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Born on Oct. 7, Ali’s First Year Has Played Out Against the Backdrop of the Israel-Hamas War

World News

Observer Staff

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2024-10-06

Born on Oct. 7, Ali’s First Year Has Played Out Against the Backdrop of the Israel-Hamas War

(AP) — Ali Al-Taweel was born as Israeli warplanes started to pound the Gaza Strip after Hamas’ surprise cross-border attack on southern Israel.

Now, the Palestinian child will celebrate his first birthday as the Israeli-Hamas war reaches its one-year mark. For his family, it’s been a year filled with uncertainty and anxiety as they moved from place to place amid widespread destruction and limited resources.

“I had arranged another, very sweet life for him,” Ali’s mother, Amal Al-Taweel, told The Associated Press in an interview. “The war has changed everything.”

When the war began on Oct. 7 of last year, Al-Taweel was being rushed to a hospital in central Gaza to give birth to a child she and her husband, Mustafa Al-Taweel, had sought for three years. After Ali’s birth, his family returned to their home in the Zahrah neighborhood, just north of Wadi Gaza, but were forced to flee on Oct. 18, just a day before Israeli warplanes bombed the area, Al-Taweel said.

Since then, they have been living in relatives’ homes and shelters across central and southern Gaza, including the city of Rafah before the Israeli military invaded it in May. They now shelter in the house of Al-Taweel’s parents in the Nuseirat refugee camp, along with 15 other relatives.

“It was a very difficult year, bad in every way — from a health perspective, from a psychological perspective,” the 30-year-old said, adding that her child has been raised against the backdrop of daily bombing and killing.

The Hamas-led attack on Oct. 7, 2023, killed some 1,200 people — mostly civilians — and took about 250 hostage, including children and a newborn. Israel responded with one of the deadliest and most destructive military campaigns in recent history. The war has killed about 42,000 Palestinians, many of them women and children, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which doesn’t differentiate between civilians and combatants.

More than 80% of Gaza’s population of 2.3 million have been forced to flee their homesand cram into a tent camp on Gaza’s shore. A quarter of the strip’s population faces starvation amid an Israel-imposed blockade, allowing only limited delivery of aid, according to the United Nations.

Al-Taweel said every stage of Ali’s life has been difficult “from the time he started crawling, to when his teeth came out, to when he started his first steps, to when he started walking.” And she worried constantly about his safety, recalling that he was slightly injured when a strike hit close to her sister’s house in the camp, shattering the windows.

Al-Taweel counted multiple challenges she and her husband, who lost his job as a day laborer in a seaside restaurant in Gaza City, have faced since the war began. Ali didn’t receive any vaccinations in his first six months, making him vulnerable to disease, his mother said. And, with the blockade in place, she has struggled to obtain formula and diapers.

“They do not exist, and if they exist, they are very expensive and we can’t afford them,” she said.

Israel has severely restricted aid deliveries of food, water, medicine and other supplies into Gaza during the war. U.N. agencies and aid groups working in the enclave have long complained about lack of access and crippling restrictions on aid delivery.

“There is no single word that can describe the past year,” said Sondos Alashqar, who works with the Medical Aid for Palestine group. Alashqar said that the hardships Palestinians saw during this past year exceeded what their grandparents experienced during the 1948 Nakba — or catastrophe — when some 700,000 Palestinians fled or were forced from what is now Israel.

“We witnessed numerous death-and-life situations,” she said. “It was one of the hardest years we’ve even lived — harder than what our grandparents experienced.”

Al-Taweel said that constant bombing, displacement and destruction have made it difficult for her to raise her child as she had planned in his first year.

“It (the year) was full of tension, fear, anxiety, displacement, bombing and destruction,” she said. “He was not like any other child who lives in a safe, peaceful, and healthy (environment).”

Twin Babies in Georgia Are Youngest-Known Hurricane Helene Victims

National

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2024-10-05

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Twin Babies in Georgia Are Youngest-Known Hurricane Helene Victims

Obie Williams said he could hear babies crying and branches battering the windows when he spoke with his daughter on the phone last week as Hurricane Helene tore through her rural Georgia town.

Kobe Williams, 27, and her month-old twin boys were hunkering down at their trailer home in Thomson, Georgia, with her mother, Mary Jones, who had been helping her take care of the babies. Williams’ father sensed his daughter was fearing for her safety, and she promised her father she would heed his advice to shelter in the bathroom with her babies until the storm passed.

The single mother had been sitting in bed holding sons Khyzier and Khazmir and chatting on the phone with various family members while the storm raged outside.

Minutes later, she was no longer answering their calls.

Jones, who was on the other side of the trailer, described hearing a loud crash as a tree fell through the roof of her daughter’s bedroom.

“Kobe, Kobe, answer me, please,” Jones cried out in desperation, but she received no response.

