washingtontimes--2020-12-16--US brands Vietnam, Switzerland as currency manipulators

WASHINGTON ( AP ) - The U.S. Treasury Department has branded Vietnam and Switzerland as currency manipulators while putting China and nine other countries on a watch list in an annual report designed to halt countries from manipulating their currencies to gain unfair trade advantages .
It marked the first time that the United States has labeled another country as a currency manipulator since August 2019 when it called out China at a time when the world ’ s two largest economies were locked in tense trade negotiations .
The Trump administration removed the designation from China in January after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aimed at lowering China ’ s huge trade surplus with the United States .
The Treasury report said that Vietnam and Switzerland were the only two countries that met all three criteria for being named a currency manipulator .
The designation will trigger special negotiations over the next year , and if they are not successful in resolving the issue , the United States can move forward to impose economic sanctions on Vietnam and Switzerland .
In addition to China , the other countries put on a monitoring list were Japan , South @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Malaysia , Taiwan , Thailand and India .
Taiwan , Thailand and India were put on the watch list this year while the other countries were already on the watch list issued with the last report in January .

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Treasury Department has branded Vietnam and Switzerland as currency manipulators while putting China and nine other countries on a watch list in an annual report designed to halt countries from manipulating their currencies to gain unfair trade advantages.
It marked the first time that the United States has labeled another country as a currency manipulator since August 2019 when it called out China at a time when the world’s two largest economies were locked in tense trade negotiations.
The Trump administration removed the designation from China in January after the two nations had achieved trade agreements aimed at lowering China’s huge trade surplus with the United States.
The Treasury report said that Vietnam and Switzerland were the only two countries that met all three criteria for being named a currency manipulator. The designation will trigger special negotiations over the next year, and if they are not successful in resolving the issue, the United States can move forward to impose economic sanctions on Vietnam and Switzerland.
In addition to China, the other countries put on a monitoring list were Japan, South Korea, Germany, Italy, Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan, Thailand and India. Taiwan, Thailand and India were put on the watch list this year while the other countries were already on the watch list issued with the last report in January.


washingtontimes--2020-12-16--Police in Delaware name suspect who they say shot officer

REHOBOTH BEACH , Del .
( AP ) - Police in Delaware have released the name of a fugitive who @ @ @ @ @ wounded a Milford police officer .
The News Journal reported Tuesday that Delaware State Police @ @ @ @ @ Rivera , 37 , of Reading , Pennsylvania .
He was wanted in Pennsylvania for @ @ @ @ @ that Rivera was killed during an exchange of fire with officers last week .
The @ @ @ @ @ Econo Lodge Inn and Suites in Rehoboth Beach .
The Milford officer who was shot @ @ @ @ @ .
Marshals Violent Fugitive Task Force in Delaware .
Police said that he and a @ @ @ @ @ a Probation and Parole officer were attempting to arrest Rivera when he opened fire .

REHOBOTH BEACH, Del. (AP) - Police in Delaware have released the name of a fugitive who they say shot and critically wounded a Milford police officer.
The News Journal reported Tuesday that Delaware State Police identified the man as Evelio Rivera, 37, of Reading, Pennsylvania. He was wanted in Pennsylvania for attempted murder.
Police said that Rivera was killed during an exchange of fire with officers last week. The shooting occurred Thursday at the Econo Lodge Inn and Suites in Rehoboth Beach.
The Milford officer who was shot was assigned to the U.S. Marshals Violent Fugitive Task Force in Delaware. Police said that he and a Delaware State Police trooper and a Probation and Parole officer were attempting to arrest Rivera when he opened fire.


washingtontimes--2020-12-16--Possible break in theft of Canadian gold coin in Germany

