The Greene County Commission met in a work session, Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at 5:00 pm. This is the opportunity for each commissioner to report on and/or raise issues and concerns relative to their districts. Concerns were raised about the upkeep of the various storm shelters throughout the county. The commissioners agreed that each community needs to keep its shelter clean and ready for use when severe weather warnings are issued. They directed that each shelter be maintained and inspected on a monthly basis and reported to the commission.
Other concerns raised related to the PARA Board and it’s operations. The Greene County Park And Recreation Authority is funded by ad valorem taxes, but seemingly the commission is not apprised of its various activities. It was also noted that the PARA Board is not holding regular meetings. Commission Chair, Garria Spencer, agreed to contact PARA Director Frank Smith and set a meeting with the commission.
As part of his financial report, CFO Mac Underwood informed the commission that a Positive Pay procedure has been put in place, which will inform the banks of checks written before the checks are processed by that bank. “This is another measure to help eliminate fraud,” Underwood said.
Commissioner Spencer informed the body that the former Greenetrack, Inc. has turned over its half ownership of the physical properties which were co-owned by Greenetrack, Inc. and Greene County, however the State of Alabama still has a lien on part of that property. “These are issues we still need to resolve,” Spencer stated.
At its regular meeting, held Monday, January 13, 2025, the County Commission toke the following action.
Approved financial report and payment of claims.
Approved purchase of a full page ad in the Democrat’s annual Black History Edition.
Approved extending solid waste exemption period until January 21, 2025.
Approved various conference travel for Highway Department personnel.
Approved Daryl Jones for IDA – District 5.
Approved Lucy Spann for Hospital Board – District 1.
Approved Pinnina Hines for Hospital Board – District 5.
Approved Pastor Michael Barton for Hospital Board – District 4.
Approved Cila Morrow for Library Board.
Approved Pastor Carolyn Branch for DHR Board – District 4.
The CFO’s financial report for December, 2024 included the following. Accounts payable totaled $941,064.29; payroll transfer totaled $498,064.27; fiduciary totaled $243,284.08; electronic claims paid totaled $141,941.25. Citizen Trust Bank unrestricted funds – $892,559.44; restricted funds – $4,650,770.29. Merchant & Farmers Bank unrestricted funds – $2,085,329.52; restricted funds – $2,141,194.90. Investments and CD’s totaled $1,897,871.16.
Author: greenecodemocratcom
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Commission raises concerns about maintenance and accessibility of storm shelters
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Newswire : McDonald’s is the latest company to roll back diversity goals
By The Associated Press
Four years after launching a push for more diversity in its ranks, McDonald’s is ending some of its diversity practices, citing a U.S. Supreme Court decision that outlawed affirmative action in college admissions.
McDonald’s is the latest big company to shift its tactics in the wake of the 2023 ruling and a conservative backlash against diversity, equity and inclusion programs. Walmart, John Deere, Harley-Davidson and others rolled back their DEI initiatives last year.
McDonald’s said Monday it will retire specific goals for achieving diversity at senior leadership levels. It also intends to end a program that encourages its suppliers to develop diversity training and increase the number of minorities in their own leadership ranks.McDonald’s said it will also pause “external surveys.” The Chicago burger giant didn’t elaborate, but several other companies, including Lowe’s and Ford Motor Co., suspended their participation in an annual survey by the Human Rights Campaign that measures workplace inclusion for LGBTQ+ employees.
McDonald’s rolled out a series of diversity initiatives in 2021 after a spate of sexual harassment lawsuits filed by employees and a lawsuit alleging discrimination by a group of Black former owners of McDonald’s franchises.
“As a world-leading brand that considers inclusion one of our core values, we will accept nothing less than real, measurable progress in our efforts to lead with empathy, treat people with dignity and respect, and seek out diverse points of view to drive better decision-making,” McDonald’s Chairman and CEO Chris Kempczinski wrote in a LinkedIn post at the time.