Kobe and the twins were found dead.

“I’d seen pictures when they were born and pictures every day since, but I hadn’t made it out there yet to meet them,” Obie Williams told The Associated Press days after the storm ravaged eastern Georgia. “Now I’ll never get to meet my grandsons. It’s devastating.”

The babies, born Aug. 20, are the youngest known victims of a storm that had claimed 200 lives across Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, Virginia and the Carolinas as of Thursday. Among the other young victims are a 7-year-old girl and a 4-year-old boy from about 50 miles (80 kilometers) south in Washington County, Georgia.

“She was so excited to be a mother of those beautiful twin boys,” said Chiquita Jones-Hampton, Kobe’ Jones’ niece. “She was doing such a good job and was so proud to be their mom.”

Jones-Hampton, who considered Kobe a sister, said the family is in shock and heartbroken.

In Obie Williams’ home city of Augusta, 30 miles (48 kilometers) east of his daughter’s home in Thomson, power lines stretched along the sidewalks, tree branches blocked the roads and utility poles lay cracked and broken. The debris left him trapped in his neighborhood near the South Carolina border for a little over a day after the storm barreled through.

He said one of his sons dodged fallen trees and downed power lines to check on Kobe, and he could barely bear to tell his father what he found.

Many of his 14 other children are still without power in their homes across Georgia. Some have sought refuge in Atlanta, and others have traveled to Augusta to see their father and mourn together, he said.

He described his daughter as a lovable, social and strong woman. She always had a smile and loved to make people laugh, he said.

And she loved to dance, Jones-Hampton said.

“That was my baby,” Williams said. “And everybody loved her.”

Garth Brooks Is Accused of Rape and Sexual Assault in a Lawsuit

Crime

Observer Staff

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2024-10-04

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Garth Brooks Is Accused of Rape and Sexual Assault in a Lawsuit

(AP) — Country music star Garth Brooks is being accused of rape and sexual assault in lawsuit filed Thursday.

An unnamed woman says she was repeatedly harassed by Brooks while working as his makeup artist and in 2019 was raped, adding that he tried to paint himself as a victim when he filed his own lawsuit against her last month.

In a statement provided late Thursday, Brooks denied the allegations. “I have been hassled to no end with threats, lies, and tragic tales of what my future would be if I did not write a check for many millions of dollars. It has been like having a loaded gun waved in my face.”

According to the lawsuit filed by the woman’s attorneys in a California Superior Court, the woman, identified only as Jane Roe, had been contracted to do makeup for Brooks’ wife, Trisha Yearwood, since 1999. She began experiencing financial difficulties in 2019, and she says Brooks helped by offering her more work.

The woman claims Brooks took advantage of her need for work. She says later in 2019 Brooks exposed his genitals to her. In another instance, Brooks allegedly raped her in a Los Angeles hotel suite while Brooks was preparing for a Grammy tribute.

“With cold disregard for Ms. Roe, when Brooks was finished, it was business as usual,” the complaint says. “Ms. Roe worked quickly to style his hair and do his make-up for the event so he was on time.”

The woman says Brooks claimed to get a cryptic text message after the alleged rape that said Brooks “ruined his life.”

At that point, she had not worked for Brooks for several months, leading Brooks to suspect the woman’s husband may have sent the text, the complaint says.

Brooks allegedly told the woman, “That’s what I thought. Oh crap! So, I was trying to seek you out to come talk … or whatever I needed to do, but just, uh, I don’t want to hurt anybody, man. And just … I just felt bad.”

Throughout her time working for Brooks, from 2017 to 2021, the woman claims he additionally sent her sexually explicit text messages, frequently changed clothes in front of her and groped her regularly while she worked on his hair and makeup.

She is suing for sexual battery and assault, and is requesting monetary and punitive damages, attorney’s fees and a jury trial.

Brooks filed a federal lawsuit against the woman last month, claiming she is trying to extort him for money and defame his character, in response to him not making her a salaried employee or paying for medical benefits.

He says the woman sent him a letter in July claiming she was sexually assaulted and that Brooks was plotting to kill her, according to his lawsuit.

Brooks claims he received another letter the next month, in which the woman said she would not go public with her filing if he paid her millions of dollars.

In his statement, Brooks said, “Hush money, no matter how much or how little, is still hush money. In my mind, that means I am admitting to behavior I am incapable of — ugly acts no human should ever do to another.”

He is also requesting monetary and punitive damages, attorney’s fees and a jury trial, as well as a declaration from the court that the woman’s claims are false.

“I trust the system, I do not fear the truth, and I am not the man they have painted me to be,” he said.

Trump’s Heartless Reaction to Pence Being in Danger Revealed in Filing, “So What?”

