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Axios
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Axios
PSC elections will guide electricity rates and clean energy future
Early voting has begun to pick who should serve on the Georgia Public Service Commission, the state regulator that decides how much you pay to turn on your lights. Why it matters: In addition to electricity and natural gas rates, the five-member commission regulates telecom companies and has major say over the future of clean energy in Georgia. Catch up quick: PSC elections have been delayed since 2022 after a federal judge ruled the commission's at-large elections violated the Voting Rights Act, kickstarting a legal dispute that remains under appeal. The winners of the June primary will face off in the Nov. 4 general election. Zoom in: Commissioners are elected statewide but must live in a specific district. They serve staggered six-year terms. Here's who's on the ballot. District 2 (east): Alicia Johnson, a health care consultant from Savannah, is the lone candidate in the Democratic primary. She will face the winner of the Republican contest between incumbent Commissioner Tim Echols, who was first elected in 2010, and business owner Lee Muns, District 3 (metro Atlanta): Clean energy nonprofit professional Peter Hubbard, former utility executive Robert Jones and former Atlanta City Council member Keisha Sean Waites compete for the Democratic nomination. On Tuesday, an administrative law judge said another Democratic candidate, former EPA regional administrator Daniel Blackman, did not provide enough evidence to prove he lived in the district long enough to qualify for the ballot, the AJC reports. Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger makes the final decision as to whether Blackman can remain on the ballot. Incumbent Commissioner Fitz Johnson, the PSC's first Black Republican commissioner, is facing voters for the first time since he was appointed to the post by Kemp in 2021. By the numbers: Georgia Power customers' bills have jumped an average of $43 since 2023 thanks to rate hikes approved by the all-Republican panel, Georgia Recorder reports. Caveat: A yet-to-be-approved deal between the PSC and Georgia Power that's been blessed by Gov. Brian Kemp — and called out by watchdogs as an election-year ploy — would freeze rates through 2028. Yes, but: Whoever wins in November will decide whether Georgia Power and other utilities can pass on the costs of hurricane cleanup, fuel and transmission lines to ratepayers, Jennette Gayer of Environment Georgia told Axios. In addition, they will join ongoing discussions about Georgia's data center boom and the strain the billion-dollar projects have had on the state's power grid. What's next: Early voting runs until June 13. Election Day is June 17, followed by runoffs on July 15 if needed. Log in to My Voter Page to check your polling place and view a sample ballot.
Associated Press
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
Ivey appoints first Black Republican on Alabama Supreme Court
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey on Tuesday appointed state appellate Judge Bill Lewis to the Alabama Supreme Court. He will be the first Black Republican to serve on the court. Lewis replaces Justice Jay Mitchell, who resigned Monday. Lewis most recently served on the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals. Ivey appointed him to the position last year. He was previously the presiding circuit judge in the 19th Judicial Circuit in Elmore County. 'Judge Bill Lewis continues demonstrating justice and fairness under the law, as well as a willingness to serve the people of Alabama,' Ivey said in a statement. 'His decades of experience will serve the Supreme Court of Alabama well, and I am confident he is the best choice.' Lewis is the fourth Black justice to serve on the state's highest court and the first Black Republican. The three previous Black justices — Oscar Adams, Ralph Cook and John England — were all Democrats. Alabama's appellate judges run in statewide partisan elections, just like the governor, attorney general and other top officials. The court, like other statewide offices, has become dominated by Republicans. The state Supreme Court has been all-Republican for over a decade and has been comprised entirely of white justices since 2001. A group of Black voters in 2016 filed a federal lawsuit that unsuccessfully challenged the state's method of selecting judges, saying the statewide elections have resulted in all-white courts in a state where one in four residents is Black. Ivey will appoint Lewis' replacement to the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals. In his resignation letter to Ivey, Mitchell, also a Republican, said he wants to play a more active role in politics and will make an announcement about his future in the coming days. 'President Trump is moving boldly to restore the United States Constitution — and we must ensure that his agenda takes root not only in Washington, but also in the states,' Mitchell wrote. Mitchell is best known for writing an opinion regarding frozen embryos that said couples could sue for wrongful death of a minor child after their frozen embryos were accidentally destroyed. The ruling temporarily upended IVF services in the state as clinics became concerned about civil liability.
