Charleston Shooter Found Guilty, Labor Secretary Joins DNC Race and More You Missed In Politics Today

It’s difficult to stay up-to-date on what’s happening in this country and to break through the clutter, so we’re here to make it easier. Here’s what we at Countable are reading today:

1. "Dylann Roof found guilty on all counts in Charleston church massacre trial"

"After nearly a week of painful testimony that vividly re-created the massacre at this city’s famed Mother Emanuel church, it took jurors about two hours Thursday to convict Dylann Roof in his federal hate crimes trial."

"Roof was charged with 33 counts in his federal indictment. He was found guilty on every single one. Family members of the nine parishioners gunned down last year nodded silently as each charge was read aloud. Some held hands, their eyes shut tightly, as each guilty verdict was announced in the courtroom just a mile from the church."

Read more at The Washington Post.

2. "Labor Secretary Tom Perez is running for DNC chairman"

"Labor Secretary Tom Perez announced on Thursday he’ll run for Democratic National Committee chairman — a crucial position as the party struggles to reorganize after Hillary Clinton’s stunning Nov. 8 loss to Donald Trump."

"Perez will face off with Minnesota Rep. Keith Ellison, a co-chairman of the Congressional Progressive Caucus who has the support of Sens. Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren. Perez has the backing of the more establishment wing of the party represented by many of President Obama's loyalists."

Read more at USA Today.

3. "Delaware’s Current Death Row Inmates Will Now Get Life Sentences, State High Court Rules"

"The Delaware Supreme Court ruled on Thursday that death sentences handed down previously in the state must be converted to life sentences without the possibility of parole."

"In August, the state high court ruled in Rauf v. Delaware that the state’s death sentencing law was unconstitutional in the wake of the US Supreme Court’s January decision striking down Florida’s death sentencing law."

Read more at Buzzfeed.

4. "Ivanka Trump Is Calling Members of Congress to Get Started on Child-Care Legislation"

"Ivanka Trump, the eldest daughter of President-elect Donald Trump, is calling Republican members of Congress to get the ball rolling on legislation for child care."

"Sarah Chamberlain, the president and CEO of the center-right organization Republican Main Street Partnership, told Independent Journal Review that Ivanka Trump has been calling Republican members of Congress since her father's victory last month."

Read more at Independent Journal Review.

5. "New North Carolina Governor Threatens to Sue State G.O.P."

"Gov.-elect Roy Cooper of North Carolina on Thursday angrily attacked the Republican-led state Legislature for what he called an unprecedented effort to strip his powers before he takes office, and to advance Republican policies that have led to fierce ideological battles in the state."

"Mr. Cooper, a Democrat, defeated the incumbent Republican governor, Pat McCrory, and as the state attorney general, he said he was scrutinizing the legality of the Republican proposals. “They will see me in court," he warned.”

Read more at The New York Times.

— Eric Revell

(Photo by Nomader / Creative Commons