National

Observer Staff

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2024-10-03

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Trump’s Heartless Reaction to Pence Being in Danger Revealed in Filing, “So What?”

Donald Trump Didn’t Appear Worried About What an Angry Mob of Protesters Would Do to His Vice President

A bombshell filing out of Donald Trump’s election subversion case was unsealed Wednesday, revealing a trove of damning allegations about how the former president acted on and around Jan. 6, 2021.

Among the nastiest accusations in the 165-page document was how Trump allegedly reacted to learning from an aide that his vice president, Mike Pence, had been taken to a secure location in the U.S. Capitol for his safety.

Trump’s alleged response to that news: “So what?”

The aide told a grand jury they’d rushed into the Oval Office’s dining room to alert Trump—who was watching Fox News’ coverage of the riot—about Pence’s situation. The aide said they ran to Trump in hopes he’d “take action to ensure” Pence’s safety, but Trump infamously never did.

The chilling allegation is the latest slice of evidence that suggests Trump didn’t care about what Jan. 6 rioters would do to his vice president—who’d refused to partake in his election fraud fantasy—if they reached him. Some of those rioters were chanting “hang Mike Pence” as they closed in on Pence and other lawmakers.

Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung raged at the release of the document to Reuters, telling the outlet: “This entire case is a partisan, Unconstitutional Witch Hunt that should be dismissed entirely, together with ALL of the remaining Democrat hoaxes.”

Trump’s election subversion trial was put on ice by the Supreme Court this summer and it appeared Trump had been able to put off the headache of nasty allegations being unearthed until well after Election Day on Nov. 5.

That wasn’t meant to be, however. The details of Wednesday’s document, which includes communication about Trump pushing voter fraud lies despite being shown proof they were untrue, would likely constitute an “October surprise” in any previous season—though poll numbers have remained remarkably stable for the former president despite a series of damning revelations over the past year.

Trump reacted by directing his ire at Judge Tanya Chutkan, who approved the document’s unsealing just 33 nights before Election Day.

The former president took to Truth Social to rail against the unsealing of the document, claiming it was done to hurt him politically after Tuesday’s vice presidential debate.

“The release of this falsehood-ridden, unconstitutional, J6 brief immediately following Tim Walz’s disastrous Debate performance, and 33 days before the Most Important Election in the History of our Country, is another obvious attempt by the Harris-Biden regime to undermine and Weaponize American Democracy,” he wrote.

Article by Josh Fiallo

Michael Jordan’s 23XI and a 2nd Team Sue Nascar Over Revenue Sharing Model

News

Observer Staff

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2024-10-03

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Michael Jordan’s 23XI and a 2nd Team Sue Nascar Over Revenue Sharing Model

(AP) — Two NASCAR teams — one of them owned by Michael Jordan — filed a federal antitrust lawsuit against the stock car series and chairman Jim France on Wednesday, claiming the new charter system limits competition by unfairly binding teams to the series, its tracks and its suppliers.

23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports filed suit in the Western District of North Carolina in Charlotte after two years of contentious negotiations between the privately owned National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing and the 15 charter-holding organizations in the series’ top Cup Series.

“The France family and NASCAR are monopolistic bullies,” the teams said in the lawsuit, a copy of which was obtained by The Associated Press. “And bullies will continue to impose their will to hurt others until their targets stand up and refuse to be victims. That moment has now arrived.”

NASCAR in early September presented its final offer on what is essentially a revenue sharing model; 13 organizations signed, with most saying they did so under duress or felt threatened into doing so.

But 23XI Racing, the team co-owned by Jordan and veteran driver Denny Hamlin, and the smaller Front Row team refused to sign. They hired Jeffrey Kessler, a top antitrust attorney who has represented the players in all four major professional North American sports, helped push the NCAA toward an era of paid college athletes and won a landmark equal pay settlement for members of the U.S. national women’s soccer team.

The lawsuit seeks details from NASCAR and France “related to their exclusionary practices and intent to insulate themselves from any competition.” Kessler said he would ask for a preliminary injunction that will enable the two teams to compete in 2025 under the new charter agreement while the litigation proceeds.

The teams said they will seek treble damages for anti-competitive terms that have ruled the sport since the initial 2016 charter agreement.

“Everyone knows that I have always been a fierce competitor, and that will to win is what drives me and the entire 23XI team each and every week out on the track,” said Jordan, the retired NBA superstar. “I love the sport of racing and the passion of our fans, but the way NASCAR is run today is unfair to teams, drivers, sponsors and fans. Today’s action shows I’m willing to fight for a competitive market where everyone wins.”

A NASCAR spokesman said the series does not comment on pending litigation. NASCAR is based in Daytona Beach, Florida.

What is a charter?

