3 Things To Know Today

Vintage movie countdown, illustration

Photo: Science Photo Library RF

1 Two Tennessee Democratic Lawmakers Expelled From House For Anti-Gun Protests

The Republican majority of the Tennessee House of Representatives voted on the expulsion of three Democratic members of the House for participating in anti-gun protests from the chamber floor, with two of the members being expelled from office. Rep. Justin Jones and Rep. Justin Pearson were both removed by votes of 72-25 and 69-26, while the vote to expel Rep. Gloria Johnson, a white woman, failed to get enough votes to remove her from her position. Representatives Jones and Pearson are both black men. The resolutions accused all three of engaging in “disorderly behavior” and bringing “disorder and dishonor to the House of Representatives.” Republican Rep. Gino Bulso, who introduced one of the expulsion resolutions, said yesterday “They tried to shred our constitution with a bullhorn.” Special elections will have to be called by Governor Bill Lee to replace the two expelled men.

2 West Virginia's Request To Lift Injunction Allowing Trans Athletes To Participate In Female Sports Refused By Supreme Court

The Supreme Court denied West Virginia’s emergency request to leave its law in place that bans transgender athletes from competing on female school sports teams. A lower court had issued an injunction against the state’s law, preventing it from being enforced while the three-judge panel makes a final decision. The case stems from a lawsuit filed on behalf of Becky Pepper-Jackson, a now-12-year-old transgender girl who planned to try out for her school’s cross-country team. The Biden administration proposed a new federal rule change yesterday that would allow schools to enforce some restrictions on transgender student-athletes but wouldn’t allow for a categorical ban based on their gender. The reaction from LGBTQ advocates was mixed, with some groups applauding the move while others said it doesn’t go far enough. The proposed rule will have 30 days for public comment before it goes into effect.

3 Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas Reportedly Got Gifts From GOP Donor For Years

A report from ProPublica revealed yesterday that Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas received expensive gifts and perks from Republican donor Harlan Crow for two decades without disclosing them on his annual financial disclosure filings, which experts say violates the code of conduct for federal officials. While neither Thomas nor the Supreme Court commented on the report yesterday, Crow said in a statement that he had “never” spoken with Thomas about a Supreme Court case. The report drew the expected response from progressive representatives yesterday afternoon, with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Rep. Rashida Tlaib, and Rep. Ilhan Omar all calling for Thomas to be impeached. Other Democratic legislators condemned the alleged violations by Thomas, but they didn’t call for his impeachment. District and appeals court judges are bound by a judicial ethics code, but the Supreme Court isn’t. Dick Durbin, head of the Senate Judiciary Committee says the committee "will act" on the allegations.


Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content

News Radio 1200 WOAI Podcasts

See All