Blue 812 News Issue 25
“Politics ought to be the part-time profession of every citizen.” — Dwight D. Eisenhower
NATIONAL NUTCASERY
minnesota yikes
A nationwide manhunt is ongoing for Vance Boelter, 57, identified by law enforcement agencies in Minnesota as the primary suspect in the shootings early Saturday morning that left Democratic state lawmaker Melissa Hortman and her husband dead. Authorities said Boelter disguised himself as a law enforcement officer during the attack. Boelter is also being sought for the shooting of Democratic state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, who were wounded at their home. Authorities say Boelter should be considered armed and dangerous. Numerous lawmakers and public officials in Minnesota, including Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, a Democrat, have said publicly they were on a list of other individuals allegedly considered targets by Boelter. More at NPR.
the saddest parade
On Saturday, Trump held a hideously expensive military parade in Washington, D.C., on his birthday, an idea he first had during his first term but was scrapped because it was deemed too expensive. The crowd of supporters, servicemembers, curious locals, and military-adjacent spectators who braved the heat and humidity of a post-thunderstorm D.C. managed to just fill out their allotted side of the street over several blocks in front of the White House, with plenty of room to spare. One video posted on X shows tanks slowly squeaking past nearly silent crowds, like a grocery cart in need of grease. Sounds like fun!
Meanwhile, No Kings protests rippled peacefully across dozens of cities in the U.S. Organizers estimated that more than 5 million people participated in over 2,000 planned protests. While protests were overall peaceful, police in Culpeper, VA arrested a man who "intentionally accelerated his vehicle into the dispersing crowd," at the end of a protest. One person was hit, but no one was hurt, police said. Additionally, police deployed tear gas in the Atlanta area and arrested eight people, Fox 5 Atlanta reported. Indivisible Wabash Valley estimated 750 participants here at the Vigo County Courthouse.
eyes on SCOTUS
Six decisions were released on Thursday. Overall, a mixed bag. There are some big wins for civil rights, but also a frustrating ruling that lets the IRS dodge accountability, and a big loss for criminal appeals, making it even harder for inmates to fight wrongful convictions.
A.J.T. v. Osseo Area Schools: In this case, a Minnesota school district refused to accommodate a teen with severe epilepsy, resulting in her receiving only two-thirds of the instruction time that other students received. The student, AJT, suffered frequent morning seizures, and her parents requested after-hours instruction to make up for the lost time. Lower courts dismissed the case, saying the school had to act in “bad faith or gross misjudgment” to be sued, but SCOTUS unanimously said “yeah…no.” Now, it’s easier for families to hold schools accountable for failing disabled students.
Soto v. United States: Soto, a Marine Corps veteran who served from 2000 to 2006, was medically retired due to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In 2016, he applied for combat-related special compensation (CRSC) and was approved, but his retroactive compensation was limited to six years. Soto filed a class-action lawsuit arguing that the CRSC statute should displace the Barring Act's limitations period. A rare win for veterans, who usually get buried in bureaucratic nonsense.
Parrish v. United States: Donte Parrish, a federal inmate, was placed in restrictive segregated confinement for nearly 2 years due to his suspected involvement in another inmate's death. After being cleared of wrongdoing, Parrish filed a lawsuit in Federal District Court seeking damages for his confinement. The District Court dismissed his case on March 23, 2020, citing some claims as untimely and others as unexhausted. Parrish, who had been transferred to a different facility, received the dismissal order three months later and a month after the appeal deadline. Parrish promptly filed a notice of appeal, explaining the delay. The lower court tried to deny an inmate’s appeal over a technicality, but SCOTUS said, “Stop playing games with people’s rights.” Justice Gorsuch dissented from the ruling, because he would have dismissed the case without deciding it at all, and felt the Rules Committee could solve this problem rather than the Court.
