Blue 812 News Issue 32 - Aug 10

Aug 10, 2025

In a move as desperate as it is undemocratic, Texas has taken a special session called to address the tragic flash floods, and used it to redistrict the state in hopes of mitigating a wave against Trump in the midterm elections. Historically, the president’s party usually loses a significant number of seats during the midterms, especially under a lame duck president. Trump is also historically unpopular, with recent poll numbers showing a sharp decline with independent and centrists, and 1/3 of Trump-supporting Latinos moving away from Republicans all down the ballot. Can’t imagine why.

“We are entitled to five more seats" in Texas, Trump insisted Tuesday in a CNBC interview, pointing to California’s existing maps (drawn by an independent commission, unlike the Texas maps drawn by a partisan legislature) as his justification: “They did it to us.” Republicans' current Texas advantage of nearly 2-to-1 is already a wider partisan gap than the 2024 presidential results: Trump won 56.1% of Texas ballots, while Democrat Kamala Harris received 42.5%.

Legislative walkouts often only delay passage of a bill, like in 2021, when many Democrats left Texas for 38 days to protest proposed voting restrictions. Texas governor Abbott has vowed to “get these maps passed regardless of how long the Democrats hold out,” and said on Fox News Thursday, “I will be calling special session after special session.” More at CNN.

JD Vance brought this mess to Indiana last week and was met with a rally of Democrats and others opposed to the effort. Article 4, Section 5 of the Indiana Constitution limits redistricting of Indiana's maps to the year or two after the federal decennial census, and state law limits redrawing the state's congressional district lines to the first regular session of the General Assembly after a federal decennial census — though that could be more easily changed by the Republican supermajority. Republicans hold supermajorities in both chambers of the Indiana General Assembly, so they have enough members for a quorum even without a single Democrat present.

After the meeting, both Indiana House Speaker Todd Huston (R-Fishers) and Senate leader Rodric Bray (R-Martinsville) released statements saying they appreciated meeting with Vance, but neither statement made any commitments about redistricting. Governor Braun confirmed that the VP discussed redistricting during their meeting at the Statehouse, saying he and state legislative leaders "listened" but wouldn't say more than that. According to a 2021 report, Indiana is already more gerrymandered than 95% of the US, which depresses voter turnout.

If Indiana lawmakers redraw congressional maps in 2025, it’s likely the 1st District, currently held by Frank Mrvan, would be the biggest target. Lawmakers could adjust the boundaries further south into Newton and Jasper, both counties that Trump won by more than 50 percentage points in 2024. Republicans have eyed the district as a pickup opportunity in both 2022 and 2024 and the National Republican Congressional Committee already in March put the district on a list of 26 offensive seats it plans to target next year.

Not to mention, if Braun does call a special session, there's a cost to taxpayers. State lawmaker's per-diem reimbursements are tied to federal rates. For lodging and meals alone, that's $193-213 per day per lawmaker, depending on the day. Splitting the middle, let's call that $150,000 a week ($200 x 150 lawmakers x 5 days). And then there is mileage reimbursements at the IRS rate.

Let’s sign this Common Cause Indiana petition to Senate President Tempore Bray and House Speaker Huston, telling them to say NO to mid-cycle redistricting, and call Gov. Braun (317.232.4567, or use 5calls) and Sen. Goode (317.232.9400) to say the same!

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) decided to promote its new 1,000-bed immigrant detention facility at Indiana’s Miami Correctional Facility by tweeting out an AI-generated IndyCar decked out with “ICE” logos and the number 5. A tidbit I learned while researching this story? Pato O’Ward, the only Mexican 500 driver, uses the same number on his car. The post was later updated to a new image without the number 5.

Penske Entertainment, Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s owner, was not amused. They issued a polite but pointed statement saying, “We were unaware of plans to incorporate our imagery,” and asked DHS to kindly stop using their intellectual property to promote mass detention (another one of Roger Penske's companies had to rebuke DHS for a completely different issue within the same 24 hour period).

Similarly unamused? The town of Speedway. Officials said they had zero involvement in naming the facility and would prefer not to be associated with it. Because nothing screams “community branding” like barbed wire and ICE agents. Also the facility is about 75 miles away from Indianapolis and the actual Indiana Speedway. The project doesn't involve any construction; instead, federal funds will be used for space at the existing Miami Correctional Facility in Bunker Hill, which has a total capacity of 3,100 beds, 1,200 of which are not currently filled.

Teddy Roosevelt had a pet hyena. Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

if you thought we were done with the Epstein scandalaga, you were wrong. Here’s a roundup from last week:

Monday’s town hall was part of the lieutenant governor’s stated initiative to visit all 92 counties in Indiana and connect directly with Hoosiers about the issues impacting their daily lives, according to a news release. During the town hall, amongst the Bible quotes in place of facts and answers, Beckwith claimed that undocumented immigrants don't deserve due process. It's a claim that is sparking backlash from immigration advocates and attorneys who say the Constitution disagrees. While undocumented immigrants don't have a guaranteed right to stay in the U.S., the Constitution does guarantee them due process under the law.

Beckwith’s remarks also included a controversial historical comparison: "So, when the Japanese were bombing Pearl Harbor, did we give them due process to actually see a judge?" Beckwith asked the crowd. "They invaded our country."

