Call the Governor to release Michigan state prisoners at risk of COVID-19

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The best way to manage the COVID-19 challenge in Michigan’s prison system is to release as many people as possible as soon as possible. It can be done quickly, without compromising public safety, and in the best interest of public health. To save lives, it is imperative that the Governor act immediately to expand who is eligible for parole, expand the use of her commutation powers, expand parole boards, and expedite the review of wrongful conviction cases in front of the conviction integrity unit.

The United States Postal Service

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It is urgent that Congress and the White House fully fund the United States Postal Service in the next stimulus bill. Private companies won’t deliver to certain remote areas — and, right now, the Postal Service is delivering lifesaving medications and food, supporting voting by mail-in primary states and helping other services necessary for our nation to continue to operate.

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Disproportionate: Over half the Covid-19 cases and 60% of deaths are in black counties

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Researchers at Amfar (Foundation for Aids Research) and Emory University led a study that included several other institutions to track disproportionately black counties, i.e., where black people constituted more than 13% of the population, in four southern states. Among their findings is that underlying health conditions, such as heart disease and diabetes, are not the primary case of disparities.

PEG Exclusive: New rule will undercut Fair Housing regulations

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The Fair Housing Act (FHA) was ratified in 1968 to ensure marginalized and minority communities have equal opportunity access to safe, stable housing. It has been the strongest protection against unjustified and discriminatory housing practices, both overt and covert. In the fifty years since the FHA was enacted, exclusionary housing policies may be more difficult to distinguish, but sadly are still in effect.

Playing Games with American Lives

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National Rifle Association Chief Executive, Wayne LaPierre, met with Donald Trump to discuss ways in which the NRA could support Trump in his fight against impeachment and his bid for 2020 re-election. In the course of this conversation, LaPierre reportedly asked that Trump “stop the games” in exchange for the organization’s full throated backing. Exactly what “games” was LaPierre alluding to?

Beyond Thoughts and Prayers

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Advance editor-in-chief Susan J. Demas rounded up the gun control legislation that the Michigan State Legislature could take up in the wake of last weekend’s shootings in El Paso and Dayton, including roughly a dozen bills that would do things from toughening background checks to restricting gun sales from purchasers with a high risk of committing violence. But, we have some people standing in the way of pushing forward, it seems.