But McDonald’s said Monday that the “shifting legal landscape” after the Supreme Court decision and the actions of other corporations caused it to take a hard look at its own policies.
In an open letter to employees and franchisees, McDonald’s senior leadership team said it remains committed to inclusion and believes a diverse workforce is a competitive advantage. The company said 30% of its U.S. leaders are members of underrepresented groups, up from 29% in 2021. McDonald’s previously committed to reaching 35% by the end of this year.
McDonald’s said it has achieved one of the goals it announced in 2021: gender pay equity at all levels of the company. It also said it expected to achieve a goal of having 25% of total supplier spending go to diverse-owned businesses by the end of the year.
McDonald’s said it would continue to support efforts that ensure a diverse base of employees, suppliers and franchisees, but its diversity team will now be referred to as the Global Inclusion Team. The company said it would also continue to report its demographic information.
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Newswire : Vice President Harris announces final rule to remove medical debt from credit reports
Vice President Kamala Harris discusses regulations on medical debt
By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
Vice President Kamala Harris has announced a new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) rule to eliminate medical debt from consumer credit reports. The White House explained in a release that the action would remove $49 billion in unpaid medical bills, benefiting 15 million Americans by raising credit scores and improving access to home loans, cars, and small businesses.
Administration officials further noted that states and localities have already leveraged funds from the American Rescue Plan (ARP) to eliminate over $1 billion in medical debt for more than 700,000 Americans. These efforts are part of a broader push to reduce the financial strain caused by medical emergencies, with jurisdictions projected to eliminate roughly $15 billion in medical debt for up to six million individuals.
“No one should be denied economic opportunity because they got sick or experienced a medical emergency. That is why we have worked to cancel more than $1 billion in medical debt with support from the American Rescue Plan,” Harris remarked during the announcement. “This final rule ensures that medical debt will no longer be included in credit scores, transforming the financial futures of millions.”
Medical debt remains the largest source of debt in collections, surpassing credit card, utility, and auto loan debt combined. The CFPB has reported that medical bills are often riddled with errors and inflated charges, making them a poor indicator of an individual’s creditworthiness. Officials added that the rule would remove medical debt from credit reports, building on earlier changes by major credit agencies that excluded specific categories of medical debt.
According to administration data, jurisdictions including Cook County, Illinois; Cleveland, Ohio; and New Jersey have relieved hundreds of millions in medical debt for residents. For example, Cook County eliminated $382 million in debt for over 210,000 individuals. North Carolina recently launched an initiative to forgive up to $4 billion in medical debt for nearly two million residents, ensuring hospitals adopt policies that reduce the risk of future debt while improving financial assistance systems.
The Biden-Harris Administration has also implemented broader reforms to address the root causes of medical debt, including enforcing requirements for tax-exempt hospitals to provide financial assistance, simplifying debt forgiveness processes for veterans, and protecting consumers from surprise medical bills.
“This unprecedented rule reflects our commitment to lowering costs and creating pathways to financial stability for families across the nation,” Harris stated.
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Newswire : Former UN Ambassador Andrew Young eulogizes Jimmy Carter at D.C. funeral:‘A blessing from God’
Andrew Young giving eulogy at Jimmy Carer’s funeral
Written by Editors at NewsOne
Rev. Andrew Young delivered a moving eulogy at former President Jimmy Carter‘s funeral in Washington, D.C., on Thursday afternoon in the National Cathedral in front of an audience that included all of the former living U.S. presidents.
Having served in Carter’s administration as the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Young shared some interesting anecdotes about their shared love of Georgia as well as their professional and personal relationships that harkened back to the Civil Rights Movement. That was where Young launched his career in politics following the assassination of King, winning Georgia’s Fifth District seat in the U.S. House of Representatives and becoming the first African American since Reconstruction to be elected to Congress from Georgia.
After serving two terms on Capitol Hill, Young resigned in 1977 to accept Carter’s nomination to serve as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations and he held the post until 1979. That was when Carter asked Young to resign following his controversial private meeting with Palestinian officials.
