Jeffco Voters Elect County’s First African-American Sheriff and District Attorney
Longtime Jefferson County Sheriff Mike Hale lost his bid for re-election, defeated by Democrat Mark Pettway, who is the county’s first African American sheriff. Pettway is a detective in the sheriff’s office. He received 51 percent of the vote and Hale received 49 percent in the sheriff’s race, according to preliminary results.
Voters also elected Democrat Danny Carr as Jefferson County’s next district attorney, the first African American to hold the post in Jefferson County. Carr defeated Republican Mike Anderton, who was appointed interim district attorney last year by Gov. Kay Ivey. Unofficial results show Carr received 57 percent of the vote and Anderton with 43 percent.
Incumbent GOP Jefferson County Commissioner Joe Knight defeated Democrat J.T. Smallwood to hold onto his seat.
Only one incumbent Jefferson County Democrat lost to a Republican. Eddie Brown, a Republican, defeated Jefferson County school board member Martha Bouyer. Brown is a retired Jefferson County school administrator.
Democrats controlled judicial races in Jefferson County; however one race may not be over. Democrat Linda Hall defeated Republican Teresa Pulliam in the race for Circuit Court Place 14. A judge last week said Hall would be disqualified from taking office because she does not meet the residency requirement. A Jefferson County voter challenged Hall’s residency, saying she lived most of the year in Shelby County. It is unclear how the vacancy will be filled.
In hearings, McMahon faces questions about the shrinking federal role in schools and colleges
In separate hearings on Capitol Hill this week, the Education Secretary answered questions about a range of issues, from student loans to mental health programs.
Judge blocks deportation of Boulder attacker’s family
A federal judge on Wednesday ordered the government to immediately halt deportation proceedings against the wife and five children of a man charged in the firebombing attack in Boulder, Colorado, responding to what the judge called an urgent situation to ensure the protection of the family's constitutional rights.
The Trump administration is working on a plan for time limits on rental aid
A housing agency rule would also allow work requirements. Supporters say a time limit would help spread limited funds to more people, but critics warn it would leave some homeless.
President Trump is attending the musical ‘Les Mis’ – why is this a big deal?
Since Trump abruptly ousted Kennedy Center leadership and became its board chair, artists have canceled shows and subscription sales are down.
A new satellite TV channel allows Alexei Navalny’s videos to reach Russian audiences
The Russia's Future channel, launched by Navalny's widow Yulia Navalnaya and Reporters Without Borders, began broadcasting Wednesday, on what would have been the late Russian activist's 49th birthday.
Darfur: bearing the brunt of over two years of civil war in Sudan
An attack on what would have been the first aid delivery to the beseiged city of El Fasher in over a year has dealt a major blow in the Darfur region. The assault comes as humanitarian groups warn that collapsing healthcare, unrelenting violence, and a paralyzed aid effort are pushing civilians to breaking point.