"We didn't provide the Japanese due process," Rachel Van Tyle, director of legal services for Indy's Exodus Refugee Immigration organization, said. "We put people in internment camps and we rounded them up and it's a stain on American history that we did that." The U.S. internment camps during World War II primarily held more than 120,000 people of Japanese ancestry, the majority of whom were U.S. citizens or legal residents. In 1988, the U.S. government formally apologized through the Civil Liberties Act, calling the internment a “grave injustice” rooted in "racial prejudice, war hysteria, and a failure of political leadership.”

Beckwith was also asked about a deepfake video involving a state lawmaker’s wife, allegedly watched by Beckwith’s chief of staff and a lawyer on contract with his office. The two allegedly watched the video, which used AI to make it appear the woman was topless, in the office of the lieutenant governor, as reported by 24SightNews. Beckwith responded: “We investigated. We looked into it. There is no evidence any way, shape or form it actually ever happened,” he said. “It’s baseless allegations.” The communications director for Indiana Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith, James Kehoe, who was not involved in the viewing of the deepfake, quit Thursday morning.

The full town hall is available on the Vigo County YouTube page.

Last week, Indiana senator and broken clock Jim Banks introduced a bill that Terre Haute Mayor Sakbun says would help the city “redevelop and reimagine” abandoned or rundown buildings. The Revitalizing Empty Structures Into Desirable Environments Act (RESIDE) aims to help communities turn rundown or abandoned buildings—such as warehouses, factories, hotels, strip malls, and other unused spaces—into new housing options. “The RESIDE Act is a unique opportunity to redevelop and reimagine blighted properties. The city of Terre Haute is looking forward to working with the federal government to put these funds to use in the great state of Indiana,” said Mayor Sakbun.

On a related note, Terre Haute City Engineer Marcus Maurer appeared before the City Council on Thursday seeking both to amend the city code in several places. Maurer had previously tried to amend the city’s Property Maintenance Code to prevent buildings from reaching the point where they would have to be condemned. He promised to revise it even further at the behest of Councilwoman Kandace Hinton, who suggested minor changes that would make its intent more clear and less punitive to the economically disadvantaged. He will return with that amended amendment at this Thursday’s meeting. Maurer also wanted to amend the section regarding Rental Property Registration and Inspections in order to create a database that would describe each building type and verifiable contact information for landlords. Councilman Todd Nation found the language unclear when it came to penalties for landlords who do not make repairs in a timely fashion. Maurer agreed to present further revisions at this week’s meeting.

The White House wants to know what topics you’d like to hear more about, so they’ve sent out a survey: What topics would you like to hear about from the White House? . Despite the typos, there is no area to select ‘the Epstein files’ from the list of topics, but there IS an OTHER area which opens an place for you to type in ‘the Epstein files.’

The page seems to be mailchimp, so you will definitely be subscribed to some newsletter upon your submission.

PBS still exists, so let’s use it while it lasts! Described as ‘Schoolhouse Rock for adults’, "Civics Made Easy," hosted by Ben Sheehan, breaks down the complex world of American government and civic participation. Each episode transforms intricate concepts into clear, digestible lessons, equipping viewers with the essential knowledge to actively participate in their democracy. Designed to empower and inform, the series makes understanding civics both accessible and engaging for all. So far there are 3 episodes, all under 15 minutes long. Host Ben Sheehan also has a Substack, Politics Made Easy

Nasty Women - Vigo County calendar | Indivisible Wabash Valley calendar

Tuesday, August 12th at 3pm: Mingle with the Mayor at Grand Traverse Pie Co. At this informal and relaxed gathering, various topics will be covered each month with opportunities to ask questions and voice concerns. Free pie and coffee will be served courtesy of Clinton Gardens.

Tuesday, August 12th at 5pm: Vigo County Council meeting in Annex building Council Room.

Tuesday, August 12th at 6pm: Vigo County School Board meeting at 501 W. Olive Street - Boardroom

Wednesday, August 12th at 8pm: One Million Rising: Strategic Non-Cooperation to Fight Authoritarianism webinar. Register & access prior videos here.

Thursday, August 14th at 6pm: Terre Haute City Council meeting at City Hall

Wednesday, August 20th at 5:30pm: Historic Preservation Ordinance Committee Meeting at City Hall. Public comments welcome

Friday, August 22nd at 5:30pm: Vigo Dems event at 1111 Veteran’s Square

Saturday, August 23rd at 12pm: Indiana Black Legislative Caucus Town Hall at City Hall

The National Weather Service is being allowed to hire back 450 meteorologists, radar analysts and other weather experts that had been let go by DOGE. They’re also being allowed to create 120 new jobs that will help better predict extreme weather events.

A federal judge ordered the Trump administration to pause construction on “Alligator Alcatraz,” as advocates argue that the detention center violates environmental laws.

The Trump administration facilitated a peace deal between Armenia and Azerbaijan, ending four decades of strife between the two countries.

New York City opened the country’s first publicly funded shelter for transgender and gender nonconforming people. Costing $$66 million over five years, the shelter will host 150 beds at a time when the Trump administration goes to war with trans rights.

Trump's time in the White House runs out in:

Scientists have indicated that rats dream, often about getting food or running mazes. Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.