The Greene County Democrat

Category: Newswire

  • Newswire: Lawmakers face September 30 deadline to avoid government shutdown

     U. S. Capitol building with yellow tape

    By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent


     
    After a six-week summer recess, lawmakers return to the Capitol on Monday with a looming crisis: preventing a government shutdown. They have just three weeks to act before federal funding runs out on September 30, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. The twice impeached and 34 times convicted former President Donald Trump has urged Republicans to embrace a shutdown unless his demands are met, putting millions of jobs and essential services at risk just weeks ahead of the 2024 presidential election.

    The prospect of a shutdown would close federal agencies and national parks and curtail essential public services while furloughing millions of federal workers. The presidential race overshadows this impending crisis, as Congress will break again at the end of the month, not returning until after the election. Before leaving in July, the political landscape shifted when President Joe Biden exited the presidential race, positioning Vice President Kamala Harris as the new Democratic standard bearer. In the campaign’s final weeks, Republicans under Trump are preparing to change their strategy against Harris.

    At the heart of Congress’s immediate challenge is securing a funding bill to keep the government operational. With an unlikely complete funding agreement, lawmakers are looking for a stopgap measure. But even that has become a political minefield. Under pressure from Trump and right-wing factions, the Republican-led House proposed a stopgap bill that would extend funding through March 28, 2025. However, it comes with a controversial addition—the SAVE Act, a GOP-backed measure that would overhaul national voting laws by requiring proof of citizenship to vote.
    Democrats have vehemently opposed the act, arguing it would disenfranchise voters by making it harder for eligible Americans to access required documents like passports or birth certificates.

    Beyond the political gamesmanship, the consequences of a shutdown would hit home in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia, where federal workers and government operations are crucial to local economies. National landmarks like the Smithsonian Museums and the National Zoo may remain open temporarily with prior-year funding, but there is uncertainty about other attractions like the National Mall’s memorials.

    The economic impact could be severe in Maryland, home to over 240,000 federal worker households. State officials are preparing to use local funds to offset the disruption, but workers commuting to Washington, D.C., or Northern Virginia may be furloughed.

    Virginia would bear the brunt of the shutdown, with its substantial federal civilian and military workforce. The state’s economy is deeply intertwined with federal spending, particularly in regions like Hampton Roads, home to a significant number of active-duty military personnel. The shutdown could jeopardize essential programs, including the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), and affect operations at Virginia’s 22 national parks.

    The ripple effects would extend to the Washington, D.C., Metro system, which relies heavily on federal workers for ridership. With the Metro system already facing challenges in recovering from pandemic-related drops in usage, a shutdown could be another blow.

    “There’s no question that this is not a good thing for the country, but it’s certainly not a good thing for Metro specifically,” Randy Clarke, Metro’s general manager, said during a recent interview. “And the timing is really challenging because ridership is really starting to grow back. So, you know, we’re going to be watching this very closely, and we’re hoping that if

  • Newswire : Suspected Boko Haram militants kill at least 37 in Nigeria attack

    Trucks drive bodies through the streets of Nigeria

    By Ahmed Kingimi, Reuters

     

    MAIDUGURI, Nigeria, Sept 3 (Reuters) – Suspected Boko Haram Islamist militants roared into a northeastern Nigerian village on motorcycles, opened fire on a market and set shops and homes ablaze, killing at least 37 people, according to a military official.

    Residents said the death toll could be even higher, with villagers still missing and feared dead after fighters chased them into the bush.
    The attack took place on Sunday afternoon in Yobe, one of three states at the frontline of an insurgency that has lasted 15 years. Thousands of Nigerians have been killed and more than 2 million displaced.

    Yobe police spokesperson Dungus Abdulkarim said the attack in Yobe’s Mafa village was apparent retaliation for the killing of two suspected Boko Haram fighters by local vigilantes.

