Blue 812 News Issue 85 - September 13

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are you registered to vote at your current address?

Trump held a “midterm convention” this week - which frankly was an event only inside baseball people care about. You’ve likely already heard one of the most insane things he said: “If the Republicans win the House of Representatives and the United States Senate, both of them… I will issue a dividend to every adult citizen in the United States of America for $5,000.” Literally within the hour, VP JD was walking it back, saying it wouldn’t go to wealthy people, and claiming that the checks would be covered by revenue generated from tariffs. In an unfortunate fact check, the tariffs have not generated nearly enough money to cover the $1.2 trillion needed for the “dividend.” Fox News’ Laura Ingraham asked Trump the following day, “If you have the money, why not give it now?” to which Trump responded with a nonsense attack on Democrats… even though Republicans control both chambers of Congress right now.

This isn’t the first time Trump has offered cash to Americans… back in February, there was the DOGE dividend that would supposedly redistribute all the money Elon Musk had saved us, and the “tariff refund” we were supposed to get. Don’t worry, your checks didn’t get lost in the mail. They never came! FYI, it is, in fact, illegal to offer people money to vote a certain way.

in other notes from the con:

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A ProPublica analysis of CDC data found that almost twice as many women died after an ectopic pregnancy between 2020 and 2025, compared with the previous six years. If you need a little brush-up, an ectopic pregnancy is one where the embryo doesn’t properly implant in the uterus and starts to develop elsewhere, usually inside a fallopian tube. If allowed to keep growing, the embryo will cause the organ to rupture and trigger catastrophic bleeding. Dr. Alice Abernathy, an OB-GYN in Philadelphia, told ProPublica, “A death related to ectopic pregnancy should really be a never event.” Experts say that abortion bans might not be solely to blame, telling ProPublica that more research is required. It could also be more of a correlation than a direct consequence – states with abortion bans are also the states that provide less Medicaid funding and coverage to low-income women and have poorer maternal outcomes, generally speaking. Every ban technically has an ectopic exception, but in practice, doctors end up making patients wait - sometimes too long. Leitaea Lowrimore of Oklahoma, who sued after being denied treatment for an ectopic pregnancy at multiple hospitals in February, said one doctor told her that treating her could get him “10 years in the poky.” I kinda think that was not the time to use a cutesy little nickname for prison, my guy!

Let’s not forget another complication - of course the Trump administration has fired a bunch of the people whose job it is to deal with this! According to a lawsuit filed by more than a dozen states’ attorneys general last year, the CDC’s Division of Reproductive Health has lost most of its 100 employees, and the entire team that ran the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System, which was a big source of data for state and local governments and maternal health researchers, is on paid administrative leave – including the researchers who would have been responsible for investigating the rise in ectopic pregnancy deaths. Dr. Courtney Schreiber, a professor of obstetrics and gynecology, told ProPublica that this analysis “raises concern that young women are dying from a preventable cause at an increasing rate,” which is “not what we should be seeing in the United States of America.” Unfortunately, this “I told you so” isn’t quite as satisfying as it usually is.

A ProPublica analysis of CDC data found that almost twice as many women died after an ectopic pregnancy between 2020 and 2025, compared with the previous six years. If you need a little brush-up, an ectopic pregnancy is one where the embryo doesn’t properly implant in the uterus and starts to develop elsewhere, usually inside a fallopian tube. If allowed to keep growing, the embryo will cause the organ to rupture and trigger catastrophic bleeding. Dr. Alice Abernathy, an OB-GYN in Philadelphia, told ProPublica, “A death related to ectopic pregnancy should really be a never event.” Experts say that abortion bans might not be solely to blame, telling ProPublica that more research is required. It could also be more of a correlation than a direct consequence – states with abortion bans are also the states that provide less Medicaid funding and coverage to low-income women and have poorer maternal outcomes, generally speaking. Every ban technically has an ectopic exception, but in practice, doctors end up making patients wait - sometimes too long. Leitaea Lowrimore of Oklahoma, who sued after being denied treatment for an ectopic pregnancy at multiple hospitals in February, said one doctor told her that treating her could get him “10 years in the poky.” I kinda think that was not the time to use a cutesy little nickname for prison, my guy!

