RandySF
RandySF's JournalStudents and federal police clash during downtown L.A. protest
What seemed to be a peaceful march and rally escalated to an altercation between federal police and students in downtown Los Angeles Friday afternoon.
Police called for additional backup at the Metropolitan Detention Center as tensions escalated.
Police jumped into action in an effort to push back the crowd.....
According to Sky 5’s Rich Prickett, the crowd is refusing to retreat to the sidewalk and officers are being ushered back into the building in a “defensive posture.”
https://ktla.com/news/local-news/student-walkout-held-in-downtown-l-a-in-protest-of-immigration-enforcement/
WNBA mock draft 2026: UConn's Azzi Fudd is projected No. 1
FIRST ROUND SUMMARY:
1. Dallas Wings: Azzi Fudd - UCONN
2. Minnesota Lynx: Awa Fam - Spain
3. Seattle Storm: Olivia Miles - TCU
4. Washington Mystics: Lauren Betts - UCLA
5. Chicago Sky: Flau'jae Johnson - LSU
6. Toronto Tempo: Cotie McMahon - Ole Miss
7. Portland Fire: Nell Angloma - France
8. Golden State Valkyries: Iyana Martin - Spain
9. Washington Mystics: Gianna Kneepkens - UCLA
10. Indiana Fever: Madina Okot - South Carolina
11. Washington Mystics: Ashlon Jackson - Duke
12. Connecticut Sun: Kiki Rice - UCLA
13. Atlanta Dream: Ta'Niya Latson - South Carolina
14. Seattle Storm: Marta Suarez - TCU
15. Connecticut Sun: Gabriela Jaquez - UCLA
https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/47901594/wnba-mock-draft-2026-lottery-dallas-wings-no-1-pick-azzi-fudd-awa-fam-olivia-miles-lauren-betts
Delle Donne, Parker named 2026 Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame finalists
The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame has announced its finalists for the Class of 2026, and former WNBA MVPs and champions Candace Parker and Elena Delle Donne have been named as finalists.
“This year’s group of Finalists represents the full scope of basketball’s impact, from the professional and collegiate ranks to high school, international play, officiating, and innovation,” said Jerry Colangelo, Chairman of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. “Their achievements span championships, historic milestones, and a lasting influence on how the game is played, taught, and experienced around the world. Each Finalist has made a notable contribution to basketball’s growth and excellence, and their collective legacy speaks to the power of the sport.”
Molly Bolin-Kazmer was also selected as a finalist by the Women’s Veteran Committee. The full list of finalists selected by the Women’s Committee includes:
The 1996 United States Women’s National Team won a gold medal at the Olympic Games in Atlanta with a record of 8-0, winning by an average of more than 30 points per game. The team was coached by Tara VanDerveer and was stacked with star players that would eventually dominate in the WNBA, such as Lisa Leslie, Sheryl Swoopes, Dawn Staley, Teresa Edwards, Rebecca Lobo and Katrina McClain.
https://www.thenexthoops.com/news/delle-donne-parker-named-2026-naismith-basketball-hall-of-fame-finalists/
In victory for Democrats, Virginia Supreme Court says redistricting vote can go forward
In a big win for Virginia Democrats’ efforts to counter President Donald Trump’s GOP gerrymanders in other states, the Virginia Supreme Court said the state can hold its special election on Democrats’ own redistricting plan. The referendum vote is scheduled to take place on April 21.
Democrats will still have to defend* that plan in court, but the order means that the ongoing legal case will not prevent a redistricting referendum from going forward. In practice, that means voters will get to decide on a proposed “10-1” map that could deliver four more Democratic seats in Congress.
Though the Supreme Court’s order is a victory for Democrats, some uncertainty remains about the future of redistricting.
Because a decision in the redistricting case will come after the referendum takes place, the Supreme Court could theoretically void the results of that vote if it rules against Democrats. In practice, a decision overruling voters would be unlikely.
https://www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/in-victory-for-democrats-virginia-supreme-court-says-redistricting-vote-can-go-forward/
OH-GOV: Records show Ohio governor candidate Vivek Ramaswamy dropped $780K on private jet flights last year
Campaign expenditure filings for Ohio gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy show that the Republican spent more than $780,000 on private jet travel in 2025.
A Heartland Signal analysis of Ramaswamy’s expenditures filed through the Secretary of State’s Office show that the candidate spent $469,885.45 on aircraft leasing and $312,264.21 in costs associated with flying his own jet.
According to his campaign, no donor funds were used for these expenses, and the entrepreneur donated his own money to cover the costs.