    After shooting at the market and torching buildings, the militants chased other residents into the bush and shot them, Abdulkarim added.
    “The terrorists killed many people, but we are yet to ascertain the actual number of casualties,” Abdulkarim said.

    A military official who accompanied the army’s commanding officer for Yobe to Mafa on Monday evening said the route to the village had been rigged with explosives, which troops managed to defuse.

    “We recovered 37 corpses and brought them to Babangida General Hospital,” said the official, who declined to be identified because he is not authorized to speak to the media.

    Modu Mohammed, a resident, said several more residents were missing and estimated the death toll at over 100. He said some corpses were still in the bush.

  • Newswire : As a new school year starts, Black student enrollment is down at multiple elite colleges

    By Kay Wicker, The Grio

     

    The first freshman class is entering college since the Supreme Court struck down affirmative action last year — and multiple elite colleges have already reported a decline in Black student enrollment.

    After the Massachusetts Institute of Technology announced a decline in Black student enrollment, two more schools in the state are reporting the same. Amherst College and Tufts University, both in Massachusetts, as well as the University of Virginia, have reported drops in Black student enrollment to varying degrees. The schools in Boston have been hit harder, with Amherst’s Black student enrollment decreasing by a full 8%, according to the New York Times (NYT).

    Initially enacted in 1965 and updated in 1968 to include gender, affirmative action ensured the equality of employment opportunity without regard to race, gender, religion, and national origin. Affirmative action in higher education ensured that all students received fair consideration for admission.

    As the NYT further reports, many of the nation’s most elite and selective colleges have yet to release their data. The enrollment numbers across other races have also not been widely reported. However, the data that has been reported doesn’t bode well for what this could mean about Black student enrollment.

    Meanwhile, according to a recent study by the American Institute for Boys and Men, historically Black colleges and universities are experiencing a decline in Black male enrollment. The report found that presently, Black men account for 26% of the student population at HBCUs, down from 36% in the mid-1970s.

    According to the study’s authors, there are several factors that have led to the decline in Black male HBCU students, including a lack of proper K-12 integration. “Targeted interventions in K-12 education in Black communities, increasing the representation of Black male teachers and expanding funding opportunities for HBCUs and their potential students could all help increase Black male enrollment,” the authors wrote, adding, “Reforms in these critical areas could help HBCUs realize their full potential in supporting the educational and economic advancement of Black men.”

    The study also noted many of the benefits of an HBCU education, including that HBCUs have a higher track record of enrolling lower-income students compared to non-HBCUs, and these students are more than nearly twice as likely to experience upward economic mobility.

    As PWIs and other non-HBCUs continue to grapple with the lack of affirmative action, it will be interesting to see how HBCUs’ numbers are impacted. While more data is needed to fully understand the picture that is potentially being painted, college admissions have also been bracing for steep enrollment declines across the country for various reasons. Younger generations are choosing vocational programs over four-year institutions in greater numbers. Many are foregoing college and entering the workforce, citing the high costs of higher education. Not to mention, with declining American birth rates, there are simply going to be fewer younger adults.  

    When affirmative action was first placed on the chopping block last year, many Black leaders in higher education spoke up to warn against what could happen. 

Carlotta Berry, a Black professor based in Indiana, said at the time, “When I sit back and reflect on the amount of microaggressions and bias that I have seen students experience, even in a world with affirmative action, I just don’t want to imagine what Black and brown students may experience now when they go from [being] one of two or three to possibly one of one.”

  • Newswire : Poll: Figures takes big lead in CD2 race

    Shomari Figures and Carolean Dobson, candidates in the Alabama 2nd. Congressional District contest

    The new SPLC Action Fund poll shows Figures with a lead among likely voters, thanks to a big boost from Vice President Kamala Harris.

    By Josh Moon, Alabama Political Reporter

    With a boost from Vice President Kamala Harris, Shomari Figures is pulling away in the race for Alabama’s 2nd Congressional District, according to a new poll from the Southern Poverty Law Center’s Action Fund. 

