Biden Jokes About Flap Over Unwelcome Contacts

(Washington, DC) — Former VP Joe Biden is joking about the controversy about unwelcome contacts with several women. Speaking at a labor union conference in DC today, Biden said — “I just wanted to let you know I had permission to hug Lonnie.” That was a reference to a union executive at the conference. He later invited several children on stage and put his arm around a young boy, saying — “He gave me permission to touch him.” In a Twitter video statement this week, Biden vowed to be more “mindful and respectful of people’s personal space.” He also acknowledged that social norms are changing. Biden is expected to decide whether to make a presidential run in coming weeks.

MD Federal Judge Rules Against Citizenship Question

(Greenbelt, MD) — A federal judge in Maryland is ruling against the government’s addition of a citizenship question to the 2020 census. Judge George Hazel ruled today that the Trump administration’s decision to add the question violated administrative law. The judge found that including the question would hinder the government’s ability to count every person living in the U.S. Federal judges in New York and California earlier this year ordered the federal government to stop plans to add the question. The question asks, “Is this person a citizen of the United States?” The case will likely be appealed to the Supreme Court.

Chicago To Sue Jussie Smollett

(Chicago, IL) — The city of Chicago is going to sue actor Jussie Smollett [[ SMUH-let ]] over his claims that he was the victim of a racist and homophobic attack. Chicago’s Law Department is now drafting a lawsuit demanding the Empire star pay for the costs of the investigation into what they say ended up being a false report. The City had asked Smollett to pay 130-thousand-dollars. Smollett claimed he was beaten by two men back in January, but police later said he made it all up. He was charged over the incident, but the charges were abruptly dropped by prosecutors.