Latest news with #Griffin
Yahoo
15 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
A voter targeted by Judge Griffin in 2024 NC Supreme Court race testifies before Congress
Mary Kay Heling of Raleigh testifies before Congress about ending up on NC Judge Jefferson Griffin's list of people whose votes he wanted discounted despite the fact that she had supplied all required registration information and showed her license to vote. (Photo: Screenshot from video) GOP Appeals Court Judge Jefferson Griffin's attempt to throw out more than 60,000 votes to win a Supreme Court seat landed in the national spotlight on Tuesday, this time through congressional testimony from one of the people he targeted. Mary Kay Heling, a Raleigh resident, told the Committee on House Administration that she ended up on Griffin's list last year even though she had voted without problems in primaries and general elections since 2016. The committee hearing was focused on maintaining accurate voter rolls. While Republicans said states could get away with not doing much to ensure only qualified voters were on their lists, Democrats warned that legal voters were being caught in Republican purges. Part of Griffin's challenge was based on the claim that voters failed to provide a partial Social Security number or driver's license number on their voter registration forms. Heling said she provided the last four digits of her Social Security number on the registration form and presented her driver's license at polling places when state law required voter ID. 'Never once did I doubt my vote was valid,' she said. After the November election, she received a postcard from the state GOP saying her vote might be challenged. She scanned the QR code on the postcard and spent more than an hour searching unsuccessfully for her name among thousands of others. It was later, searching a more user-friendly database, that she found she was on Griffin's list. She went to the Wake Board of Elections office to identify and correct any problem. 'It took work and persistence,'' she said. 'It was frustrating and time consuming.' Though state appellate courts ruled in favor of elements of Griffin's lawsuits, a federal judge ended Griffin's attempt to overturn Democratic Supreme Court Justice Allison Riggs' victory. Griffin's election lawsuit mirrored a Republican National Committee and state GOP lawsuit that sought to have more than 225,000 voters purged from the rolls before last year's election, claiming the missing numbers meant those voters were not legally registered. The House committee also heard testimony about maintaining accurate voter lists from two conservative group representatives, J. Christian Adams, president of the Public Interest Legal Foundation, and Justin Riemer, president and CEO at Restoring Integrity and Trust in Elections. They said the National Voter Registration Act's standards for voter roll maintenance are too low. Riemer encouraged the committee to eliminate or modify the 90-day 'blackout period' found in federal law that prohibits the systematic removal of voters from the rolls 90 days before a primary or federal general election. Relying on U.S. Postal Service change of address information is insufficient, he said, because it fails to capture everyone who has moved. Federal law should require states to exchange registration information with one another, he added. 'This is wholly inadequate given the multitude of data sources available to election officials today,' he said. A nonprofit organization called ERIC was established to help states maintain voter registration files. It offers members reports on people who have moved within state, out of state, and identifies duplicate voter registrations. Conservatives, however, grew suspicious of ERIC and Republican-run states pulled out of the group. North Carolina passed a law prohibiting membership. NPR reported that the far-right website Gateway Pundit started the Republican rush to leave ERIC. Republican U.S. Rep. Bryan Steil of Wisconsin, the committee's chairman, said voter list maintenance is crucial to election integrity. 'Inaccurate voter rolls could open the door to election fraud,' he said. 'It can hinder public confidence in our elections.' States can avoid properly maintaining their voter lists because federal standards are low, Steil said. Democrats on the committee used Heling's experience as an example of how difficult it is for voters to defend themselves when they are wrongfully targeted. Though Griffin's lawsuit failed, Democrats representing other states said registrations of legal voters had been erased in voter purges. It's voter purges that undermine confidence in elections, said U.S. Rep. Joe Morelle of New York, the committee's senior Democrat. 'The Trump administration's dangerous, false rhetoric' going back to the 2020 election erodes democracy and threatens the voting rights of all Americans, he said. He called Griffin's effort to cancel Heling's vote 'part of a concerted effort to concentrate partisan power.' Proper voter list maintenance is important to secure elections, he said. 'But systematic voter purges, often illegally conducted in the run-up to federal elections, pose a real threat to voters.' The U.S. Department of Justice sued the North Carolina Board of Elections over the missing numbers in the voter database. In consultation with the DOJ, the state Board of Elections developed a plan to collect the information. Last week, elections officials vowed that no voters would be removed from the rolls. People who have not supplied the numbers will be required to vote provisionally. If they don't put the information on the provisional ballot application, their votes in state races won't count. Republicans have taken the majority on the state Board of Elections and hired Republican Sam Hayes, former general counsel to GOP House Speaker Destin Hall, to run the state elections office. North Carolina U.S. Rep. Greg Murphy (R- 3rd District), a member of the committee, said the previous election board administration failed to address the problem of missing identification numbers. 'I'm happy to say now the legislature has taken control of the Board of Elections and turned it over to Republican control,' Murphy said. 'And now, the Republicans have begun the Registration Repair Project to ensure that all eligible voters have accurate, complete information on file.' Morelle referred to the lawsuit against North Carolina as an example of Trump's weaponization of the Justice Department that is putting 200,000 people at risk of not being able to vote. The Board of Elections is keeping an updated list of people who need to supply ID numbers. As of Tuesday evening, about 101,000 people were on it.
