Texas AG conducts voter fraud raids, Latino group calls it voter intimidation
A prominent Latino advocacy group is calling for a federal investigation into Texas State Attorney General Ken Paxton following a series of raids his office conducted during the week of Aug. 18. The group described the effort as a voter fraud crackdown.
While Paxton has defended the raids, asserting that there was sufficient evidence to legally obtain the search warrants, the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) is urging the Department of Justice to intervene. LULAC argues that the raids are politically motivated and intended to intimidate voters.
Last week, Paxton’s office launched undercover operations to investigate claims that some organizations in Texas were unlawfully registering noncitizens to vote. According to a press release, the Election Integrity Unit is conducting these operations with a focus on allegations of election fraud and ballot harvesting dating back to the 2022 elections.
Paxton’s office reported that the two-year investigation provided enough evidence to secure the search warrants. However, no charges have been filed in connection with the raids so far.
At a news conference outside Paxton’s office in San Antonio, LULAC members and Democratic activists condemned the attorney general, accusing him of orchestrating a campaign of intimidation against Latino voters.
“Attorney General Paxton is working to suppress the Latino vote by using a call for election integrity as a pretext for voter intimidation,” LULAC representative said. “Paxton’s tactics will create a chilling effect that will stifle the Latino vote this election cycle.”
LULAC reported that at least six of its members had their homes searched, including an 87-year-old woman from San Antonio whose phone, computer, personal calendar, and blank registration forms were confiscated by law enforcement.
The DOJ has not commented on LULAC’s request for a federal investigation into the raids.
Texas AG investigates claims of nonprofits registering noncitizens to vote
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, R, has announced an investigation into claims that organizations in the state might be unlawfully registering noncitizens to vote. Paxton’s investigation follows an undercover operation by his Election Integrity Unit, which reportedly found nonprofit groups outside the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) offices offering voter registration assistance to individuals seeking driver’s licenses or ID cards.
Paxton questioned the necessity of these groups, noting that voters already have the opportunity to register inside DPS offices.
“Texans are deeply troubled by the possibility that organizations purporting to assist with voter registration are illegally registering noncitizens to vote in our elections,” Paxton said.
He also asked, “If eligible citizens can legally register to vote when conducting their business at a DPS office, why would they need a second opportunity to register with a booth outside?”
In Texas, lying about citizenship on voter registration forms can result in up to 180 days in jail and fines up to $10,000. It is also illegal to assist noncitizens in registering to vote, with violators facing up to 20 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
Noncitizen voting has become a partisan issue ahead of the November presidential election. Republicans introduced the SAVE Act in the House, which would require U.S. voters to provide proof of citizenship to cast a ballot. The GOP-led House passed the bill, but the Senate did not vote on the proposal, with a majority of Democrats, including President Biden, opposing it. They argue that it would make voting more difficult for U.S. citizens while Republicans argue it would make U.S. elections more secure.
Texas AG Paxton threatens to sue Dallas over gun ban at state fair
Texas’ Attorney General Ken Paxton and Republican lawmakers are challenging a new firearms ban at the State Fair of Texas. The fair announced a new rule banning guns at the fair, except for those carried by active or retired peace officers. The ban comes after a shooting at the fair last year left three people wounded.
Paxton has threatened legal action against the city of Dallas if the state fair does not rescind its firearms ban within 15 days. He argued that the ban violates a Texas government code protecting licensed gun carriers’ rights on government property.
Additionally, more than 70 Republican legislators signed a petition opposing the ban, arguing it compromises safety because gun-free zones are “magnets for crime” and less of a deterrent to potential wrongdoers.
According to a spokesperson for the State Fair of Texas, the firearms ban ensures a safe environment and family-friendly atmosphere.
Fair representatives said they will deploy 200 uniformed officers, conduct screenings, use a weapon detection system for security and implement a bag size policy.
Paxton said he sent a letter to the city of Dallas demanding that the ban be lifted before the start of the fair, which runs from Sept. 27 to Oct. 20.
Texas sues General Motors, says it illegally collected and sold driver data
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is suing one of the nation’s largest automakers after he claimed it was illegally collecting and selling drivers’ data. Paxton is accusing General Motors of selling that data to insurance companies without drivers’ consent or knowledge.
GM is the first car manufacturer to be hit with a lawsuit after the Texas Office of the Attorney General opened an investigation into several manufacturers in June.
The lawsuit alleges GM installed technology in more than 14 million vehicles, allowing the company to compile “driving scores.” The scores assess nearly 2 million Texas drivers on their “bad” habits. These include speeding, braking too fast, steering too sharply into turns, not using seatbelts and driving late at night.