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Why we must listen to Virginia's governors — even when they don't reflect our full story
The Executive Mansion in Richmond's Capitol Square, the official residence of the governor of Virginia. (Photo by Markus Schmidt/Virginia Mercury) I received an email about an event happening on May 17, 2025, at Virginia Commonwealth University, marking the 71st anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education, which dismantled segregation in schools nationwide, hosted by the Virginians for Reconciliation Project. What struck me immediately — and not in a good way — was that the panel consisted entirely of white men. It stopped me cold. Everyone on the email thread I was on was outraged too. That is, until I realized that the panelists were all former governors of Virginia. And in case you didn't know, Virginia has only ever elected one Black governor, L. Douglas Wilder, in 1989. Every other governor since the 1600s has been a white man. My initial reaction was to criticize the lack of diversity on the panel, which seemed ironic since they were supposed to be discussing one of the most pivotal moments in American history that diversified classrooms in Virginia and beyond. Why not include former Gov. Wilder, now in his 90s? Or the current Black Speaker of the House? Or the Senate Majority Leader, a Black woman? Or the sitting Lt. Governor, a Black Republican woman? The only Black woman involved is the moderator — a sitting state delegate from Richmond — but she's not on the panel itself. Let's be honest: A panel of all white men cannot reflect the full breadth of Virginia's past — or its future. But these men did hold the highest office in the commonwealth. They shaped Virginia's policies, laws, and institutions, for better or worse. And if we are serious about reconciliation, we must be willing to hear from those who held power, even when that power excluded us. This is not about agreement — it's about accountability. We can't change the systems we don't understand. These governors can offer insights into what shaped Virginia, where it failed and where we must go. Reconciliation is not passive. It is active, inclusive and uncomfortable. It requires listening — even when what we hear doesn't reflect our values or experience. We are in a moment of necessary tension in Virginia and across America, vacillating between reverence and reckoning, history and hope. This upcoming panel brings together seven former governors from both parties. Yes, they are all white. Yes, they are all men. The concerns raised about the lack of racial and gender diversity they represent are valid. In a nation still reckoning with the legacies of segregation and systemic exclusion, representation is not just symbolic; it's substantive. Diversity brings perspective. It brings the lived experience of those long shut out of decision-making rooms. So why bring these seven men together now? Because this is not a celebration of the past — it's a confrontation with it. Some of these governors resisted change. Some enabled it. All of them governed during periods of transformation or stagnation. If they are honest, their reflections can illuminate the forces that shaped us, and the courage or silence that defined their terms. This is not the end of the conversation. It's the beginning. I hope this panel helps Virginians become bridge builders and legacy leaders. Seventy-one years after Brown, we don't need self-congratulation, we need truth-telling. We need space to ask: What did we get wrong? What must we do differently? Who do we still leave behind? In November, Virginia will elect a woman as governor — no matter who wins. That's never happened before. That's not symbolic. That's transformational. That's the arc of history bending, finally, toward equity. Her time has come: Virginia will, after four centuries, have a woman governor The panel is only one piece of a broader program. And to VCU's credit, the commitment to reconciliation is real. But reconciliation must be rooted in honesty. It must reflect the fullness of who we are and who we aspire to be. So, if I may offer some unsolicited advice to enhance this program: Add current Black leaders to the event. That could include the Black female Lt. Governor, the Black Speaker of the House, or former Black statewide officials. Don't frame their inclusion as an afterthought. Make it clear they are essential to the vision of this event. Emphasize that their leadership represents the future of Virginia. Not just diversity for diversity's sake, but the new center of power, voice, and vision. To honor Brown, we must amplify those carrying the torch forward, not just those who held it in the past. We must widen the circle, deepen the dialogue, and ensure that reconciliation includes truth, representation and responsibility. Reconciliation, after all, is not a moment — it is a movement. It calls us to listen across difference, to learn from power and to lift the voices long silenced. We are building a new bridge for Virginia, one strong enough to carry us GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
USA Today
30-04-2025
- Health
- USA Today
Michael Bolton diagnosed with brain cancer glioblastoma. What is that?
