March 2021

Miss. governor signs bill limiting transgender athletes

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Mississippi Republican Gov. Tate Reeves signed a bill Thursday to ban transgender athletes from competing on girls or women’s sports teams.

House passes legislation to expand background checks

WASHINGTON (AP) — Emboldened by their majorities in the House and Senate, Democrats are making a new push to enact the first major new gun control laws in more than two decades --starting with stricter background checks. The House is poised to pass two bills on Thursday that would require background checks on all firearms sales and transfers and also allow an expanded 10-day review for gun purchases. Similar bills were passed by the House in 2019, shortly after Democrats won the majority, but languished in the GOP-controlled Senate for the next two years.

US jobless claims fall to 712,000 as pace of layoffs eases

WASHINGTON (AP) — The number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits fell last week to 712,000, the lowest total since early November, evidence that fewer employers are cutting jobs amid a decline in confirmed coronavirus cases and signs of an improving economy.

Former presidents, first ladies urge Americans to get vaccinated

WASHINGTON (AP) — Four former presidents are urging Americans to get vaccinated as soon as COVID-19 doses are available to them, as part of a campaign to overcome hesitancy about the shots.

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From job cuts to online commerce, virus reshaped US economy

WASHINGTON (AP) — At first, it was expected to be brief At least that was the hope.

Judge OKs third-degree murder charge for ex-cop in Floyd death

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) —A judge on Thursday granted prosecutors’ request to add a third-degree murder charge against a former Minneapolis police officer charged in George Floyd’s death, a move that offers jurors an additional option for conviction and finally resolves an issue that might have delayed his trial for months.

Bessie Mae West-Butler

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“I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made Heaven and earth.” Psalm 121:1-2

Murder highlights need for transaction safety

The internet can birth frightening scenarios such as one that took place this week. Joseph Vindel, 21, was murdered after he traveled to Jefferson Parish to sell a dirt bike. The suspect in the case, Jalen Harvey, admitted to killing Vindel during the course of the transaction.

Border failures grow U.S. population

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Among President Biden’s first day xecutive actions is one that promised to tackle climate change, a primary concern of Congress. Included as part of the Biden administration’s climate change objectives are rejoining the Paris Agreement and leading what the administration called a clean energy revolution that will, by 2035, achieve a carbon pollution-free power sector. On Earth Day 2021, Biden will host a Leaders’ Climate Summit where he’ll emphasize his ambitious agenda.