Author: Ellen Morrissey

  • Louisiana reinstates indoor face covering requirement

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    On Aug. 2, Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) signed an executive order reinstating the indoor mask requirement for vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals. Louisiana was the only state to reintroduce a statewide indoor mask policy between July 30 and August 5. Gov. Edwards said the order would be in place until Sept. 1, and could…

  • Indoor mask requirement reinstated in Nevada, several cities and D.C.

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    On July 27, the CDC updated its guidance to recommend that fully vaccinated and unvaccinated people wear masks indoors in locations with substantial or high coronavirus transmission. According to the CDC, 69.3% of counties in the United States were experiencing what CDC defines as high or substantial levels of transmission as of July 29. Since…

  • Seven states retain statewide mask requirements

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    Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee (D) signed an executive order ending the statewide mask requirement for vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals on July 6. In accordance with CDC guidelines, vaccinated and unvaccinated people still have to wear masks on public transportation and at public transportation hubs (like bus stations and airports). Rhode Island was the only…

  • Pennsylvania, Oregon end statewide face-covering requirements

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    Two states ended statewide public mask requirements for vaccinated and unvaccinated people between June 25 and July 1. Pennsylvania Acting Health Secretary Alison Beam lifted the statewide mask requirement for vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals on June 28. In accordance with CDC guidelines, vaccinated and unvaccinated people still have to wear masks on public transportation and…

  • National Republican Congressional Committee overtakes Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee in fundraising, according to June FEC filings

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    Six party committees have raised a combined $337 million over the first five months of the 2022 election cycle. In May, the committees raised $65 million, according to recent filings with the Federal Election Commission. Here’s a closer look at May’s fundraising numbers: The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) raised $14.1 million and spent $6.1…

  • State, local governments in conflict over police budget reduction preemption laws

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    Various state and local governments have come into conflict over laws preempting municipalities from reducing their police department budgets. Preemption occurs when a law at a higher level of government is used to overrule authority at a lower level. In this case, several states have implemented legislation either prohibiting local governments from reducing their police…

  • Incumbent Mark Herring wins Democratic attorney general primary in Virginia

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    Incumbent Mark Herring (D) defeated Jerrauld “Jay” Jones (D) in the Democratic primary for attorney general on June 8, 2021. Herring received 56.5% of the vote to Jones' 43.5%. Herring has served as Virginia’s attorney general since 2014. He was endorsed by U.S. Reps. Gerry Connolly (D) and Don Beyer (D), and The Washington Post.…

  • Mattie Parker defeats Deborah Peoples in Fort Worth mayoral runoff election

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    Mattie Parker defeated Deborah Peoples in the Fort Worth mayoral runoff election on June 5, 2021. Parker received 54% of the vote to Peoples’ 46%. Parker and Peoples advanced to the runoff from the general election on May 1, 2021. Incumbent Mayor Betsy Price (R) did not run for re-election. Prior to the election, Parker…

  • Dallas voters elect four new members to City Council in runoff elections

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    Dallas, Texas, voters elected four new members to the City Council in the June 5, 2021 city runoff elections. Elections for six of the 14 seats on the city council advanced to runoffs from the May 1 general election, including three with incumbents. One incumbent lost re-election. In District 14, Paul Ridley defeated incumbent David…

  • Massachusetts, Ohio end face-covering requirements

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    Two states ended statewide public mask requirements for vaccinated and unvaccinated people between May 29 and June 4. Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker (R) ended the statewide mask mandate on May 29, along with other COVID-19 restrictions on businesses and individuals. The state will still require masks in state offices open to the public, schools and…