Blue 812 News Issue 64 - April 12

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Great news, everybody: President Donald Trump’s A Team for International went to Pakistan on Friday to hammer out that big ole misunderstanding re: the ceasefire crumbling like a hard shell taco. With these pros on the case, how could they fail?

VP JD acted like the U.S. had the decisive upper hand. “If they’re gonna try and play us, then they’re gonna find that the negotiating team is not that receptive,” he told reporters. To absolutely no one’s surprise, those talks failed, and now no one is sure what will happen on April 22^nd, the end of the current ‘two week’ truce. The biggest sticking point was Iran’s failure to give assurances that it will not seek to develop a nuclear weapon. Iran has long denied seeking nuclear weapons but has insisted on a civilian nuclear program that includes uranium enrichment – a key step toward developing a weapon. Experts say that Iran’s current stockpile of enriched uranium is just a short technical step from being weapons grade.

On Sunday, President Donald Trump predicted that Iran would return to the negotiating table while warning that he could take out Iran. “I predict they come back and they give us everything we want,” Trump said on Fox News’ Sunday Morning Futures with Maria Bartiromo“. The only to thing left really is their water, which would be very devastating to hit,” he added. Deliberately attacking essential civilian infrastructure is **checks notes** a war crime under international law.

According to a White House official, the nonnegotiable parameters President Donald Trump set for Iran include:

Still, given previous Iranian resistance to US demands, it remains unclear if Tehran will submit to Trump’s terms anytime soon. With the strait still effectively closed, Iran believes it enjoys substantial leverage over the US, a position that was clear to negotiators this weekend.

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The California Governor’s race started imploding on Friday evening when the San Francisco Chronicle reported that an ex-staffer had accused Congressman Eric Swalwell of sexual assault. The claim is very credible, and the story was assiduously reported, including contemporaneous text messages. Everyone should read the story itself, but go into it knowing parts are kind of graphic. This report opened up a floodgate of women talking about Swalwell’s inappropriate behavior and sexual misconduct, including a CNN exclusive with four women as sources. The allegations are horrifying, and the courage of the women who came forward should be applauded.

Swalwell has denied the allegations of sexual assault, although in a video posted on Friday night, he seems to admit to some level of infidelity. Until this point, Swalwell was a frontrunner to be the next governor of California. He entered the race with a ton of momentum and had the support of powerful organizations like the California Teachers’ Association and the SEIU. He had also been endorsed by influential politicians like Senator Adam Schiff and former Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Almost all of those endorsements have now been rescinded, and ActBlue has suspended the congressman’s account. Swalwell has pledged to fight on and continue his campaign, despite the departures of several top staffers, and more than a dozen unnamed staffers in both his campaign and congressional office releasing an unsigned statement Saturday expressing support for women who came forward, saying “any decision of staff members to remain in their roles in the interim should not be viewed as support for Eric Swalwell.”.

Lawmakers are returning to Washington on Monday from a two-week recess, and the Swalwell scandal is driving a new push for accountability. Multiple members now face serious allegations of misconduct, and meaningful action has so far been slow to follow. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, a Florida Republican, has announced plans to force a vote to expel Swalwell over the allegations. A vote could come as soon as midweek, but Democrats are expected to counter with a move to bring up a vote on expelling embattled Rep. Tony Gonzales, a Texas Republican, In March, Gonzales admitted to having an affair with a staffer who later died by suicide. Gonzales dropped his reelection bid but has not resigned, due to the razor-thin House margin. Expelling a member of the House would require a two-thirds majority. The move is rare in U.S. history — only six House lawmakers have been expelled, most recently New York Rep. George Santos in 2023.

follow Frazz for more on this story - she’s been on it since November.

Monroe Co. Sheriff Ruben Marté is suing the State of Indiana to block enforcement of a new law requiring his officers to assist federal immigration efforts, arguing that enforcing Senate Enrolled Act 76 would require detaining people without a warrant or probable cause, risking lawsuits against his officers.