    The poll, which collected information from 400 likely voters, found that Figures held a 51-39 lead over Republican challenger Caroleene Dobson. He also holds significant advantages over Dobson in both favorability and name recognition. Also, respondents were much more enthusiastic about voting for Figures. 

    “The enthusiasm is a big shift from the polling we did earlier this year,” said Brandon Jones, the director of political campaigns for the SPLC’s Action Fund. “Enthusiasm was down significantly with President Biden in the race, and we were very concerned about the turnout that we would see in this race. But it’s very obvious that (Harris) has sparked real enthusiasm and that has translated to more enthusiasm down the ticket as well.”

    Alabama’s 2nd District will be one of the more closely watched races in the country, because of the voter dynamics within the district. Drawn by court order, and specifically by a special master, the district was designed to give Black voters an opportunity to elect a candidate of their choosing by joining like-minded white voters. 

    According to recent statistics from the newly drawn district, it would have elected a Democratic candidate in most of the recent elections, despite white voters holding a slight demographic advantage. Still, the district is very competitive, and a Republican blowout at the top of the ticket could spell doom for a Democrat in a House race on the same ticket. But that doesn’t seem like an issue now. 

    “Harris’ entry into the race really sparked a turnaround,” Jones said. 
    While that wasn’t really a surprise, given the national response to Harris’ campaign, there were some surprises within the polling, Jones said. For example, for all the talk of the border and abortion policy, they didn’t score highly on the list of top concerns for voters in the district. 

    Respondents rated K-12 education issues, crime and gun violence as their top issues. Securing the border rated ninth-most important, while restoring abortion rights rated 11th, in the 11-item survey. 

    Also, respondents said their vote was important in both the presidential election and in determining control of the House. 

    “I think people sometimes forget that while Donald Trump on the ticket creates a lot of excitement for (conservative) voters, the same is true for those voting against him,” Jones said. “The numbers for those who felt their vote was important in determining control of Congress were very high, and that tells you that people realize what’s at stake. And even if their vote can’t stop Trump from becoming president, maybe they can have some say in stopping his agenda.” 

  • Newswire : In first major interview as Democratic nominee,VP Harris forcefully defends her record

    Tim Walz and VP Kamala Harris

    By Stacy M. Brown
    NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

    Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee for president, made a strategic decision to sit down for her first major interview since President Joe Biden withdrew from the race, selecting CNN as the platform despite the network’s heavily criticized moderation of the controversial June debate between Biden and former President Donald Trump.

    In that debate, CNN anchors were widely condemned for allowing Trump to spread untruths and disinformation unchecked. On Thursday, Aug. 29, Harris used that same network to set the record straight and present her vision for America alongside her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz.

    The interview in Georgia during their ongoing bus tour marked a critical moment for Harris, who has lit a fire under a once stagnant Democratic Party and galvanized donors as she’s taken the lead in almost every national poll. Dana Bash, who conducted the interview, opened by questioning Harris about her priorities if she were to win the presidency.

    Harris, clear and direct, outlined her immediate goals: “On day one, we’re going to bring down the cost of everyday goods, support small businesses, and invest in American families. We’re not going back—we’re moving forward.” Her response was a sharp contrast to Trump, who vowed that he’d be a dictator on day one.

    Walz, seated beside Harris, praised the proposed agenda, highlighting its practical success in Minnesota. “The child tax credit, for example, reduced childhood poverty by a third in our state. With a federal partner, the impact could be even greater,” Walz said.
    The discussion quickly pivoted to the economy, with Bash pressing Harris on why some Americans might, according to Bash, feel nostalgic for the economic conditions under Trump. Harris responded by highlighting the dire situation she and Biden inherited—a nation reeling from a pandemic, with millions of jobs lost and a collapsing economy. “We inherited a nation in crisis,” Harris said, recalling the early days of the Biden administration. “We’ve brought inflation down to under 3%, but we know prices, especially for groceries, are still too high. That’s why my agenda is focused on real solutions—tackling price gouging, investing in affordable housing, and providing a $25,000 tax credit for first-time homebuyers.”