Irish Independent
18 hours ago
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Kilkenny Olympian to compete in the women's Tour de France
Mia Griffin from Glenmore in Co Kilkenny is set to make her Tour de France Femmes debut. Griffin, who is the reigning Irish national champion, is no stranger to the spotlight having represented Ireland at the Paris Olympics last summer. Last year, Griffin also became the first Irish rider in 11 years to win the Rás na mBan. The 26-year-old will line out for Swiss team Roland Le Dévoluy. Griffin is the first Irish rider officially announced, but up to three Irish cyclists are expected to feature when the race begins this Saturday, July 26. Now in its fourth year, this modern iteration of the Tour de France Femmes was established in 2022 and has become one of the most prestigious events in the women's cycling calendar. The 2025 route features three flat stages, two hilly stages, and four gruelling mountain stages, including a punishing climb of the Col de la Madeleine, a 2,000m ascent set to challenge the peloton on the penultimate day. TG4 will broadcast every stage of the 2025 Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift live, bringing viewers nine consecutive days of elite women's cycling from across France. Coverage begins on Saturday, July 26, with a 78km opening stage from Vannes to Plumelec in Brittany, and continues through to the dramatic mountain finale in Châtel Les Portes du Soleil on Sunday, August 3.
Irish Examiner
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
Clare legend Tony Griffin back in hurling action in Wicklow
Former Clare star Tony Griffin has found a new home to play his club hurling after a five-year absence from the game he loves, and it is a somewhat surprising destination for the 2006 All-Star. The Ballyhea legend made his debut in the Wicklow Intermediate hurling championship last weekend, firing home 1-3 from play for his adopted club Western Gaels in a fine victory over Arklow Rock Parnells in Echelon Centre of Excellence in Ballinakill on Saturday evening, his goal an absolute peach. "I married a girl from Ballymore Eustace whose father is from Hollywood. I was playing at home about five or six years ago, I was still travelling up and down to play with Ballyhea," said Griffin, before explaining why he had finished up playing with Ballyhea. 'I had an injury when I was 19, I had a collapsed lung from a tackle. And around five years ago, I was playing in a game and (the lung) spontaneously collapsed – which does happen – and so I ended up in hospital. "And then with small kids, I just got out of the habit of playing. I didn't think there was any hurling (around the area he lives in), and I didn't particularly want to play in Naas. "But then last summer, I heard about Western Gaels, and I went up one evening for a puck, and I saw the lads and how eager they were, and I thought it was good craic. So, over the winter I did some training and tried to get the body woken back up again, and it's very enjoyable." It's the underdog status of his new club that really appeals to the Clare legend, which reminds him of that place that gave him the tools that helped him create a wonderful legacy in the game of hurling. Tony Griffin with his children, Jerome and Jess, after the former All-Star helped his new club Western Gaels to victory in the Wicklow IHC in Ballinakill. "That's where I come from. Ballyhea is the last hurling club before west Clare, and that's football. So, we were always a junior club, then intermediate and then senior. We've won four of the last eight county senior championships, so I know what it's like to be an underdog club. "And that's partly what I enjoy about it. The lads that are here are here because they really enjoy playing the game. No matter what age you are, I think if you're half fit, hurling is a game where it's about positioning and decision making and knowing when to run and stuff. "I think it's a great game. One of the other reasons (why he hadn't played for five years) was that I was involved with the Kerry footballers doing their psychology, so I didn't have time. But this summer, I have a bit of time. "I'm glad to be a part of that. I've always loved the underdog. These are great lads. They're improving all the time. We'll probably run into a team that is bigger and better than us, but I don't think these lads will give in too easily," During this hard hitting and hotly contested match last weekend, the Clare native took no prisoners on the field, including engaging in a war of words with one particular Rocks player. "He was telling me that I was 50 and to go back to the retirement home. But the great thing about