Kennedy Center board votes to close amid disputes

Board votes to close

The Kennedy Center board voted Tuesday to close the performing arts venue amid financial problems and a legal dispute over adding President Donald Trump’s name, the Idaho State Journal reported.

The vote followed a federal judge’s decision blocking the board from restoring Trump’s name anywhere on the Kennedy Center’s building or grounds. The judge said another attempt to add the name would violate an earlier ruling that found it had been added illegally.

The financial issues were cited alongside the naming dispute in the board’s decision. The board’s vote and the federal court order are separate actions: one concerns closing the venue, while the other prevents the use of Trump’s name on the property.

Supreme Court rejects mail-voting effort

Earlier Tuesday, the Supreme Court rejected Trump’s effort to restrict mail voting in this year’s midterm elections. The decision allows states to continue using their existing mail-ballot procedures.

Trump’s proposal would have empowered the U.S. Postal Service to refuse to deliver ballots in states that did not submit a list of eligible voters. Election officials opposed the proposed change, arguing that it was unnecessary and could not be carried out with ballots already being mailed. Trump criticized the justices who rejected his effort.

Senate blocks cryptocurrency bill

The Senate also voted 49-50 against moving forward with cryptocurrency regulation. Democrats sought stronger ethics protections addressing investments held by Trump and his family while he is in office. The legislation concerned proposed uniform rules for the cryptocurrency industry.