LND topic: dissanayake-coalition page 1

dissanayake coalition

Transparency in Washington: A Fresh Look at Public Records

July 3, 2026

Washington voters passed a public records law in 1972, but over time the state has added many exceptions that hide government actions. In 2007 lawmakers created a Sunshine Committee to look at these gaps, yet the group has largely been ignored. The result is that citizens and journalists often strug

politics

Casino Lobbyists Help Draft Maryland Letter to Federal Regulators

July 1, 2026

Maryland’s gaming agency sent a letter to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) last year that pushed for a ban on sports‑prediction markets. The agency’s own records show the letter was almost identical to a draft supplied by the American Gaming Association (AGA), the lobby group for com

politics

Maine Senate Race Tightens as Education Divide Widens

June 30, 2026

A fresh poll suggests the U. S. Senate race in Maine has narrowed to a near-deadlock, with Democrat Graham Platner holding a slim 49% to 47% advantage over Republican incumbent Susan Collins. The survey, conducted by three news outlets, shows Platner’s lead is well within the margin of error, meanin

politics

Unpacking Trump’s Iran Deal: A New Take on the MOU

June 28, 2026

The recent U. S. memorandum of understanding with Iran is often discussed only in terms of what each side promises to do, but that focus misses a key point: the MOU is not a finished contract—it’s a roadmap for future talks. The only concrete part of the deal today is Iran’s agreement to keep the St

politics

A Former Soldier Challenges Netanyahu’s Long Rule

June 27, 2026

Israel is heading toward a tough election where an ex-military leader could shake things up. Gadi Eisenkot, once the army’s top commander, has built a new political party called Yashar, which means “straight” in Hebrew. Unlike Benjamin Netanyahu, who has led the country for years and faces corruptio

politics

Law Enforcement and Catholic Groups Raise Alarm Over Crypto Bill

June 25, 2026

Law enforcement agencies and Catholic organizations recently sent warnings to the U. S. government about a bill that could weaken efforts to fight financial crime, particularly involving cryptocurrency. A coalition of four law enforcement groups—representing over 70, 000 police officers, prosecutors

politics

A New Mayor, A New Game

June 24, 2026

The city’s political scene changed when Zohran Mamdani won the mayoral race, turning a quiet campaign into a full‑scale power shift. After defeating Andrew Cuomo in the primary, Mamdani didn’t stop at the mayor’s office; he started picking allies for Congress and other key positions, proving that a

politics

Carney’s Surprise Path to Canada’s Top Job

June 22, 2026

Mark Carney, a former central banker who spent most of his career in finance, moved from watching politicians to becoming one himself. Born in the remote Northwest Territories and raised in Edmonton, he excelled academically and played hockey at Harvard before turning to economics at Oxford. His pro

politics

Ukraine Leader Talks with Trump and Macron After Evian Summit

June 18, 2026

Zelenskiy, the president of Ukraine, announced that he had a late‑night call with former U. S. President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron after the Group of Seven (G7) meeting in Evian. He described it as a “coordinating conversation” that could bring significant changes. The Ukrai

entertainment

A Day of Freedom, Music, and Togetherness in Donaldsonville

June 16, 2026

Every June, Donaldsonville turns Louisiana Square into a lively hub for Juneteenth, a day packed with music, food, and celebration. For over three decades, the city has hosted this festival, blending entertainment with the deeper meaning of Juneteenth—the day in 1865 when enslaved people in Texas fi