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DeSantis signs bill allowing residents to kill bears, vetoes bill that fines slow left lane drivers

DeSantis signs bill allowing residents to kill bears, vetoes bill that fines slow left lane drivers

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed legislation allowing people to kill black bears on their property while vetoing a bill that targets slow drivers in the left lane. The governor signed 14 bills from this year’s legislative session and vetoed three, his office announced Friday. H.B. 87 provides a stand-your-ground defense for Florida residents to shoot and kill black bears on their property to defend themselves and their property. Under the bill, anyone who shoots and kills a bear must notify Florida Fish and Wildlife within 24 hours of killing the bear, and they may not keep or sell the bear carcass. Legal immunity will not be provided for anyone who lures bears onto their property. RON DESANTIS TOUTS FLORIDA’S EDUCATION SYSTEM, SLAMS ‘WOKE’ ACADEMIA IN SARASOTA ADDRESS Supporters of this law say Floridians have a right to defend themselves and their property, while opponents contest it could lead to increased deaths of the once-threatened animals, according to WFOR. Opponents said they would consider legal action against the law. “We will file a lawsuit to get that bill overturned.” Katrina Shadix of the group Bear Warriors told Fox 35. “This will be protecting the future of Florida black bears, the survival of a species we love so much. And, also going to save the lives of our children who are at risk of being shot by a stray bullet meant for a bear.”  The law will take effect on July 1. DeSantis vetoed H.B. 317, which would have prohibited drivers from cruising in the left lanes of highways with at least two lanes and speed limits of at least 65 mph. The bill, which would have fined violators up to $158 for an offense, included exemptions for drivers who were passing other drivers, preparing to exit, turning from the left lanes or being directed to the left lanes by traffic-control devices. FEDERAL JUDGE RULES FLORIDA RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSGENDER MEDICAL TREATMENT FOR KIDS UNCONSTITUTIONAL “The language of this bill is too broad and could lead to drivers in Florida being pulled over, ticketed, and fined for driving in the furthest left lane even if they are not impeding the flow of traffic or if there are few or no other cars in the immediate are,” DeSantis wrote in his veto letter. The governor also said the bill could “potentially increase congestion in Florida’s urban areas as drivers may decide to not utilize the furthest left-hand lane at all for fear of being ticketed.”

GOP governor’s ‘massive’ appeal to Democrats could be trouble for Biden if picked as Trump’s VP: insiders

GOP governor’s ‘massive’ appeal to Democrats could be trouble for Biden if picked as Trump’s VP: insiders