That paved the way for Young’s successful 1981 mayoral bid in Atlanta.
Young fell short in a 1989 gubernatorial campaign and withdrew from politics but remained close with Carter, whom he praised on Thursday as “a blessing from God.”Keep reading to find the full text of Andrew Young’s eulogy at former President Jimmy Carter’s funeral in Washington, D.C.
The Apostle Paul wrote to the Ephesians in the fourth chapter, the 32nd verse: Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as God forgave you in Christ.
Jimmy Carter, for me, was something of a miracle.I was born in the Deep South, shortly a few years after him, and it was always a place of miracles.
I couldn’t see how we could have had the differences in background, the coming from different places on the planet, the experiences of slave and slave owner, the diversity of color and creed and national origin and still become the great nation that we are in the United States of America.
It was something of a miracle.
And I don’t mean this with any disrespect, but it’s still hard for me to understand how you could get to be president from Plains, Georgia.*laughter*
I knew Plains from my pastorate in Thomasville, Georgia, about 60, 70 miles south of there. And I was even nervous driving through Plains. And Plains and Sumter County gave us one of the meanest experiences that we had in the Civil Rights Movement. So much so that Martin Luther King said that the sheriff of Plains in Sumter County, he really thought was the meanest man in the world.
And when I first met Jimmy Carter running for governor, and said, ‘The only thing I know about Plains and Sumter County is Fred Chapel.’ And he said, ‘Oh yes, he’s one of my good friends.’ And that was the last thing I wanted to hear.
And yet, time and time again, I saw in him the ability to achieve greatness by the diversity of his personality and his upbringing.Dr. King used to say that greatness is characterized by antipathies strongly marked. You’ve got to have a tough mind and a tender heart.
And that was Jimmy Carter.And he grew up in the tremendous diversity of the South, and he embraced both sides.
He was a minority in Sumter County, just about 20, 25% of the population was white. But growing up as a minority, he became the friend of the majority. And when he went to the Naval Academy, he asked that his roommate be the first Black Midshipman to come to Annapolis. And he said, ‘I know minorities. I’ve been a minority most of my life, and maybe I can help him in his adjustments.’And he went out of his way … to embrace those of us who had grown up in all kinds of conflict.
But that was the sensitivity, the spirituality that made James Earl Carter a truly great President.
James Earl Carter was truly a child of God. Not only a good farmer, but a nuclear physicist chosen by Admiral Rickover to assist him in developing a new nuclear Navy. But at the same time he was working on a nuclear Navy, he was thinking of peace on earth and good will toward all men, and especially women and children.
I’ve known President Carter for more than half of my life, and I never cease to be surprised. I never ceased to be enlightened. I never cease to be inspired by the little deeds of love and mercy that he shared with us every day of his life.
It was President James Earl Carter that, for me, symbolized the greatness of the United States of America, and I am truly grateful for him, because, in spite of the harshness of The Depression and the explosions of inflation, he never wavered for his, from his commitment to God Almighty and his love of all of God’s children.
Jimmy Carter was a blessing that helped to create a great United States of America. And for all of us and many who are not able to be here, I want to say thank you.
You have been a blessing from God, and your spirit will remain with us. And as Jason [Carter, Jimmy Carter’s grandson] said, he may be gone, but he ain’t gone far.Thank you, President Carter, and thank you, Almighty God.
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Newswire :Los Angeles’s historic Black community devastated by Eaton Canyon Fires
By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
As flames tore through the picturesque foothills of Altadena and Pasadena on January 7, 2025, the Eaton Canyon fires left a historic Black community—rooted in the Civil Rights Movement—nearly wiped out. Among the hardest-hit areas in Los Angeles County, Altadena has seen its many Black-owned homes, churches, businesses, and landmarks reduced to ashes.