Michael Bolton diagnosed with brain cancer glioblastoma. What is that? Show Caption Hide Caption Stanford Medicine trial cell therapy fights childhood brain cancer A participant in a Stanford cancer trial trial showed no detectable signs of brain cancer and others showed shrunken tumors. Michael Bolton's battle with glioblastoma has brought renewed attention to one of the most complex, deadly and treatment-resistant cancers. The singer, 72, told People he was diagnosed in December 2023 after having emergency surgery. He also underwent another brain surgery in January 2024. In the interview published April 30, Bolton said he finished radiation and chemotherapy in October and his most recent scan was clear in early April. The five-year survival rate for glioblastoma patients is about 6.9%, and the average length of survival is estimated to be only eight months, according to the National Brain Tumor Society. However, Bolton told People that he has intentionally not received a prognosis. Here's what to know about the aggressive brain tumor. What is glioblastoma? Glioblastoma is a form of brain cancer that starts as a growth of cells in the brain or spinal cord, according to the Mayo Clinic. The cancer is aggressive and can grow quickly while invading and destroying healthy tissue, Dr. Mustafa Khasraw, neuro-oncologist at Duke University School of Medicine, said during a January 2023 interview. 'A diagnosis of glioblastoma is a death sentence,' with most patients dying two years after diagnosis, he said. It's estimated that more than 10,000 people will die from glioblastoma every year, according to the National Brain Tumor Society. Some prominent figures who have died from glioblastoma include Mia Love, the first Black Republican woman elected to Congress, Beau Biden, son of former U.S. President Joe Biden, and U.S. Senator John McCain. Symptoms of glioblastoma Although a diagnosis can occur at any age, the Mayo Clinic said older adults are more likely to develop glioblastoma. Symptoms of glioblastoma include: Headache Nausea and vomiting Confusion, decline in brain function or memory loss Personality changes or irritability Vision changes, such as blurred vision, double vision or loss of peripheral vision Speech difficulties Trouble with balance or coordination Muscle weakness in the face, arms or legs Seizures, particularly in someone who has never experienced them before Bolton told People magazine his treatments have impacted his short-term memory, speech and mobility. More on Bolton: Michael Bolton speaks out on brain cancer diagnosis: 'I want to keep going' Is there a cure for glioblastoma? Glioblastoma can sometimes be treated with radiation therapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy or brain surgery, called a craniotomy, according to the Cleveland Clinic. While treatments might slow cancer growth and reduce symptoms, there is no cure. It's one of the few cancers that has seen little progress in two decades despite increased funding from organizations, institutions and pharmaceutical companies, Khasraw said. This is partly due to the cancer's aggressive nature and how difficult it is to include enough participants in robust clinical trials. 'It has been notoriously difficult to discover great new therapies and improve outcomes,' he said. 'It's an area of unmet need.' Adrianna Rodriguez can be reached at adrodriguez@
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
A little somethin' on the side to keep him busy
Apr. 7—Rahmbo goes for gold Former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel has been making a lot of noise lately about running for something soon — governor or U.S. Senate in 2026, even president in 2028. He clearly isn't done with politics in Illinois or beyond the state borders. But Emanuel announced last week that he's picked up a side gig while he ponders his future election plans. The career politician is returning to work at investment bank Centerview Partners. He worked there from 2019-2021 as a glorified influence peddler. Given his background, Emanuel can get powerful people on the phone, creating opportunities for him to counsel "CEOs on mergers, regulation and political information," according to one news account. Emanuel left the Clinton administration in its second term to make his fortune in investment banking. That secured, he subsequently ran for the U.S. House in the Chicago area, served as a chief of staff in the first Obama administration, was elected mayor for two terms and then served as an ambassador to Japan under President Biden. Mr. Mayor College towns haven't been very hospitable to Republicans in recent years. But former GOP state Rep. Dan Brady handily won his election bid for mayor of Bloomington in Tuesday's consolidated, supposedly nonpartisan election. Gov. J.B. Pritzker and his associates were bragging after Democrats won soundly over Republicans in the suburbs. But Brady pulled off an impressive win in a three-way race that included the incumbent. Brady, who collected 49 percent of the vote, will take over the part-time job on May 1. Bloomington Democrats tried to turn the nonpartisan race