Josh Israel
@jeisrael.bsky.social
đ€ 313
đ„ 259
đ 674
Senior reporter, The American Independent (He/him)
This year's Iowa gubernatorial race is a stark choice between a guy who tried to stop ACA Medicaid expansion and a guy fighting to get private corporations out of Iowa's Medicaid program.
iowaindependentnews.com/health-care/...
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Iowa gubernatorial nominees differ on healthcare policy
Democratic State Auditor Rob Sands and Republican investment executive Zach Lahn have starkly different positions on how to make Iowans healthy.
https://iowaindependentnews.com/health-care/iowa-gubernatorial-nominees-differ-on-healthcare-policy/
19 days ago
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"Starting on day one, we will end inflation and make America affordable again," -- Donald Trump in August 2024. Inflation is now higher than when Joe Biden left office.
georgiaindependent.com/economy/infl...
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Inflation hits 3-year high, fueled by Iran war
Consumer goods cost an average of 4.2% more in May than a year earlier.
https://georgiaindependent.com/economy/inflation-hits-3-year-high-fueled-by-iran-war-4/
23 days ago
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More than any other candidate so far this cycle...
iowaindependentnews.com/politics/joe...
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Joe Mitchell spends campaign funds on travel to Mar-a-Lago
The Republican nominee for Congress has spent significantly more money than Lindsay James, his Democratic opponent, on out-of-state travel.
https://iowaindependentnews.com/politics/joe-mitchell-spends-campaign-funds-on-travel-to-mar-a-lago/
24 days ago
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âThe House proposal fails WIC families when they need help most." -- National WIC Association president and CEO Georgia Mitchell
alaskaindependentnews.com/economy/hous...
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House passes bill that would cut program providing fruit and veggies for kids, new moms
The cut in funding to WIC was included in the House GOPâs annual agriculture appropriations bill for fiscal year 2027.
https://alaskaindependentnews.com/economy/house-representative-gop-wic-funding-cuts-kids-moms-nutrition-food/
24 days ago
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"Youâre talking about taxpayer money thatâs originally designated for public schools going out the door with still little to no accountability or transparency...â -- FEA president Andrew Spar.
floridaindependentnews.com/education/fl...
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Florida Legislature approves $4.5 billion for homeschoolers and private schools
The Legislature did not include reforms recommended by the state auditor to address 'a myriad of accountability issues.'
https://floridaindependentnews.com/education/florida-legislature-approves-4-5-billion-for-homeschoolers-and-private-schools/
about 1 month ago
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Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody's Analytics, told CNBC on June 2 that if prices remain at current levels, that number will rise to nearly $2,000 by the end of next February.
georgiaindependent.com/economy/amer...
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American households have paid an extra $447 on energy since start of Iran war
The Republican-led Congress has repeatedly blocked legislation to end President Donald Trumpâs military attacks in Iran.
https://georgiaindependent.com/economy/american-households-paid-extra-447-energy-since-start-iran-war-ga/
about 1 month ago
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Iowa will be a huge 2026 political battleground.
iowaindependentnews.com/elections/pr...
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Iowa primaries set stage for November races
Democratic State Rep. Josh Turek and Republican US Rep Ashley Hinson won their partiesâ nominations for Iowaâs open US Senate seat.
https://iowaindependentnews.com/elections/primaries-governor-house-senate-2026-state-legislature/
about 1 month ago
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âRight now, without the subsidy, Iâm just not going to have healthcare insurance, like, thatâs the black and white of it right now is I cannot afford a plan.â -- Rachel Burns.
iowaindependentnews.com/health-care/...
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Health insurance subsidy expiration puts Iowa small business owners in a bind
Many Iowans risk losing their subsidized health insurance without the ACA marketplace enhanced premium tax credits.
https://iowaindependentnews.com/health-care/health-insurance-subsidy-expiration-puts-iowa-small-business-owners-in-a-bind/
about 1 month ago
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Now in her third term, Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks' party loyalty score has increased to about 96%.
iowaindependentnews.com/economy/rep-...
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Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks cast votes to gut healthcare and support tariffs
Miller-Meeks repeatedly voted against extending subsidies for affordable health insurance, eliminating President Donald Trump's tariffs, and ending the Iran war.
https://iowaindependentnews.com/economy/rep-mariannette-miller-meeks-cast-votes-to-gut-healthcare-and-support-tariffs/
about 1 month ago
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âThe Ottumwa community has personally felt the impact of private equity on its health care system. Under private equity ownership, wait times at Ottumwa Regional Health Center have gone up as patient experience has gone down" -- Sen. Chuck Grassley.
iowaindependentnews.com/politics/hin...
