Southern Progressives

Moving to the left one post at a time

January 04, 2024

National News

January 3, 2023

If yesterday was a news storm, today was a lot of follow-up. Tensions in the Middle East continue to tighten with the explosion of two bombs at a ceremony today honoring prominent Iranian general Qassem Soleimani on the fourth anniversary of his death from a U.S. drone strike in Iraq. At least 95 people were killed. No one has claimed responsibility for the bombings. Iran-backed militias, including Hamas in Gaza, the Houthis in Yemen, and Hezbollah in Lebanon, are aligned against Israel.

open.substack.com/pub/heathercoxrichardson/p/january-3-2023-56e?r=2cuzj&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=email

Dozens more Jeffrey Epstein documents are now public. Here's what we know so far

The first 40 documents, of around 250 expected to eventually be unsealed, mention figures whose names were already known, including high-profile friends of Epstein’s and victims who have spoken publicly.

apnews.com/article/jeffrey-epstein-ghislaine-maxwell-virginia-giuffre-3af500d4788ad45301be426628846d71?utm_source=copy&utm_medium=share

The Supreme Court is expected to determine whether Trump can keep running for president. Here's why

Whatever the Supreme Court decides applies to Colorado will apply to all other 49 states, including Maine.

apnews.com/article/trump-colorado-2023-ballot-supreme-court-ruling-2351f61fe37c7de7a7ece53403fd8628?utm_source=copy&utm_medium=share

State News:

How to stay or when to move? Transgender laws force tough choices on Tennessee families – Tennessee Lookout

Tennessee families with children who are transgender face tough choices as laws force them to find out-of-state care -- or force them to move.

tennesseelookout.com/2024/01/04/how-to-stay-or-when-to-move-transgender-laws-force-tough-choices-on-tennessee-families

Beacon Poll finds Gloria Johnson leading Democratic U.S. Senate primary – Tennessee Lookout

A Beacon Center of Tennessee poll shows state Rep. Gloria Johnson leading the Democratic primary field for U.S. Senate by a 30 point margin.

tennesseelookout.com/2024/01/04/beacon-poll-finds-gloria-johnson-leading-democratic-u-s-senate-primary

Local News:

UT medical center:

Visitor Restrictions Implemented (Effective January 1, 2024)

Infection Prevention monitors flu activity daily. Our community is seeing an increase in flu (and COVID) activity. Those under the age of 12 and anyone exhibiting signs of illness (cough, congestion, stomach upset) except for those seeking medical care are restricted from visiting patients at this time.

Morning Fax:

The Etowah Library Board will meet at 5pm on Monday, January 8 at the library. This meeting is open to the public. The Friends of Etowah Carnegie Library will hold their monthly book sale on Saturday, January 13. The book sale is on the first floor of the library and will be open 10am-2pm. For more information, call (423) 263-9475 or visit online at www.etowahlibrary.com

The Cherokee Beekeepers Association is offering a free short course in beekeeping. This course is designed to provide basic information to beginners on how to keep honeybees. The course will be held on January 20 at the McMinn Senior Activity Center located at 205 McMinn Ave., Athens. Registration will be from 8:00 A.M. until 9:00 A.M. with the course beginning at 9:00 A.M. and ending at 1:00 P.M. This course is open to the public and no pre-registration is required.

The Athens City Schools Board of Education will meet Monday, January 8, 2024. The draft agenda and packet for the board meeting can be viewed online on the Athens City Schools website HERE. If an individual wishes to address the board on an item on the agenda, he or she may sign up on the form provided before the beginning of the board meeting to request time to speak. Delegations must select only one individual to speak on their behalf unless otherwise determined by the board according to ACS Board Policy.

The McMinn Senior Activity Center is pleased to announce the first meeting of the Center’s book club on Thursday, January 18 at noon and encourages older adults in the community aged 50 or older to join in on the fun. “We know that the vast majority of people who join a book club are there to discuss the book,” said Diane Hutsell, Executive Director of the McMinn Senior Activity Center. “It is often through that discussion, however, that friendships bloom. The Center and the book club is a great opportunity to meet new people and to get out and socialize and you might also be introduced to books you might never have picked for yourself or explore new viewpoints.” For more information on the Center's new book club, contact the Senior Center at 423-745-6830 or stop by from 8a-4p at 205 McMinn Ave; Athens, TN 37303.

The Arts:

Seniors:

This is 76: Dami Roelse Responds to The Oldster Magazine Questionnaire

"I have a promise with a younger friend to go backpacking when I turn 90. That means I have to stay in shape and keep hiking until I turn 90."

open.substack.com/pub/oldster/p/this-is-76-dami-roelse-responds-to?r=2cuzj&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=email

Coalition Calendar: Jan.

Bill Freeman is Southern Progressive Newsletter

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