Martin v. United States: The FBI raided the wrong house, terrorizing innocent people, and then tried to hide behind legal loopholes to avoid liability. In October 2017, the FBI mistakenly raided the home of Hilliard Toi Cliatt, Curtrina Martin, and her 7-year-old son in suburban Atlanta. The agents had intended to execute search warrants at 3741 Landau Lane, but instead, Special Agent Guerra used ‘a personal GPS device’, which directed his team to 3756 Denville Trace, the Martin-Cliatt home. They didn’t even check before they broke down the door. The plaintiffs sued for the officers' negligent and intentional actions that resulted in personal injuries and property damage. In a unanimous opinion by Justice Neil Gorsuch, the justices held that a federal appeals court in Atlanta applied the wrong legal test in ruling for the government, and they sent the case back to the appeals court for another look.
Commissioner of Internal Revenue v. Zuch: In 2012, Jennifer Zuch and her then-husband Patrick Gennardo filed late 2010 federal tax returns. Gennardo's return showed a significant balance due, which he addressed by paying $50,000 in estimated tax payments. The IRS applied these payments to Gennardo's account. Zuch later amended her return and only ended up owing $28,000. She argued that the $50,000 should be credited to her account, entitling her to a refund, but the IRS disagreed and placed a levy on her property. She took the case to Tax Court, but because she no longer owed them any money, they didn’t have jurisdiction. Justice Gorsuch dissented, warning that this decision lets the IRS avoid accountability and could leave taxpayers powerless to challenge errors. Translation: If the IRS screws up, good luck getting your money back.
Rivers v. Guerrero: SCOTUS just made it harder for prisoners to challenge wrongful convictions in another unanimous decision. Danny Rivers was convicted in Texas, and after losing his first federal habeas petition, he later discovered new evidence he claimed was exculpatory. He filed a second habeas petition, arguing that the new evidence should allow him to challenge his conviction again. The Fifth Circuit shut him down, saying his second petition was “successive” under the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act (AEDPA), so he needed special authorization to file it. SCOTUS agreed, ruling that once a district court denies a first habeas petition, any later petition counts as “successive” even if the first one is still on appeal. In other words, even if you find new evidence, you can’t just add it to your appeal - you have to file a separate petition and get special permission.
Still waiting for 21 more decisions! These decisions will shape little things like civil rights, free speech, immigration policy, and religious education, so expect major headlines when they drop! You can follow updates on SCOTUSblog.
STATEWIDE SHENANIGANS
Republicans on the Indianapolis City-County Council are taking Hogsett to task over the sexual harassment scandal and Fisher Phillips report, with one demanding his resignation and others joining Democrats in a vote to withhold payment to the investigators until they answer some questions.
The drama in city politics over the Hogsett administration harassment scandal could end up impacting the 2027 mayoral race. Vop Osili, council president, has been seen as a frontrunner for Democrats. Now he's catching a lot of backlash over his decision to have sheriffs forcibly remove a sexual harassment victim from a public meeting.
He ordered sheriff's deputies to force Lauren Roberts, an accuser he kept calling Lauren Boebert, out of the room mid-comment as she described her experience in the mayor’s office. After Hogsett gave interviews where he called Osili's actions "regrettable," Osili himself issued a statement, saying he "regrets" how he handled it and “I failed Ms. Roberts.”
Although Osili's camp claims they don't think the situation will impact the 2027 race, his critics are not holding back. State Sen. Andrea Hunley, another suspected mayoral candidate, said this week that city leadership failed survivors when Osili directed law enforcement to "haul (Roberts) out of a public building."
So far the only official Democrat Party response has been Chair Karen Tallian’s response to a request for comment from WRTV. She mentioned the party’s new ethics committee but evaded enumerating what consequences should be faced by perpetrators of abuse.
The Administration and Finance Committee will hear the original legislation Roberts was there to address on Tuesday, and the chair of the Committee, Councilor Frank Mascari has said he will allow survivors to speak for 20 minutes or more at that meeting. There are now three Indy councilors (one Republican and two Democrats) who have called for Hogsett’s resignation, but he has firmly stated, “I’m not resigning.” An impeachment process exists, but is largely controlled by the Indiana General Assembly. Recall elections also don't exist here, despite what Parks and Recreation would lead you to believe. More at the Indy Star and Mirror Indy.