“Sheriff Marté cannot order his officers to comply with SEA 76 without violating his oath to protect and uphold the Constitution and exposing the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office to significant civil liability from suits by individuals whose rights would be violated by the unlawful detentions,” the lawsuit said. The lawsuit asks that the court declare parts of the act unconstitutional and block enforcement of those parts.

The Office of the Indiana Attorney General didn’t respond to a request for comment by Indiana Public Media. In 2024, Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita sued the sheriff’s office seeking to overturn current policy directing officers not to detain someone past their release date solely on non-criminal or ICE detainer requests. The case is still ongoing.

Connie Wrin, operator of longtime downtown Terre Haute club The Verve, got good news Tuesday — the Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Commission unanimously approved renewal of her liquor license. However, Wrin does not plan on reopening the popular nightspot, which she closed in late March. “I’m selling my liquor license,” she said. “The Verve is closing — it won’t exist. That was my child, and it has lived its life.” Wrin has found a buyer for her license, an existing Terre Haute restaurateur working on a new location on 25th Street.

Wrin’s new plan for drinks downtown is to operate a small, high-end cocktail bar behind Scout’s Pizzeria, 675 Wabash, a business she also operates. That bar is likely a few months in the future. Her landlord, City Councilman Todd Nation, is working on obtaining a different sort of license for that spot: a riverfront permit. Those are available in a corridor from the riverfront to Ninth Street.

the Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce has another opportunity for voters to see all the candidates respond to the same question. It doesn’t look like all candidates submitted their answers (I only see 3/5 commissioner candidates represented), and annoyingly each candidate’s answers open in a new tab, unlike on vote411.

For true political nerds and unhinged handwriting analysts, I uploaded my personal notes from the League of Women Voters forums in March.

After a two-hour Indiana Election Commission hearing, Alexandra Wilson remains on the ballot as a Republican primary candidate for Indiana Senate District 38, but the case may not be over and attorney James Bopp Jr. said he will take the matter back to Clay Circuit Court and ask for a reversal of the Commission’s decision. After nearly two hours, the commission voted 2-2 to dismiss the challenge to Wilson’s candidacy— therefore, the election commission’s original decision still stands.

Brenda Wilson has blamed current State Senator Greg Goode, Vigo County Republican Chairman Randy Gentry and “Democrats” for Alexandra Wilson’s candidacy, while Alexandra Wilson says she’s a legitimate Republican candidate. Goode has said he’s not involved, and Gentry has said there’s nothing wrong with Alexandra Wilson’s candidacy. I’ll take it upon myself to speak here for the Democrats: I won’t be voting for any of them, but I’m enjoying the show.

In other A. Wilson news, on Friday she released a collection of screenshots, voicemail transcriptions and recorded calls of White House officials offering her potential government jobs and appointments in exchange for dropping out of the Republican primary election next month. NBC News was the first to report on the files, which show contact from Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith, Gov. Mike Braun's chief of staff Joshua Kelley, White House political director Matt Brasseaux and White House deputy chief of staff James Blair.

“Instead of considering the merits of my candidacy, the White House and Indiana leaders have spent countless hours trying to push me aside, including offers of potential employment in taxpayer-funded roles in exchange for my leaving the race,” Wilson said in a written statement. “They crossed a line, and Hoosiers deserve to know that.” More at Indiana Public Media.

The chainsaws are out for the U.S. Forest Service. The Trump administration is planning a “reorganization” that will effectively destroy an agency that manages 193 million acres of public lands – firing personnel as they close or repurpose all nine of its regional offices, slashing its scientific capacity by shuttering research and development facilities in more than 30 states, and replacing career professionals with political appointees. They’re also moving the headquarters from DC to Salt Lake City, which Hatch Magazine describes as “the beating heart of the anti-public-lands movement in America.” It’s being done with no debate or public input, and just before the heart of wildfire season.

These are our lands, and changes like this drastic and expensive demolition should be subject to our veto. Let’s reach out to our members of Congress and let them know we’re saying no. We can find language from 5Calls here.

