YP Daily Roundup 5/22/19

Republican House speaker Philip Gunn is calling on the resignation of state representative Doug McLeod if the alleged domestic violence incident is true.

According to the incident report, George County Sheriff’s deputies said McLeod was very drunk when they arrived at his home. They were answering a call for help that came from inside the house.

The report states another woman in the house told deputies McLeod punched his wife while inside their bedroom. Deputies reported seeing blood on the victim’s face and in the couple’s bedroom. The witness shared other personal details with deputies that we’re choosing not to report.

MSGOP chair comments on Rep. McLeod’s arrest

“If the allegations against Rep. McLeod are true, he should resign immediately. Violence in any relationship is unacceptable, and I condemn this conduct in the strongest possible terms.” MSGOP Chairman @LucienSmith

— Mississippi GOP (@MSGOP) May 21, 2019

WTVA – Judge: Mississippi 6-week abortion ban ‘smacks of defiance’

U.S. District Judge Carlton Reeves said Mississippi legislators passed the six-week law this year knowing he had declared the 15-week ban unconstitutional because it prohibited access to abortion before viability, which is generally considered to be about 23 or 24 weeks.

“It sure smacks of defiance to this court,” Reeves said.

Republican Gov. Phil Bryant signed the new law in March, and the state’s only abortion clinic, Jackson Women’s Health Organization, quickly sued the state.

Reeves heard arguments Tuesday on the clinic’s request that he block the law from taking effect July 1. He said he would decide soon, but did not indicate when he would issue a ruling.

“Doesn’t it boil down to: Six is less than 15?” Reeves asked.

WJTV – Mississippi jobless rate level in April as payrolls tick up

Congressman Thompson seeks Red Cross oversight

? NEWS ? Chairman @BennieGThompson and Sen. @ChuckGrassley have re-introduced legislation to give the congressional watchdog arm complete access to American Red Cross records for oversight purposes.

It responds to concerns the Red Cross tried to quash a GAO review. pic.twitter.com/ZgZKNriprX

— House Homeland Security Committee (@HomelandDems) May 21, 2019

US Trade Rep updates Senate GOP on trade negotiations

Today @USTradeRep updated @SenateGOP about the good progress being made in trade negotiations. https://t.co/VfK1k4k6J8

— Senator Roger Wicker (@SenatorWicker) May 21, 2019

CLARION LEDGER – Michael Watson: Here’s how we can improve Mississippi’s driver’s license services

Make no mistake about it, the employees at DPS are working hard to tackle a wide variety of issues in our state, including the work of their divisions such as the Mississippi Highway Patrol, Bureau of Narcotics, Crime Lab and Homeland Security office — all of which are extremely important to the safety and security of our citizens. One way to allow them to have even more focus on these law enforcement and public safety duties is to move driver’s license services away from their long list of responsibilities.