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ICE Raids Coming Near You

12.11.24

Ally Sammarco Dec 12

Welcome back to Today’s American News, your source for news and analysis on the circus that is American politics and entertainment.

Churches, schools, hospitals to face ICE raids under Trump… We can’t say we’re surprised, but this is inhumane stuff. A longstanding policy has stopped Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents at the doors of churches, schools, and hospitals–and for good reason. Trump will change this policy of making sensitive locations off-limits. He has promised “largest deportation operation in American history.” Immigrants–documented and undocumented–are vital to the U.S. economy. Calling lawmakers Republicans and telling them how to vote, Trump personally killed bipartisan legislation supported by President Biden that sought needed reforms to our immigration system.

AOC has the votes to be top Democrat on Oversight Committee… The powerful Oversight Committee will have a new ranking member. Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) has the votes she needs to replace Congressman Gerry Connolly (D-VA), a member twice her age, as the panel’s top Democrat. Politico surveyed more than a dozen Democrats on the committee and found majority support for Ocasio-Cortez. The 35-year old member of “The Squad” has proven herself a team player as she effectively urges the party to be true to its progressive values. AOC would become the third Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives to replace an older Democratic member as ranking member.

North Carolina Republicans make massive power grab of gubernatorial powers… The Tar Heel State GOP is known for its big power grabs, so this one didn’t necessarily come as a surprise. But incoming Gov. Josh Stein (D) will have fewer powers under a Republican bill passed by both houses of North Carolina’s legislature. Outgoing Gov. Roy Cooper (D) had vetoed the bill, but his veto was overridden by power-hungry Republicans. Stein beat Republican opponent as self-professed “Black NAZI” Mark Robinson last month.

Choice of Saudi Arabia as host for FIFA World Cup draws controversy… FIFA announced its choice of Suadi Arabia as host for the 2034 World Cup, and condemnation from human rights activists was swift. Twenty-one human rights groups signed on to a statement reading: "FIFA can never claim that it did not know the severity of the risks of hosting its flagship event in a country with such weak human rights protections. It is evident that without urgent action and comprehensive reforms, the 2034 World Cup will be tarnished by repression, discrimination and exploitation on a massive scale."

Today’s Buzz

Entertainment Weekly’s Top 10 Albums of 2024… 2024 marked an amazing year for the music industry. Did your favorite album make the cut? Here is EW’s Top 10. Tems, Born in the Wild; 9. Hurray for the Riff Raff, The Past Is Still Alive; 8. The Cure, Songs of a Lost World; 7. MJ Lenderman, Manning Fireworks; 6. Jessica Pratt, Here in the Pitch; 5. Cindy Lee, Diamond Jubilee; 4. Billie Eilish, Hit Me Hard and Soft; 3. Sabrina Carpenter, Short n' Sweet; 2. Beyoncé, Cowboy Carter; 1. Charli XCX, Brat

Thanks once again for reading. Join us again tomorrow evening for another edition of Today’s American News.

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