Editor’s note: This is the seventh in a series of profiles of potential running mates for presidential candidate Donald Trump on the 2024 Republican Party ticket. A potential name on former President Trump’s running mate shortlist is being lauded for his “massive” bipartisan appeal by political insiders who say his possible selection could spell trouble for President Biden in key swing states this November. Trump has suggested he will announce his pick for vice president at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee next month, and is rumored to be considering a long list of names that notably includes Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin, a rising star within the party. “He’s brought to the job skills honed by decades of helping buy and improve companies, taking them from good or broken to great!” veteran Republican strategist Karl Rove told Fox News Digital, referencing Youngkin’s experience in the private sector prior to successfully running for governor in 2021. TRUMP FIRES UP MAJOR FAITH GATHERING JUST DAYS AHEAD OF FIRST DEBATE CLASH WITH BIDEN “In doing so, he’s earned a reputation for strong leadership and making government work for the people,” Rove said, praising his so far “successful” tenure leading a Democrat-leaning state while “pursuing an ambitious agenda of education reform, parental rights, economic growth and job creation.” Rove added that Youngkin’s “victory in a state Biden won by 10 points causes many observers to stress his bipartisan appeal,” a point fellow Republican strategist Erin Perrine said extended to his “governance success” and reflected his “ability to appeal across party lines.” Perrine told Fox that Youngkin’s strong approval ratings across Virginia, which polls put at over 50%, was because of his “effective leadership,” and that his appeal to even Democrats “would be absolutely massive during a general election campaign.” “Couple that with Virginia showing signs of possibly being competitive due to dissatisfaction within the Democratic base toward Biden, who would need to count on the support of deeply blue Northern Virginia to win the state,” Perrine said. A Fox News poll released earlier this month showed Trump and Biden in a dead heat with voters in Virginia, a state no Republican presidential candidate has won since former President George W. Bush’s re-election in 2004. INSIDERS REVEAL HOW BIDEN, TRUMP ARE PREPPING FOR THE 1ST 2024 PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE “Donors appreciate Youngkin’s brand of Republican politics, which balances conservative values with pragmatic governance and could help with bringing in more dollars to the campaign,” Perrine said, adding that another of his “major advantages” was the “ease of his relationship with Trump” while other potential running mates “fight so hard to get in front of Trump and have him like them.”  “Couple that with the potential to flip Virginia electorally. In 2021, Youngkin defeated Democrat and former Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe in a state President Joe Biden had won by 10 points just a year earlier. That victory shows his capability to attract swing voters and energize the Republican base in pivotal states, enhancing the GOP’s electoral prospects.” Democratic strategist Kevin Walling also noted Youngkin’s ability to attract support from across party lines, crediting his “sunny optimism” that he said plays well across the commonwealth, and led to “a unique coalition of MAGA, traditional Republicans, and independents” putting him in the governor’s mansion. “He could possibly help win over Nikki Haley voters, independents, and maybe some disaffected Democrats as a balance on the ticket,” he said. “Yet, Trump seems to care less about optimism, electability and balance, and more about picking someone who will just be his attack dog and ‘yes man.’” While Youngkin “shocked the political universe” with his stunning victory in 2021, Walling said that success, as well as his high approval rating, didn’t translate to victories in legislative elections last year when Republicans lost control of the Virginia House of Delegates and fell short of winning a majority in the Virginia Senate. INSIDERS PREDICT RUST BELT REPUBLICAN, POSSIBLE TRUMP VP PICK, COULD FLIP BIDEN VOTES IN KEY SWING STATES “While he was a very successful business person before his only campaign, which would seem to mesh with Donald Trump’s background, he may be much more well suited for a cabinet position in the Trump administration or as the frontrunner in 2028 if Trump loses in 2024 again,” Walling said. “Youngkin is worrisome as a nominee in 2028, and would be a worrisome vice presidential pick in 2024. But I think there’s zero chance he’s the party’s nominee for vice president this cycle.” Rove and Perrine also argued there were some downsides to Youngkin’s potential selection, including aspects of his private business career and his relatively small amount of experience holding elected office. “He’s in his first, and only, term and has only one campaign under his belt,” Rove said, adding he would likely face scrutiny for being extremely wealthy from his career in finance. “Youngkin is popular in Virginia but not as widely known on the national stage as other potential VP candidates. His appeal overlaps with that of North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum and Sen. Tim Scott, meaning he might not stand out in terms of fundraising potential compared,” Perrine said.  DEMOCRATS ‘FEAR’ THIS POSSIBLE TRUMP VP PICK WHO ‘SOULD SPELL THE END FOR BIDEN’: INSIDERS “Additionally, Youngkin’s pragmatic, CEO-level approach is nicely wired to navigating the business community, whereas other VP candidates have been members on Capitol Hill, which would mean the Hill and its twists and turns are a little more uncharted for Youngkin than others, but a strong background in relationship building that can still balance it,” she said. A source close to Youngkin told Fox News Digital the governor was not looking to elevate himself amid Trump’s running mate search.  “There’s no ambition here,” the source said, adding Youngkin’s only goal was to help Trump compete against Biden in Virginia. “The focus is winning, and that decision is up to the president and his team.” Youngkin, who largely kept his distance from Trump during his 2021 campaign, told

Balance of power: Schumer stretches reproductive rights votes further into 2024, seizing on GOP vulnerability

Balance of power: Schumer stretches reproductive rights votes further into 2024, seizing on GOP vulnerability

