Roanoke County Police killed Kionte Spencer on February 26, 2016. He was 18 and was walking down Electric Road when he was confronted by police and shot under questionable circumstances. Chief Hall of the Roanoke County Police has been unresponsive to demands from the Roanoke community that he release the dashcam video, open an independent investigation, and release the names of the officers involved in the shooting death of Kionte Spencer.

As John kasich so eloquently put it, we have gone batshit crazy.

In 2015, the Department of the Interior’s (DOI) Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) finalized a Record of Decision approving another 25 years of coal mining and burning at the Four Corners Power Plant (FCPP) and Navajo Mine outside of Farmington, New Mexico. The DOIs decision was predicated on a faulty Fish and Wildlife Service biological opinion and violated numerous statutes contained in the Endangered Species Act and National Environmental Policy Act. It is also in direct contradiction to the United States’ global climate change commitments. The Four Corners Power Plant was built in the early 1960s with a stated useful lifespan of 50 years. Each year it spews the greenhouse gas equivalent of over 11 million tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere alongside thousands of tons of toxic pollutants including mercury, arsenic, selenium, lead, and nitrogen oxides. These elements degrade regional air and water quality and are dangerous to human health. Studies clearly demonstrate that communities downwind of the mouth-mine complex already experience elevated incidences of chronic respiratory diseases compared with the rest of the country. Aside from this complex’s egregious impacts to environmental and human health, just as concerning is what this decision means for our regional economy. The coal industry is in permanent decline, the Navajo Mine is struggling to stay afloat, and FCPP needs hundreds of millions of dollars to modernize its antiquated facilities. Instead of reinforcing the economic and moral imperative to transitioning away from coal, this decision, in essence, directs hundreds of millions of dollars into toxic assets that are bound to fail. This money would be far better spent modernizing our infrastructure and preparing our energy economy for the jobs of tomorrow.

Without a strong showing for the Senate and House we are doomed to continuous gridlock and a right wing Supreme Court. Turning now toward unity is essential for the good of the country and progressive principals. Bernie has the power to create an organization that can pressure elected officials, he also has the power to hamstring us with another right wing Supreme Court.

Judge Andrew Hanen is the conservative judge in Texas who blocked President Obama’s new immigration programs that allow undocumented parents of U.S. citizens, people who came to the United States, and children to apply for driver’s licenses and work permits. In his latest display of anti-immigrant bias, Judge Hanen issued an outrageous order that accuses the U.S. Department of Justice of “misconduct” and demands that personal information of thousands of immigrants is released to the general public. If carried out, Hanen’s biased order would leave thousands of immigrant families exposed to intimidation or even violence from anti-immigrant forces across the country. Judge Andrew Hanen is not interested in upholding the rule of law; instead, he is willing to use the judicial system in order to carry out his biased political agenda. If we want to uphold the integrity of our judicial system, then we need biased judges like Andrew Hanen to be removed from handling any case where their ruling is partial. We demand that the Department of Justice file the necessary motions to seek the removal of Judge Hanen from overseeing United States v. Texas.

The biggest effect is that we would have a well informed electorate; which is what we should strive for in America

Graduates from Iowa's public universities already face an alarming amount of debt at current tuition levels.  For example, in the 2014 school year the average graduate from Iowa State University faced a whopping $28,880 of student debt according to the Des Moines Register and The Institute for College Access & Success. The Board of Regents has announced that they are planning to raise tuition even higher forcing students to face higher levels of debt and further disenfranchising those without the resources to attend college. It is time to find other solutions to the budget issue, and stop forcing students to bear the cost while our institutions of learning are transformed into 5-star resorts.

When I visited the purple martins that come every summer to Highland Mall, I realized at one time it was their habitat on the former creek. I envisioned a beautiful water system with these birds, native plants and trees. Right now this creek is under Highland Mall in a drainage ditch. http://travisaudubon.org/purple-martin-parties As it is being redeveloped, we really need more green space in this area and the creek; the life it would provide to the creatures, fish, habitat and humans living there would be invaluable! As we work with the city and ACC to imagine a new future for Airport Boulevard and Highland Mall, I hope we can also be respectful of the past. A creek that once flowed should flow again. Fields where children played should become park space again. While Austin needs more density and mixed-use development, I think we should also set aside a small parcel of land next to Tannehill Branch Creek for a public green space — I propose we call it Orphan Park. From the article https://northfieldna.com/2016/03/18/long-before-there-was-a-highland-acc-or-even-a-highland-mall/

I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore. The madness must stop.

We are calling on DHS Director Johnson and ICE director Saldaña to release Henry Sanchez immediately and to offer TPS protection to Central American mothers and children fleeing violence. DHS wants to deport Henry, but with your support, we can ensure they will release him ASAP.

The Oklahoma Legislature just passed a bill that would make a doctor who performs an abortion guilty of a felony and subject to a prison sentence of up to three years. The legislation would prevent any physician who performs abortions from securing or renewing a license to practice medicine in the state. The bill would undermine the right to abortion in Oklahoma and punish women's health care providers. It's on its way to Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin, who has a reputation for being an anti-abortion Republican. But the governor, who's also acknowledged to be a potential running mate for the presumed GOP nominee for president, Donald Trump, has not yet said publicly if she will sign the bill into law. This is the first such bill in the nation. We absolutely cannot allow it to become law. That's why we need to reach Gov. Fallin immediately with a clear call for her to veto this reckless and dangerous bill.

To demonstrate that an understanding of the need to hold those responsible for funding terrorism accountable. Without accountability, there can be no justice. Ultimately, we hope to see this important legislation on the desk of President Obama for his swift signature.