It’s Festival of Life in the Cracks Day. Y’all know I had to look that one up as soon as I saw it. What it is is the celebration of the first signs of spring weather, like grass sprouting up through the cracks in the sidewalk. As a gardener, I can get on board with this, as I am so looking forward to weather warm enough to put plant starts in the ground. So, happy Festival of Life in the Cracks Day to all of you! May your world turn greener by the day.
On a different note, U2’s “With or Without You” was released as a single 34 years ago this week. Patrick Dexter, who has a YouTube Channel all about playing his cello in his gorgeous yard in Western Ireland, celebrated by playing the song on his cello, of course. I’m posting it here, because it’s beautifully done and needs a wider audience.
And now let’s get on to the news.
Pat Conroy
- Former President Jimmy Carter has spoken out against the Georgia voting restriction bills, saying they “turn back the clock.” (Alternate link.)
- In 2014, Georgia voters approved P3s by constitutional amendment. In light of the university system’s ongoing horror story with Corvias, we might want look at ending them ASAP.
- Jury trials can resume in Georgia with appropriate precautions.
- Lowndes County is reopening the investigation into Kendrick Johnson’s death. Eight years ago, his body was discovered rolled up in a gym mat at Lowndes County High School.
- The Federal Aviation Administration will be delayed in releasing their environmental impact study on Spaceport Camden, which was originally expected this month.
- Angela Moore won the runoff yesterday to represent District 90 in the state House. (Alternate link.)
Alice Walker
- Today, President Biden will announce that the U.S. government has bought an additional 100 million doses of the Johnson & Johnson COVID vaccine.
- Yet, 1 in 4 Americans refuse to get the COVID vaccine, according to a Monmouth University poll.
- The House should pass the final version of the stimulus bill today, leaving some lawmakers worried about implementation of some of the provisions that will trigger sweeping changes to the tax code. (Alternate link.)
- Here’s a run down of what’s in the bill.
- Former President Trump is trying to wrest fundraising away from the GOP. (Alternate link.)
- Lawmakers are looking at finally repealing the 2002 Authorization for the Use of Military Force, which approved the Iraq War.
- The FBI has released new video of the person who left bombs at the RNC and DNC the night before the January 6th insurrection.
- The National Guard troops stationed at the U.S. Capitol will now be there through May.
- Unprecedented flooding in Hawaii is causing extensive damage.
- Alaska has become the first state to open COVID vaccination to everyone over the age of 16.
- South Korea has agreed to pay more for hosting American troops in 2021.
- Russia has slowed upload speeds for Twitter due to a dispute over banned content. (Alternate link.)
Flannery O’Connor
- A couple who had a meteorite land in their driveway in the Cotswolds were told it may contain “the ingredients for life” by the scientists who retrieved it.