BERLIN ( AP ) - Berlin police raided homes and jewelry shops Wednesday on suspicion they could be connected to efforts to fence a massive 100-kilogram ( 220-pound ) Canadian gold coin - piece by piece - that was stolen from a museum in the German capital .
The coin , with an estimated value of 3.75 million euros ( $ 4.45 million ) was stolen from Berlin ’ s Bode Museum in 2017 and has not yet been recovered .
The morning raids were focused on eight suspects , aged between 14 and 51 , of various nationalities , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been part of a ring that obtained stolen gold to melt it down and forge collector coins , then sell them as genuine through jewelry stores operated by them or their relatives .
Some of the counterfeits are already circulating , police said .
The searches led to the discovery of counterfeit coins , forgery tools and a “ five-digit ” sum of cash , police said .
“ The evaluation of the evidence is ongoing , ” police said .
“ Among other things , a possible connection to the theft @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Museum is being be examined.
” Berlin prosecutors said there were no arrests but that the investigation was continuing .
The searches came just two days after the arrest of a key suspect in the spectacular theft of 18th-century jewels from a Dresden museum last year , who is from a crime family linked to the Canadian gold coin theft .
Mohamed Remmo , 21 , was arrested by Berlin authorities in a car in the Neukoelln district of the city on Monday evening .
His twin brother , Abdul Majed Remmo , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prosecutors would not comment on whether there was a connection between the arrest and the searches , but members of the same family were convicted earlier this year for the Canadian gold coin theft .
Cousins Ahmed Remmo and Wissam Remmo , along with a friend who worked as a security guard at the museum , were all convicted of that Canadian gold coin heist and sentenced to several years in prison .

BERLIN (AP) - Berlin police raided homes and jewelry shops Wednesday on suspicion they could be connected to efforts to fence a massive 100-kilogram (220-pound) Canadian gold coin - piece by piece - that was stolen from a museum in the German capital.
The coin, with an estimated value of 3.75 million euros ($4.45 million) was stolen from Berlin’s Bode Museum in 2017 and has not yet been recovered.
The morning raids were focused on eight suspects, aged between 14 and 51, of various nationalities, police said.
They are alleged to have been part of a ring that obtained stolen gold to melt it down and forge collector coins, then sell them as genuine through jewelry stores operated by them or their relatives. Some of the counterfeits are already circulating, police said.
The searches led to the discovery of counterfeit coins, forgery tools and a “five-digit” sum of cash, police said.
“The evaluation of the evidence is ongoing,” police said. “Among other things, a possible connection to the theft of the gold coin from the Bode Museum is being be examined.”
Berlin prosecutors said there were no arrests but that the investigation was continuing.
The searches came just two days after the arrest of a key suspect in the spectacular theft of 18th-century jewels from a Dresden museum last year, who is from a crime family linked to the Canadian gold coin theft.
Mohamed Remmo, 21, was arrested by Berlin authorities in a car in the Neukoelln district of the city on Monday evening. His twin brother, Abdul Majed Remmo, remains on the lam.
Police and prosecutors would not comment on whether there was a connection between the arrest and the searches, but members of the same family were convicted earlier this year for the Canadian gold coin theft.
Cousins Ahmed Remmo and Wissam Remmo, along with a friend who worked as a security guard at the museum, were all convicted of that Canadian gold coin heist and sentenced to several years in prison.


washingtontimes--2020-12-16--Alabama flags lowered to honor Medal of Honor recipient

MONTGOMERY , Ala. ( AP ) - Flags were lowered across Alabama on Wednesday to honor Medal of Honor recipient @ @ @ @ @ , who died from COVID-19 earlier this year .
Gov .
Kay Ivey issued the @ @ @ @ @ of the retired Army command sergeant major , who received the nation ’ s highest @ @ @ @ @ his heroism during the Vietnam War .
Adkins died in April at the age of @ @ @ @ @ caused by the new coronavirus .
Adkins ’ funeral was delayed because of the pandemic @ @ @ @ @ for Wednesday morning at Arlington National Cemetery .
Adkins will be buried with full military @ @ @ @ @ , who died last year .

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - Alabama Medal of Honor recipient Bennie G. Adkins, who died from COVID-19 earlier this year, was remembered at his funeral Wednesday both for his battlefield heroics and the work he did to help others after Vietnam.
Adkins’ flag-draped coffin sat at the front of an Arlington National Cemetery chapel decorated with Christmastime poinsettias as Lt. Col. Michael Shellman, an Army chaplain, described the retired Army command sergeant major as a decorated veteran and “a man well-loved.”
Special Forces Gen. John W. Brennan Jr. recalled meeting Adkins at the ceremony in 2014 where Adkins was presented with the nation’s highest military honor for heroism during the Vietnam War. Adkins ran through exploding mortar rounds to drag several troops to safety, according to his medal citation, and then exposed himself to sniper fire to carry wounded comrades to medical care.
Adkins was “obviously courageous,” Brennan said, and he didn’t stop serving others after retiring from the Army.
Once home, Adkins earned college degrees and taught night classes for adults seeking their high school equivalency degrees. Three years ago he established The Bennie Adkins Foundation, which has provided about 50 educational scholarships to Special Forces soldiers.
“What he did after his career in the military is absolutely amazing,” Brennan said.
Adkins died in April at the age of 86 after developing the illness caused by the new coronavirus. His funeral was delayed because of the pandemic, and the service from Arlington National Cemetery was shown by livestream.
Gov. Kay Ivey ordered the lowering of flags to mark Adkins’ funeral. He was being buried beside his late wife, who died last year.