Activists are also seeking support from corporate sources, starting with the outdoor brands who built their businesses thanks to extensive access to public lands. While some (REI, Columbia, Patagonia) have spoken up, others like L.L. Bean have remained silent. This SaveUSFS.org website makes it super easy to reach out to the brands who haven’t yet spoken up.

This week, our Chicago Pope did something historians say no pope has ever done: urge people to call their congressmen to tell them “we don’t want war; we want peace.” That congressional number switchboard number is (202) 224-3121, or use the links below.

Sen. Jim Banks | Sen. Todd Young | Rep. Mark Messmer | Find your sen | Find your rep

The MADVoters Voter Guide - Primary Edition is available now at MADVoters.org/voter-guide!

Use the guide to view the candidates running in some of the most important races around the state. The guide includes their website and social media profile, too, so you can explore each candidate more and hear from the candidates directly. After the primary, the Voter Guide will be updated to include more information on the candidates’ platforms, including a score for each candidate!

Don’t forget - Early Voting has begun! You can vote at the County Annex building or the Haute City Center now, with further sites opening April 28th

visit the Blue812News Local Events calendar to see all upcoming events

Tuesday, April 14th 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, April 14th at 5pm: Vigo County Council Meeting in the Council Chambers in the Vigo County Government Center, 127 Oak Street

Wednesday, April 15th at 3pm: Indiana Gov. Mike Braun is coming to Terre Haute. Let’s make sure he hears ALL Hoosier voices! (UN)WELCOME MIKE BRAUN (with signs & chants) from 3-5pm (though hosts say they may stay later) at the Hulman Center. More info & register here.

Saturday, April 18th at 1pm: SEEDS OF HOPE rally hosted by Indivisible Wabash Valley at the Vigo County Courthouse from 1–3 PM From the hosts: “We’ll be gathering for a peaceful rally centered on hope and growth—featuring good music, spring vibes, and a free community seed swap! Please do not bring unidentified seeds—help us protect our native plants! Register and more info here.

Sunday, April 19th at 4pm: ICE OUT with Indivisible Wabash Valley Clay County Detention Center 611 E. Jackson St, Brazil, IN Every Sunday 4–5PM

Tuesday, April 21st at 5:30pm: Vigo Dems ‘event’ featuring Beau Bayh, one of the Indiana Secretary of State candidates.

Wednesday, April 22nd at 6pm: Utility Rates Town Hall at TH City Hall. Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission Commissioner Andy Zay is on a listening tour of cities to hear people share their frustrations with rate increases. This event is free and open to the public.

Saturday, April 25th at 12pm: Canvassing & Phone Banking for Mary Allen, US House dist 8. Let's talk to our neighbors about Mary Allen! We will meet at the VigoDems office (2629 S 3rd St suite B) and then go out to canvass in Vigo County. Phone banking opportunities will be available this day as well. register here.

The Trump administration released Anna Ramos, the newlywed wife of an Army staff sergeant, about a week after ICE had taken her from a military base in Louisiana. “All I have ever wanted is to live with dignity in the country I have called home since I was a baby,” said Ramos, who was brought to the U.S. from Honduras as a toddler. “I want to finish my degree, continue my education, and serve my community — just as my husband serves our country with honor.”

A federal judge refused to block sending abortion pills by mail while the FDA continues its (unnecessary) review of mifepristone’s safety.

A federal judge ordered the Trump administration to turn over all their evidence on Renee Good’s murder.

Over the course of March, the US got more electricity from renewables than it did from natural gas, which is typically the single-largest source of energy on the U.S. grid. It’s the first time renewables have bested fossil fuel in the U.S. across an entire month. PLUS, the Trump administration has quietly declined to appeal rulings that shut down its attempts to halt offshore wind construction.

House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chair Rep. James Comer said that the panel would be holding hearings to give victims of Jeffrey Epstein the chance to speak about his crimes against them.

A significant number of Trump’s 2024 voters say they will not support a Republican candidate in the midterms, a new poll has found. Also, for the first time in his second term, Donald Trump is underwater with white, working-class voters

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