Newscast for Thursday, July 29, 2010

Tucson residents respond with relief, outrage to mixed ruling on immigration law
Today, parts of Arizona's controversial immigration law go into effect - one day after District Judge Susan Bolton blocked key aspects of the law. In a 36-page ruling, the judge enjoined certain sections of the law, including one that would have required local law enforcement to check the immigration status of people stopped and another that would have required residents to carry immigration documents. In downtown Phoenix protesters blocked the entrance to Sheriff Joe Arpaio's jail, unveiling a banner that read: "Ni uno mas, not one more." Arpaio has vowed to use the law to carry out mass arrests throughout Maricopa County.

In a moment, we have the details of what parts of the law do go into effect today, but first we go to Tuscon, where residents who support and oppose the law reacted to the mix ruling at a series of vigils, rallies and protests. FSRN's Amanda Shauger reports.

Aspects of Arizona law covering day laborers, ‘transport of aliens’ go into effect
Although key aspects of Arizona's immigration law were blocked yesterday by District Judge Susan Bolton other parts of the law have gone into effect today. One bars day laborers from soliciting work in a way that disrupts traffic and another creates a new criminal offense for people transporting or harboring undocumented immigrants.

For more on what did go into effect today, we're joined by Chris Newman, general counsel for the National Day Laborer Organizing Network, one of the organizations that is part of the legal challenge to SB1070. He joines us from Phoenix.

Plan would allow FBI access to private Internet data without court approval
The Obama Administration wants to make it easier for the FBI to access people's internet activity in the course of an investigation. The proposal would allow the FBI to force telcom companies to turn over information about their customers' Internet activity if it's part of a terrorism investigation or in the national interest. And they could access the data before a judge gives approval. FSRN's Jacob Fenston reports.

Ethics committee releases charges against Rangel, begins ‘trial phase’
Today, a House Subcommittee Hearing announced ethics allegations against embattled Democratic Congressmember Charles Rangel.

Representative Gene Green, Democrat from Texas, outlined the process that led the committee to adopt the SAV, or Statement of Alleged Violations.

"After weeks of discussion the investigative subcommittee adopted a SAV on June 17, 2010. The charges and statements of alleged violations relate to four general matters: one, solicitations and donations for the Rangel Center for Public Service at the City College New York; two, errors and omissions on Representative Rangel’s financial disclosure statements; three, use of rent subsidized residential apartment by respondent’s campaign committee’s; and four, four failure to report and pay taxes on rental income on respondent's Punta Cana beach villa."

The committee declared that there is "substantial reason to believe that a violation of the code of official conduct has occured." In total, Rangel faces 13 charges.

Responding to news reports that Rangel could be working out a negotiated settlement to the charges, ranking Republican member Michael McCaul of Texas, said the time for that was over.

"There has been talk in the media of Mr. Rangel negotiating a settlement. Let me be clear that Mr. Rangel under these rules was given opportunities to negotiate while in the settlement phase. We are now in the trial phase."

That trial phase will most likely begin in September, when the House returns from August recess.

Rangel's position has contributed to some of the controversy, but whether or not the investigation will ultimately harm him is unclear. Michael Lawson has more from Washington.

Obama addresses Urban League amidst criticism over education reform
Also in Washington today, President Obama addressed criticism of his education reform program, Race to the Top. He assured a black audience that students of color will be included in education reform. And he defended his teacher accountability measures, which teachers‘ unions strongly oppose. FSRN’s Leigh Ann Caldwell reports.