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., is laying the groundwork for a vote to codify Roe v. Wade and the right to an abortion next month as he continues to press his Republican colleagues ahead of pivotal November elections.  “A few moments ago, I took the first procedural step to place on the legislative calendar the Reproductive Freedom for Women Act, sponsored by Sen. Murray and myself, and cosponsored by all the women senators on our side,” Schumer recently revealed in floor remarks, referencing Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash. “This measure affirms a woman’s fundamental right to choose, and calls for enshrining the protections of Roe v. Wade into law, as most Americans say they want.” The bill could be scheduled for a formal test vote as soon as early July. Republicans would be expected to deny the measure from reaching 60 votes to clear the procedural hurdle, as they have on the past two reproductive bills teed up by Democrats.  DEMS HESITATE ON ATTENDING NETANYAHU SPEECH TO CONGRESS AS PARTY SPLINTERS ON ISRAEL Schumer held two votes in the past month on contraception and in vitro fertilization (IVF), which were both criticized by Republicans for being broad with wide-ranging implications.  “You can tell the season we’re in. We’re in the political season, based upon what the Democrats and the Senate are, and are not, spending their time and energy considering,” Senate Minority Whip John Thune, R-S.D., criticized. “Clearly, the goal of Senate Democrats and Sen. Schumer is to have a summer of show votes.” GOP PLOTS MULTIMILLION-DOLLAR AD SPEND IN SWING STATES WITH SENATE MAJORITY IN SIGHT “With November fast approaching, Republicans continue to show the American people where they really are: with MAGA extremists, and not with the majority of America,” Schumer said in his floor remarks, referencing the fast-approaching congressional elections. “That’s what Republican senators and House members are doing.” The upcoming vote to codify Roe v. Wade and the right to an abortion was slammed by top Pro-Life group Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America.  “This radical resolution has nothing to do with helping women. It says nothing about empowering women with the resources and support they deserve. Instead, it just doubles down on the Democrats’ radical agenda of all-trimester abortion, everywhere in America,” said President Marjorie Dannenfelser in a statement.  DEMOCRATS EYE TAKE DOWN OF FEDERAL PROVISION COULD AFFECT ABORTION BY MAIL In a May Fox News Poll, abortion was revealed to be the top “deal-breaker” issue among all registered voters and among Democrats. It was also the biggest single issue for suburban women, with 24% of them designating it as such. Abortion was the top issue among Black voters (17%), people with a college degree (17%), and voters under 30 years old (16%). Additionally, the poll showed voters trust President Biden more than they do former President Trump when it comes to abortion. Among registered voters, 52% said they trust Biden to do a better job on the issue than Trump, who received 44%.  TRUMP-BACKED CANDIDATE WINS VIRGINIA’S REPUBLICAN SENATE PRIMARY TO TAKE ON TIM KAINE The issue of abortion is considered Republicans’ biggest vulnerability going into the November elections, with Trump stating on several occasions that he believes abortion should be legislated by each state, and Republican candidates in swing states and districts tending to follow his position.  With that in mind, Democrats have doubled down on abortion, bringing it to public attention whenever possible, and similarly looking to put Republican lawmakers on record with unfavorable votes such as those laid out by Schumer. 

Houthis claim attack on ship that docked in Israel

Houthis claim attack on ship that docked in Israel

Houthis say the commercial vessel was targeted for using an Israeli port as they step up their campaign in support of Palestinians in Gaza. The Houthis in Yemen say they launched attacks on a commercial vessel after it used an Israeli port, and on a US aircraft carrier ordered home after months of responding to sea attacks launched because of the war on Gaza. Yahya Saree, the military spokesman of the Iran-aligned group, said in a televised announcement on Saturday the Liberia-flagged bulk carrier Transworld Navigator was directly hit by ballistic missiles in the Arabian Sea. “The ship was targeted because the company that owns it violated the ban of entry into the ports of occupied Palestine,” he said, alluding to an earlier threat that all ships docking at Israeli ports would be considered targets. The attack came after the sinking this week of the ship MV Tutor, which appears to mark a new escalation in the campaign against commercial vessels in vital maritime corridors. Saree also claimed an attack using ballistic and cruise missiles on the USS Eisenhower, which has led US Navy operations in the region since the start of Israel’s war on Gaza. Saree said “the operation has achieved its objectives successfully” without elaborating. One unnamed US official told Reuters news agency the claim “is incorrect”. The Houthis and social media accounts supporting them have repeatedly falsely claimed to hit or even sink the aircraft carrier in the Red Sea. The announcement came shortly after US officials reportedly ordered the USS Eisenhower to return home after more than eight months of deployment, with another aircraft carrier operating in the Pacific set to replace it. UKMTO WARNING INCIDENT 088 – ATTACK – UPDATE 001https://t.co/fX3hWupPWO#MaritimeSecurity #MarSec pic.twitter.com/yDrCzyfawN — United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) (@UK_MTO) June 21, 2024 The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported on Friday that a vessel was attacked 126 nautical miles (233km) east of Aden in Yemen. It said the master reported “explosions in the vicinity of the vessel” and the crew is safe. The Houthis pledged to continue their military operations, which they have said are in support of Palestinians and will only stop when the siege of Gaza is lifted. The group has launched more than 60 attacks, sunk two commercial ships, seized another, and attacked dozens more since the start of the war. In March, the Houthis killed three people after one of its antiship ballistic missiles set the Barbados-flagged True Confidence on fire. The US and United Kingdom militaries have launched air raids across Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen to weaken the group’s military capabilities. Adblock test (Why?)