    Harris also addressed her past positions on fracking and immigration, clarifying that her views have evolved as she gained more office experience. On fracking, she stated clearly that while she once supported a ban, she now believes in a balanced approach that doesn’t jeopardize jobs in key sectors. “In 2020, I made my position clear and kept my word. My values haven’t changed, but my experience as vice president has shown me that we can achieve a thriving clean energy economy without banning fracking,” Harris asserted.

    When the conversation turned to immigration, Harris didn’t hold back in criticizing Trump’s handling of the issue, particularly his role in blocking bipartisan efforts to secure the border. “We had a bill that would have added 1,500 agents to the border and increased fentanyl seizures, but Trump killed it because it didn’t serve his political interests,” Harris said. She pledged to sign that bill into law if elected, underscoring her commitment to enforcing immigration laws with the experience she gained as California’s attorney general.

    Bash also brought up Trump’s recent comment questioning Harris’s authenticity as a Black woman. Harris responded with a sharp dismissal, labeling it “the same old, tired playbook” and quickly shifting focus back to the issues.

    Despite the network’s poor performance during the June debate, Harris’s choice to give her first major interview to CNN was calculated. CNN’s moderators were widely criticized for failing to challenge Trump’s flood of misinformation, a decision that cast a long shadow over the network’s journalistic credibility. By engaging with CNN now, Harris signaled a willingness to confront her critics and take control of the narrative as she moves toward Election Day.

    In the interview’s more personal moments, Harris and Walz reflected on their families and the emotional support they received. Bash asked Harris about a viral photograph showing her grand niece watching her accept the Democratic nomination. Harris, visibly moved, said, “It’s humbling. This campaign is about what we can achieve together as a country. I’m running because I believe I’m the best person to lead this country forward—for all Americans.”

    Walz, when asked about his son Gus’s emotional reaction during his speech at the Democratic convention, underscored the importance of setting a positive example for the next generation. “To have my son feel that pride in me, to know I’m trying to do the right thing for our country—that’s what this is all about,” Walz said.

    As the interview closed, Harris made a powerful appeal to voters, framing the upcoming election as a critical turning point for the nation. “This election is about the kind of future we want to build,” she asserted. “Do we lift each other up, or do we tear each other down? I’m running because I believe in America’s potential to rise above division and hate. Together, we can turn the page on the last decade and write a new chapter in our nation’s history.”
     

  • Newswire : Africa has almost 4,000 new mpox cases in a week, but the wait for vaccines continues

    Patient in the Congo tested for mpox

    By: AfricaNews and AP

    Africa is seeing a rapid increase in mpox cases with nearly 4,000 reported in the past week, the continent’s public health body said Tuesday as it repeated a plea for long-awaited vaccines whose arrival this week in the most affected country, Congo, has been delayed.

    Eighty-one deaths from mpox were reported in Africa in the past week, bringing the total cases and deaths to 22,863 and 622, respectively, Dr. Jean Kaseya, head of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, told an online briefing.

    About 380,000 doses of mpox vaccines have been promised by Western partners such as the European Union and the United States, he said. That’s less than 15% of the doses authorities have said are needed to end the mpox outbreaks in Congo, the epicenter of the global health emergency.

    Following mpox outbreaks outside the African continent in 2022, wealthy countries quickly responded with vaccines and treatments from their stockpiles. However, only a few doses have reached Africa despite pleas from its governments.

    At the earliest, the first batch of vaccine doses promised to support the new outbreaks in Congo will arrive on Sept. 1 after delays caused by documentation and emergency authorization issues, Kaseya said.

    The batch would include 50,000 doses promised by the U.S. government and 15,000 from vaccines alliance GAVI, said Dr. Ngashi Ngongo, the Africa CDC incidents manager on mpox.
    “It is just a matter of now waiting on the U.S. government on the transfer of those vaccines,” Ngongo said.

