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https://charlottestudentsunited.substack.com/p/newsletter-feb-17-2025?sd=pf 

Newsletter: Jan. 26

From Ethan Kucera and the Newsletter Committee

News:

World

Israel and Hamas Ceasefire

After the official ceasefire between Israel and Hamas was signed about 2 weeks ago, both sides continued fighting, claiming that both signed had reneged on some key issues. However after working through the kinks, both sides have finally agreed and stuck to the ceasefire agreement, as well as returning hostages back to their homes. This ends 15 months of brutal conflict and renews some hope that both sides can work for a more peaceful future.

https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-war-news-01-17-2025-9a97e6c7b2badb3d3e278ab090d6ad15

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2025/1/16/live-celebrations-in-gaza-as-israel-hamas-reach-ceasefire-deal

President Trump's effect on the Russia - Ukraine conflict

Under the previous administration, President Biden had made the US the single largest military supporter of Ukraine and had condemned Russian President Putin as a ‘butcher’. President Trump and the Republican Party have generally been more receptive to the Russian side of the war, leading to fears that military aid would be halted to Ukraine. Ukrainian President Zelensky is trying to make sure that Ukraine does not lose American support by backing Trump, and we have seen indications that Trump may be willing to talk to Putin to attempt peace negotiations. However, military aid has not yet been cut off, despite a 90-day pause in almost all foreign aid, and Trump has also threatened Putin with economic consequences if he fails to reach a deal in Ukraine.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cjw4q7v7ez1o

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/us-not-halted-military-aid-ukraine-zelenskyy/

Tanker truck explosion in Nigeria

Earlier this week a tanker truck carrying many tons of oil exploded, killing at least 86 in Nigeria. The explosion is the result of the tanker truck crashing with another truck on the highway. Nigeria has seen issues with tankers recently, with 3 confirmed crashes. While the crashes are terrible, the aftermath is worse. After the dust settles, people begin looting any remaining oil to use themselves or sell for inflated prices. Under their current President Bola Tinubu oil has risen significantly, leading to the prices being unaffordable for many. These crashes have also resulted in a loss of oil to all who import oil from Nigeria such as the United States, Canada, Ghana, and Singapore, who could all see increases to the price of oil in the coming months.

https://www.cnn.com/2025/01/19/africa/gasoline-tanker-truck-blast-hnk-intl/index.html

National

U.S. inauguration and executive actions

On Monday, the 47th president of the United States, Donald J. Trump, was inaugurated along with his vice president, J.D. Vance. The president wasted no time in enacting many executive orders, such as releasing many January 6th rioters from prison, pulling the United States out of the Paris Climate Accords, attempting to end birthright citizenship (although that has since been temporarily blocked by a judge) and backing out from the World Health Organization.

https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/politics/what-has-trump-signed-so-far-full-list-of-executive-orders-actions-taken-in-1st-week-of-presidency/3655184/

State

Controversy sparks over Allison Riggs’ election to NC Supreme Court

Controversy has broken out following the election of Allison Riggs (D) to the North Carolina Supreme Court. Riggs was reelected to the seat with a narrow 734 vote lead over Jefferson Griffin (R). This number was confirmed by two recounts, but Griffin has challenged over 60,000 votes citing incomplete voter registrations, overseas ballots submitted without copies of IDs, and some voters who had not previously resided in North Carolina. The Republican-Controlled State Supreme Court has blocked the Board of Elections from certifying the election following this challenge. The State Supreme Court has sent the dismissed case back to a lower court. 

