• Editor’s note: With more state legislatures considering bills similar to Georgia’s to restrict voting access in Black precincts, this country is on the verge of minority rule, which is a true autocracy. Unless there is a federal bill mandating equal voter access nationwide, this country will no longer resemble a democracy, because majority rule by voters can be overturned by Republican state legislatures enacting such laws. Think about that for a moment – minority rule is anathema to our democracy!
• This interview of Martin Luther King, Jr. on NBC’s Meet the Press (1965) about voting rights restrictions is as pertinent today as 56 years ago!

NBC News: Florida Republicans consider ban on giving voters water

Newsweek: Raphael Warnock Urges Americans to ‘Stand Up’ to Georgia Voting Law Change

The New Yorker Magazine: Inside the Koch-Backed Effort to Block the Largest Election-Reform Bill in Half a Century

*** SELECT NEWS OF REGIONAL INTEREST ***

+ JOLT News: Legislature seeks to ban open carry of weapons on the state Capitol Campus during protests or marches

+ WSDOT: Washington state’s studded tire removal deadline is nearly here – April 1st or a fine

+ The Olympian: Olympia Farmers Market moves back to four-days-a-week schedule on April 1

+ Experience Olympia and Beyond: 5 Local Gems for Your Spring Staycation, including Yelm’s Graffiti Wall

+ South Sound Business: Thurston Investment Network seeks to support, empower, and strengthen the local economy.

+ Airliner Watch: Southwest Airlines places 100 firm orders for Boeing 737 MAX 7

+ The Daily Kos: We’re drowning in single-use plastics. A problem this big requires large-scale action

*** CORONAVIRUS NEWS FROM MONDAY ***

Reuters: Biden to announce 90% of U.S. adults eligible for vaccine by April 19

CNBC: U.S. Covid cases rising again as restrictions ease despite benefits from increased vaccinations

The Daily Kos: Reopening too soon: In the race between the virus and vaccinations, the virus is winning

The UNZ Review: Are You Ready To Be an Outcast for Refusing the COVID Vaccine?

NBC News: CDC director warns of ‘impending doom’ as Covid cases rise

The News Tribune (Tacoma): All veterans, spouses can now get their COVID-19 vaccine from the VA

CNBC: CDC will extend national eviction ban through June 30

The Washington Post: WHO Wuhan report leaves question of coronavirus origins unresolved

Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers of WA., Republican Leader of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce: Issued a formal request “information, assistance, and needed-leadership from the National Institutes of Health (NIH)to advance an independent, scientific investigation into the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Associated Press: Passenger vehicle travel rebounding to pre-pandemic levels

*** SELECT TRUMP NEWS FROM MONDAY ***

The Daily Kos: Researchers put a number to the lives lost due to Trump’s mishandling of the pandemic: 400,000

The Washington Post: Trump officials say coronavirus response was worse than known

Common Dreams: Birx Says Most Covid Deaths in US Were Preventable, So Ted Lieu Asks: Why Didn’t You Challenge Trump?

Salon: Across the Country, Republican Legislatures Are Keeping Trump’s Agenda Alive

The Daily Beast: Dominion Builds Legal Behemoth To Drain Trumpland of Billions

The Daily Kos: My Pillow Guy Mike Lindell: “Donald Trump Will Be Back In Office In August.” Click here for the video

The Washington Post: Trump is losing the war over his legacy