Va. Redistricting Fight. Trump, WHCD Shooting. 'Michael' Smashes Box Offices #TheBreakdown

Virginia's redistricting plan, which was approved by voters via a constitutional amendment, faces legal challenges from Republicans. A Taswell County Circuit Court judge voided the 2026 referendum, citing constitutional and procedural violations. The State Supreme Court is now deciding if the voter-approved maps will stand, with oral arguments having begun.

Virginia Supreme Court is taking up one of the lawsuits battling redistricting today. Oral arguments began at 9:00 this morning. Judges questioned whether the state's Democratic legislature complied with constitutional requirements when it sent a congressional redistricting plan to voters. Last Tuesday, voters approved a constitutional amendment that bypasses a bipartisan redistricting commission to allow the use of new districts drawn by Virginia's Democratic lee. A day later, a Taswell County Circuit Court judge voided Virginia's 2026 redistricting referendum, ruling all votes cast ineffective and blocking certification due to multiple constitutional and procedural violations.

North Carolina's Senate Bill 214, specifically Section 5, would allow predominantly white Franklin County (70% white) to condemn property and water from majority-Black counties (Halifax, Warren, Vance) without their consent. This move is driven by the significant water demands of data centers and is viewed by Mayor Mandelle Robinson as a civil rights issue, echoing historical patterns of exploitation.

The bill that we're talking about has made its way to the general assembly of North Carolina. It is Senate Bill 214 and particularly section five which basically strips the right of North Carolina majority black I'm three of North Carolina majority black counties Halifax which is the county where Enfield rests 56% black Warren and also Vance County and this white county Franklin County which is 70% white is now saying through their Senate legislation uh representation that they should have the right to any property not just water. It says property in that in that section and interest in that property through condemnation. So they can condemn any property in these other counties without the consent or approval of elected officials in said counties.

Kim Creswell founded J Steppin for Autism in honor of her nonverbal autistic son, Jackson. The organization focuses on acceptance and inclusion, conducting toy drives and awareness walks. Creswell highlights the challenges parents face, including long waitlists for diagnosis and the high costs of therapies, emphasizing the need for better systemic support and parental advocacy.

J7 for Autism was founded in honor of my son Jackson um who is autistic. Uh he was diagnosed in 2020 during the middle of the pandemic. Um but focus obviously shifted to my son versus COVID. Um and what came from his diagnosis after a year of just kind of primarily focusing on him. I did a toy drive for the kiddos at the ABA clinic he attended. Um and that led to Jackson's give the gift of play. In 2023, we did an autism awareness and acceptance walk. Um and hence J7 for autism was fully born. Um awareness is out there. So many people are being diagnosed or should I say children are being diagnosed um and adults too. And so now it's about acceptance and inclusion.

Jamal Shabbaz created the Black Summer Youth Program and a Black history board game and app to address educational gaps. His approach incorporates modern elements like social media content and apps to engage youth, fostering self-discovery, historical knowledge, and a sense of community. He emphasizes the importance of culturally grounded education from Black institutions, as traditional systems were not designed to advance Black people.

So, uh, you have to add modern and contemporary elements and meet the need to speak the language of the youth today. You know, with all due respect, there's a lot of organizations that are out here. They have a great uh presence in person, but they're not doing things in a modern lens or a modern uh uh approach. So then, I mean, you're you're not going to get the youth. You know, you got to do things like uh I created an app, right? I have my physical knowledge of board game and my app that teaches you black history and black culture.