JOHN LEWIS-OPEN SEAT

Georgia Dems choose state chair to replace Lewis on ballot

ATLANTA (AP) — Georgia Democrats have selected state Sen. Nikema Williams, chair of the state party, to replace Rep. John Lewis on the ballot in November. The executive committee of the Democratic Party of Georgia voted overwhelmingly on Monday for Williams to take Lewis’ spot on the ballot for the Atlanta-area 5th Congressional District after the longtime congressman and civil rights leader’s death last week. Williams, 41, was chosen from a list of five finalists as the group works to quickly fill the spot in accordance with state law. She is nearly assured of winning in November in the heavily Democratic district.

RACIAL INJUSTICE-BLACK STRIKE DAY

Workers protest racial inequality on day of national strike

NEW YORK (AP) — Hundreds of workers are rallying in U.S. cities to protest systemic racism and economic inequality. The efforts are part of a nationwide strike that organizers hoped would involve tens of thousands of people walking off the job. Visible shows of support for the effort on Monday largely came in the form of smaller protests held in cities around the country. Dubbed the “Strike for Black Lives,” the protest was arranged by labor unions and social and racial justice organizations, which planned a range of actions in more than two dozen U.S. cities.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-ATLANTA MASK LAWSUIT

Judge to hear arguments in Atlanta mask mandate lawsuit

ATLANTA (AP) — A judge plans to hear arguments on an emergency request by Georgia’s governor to stop Atlanta from enforcing a mandate to wear a mask in public and other restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic while a lawsuit on the issue is pending. Fulton County Superior Court Judge Kelly Ellerbe has scheduled a hearing on Gov. Brian Kemp’s motion for 11 a.m. Tuesday. In a lawsuit filed Thursday against Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and the members of the City Council, Kemp argues that local leaders don’t have the legal authority to change or ignore his executive orders.

AP-VIRUS OUTBREAK-THE LATEST

The Latest: US seeks to avoid discrimination in virus fight

The U.S. government is issuing guidance on preventing discrimination on the basis of race, color and national origin in the country’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The guidelines instruct health departments to ensure racial and ethnic minority populations “are not subjected to excessive wait times, rejected for hospital admissions, or denied access to intensive care units compared to similarly situated non-minority individuals.” They also seek to ensure that locations chosen for virus-testing sites are accessible to minority communities. The Coronavirus has ravaged minority populations in the United States. Black communities have recorded infection and death numbers that far outstrip their percentage of the population.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-NATIONAL ZOO

National Zoo to reopen part time with mask requirement

WASHINGTON (AP) — The National Zoo will reopen to the public later this week, with restrictions to help prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus. The Smithsonian, which runs the zoo, announced Monday that the zoo will reopen with limited hours starting Friday, July 24. The National Air and Space Museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia, near Washington Dulles International Airport will also reopen, but the rest of the museums in the Smithsonian network will remain closed. All visitors will be required to obtain free, timed-entry pass in advance and all visitors over age 6 will be required to wear a face mask at all times, including outdoors.

JUDGE’S SON-SLAIN

Man found dead may be linked to shooting at NJ judge’s house

Judiciary officials say a gunman posing as a delivery person shot and killed the 20-year-old son of a federal judge and wounded her husband at their New Jersey home before fleeing. Chief District Judge Freda Wolfson told The Associated Press the shooting at the North Brunswick home of U.S. District Judge Esther Salas, killed her son, Daniel. Wolfson says the judge’s husband, defense lawyer Mark Anderl, was injured. Investigators are examining a possible connection between the shooting and the body of a man found dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound in Sullivan County, New York, a law enforcement official said. The man is being investigated in connection with the shooting, a law enforcement official and a judiciary official told The Associated Press.

NEBRASKA DEMOCRATS-SENATE

Nebraska Democrats endorse replacement for Senate nominee

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska Democrats have endorsed a new U.S. Senate candidate in hopes of pressuring their current nominee to drop out of the race after he sent sexually offensive text messages to a campaign staffer. The party’s state central committee voted Sunday to back Alisha Shelton, an Omaha mental health therapist, if nominee Chris Janicek withdraws his name from consideration. Janicek has refused to resign from the race, and state law bars the party from removing him as their nominee without his consent. If Janicek doesn’t withdraw by Sept. 1, his name will remain on the ballot as the party’s nominee in November.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-CONGRESS

Trump faces divisions with Senate GOP on virus aid

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump met with top Republican congressional leaders Monday at the White House on the next COVID-19 aid package. As the virus worsens and aid is expiring Congress is considering what to do next. Trump said “good things” are happening. But the administration is stiffening its opposition to more testing money and interjecting other priorities that could complicate passage. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is prepared to roll out the $1 trillion package in a matter of days. Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s House has already passed a sweeping $3 trillion measure from Democrats. Congress is returning to session as the coronavirus crisis shows no signs of easing.

TEXAS GOP-ALLEN WEST

Former Florida Rep. Allen West named Texas Republican chair

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — President Donald Trump is congratulating former Florida Congressman Allen West on becoming the new chair of the Republican Party of Texas. West won the post early Monday during a turbulent Texas GOP convention that was moved online after the coronavirus outbreak in Houston upended plans for a massive indoor gathering. West is a firebrand conservative who once called for President Barack Obama’s impeachment during a short stint in Congress. West’s ascension comes four months before what could be an unusually competitive Election Day in America’s biggest red state. Trump acknowledged West’s victory in a tweet Monday.

AP-US-CONGRESS-JOHN-LEWIS

With tears, Congress honors Lewis, ‘conscience of the House’

WASHINGTON (AP) — The House has honored the late Georgia Rep. John Lewis with a moment of silence. The civil rights leader died Friday after a battle of several months against advanced pancreatic cancer. He was beloved by members of both parties, and some grew emotional as the House reconvened Monday. Speaker Nancy Pelosi choked up during a TV interview as she recalled Lewis and their last conversation the day before he died. Pelosi said Lewis “always worked on the side of the angels and now he is with them.” When she gaveled the House to order, Pelosi called on everyone to rise “in a moment of silence in remembrance of the conscience of the Congress.”

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