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Hinson took campaign funds from private equity owners of for-profit Ottumwa hospital
A 2025 report by Sens. Chuck Grassley and Sheldon Whitehouse said that Apollo Global Management and other private equity hospital owners âearned investors millions, while patients suffered.â
https://iowaindependentnews.com/politics/hinson-took-campaign-funds-from-private-equity-owners-of-for-profit-ottumwa-hospital/
about 1 month ago
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âI paid $75 a month to be able to have health insurance,â Kordick told the Iowa Independent. âAnd then Mariannette Miller-Meeks and the rest of the entourage voted not to retain that program, and now Iâm paying over $9,600 for the year, so a tenfold increase.â
iowaindependentnews.com/health-care/...
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Iowans lost affordable insurance options after GOP lawmakers blocked ACA subsidy renewal
Five of the six members of Iowaâs congressional delegation voted against bipartisan legislation to extend the expired health insurance premium tax credits.
https://iowaindependentnews.com/health-care/iowans-lost-affordable-insurance-options-after-gop-lawmakers-blocked-aca-subsidy-renewal/
about 1 month ago
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What happened to Zach Nunn's bipartisanship?
iowaindependentnews.com/politics/rep...
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Rep. Zach Nunn voted with House GOP leaders 95% of the time in 2025
Nunn voted to slash Medicaid funding, preserve President Trumpâs tariffs, and continue the Iran war, raising costs for Iowa consumers.
https://iowaindependentnews.com/politics/rep-zach-nunn-voted-with-house-gop-leaders-95-of-the-time-in-2025/
about 1 month ago
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Unlike the redistricting amendment, these three important Virginia ballot measures will count.
virginiaindependentnews.com/politics/vir...
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Virginia voters will decide 3 ballot measures in November general election
The measures are not affected by a Virginia Supreme Court ruling that blocked redistricting referendum results.
https://virginiaindependentnews.com/politics/virginia-voters-will-decide-3-ballot-measures-in-november-general-election/
about 1 month ago
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It's all about priorities.
virginiaindependentnews.com/economy/taxp...
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Taxpayer money GOP wants for East Wing could feed 118,000 Virginia families for a year
Virginia Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine and Mark Warner say the federal government should spend taxpayer money on programs to help taxpayers.
https://virginiaindependentnews.com/economy/taxpayer-money-gop-wants-for-east-wing-could-feed-118000-virginia-families-for-a-year/
about 1 month ago
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reposted by
Josh Israel
Phil Lewis
about 1 month ago
Clarence B. Jones, lawyer and speechwriter who drafted part of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr's âI Have a Dreamâ speech, has died. He was 95.
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Clarence B. Jones, Who Helped Shape âI Have a Dreamâ Speech, Dies at 95
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/25/us/clarence-b-jones-dead.html
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âHe basically fought for his life to live. Now he canât get the care to have a normal childhood.â
floridaindependentnews.com/health-care/...
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Florida KidCare insurance expansion not implemented 3 years after DeSantis signed bill
Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the bill to expand the program in 2023, but Florida families are still waiting.
https://floridaindependentnews.com/health-care/florida-kidcare-insurance-expansion-not-implemented-3-years-after-desantis-signed-bill/
about 1 month ago
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âShe stopped that bill. It was dead. It would never hit the floor of the House. Linda Upmeyer was speaker of the House, and between the lobbyist and Ashley Hinson, that bill was never going to hit the floor of the House, never to be voted on.â
iowaindependentnews.com/politics/how...
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How Iowa Republicans blocked protections for manufactured-home residents
GOP leaders blocked legislation as out-of-state investors bought up Iowa manufactured-housing communities and increased rents.
https://iowaindependentnews.com/politics/how-iowa-republicans-blocked-protections-for-manufactured-home-residents/
about 1 month ago
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Trump and Iowa Republicans are to blame for higher diesel and fertilizer costs for farmers.
iowaindependentnews.com/economy/iowa...
