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Warnock cites ‘bipartisanship,’ avoids Biden in Georgia – The Boston Globe

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Warnock cites ‘bipartisanship,’ avoids Biden in Georgia – The Boston Globe


“I work with anyone to get one thing good executed for the individuals of Georgia,” he informed the identical crowd, highlighting a trio of Republican senators with whom he has made legislative offers. Warnock talked about President Biden’s title simply as soon as and referred a number of different instances solely to “the president of the US,” making an attempt to tell apart himself from Biden — and the rising inflation that has marked his time period.

Operating for his first full Senate time period, Warnock is pitching himself as a senator prepared to do no matter it takes to assist his state. That is a shift from his method in what had been nationally elevated twin runoff campaigns gained by Warnock and fellow Georgia Democrat Jon Ossoff in January 2021, giving their get together Senate management two months after Biden was elected president.

Now, with inflation up and Biden’s reputation down, Warnock requires a extra nuanced argument, and he’s promoting his work in Washington, particularly on the economic system, as one thing distinct from the White Home and the Senate’s Democratic management.

Republicans sense a chance in a state they dominated for 20 years earlier than 2020. Walker, a first-time candidate like Warnock was two years in the past, is making each effort to form the competition as a referendum on what his marketing campaign calls the “Biden-Warnock agenda.”

“That is nonetheless a nationwide race,” stated Gail Gitcho, a senior adviser to Walker. “The burden is on Raphael Warnock and the extraordinarily shut ties he has to Joe Biden on this surroundings. Herschel has put him on the defensive.”

Warnock’s technique of taking part in up his “bipartisan” credentials and leaving different Democrats to assault Republicans and rally the get together devoted could possibly be the incumbent’s solely shot to recreate his runoff coalition. In that election, Democrats had been united and enthusiastic; Republicans weren’t, particularly GOP-leaning moderates whom then-president Donald Trump alienated along with his lies that Biden’s victory was fraudulent. A few of these voters helped Warnock to his 94,000-vote win, a 2 p.c margin. This time, Warnock can not rely upon Trump to push these key swing voters in his course.

Attracting them once more begins with circuitously dignifying Republican assaults.

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Requested about Walker’s broadsides, Warnock ignored specifics and bemoaned “demagogues making an attempt to divide us.”

He pivoted once more when requested about Biden’s efficiency. “I’m centered on the job I’m doing,” Warnock stated. “When meaning standing with this individual or that individual, it’s primarily based on what it does for Georgia.”

Even on the president’s accomplishments, Warnock avoids partisan cheerleading. He hailed the American Rescue Plan, a coronavirus aid package deal handed with none Republican votes, for its tax cuts geared toward lower-income staff. He praised a long-sought infrastructure invoice as a “bipartisan” success that included “the Cruz-Warnock modification.”

“Hear me out, now,” Warnock stated, laughing as a few of his supporters jeered Senator Ted Cruz, a Texas Republican. The 2 males, Warnock defined, needed to make the eastward growth of Interstate 14 — now only a brief stretch in central Texas — a federal precedence. As a result of a Senate committee hadn’t endorsed the thought, the unlikely companions needed to work the complete Senate.

The modification handed unanimously.

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“Guess what: The freeway that runs by means of Texas additionally runs by means of Georgia,” Warnock stated. “It goes previous purple districts and blue districts. … All people wants to have the ability to get to the place they should go.”

Warnock famous different efforts with Republican Senators Tommy Tuberville of Alabama and Marco Rubio of Florida. With Tuberville, he led a measure that will open European markets to peanut farmers of their two states. With Rubio, he labored on laws to enhance maternal mortality charges in the US.

Tuberville is a staunch Trump ally. Rubio got here to Georgia to marketing campaign in opposition to Warnock on the outset of the runoff marketing campaign. Warnock did not point out these particulars.

As for the uneven economic system, Warnock notably referred to “international inflation” whereas sidestepping Biden.

He famous his work on a jobs and know-how measure, which cleared the Senate on Wednesday with 17 Republican votes. The invoice, which goals to spice up laptop chip manufacturing in the US, would strengthen provide chains and broaden nationwide know-how manufacturing, amongst different investments, Warnock defined.

