The Daily Populous

Saturday January 22nd, 2022 evening edition

image for Texas attorney general refuses to hand over Jan. 6 records

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has rejected a prosecutor’s demand for records of his appearance at a pro-Donald Trump rally that preceded the assault on the U.S. Capitol.

Last week, the Travis County district attorney’s office had set a four-day deadline for Paxton to turn over the records involving the Jan. 6, 2021, rally or face a lawsuit accusing him of violating the state open records law.

But in a letter to the district attorney’s office Friday, the attorney general’s office denied any violations and rejected the office’s demands.

The Texas Tribune was the first to report about Paxton’s refusal.

Several news organizations have requested Paxton’s communications from around that time under the Texas Public Information Act.

Last March, six news outlets jointly published a story raising questions about whether Paxton was breaking open records laws.

The attorney general has also spent most of his time in office under a separate felony indictment. »

‘Betty White Challenge’ on Facebook, Instagram Raises $12.7 Million for Animal Shelters

Authored by variety.com

A viral fundraising effort to honor the legacy of Betty White — a lifelong animal lover and outspoken advocate for animal welfare — encouraging donations to benefit shelters and rescue operations has raised $12.7 million on and Instagram, according to parent company Meta.

On Friday, according to Meta, more than 390,000 people have donated to fundraisers on Facebook and Instagram for the #BettyWhiteChallenge, raising $12.7 million for animal shelters and rescues.

According to Meta, the company does not charge any fees for donations made to nonprofit organizations through its social platforms. »

The Day After Russia Attacks

Authored by foreignaffairs.com

Although Russia has not completely abandoned diplomatic pretenses, the chasm between Russian and Western expectations has been laid bare.

Russia could move to formally recognize or annex the occupied Donbas region of eastern Ukraine.

Moreover, seizing and holding terrain for a long-term occupation would weaken Ukraine, but would not result in a failed state. »