The unincorporated community in the San Gabriel Valley, home to 42,000 residents, has long stood as a beacon of Black homeownership and middle-class stability. With 18% of its population identifying as Black, Altadena also hosts a diverse community that includes Latino and Asian American residents. Tragically, the Eaton Fire alone destroyed over 1,000 structures, killed at least five residents in Altadena and displaced thousands.
“Obviously it’s been a tough couple of days, but our family is making it through,” Los Angeles Sentinel Publisher Danny Bakewell Jr. said in a text to NNPA. “Both my girlfriend & my son lost their homes and the devastation is unreal for so many families -a lot of Black folks.”Jamal-Dominique Hopkins, a native of Altadena, lost his beloved childhood home on Loma Alta Drive to the blaze. His mother, Ruthie Hopkins, 81, and his son, Joshua, narrowly escaped thanks to the swift actions of Hopkins’ older brother, who evacuated them to safety.
Hopkins described the devastation in a GoFundMe post, writing, “This isn’t just a loss for our family; it’s a loss for a community that has thrived despite challenges.” Ruthie Hopkins, the former editor and co-owner of The Pasadena Journal, a Black-owned newspaper, has been a cornerstone of the community for decades. The newspaper is a member of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), which represents the Black Press of America and is celebrating its 198th anniversary in March.
The fire also destroyed the family’s SUV, which was vital for Ruthie’s medical appointments. Now, she and Joshua are left with only the clothes they wore when escaping.
A Legacy Reduced to Ashes
Altadena’s Black community flourished during the Civil Rights Movement, growing from 4% of the population in 1960 to 27% by 1970, following the passage of the Fair Housing Act in 1968. It became a haven for Black families seeking to escape discrimination elsewhere, offering homeownership opportunities unavailable in most parts of the country.
Before the fire, Altadena boasted a Black homeownership rate of 81.5%, nearly double the national average for African Americans. Families like Kenneth Snowden’s embodied this legacy. Snowden’s family purchased their first Altadena home in 1962, and nearly 20 years ago, Snowden bought his own home in the area. Both properties were destroyed in the fire.
“Your $40 million home is no different than my $2 million home,” Snowden told reporters. “Give us the ability to rebuild, restart our lives. If you can spend billions of dollars fighting a war, you can spend a billion dollars to help us get back where we were at.”Shawn Brown, founder of Pasadena Rosebud Academy, lost her home and the public charter school she built to serve the community’s children. Brown is working to raise funds to rebuild the school while seeking temporary locations in local churches—though some churches, like Altadena Baptist Church, have also burned.
Only the bell tower remains at Altadena Baptist. The Rev. George Van Alstine is helping church members navigate the challenges of insurance claims and federal aid. He fears the destruction will lead to gentrification, pushing out long-standing Black residents.
“We’re seeing families who may have to leave because rebuilding here will be too expensive,” he said.Brown urged her fellow Black homeowners to hold onto their properties despite developers’ offers. “Stand strong, rebuild, and continue the generational progress of African Americans,” she said.
Widespread Loss and Displacement
The destruction in Altadena mirrors the broader devastation caused by the wildfires sweeping Los Angeles County. Across the region, more than 12,300 structures have been destroyed, and at least 24 lives have been lost. Economic losses are estimated between $250 billion and $275 billion, making this disaster one of the costliest in U.S. history.
Much of the media coverage has focused on celebrity mansions and wealthy neighborhoods, but Altadena’s plight highlights the profound impact on middle-class communities of color. Residents returned to find homes passed down through generations reduced to rubble.
Even the Mountain View Cemetery, where pioneering Black science fiction novelist Octavia E. Butler is buried, caught fire. Butler’s novel Parable of the Sower chillingly predicted wildfires caused by climate change, starting on February 1, 2025. Her legacy and connection to the community remain a stark reminder of the fragility of Altadena’s history.
NNPA President and CEO Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr. has maintained close contact with NNPA-member newspapers and media companies in Southern California, including David Miller of Our Weekly, Kenneth Miller of Inglewood Today and Pluria Marshall of the Los Angeles Wave. Both Miller and Marshall confirmed their staff are safe but noted the community’s urgent need for support.
