Originally published at: https://peakprosperity.com/daily-digest/good-news-friday-dominion-voting-systems-becomes-liberty-vote-cdc-updates-vaccine-guidance/
US Politics
A Missouri tech entrepreneur and former election official has acquired Dominion Voting Systems and rebranded it as Liberty Vote, with a focus on paper-based voting systems. The new ownership plans to promote transparency and security through hand-marked paper ballots and support for third-party audits. These changes are intended to foster public confidence in elections, including through domestic staffing and bipartisan operations. Supporters have praised the shift as aligning with efforts to enhance election integrity, while critics have raised questions about its potential effects on voter access and turnout.
In Wisconsin, a Waukesha County judge has ordered a review of voter rolls by cross-referencing them with Department of Transportation records to verify citizenship status. The ruling, which remains partially in effect pending appeal, aims to maintain accurate voter lists while allowing new registrations to continue. This measure supports broader efforts to uphold election integrity. Proponents argue it prevents non-citizen voting, though opponents contend it risks disenfranchising eligible voters and requires significant system overhauls.
Maine residents are participating in discussions on a referendum to introduce photo ID requirements at polling places, along with changes to absentee voting and ballot challenges. The proposal has drawn interest after reports of potential ballot security issues, leading to calls for investigations and highlighting community interest in secure voting methods. Advocates cite incidents like misplaced ballots as justification, while detractors describe the measure as a potential form of voter suppression affecting absentee voting access.
Communities across the United States have organized effectively to restrict the expansion of data centers near residential areas. In Indiana, residents successfully paused a major Google project through petitions and public hearings, helping to protect local resources such as water and electricity. Comparable efforts in Missouri, Texas, and Arizona have shown bipartisan collaboration in safeguarding neighborhoods from infrastructure pressures, with reports noting billions in delayed projects as a result. Industry representatives counter that data centers provide essential economic benefits, including job creation and technological advancement, urging collaborative solutions over outright opposition.
Federal prosecutors in Virginia have indicted New York Attorney General Letitia James on charges of bank fraud related to mortgage applications for properties. The allegations, which James denies, involve purported misrepresentations about residency and property details to obtain favorable loan terms. Separately, authorities in Maryland are preparing charges against former National Security Adviser John Bolton for allegedly retaining classified documents at his home, following searches that recovered sensitive materials. These developments reflect ongoing accountability processes for public officials. James has called the charges politically motivated, and some analyses question the legal basis and timing of Bolton’s case amid his past criticisms of former President Trump.
A recent Gallup survey indicates that 28 percent of Americans report trust in media, marking the lowest level since 1972. The findings show variations by political affiliation and age group, pointing to potential avenues for news organizations to respond to public concerns and strengthen reporting practices. Other studies suggest nuances, with higher trust in local news and investigative reporting, though overall declines persist across traditional and alternative media platforms.
European Politics
Ireland has informed the European Union of its decision to forgo certain hate speech regulations, opting instead for national strategies on free expression. This position, conveyed through official channels, is consistent with Ireland’s constitutional safeguards and contributes to EU-wide conversations on balancing speech rights. EU officials have expressed concerns that the move could hinder unified efforts against xenophobia and racism, potentially leading to increased discrimination.
Health
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has removed Dr. Jeanne Marrazzo from her position as director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. The move comes after reported disagreements on vaccine policies and research priorities, enabling a potential emphasis on individualized health strategies at the agency. Marrazzo has alleged the dismissal was retaliatory for her whistleblower complaint against politicization of science, prompting calls for congressional oversight.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now advises a standalone chickenpox vaccine for children aged 12 to 23 months, moving away from the combined measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella vaccine. This update, supported by evidence of lower febrile seizure risks with separate doses, seeks to improve safety in early childhood vaccinations while preserving disease protection. Some experts worry the change may reduce vaccination compliance due to added shots, potentially impacting overall rates.
The CDC has also revised its guidance on COVID-19 vaccines, shifting from universal recommendations to a framework of shared clinical decision-making. People are encouraged to discuss options with healthcare providers based on individual risk factors, reflecting data on vaccine benefits and potential side effects to support personalized health decisions. Public health groups have cautioned that the approach might contribute to lower vaccination rates among vulnerable populations.
Sources
Pro-Paper-Ballot Firm Acquires Dominion, Rebrands as Liberty Vote to Boost Election Trust
“As of today, Dominion is gone. Liberty Vote assumes full ownership and operational control,”
America’s Neighborhoods Fight Back: Halting the Data Center Onslaught
For once, global power bent to local power.
Ireland Defies EU on Hate Speech Laws, Championing Free Speech
The Irish government has informed the EU they will not comply with a demand to force hate speech laws on the public.
Federal Grand Jury Indicts NY AG Letitia James on Bank Fraud Charges
A federal grand jury in Eastern Virginia has indicted New York Attorney General Letitia James on one count of bank fraud, multiple outlets are reporting.
John Bolton Set to Face Charges Over Classified Documents Hoard at Maryland Home
Prosecutors in Maryland are expected in coming days to charge one of Trump’s first-term national security advisers, John Bolton, now a top Trump critic, with mishandling classified information, according to people familiar with the matter.
American Trust in Media Sinks to Historic Low of 28%, Gallup Finds
Just 28 percent of adults told Gallup that they have a great deal or fair amount of trust in the media.
RFK Jr. Fires Fauci Successor Dr. Jeanne Marrazzo Over Vaccine Advocacy Clash
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has fired Dr. Jeanne Marrazzo, the controversial Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID).
CDC Recommends Standalone Chickenpox Vaccine for Toddlers to Curb Seizure Risks
“The combination vaccine doubles the risk of febrile seizures without conferring additional protection from varicella compared to standalone vaccination.”
CDC Ends Broad COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations, Shifts to Individual Decisions
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention no longer broadly recommends COVID-19 vaccination.
Wisconsin Judge Orders Citizenship Review of Voter Rolls, Stays New Registration Ban
A Waukesha County judge who ordered a review of the citizenship status of millions of Wisconsin voters has stayed part of his ruling while the case is appealed, though much of his decision remains in effect.
Maine Voter ID Referendum Heats Up Amid Ballot Security Breach Concerns
“highlights exactly why Maine must adopt commonsense safeguards like Voter ID.”
In addition to sources submitted by community members, the following were also used in the creation of this report: Scott Leiendecker; CNN; The Guardian; Wisconsin Right Now; Wisconsin Public Radio; Milwaukee Journal Sentinel; Maine Wire; Maine Morning Star; Portland Press Herald; The Daily Caller; The New York Times; The Washington Post; Lawfare Blog; Data Center Watch; Tech Industry Insider; The Hill; Reuters; Pew Research Center; Gript Media; Euronews; The Irish Times; The Gateway Pundit; Dr. Jeanne Marrazzo; CBS News; Children’s Health Defense; American Academy of Pediatrics; The Epoch Times.