Paxton said insurers could then use the data when deciding whether to raise premiums, cancel policies or deny coverage.
The attorney general claims the technology was installed on most GM vehicles starting with the 2015 model year.
GM was already facing data privacy concerns after The New York Times reported in March the company shared drivers’ data with data brokers. These brokers then gave that information to insurance companies.
The Texas lawsuit calls for the deletion of improperly collected data, compensation for drivers, civil fines, and other remedies for violations of the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act.
Meta agrees to $1.4B settlements over Texas privacy lawsuit
Facebook and Instagram parent company Meta has agreed to pay a record $1.4 billion settlement with Texas over allegations it used biometric data without permission. Filed in 2022, the Texas lawsuit said Meta violated a state law that prohibits capturing or selling a resident’s biometric information, such as their face or fingerprint, without their consent.
The state accused Meta of using its facial recognition software on photos uploaded to Facebook without users’ consent to automatically tag their faces on its site.
To date, Meta has now paid more than $2 billion in settlements over biometric privacy claims. Meta shut down its face-recognition system in 2021 and deleted the faceprints of more than a billion people amid growing concerns about potential misuse of the technology by governments, police and others.
Minnesota considers statewide universal basic income; Texas sues to stop UBI
The concept of universal basic income — inspired by pandemic stimulus checks issued under both President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump — is gaining traction across the states. However, opinions on its potential to reshape finances are not so universal.
Minnesota lawmakers are proposing a $100 million pilot program to establish universal basic income, aiming to support state residents with monthly payments.
The proposed program would grant $500 monthly for 18 months to individuals and families earning at or below 300% of the federal poverty level. Critics, including Minnesota Rep. Ben Davis, R, argue such initiatives might enable negative behaviors without proper safeguards against misuse.
“My philosophy has always been get government out of the way, give people the opportunity to work hard with their own hands and to provide for themselves,” Davis said.
Davis said he believes the bill is “opening the door for [Minnesota] being a socialist state.”
HF2666 is currently under review in the Minnesota House of Representatives.
Thank you, @TeamBettencourt for submitting an opinion request that drew attention to this unlawful activity. We stand with Senator Bettencourt in siding with Taxpayers of Texas. https://t.co/wifdxpaOe5
— Attorney General Ken Paxton (@KenPaxtonTX) April 9, 2024
“There is no such thing as free money — especially in Texas,” Paxton said in the lawsuit. “The Texas Constitution expressly prohibits giving away public funds to benefit individuals — a common-sense protection to prevent cronyism and ensure that public funds benefit all citizens.”
Harris County is joining San Antonio, Austin and El Paso County as the latest Texas region experimenting with basic income pilot programs, targeting support toward qualifying low-income families.
Border battle grows, half of US governors back Texas in standoff with feds
The fight between Texas and the federal government over enforcement at the U.S. southern border continues to intensify. The Supreme Court ruled on Jan. 22 that federal officers could cut and remove razor wire installed along the border by the Lone Star state to prevent illegal crossings.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, R, and other officials fired back, saying the state would not back off and would continue to implement border controls despite calls from the White House to stand down.
Some elected officials have backed Abbott’s efforts while others have pushed back.
For months, Abbott has directed the Texas National Guard to deploy razor wire along border hotspots — including Shelby Park, located in Eagle Pass, Texas — to deter migrants from crossing into the country.
The Biden administration sued.
In a 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court ruled in the Biden administration’s favor, giving the federal government the authority to cut down razor wire installed by Texas. The ruling, however, does not bar Texas from installing more razor wire, so Abbott and state officials are doubling down.
“We’ll keep doing everything that we need to do to protect our state,” Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, R, said in an interview with Fox News. “Despite the fact that the Supreme Court ruling was so wrong and has such a detrimental effect on our state and on our country.”
The fight between Texas officials and the federal government has been simmering for years.
“The Executive Branch of the United States has a constitutional duty to enforce federal laws protecting states, including immigration laws on the books right now,” Abbott said in a statement released Wednesday, Jan. 24. “President Biden has refused to enforce those laws and has even violated them.”
“So, all of this is just nonsense what Biden is doing,” Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, R, said in a video on X. “Texas has every right to stand its ground. We in Florida, we’ve been sending people for many years now, because we understand it’s not just Texas’ issue. It’s ultimately an American issue and if we don’t have sovereignty in this country then we’re not going to be a country anymore.”