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Iowa farmers see soaring diesel and fertilizer prices due to Trumpâs Iran war
Every member of Iowaâs congressional delegation has repeatedly voted against measures to remove the US military from hostilities against Iran.
https://iowaindependentnews.com/economy/iowa-farmers-soaring-diesel-fertilizer-prices-trump-iran-war/
about 2 months ago
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Iowa Republican Senate hopeful Ashley Hinson's latest ad doesn't bear much resemblance to her record.
iowaindependentnews.com/elections/as...
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Ashley Hinson ad misleads voters about her record
The third-term Republican US representative is running for Iowaâs open US Senate seat.
https://iowaindependentnews.com/elections/ashley-hinson-ad-misleads-voters-about-her-record/
about 2 months ago
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Trump's cuts to local food programs hurt farmers, schools, and Iowa families.
iowaindependentnews.com/politics/hou...
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House farm bill would codify Trump cuts of funding for locally produced foods for schools
Farmers, school nutritionists, and hunger advocates say it was a mistake to end two programs that had promised $13 million for Iowaâs farmers and families.
https://iowaindependentnews.com/politics/house-farm-bill-funding-cuts-local-food-banks-schools-farms-agriculture/
about 2 months ago
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Every member of Iowa's all-GOP congressional delegation voted to slash Medicaid and other federal health programs by $1 trillion over 10 years.
iowaindependentnews.com/health-care/...
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Medicaid cuts reduce medical care access for Iowans
President Donald Trumpâs 2025 budget law will slash Medicaid and other health programs by about $1 trillion over 10 years, imperiling Iowaâs healthcare system.
https://iowaindependentnews.com/health-care/medicaid-cuts-reduce-medical-care-access-for-iowans/
about 2 months ago
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Every member of Iowa's all-GOP congressional delegation voted to slash Medicaid and other federal health programs by $1 trillion over 10 years.
iowaindependentnews.com/health-care/...
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Medicaid cuts reduce medical care access for Iowans
President Donald Trumpâs 2025 budget law will slash Medicaid and other health programs by about $1 trillion over 10 years, imperiling Iowaâs healthcare system.
https://iowaindependentnews.com/health-care/medicaid-cuts-reduce-medical-care-access-for-iowans/
about 2 months ago
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These funds will likely more than pay for themselves in added Virginia tourism revenue.
virginiaindependentnews.com/economy/gov-...
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Gov. Spanberger announces 143 grants to help promote Virginia tourism
The Virginia Tourism Corporation will distribute $2.2 million to 143 local tourism programs to help promote arts, history, dining, and entertainment.
https://virginiaindependentnews.com/economy/gov-spanberger-announces-143-grants-to-help-promote-virginia-tourism/
about 2 months ago
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They waited until after 3 million Virginians voted.
virginiaindependentnews.com/elections/vi...
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Virginia Supreme Court nullifies voter-approved redistricting amendment
Several US House seats could still be in play this year under the existing congressional maps.
https://virginiaindependentnews.com/elections/virginia-supreme-court-nullifies-voter-approved-redistricting-amendment/
about 2 months ago
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In Virginia, 4 > 1,604,276.
add a skeleton here at some point
about 2 months ago
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Sen. Mark Warner working to ensure breeders provide humane and safe conditions for dogs.
virginiaindependentnews.com/politics/sen...
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Sen. Mark Warner and colleagues back Puppy Protection Act
The bill would require breeders to treat dogs humanely and safely.
https://virginiaindependentnews.com/politics/sen-mark-warner-and-colleagues-back-puppy-protection-act/
2 months ago
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Like DeSantis, the GOP Florida Legislature is simply ignoring the inconvenient part of the state Constitution.
floridaindependentnews.com/politics/flo...
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Florida Legislature approves GOP congressional gerrymander barred by state constitution
Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis proposed the mid-decade redistricting, designed to help the GOP win 24 of Floridaâs 28 seats in the House of Representatives.
https://floridaindependentnews.com/politics/florida-legislature-approves-gop-congressional-gerrymander-barred-by-state-constitution/
2 months ago
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DeSantis and his team aren't even pretending this gerrymander complies with Florida's constitution.
floridaindependentnews.com/elections/ro...
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Ron DeSantis proposes partisan gerrymander explicitly banned by Florida Constitution
The Florida Legislature will consider the governor's plan, intended to give Republicans 24 of the state's 28 seats in Congress.
https://floridaindependentnews.com/elections/ron-desantis-proposes-partisan-gerrymander-explicitly-banned-by-florida-constitution/
2 months ago
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Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) recently claimed his donors âbelieve in centrism and pragmatism and arenât believers in the two-party cult system, this Hatfield versus McCoy, red versus blue nonsense." Not sure which donors he meant.
pennsylvaniaindependent.com/politics/bri...