The charter system introduced in 2016 included revenue sharing and other elements of the business for the top motorsports series in the United States while guaranteeing 36 entries in every lucrative Cup Series race. Of the 19 team owners who were originally granted charters in 2016, the lawsuit says, only eight remain in the sport.

One of the departing teams was Furniture Row Motorsports, which sold its charter for $6 million at the end of the 2018 season — a year removed from winning the Cup Series championship — proof, the plaintiffs say, that the charters left the teams without a path to profitability.

The original charters lasted from 2016 through 2020 and were automatically renewed to continue through Dec. 31, 2024. With expiration looming, teams argued the revenue sharing is unfair and demanded a larger share of the pot.

Front Row owner Bob Jenkins has maintained he’s never turned a profit since forming his team in 2005. He won the Daytona 500 in 2021 with driver Michael McDowell, and failed to break even in that banner season.

With four sons and a desire to leave something for his family to run, Jenkins said he wants a fair agreement.

“I have been part of this racing community for 20 years and couldn’t be more proud of the Front Row Motorsports team and our success. But the time has come for change,” Jenkins said. “We need a more competitive and fair system where teams, drivers, and sponsors can be rewarded for our collective investment by building long-term enterprise value, just like every other successful professional sports league.”

What do the teams want?

During negotiations, the teams asked for more revenue, a voice in governance and rule-making, and a cut from deals NASCAR earns off the names, images and likenesses of the participants.

The teams also wanted the charters to be permanent; France has refused.

According to the suit, NASCAR presented a take-it-or-leave-it offer on Friday, Sept. 6, 48 hours before the playoffs began. It says NASCAR threatened teams to sign the more than 100-page agreement or risk losing not only their charters but the charter system itself unless “a substantial number of teams” agreed.

“The teams knew that fielding a NASCAR car had become so expensive that it would be economically devastating for most of them to compete without even the modest revenue sharing and stability provided by the charter system and the complete loss of their charter values if the charter system was discontinued,” the lawsuit claims.

Rick Hendrick, the winningest owner in NASCAR history, has said he signed only because he was worn down by the negotiations. 23XI Racing and Front Row held out but their motivation remained unclear until Wednesday’s court filing.

What does the lawsuit claim?

The suit argues NASCAR violated the Sherman Antitrust Act by preventing any stock car racing team from competing on the circuit “without accepting the anticompetitive terms” it imposes.

“Faced with a take-it-or-leave-it offer, and no competing opportunity for premier stock car racing in the United States, most of the teams concluded that they had to sign,” the lawsuit states. “One team described its signing as ‘coerced,’ and another said it was ‘under duress.’

“A third team said, NASCAR ‘put a gun to our heads’ and we ‘had to sign.’ A fourth described NASCAR’s tactics as that of a ‘communist regime.’ None of these teams would permit their identities to be publicly revealed for fear of retribution from NASCAR.”

How did it get here?

NASCAR was founded in 1948 by the late Bill France Sr., and has since been run first by his son, Bill Jr., then his grandson, Brian France, and now France Sr.’s second son, Jim. Ben Kennedy, the son of Bill Jr.’s daughter, Lesa, is the heir apparent to the family business.

The lawsuit maintains that NASCAR until 2016 operated under year-to-year contracts that provided no long-term viability to any team. There was no guaranteed entry into any Cup Series event or prize money, and teams depended on individual sponsorships they had to find themselves.

That model made sustainability next to impossible for any owner who tried to operate exclusively as a racing team without additional outside businesses. Chasing sponsorship became a full-time job and teams often found themselves competing with NASCAR outright for financial deals.

The teams felt they were operating in a “constant state of financial vulnerability” that put some of the most successful organizations out of business, the lawsuit states. It quotes NASCAR Hall of Famer Jimmie Johnson, who has mostly retired as a driver and is the co-owner of a fledgling Cup Series team.

“In the words of NASCAR Hall of Famer Jimmie Johnson,” the lawsuit says, “the best thing to be is NASCAR, the second best a driver and the last thing a team owner.”

No Need to Stockpile Toilet Paper—it Arrives by Truck, Not by Ship, Strike Enters 3rd Day

World News

Observer Staff

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2024-10-03

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No Need to Stockpile Toilet Paper—it Arrives by Truck, Not by Ship, Strike Enters 3rd Day

A massive port strike along the East and Gulf Coasts that kicked off on Tuesday has the potential to become one of America’s most disruptive work stoppages in recent times.

The demands of the nearly 50,000 members of the International Longshoremen’s Association walking the picket lines remain at odds with the contract offer from the United States Maritime Alliance, or USMX. USMX represents the major shipping lines, as well as terminal operators and port authorities.

“If we have to be out here a month or two months, this world will collapse,” said ILA President Harold Daggett in an interview with CNN Tuesday morning. “Go blame them (the USMX). Don’t blame me, blame them.”