This case, the last uncertified statewide race in the country, has sparked controversy from both major political parties, increasing concerns over election security. Democrats allege that Griffin’s attempts to throw out ballots interfere with the fair election, with former governor Roy Cooper posting on X, formerly twitter, “Throw out legal votes that were cast overseas by troops defending our country? Republicans will do anything to steal this NC Supreme Court seat that they lost.”. Republicains on the other hand have raised concerns over allowing votes to be counted that they claim were not from properly registered voters.

https://www.wunc.org/politics/2025-01-22/north-carolina-supreme-court-seat-last-uncertified-race 

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/01/23/north-carolina-supreme-court-griffin-riggs/ 

https://www.aclu.org/cases/griffin-v-north-carolina-board-of-elections 

Local 

CMS Board to meet to decide ICE-related policies

After President Trump revoked policies this week which prevented Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents from apprehending illegal immigrants in certain areas, including schools, many students and families in Charlotte have feared for their safety when attending school, with several rumors of ICE raids at schools being spread throughout the district. In response to this, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Board of Education will meet Saturday, February 1st to decide their policies surrounding this issue. The Board has stated that they are dedicated to fostering a safe environment but also to complying with the law.

https://www.wsoctv.com/news/local/north-carolina-families-concerned-about-ice-raids/SOOJFKNMMBDQHNNOSLLLXFI6RU/

https://www.wunc.org/2025-01-22/charlotte-mecklenburg-schools-prepare-for-potential-ice-arrests-after-reversal-of-biden-era-policy

Policy Breakdown:

State Policy

The North Carolina 2025 legislative session opened on January 8th with a promise to make  Helene relief aid a top priority. The damages were estimated to be more than $50 billion by the new speaker of the House,  Rep. Destin Hall, a Caldwell County Republican and former House Rules Committee Chair. The next major date to wait for is Jan 29th, where the other major issues of medical marijuana and casinos will be discussed. 

https://www.wral.com/amp/21792406/

https://www.wunc.org/politics/2025-01-08/nc-legislature-2025-session-house-speaker-helene

Congress

Congress passed the Laken Riley Act to require the detainment of undocumented immigrants accused of theft, burglary, shoplifting, or larceny offences. The votes by party show that, though the majority of Yea votes were Republican (217 of 218), 46 of the 215 Democratic Party members voted Yea as well.

https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/202523

https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/7511/text#:~:text=7511%20%2D%20118th%20Congress%20

CSU Updates

CSU has met regularly as activities begin in the new year in full swing. We are currently in the process of gaining our 501(c)(3) status as a nonprofit and hope to be confirmed shortly.

Recent Activities

• CSU members attended the “We Fight Back” protest in Uptown Charlotte, Jan. 20. Read our report here!

Recent Meetings

Board of Directors Meeting of Jan. 18:

• Several growth-related objectives were set, including a referral system

• A standing Polling Committee was created for purpose of polling local students

• Requirements set for the Newsletter 

• Ethan Kucera confirmed as the Newsletter Committee Chair

• Last year’s financial report and this quarter’s budget reviewed and adopted

• Section 6.e.ii of the Bylaws were amended

General Body Membership Meeting of Jan. 18:

• Amendment to the Bylaws was ratified

Upcoming Dates Over Next Two Weeks:

1/27: Charlotte City Council business meeting at 5:00pm in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center. CSU members are encouraged to attend.

1/30: East Mecklenburg’s CSU chapter will be holding a student-led debate at 3:00pm surrounding the issue of school choice.

2/04: Mecklenburg County Commissioners business meeting at 6:00pm in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center. CSU members are encouraged to attend.

2:08: Volunteer Steam Cleanup at 10:00am at 3110 Cullman Ave. CSU members are encouraged to attend.

Newsletter 12/11/2024

By Joseph Rukenbrod, Reid Banerjee, and the Newsletter Committee

News:

World

Syrian rebels take control of capital

Rebels in Syria have taken control of several major cities, causing the current leader, Bashar al-Assad, to flee to Moscow. This comes after many years of oppressive rule by Assad, and his father before him. 

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c8j99447gj1o 

https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/syria-rebels-celebrate-captured-homs-set-sights-damascus-2024-12-07/ 

National

Healthcare CEO shot

UnitedHealthcare CEO, Brian Thompson, was shot and killed in New York City last Wednesday. The killer escaped into Central Park, and remains at-large at the time of writing. UnitedHealthcare has long received criticisms for its claim denial rates, far above industry averages, as well as its use of AI to deny claims. 