“Vivek personally owns an aircraft, which the campaign uses for travel to efficiently reach voters across all 88 counties,” a spokesperson told Heartland Signal via email. “To comply with federal and state law, the campaign is required to lease the plane at market rates in order to use it to meet voters. No donor funds were used for these expenses — Vivek personally loaned the campaign money to cover every dollar paid to lease the airplane for the campaign.”
https://heartlandsignal.com/2026/02/12/records-show-ohio-governor-candidate-vivek-ramaswamy-dropped-780k-on-private-jet-flights-last-year/
NY-11: New York Republican asks Supreme Court to restore her congressional district
Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-N.Y.) is urging the Supreme Court to stop her state judiciary from ordering a redraw of her congressional district ahead of the midterms, casting it as unconstitutional.
A New York judge struck down the 11th Congressional District’s boundaries for diluting Black and Latino voting strength on Staten Island in violation of the state’s constitution.
“The trial court’s order has thrown New York’s elections into chaos on the eve of the 2026 Congressional Election,” the application states.
In a statement, Elias Law Group partner Aria Branch called the move a “desperate appeal,” describing it as “premature and improper.” The Democratic law firm is one of several groups involved in the case.
https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/5737189-new-york-redistricting-republican-malliotakis-supreme-court/
Arkansas judge blocks state law increasing signature requirement for ballot measures
An Arkansas judge on Thursday blocked implementation of a 2023 state law that increased the signature requirements for measures to qualify for the ballot.
Pulaski County Circuit Judge Shawn Johnson’s ruling prevents the state from enforcing Act 236 of 2023, which increased the number of counties where ballot initiative groups must gather a minimum number of signatures from 15 to 50.
The League of Women Voters of Arkansas filed a lawsuit in 2023, arguing the measure violated the Arkansas Constitution.
“We filed this lawsuit three years ago immediately following its passage and today we celebrate the striking down of this thinly veiled attempt to silence the voters,” Arkansas League President Bonnie Miller said in a statement. “This is a good day for the people.”
https://arkansasadvocate.com/2026/02/13/arkansas-judge-blocks-state-law-increasing-signature-requirement-for-ballot-measures/
New Walker County election office opening in LaFayette
The Walker County Election Commission toured their new facility in LaFayette Thursday morning, February 12.
The new office is located at 311 South Main Street, according to a social media post from the county.
Early voting gets underway Monday at this site for U.S. Congressional District 14 and GA Senate District 53.
Below you can find a sample ballot for the March 10, 2026, special election:
https://www.local3news.com/local-news/new-walker-county-election-office-opening-in-lafayette/article_fab12dc0-d989-4212-8b53-fce09ae05cfa.html
Alabama House pulls bill ending Public Service Commission elections prior to vote
The Alabama House of Representatives Thursday pulled a bill that would have ended popular elections to the state utility regulation board prior to a scheduled vote.
Rep. Chip Brown, R-Hollinger’s Island, said Thursday that HB 392 was removed from the schedule to allow lawmakers to further discuss the potential ramifications of the bill, which would end elections to the Alabama Public Service Commission by 2030.
“We are still looking at ironing some things out on that,” Brown said Thursday. “At the end of the day, the whole issue is about affordability, and Alabama has the highest utility rates in the Southeast.”
Brown said he had the votes for the bill in the House, but that they were “still analyzing” whether the Senate would support the measure. House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter, R-Rainsville, said at a news conference Thursday that the bill needs additional support in the Alabama Senate.
https://alabamareflector.com/2026/02/12/alabama-house-pulls-bill-ending-public-service-commission-elections-prior-to-vote/
City Council Approves Charter Amendment Measure for June Special Election
On February 3, 2026, the Santa Barbara City Council approved a resolution to call a special municipal election and proposed ballot measure to amend the City Charter relating to contracts and leases.
The Council appropriated $195,000 from General Fund reserves to cover the costs necessary for the County Elections Division to include the charter amendment on the ballot. The charter amendment streamlines approval of long-term City contracts while restoring the City’s flexibility and full charter authority to manage, lease, and maximize the value of its public property.
The special municipal election is scheduled for June 2, 2026, in conjunction with the Statewide Direct Primary Election.
The measure before the City’s voters is the following:
“Shall the proposed measure to modernize City Charter Section 521 allowing flexibility related to terms and conditions of contracts and leases of City property be adopted?”
https://www.edhat.com/news/city-council-approves-charter-amendment-measure-for-june-special-election/#google_vignette
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Gender: MaleHometown: Detroit Area, MI
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Current location: San Francisco, CA
Member since: Wed Oct 29, 2008, 01:53 PM
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