hurling is we all get hot-headed and get into it, but we all walk off the field and shake hands. "My thing is to try and play for as long as you can. I retired from the intercounty when I was 29. I was young. The cycle (charity cycle across Canada in memory of his late father, Jerome) kind of ruined me in a way. It changed my ability to play the game at the top level. "If I had had the conditioning that the guys have now, I'd probably have played until I was 35. So, in a way, I kind of feel like I have unfinished business with hurling, and I suppose that's why I'm here." A battle against Wicklow hurling kingpins Glenealy awaits in the next round but Griffin is confident that his new hurling family at Western Gaels will continue to improve with each game. "Who knows (how things will go). There are some very good teams out there from what I've heard. For these lads, this is a young club. And it's just to start to play the game in a certain way where we are looking up, and we are linking, and we are tackling well, hooking well, blocking well, enjoying your game and getting better every day. And that's what it's all about. I still get nervous before games. I woke up this morning and I was nervous. And that's a good thing. "It's great to be playing; the lads are brilliant. And they slag me something terrible," he said. And what about that goal? A high ball, attacker against defender, one on one, man on man, warrior against warrior. A battle made for a hurler like Tony Griffin. "The goal was just lucky. The ball was sitting in the air, and the man I was on went to bat it. I kind of said to myself, I can't miss this if I get it in my hand, so when I got it, I turned and, in fairness, I just had to not hit the goalkeeper. "The ball was amazing. It fizzed in the air. I was actually delighted with it. Because as I turned away, I said, 'Jaysus, I haven't scored a goal in a championship game in around 10 years'"
Time of India
2 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Artificial grass is carcinogenic? Why authorities in Europe are removing these from Football grounds
Synthetic turf has increasingly become a commonly used medium for playing soccer around the world because of its low-maintenance traits, like being weather-proof and playable year-round. But recent findings about this material are changing this belief, by bringing into light the hidden dangers behind the artificial shine. New research, especially in the Netherlands and Australia, is challenging long-held beliefs about the safety and environmental impact of these rubber-infused fields. Surprisingly, despite its innumerable benefits, the Dutch are planning to phase out artificial turf on sports fields starting in 2030, by replacing it with natural grass. Their decision comes after studies showed alarmingly high levels of toxic rubber infill used on football pitches. What toxins are present in turf, and why are nations reducing their usage One of the most toxic contents in the turf is the rubber crumb used as infill, which are tiny pellets made from recycled car tires. According to the Ministry of Sports, Netherlands, covering 60 Dutch football clubs, it was found that 58 fields had between 1.5 and 3.7 times more carcinogenic chemicals than allowed in consumer products. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Providers are furious: Internet access without a subscription! Techno Mag Learn More Undo These fields contained toxic substances such as arsenic, benzene, carbon black, heavy metals like lead and mercury, raising serious health concerns. Apart from that, across the US, soccer coach Amy Griffin from the University of Washington compiled a list of 237 athletes, mostly goalkeepers, who spent more time sliding on artificial grass and later developed cancer. Although a Washington State health department review didn't find definitive proof of causal links, Griffin warns that 'we can't definitively say they are safe... there is every reason to be concerned about artificial grass pitches', as cancer specialist Bob Lowenberg said to the Sports ministry of the Netherlands. Health experts give in their opinions According to a report by NL Times, the Netherlands' RIVM agency concluded no strong evidence links turf to cancers like leukemia or lymphoma. Similarly, American studies, including those by Connecticut and Massachusetts public health departments, have not confirmed elevated cancer risk. Still, many chemicals in rubber crumb, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are known or suspected carcinogens. How have nations responded to these discoveries? In response to growing evidence, several countries are taking action. The Netherlands plans to phase out artificial turf from 2030. The EU has proposed banning rubber crumb from sports pitches by 2031. Meanwhile, in Australia's New South Wales, 181 synthetic fields have also raised concerns about environmental and health impacts.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