Let’s not forget another complication - of course the Trump administration has fired a bunch of the people whose job it is to deal with this! According to a lawsuit filed by more than a dozen states’ attorneys general last year, the CDC’s Division of Reproductive Health has lost most of its 100 employees, and the entire team that ran the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System, which was a big source of data for state and local governments and maternal health researchers, is on paid administrative leave – including the researchers who would have been responsible for investigating the rise in ectopic pregnancy deaths. Dr. Courtney Schreiber, a professor of obstetrics and gynecology, told ProPublica that this analysis “raises concern that young women are dying from a preventable cause at an increasing rate,” which is “not what we should be seeing in the United States of America.” Unfortunately, this “I told you so” isn’t quite as satisfying as it usually is.

Vigo County Clerk LeAnna Moore is retiring effective Tuesday, with Elizabeth Stiverson, currently chief deputy clerk, serving as interim clerk until a Republican caucus takes place to choose a successor to fill the remaining two years of Moore’s term. Stiverson does intend to seek the position at the caucus. Commenting on why she is retiring, Moore said she has worked for 50 years, half of that for the county — including 10 in the clerk’s office. “I think it’s time,” she said. “I believe this is the best time in my personal life” and for the clerk’s office. I think it’s pretty weird that she’s quitting so suddenly, and with less than a month until early voting begins.

The Vigo County Election Board has voted to remove the Meadows shopping center as an early voting site for this year’s fall general election. During Thursday’s meeting, officials cited concerns about the status of the Meadows and an inability to reach owners. In a resolution, the board cited issues outside of its control related to the “safe, effective use” of the shopping center at 2800 Poplar.

The clerk’s office has been unable to find another nearby location that could accommodate an early voting center, the resolution stated. Instead, it plans to use Woodrow Wilson Middle School (pending a formal agreement with the school district) for voting on Election Day only. School is not in session on Election Day, which is Nov. 3.

On Thursday, Hoosier voters got a big victory. The Indiana Supreme Court ruled that six ballots with administrative errors that were tossed out in the State Senate District 23 Republican Primary must be counted. This means anti-redistricting State Senator Spencer Deery will prevail over Trump-endorsed challenger Paula Copenhaver. The court issued the ruling just hours after hearing oral arguments Thursday.

A nonpartisan political newsletter out of the University of Virginia sent Indiana politicos into a tizzy on Wednesday. After Sabato’s Crystal Ball shifted its rating of our secretary of state race from a “likely Republican” outcome to a “pure toss up,” IndyStar broke the news that Gov. Mike Braun and the state party collaborating on a $1 million ad buy to support Republican Max Engling and attack opponents Beau Bayh and Greg Ballard. Until now, Bayh’s two TV ads were going unanswered.

Are you interested in quick voter protection opportunities that have an impact, such as phone banking to recruit poll observers or to reach voters needing help and providing them with necessary information to vote without difficulty? Join the Rapid Response Network by VoPro Pros to receive the network’s regular Action Alert emails featuring curated, one-shot, impactful voter protection activities supporting critical races and needs nationwide. For every action, all needed tools and training are provided during a single Zoom or other online session, so you can participate and make a difference on the spot. No application or ongoing commitment is required; just participate when you can! Signup here: tinyurl.com/rapidrn

You’ve gotten this far in the newsletter, so you know the shenanigans afoot right now when it comes to voting. A new website, VoteSafe.org, presents itself as a tool to check your voter registration, but it is not run by the government or affiliated with any state election authority. It is actually operated and funded by Elon Musk’s America PAC, a super PAC with no spending limits that Musk has pledged to pour more than $100 million into the November midterms. America PAC has already spent more than $180,000 in a single week promoting VoteSafe online, targeting voters in key election states.

The information VoteSafe.org collects includes your full name, date of birth, home address, email address, and cell phone number. It also collects your IP address, location, device and browser information, every page you view, and every link you click on the site. As if that all wasn’t enough, it also collects your voter registration status, district and ballot information, party affiliation, and political interests. All of this data will be used to micro-target people with political ads, influence campaigns, and messaging designed specifically for your demographic, your neighborhood, and your political profile. The more precisely they know who you are, the more precisely they can influence how you vote.

