Joy Reid to host 'The ReidOut' weeknights on MSNBC

Joy Reid, an MSNBC political analyst and weekend host, has been tapped to lead the 7 p.m. weeknight hour, the network said Thursday.

Reid's new Washington-based show, “The ReidOut,” will debut July 20. It will feature one-on-one conversations with politicians and newsmakers and cover the political issues of the day, drawing from Reid’s experience of covering the intersection of race, justice and culture.

Reid, one of the network's most prominent Black on-air personalities, will take the time slot previously occupied by Chris Matthews, who announced his retirement in March after a series of events that resulted in criticism of his statements about Bernie Sanders, Black lawmakers and comments he had made to female journalists and coworkers.

Reid is the host of the weekend show "AM Joy," which will feature a rotating lineup of hosts until a permanent replacement is named in the fall.

[SOURCE: NBC NEWS]

Bonnie Watson Coleman wins NJ Democratic Primary

Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D) won the Democratic primary in New Jersey's 12th District as she looks to return to Congress for a fourth term.

Coleman won with 90 percent of the vote, with 35 percent of precincts reporting, according to the Associated Press. She prevailed over newspaper publisher Lisa McCormick, who was part of a wave of progressive candidates challenging incumbents in New Jersey this primary cycle.

Coleman will face Republican Mark Razzoli, a local Councilman and a retired detective of the Jersey City Police Department, in November as she runs for a fourth term. The Cook Political Report rates the race "solid Democratic."

[SOURCE: THE HILL]<\p>

Donald Payne Jr. wins NJ Democratic Primary

Rep. Donald Payne Jr. won the Democratic primary in New Jersey's 10th District, leaving him well placed to earn a 6th term in November.

Payne won with 90 percent of the vote, with 31 percent of precincts reporting, according to the Associated Press. He defeated two educators - John Flora, a teacher, and Eugene Mazo, a professor at Rutgers Law School and an election law expert.

First elected in 2012 to replace his father Donald Payne Sr. (D) who died from colon cancer, Payne will face Jennifer Zinone, who ran unopposed in the Republican primary.

[SOURCE: THE HILL]

Cory Booker easily wins NJ Senate Primary

Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) easily won the Democratic primary in New Jersey's Senate race on Tuesday, leaving him well placed to earn a third term in November.

Booker, the former Newark mayor, beat back a primary challenge from progressive Lawrence Hamm, an activist and community organizer. The New Jersey senator received 89 percent of the vote with 14 percent of precincts reporting, according to the Associated Press.

Booker, who unsuccessfully ran for president last year, is expected to be the favorite in the general election this year, with The Cook Political Report rating the Senate seat as "Solid Democratic."

[SOURCE: THE HILL]

Kamala Harris And Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Expand Access to Affordable High-Speed Internet

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Kamala D. Harris (D-CA) on Wednesday joined Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) in introducing comprehensive broadband infrastructure legislation to expand access to affordable high-speed internet for all Americans. The Accessible, Affordable Internet for All Act will invest $100 billion to build high-speed broadband infrastructure in unserved and underserved communities to close the digital divide and connect Americans to ensure they have increased access to education, health care, and business opportunities. The legislation in the House of Representatives is led by House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn (D-SC) and members of the House Rural Broadband Task Force. 

Along with Harris and Klobuchar, the Accessible, Affordable Internet for All Act is cosponsored by Senators Brian Schatz (D-HI), Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Ed Markey (D-MA), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), and Jacky Rosen (D-NV).

“Underserved and rural communities don’t have access to reliable and affordable high-speed internet due to the shortcomings of our nation’s broadband infrastructure,” said Harris. “The COVID-19 pandemic has provided a stark reminder of how difficult it is for families to remain connected to school or work if they lack reliable internet. I am proud to join my colleagues in announcing this comprehensive legislation – it is past-time to make reliable high-speed internet a reality for everyone.”  

“When we invest in broadband infrastructure, we invest in opportunity for every American,” Klobuchar said. “In 2020, we should be able to bring high-speed internet to every family in America — regardless of their zip code — and this legislation is a critical step to help bridge the digital divide once and for all.”

"I am pleased Sen. Klobuchar is leading the Accessible, Affordable Internet for All Act in the Senate,” Clyburn said.“This legislation was crafted in collaboration with the House Rural Broadband Task Force and members of the Energy and Commerce Committee. It invests over $100 billion to build nationwide high-speed broadband infrastructure, and makes the resulting internet service affordable for all. Sen. Klobuchar understands the needs of underserved communities and has been a consistent champion for the expansion of high-speed broadband access. I look forward to working together to pass this critical piece of legislation in both chambers."

According to the Federal Communications Commission’s most recent Broadband Deployment Report, 18 million people lack access to broadband, and experts widely agree that this number is understated.

The Accessible, Affordable Internet for All Act would do the following:

• Encourage Universal Broadband Access by:
  • including $80 billion to deploy high-speed broadband infrastructure nationwide;
  • allocating $5 billion for low-interest financing of broadband deployment through a new secured loan program; and
  • establishing a new office within the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to ensure efficient use of federal money.

• Ensure Internet Affordability by:
  • requiring an affordable option for internet service plans offered on the newly-built infrastructure;
  • providing a $50 monthly discount on plans for low-income consumers; and
  • directing the FCC to collect and publicize data on prices charged for broadband service throughout the country.

• Promote Internet Adoption by:
• providing over $1 billion to establish grant programs for states to close gaps in broadband adoption, as well as digital inclusion projects for organizations and local communities to implement;
• including $5 billion to enable students without internet at home to participate in remote learning; and
• authorizing funding for Wi-Fi on school buses so students can stay connected, especially in rural areas where longer bus rides are common.

The Accessible, Affordable Internet for All Act is endorsed by the Public Knowledge, Free Press, National Consumer Law Center, New America Foundation’s Open Technology Institute, Consumer Reports, Schools, Health, Libraries, and Broadband Coalition (SHLB), Common Cause, Benton Institute for Broadband and Society, , Leadership Conference, Access Now,  Electronic Frontier Foundation, National Digital Inclusion Alliance, National Education Association, National Defense Industrial Association, Communications Workers of America, and North America’s Building Trades Union.