    Congo has also requested at least 2 million doses from Japan of vaccines that are particularly effective in protecting children, he said, with negotiations “quite advanced.” The new mpox variant first detected in Congo and blamed for the ongoing outbreaks is already triggering “significant” community-level transmission elsewhere, Ngongo said. For example, in neighboring Burundi, nearly 800 mpox cases have been recorded in the last month, he said.

    The U.S. on Tuesday donated 10,000 doses of mpox vaccines to Nigeria, where the disease has been common. It is the first known donation to Africa since the current outbreaks. Nigeria has recorded 40 mpox cases this year, according to Nigeria’s CDC.

    The Africa CDC said it is working on a unified response plan for the outbreaks which will be presented to African heads of state for consideration at a meeting in September. So far, African countries are promoting health measures and hygiene practices that would slow the spread of the mpox virus, Kaseya said.

    Experts, however, have said such measures are difficult to enforce in Congo, where millions fleeing violence are crammed in displaced camps amid a decade long humanitarian crisis. “Humanitarian actors are struggling to control the outbreak due to insufficient resources,” said Heather Kerr, the International Rescue Committee country director in Congo, adding that children are especially vulnerable.

  • Newswire : President Biden designates Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument to commemorate Civil Rights History

     1908 Springfield, IL race riot

    By Stacy M. Brown
    NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

    On the 116th anniversary of the Springfield Race Riot, President Joe Biden signed a proclamation establishing the Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument in Springfield, Illinois. The new monument will preserve 1.57 acres of federal land and highlight a significant but painful moment in American history, when a white mob attacked the Black community in Springfield, leading to the lynching of two Black men and widespread destruction of homes and businesses.

    “Our history is not just about the past; it’s about our present and our future,” Biden said during the announcement. “The Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument will help us remember an unspeakable attack on the Black community and honor the Americans who came together in its aftermath to help deliver on the promise of civil rights.”

    The Springfield 1908 Race Riot was a violent response by a white mob to the allegations against two Black men, Joe James and George Richardson, held in the Sangamon County Jail. The mob’s demands for their release escalated into widespread violence after the men were moved to another location for their safety. Throughout the weekend of August 14–16, 1908, two Black men, Scott Burton and William Donnegan, were lynched, and dozens of Black-owned and Jewish-owned businesses were looted and destroyed.

    The riot, which occurred just blocks away from President Abraham Lincoln’s home, shocked the nation and led to the founding of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). Civil rights leaders such as Ida B. Wells-Barnett, W.E.B. Du Bois, and Mary Church Terrell played pivotal roles in establishing the NAACP, an organization that has been instrumental in the fight for civil rights in the United States.

    NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson attended the event at the White House on Friday, August 16, where President Biden signed the proclamation. The President also hosted guests in the Oval Office, including the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), the trade association of the Black Press of America.

    The designation marks Biden’s eleventh use of the Antiquities Act, following the establishment of the Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument in 2023, created on the 82nd anniversary of Emmett Till’s birth. The White House announced that the National Park Service (NPS) will manage the Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument and include the charred foundations of five homes never rebuilt after the riot.

    “Establishing the Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument is an important step in recognizing and remembering this painful but important moment in America’s history,” said Interior Secretary Deb Haaland. “The Springfield 1908 Race Riot was a horrific and significant part of our nation’s march toward equality and civil rights. As we work to tell America’s story—even when difficult—may this monument help us learn from the past in order to build a more just and equitable future.”
    NPS Director Chuck Sams also applauded the new monument. “This national monument will provide current and future generations an opportunity to reflect on the tragic events but also to be inspired by the resilience of the Black community and national leaders that went on to fight for social change and civil rights in America,” Sams insisted.