A Historic Challenge
The road to recovery remains daunting as the Eaton Fire continues to burn, with containment still at 0%. Fierce Santa Ana winds and dry conditions threaten to worsen the situation, while evacuation orders remain in effect for over 105,000 residents.
“This fire has changed our lives forever,” Hopkins wrote. “Your support means the world to us as we work to restore some sense of normalcy after this unimaginable loss.”
Chavis added: “The NNPA stands in solidarity with our member publishers in Los Angeles County and beyond. The devastating wildfires must be met with resolve, compassion and resiliency.”How to Help
As Los Angeles faces this catastrophic crisis, several organizations are mobilizing to assist evacuees and first responders.
California Fire Foundation: This organization works with local fire agencies and community-based groups to support communities affected by wildfires. They are currently aiding victims of the Palisades Fire.
World Central Kitchen: Founded by celebrity chef José Andrés, the nonprofit provides meals and water to first responders and evacuees on the ground.
California Community Foundation Wildfire Recovery Fund: This fund targets underserved communities and aims to provide long-term recovery relief for those most in need.
CAL FIRE Benevolent Foundation: This group offers financial aid to firefighters and their families, supports burn victims, and promotes firefighter health and safety.
American Red Cross: Hundreds of volunteers have been deployed to Los Angeles to operate shelters and provide meals, medical care, and emergency supplies to displaced families.
Airbnb.org and 211 LA: These organizations are collaborating to offer temporary housing for evacuees in Los Angeles County. -
Newswire : Special Counsel’s Report details systematic efforts by Trump to overturn 2020 election
Special Counsel Jack Smith
By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
Special Counsel Jack Smith, in a comprehensive 174-page report submitted to Attorney General Merrick B. Garland, concluded a thorough investigation into former President Donald J. Trump’s actions aimed at overturning the 2020 presidential election results, and the report concluded that there was sufficient evidence to not only convict Trump but withstand any higher court challenges to such a conviction.
The damning report meticulously documents attempts by the now-incoming president to disrupt the lawful transfer of power and manipulate the electoral outcome.
The investigations delineated two principal areas: the direct manipulation of election results through pressure on state officials and the unlawful retention of classified documents post-presidency. Despite significant public and personal attacks, Smith’s team strictly adhered to fairness and non-partisanship, the report said.Smith details specific incidents and revealed that Trump applied intense pressure on several state officials, leveraging baseless claims of electoral fraud to alter the outcomes. Notably, on January 2, 2021, Trump explicitly requested Georgia’s Secretary of State to “find 11,780 votes,” precisely the number required to overturn Biden’s victory.
The report also exposed a coordinated scheme to submit fraudulent electoral certificates from seven states where Trump lost. This was part of a broader strategy to obstruct the January 6, 2021, Congressional certification. Smith said Trump and his associates orchestrated this plan, despite clear indications from numerous officials, including Republicans, who affirmed the election’s integrity and resisted these subversive efforts.
Following a rigorous investigation, the Special Counsel’s office found “substantial federal interests in prosecuting Mr. Trump, citing the paramount importance of protecting electoral integrity and the peaceful transfer of power.”“Our work rested upon the fundamental value of our democracy that we exist as a government of laws and not of men,” Smith concluded.
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Hearing held this week on the status of electronic bingo in Greene County. State of Alabama is satisfied with settlement reached in case.
By John Zippert, Co-Publisher
A hearing was held on Monday, January 6, 2025, in the on-going case of the State of Alabama vs the electronic bingo operators in Greene County concerning the legality of machines used to play electronic bingo in the county and generate income for Greene County agencies through the office of the Sheriff.