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The senator emphasised his proposals to cap insulin prices for individuals with diabetes and permit Medicare to barter for decrease drug costs from pharmaceutical corporations. He reminded supporters that he referred to as on Congress to droop the federal gasoline tax in February, early within the 2022 vitality value surge.

“Someone should have been listening,” Warnock stated, as a result of Georgia’s Republican administration suspended the state gasoline tax in March and “the president of the US is now on file saying we should always droop the gasoline tax” nationally.

Warnock reminded reporters that he got here out swinging when Biden’s funds plans referred to as for closing the Pentagon’s fight readiness middle in Savannah. “I stood up in opposition to the administration” and “a horrible concept,” Warnock stated, taking a place that aligns him with the Republicans within the state’s congressional delegation.

Moreover, he stated he’s “pushing the president of the US proper now” on scholar mortgage cancellations for some debtors. Biden’s Division of Schooling already has eased some guidelines on debt reimbursement, and the president continues to be contemplating a extra in depth forgiveness as much as a cap. The White Home has stated a choice on the quantity may are available August.

In Walker’s camp, Gitcho relishes the considered Warnock replicating scenes from the two-month runoff blitz, when Biden traveled twice to Georgia and shared phases with Warnock and Ossoff. “The perfect surrogate Warnock may have,” she stated of the beleaguered president. “However we all know that gained’t occur.”

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Warnock as a substitute seems able to brandish his get together credentials rigorously. In fund-raising solicitations and on-line adverts, Warnock says he’s “operating to maintain Georgia blue.” However the marketing campaign targets these to dependable Democratic voters.

Standing over birthday truffles and candles, the senator fondly recalled his runoff victory and thanked Georgians who “gave us the narrowest majority.”

“Take into consideration what would have occurred had it gone the opposite manner,” he allowed. However at his crescendo quarter-hour later, the Baptist minister went greater — and maybe towards a doubtlessly decisive center.

“We’re one nation,” he stated, voice rising. “We’re one individuals. And are available November, Georgia goes to do it yet one more time.”



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Georgia

A brain-dead woman's pregnancy raises questions about Georgia's abortion law

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A brain-dead woman's pregnancy raises questions about Georgia's abortion law


Adriana Smith remains on life-support at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta.

Brynn Anderson/AP/AP


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Brynn Anderson/AP/AP

Adriana Smith, a 30 year-old nurse and mother, was about nine weeks pregnant in February when doctors declared her brain dead after she suffered a medical emergency.

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But Smith’s mother, April Newkirk, told Atlanta TV station WXIA that doctors at Emory University Hospital have been keeping her organs functioning since then until the fetus can be delivered, citing Georgia’s law banning most abortions after fetal cardiac activity can be detected, or roughly six weeks into pregnancy.

Smith is now roughly 22 weeks into the pregnancy and has been on life support for more than 90 days.

“My grandson may be blind, may not be able to walk, we don’t know if he’ll live once she has him,” Newkirk told WXIA last week. “And I’m not saying we would have chose to terminate her pregnancy. What I’m saying is we should have had a choice.”

Case sparks legal questions

Democratic State Sen. Nabilah Islam Parkes wrote a letter to Georgia’s Republican Attorney General Chris Carr asking for clarity about how Georgia’s abortion law should be applied in this context.

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“Let me be plain: this is a grotesque distortion of medical ethics and human decency,” Islam Parkes wrote. “That any law in Georgia could be interpreted to require a brain-dead woman’s body to be artificially maintained as a fetal incubator is not only medically unsound — it is inhumane.”

The law, known as the LIFE Act, was narrowly passed and signed into law by Gov. Brian Kemp in 2019, but was not in force until the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe vs. Wade in 2022. A legal challenge to Georgia’s abortion law is still working its way through the state courts.

“There is nothing in the LIFE Act that requires medical professionals to keep a woman on life support after brain death,” Carr’s office responded in a statement. “Removing life support is not an action ‘with the purpose to terminate a pregnancy.”