The workers on strike have voiced real concerns about the future of their industry. The strikes, which have stopped the flow of a wide variety of goods at the docks of almost all cargo ports from Maine to Texas, also comes at a crucial time for US elections.

Here’s the latest information you need to know about the port strike.

What are the workers going on strike over?

You can sum up the strike issues in two words: Automation and wages.

Port employees perform grueling and crucial work. Dockworkers are rallying against a growing trend among port operators to increase the number of cranes and driverless trucks – which use fewer humans – to shuttle goods from container ships.

The longshoreman’s union is demanding “airtight” language that the ports won’t introduce automation “or semi-automation.” The USMX is offering to keep its current contract language, which the union says is not strong enough.

The ILA also wants a $5-an-hour increase in pay for each of the six years of the next contract, or a 77% hike in total. The USMX said Monday it had increased its offer to more than 50% over the proposed six-year contract.

Daggett said Tuesday that offer works out to an average increase of $3 an hour. He said while the union was considering the Biden administration’s suggestion of an average of a $4-an-hour increase before the strike, when the USMX responded with its offer of $3 an hour, the union moved back to its $5-an-hour demand.

How much will the strike cost the economy?

That depends on how long the strike will go on.

However, there are estimates. A one-week strike would cost the US economy about $2.1 billion, according to an estimate Monday from the Anderson Economic Group.

Most of that would be a $1.5 billion loss in the value of the goods that couldn’t be delivered on time, such as perishable goods. Transportation companies, including ship lines and ports, would lose $400 million in profits, while striking workers and those temporarily laid off would lose $200 million in wages.

Do I need to stock up on toilet paper?

No.

People are panic-buying toilet paper, reports on social media show, displaying empty store shelves where toilet paper and sometimes paper towels used to be.

But though people are likely harking back to the pandemic shutdown days, the strike at ports won’t have any impact on the supply of these products. That’s because the vast majority of US toilet paper comes from domestic factories. When it does come from abroad, it’s usually trucked in or travels over rail from Canada and Mexico.

What products do I need to be worried about?

If the strike drags on, you can expect some shortages on perishable items that the US imports.

One of those is bananas; the US imports 100% of its supply. More than half of banana imports, America’s most popular fruit by volume, comes in through the ports being struck as of Tuesday morning, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation.

Unlike toilet paper, bananas go bad, so shippers weren’t able to ship large volumes in advance of strikes.

Other items at risk: cherries, cocoa, sugar, imported wine, beer and hard liquor.

What will this mean for elections?

While the Biden administration has said it supports workers’ rights, a prolonged economic stoppage will almost certainly cause higher prices and potential supply chain back-ups weeks before Election Day.

President Joe Biden has already said he would not invoke the Taft-Hartley Act, which would force the longshore workers back to work.

“No,” Biden told reporters Sunday, when asked whether he would intervene in a potential strike. “Because it’s collective bargaining, and I don’t believe in Taft-Hartley.”

Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, didn’t comment on the strike until Wednesday, saying in a statement that those on the picket lines “play a vital role transporting essential goods across America,” so they “deserve a fair share of these record profits.” Industry profits topped $400 billion from 2020 to 2023 as shipping rates soared during and after the pandemic.

She also called out former President Donald Trump’s record on labor, claiming he “appointed union busters to the NLRB” and recently said striking workers should be fired.

However, Trump claimed in a statement Tuesday that the strike happened “because of the inflation brought on by Kamala Harris’ two votes for massive, out-of-control spending,” likely referring to the American Rescue Plan and Inflation Reduction Act.

“American workers should be able to negotiate for better wages,” he continued.

On Wednesday, Biden starkly warned against the “man-made disaster” caused by the ongoing port strike and urged the two sides to come to an agreement to avoid significant economic impacts.

“Natural disasters are incredibly consequential. The last thing we need on top of that is a man-made disaster, what’s going on at the ports,” he told reporters at Joint Base Andrews.

He continued, “We’re getting pushback already – we’re hearing from the folks regionally – that they’re having trouble getting product they need because of the port strike.”

Laissez-Faire Project 2025

Elections

Observer Staff

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2024-10-01

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Project 2025, Trump’s “Concept of a Plan” and Threat to Women’s Reproductive Rights

As the 2024 presidential election approaches, the stakes for the future of democracy and individual freedoms are incredibly high. One of the most significant threats comes from Project 2025, a federal policy blueprint developed by the Heritage Foundation and 140 former Trump administration officials. This 900-page manual, titled Mandate for Leadership, outlines a radical restructuring of the executive branch to impose a deeply conservative agenda. According to the Mandate for Leadership, they look to severely restrict women’s reproductive rights, including the abolition of abortion care, all contraception methods including IVF, tracking women’s pregnancies outcomes, and even emergency reproductive services.

What is Project 2025?