The state contends that the machines used by the electronic bingo operators are a public nuisance and are illegal slot machines under the laws of the State of Alabama. The Alabama Supreme Court has also ruled that bingo is a game played on paper cards not on
electronic machines, such as those used in Greene County.This lawsuit, which was filed by Alabama State Attorney General, Steve Marshall, seven years ago, has lingered and been postponed and continued numerous times. During this period a number of the electronic bingo operators have ceased operations, converted to historical horse racing machines or stopped operations and were dismissed from the suit by retired Circuit Judge James Moore of Fayette, who was named as a special judge to hear the case, since Circuit Judge Eddie Hardaway was ruled to have a conflict of interest in hearing the case.
Greenetrack was dismissed from the case when it converted to historical horse racing and subsequent closed due to losing a case concerning sales taxes owed to the State. Rivers Edge ceased operations. The Palace ceased bingo operations and acquired a license from the Greene County Racing Commission for pari-mutuel simulcasting of grey hound dog and horse racing, as well as historical horse racing machines.
This left Bama Bingo and Frontier, as the only remaining operating electronic bingo operations in Greene County. Sheriff Jonathan Benison, the administrator of electronic bingo in Greene County was also a remaining defendant in the lawsuit.
Judge James Moore has not yet issued a written ruling in the case, according to Circuit Clerk Veronica Morton Jones, however, at the hearing he dismissed the Sheriff from the case and had the two remaining electronic bingo operators agree to cease operations in thirty (30) days.
Attorney John Kachelmann, representing the State of Alabama, said, “We are satisfied with the outcome of the case. It took seven years of delays to get the case settled. Our goal was to stop the use of illegal electronic bingo machines in the Greene County, and we feel we have achieved that goal.”
When asked about the impact of closing bingo, on the government agencies and non-profits, that received shares of the funds paid to the Sheriff for the operation of electronic bingo machines, Kachelmann said, “We have nothing to do with that. We were concerned with enforcing the laws of the State of Alabama.”
Palace in dispute with Sheriff Benison
The Palace Live, gaming establishment received a license from the Greene County Racing Commission on December 4, 2024, to operate pari-mutuel simulcasting of greyhound dog and horse racing, as well as historical horse racing machines, which are similar to bingo machines but based on past horse races.
After remodeling, the Palace re-opened under its license with the Greene County Racing Commission. On December 30, 2024, deputies with the Greene County Sheriff’s Department, petitioned for a search warrant and went to the Palace to seize their historical horse racing gaming machines. The Sheriff’s deputies assert that the historical horse race machines were “illegal slot machines”. The Sheriff’s deputies acted without consulting with the Greene County Racing Commission, which has licensed the Palace Live to operate pari-mutuel wagering in Greene County.
The Five Star Investment Company, doing business as The Palace Live has requested an emergency hearing at which it will request that the search warrant be quashed, and all property seized by the Sheriff be returned.
District Judge Lillie Jones- Osborne, who granted the Sheriff’s original request for a search warrant of the Palace, has set a hearing on the complaint from the Palace for Monday, January 13, 2025, at 9:30 AM in the Greene County Courthouse.
The Greene County Democrat will continue to monitor this case. Efforts to reach attorneys for the Sheriff and electronic bingo operators were unsuccessful.
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Alabama Civil Rights Museum Movement (ACRMM) sponsors activities in Greene County to honor Dr. Martin Luther Kings ‘s birthday
Spiver W. Gordon, Rev.Samuel Ezell and Mary R.McInnis
The Alabama Civil Rights Museum Movement, Inc., (ACRMM) is sponsoring a series of programs commemorating the contributions of Dr. Martin Luther, King, Jr. and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference to Greene County, the State of Alabama, and this nation. Mr. Spiver W. Gordon, ACRMM President, organizes these events each year in celebration and as a reminder of the struggles and sacrifices of so many leaders who brought about civil, social, and economic changes in our lives.
The work of Dr. King and SCLC, the Student Non-violent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE), the National Democratic Party of Alabama (NDPA) and others provided the courageous leadership that changed laws and practices on voting rights, holding public office, desegregating public education, public accommodations, and employment opportunities for Black people in particular. As Mr. Gordon noted: “These rights are still not secured, especially the right to vote. There are strong movements to diminish those and other civil rights going on right now.”