into a referendum on President Trump by running ads featuring Brady wearing a "MAGA" hat. Brady was pleased with the win, attributing it to his long record in state and county government as well as community affairs. "I have enjoyed bipartisan support throughout my career in government," he said. Brady, who is 62, served 20 years in the Illinois House and two terms as McLean County coroner. Plus, he said being "born and raised here didn't hurt either." "I know the people of Bloomington, and the people of Bloomington know me," he said. Brady said he is looking forward to addressing municipal issues, including public safety, infrastructure improvements and economic development. Dems whack feared foe There's nothing that Republicans or Democrats like more than derailing the career of a talented member of the other party. That's why they worked so hard to defeat Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin's re-election campaign. Irvin ran for the GOP nomination for governor in 2024, losing the primary to conservative opponent Darren Bailey. But his candidacy sent chills down the spines of Democrats, who feared a Black Republican who grew up in poverty to become a successful lawyer and politician could attract a lot of votes. Pritzker spent a ton of his own money in the 2024 GOP gubernatorial primary to persuade voters to reject Irvin and nominate the easily beatable Bailey. After that, Dems set out to defeat Irvin in Tuesday's Aurora mayoral election. They got the job done by spending a lot of money characterizing the two-term incumbent as a clone of President Trump. The Illinoize reports Democrats spent "buckets of money" on behalf of the eventual winner, Alderman John Laesch. That included "over $110,000 in direct mail" plus "another $30,000 in digital ads and $18,000 in polling in the race." The Illinoize reported the Republican Party "spent $0 on behalf of Irvin." Puppy payoff Here's a Chicago corruption story that, unlike so many others, will warm the cockles of outraged taxpayers' hearts. A Chicago-area construction company owner has been charged with overseeing a bribery conspiracy in which he plied a corrupt Amtrak official with multiple gifts that included a German Shepherd puppy. Mark Snedden, an Indiana resident who owns a Dolton construction company, has been cooperating with investigators as part of his negotiated guilty plea agreement. The Amtrak official, the now-deceased Ajith Bhaskaran, allegedly approved "tens of millions of dollars of extra payments" to Snedden's company in exchange for lavish gifts, foreign trips, expensive meals and the puppy, complete with dog training classes. Included in the evidence FBI agents collected were photos of Bhaskaran "at his home with the dog," according to The Chicago Tribune. He was overseeing a $58 million contract to renovate a train station in Philadelphia. This case represents one of Amtrak's largest corruption cases, the probe instigated by an anonymous letter sent to Amtrak's inspector general. This is another vile example of public officials selling out the public. Nonetheless, there's got to be a special place in a prison cell block for corrupt government officials who like dogs. Voice is silent Longtime Chicago Tribune political reporter turned University of Illinois spokesman Thomas Hardy died March 27. He was 72. Hardy was a well-known figure in journalism circles, thanks to his long tenure with the Chicago Tribune. His byline graced many a Tribune front page. He began his career at the Trib as a copy clerk, rising to the level of a political writer and columnist. Hardy left the Trib after 20 years to work for former Gov. Jim Edgar as press secretary and then public-relations firm Burson-Marsteller. He worked as the UI's chief spokesman for nearly 20 years. Writing in tribute to Hardy was Lex Peterson, a former assistant to UI President Stanley Ikenberry. Characterizing Hardy as "a wry and fine boss," she said she "urged him to apply" for the UI job and that university officials "were thrilled when we brought him in." Turning tricks Local fans of the Bridge card game are always trying to attract new players. That why former University of Illinois Professor Wesley Seitz has scheduled another opportunity for those interested in learning the game. He'll preside over a one-day workshop on the basics of Bridge on April 19 at the Ginger Creek Bridge Club, 2901-B W. Springfield Ave., Champaign. Called the "Bridge Quick Start Workshop," it is aimed at beginners (or newbies looking to brush up their understanding of the game) and will last from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. This is the latest in a series of Bridge workshops conducted by the Bridge club. Part of the learning process involves establishing veteran players as mentors for beginners and offering sessions on Sunday afternoons for further instruction and practice. Competitive games are offered on several days of the week for players at various skill levels. Those interested may text or call Seitz at 217-649-9294 for more information or to sign up. The $20 registration fee covers the cost of lunch and an instruction book.