    The Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument joins an extensive network of sites dedicated to commemorating civil rights history across the United States, including the Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument and the Brown v. Board National Historic Park. The NPS plans to collaborate with local communities to prepare for interpretation, commemoration, and visitor experiences at the new site, which will eventually be part of the NPS’s African American Civil Rights Network.

    White House officials said the new monument underscores the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to advancing civil rights and racial justice. Officials said it also builds on previous actions such as signing the Emmett Till Antilynching Act, establishing the Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument, and making Juneteenth a federal holiday.

    With the president’s actions, the Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument became part of the National Park System, which now includes 431 national park sites.

  • Newswire: The Obamas rock Democratic Convention in Chicago

    Barack and Michelle Obama on stage at DNC

    By Stacy M. Brown
    NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

    On the second day of the Democratic National Convention, the Obamas took center stage and delivered electrifying speeches that reverberated through the United Center in Chicago. The convention, already energized by a capacity crowd in Milwaukee where Vice President Kamala Harris spoke during a rally, reached new heights as the former First Lady and former President rallied Democrats with their powerful words.

    Harris, who spoke to a packed arena in Milwaukee, had her speech live streamed into the United Center, effectively connecting the two cities in a show of Democratic unity and strength. Her presence set the tone for the evening, with her words filling both venues.

    Michelle Obama took the stage before her husband in Chicago, immediately captivating the audience. “Something wonderfully magical is in the air, isn’t it? I’m talking about the contagious power of hope,” she declared as the United Center enthusiastically rocked. “America, hope is making a comeback. Kamala Harris is one of the most qualified people to ever seek the office of president. And she is dignified.”

    Obama didn’t shy away from addressing the twice-impeached and 34-times convicted felon and former President Donald Trump directly. “For years, Donald Trump did everything in his power to try to make people fear us,” she remarked. “His limited, narrow view of the world made him feel threatened by the existence of two hardworking and highly educated, successful people who happen to be Black. Who wants to tell him that job he’s seeking just might be one of those Black jobs?” she asked, eliciting raucous applause from the crowd.

    She continued to dismantle Trump’s rhetoric, particularly his attempts to question the blackness of Harris and other Democrats. “No one has a monopoly on what it means to be an American, no one,” Obama declared, her words striking a chord with the audience.

    Barack Obama then took the stage and immediately lifted the energy in the arena to a fever pitch. “I don’t know about you, but I’m feeling fired up,” he began, his voice booming across the United Center. “Even if I’m the only person stupid enough to speak right after Michelle Obama.”
    Obama then turned his focus to Harris, praising her as a leader who embodies the best of what America stands for. “This country has a chance to elect someone who’s spent her whole life trying to give people the same chances America gave her,” Obama said. “Someone who sees you and hears you and will get up every single day and fight for you: the next president of the United States of America, Kamala Harris.”

    He also drew a sharp contrast between Harris’s vision for the country and the policies of Trump and his allies. “For them, one group’s gain is another group’s loss. For them, freedom means that the powerful can do what they please, whether its firing workers trying to organize a union, poisoning our rivers, or avoiding paying taxes like everyone else has to do,” he said, highlighting the fundamental differences in their approaches to leadership.

    Throughout the night, other prominent Democrats joined the Obamas in rallying the crowd. Illinois Senator Tammy Duckworth delivered a searing critique of Trump’s attacks on reproductive rights. “I take it personally when a five-time draft-dodging coward like Donald Trump tries to take away my rights and freedoms in return—especially when it concerns my daughters,” Duckworth said.

    Maryland Senate candidate Angela Alsobrooks reflected on her close relationship with Harris, emphasizing the vice president’s dedication to justice and public safety. “Kamala Harris knows how to keep criminals off the streets,” Alsobrooks said. “And come November, with our help, she’ll keep one out of the Oval Office,” a line that drew loud cheers from the Chicago crowd.
    New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham contrasted Harris’s healthcare policies with Trump’s, criticizing the former president’s attempts to dismantle the Affordable Care Act. “Donald Trump and JD Vance want to dismantle our healthcare system, repeal the Affordable Care Act, and eliminate protections for preexisting conditions. Either these guys don’t get it, or they don’t care,” Grisham said.