Carlson asked Abbott how the state of Texas would respond if the White House federalizes the Texas National Guard, as some Democratic lawmakers have suggested.
“Well first off, shocked. That would be a bone-headed move on his [Biden’s] part, a total disaster,” Abbott told Carlson. “But for one, as you might imagine, we are prepared in the event that that unlikely event does occur.”
It’s unclear how the White House will respond if Texas does not grant federal troops access to Shelby Park to cut down the razor wire. Abbott vows to keep erecting barriers in the state of Texas along the U.S. southern border.
Pakistan strikes back at Iran; US targets Houthi missiles: The Morning Rundown, Jan. 18, 2024
Developing stories out of the Middle East as Pakistan fires back at Iran and the U.S. launches additional strikes at Houthi targets. And the latest Apple Watches will be back on sale on Thursday, Jan. 18, but with some changes. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Thursday, Jan. 18, 2024.
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Pakistan strikes Iran; U.S. targets Houthi missiles
There are new developments out of the Middle East as the possibility of a wider war in the region looms. Pakistan said it has carried out strikes targeting terrorists inside Iran.
The sole objective of today’s act was in pursuit of Pakistan’s own security and national interest, which is paramount and cannot be compromised.
Pakistan’s foreign affairs ministry
The strikes come after an Iranian missile attack on Tuesday, Jan. 16, that Pakistani officials said killed two children and was unprovoked. Pakistan said its strikes on Iran were “highly coordinated and specifically targeted precision strikes against terrorist hideouts.”
An Iranian official said the strikes killed at least nine people, including four children. Pakistan’s foreign affairs ministry released a statement that said Pakistan’s national security is its priority.
“Pakistan fully respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Islamic Republic of Iran,” the statement said. “The sole objective of today’s act was in pursuit of Pakistan’s own security and national interest, which is paramount and cannot be compromised.”
Meanwhile, the United States launched another round of airstrikes against Houthi targets in Yemen on Wednesday night, Jan. 17. U.S. Central Command said U.S. forces targeted 14 Iran-backed Houthi missiles that were loaded to be fired from the Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen. The U.S. said the missiles presented an imminent threat to merchant vessels and Navy ships in the region.
On Wednesday, Jan. 17, the U.S. announced it was redesignating the Houthis as global terrorists for the group’s continued attacks against commercial ships in the Red Sea. The move subjects the Houthis to economic sanctions aimed to cut off funding to the militant group.
Speaker Johnson pushes the president for border reform in meeting on Ukraine aid
Following a meeting at the White House on Wednesday, Jan. 17, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., told reporters he pressed President Biden on immigration reform, calling the southern border a “national security and humanitarian catastrophe.” Biden called congressional leaders pushing for more aid to Ukraine, aid that has been blocked by House Republicans for months demanding stricter border policy as the U.S.-Mexico border has been flooded with a record number of migrants.
According to the Pew Research Center, 10.5 million undocumented immigrants have been living in the U.S. since 2021. While Republicans have drawn a proverbial line in the sand demanding the border be addressed in any Ukraine-Israel funding package, the meeting may have marked a path forward for negotiations that have been at a stalemate in Congress.
Biden has requested $61.4 billion in additional funding for Ukraine, which includes additional funding for Israel. Still, it hinges on what border policy changes both sides can agree upon.
“We understand that there is concern about the safety, security, sovereignty of Ukraine,” Speaker Johnson said. “But the American people have those same concerns about our own domestic sovereignty and our safety, and our security.”
In talking to reporters following the meeting, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer expressed some hope that talks are moving in the right direction, with both sides having similar goals. But he did note that compromise is the only way anything gets passed.
Texas defies DHS cease-and-desist letter after park takeover
A war of words is brewing between Texas and the Biden administration amid the immigration crisis at the border after the state’s national guard took over a public park along the U.S.-Mexico border last week. The state said the move was to deter migrants from illegally crossing into the area.
The Department of Homeland Security issued a cease-and-desist letter to Texas over the weekend, calling for officials to stop blocking federal border patrol agents from entering Shelby Park in Eagle Pass, by a deadline of Wednesday, Jan. 17.
The department said Texas’ move is obstructing border patrol from apprehending and processing migrants. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton responded Wednesday, Jan. 17, sending a letter to Homeland Security, rejecting its request and saying the state will continue “utilizing its constitutional authority to defend her territory.” DHS has warned Texas it would refer the matter to the Justice Department should the state continue to deny border patrol full access.