Emory Healthcare seems to have come to a different conclusion. The hospital has not addressed the attorney general’s legal opinion and has not responded to repeated requests for comment, but the health system did provide a statement to several outlets last week.

“Emory Healthcare uses consensus from clinical experts, medical literature, and legal guidance to support our providers as they make individualized treatment recommendations in compliance with Georgia’s abortion laws and all other applicable laws,” the health system wrote. “Our top priorities continue to be the safety and wellbeing of the patients we serve.”

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Mary Ziegler, a law professor at the University of California-Davis, says this disconnect is not uncommon in the post-Roe era, as medical providers in states with restrictive abortion laws have become more risk-averse. Running afoul of the law can carry criminal penalties in many states.

“This scenario in Georgia right now is an example of that where you have the attorney general who says, ‘No problem, go ahead,’ and you have doctors and their lawyers reading the law and saying, ‘We’re not so sure,” Ziegler says.

Ziegler also pointed to two other Black women in Georgia, Amber Thurman and Candi Miller, whose deaths drew national attention. ProPublica reported last year that a state panel ruled their deaths preventable and likely the result of doctors being slow or unwilling to provide abortion care because of Georgia’s law. Top Republicans in Georgia have disputed whether the state’s abortion law played any role.

The cases also highlighted Georgia’s maternal mortality crisis disproportionately affecting Black women.

Debate over personhood

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In the case of Adriana Smith, Ziegler says one reason Emory may be interpreting Georgia law in this way is because of a provision in the abortion law establishing what is known as “fetal personhood.”

Fetal personhood is the idea that embryos and fetuses are people and have legal rights. In Georgia, for example, residents can claim a fetus as a dependent on state taxes.

Ziegler, author of the book Personhood, the New Civil War over Reproduction, says establishing fetal personhood has long been a goal of the anti-abortion movement.

Republican State Sen. Ed Setzler, who sponsored Georgia’s 2019 abortion law, said in a statement that he believes Emory is interpreting the law correctly.

“I think it is completely appropriate that the hospital do what they can to save the life of the child,” Setzler wrote in a statement to the AP. “I think this is an unusual circumstance, but I think it highlights the value of innocent human life. I think the hospital is acting appropriately.”

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After the fall of Roe v. Wade, existing state personhood laws could be enforced, resulting in consequences, both intended and unintended, such as in the Georgia case. Ziegler says the debate could open up an array of new legal questions for areas like in-vitro fertilization, the census or child support.

As these cases spur more legal challenges, the issue could eventually land at the U.S. Supreme Court.



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“No regrets”: Georgia Southern graduate makes family history

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“No regrets”: Georgia Southern graduate makes family history


Shaheim Johnson is reaching a significant milestone this May by becoming the first in his family to graduate from college. He describes his journey as a first-generation student at Georgia Southern University with two unforgettable words: “No regrets,” adding, “If I could, I would do it all over again.”

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Growing up in Brunswick, Georgia, the University was always on his radar. It was a popular choice among the teachers who influenced him. However, it wasn’t until a visit to the Statesboro Campus that the then-high school senior decided to enroll.

Recalling that visit, he said, “I fell in love with the campus, the staff and faculty. I didn’t want to leave. I asked my mom then and there if I could stay.”

As a first-year student, Johnson set his sights on a bachelor’s degree in secondary education with a concentration in history, inspired by the teachers who had guided him.

“This major allows me to make an impact on the future of our country,” he explained. “I want to give back, just like the many educators who motivated me throughout my PreK-12 years.”

A self-described go-getter, Johnson quickly found his footing on campus, readily embracing new challenges and opportunities. Yet, his initial year was also marked by the difficult loss of his grandfather.

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“It was very tough being away from home and experiencing such a huge loss,” Johnson shared. “I was considering leaving Georgia Southern, but the supportive community is what led me to stay.”

Ultimately, his choice to remain at Georgia Southern enabled him to fully engage in college life,  especially through his extensive involvement in campus activities. He served in various roles in the Student Government Association (SGA) and was the founding president of the Aspiring Educators of Georgia Southern. His proudest accomplishment was ending his final year as the SGA president. That role gave him the honor of speaking to his fellow students at both the December 2024 and May 2025 commencement ceremonies.