    Barack Obama left the crowd with a final, resonant message: “If we work like we’ve never worked before, we will elect Kamala Harris as the next president and Tim Walz as the next vice president. And together, we too will build a country that is more secure, more just, more equal, and free.”

     

  • Newswire : Kamala Harris’s campaign soars with unprecedented momentum after Democratic Convention

    VP Kamala Harris campaigning for President

    By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

    The electricity in Chicago at the Democratic National Convention remains undeniable. Still, the real story is how Vice President Kamala Harris’s campaign has sent shockwaves far beyond the United Center, energizing battleground states that will decide the 2024 election. What was once a campaign facing significant challenges has transformed into a dynamic, unstoppable force. Harris now leads in most national and battleground state polls—a stunning development achieved in just over a month.

    In an email, Harris-Walz Campaign Chair Jen O’Malley Dillon said the Chicago convention had ignited the most significant organizing push since the campaign’s sudden launch. Dillon said volunteers recently contacted over 1 million voters in just a few short days. She noted that the surge in volunteer engagement “is a clear indicator of the campaign’s growing strength” as it heads into September with a formidable ground game.

    In tandem with the volunteer surge, the Harris-Walz campaign has shattered fundraising records, raising an unprecedented $540 million in just over a month—setting a new high-water mark in American political history. During the convention week alone, grassroots contributions crossed the $500 million threshold just before Harris’s acceptance speech. Dillon said the momentum didn’t stop there; immediately following her address, the campaign experienced its best fundraising hour since launch day.

    What’s even more remarkable is the diversity of Harris’s donor base. A third of the week’s donations came from first-time contributors, nearly one-fifth of those being young voters. Two-thirds of the young contributors are women, a critical demographic that could prove decisive in November. Additionally, according to Dillon, teachers and nurses continue to be among the most common donor occupations, underscoring the broad and deep support that Harris has cultivated.

    Dillon stated that the campaign’s unprecedented fundraising totals reflect the combined efforts of Harris for President, the Democratic National Committee, and joint fundraising committees.

    The convention also marked a significant outreach effort to conservative and independent voters, featuring six Republican speakers on stage and several more in videos, including former Trump administration officials—more than any previous Democratic convention. The event became the one history’s most bipartisan national political gathering. Notably, conservative legal scholar Judge J. Michael Luttig, a George H.W. Bush appointee, joined a dozen Republican lawyers who served under Presidents Reagan, George H.W. Bush, and George W. Bush in endorsing Harris. They joined the growing list of Republicans, including Congressman Joe Walsh, Congresswoman Barbara Comstock, and Congressman Adam Kinzinger, who have publicly supported Harris.

    Dillon said organizers are now gearing up to engage voters on critical issues such as reproductive freedom, the cost of living, and Social Security and Medicare protection. This week, Harris and Walz will embark on a bus tour through South Georgia, their first joint campaign event in the state. With its diverse mix of rural, suburban, and urban communities, including a significant proportion of Black voters and working-class families, this region epitomizes the Harris-Walz coalition. The tour will culminate in a rally in Savannah, where Harris will directly address Georgians about the upcoming election’s stakes.

    The Harris-Walz campaign is also making significant investments in paid outreach. The campaign launched a new TV ad across battleground states, highlighting Harris’s economic vision and her commitment to building an opportunity economy where everyone who works hard can get ahead. The ad is part of August’s $150 million television buy, with $370 million in television and digital reservations.

    “Headed into Labor Day, our campaign is using those resources and enthusiasm to build on our momentum, taking no voters for granted and communicating relentlessly with battleground voters every single day between now and Election Day—all the while, Trump is focused on very little beyond online tantrums and attacking the voters critical to winning 270 electoral votes,” Dillon remarked.
     

