Blue 812 News Issue 34 - Aug 24

Aug 24, 2025

Well, last week, the Texas state government officially passed its new maps with the intention of stealing an extra five seats for the GOP. In preparation, Democrats in California had already voted on a reciprocal move that could net them an additional five seats.

There’s a massive difference between the two gerrymandering plans, though. Texas’ state government alone has the power to pass the new maps, whereas in California, voters must approve the measure in November. Will they? It’s impossible to know in advance, but two conflicting things are true:

A recent poll supported this dissonance exactly: 70% of Democrats believe gerrymandering is “never acceptable,” and yet, a majority approves of Newsom’s gerrymandering plan. This sentiment is going pretty mainstream: Obama himself has given Newsom’s districting plan his blessing, describing it as “responsible” in the face of Republican gerrymandering. In a recent UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies poll conducted for the Los Angeles Times, when registered voters were asked whether they agree with California’s redistricting maneuver, 46% said it was a good idea, and 48% said they would vote in favor of the temporary gerrymandering efforts if it appeared on the statewide special election ballot in November.

Still, this fight has been anything but smooth, as protests have broken out in both Austin and Sacramento. In Texas, mandatory police escorts followed Democratic lawmakers around ahead of the vote to stop them from fleeing the state again, and State Rep. Nicole Collier was locked in the chamber overnight after she refused the round-the-clock surveillance. In California, according to the San Francisco Standard, yesterday’s vote included “more than five hours of debate that featured yelling, mic-cutting, indulgent speeches, personal digs, and political attacks.” Serving in state government sounds so fun. Additionally, there might be legal challenges to the redistricting - the GOP has already challenged California’s new maps (which haven’t been passed yet), but the state Supreme Court struck them down.

Just a little round-up of terrifying stories about disappearing civil liberties!

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On Wednesday, Federal judge Richard M. Berman denied AG Bondi's request to unseal records related to the Epstein case in New York, citing longstanding precedents of keeping grand jury proceedings secret and stating that the government did not prove "special circumstances" that might justify unsealing the records.

The Department of Justice turned over the first batch of documents related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein to the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee on Friday. Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) said in a statement Saturday “Only 3% of the documents given to the Oversight Committee are new. The rest are already in the public domain. Less than 1% of files have been released. DOJ is stonewalling,” and called for the full release of the files.

Separately, the DOJ on Friday publicly released a transcript and audio of the interview Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche conducted last month with Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell, during which she had the following to say about the person who has the authority to pardon her: “I never witnessed the President in any inappropriate setting in any way.” Fascinating.

After their virtual caucus earlier this month following VP JD’s visit, Indiana House Republicans met behind closed doors in a private office building on the north side of Indianapolis this week to further discuss a potential mid-decade redrawing of the Hoosier State's congressional maps. So far, even some of the biggest Trump supporters indicated they aren't in favor of such a move.

But around the time of that Monday caucus — and shortly after — Indiana's seven GOP U.S. House members one-by-one posted on X in support of a redistricting push. 8th District U.S. Rep. Mark Messmer said, “I am proud to support Hoosier State Legislators and our great @GovBraun in fighting the long history of weaponized voter manipulation in CA, NY, and IL. Redistricting in Indiana will accurately reflect the will of Hoosier voices.”

Trump is really putting the pressure on states to deliver him a 100 seat majority in the House. We likely won't know which of the 110 Republican Indiana lawmakers are attending the White House meeting on Tuesday. Spokespeople for House and Senate Republicans said they do not have numbers or a list of which of their members are going to Washington, D.C., as members were "individually invited by the White House." According to the Chicago Tribune, the NWI contingent will not be there.

Taxpayers could be on the hook for some of the travel costs. State legislators that have not already been reimbursed for "reasonable travel expenses" tied to a policy forum or conference this year can be reimbursed for the White House visit. I feel like my tax dollars could be better spent elsewhere.