The annual events of ACRMM, open to the public, are scheduled as follows: On Wednesday January 15, 2025, at 10:00 am, the Dr. MKL, Jr. Educational Seminar Student Development Session will be held at New Peace Baptist Church on Prairie Ave., Eutaw, AL.
Greene County High School students are the primary invitees. State Representative Curtis Travis the keynote speaker, with special guest, Dr. Monty Thorton and Dr. Dionne Edison, Moderator of Eutaw, AL.
On Sunday, January 19 at 3:00 p.m., the MLK, Jr. County Wide Freedom Gospel Singing at St. Paul United Methodist Church, Eutaw, AL Rev. Toya Brown, Pastor. Rev. Kelvin Cockrell, Keynote Speaker Eutaw, AL.
On Monday, January 20, 2025, Freedom Unity Breakfast will be held at the Eutaw Activity Center on Harris Ave., Eutaw, AL, Rev. / Dr. Samuel Ezell, of Zion Brush Creek, Eutaw Alabama, is the keynote speaker. The Freedom Breakfast is followed by the Countywide Freedom March to the William M. Branch Courthouse. Religious Women Freedom Rally, 10:30 a.m. Keynote Speaker, Hon. Mary R. McInnis, Special Guests, Dr. Carol P. Zippert, Pastor Carolyn Branch and others.
Come join us for music, food, and celebration, “We can never let ourselves forget from whence we have come. We must keep the vigil to protect our rights and continue to serve and build our communities,” Gordon said. -
Newswire : DOJ provides update on January 6 investigation as MAGA Republicans spew false claims, as a preview to Trump pardons
U. S. Capitol under attack by Trump supporters on January 6, 2021
By Stacy M. Brown
NNPA Newswire Senior National CorrespondentOn Monday, January 6, 2025, the Department of Justice released a detailed update on its ongoing investigation into the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. The attack disrupted a joint session of Congress certifying the 2020 presidential election results and caused extensive injuries and damages. The DOJ report comes as Georgia GOP Rep. Mike Collins, and other MAGA Republicans faces criticism for false claims about the events of that day.
In a post on X, Collins described the insurrection as a peaceful gathering, alleging that “thousands of peaceful grandmothers” had toured the Capitol. He claimed individuals “peacefully explored the building before leaving” and that “hundreds of peaceful protestors” had been unfairly prosecuted.
Collins’ description of the attack conflicts with DOJ findings. The department reported that more than 140 police officers were assaulted during the riot, including over 80 from the U.S. Capitol Police and over 60 from the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department. Property damage exceeded $2.8 million, and stolen government property added to the losses.
DOJ Investigation Milestones
As of January 3, 2025, the DOJ has charged approximately 1,583 individuals in connection with the Capitol attack:
608 defendants face charges for assaulting, resisting, or impeding law enforcement, including 174 accused of using dangerous weapons.
18 individuals have been charged with seditious conspiracy. 91 have been charged with destruction of government property, and 68 with theft of government property.
All defendants face charges related to trespassing or disorderly conduct.
In addition, over 1,000 defendants have pleaded guilty, including 327 to felony charges, and 667 have been sentenced to incarceration.The DOJ said it continues to pursue suspects, including those captured on video assaulting law enforcement officers, and is asking for public assistance in identifying fugitives.
During the Presidential campaign, Donald Trump said he wanted to pardon all participants in the January 6th attack on the Capitol on his first day in office. Since winning the 2024 election, Trump said he was evaluating pardons on a “case by case” basis.
Law Enforcement Responds to False Narratives
Former U.S. Capitol Police Sgt. Aquilino Gonell, who was injured in the attack, rejected Collins’ claims and criticized efforts to minimize the events of January 6. Gonell, who has testified about his experiences, said Trump’s promises to pardon rioters dishonor the sacrifices made by officers.