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Brian Fitzpatrick votes to help his GOP megadonor funders
The Pennsylvania Republican US representative has touted his massive campaign haul as proof of his independence.
https://pennsylvaniaindependent.com/politics/brian-fitzpatrick-votes-to-help-his-gop-megadonor-funders/
2 months ago
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A fun family activity coming up in June in Norfolk -- and it's totally free!
virginiaindependentnews.com/features/nor...
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Norfolk Harborfest will feature tall ships and Patti LaBelle
The 50th annual event runs June 19-21 and will include musical performances, tall ships, and fireworks.
https://virginiaindependentnews.com/features/norfolk-harborfest-june-sail250-fireworks-music-labelle-tall-ships/
2 months ago
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House Speaker Mike Johnson believes gerrymandering is illegal and scandalous, except when Republicans do it (actually illegally)
floridaindependentnews.com/elections/ho...
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House Speaker Mike Johnson pushes gerrymander prohibited by Florida Constitution
Days earlier, he spoke against a temporary redistricting amendment in Virginia, calling it âscandalous.â
https://floridaindependentnews.com/elections/house-speaker-mike-johnson-pushes-gerrymander-prohibited-by-florida-constitution/
2 months ago
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New Virginia laws will help businesses and workers, prevent gun violence and accidental shootings.
virginiaindependentnews.com/politics/vir...
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Virginia legislators give final approval to paid leave, wage theft, and equal pay laws
Lawmakers agreed to most of Gov. Abigail Spanbergerâs proposed amendments, allowing dozens of bills to become law.
https://virginiaindependentnews.com/politics/virginia-legislators-give-final-approval-to-paid-leave-wage-theft-and-equal-pay-laws/
2 months ago
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Virginians voted Yes.
virginiaindependentnews.com/politics/vir...
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Virginia voters approve redistricting referendum
Voters agreed to temporarily change the redistricting process until the 2030 census is complete.
https://virginiaindependentnews.com/politics/virginia-voters-approve-redistricting-referendum/
2 months ago
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The very same MAGA leaders who pushed mid-decade gerrymanders in red states are telling Virginians to vote against a temporary redistricting amendment.
virginiaindependentnews.com/politics/van...
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Vance and Johnson oppose Virginia redistricting amendment
Vice President JD Vance and House Speaker Mike Johnson pressured Republican states to gerrymander their maps.
https://virginiaindependentnews.com/politics/vance-and-johnson-oppose-virginia-redistricting-amendment/
3 months ago
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Trump's tariffs and Iran chaos are hurting small businesses in Florida -- and their customers.
floridaindependentnews.com/politics/flo...
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Florida small businesses, consumers are paying more due to Trumpâs policies
The combination of tariffs and war on Iran has fueled inflation.
https://floridaindependentnews.com/politics/florida-small-businesses-consumers-are-paying-more-due-to-trumps-policies/
3 months ago
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"This is an inherently bad thing that we need to get a handle on before it kind of spirals out of control.â --
@mattroyer.bsky.social
virginiaindependentnews.com/elections/an...
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Anti-redistricting group uses fake AI-generated video of Spanberger in ad
The spot says in small print that the video contains âdramatizations created with artificial intelligence.â
https://virginiaindependentnews.com/elections/anti-redistricting-group-uses-fake-ai-generated-video-of-spanberger-in-ad/
3 months ago
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Elections have consequences...
virginiaindependentnews.com/politics/spa...
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Spanberger signs bills to lower costs and curb gun violence
Gov. Abigail Spanberger approved hundreds of bills before the April 13 deadline.
https://virginiaindependentnews.com/politics/spanberger-signs-bills-to-lower-costs-and-curb-gun-violence/
3 months ago
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SEIU members are working to approve Virginia's temporary redistricting amendment in the April 21 referendum.
virginiaindependentnews.com/elections/se...
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SEIU Virginia endorses temporary redistricting amendment
The SEIU Virginia State Council represents tens of thousands of Virginia workers across multiple industries.
https://virginiaindependentnews.com/elections/seiu-virginia-endorses-temporary-redistricting-amendment-referendum-april-21/
3 months ago
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Republicans will choose a nominee in August.
virginiaindependentnews.com/elections/vi...