Project 2025 is a comprehensive plan designed to reshape the federal government to align with extreme conservative ideals. No matter if the polls say Project 2025 is highly objected by the public, Republican and Democrat, Trump won’t need Congress or the Supreme Court to execute most of these draconian policies. All he needs to do is get re-elected. And he could begin carrying out Project 2025 on Day One.

It touches on many aspects of American life but places a particular focus on Women’s reproductive freedoms and rights. Under Project 2025, the goal is to limit or eliminate access to abortion, reverse the FDA’s approval of mifepristone (a drug used for medication abortions), and revive the 19th-century Comstock Act to ban any abortion-related materials from being sent through the U.S. Postal Service. These proposals would not only devastate abortion access but also restrict emergency abortion care, contraception, and in vitro fertilization (IVF).

The Heritage Foundation, a key player behind Project 2025, goes as far as to advocate against all forms of recreational sex, suggesting that removing access to birth control would “[return] the consequentiality to sex.” Their anti-reproductive health agenda is crystal clear and would have profound consequences on the lives of millions of Americans, particularly women.

Impact on Contraceptive Access

Project 2025 doesn’t stop at abortion. It also seeks to dismantle the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which currently guarantees no-cost contraception for over 62.4 million women in the U.S. Without the ACA, millions of women would face the daunting reality of having to pay out-of-pocket for contraceptives. Prior to ACA coverage, contraception accounted for 30-44% of out-of-pocket healthcare costs for women, according to Planned Parenthood. The blueprint suggests that emergency contraception, such as the morning-after pill, should not be covered under the ACA, arguing that it is a “potential abortifacient.” If this plan is executed, 48 million women could lose access to emergency contraception.

The Trump administration has already laid the groundwork for this by cutting funding for the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program and imposing restrictions on Title X, which provides reproductive healthcare to lower-income individuals. Project 2025 would go even further, suggesting that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) should explicitly reject abortion as healthcare, rebranding itself as the “Department of Life” and focusing on protecting life “from conception to natural death.”

The Texas Implications: Abortion Bans and Beyond

For Texans, the implications of Project 2025 are particularly dire. Since the overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022, the state has already imposed strict abortion bans under the leadership of Governor Greg Abbott and Senator Ted Cruz. After the Roe reversal, Texas implemented a near-total abortion ban, leaving thousands of women without access to safe reproductive healthcare. In fact, a recent study found that Texans have experienced 26,000 rape-related pregnancies since Roe was overturned.

Project 2025 would exacerbate these conditions by further restricting access to contraceptives and emergency abortion care, leaving even more women without essential healthcare options. The current policies in Texas, combined with Project 2025’s agenda, would create an environment where women have little to no control over their reproductive choices, effectively rolling back decades of progress in women’s rights.

Project 2025: A Broader Threat to Democracy

The reach of Project 2025 extends far beyond Women’s reproductive rights. It is part of a larger plan to reshape the federal government and impose far-right values across the country. The authors of this project include 140 former Trump administration officials, and despite Trump’s claims of having “no idea” who is behind the initiative, his involvement is undeniable. Should Trump be re-elected in 2024, he could begin implementing Project 2025 on his first day in office, without needing Congress or the Supreme Court to enact many of its provisions.

This project threatens to replace the rule of law with an extreme conservative agenda that opposes not only reproductive rights but also LGBTQ rights, racial equity, and immigrants’ rights. The Heritage Foundation, which has long opposed progressive policies, is spearheading this effort. If Project 2025 comes to fruition, it would reshape American governance in ways that restrict personal freedoms, dismantle critical protections, and undermine democracy itself.

Imminent Urgency of the 2024 Election

The outcome of the 2024 presidential election could determine whether Project 2025 becomes a reality. The policies outlined in Project 2025 represent a dangerous shift toward authoritarianism, where individual freedoms for everyone in this country are at risk.

In Texas and across the country, voters must recognize the potential impact of these policies and the future of democracy. Project 2025 isn’t just about policy changes—it’s about fundamentally altering the fabric of American democracy and human rights that we’ve worked so hard for to provide as a county because individual liberty, privacy, and freedom is the most scared belief in our democracy. America is known as the land of opportunities because every individual has the right, not the privilege, to be and do anything they imagine without government interference and consequences.

Trump’s “concept of a plan” is Project 2025. This plan imposes a serious threat to the future of modern democracy and allows the government to invade our personal autonomy.

The time to act is at the polls, before these draconian policies become a reality.

Laissez-faire Project 2025

Hurricane Helene One of the Deadliest Storms in the Past 20 Years with Over 150 Killed

Observer Staff

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2024-10-01

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Hurricane Helene One of the Deadliest Storms in the Past 20 Years with Over 150 Killed

Southeast Devastated by Hurricane Helene’s Deadly Impact

The Southeast is reeling from the widespread destruction caused by Hurricane Helene, which brought severe flooding and storm damage across several states. More than 150 people have lost their lives, with North Carolina being the hardest hit. In Buncombe County alone, which includes Asheville, 57 people have died, and entire communities remain submerged under feet of water.

