Today's Liberal News

Who Is ISIS-K? Anti-Taliban, Anti-U.S. Terror Group Claims Responsibility for Kabul Suicide Bombs

We speak with Haroun Rahimi, assistant professor of law at the American University of Afghanistan, about the Islamic State affiliate that claimed responsibility for this week’s devastating suicide bombings at Kabul airport, which killed more than 110 people, including 13 U.S. troops. Islamic State Khorasan, or ISIS-K, is a puritanical group that is “critical of all other sects of Islam,” says Rahimi.

We’re Hitting the Limits of Hurricane Preparedness

Seventy-four hours.That’s roughly how much time separated the moment that Tropical Depression Nine formed in the Caribbean from the moment that the storm, transformed into a ruthless Category 4 hurricane named Ida, made landfall at Port Fourchon, Louisiana.

News Roundup: Hurricane Ida makes landfall as Category 4 storm; U.S. strikes ISIS-K targets

In the news today: Hurricane Ida struck coastal areas near New Orleans, Louisiana as a powerful Category 4 storm. The extent of damage in the hardest struck towns has het to be assessed, but pre-staged federal emergency crews are already said to be “in transit.” As Afghanistan evacuations continue, the U.S. has retaliated with drone strikes against ISIS-K-affiliated targets.

Hurricane Ida makes landfall as dangerous Category 4; residents urged to shelter in place

President Joe Biden declared a state of emergency for Mississippi and ordered federal assistance for the state the day before Hurricane Ida evolved into a Category 4 storm early Sunday, sending sustained winds of 150 mph, according to CNN. “We have issued an Extreme Wind Warning for Hurricane #Ida,” the National Weather Service New Orleans said in a tweet. “If you are still in LA or MS, you need to shelter in place. Winds will be between 115-150 mph.

Muslim American mental health experts are developing their own resources

by Aysha Khan

This story was originally published at Prism.

Content note: This article contains descriptions of suicide and violence. If you or someone you know are struggling with suicidal thoughts, help is available 24/7 through the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. Muslim youth can also call Naseeha’s confidential helpline at +1 (866) 627-3342 for support.

Nuts & Bolts—Inside a Democratic campaign: We lost 63 seats in 2010. Let’s not do that again

Welcome back to the weekly Nuts & Bolts Guide to small campaigns. Every week I try to tackle issues I’ve been asked about. With the help of other campaign workers and notes, we address how to improve and build better campaigns, or explain issues that impact our party.

It was 2010. America was coming out of the disastrous presidency of George W. Bush. The economy was in shambles.

‘Don’t say no mo’. Release the video’: Attorney demands video be made public in loud music shooting

Civil rights attorney Ben Crump called for surveillance video to be released after a white security guard shot and killed 48-year-old Alvin Motley, Jr., a Black man, after complaining that his music was too loud. Crump spoke at Motley’s funeral on Thursday at Mt. Olive Cathedral Christian Methodist Episcopal Church in Memphis. Motley was killed at a Memphis Kroger gas station on August 7.

“Don’t say no mo’.

I’m Waiting for Hurricane Ida With COVID-19

I am sheltering in place in New Orleans as Hurricane Ida bears down on the city—and battling a breakthrough case of COVID-19.On Thursday, I sensed a tiny tickle in the back of my throat. Until then I had planned to leave the city ahead of Ida’s arrival and so had made absolutely zero preparations for the upcoming storm. Whoopsie.

Vaccine Refusers Don’t Get to Dictate Terms Anymore

For months, institutions and companies have been drafting plans to aggressively promote vaccination or require it outright, and last week the FDA gave them license to click the “send” button. The same day the agency granted full approval to the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, New York City’s public school system announced that its teachers and other employees will be required to get shots. The next day, Louisiana State University made a similar demand of its students and faculty.

What I Learned When I Rented My Parents’ Former Home as an Airbnb

Two summers ago, my siblings and I found my late parents’ former house in northern Vermont listed on Airbnb. Once we got over our shock—“Wait! That’s our house!”—we immediately made reservations to rent it for a family vacation. The new owners had known my parents and generously waived our rental fee upon realizing who we were.