“Releasing those who assaulted us from blame would be a desecration of justice,” Gonell said in a statement. “Trump and the rioters broke laws and committed crimes. They should not be rewarded.” Gonell added that such actions could endanger officers like himself who continue to testify in court.
Former Capitol Police Officer Harry Dunn echoed those concerns. Referring to Trump’s recent election win, Dunn described it as a “gut punch.” He added, “The voters sent a message that what happened on January 6 wasn’t a big enough deal to disqualify him.”
Leaders Reflect on January 6
President Joe Biden called for accountability and defended the need for a peaceful transfer of power. “We’ve got to get back to basic, normal transfer of power,” he said.
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi also weighed in, questioning the rationale behind pardoning individuals involved in the attack. “It’s really a strange person who’s going to be president of the United States who thinks that it’s OK to pardon people who are engaged in an attack,” she said.
Gonell, in his remarks, urged Americans not to forget the sacrifices made by law enforcement that day. “These dishonorable elected officials are alive because of what officers like myself did, not because of the mob’s lack of trying,” he said. “Remember the names of the officers who died and the families they left behind.”
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Newswire : Surgeon General warns alcohol consumption increases cancer risk, urges new warning labels
By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
The U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy, has issued an advisory linking alcohol consumption to an increased risk of cancer, calling for updated warning labels on alcoholic beverages to inform consumers better. Alcohol is listed as one of the leading preventable causes of cancer in the United States, contributing to 100,000 cases and 20,000 deaths each year.
Current warning labels on alcoholic beverages focus on general health risks, impaired driving, and pregnancy-related concerns but omit the established connection to cancer. Dr. Murthy urged Congress to mandate updated labels that address the cancer risks associated with alcohol consumption—a move like requirements for cigarette packaging.
Research Confirms Alcohol-Cancer Connection
Decades of research confirm that alcohol is causally linked to at least seven types of cancer, including breast, liver, colorectal, and throat cancers. For example, studies show that consuming even one drink daily raises the risk of breast cancer by 10 percent compared to non-drinkers, while the risk of mouth cancer increases by 40 percent for the same level of consumption.
The advisory explains that the lifetime risk of breast cancer for women rises from 11.3 percent for those drinking less than one drink per week to 13.1 percent for those consuming one daily and 15.3 percent for two daily beverages. Among men, the risk of developing alcohol-related cancers increases from 10 percent with less than one drink per week to 11.4 percent for one drink daily and 13 percent for two daily beverages.
The Surgeon General noted that cancer risk increases with higher alcohol consumption but added that even low levels of drinking are not without risk. Health officials have noted that there is no safe limit for alcohol consumption, which aligns with the World Health Organization’s findings.
Mechanisms Behind Alcohol-Related Cancers
The Surgeon General’s advisory notes several ways in which alcohol contributes to cancer development. Dr. Murthy noted that alcohol breaks down in the body into acetaldehyde, a toxic compound that damages DNA and interferes with cellular repair processes. He said it generates reactive oxygen species, leading to inflammation and further DNA damage. Additionally, alcohol alters hormone levels, including estrogen, which plays a role in breast cancer development.
Alcohol’s interaction with tobacco also increases the absorption of carcinogens, compounding the risk for cancers of the mouth and throat. These biological pathways are consistent across different types of alcoholic beverages, including beer, wine, and spirits.
Global Perspective and Recommendations
Globally, alcohol was linked to over 740,000 cancer cases in 2020. While countries such as South Korea and Ireland have begun implementing cancer-specific warnings on alcohol labels, the United States lags. Ireland, for instance, reportedly plans to introduce labels by 2026 stating a direct connection between alcohol and fatal cancers.
Dr. Murthy recommended strengthening public education campaigns to increase awareness of the risks associated with alcohol. He also encouraged healthcare providers to inform patients about these risks and incorporate alcohol screening into routine care.
“Many people assume that drinking within current guidelines of one drink daily for women and two for men is safe, but the evidence does not support that assumption,” Dr. Murthy said. “Less is better when it comes to reducing cancer risk.”