‘Her heart was rare': 2 get life in prison for shooting death of 10-year-old girl at July 4 party in Cleveland
CLEVELAND (WJW) — Two people convicted last month in the shooting death of 10-year-old Gracie Griffin at a Fourth of July party last year were sentenced to life in prison on Monday. Gracie Griffin was shot and killed during a family cookout last summer. On Monday, her loved ones came face-to-face with the men responsible: brothers Juwone Deaver and Jemerious Davis. Dog the Bounty Hunter's step-grandson killed by father in accidental shooting: report Juwone D. Deaver, 29, and Jemerious S. Davis, 24, both of Cleveland, were each sentenced Monday to 25 years to life for her murder. The shooting happened during a Fourth of July party at a home near the intersection of West 125th Street and Triskett Road, FOX 8 News previously reported. Griffin, 10, was at the party and was standing outside the home with Deaver, Davis and another suspect when a vehicle carrying four people pulled in front of the home, prosecutors said. 'Deaver and Davis then opened fire, shooting multiple times with a .45 caliber firearm and an AK-style firearm at the vehicle,' reads a previous news release from the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor's Office. Vehicle that struck wanted man during Butler pursuit was driven by Mayor Wesley Dingus, police say Griffin was struck in the head and pronounced dead at a hospital. Deaver and Davis claimed they had felt threatened, but investigators determined no shots were fired from the vehicle, only toward it. 'She was taken, not by a stranger, but from someone she trusted; someone she was supposed to feel safe around,' Griffin's grandmother, Touch Choup, told the court on Monday. 'But I hope today justice speaks to the truth. That her life mattered. That her heart was rare. And that justice, whatever it looks like, speaks loud enough for her, since she can't speak for herself.' The courtroom inside the Justice Center was filled with emotion. Tears on both sides, and raw grief from a family still mourning a child taken too soon. Deaver's and Davis' mother, who also spoke at the Monday hearing, claimed the men were trying to protect Griffin and called her death a tragedy. Despite their convictions, the brothers' mother insisted in court they were acting to protect their family. East Cleveland mayor fires police chief: I-Team 'They didn't do it,' she said. 'They were protecting her; just as they were protecting us. And there's no telling what would have happened if they didn't protect us.' But for Gracie's family, that claim only deepened the pain. 'She was taken, not by a stranger,' said Gracie's grandmother. 'But from someone she trusted. Someone she was supposed to feel safe around.' 'Gracie Griffin's death was heartbreaking and completely avoidable,' Prosecutor Michael O'Malley is quoted in a Monday news release. 'While today cannot heal that loss, these sentences of 25 years to life send a clear message that senseless gun violence will not be tolerated.' While some members of the defendants' family expressed disappointment with the verdict, Gracie's loved ones said this wasn't about revenge; it was about making sure her voice was heard. Malcolm-Jamal Warner, 'Cosby Show' star, dies at 54 'I hope today, justice speaks to the truth,' a family member said. 'That her life mattered. That her heart was rare. And that justice, whatever it looks like, speaks loud enough for her, since she can't speak for herself.' In total, four people have been held accountable in connection with Gracie's death. Two other suspects also pleaded guilty to lying to police about the incident and have been sentenced, prosecutors said. The third suspect, Ed'Jawon Q. Williams, 24, of Cleveland, pleaded guilty in April to a felony count of obstructing justice and was sentenced to one year in prison, court records show. He was credited for about nine months served in jail while awaiting trial. Williams was also sentenced to four years in prison on felonious assault and intimidation charges from a separate case, state prison records show. 4 teens shot, 1 dead at unpermitted block party in Cleveland A fourth suspect, Katie McKnight, pleaded guilty in June to a misdemeanor count of obstructing justice and was sentenced to seven days in jail, which was credited for time served, court records show. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