  • Newswire : Inflation cools to below 3%, paving the way for potential Fed Rate Cuts

    By Stacy M. Brown
    NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent


    Inflation in the United States showed promising signs of easing in July, with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) falling below 3% for the first time in over three years. The unexpected slowdown in price hikes could lead the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates as early as next month, potentially easing borrowing costs and providing a boost to economic growth.

    According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, consumer prices rose 2.9% over the past year, down from June’s 3% annual increase. On a monthly basis, prices ticked up by 0.2%, reversing a slight decline of 0.1% in the previous month. The primary driver of this increase was housing costs, with the shelter index climbing by 0.4%, accounting for nearly 90% of the overall monthly increase.

    According to FactSet consensus estimates, economists had anticipated a 0.2% monthly rise and a 3% annual increase. Meanwhile, core CPI, which strips out the volatile categories of food and energy, also rose by 0.2% from June, with its annual rate slowing to 3.2% from 3.3%—the lowest rate since April 2021. Various financial experts said these figures suggest that the inflationary surge seen earlier this year is beginning to wane.
    This latest report builds on June’s positive data, which saw the overall CPI decline for the first time since April 2020. The steady cooling of inflation has given the Federal Reserve and financial markets increasing confidence that the worst inflationary pressures may be behind us.
    However, the Federal Reserve has been cautious, holding off on reducing interest rates until there was more consistent evidence of sustained progress in curbing inflation. However, recent developments in the labor market, including a weaker-than-expected jobs report for July—where only 114,000 jobs were added, and unemployment rose to 4.3%—have shifted the landscape.
    Financial experts said those labor market weaknesses have reignited fears of a potential recession, leading to heightened expectations that the Fed could begin cutting rates as soon as next month. Reducing interest rates would bring much-needed relief to borrowers, particularly those with mortgages, credit cards, and auto loans. Analysts predict the Fed will likely start with a modest rate cut, possibly around 0.5 percentage points.
    Even with potential rate cuts on the horizon, experts predicted that high-yield savings accounts, which currently offer some of the best rates at up to 5.35%, are expected to remain attractive. Certificates of deposit (CDs), which have been popular amid the high-interest-rate environment, may still offer favorable returns. However, financial experts advise caution in locking long-term high-yield CDs ahead of potential rate reductions.
    As the Fed’s decision looms, consumers are advised to focus on paying down credit card debt to position themselves favorably for improved borrowing conditions. Mortgage rates, currently averaging 6.55% for a 30-year fixed-rate loan, have already spurred a 16% surge in refinancing demand, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. A possible rate cut by the Fed could push mortgage rates even lower, making now a suitable time for homeowners and prospective buyers to consider refinancing.
    The automotive sector has also seen fluctuations, with the average interest rate for new vehicle loans in July at 9.72%, down from 10% in June but still higher than a year ago. The average monthly auto loan payment rose slightly to $727. As dealerships clear out inventory for new models in the coming months, consumers may find opportunities for discounts.
    President Joe Biden responded to the July inflation report, highlighting the progress made in controlling inflation. “Today’s report shows that we continue to make progress fighting inflation and lowering costs for American households. Inflation has fallen below 3%, and core inflation is at its lowest level since April 2021. While there’s still more work to do, we are seeing real progress, with wages rising faster than prices for 17 consecutive months,” Biden stated.
    The President also criticized large corporations for maintaining high prices despite record profits and emphasized ongoing efforts to reduce costs for American families. “We are taking on Big Pharma to lower prescription drug prices, cutting red tape to build more homes, and tackling price gouging to reduce everyday costs from groceries to air travel,” Biden added. He contrasted these efforts with Republican proposals, which he claimed would raise prices for middle-class families while cutting taxes for the wealthy and large corporations, vowing to continue fighting for economic progress.
    “While they try to take us back, we will fight for the future.” Biden declared.