The State of US: Target Costume Backlash, Mail-In Ballot Rules Pushback and More

Everton Blair Makes History as South’s First Black, Openly Gay Member of Congress

Democrat Everton Blair made history Tuesday after winning a special election runoff in Georgia’s 13th Congressional District. Blair defeated Marcye Scott, daughter of the late U.S. Rep. David Scott, 53% to 47%, according to unofficial results. His victory makes him the first Black, openly gay person elected to Congress from a Southern state and Georgia’s first openly LGBTQ+ member of Congress.

Background: Blair will serve the remaining months of Scott’s term, which ends in January. The victory gives Georgia’s Black LGBTQ+ community a historic voice in Congress while restoring Democratic representation in the deep-blue Atlanta-area district. Blair previously served as chair of the Gwinnett County Board of Education. He was elected to the board in 2018 at age 26, becoming its first Black and youngest-ever member before later serving as chairman.

Target Faces Backlash After Halloween Costume Sparks Blackface Concerns

Target is facing backlash after pulling a children’s Halloween costume that critics said evoked Blackface and racist minstrel-show imagery. The retailer removed its “Kids’ Glows Under Blacklight Circus Clown Halloween Costume” from stores and its website after images of a Black child modeling the costume spread online. Critics pointed to the costume’s exaggerated grin, black gloves and styling, saying the design resembled racist caricatures used to demean Black people during the Jim Crow era. Target issued an apology on Aug. 24. 

Why It Matters: The controversy comes months after Target faced a Black-led boycott over its rollback of diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. The yearlong boycott began in 2025 and ended in March after organizers said Target agreed to recommit to supporting…

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