Brad Newman, a Terre Haute Police sergeant and former Vigo County Clerk, on Friday announced he will run for Vigo County sheriff.

Candidates to date in the 2026 Republican primary now include Newman and Steve Ellis, a Vigo County councilman and owner of the Top Guns store, who announced his candidacy in late July.

On the Democratic the side of the ballot two candidates have announced, Derek Fell, the current Vigo County sheriff — who was caucused into the role following then-incumbent Sheriff John Plasse’s death from pancreatic cancer in July of 2024 — announced his candidacy in May. David C. Ewing, a 13-year veteran deputy with the sheriff’s office, said in mid-July he would run for the position.

On Wednesday night, city council subcommittee unanimously voted against a proposed ordinance that would allow for the creation of a "Historical Oversight Committee". This decision came after a lengthy public comment session at City Hall.

During discussion, council members agreed that the form of the ordinance as it was written left too many questions un-answered. Councilwoman Tammy Boland told News 10 that the council will be reviewing the public comments as they work to potentially finalize an updated version of the ordinance.

The Trump Regime is getting desperate. We the people stand in Trump's way. Governor Braun has to have the support of the legislature to redistrict. but it's a politically volatile situation - one that may prove too controversial for Indiana legislators who are up for reelection next year and don't want to risk alienating voters.

Some Indiana Republicans are heading to the White House this week at Trump's invitation, where they'll discuss his election rigging scheme. Keep up the pressure on lawmakers. Remind your legislators that they represent Hoosiers, not Trump and the MAGA regime, and that Hoosiers don’t want to be pawns in Trump’s expensive and corrupt election-rigging scheme.

Ask your legislators - "Did you receive an invitation to the White House? If so, do you plan to accept/did you accept that invitation?"

You can also share your concerns with them: "Early redistricting is an attack on our democracy and a total political power grab. Tax dollars should not support partisan gerrymandering."

State Rep: 317-232-9600 | State Senator: 317-232-9400 | Gov. Braun: 317-232-4567

BONUS GOOD TROUBLE FOR TRAIN FANS AND ELDEST DAUGHTERS:

INDOT is updating its State Rail Plan. Could there be passenger rail in Indiana?! Learn more and share your feedback at bit.ly/INDOTRailPlan25. The survey will close on September 10.

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Nasty Women - Vigo County calendar | Indivisible Wabash Valley calendar

Monday, August 25th at 6pm: Vigo County School Board meeting at 501 W. Olive Street - Boardroom

Tuesday, August 26th at 5:30pm: Rally Against Redistricting, Indiana Statehouse

Wednesday, August 27th at 6pm: Indiana Nasty Women-Vigo County Meeting at Vigo County Public Library - meeting room A.

Monday, September 1st at 10:30am: Labor Day 2025: Terre Haute Parade. Lineup begins at 10 a.m. at 11th Street and Wabash Avenue. The parade route runs west on Wabash Avenue and ends at Fairbanks Park, where a bean dinner and other activities are often held. More info here.

Tuesday, September 2nd at 6pm: Mile with the Mayor at Rea Park. A 1-mile walk with the mayor.

Planned Parenthood has officially filed a lawsuit to protect Medicaid funding.

A federal judge ruled that no additional detainees can be held at Alligator Alcatraz and that much of the facility be dismantled. The judge ruled in favor of environmentalists and a local tribe, who sued the state over the environmental impact the center was having on the Everglades.

A judge freed El Salvador native Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who became the face of the Trump administration’s cruel deportation campaign, from custody today. It’s his first time being released since March, and it could be brief: Trump’s DOJ is still pressing charges and seeking to deport him to Uganda as soon as Monday. But for now, Abrego Garcia can return to his family in Maryland.

McDonald’s is lowering the price of its combo meals after customers complained that they were getting way too expensive. Protesting works, even over greasy burgers and floppy fries!

The Internal Revenue Service plans to ask employees who voluntarily left the agency to come back to work because it cut too many critical jobs.

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

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