Maine judge defers Trump decision until Supreme Court ruling
Maine’s secretary of state barred Trump from the ballot last month, citing his actions around the Jan. 6 capitol riots a week after the Colorado Supreme Court’s similar decision. Trump, the GOP frontrunner for the 2024 presidential election, has appealed the states’ decisions, leaving his name on both ballots for now.
The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear the case out of Colorado, with arguments set for Feb. 8. The Maine judge ordered Maine’s secretary of state to make a new ruling within 30 days of the Supreme Court’s decision.
On Wednesday, Jan. 17, Trump voluntarily attended his defamation trial in New York for a second day, where he sparred with the judge, who threatened to kick him out of court for making comments as his accuser, columnist E. Jean Carroll, was testifying. Trump said he will not be at Thursday’s Jan. 18 court proceedings so he can attend the funeral of his mother-in-law, who passed away last week at the age of 78.
Iowa sues TikTok for misleading parents and exposing children to harmful content
Other states have filed similar lawsuits, though a judge in Indiana threw out the case. TikTok faces many other legal challenges, from inappropriate content to privacy concerns. It is not just TikTok facing backlash and challenges when it comes to protecting children from harmful content on social media; globally, there have been calls for social platforms to protect children.
In a statement regarding the latest lawsuit in Iowa, TikTok said it “has industry leading safeguards in place for young people, including parental controls and time limits for those under 18. We are committed to tackling industry wide challenges and will continue to prioritize community safety.” TikTok’s CEO, along with the other social media CEOs, is set to testify in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee on Jan. 31 discussing online child sexual exploitation.
Apple begins selling watches without blood oxygen feature
The latest versions of the Apple Watch will return to Apple store shelves but with some modifications. Beginning Thursday, Jan. 18, Apple will once again sell its Series 9 and Ultra 2 watches online and at its retail stores, but the watches will be without the blood oxygen feature.
This comes after Apple was banned from using the technology following an intellectual property dispute with the medical device company Masimo. The blood oxygen app will still be on the watches, but Apple said when users tap on it, they will be alerted that the feature is no longer accessible. Apple is still appealing the International Trade Commission’s ruling that found Apple infringed on Masimo’s patents.
Biden warns Israel is losing world support, says US will aid Ukraine ‘as long as we can’: The Morning Rundown, Dec. 13, 2023
President Biden delivers updates on where the United States stands in its support of Israel and Ukraine. And, Apple is rolling out a new security feature to protect iPhone users from passcode thieves. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2023.
Biden says Israel is losing support; US will aid Ukraine ‘as long as we can’
Biden said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu needs to change his approach, calling him the leader of “the most conservative government in Israel’s history” that doesn’t “want anything remotely approaching a two-state solution.”
Hours before Biden’s comments, Netanyahu remarked on the rift between the U.S. and Israel concerning what a post-war Gaza would look like.
“Yes, there is disagreement about ‘the day after Hamas’ and I hope that we will reach agreement here as well,” Netanyahu said.
Meanwhile, Biden announced $200 million in approved aid for Ukraine during a joint press conference with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House.
However, Biden admitted with funding for additional aid stalled amid disagreements in the Senate over a stricter border policy, the U.S. will only be able to support Ukraine for a limited time if no action is taken. Biden called it a gift for Russian President Vladimir Putin and said America will continue to supply Ukraine with critical weapons and equipment for “as long as we can.”
“Without supplemental funding, we’re rapidly coming to an end of our ability to help Ukraine respond to the urgent operational demands that it has,” Biden said. “Putin is banking on the United States failing to deliver for Ukraine. We must, we must, we must prove him wrong.”
UN General Assembly votes in favor of cease-fire after US veto
As the United States continues to support Israel and its right to defend itself after Hamas’ terror attack, while being critical of the impact on civilians in Gaza, the U.S. has refused to back calls for a cease-fire. On Tuesday, Dec. 12, the U.N. General Assembly voted in favor of a resolution demanding a cease-fire despite opposition from the U.S. and Israel.
Eight countries, including Austria, Guatemala, and Paraguay, joined the U.S. and Israel in opposing the resolution. The assembly’s vote came a few days after the United States vetoed a similar resolution in the smaller Security Council on Friday, Dec. 8.
Arab and Islamic nations called the emergency session of the general assembly to vote on Tuesday, Dec. 12. While resolutions from the General Assembly are not legally binding, they are a gauge of where the world stands on issues.
Following the vote, Riyad Mansour, the Palestinian U.N. ambassador, said it was a “historic day in terms of the powerful message that was sent from the General Assembly.”