VoteSafe’s privacy policy also says America PAC can share or sell your information to business partners and advertising firms. It explicitly allows them to sell inferences about your psychological trends, predispositions, behavior, attitudes, intelligence, and aptitude. They’re not just collecting information about you — they are building a profile of who you are and selling it. You are the product, and Musk profits off your data.

If you want to check your voter registration or register to vote, you can always use the official state site, IndianaVoters.com, and anyone not lucky enough to be a Hoosier can use Vote.org, which is a longstanding nonprofit and a safer option for getting connected to official registration tools.

visit the Blue812News Local Events calendar to see all upcoming events

Monday, September 14th at 6pm: the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) in partnership with Covering Kids and Families, will host a town hall to help Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP) members, providers and community partners learn more about the upcoming HIP work requirements. The town hall will be held in the Sue Ellspermann Community Room (E102) at Ivy Tech Terre Haute (8000 S. Education Drive) from 6 to 7:30 p.m. ET. For more info on the changes, check out Rep. Tonya Pfaff’s newsletter.

Tuesday, September 15th at 6pm: The League of Women Voters is hosting a candidate forum series at the Vigo County Public Library from 6-7:45pm. First up: State Legislature candidates. Paid subscribers get my comprehensive notes!

Saturday, September 19th at 10am: Canvassing & phone-banking for Mary Allen. Meet at VigoDems Headquarters (817 Wabash) for canvassing/phone-banking. Continues weekly. More info & register here for canvassing. More info & register here for phonebanking.

Saturday, September 19th at 10:15am: Beyond Names on a Ballot featuring Mary Allen, Kacey Blundell, Tonya Pfaff and Brandy Vandivier from 10:15-11:30 at the Brazil Public Library (204 Walnut Street).

Monday, September 21st at 6pm: Indivisible CommUnity meeting. Every big change starts with a local conversation. Whether you want to share a new concept, listen in, or find ways to get involved locally, there is a place at the table for you! Vigo County Public Library (Rooms AB&C) 6-7:30PM

Tuesday, September 22nd at 6pm: The League of Women Voters’ candidate forum series: Vigo County Council & Commissioner candidates at the Vigo County Public Library from 6-7:45pm. Paid subscribers get my comprehensive notes!

Wednesday, September 23rd at 5:30pm: Terre Haute City Council budget discussion between the mayor, comptroller and council in the City Hall courtroom.. No public-comment period.

Wednesday, September 23rd at 6pm: Democracy and Canvass - Join Kacey Blundell- State Senate District 38 and other candidates for a night of art and conversation! You’ve heard of cookies and canvas, now join us for Democracy and Canvas! No artistic ability required! Come create a canvas or simply enjoy good conversation with your candidates! Event is free and open to all from 6-8pm at Vigo Dems HQ (817 Wabash)

SAVE THE DATE:
Secretary of State Debate October 7, 2026, 7pm ET - Live on WFYI Public Television, streamed on WFYI’s YouTube channel, and streamed at www.indianadebatecommission.com. Hoosiers may submit questions at www.indianadebatecommission.com/submit-a-question/ through September 25, 2026.

A federal appeals court ruled against the Trump administration’s attempt to keep a 64 year old Michigan coal plant running past its planned retirement, finding there was no emergency justifying the order and blocking the administration from using emergency powers to keep it open.

The Supreme Court blocked Missouri from enacting a new congressional map that would favor Republicans in the midterms, for the second time.

The contracting company that worked on the Reflecting Pool blamed itself — not vandals — for damage to the pool’s liner, according to government documents. Workers didn’t spray enough primer to make the materials stick together, the documents say, and chemicals used in the liner turned out to be incompatible. Will Donald Trump’s team finally admit that there weren’t any knife-wielding vandals?

The cyclospora “poop lettuce” outbreak is officially over, according to U.S. health officials. But its origin is still a mystery, which isn’t good!

Despite AI’s threat to the job market, fast food chain workers might be spared. Many customers want to buy their burgers and nuggets from a friendly human, according to executives and internal company documents reviewed by the Wall Street Journal. Please get rid of those touchscreen kiosks and AI-voiced attendees! I just want a human to give me some fries.

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