Here is your Morning Brief for the morning of August 16, 2012. Give us your feedback below and tune in to Lubbock’s First News with Chad Hasty for these and many more topics from 6-9 am.

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1. Voter ID (link)

Add Pennsylvania to the list of states that have upheld Voter ID.

A Pennsylvania judge on Wednesday refused to grant an injunction on a new voter identification law that Democrats say could harm President Obama’s re-election chances by unfairly targeting minorities, college students and others in a key swing state.

The decision by Robert Simpson, a commonwealth court judge, clears the way for Pennsylvania to require voters in the Nov. 6 general election to produce photo identification before they are allowed to cast ballots.

Opponents, who had challenged the law’s constitutionality, had asked Judge Simpson to delay the law’s imposition until after the election. Supporters say the law, variations of which have been passed in other states in recent years, is necessary to prevent voting fraud.

The Pennsylvania law was approved earlier this year by the State Legislature along party lines and signed into law in March by Gov. Tom Corbett, a Republican.

The ACLU is expected to appeal the decision to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court which is evenly divided by Republicans and Democrats. If there is a tie there, then the law stands.

Good for Pennsylvania. This argument that the poor and minorities would be hit is just silly. This law targets voter fraud and that is it.

2. Shooting at the Family Research Center (link)

The alleged shooter at the Family Research Center didn't like the views of the FRC and he wanted to make a statement it seems by killing people. Luckily, that didn't happen as the guard who was shot also disarmed the man. Now, we are finding out more about him.

The gunman suspected of opening fire in the lobby of the socially conservative Family Research Council (FRC) headquarters — injuring a security guard — had been volunteering at the The DC Center for the LGBT Community.

Alleged gunman Floyd Corkins II from Herndon, Va., had been working with the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender community center for six months, according to The Associated Press.

David Mariner, the center’s executive director described Corkins as “kind, gentle and unassuming” to the AP.

The FRC is a staunch and vocal advocate for traditional marriage.

Corkins reportedly expressed opposition to the group during the incident. According to a Fox News source he “made statements regarding [FRC's] policies, and then opened fire with a gun striking a security guard.”

After the guard disarmed him, Corbins said “Don’t shoot me, it was not about you, it was what this place stands for,” Fox quoted a source.

NBC4′s Jackie Benson tweeted Wednesday that sources say the alleged shooter had Chik-Fil-A promotional materials in his backpack. Fox News reported he may have been carrying a Chick-fil-A bag.

3. Think About Your Debt (link)

Don't want to have a lot of debt when you leave college? You may want to really think about that major you are working on.

College students hoping to have an easier time unburdening themselves of student loan debt may want to consider carefully which major they pursue, according to a new report prepared for the Legislature.

Put simply: Your pocketbook is no great fan of the humanities.

The report, which focuses on the relationship between students' choice of major and their ability to repay their debt, was compiled byTG, a public, nonprofit corporation created by the Legislature in 1979. TG, which administers federal loans and promotes money management education, is required to produce biennial reports to the Legislature on issues regarding student aid.

Their latest effort found that while the amount of debt accumulated by students was roughly consistent across majors, their earning potential — and, subsequently, their ability to pay off that debt — varied dramatically. Starting with the title, “Balancing Passion and Practicality: The Role of Debt and Major on Students’ Financial Outcomes,” the document almost takes on a parental tone that is probably familiar to many liberal arts students.

Jeff Webster, the assistant vice president of TG’s research and analytical services wing, said it was important that students be aware as they prepare to choose a major, a decision he referred to as “pivotal” and “life-altering.”

Basically, just know what you are getting yourself into.

4. Young Adults Seem to be Thinking for Themselves (link)

According to some of the latest polling, Mitt Romney is doing well with one surprise demographic. John Zogby told the Washington Examiner that over the weekend Mitt Romney was supported by 41% of young adults aged 18-29. That's not good news for President Obama.

What's more, he said that Romney is the only Republican of those who competed in the primaries to score so high among 18-29 year olds.

"This is the first time I am seeing Romney's numbers this high among 18-29 year olds," said Zogby. "This could be trouble for Obama who needs every young voter he can get."

Zogby helped Secrets dig deeper into his weekend poll, which we reported on earlier. The poll had Romney and Obama tied at 46 percent.

Zogby has been especially interested in the youth vote this election. In 2008, 66 percent chose Obama over Sen. John McCain,the highest percentage for a Democrat in three decades. But their desire for hope and change has turned to disillusionment and unemployment. Zogby calls them "CENGAs" for "college-educated, not going anywhere."

In his latest poll, Obama receives just 49 percent of the youth vote when pitted against Romney, who received 41 percent. In another question, the independent candidacy of Gary Johnson is included, and here Obama wins 50 percent, Romney 38 percent and Johnson 5 percent.

But while taking Johnson out of the equation in the past has seen a surge in support for Obama, now the numbers for Romney--and undecideds--increase.

Zogby speculates that Romney's selection of 42-year-old Rep. Paul Ryan helped turn more younger voters to him. "It could be his youthfulness," said Zogby of Ryan. Plus, he said, more younger voters are becoming libertarian, distrustful of current elected officials and worried that they are going to get stuck with the nation's looming fiscal bill.

"They want change," said Zogby.

I still wouldn't could on the youth vote, but it's good to see that Obama isn't polling as high.

 

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