LOCAL FOCUS
no apartments on ohio
The Terre Haute City Council rejected a rezoning request for apartments at a property along Ohio Boulevard. The council voted against the measure, with seven members opposed and two (Jim Chalos and Cheryl Loudermilk) in favor. So many citizens attended Thursday night’s City Council meeting that a TV screen showing the meeting was set up in the lobby outside the City Hall Courtroom where the overflow crowd could watch the debate. The council has discussed an ordinance establishing a historic preservation commission that would that would prevent significant alterations to historic neighborhoods, but has yet to present such a measure. More at YahooNews.
schools survey
There were two listening sessions last week about VCSC facilities. They were announced with pretty short notice, so if you weren’t able to attend but still have thoughts, you can fill out this survey.
GOOD TROUBLE
Washington Health Group is suing the Trump Adminstration and RFK’s HHS over the removal & deletion of data used by clinicians to distrubute to patients on reducing AIDS, LBGTQ issues, or anything related to DEI. Let’s Make Noise. Stay involved and make your voice heard - Contact Rep. Mark Messmer, and Sens Jim Banks and Todd Young and let them know that having RFK Jr as Secretary of Health and Human Services is unacceptable. The harm he is doing to scientifically sound medicine is unacceptable. Demand his resignation.
Demand Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s Resignation ⭑ 5 Calls
STATEMENT RELEASE: Doctors for America Calls for the Resignation or Removal of HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Sign the Open Letter in Support of NIH Public Servants - Action Network
RESOURCE CENTER
Public media - our essential provider of independent, fact-based journalism, free from corporate or political influence - keeps communities informed, amplifies underrepresented voices, and fosters civic engagement. Whether it’s investigative reporting, cultural programming, or local news, public media ensures access to reliable information—a cornerstone of democracy. Plus, it’s one of the few places left where thoughtful discussions can happen without sensationalism or profit-driven bias. That’s why the White House’s rescission package proposes eliminating funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), which supports PBS, NPR, and local public stations. It’s passed the House, and the Senate could pass it with just 50 votes. Public media could be defunded fast.
Terre Haute is lucky enough to recieve public media from both Bloomington (WFUI/WTUI) and Indianapolis (WFYI). Also, my Alexa will only play NPR from Ilinois, but that’s probably my problem. Anyway - let’s support them with our eyes and ears, and if you’re in a position to do so, with our dollars!
Indiana Public Media: listen | watch | support
WFYI: listen | watch | support
UPCOMING EVENTS
***don’t forget to check out the Nasty Women events calendar!***
Indivisible Wabash Valley has launched a calendar for the Southern Indiana/Wabash Valley area
Friday, June 20th at 5:30 pm: Vigo Dems ‘event’ at 1111 Vetran’s Square. Special speaker: Vigo County assessor Kevin Gardner.
Tuesday, June 24 at 10:30 am - 11:15 am: Sisters Speak Out: June 24 Community Prayer and Rally at outside the Church of the Immaculate Conception 1 Sisters of Providence Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, IN 47876. People of all faiths are invited to unite with the Sisters of Providence in compassion, empathy and understanding for this special event to engage in prayer and public witness for immigrants and a just economy. More info here.
Wednesday, June 25th at 8:30 am: County Update with the Vigo County Commissioners at Hulman Center. The Vigo County Commissioners will provide an update on county projects and issues of great importance to Vigo County. Individual tickets are $40. (what is this money going to?) more info here.
Tuesday, July 1st at 5pm: Indiana Nasty Women - Vigo County meeting at the Vigo County Public Library in meeting room B.
END ON A HIGH NOTE
The ICE protest outside Gainbridge Fieldhouse before the Pacers game Wednesday night drew somewhere between 500 and 1,000 people, depending on whom you ask. That's on a school night.
The city of Glendale, California announced it was ending its agreement with the federal government to house people detained by ICE. Would love to se this energy in Clay County.
The State Department ordered US embassies to resume processing visas for Harvard’s international students.
A US federal judge ruled the Trump administration cannot deport or detain Columbia university student Mahmoud Khalil solely on the claim that he's a threat to US foreign policy.
A new Quinnipiac poll finds just 30% of American voters have a favorable opinion of Elon Musk. Majorities also hate everything Trump is doing. Like, everything.
Trump’s appeal of E. Jean Carroll's $5 million court win against him was denied.
Trump's time in the White House runs out in:
