid for control of U.S. Senate Posted: 03 Nov 2020 03:19 AM PST  A Democratic drive to win control of the U.S. Senate appeared to fall short, with Democrats picking up only one Republican-held seat while six other races remained undecided early on Wednesday. Democrats defeated Republican Senators Cory Gardner of Colorado and Martha McSally of Arizona but lost the Alabama seat held by Democratic Senator Doug Jones. To win the majority in the Senate, Democrats would need to pick up three Republican seats if Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden is elected president and Senator Kamala Harris wields the tie-breaking vote as vice president.
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| U.S. slams Côte d'Ivoire's leaders for failing to 'show commitment to the democratic process' just hours after Trump falsely declared victory Posted: 04 Nov 2020 06:47 AM PST  Has the United States ever heard that old saying about the pot calling the kettle black? Because things sure got awkward on Wednesday morning, when the U.S. Embassy condemned the presidential election in West Africa's Cote d'Ivoire for being undemocratic -- shortly after America's own leader faced such accusations domestically.On the surface, there is little comparison between the United States' elections, which are by all expert accounts fair and legitimate, and the situation in Cote d'Ivoire, where President Alassane Ouattara won a third term with 94.27 percent of the vote. Tragically, violent clashes in the nation over the election have also resulted in at least a dozen deaths, with thousands fleeing the country, the United Nations has reported. In issuing its condemnation on Wednesday, the United States joined a chorus of international voices decrying the violence and breakdown of democratic processes in Cote d'Ivoire.But one line in particular stood out in the U.S. statement: "The United States calls on Cote d'Ivoire's leaders to show commitment to the democratic process and the rule of law." The finger-wagging might seem a bit hypocritical, particularly after President Trump falsely declared victory in states he hasn't yet won, baselessly raised doubts about the integrity of the election, and threatened to go to the Supreme Court to stop the counting of legitimately-cast ballots. Read the full U.S. statement, shared by The Washington Post's West Africa bureau chief Danielle Paquette, below. > The U.S. urged leaders in Ivory Coast to stick to a "democratic" election process hours after President Trump prematurely declared victory.https://t.co/peZUcPMreL> > -- Danielle Paquette (@DPAQreport) November 4, 2020More stories from theweek.com The left just got crushed A Biden presidency might essentially be over before it can begin Biden has now received more votes for president than any other candidate in U.S. history
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