Johnson addresses the class of 2025 at spring commencement ceremony.

“This was a dream that I had for many years, and I can say that I achieved it,” Johnson said.

With graduation now a reality, Johnson reflected on his personal growth, noting that his years at Georgia Southern totally changed his outlook on life. As he put it, “Life is going to come with endless challenges and obstacles that make you want to quit or settle for the bare minimum. But you can’t let that stop you from seeing what bigger things you can accomplish or will be granted when you run through the fire of obstacles and worries.”

For those considering Georgia Southern, the education major advised, “Georgia Southern is a place of huge opportunities. No matter what your interests are, you will find your opportunities here. Come here, have fun, make new lifelong friends and enjoy all the things Southern has to offer.”

The May graduate is set to begin teaching U.S. history at Effingham County High in the upcoming academic year and eagerly anticipates organizing and decorating his classroom. For now, foremost in his mind is the gratitude he feels for the support he received from Georgia Southern’s College of Education.

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“It’s difficult to name just one professor because so many have left an indelible mark on my academic journey,” Johnson explained. “They challenged me to think critically, inspired me to strive for excellence and equipped me with the knowledge and confidence I need to step into my future classroom as a capable and passionate educator.”

The budding teacher knows his parents are proud of his achievements, particularly as a first-generation college student. He acknowledged, “Moving away from home to come to Statesboro was a challenge for them, but I have definitely shown them that it was the best decision ever.”

Looking ahead, Johnson intends to return to Georgia Southern to earn a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction. Eventually, he plans to transition into education administration, demonstrating his continued commitment to the institution that changed his life.



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Valley outdoorsmen questions Georgia woman's tale of survival in Fresno County wilderness

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Valley outdoorsmen questions Georgia woman's tale of survival in Fresno County wilderness


FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — Tiffany Slaton’s survival in the Sierra has been hailed as a “miracle,” but it has also sparked suspicion.

“When I saw her story, that’s when I first went, ‘Oh, something’s not adding up right, here,’” seasoned outdoorsman Jeff Aiello said.

Aiello was skeptical from when Slaton took to the cameras last week to describe her ordeal.

“Hello,” she said from the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office on Friday, explaining she did not have prepared remarks.

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She was wearing a blanket, something Aiello says wasn’t necessary.

“That was a warning flag for me,” Aiello said.

Missing woman found safe in Fresno County speaks for first time

He probed Slaton’s story, starting with the avalanche she says blocked her path and turned a vacation into a nightmare.

“There’s no avalanche in the Sierra this time of year or in late April,” Aiello said. “The conditions don’t exist for it.”

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According to the National Weather Service, there was little to no snowpack at the time. There were at least two systems that brought snowfall, however.

Slaton’s entire journey lasted nearly a month, and for 15 days, she was officially lost.

Her parents in Georgia had not heard from her, and Slaton said repeated calls to 911 failed.

“(I) Eventually got mad at my GPS and decided to ask, ‘Well, where is the nearest Starbucks? It was like, ‘Oh, well, we can answer that question. It’s 18 miles from here,’” Slaton said at the press conference.

“There was no service. She couldn’t get a call to 911, but then right after that, asked Siri where the closest Starbucks was,” Aiello said. “Well, Siri doesn’t work unless you have connectivity.”

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Slaton eventually discovered a cabin near Lake Edison, and reports of her rescue made national headlines.

‘Dad, I’m alive’: Missing Georgia woman found safe in Fresno County

We asked Slaton’s father about his daughter’s story over the phone Monday.

“My daughter doesn’t give false statements to us or to anybody,” he told Action News. “We’re 100 percent behind her.”

We also asked about the naysayers.

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“The fact of the matter is, they weren’t there,” he said. “They weren’t in the situation.”

Slaton’s parents have since closed a GoFundMe established for their daughter.

Action News has learned the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office has retraced some of Slaton’s path and found evidence to validate her story. The family is now actively talking with investigators.

For news updates, follow Gabe Ferris on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Copyright © 2025 KFSN-TV. All Rights Reserved.

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