Here's what's trending in politics in Georgia and around the nation on Thursday.
1. Texas voter ID law struck down
A federal judge struck down Texas’ voter ID law Wednesday, ruling it was "enacted with discriminatory intent — knowingly placing additional burdens on a disproportionate number of Hispanic and African-American voters." The law, which had been struck down before, was changed by the Texas Legislature this year, Politico reported.
2. Decision on federal lands expected Thursday
A decision is expected Thursday on whether the designation of 21 areas previously named as national monuments will be revoked. The New York Times reports that the Trump administration could return the protected federal lands back to the states.
3. Energy Department: Ease regulations on power plant permitting
The Energy Department wants to make licensing and permitting easier for power plants. According to an Associated Press story, that means faster and cheaper for facilities "such as nuclear, hydro, coal, advanced generation technologies, and transmission." According to a new report, there is a risk that consumers might not have access to reliable energy because of a spate of power plant closures.
4. How effective is affirmative action?
Black and Hispanic students remain underrepresented on U.S. college campuses. In fact, according to a New York Times story, the two groups are more underrepresented than they were 35 years ago. At the University of Georgia in 2015, whites made up 71 percent of the student population, Asians made up 11 percent, blacks made up 8 percent and Hispanics accounted for 6 percent.
5. Hillary thought Trump was a ‘creep’
In an excerpt from a book due out in September, Hillary Clinton said her “skin crawled” when Donald Trump walked up behind her during the presidential debate in October 2016. Clinton said she considered telling him to “Back up you creep.”
6. New Southeast regional head of EPA named
Trey Glenn, a business lobbyist and ex-environmental regulator, will be the new Southeastern regional administrator for the U.S. Environmental Protection office. According to the AP, Glenn will oversee EPA operations in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee.
7. Gingrich: Don’t expect “Kumbaya”
Newt Gingrich on Wednesday told Fox News’ Tucker Carlson that Americans shouldn’t expect to see a “'Kumbaya” moment when it comes to Trump and those on the left. "Look, as a historian, my view is pretty straightforward," the former speaker of the House said, explaining that unity is not the goal in politics. "It's not like you come together in some grand compromise. One side or the other wins."
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