President Joe Biden is set to visit North Carolina tomorrow, while Vice President Kamala Harris will assess the damage in Georgia. Their visits come as efforts to recover and rebuild are just beginning in the wake of the devastating storm.

Debris is seen in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, in Asheville, North Carolina, on September 30. Mike Stewart/AP

Hurricane Helene’s Path of Destruction

Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida as a powerful Category 4 storm, bringing winds of more than 100 mph. While power is slowly being restored, over 1.4 million energy customers remain without electricity across the affected areas. Hundreds of roads remain closed, particularly in the Carolinas, hindering the delivery of much-needed supplies. The Carolinas and Georgia have suffered particularly severe flooding, with search and rescue efforts still ongoing.

Death Toll by State: The Cost of Helene

The death toll from Hurricane Helene has been staggering, with deaths reported across six states:

North Carolina: 56 fatalities
South Carolina: 30 fatalities
Georgia: 25 fatalities
Florida: 11 fatalities
Tennessee: 6 fatalities
Virginia: 2 fatalities

Rescue efforts are continuing as cadaver dogs and search crews navigate treacherous conditions, especially in western North Carolina, where many communities are still grappling with the disaster’s aftermath.

Search and Rescue Efforts Continue in Hard-Hit Areas

Rescue operations have been intense, especially in western North Carolina, where search crews are wading through knee-deep mud and debris to locate victims. In neighboring Tennessee, Governor Bill Lee witnessed search crews pulling two bodies from the wreckage, underscoring the severity of the ongoing recovery efforts. The total death toll, which currently stands at over 160, is expected to rise as more areas become accessible to first responders.

Wildlife Rescues Amid the Storm’s Aftermath

In addition to human victims, the wildlife in the region has been heavily impacted. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission biologists are actively rescuing manatees stranded by the storm. In one notable rescue, a manatee that became trapped on the runway at MacDill Air Force Base was successfully saved after the water levels receded, leaving it unable to return to the bay. Residents are advised not to handle stranded or injured manatees and to contact local wildlife agencies for assistance.

Members of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission work to rescue a manatee that was stranded in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Power Outages and Road Closures Complicate Recovery

With over 1.4 million people still without power and more than 2 million affected by road closures, the region’s recovery is slow. Local authorities and emergency services are working tirelessly to restore power and reopen roads, but the scale of the damage has made the process challenging. The lingering outages are leaving many communities frustrated as they deal with extreme heat and the lack of essential services. Some have resorted to cooking on charcoal grills or hiking to higher ground in hopes of finding cell service to communicate with loved ones.

More Storms Loom as Recovery Begins

As the Southeast grapples with the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, there’s concern about future storms. Meteorologists have identified a medium chance that a new storm could develop in the western Caribbean or Gulf of Mexico later this week. Although it is too early to predict its exact path, residents in the region are advised to stay vigilant and monitor weather forecasts closely.

A Community Struggling to Rebuild

In the wake of the destruction, Southeast communities are beginning to rebuild. North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper summarized the scale of the devastation in a recent news conference: “Communities were wiped off the map.” The damage caused by Hurricane Helene is one of the most deadly and costly in U.S. history, leaving millions of people struggling to recover and rebuild their lives.

As the region braces for the long road to recovery, the efforts of search crews, rescue teams, and local communities remain focused on helping those in need and addressing the widespread damage left in Helene’s wake.

Takeaways From the 2024 VP Debate Between JD Vance and Tim Walz

Observer Staff

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2024-10-01

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Takeaways From the 2024 VP Debate Between JD Vance and Tim Walz

Tim Walz Shines in Cordial Vice Presidential Debate

The vice presidential debate between Ohio Sen. JD Vance and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz provided a refreshing contrast to the usual hostility seen in modern political discourse. The two running mates maintained a respectful tone, other than Vance continuing to speak even when his microphone was muted. Tim Walz consistently steered the conversation toward key policy issues and targeted the top of the Republican ticket—former President Donald Trump—on matters like abortion rights and election integrity. Walz’s focus on truth and democracy stood in stark contrast to Vance’s often evasive responses, marking a strong performance from the Minnesota governor.

Walz Holds Vance Accountable

One of the debate’s defining moments came when Walz confronted Vance about the January 6 insurrection and Trump’s false election claims. Walz pressed Vance to acknowledge Trump’s loss in 2020, but Vance dodged, saying, “I’m focused on the future.” Walz quickly pointed out the gravity of the events on January 6, highlighting the harm caused to police officers and emphasizing the need for democratic integrity. “The democracy is bigger than winning an election,” Walz asserted, showcasing his commitment to preserving democratic values and holding Trump accountable for his actions.