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/06/nyregion/unitedhealthcare-brian-thompson-shooting.html 

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/unitedhealthcare-ceo-shooting-brian-thompson-suspect-what-know-rcna183155 

State

Wildfires break out in Western NC

Recently a wildfire has broken out in western NC as a result of downed power lines. Firefires claim to have controlled 50% of the fire thus far. 

https://www.wyff4.com/article/mcdowell-county-western-north-carolina-forest-fires/63110344 

Election News: Still counting votes

A partial recount has been triggered for the NC Supreme Court race between Allison Riggs (D) and Jefferson Griffin (R) . This follows Incumbent Alligson Riggs winning by only 734 votes. If a significant difference between the recount and previous results occurs, a statewide hand recount will be ordered.

https://abc11.com/post/nc-election-partial-recount-almost-complete-north-carolina-supreme-court-race-between-jefferson-griffin-allison-riggs/15627649/ 

Local 

Assistant Head of School for Academics at Charlotte Country Day School arrested for felony peeping

Scott Waybright was arrested on Friday for five counts of “Possessing a photographic obtained in violation of the peeping statute” and five more counts of  “Secretly using a photographic imaging device to view another’s body or undergarments”

https://www.wccbcharlotte.com/2024/12/06/charlotte-country-day-school-administrator-arrested-for-felony-peeping/

Policy Breakdown:

State Legislature

• House Joint Resolution 151, a bill that would set term limits for both the US House of Representatives and the US Senate, has passed through the Senate.

• Senate Bill 382 , a bill that would provide money for hurricane relief, adjusts the budget, shortens the time for voters to fix various issues with their ballots, and transfers some powers and departments away from the governor. This bill was vetoed by Roy Cooper, but members of the legislature are attempting to override the veto.

• Senate Bill 920, a bill that would allow voters in 2026 to vote on an amendment to the state constitution to lower the cap on state income tax from 7% to 5%. This has passed through the Senate.

• Senate Bill 921, a bill that would allow voters in 2026 to vote on an amendment to the state constitution to require all voters to present a photo ID before voting. 

Congress

• S. 1478, a bill that would designate US Route 20 as the “National Medal of Honor Highway” in  Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, and Massachusetts. This bill passed in the Senate and goes to the house.

• H.R. 5009: WILD Act. A bill that attempts to improve wildlife conservation programs.

• H.R. 8689,  bill that would require Amtrak to publicly disclose certain bonus compensation paid to Amtrak executives. This has not been voted on by either chamber.

• S. 2781, a bill that would allow entities such as local governments and nonprofit organizations to obtain permits to clean up abandoned mines without assuming full  liability for pollution. This bill has passed in the Senate and goes to the House next. 

• H.R. 6229, a bill that would amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to formalize the Department of Homeland Security’s SEAR (Special Event Assessment Rating) program, which is where the DHS assesses security risks related to public events.

• H.R. 9716, a bill that would require the budget to be updated twice a year to improve fiscal responsibility in congress. Neither chamber has voted on this yet.

• S. 4199: JUDGES Act of 2024, a bill that attempts to address the backlog of cases in our justice system by increasing the number of district judges. This bill has passed through the Senate, and now the house must vote on it. 

• H.R. 670: Think Differently Database Act, a bill that would require the creation of a database for people with intellectual disabilities. The database would have information about eligibility requirements for Medicaid.  Neither chamber has voted on this yet.

• H.R. 8664: DHS Intelligence and Analysis Oversight and Transparency Act, a bill that would require an annual audit of the data and information systems of the Department of Homeland Security. Neither chamber has voted on this yet.

• S. 4610, a bill that would officially designate the bald eagle as the national bird. This has passed the senate and goes to the house.

CSU Updates

CSU has met recently as  it attempts to begin regular actions. The website www.charlottestudentsunited.org was published, and the first edition of the newsletter was created. 

Recent Dates

Meeting of 11/21:

• Finances were briefly discussed

• Mission of the CSU and future goals were discussed

Board Meeting of 12/3:

• Cost of 501 (c)(3) ($275)

• Finances and the current budget were discussed

  • Current budget is ($120) as of 12/2

• Plans for sitting in a City Council and/or Student Board

Attended a City Council meeting 12/09/2024