Dockworker Strike Over; Black Unemployment; Sears Endorsed by Cops; Virginia ACLU Focuses on College Campus Protests; Vance in Virginia
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Longshoreman Strike Ends
Last night, the strike of 45,000 dockworkers at East and Gulf coast ports ended. The union, the International Longshoremen’s Association, will resume work immediately — just as lines at Costco and other stores began to become noticeable heading into the weekend as fears of running out of household supplies grew.
“Today’s agreement is the result of successful collective bargaining. When workers can form a union, they can bargain for higher pay, better benefits, and safer workplaces,” said U.S. House Education & Workforce Committee senior Democrat Bobby Scott in a statement shortly after the news.
Jobs Report: Black Unemployment at 5.7 percent
Employers in the U.S. added 254,000 jobs which improved the unemployment rate to 4.1 percent in September 2024. The show of strength in the labor market less than a month before the end of the 2024 election on Nov. 5 is good news for the Biden Administration and Democrats.
“With today’s report, we’ve created 16 million jobs, unemployment remains low, and wages are growing faster than prices. Under my Administration, unemployment has been the lowest in 50 years, a record 19 million new businesses have been created, and inflation and interest rates are falling,” a statement by President Biden this morning read regarding the impressive job numbers.
Virginia ACLU Launches Investigation Into Possible Civil Rights Abuses on College Campuses re Israel-Hamas Protests
Virginian Mercury: Following the violent police response and mass arrests of students, staff, and faculty protestors on multiple Virginia campuses this spring amid the flaring Israel-Hamas war, the ACLU of Virginia has launched an investigation into potential abuses of civil rights and liberties.
The organization submitted Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests to several universities across the commonwealth, seeking information on selective enforcement and viewpoint discrimination, the use of force by campus and state police, and the due process afforded to students and university employees subjected to disciplinary actions.
However, the responses to these FOIA requests have been largely unsatisfactory, the ACLU said in a statement. The universities — which include Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), Virginia Tech, the University of Virginia (UVA), and the University of Mary Washington (UMW) — cited exemptions that allowed them to withhold information or indicated they would provide details only for exorbitant fees.
Mary Bauer, executive director of the ACLU of Virginia, expressed disappointment at the lack of transparency.
“Universities are charged with creating environments that encourage students to exercise their First Amendment rights,” Bauer said. “After deploying state police and imposing questionable disciplinary charges against student demonstrators this spring, university leaders should be more forthcoming about their decision-making processes and how they will enforce the new policies passed over the summer.” READ ENTIRE
Hurricane Helene: Vance in Damascus, and Virginia Beach with Youngkin
DOES GOP SEE VIRGINIA AS IN PLAY? 🏃“Thank you, Sen. JD Vance for coming to Virginia to assess the damage caused by Hurricane Helene and for standing with the people of Southwest Virginia during this challenging time. Your support is deeply appreciated as we work together to rebuild and recover,” Gov. Youngkin wrote on social media on Oct.3.
Later in the evening, Youngkin and Vance attended a fundraiser in Virginia Beach. @VoteVets rolled their bus into Virginia Beach near the venue.
Lt. Governor Sears Steadily Receiving Law Enforcement Support for Governor Run in 2025
Law enforcement officials are steadily announcing their support for Lt. Governor Sears regarding her run for Governor in 2025.
The Sheriffs in Rappahannock County and Russell are the latest examples. On Sept. 26, Lancaster Sheriff Patrick McCranie endorsed Sears and on Sept. 20, Hopewell Sheriff Travis Stanley endorsed Sears.
Sears announced for Governor in Virginia Beach on Sept. 5.
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