Immigration Clash

During the immigration discussion, Walz took a firm stance against Vance’s false claims about Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio. While Vance suggested migrants were overwhelming local resources, Walz stayed focused on the facts. Although the debate moderator clarified the legal status of the Haitian immigrants, it was Walz who brought attention to the human impact of these false claims, pointing out the fear and chaos caused by misinformation. Walz also criticized Trump for using immigration as a political weapon, saying, “We could come together and solve this if we didn’t let Donald Trump continue to make it an issue.”

Walz’s Integrity on Display Amid Questions About His Record

Although Walz faced some scrutiny regarding his previous statements about his travels to China and presence during the Tiananmen Square protests, he handled the situation with honesty. When asked about the discrepancies, Walz admitted he “misspoke” and accepted responsibility for his earlier exaggerations. Vance refrained from directly attacking Walz, but Walz’s openness about his misstatements stood out as a moment of integrity and accountability.

Abortion Rights: Walz’s Strong Defense of Women’s Healthcare

Abortion rights were a central topic of the debate, with Walz delivering one of his strongest moments as he defended women’s right to choose. In response to Trump’s false claims about late-term abortions, Walz highlighted the real-life consequences of restrictive abortion laws, sharing stories of women who faced health crises under these policies. He emphasized Minnesota’s efforts to restore Roe v. Wade protections, positioning himself as a defender of women’s healthcare. Walz contrasted his stance with Trump’s, asserting that healthcare decisions should be left to women and their doctors, not politicians.

Gun Violence in America

In one of the debate’s rare moments of agreement, both Vance and Walz acknowledged the urgent need to address gun violence, particularly in schools. While Vance called for increased security measures, Walz took a more balanced approach, reminding viewers that “sometimes it’s just the guns.” He argued for a comprehensive solution, including gun control measures, while cautioning against stigmatizing mental health. Walz’s nuanced position underscored his focus on practical, people-first policies that prioritize safety without demonizing vulnerable populations.

In summary, the vice presidential debate allowed Tim Walz to showcase his policy expertise, integrity, experience and focus on democratic principles. While JD Vance took a more cautious, sometimes evasive approach, Walz demonstrated a commitment to addressing key issues such as election integrity, immigration, and women’s healthcare with clarity and compassion. His performance, though not explosive, reinforced his image as a thoughtful, solutions-oriented leader.

Student Punished for His Hairstyle & Wants to Return to the School He Left

Observer Staff

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2024-10-01

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Student Punished for His Hairstyle & Wants to Return to the School He Left

Texas Student Fights to Return to School After Hair Policy Dispute

Darryl George, an 18-year-old Black student, is seeking to return to his Houston-area high school after leaving due to ongoing punishment related to his hairstyle. For most of his junior year, George was placed in in-school suspension by the Barbers Hill School District for violating its dress code, which restricts hair length. Now, he is asking a federal judge for a temporary restraining order to prevent further punishment and allow him to attend his senior year while his lawsuit proceeds.

Legal Battle Over Hair Length and School Policy

George’s troubles began when the Barbers Hill School District claimed his locs, worn tied up, violated their dress code. The school argued that if his hair were let down, it would fall below his shirt collar, eyebrows, or earlobes—breaching the policy. Despite this, George maintains that his hairstyle is part of his identity and should not be subject to punishment.

Earlier this year, George and his mother filed a lawsuit alleging racial and gender discrimination, but a U.S. District Judge dismissed most claims except for gender discrimination. The school district insists that George no longer has grounds to seek a restraining order because he has withdrawn from the district, though George continues to pursue the case.

Emotional Toll and Withdrawal from School

Due to repeated suspensions, George was forced to unenroll from Barbers Hill High School and transfer to a different district. His attorney, Allie Booker, stated that the emotional stress caused by the district’s actions led to a nervous breakdown, making it impossible for him to remain at the school. Despite this, George hopes to return, as his mother had moved to the area specifically for the quality of education offered by the district.

Impact of the CROWN Act and Similar Cases

George’s lawsuit also references the CROWN Act, a Texas law enacted in 2023 that prohibits race-based discrimination based on hair texture or protective hairstyles such as locs, braids, and twists. However, a state judge ruled earlier this year that the district’s enforcement of its dress code did not violate the CROWN Act. This legal battle is not the first of its kind; other students have challenged the district’s hair policy in the past, with one receiving a temporary injunction to return to school.

George’s case, like others, highlights the ongoing debate over dress codes, hair policies, and individual rights within educational institutions. His request for a restraining order is currently under review, with a court hearing scheduled soon to determine if he will be allowed to return for his senior year.