Dec 6, 2017 - Politics & Policy

The Congressional Black Caucus backlash over Conyers exit

Photo: J. Scott Applewhite / AP

Some members of the Congressional Black Caucus believe that Rep. John Conyers, who abruptly resigned Tuesday after multiple allegations of sexual harassment, received undue scrutiny due to his race, according to a Politico report.

The big picture: Some members of the CBC aren't going so far as to call the treatment of Conyers' racist, but they do note that other sitting members of Congress, like Sen. Al Franken and Rep. Blake Farenthold, have managed to avoid significant pressure to step down while facing their own allegations of sexual misconduct. And another CBC faction thinks that Conyers' declining physical and mental state at 88 years old accelerated the process.

Some quotes from CBC members to Politico:

Rep. Marcia Fudge: "Certainly it seems as if there is indeed a double standard. When it happens to one of us, we're guilty until proven innocent."
Rep. Cedric Richmond: “Do I think he was treated like everyone? No, he wasn't. I think it was an easy call for people to talk about him."
An anonymous CBC member: “This was as much about Pelosi's own politics as it was about Conyers. I think she was forced into it, and I think it was very unfortunate."

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Axios

15 mins ago - Health

The winter from hell

Photo: Stan Grossfeld/The Boston Globe via Getty Images

The hope and promise of May is gone, replaced by the realization that America is in for another miserable year of COVID-19.

Why it matters: Another winter — and another flu season — is on the way as the U.S. engages in a whack-a-mole strategy that slows down the virus in one region, but sees it flaring up in another.

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Axios

Updated 25 mins ago - Politics & Policy

Coronavirus dashboard

Illustration: Annelise Capossela/Axios

Global: Total confirmed cases as of 4:30 p.m. ET: 19,947,467 — Total deaths: 732,650 — Total recoveries — 12,150,055 — Map.
U.S.: Total confirmed cases as of 4:30 p.m. ET: 5,071,306 — Total deaths: 163,252 — Total recoveries: 1,656,864 — Total tests: 61,792,571 — Map.
Politics: House will not hold votes until Sept. 14 unless stimulus deal is reached.
Business: Richer Americans are more comfortable eating out.
Public health: How America can do smarter testing — At least 48 local public health leaders have quit or been fired during pandemic.
Sports: The cost of kids losing gym class — College football is on the brink.
World: Europe's CDC recommends new restrictions amid "true resurgence in cases."

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Orion Rummler

1 hour ago - Health

At least 48 local public health leaders have quit or been fired during pandemic

Former California public health director Dr. Sonia Angell on Feb. 27 in Sacramento, California. Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

At least 48 local and state-level public health leaders have retired, resigned or been fired across 23 states since April, according to a review by the AP and Kaiser Health News.

Driving the news: California public health director Dr. Sonia Angell resigned on Sunday without explanation, a few days after the state fixed a delay in reporting coronavirus test results that had affected reopenings for schools and businesses, AP reports.