Media Matters sues Texas, alleging it violated the First Amendment
Apple releasing security feature to protect against code-stealing thieves
Apple is releasing a new security feature for iPhones to protect users from thieves who learn their passcodes, which unlocks their phones. The move is in response to a report by the Wall Street Journal on criminals stealing iPhones after watching users type in their passcodes.
With stolen device protection turned on, an iPhone will restrict certain settings, like changing passwords, when it’s away from a location familiar to the user.
If a request is made to change a password, the iPhone will require a Face ID or Touch ID. from the user. There will then be an hour-long delay, at which time another Face ID or Touch ID scan will be needed to confirm the action. Then, and only then, can the password be changed.
iPhone users are still encouraged to hide their passcodes when in public and never give them out to strangers.
Netflix releases viewership data for first half of 2023
The public is getting a better idea of what viewers have been watching on Netflix and how much they’ve been watching. For years, the streaming service has held back on releasing viewer data, but on Tuesday, Dec. 12, Netflix moved to become more transparent.
The first report of its kind, titled “What We Watched,” includes a list of viewing times on the platform for the first half of the year. Netflix released information on more than 18,000 movies and TV series, each having at least 50,000 viewing hours.
According to the report, season one of Netflix’s original “The Night Agent” was the most-viewed show between January and June, with 812 million viewing hours.
Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos said the company’s lack of transparency created an “atmosphere of mistrust over time,” and this list creates “a better environment.” However, he admitted it may be more information than anyone would need.
Why Kate Cox did not qualify for an exception to Texas abortion ban
According to Texas law, an abortion can be performed when a mother’s life is at risk. Kate Cox is now the face of post-Roe controversy after the Texas Supreme Court ruled she did not qualify for an exception.
According to the Texas Supreme Court, Cox’s doctors did not prove her own life was in danger. The high court ruled if circumstances change or have changed and Cox’s doctors determine her life is at risk, then she could get an abortion with no court order needed.
As long as the baby has a heartbeat and Cox’s life is not in danger, the pregnancy cannot be terminated under Texas law.
Cox decided to travel to another state for an abortion procedure.
“Dr. Karsan did not assert that Ms. Cox has a ‘life-threatening physical condition,’” the Texas Supreme Court ruled. “No one disputes that Ms. Cox’s pregnancy has been extremely complicated. Some difficulties in pregnancy, however, even serious ones, do not pose the heightened risks to the mother the exception encompasses.”
Other factors have driven Cox’s story to the national stage. The fetus was diagnosed with a life-threatening genetic disorder.
“The diagnosis was confirmed: their baby has full Trisomy 18,” the Cox v. Texas lawsuit stated. “Ms. Cox and her family were devastated. Ms. Cox’s physicians explained that some families with a Trisomy 18 diagnosis choose to continue their pregnancies, while others choose abortion.”
According to the National Institute of Health, a baby with this diagnosis has a 10% chance of surviving past the age of one.
Cox’s baby’s life was at risk, but Texas law does not contain any exception to the abortion ban for that reason.
“Ms. Cox asked about termination,” Cox’s lawsuit read. “Ms. Cox was shocked when her physician told her that due to Texas’s abortion bans, as long as her baby had a heartbeat, she would not be able to obtain an abortion in Texas. All they could do was continue to monitor the baby for cardiac activity.”
While the pregnancy was not found to be life-threatening, it did present a risk to future fertility. This would have been Cox’s third C-section, which increases risk for any future pregnancies.
The lawsuit stated “she will receive either 1) a labor induction at term or earlier, if her baby’s heartbeat stops, or 2) a C-section at full term. Both are associated with significantly higher mortality and morbidity than abortion. A C-section is a major surgery that becomes riskier each time it is repeated.”
According to the suit, Cox has gone to the ER several times for cramping and fluid leaks. She has elevated glucose levels which her doctors say increase her risk of diabetes and hypertension.
“While Ms. Cox’s life may not be imminently at risk, she is at high risk for many serious medical conditions that pose risks to her future fertility and can become suddenly and unexpectedly life-threatening,” lawyers for Cox stated in the lawsuit.
According to the Texas Supreme Court, if her pregnancy did become life-threatening, her doctors could perform an abortion immediately.
“A pregnant woman does not need a court order to have a lifesaving abortion in Texas,” the ruling stated. “Our ruling today does not block a life-saving abortion in this very case if a physician determines that one is needed. Nothing in this opinion prevents a physician from acting if, in that physician’s reasonable medical judgment, she determines that Ms. Cox has a ‘life threatening physical condition’ that places her at risk of death.”