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Virginia Sen. Mark Warner wins Democratic nomination in reelection bid
Republicans will select their candidate for the Senate in an August primary.
https://virginiaindependentnews.com/elections/virginia-sen-mark-warner-wins-democratic-nomination-in-reelection-bid/
3 months ago
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Republicans trying to stop the temporary redistricting amendment seem to be hoping voters don't read it.
virginiaindependentnews.com/elections/re...
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Redistricting opponents falsely claim the Virginia measure is not temporary
Many backers say they are voting yes because the proposed constitutional amendment would only change the redistricting process until the 2030 census is completed.
https://virginiaindependentnews.com/elections/redistricting-opponents-falsely-claim-the-virginia-measure-is-not-temporary/
3 months ago
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Opponents of Virginia's temporary redistricting amendment keep misleading voters, falsely suggesting Obama and Spanberger don't REALLY support it. They do.
virginiaindependentnews.com/elections/ma...
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Main anti-redistricting committee misleadingly suggests Obama, Spanberger oppose amendment
Virginians for Fair Maps is sending voters deceptive text messages.
https://virginiaindependentnews.com/elections/main-anti-redistricting-committee-misleadingly-suggests-obama-spanberger-oppose-amendment/
3 months ago
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â
add a skeleton here at some point
3 months ago
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What a difference an AG race makes.
virginiaindependentnews.com/elections/st...
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Virginia among states suing Trump over mail-in voting restrictions
State Democratic leaders slammed Trumpâs executive order, which mandates the creation of a national list of eligible voters.
https://virginiaindependentnews.com/elections/states-lawsuits-trump-executive-order-mail-in-voting-midterms-2026-constitution-2/
3 months ago
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Trump and the congressional GOP majority passed a law that could leave rural Virginians with no access to hospitals.
virginiaindependentnews.com/health-care/...
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10 Virginia hospitals at risk of closure or reductions after federal health program cuts
A new study by Public Citizen warns cuts to Medicaid have put 446 American hospitals in jeopardy.
https://virginiaindependentnews.com/health-care/10-hospitals-closure-reductions-trump-federal-health-program-cuts/
3 months ago
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Former VA Gov. Ralph Northam tells my colleague why he is voting YES on Virginia's temporary redistricting amendment.
virginiaindependentnews.com/elections/no...
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Northam tells Virginia voters to stand up to Trumpâs âpower grabâ
Former Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam says redrawing the congressional map would right a wrong by the Trump administration.
https://virginiaindependentnews.com/elections/northam-tells-virginia-voters-to-stand-up-to-trumps-power-grab/
3 months ago
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More deception from the people who don't want Virginia's temporary redistricting amendment but don't seem to mind Trump-backed gerrymandering other states.
virginiaindependentnews.com/elections/an...
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Anti-redistricting PAC again misleads voters, this time about President Obamaâs position
President Barack Obama has encouraged Virginians to vote yes on the temporary redistricting amendment in the April 21 referendum.
https://virginiaindependentnews.com/elections/anti-redistricting-pac-again-misleads-voters-this-time-about-president-obamas-position/
3 months ago
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Opponents of the Virginia redistricting amendment continue to lie to voters, this time falsely claiming President Obama is against it.
3 months ago
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Spanberger and the Virginia Democratic legislative majority are doing things that _actually_ ensure election integrity.
virginiaindependentnews.com/elections/go...
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Gov. Spanberger signs order to ensure fair, secure, and accurate Virginia elections
Virginia is rejoining an interstate compact that helps election officials keep the voting rolls up to date and efficient.
https://virginiaindependentnews.com/elections/gov-spanberger-signs-order-to-ensure-fair-secure-and-accurate-virginia-elections/
3 months ago
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Right-wing Heritage Foundation poll shows VA temporary redistricting amendment winning 45%-36%. So they push voters asking a different question and then publish it in their in-house blog as proof that voters are against it.
add a skeleton here at some point
3 months ago
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I'm old enough to remember when Republicans claimed to want an "all of the above" energy policy and did not want the government to "pick and choose winners."
www.notus.org/energy/trump...
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Trump Administration Is Paying Nearly $1 Billion to Cancel Two Offshore Wind Projects
French company TotalEnergies agreed to give up its two leases for future offshore wind projects and invest in oil and gas instead.
https://www.notus.org/energy/trump-administration-1-billion-settlement-totalenergies-wind-oil
3 months ago
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