washingtontimes--2020-12-16--COVID-19 vaccination campaign begins with Vermont hospitals

Montpelier , Vt. ( AP ) - Vermont ’ s COVID-19 vaccination campaign is beginning with the inoculations of medical professionals across the state before expanding to residents of long-term care facilities , and then the general population .
The first dose of the vaccine was administered Tuesday to a nurse at the University of Vermont Medical Center in Burlington .
Later Tuesday , five nurses were vaccinated at the Rutland Regional Medical Center .
On Wednesday , vaccinations are scheduled to begin at the Southwestern Vermont Medical Center in Bennington .
Vaccinations are due to begin soon at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ priority for vaccines will be front-line medical workers , and then nursing home residents .
Health Commissioner Dr. Mark Levine said Tuesday that by the end of December , 34,000 doses of the vaccine are expected to arrive in Vermont .
Officials say it will be spring before anyone in the state who wants the vaccine can receive it .
Meanwhile , Gov Phil Scott and others say Vermonters are going to have to continue to wear masks , maintain social distance and quarantine after traveling .
An additional piece of good news @ @ @ @ @ @ @ avoided a surge in cases after Thanksgiving , as some had feared .

MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) - Vermont’s COVID-19 vaccination campaign is beginning with the inoculations of medical professionals across the state before expanding to residents of long-term care facilities, and then the general population.
The first dose of the vaccine was administered Tuesday to a nurse at the University of Vermont Medical Center in Burlington. Later Tuesday, five nurses were vaccinated at the Rutland Regional Medical Center.
On Wednesday, vaccinations are scheduled to begin at the Southwestern Vermont Medical Center in Bennington.
Vaccinations will begin soon at the state’s nursing homes. Front-line medical workers get first priority for the vaccines, followed by nursing home residents.
Health Commissioner Dr. Mark Levine said Tuesday that by the end of December, 34,000 doses of the vaccine are expected to arrive in Vermont.
Officials say it will be spring before anyone in the state who wants the vaccine can receive it.
Meanwhile, Gov. Phil Scott and others say Vermonters are going to have to continue to wear masks, maintain social distance and quarantine after traveling.
An additional piece of good news came on Tuesday when officials said Vermont avoided a surge in cases after Thanksgiving, as some had feared.
___
NUMBERS
On Wednesday the Vermont Health Department reported 73 new cases of the virus that causes COVID-19, causing the statewide total since the pandemic began to cross the 6,000-case threshold to just under 6,010.
The state reported five additional deaths from COVID-19, bringing the statewide total since the pandemic began to 105.
There are currently 30 people hospitalized with COVID-19, including six in the intensive care unit.
The seven-day rolling average of daily new cases in Vermont has risen over the past two weeks from 74.29 new cases per day on Dec. 1 to 106.14 new cases per day on Dec. 15.
The latest average positivity rate in Vermont is 2.03%. State health departments are calculating positivity rate differently across the country, but for Vermont the AP calculates the rate by dividing new cases by test specimens using data from The COVID Tracking Project.
The seven-day rolling average of the positivity rate in Vermont has risen over the past two weeks from 1.88% on Dec. 1 to 2.03% on Dec. 15.


washingtontimes--2020-12-16--US retail sales fall 1.1% in November as Americans pull back on spending during the holiday shopping

NEW YORK ( AP ) - US retail sales fall 1.1 % in November as Americans pull back on spending @ @ @ @ @ .

NEW YORK (AP) - US retail sales fall 1.1% in November as Americans pull back on spending during the holiday shopping season.
Copyright © 2023 The Washington Times, LLC.


washingtontimes--2020-12-16--US Treasury brands Vietnam and Switzerland as currency manipulators while putting China and 9 others

WASHINGTON ( AP ) - US Treasury brands Vietnam and Switzerland as currency manipulators while putting China and 9 others @ @ @ @

WASHINGTON (AP) - US Treasury brands Vietnam and Switzerland as currency manipulators while putting China and 9 others on watch list.
Copyright © 2023 The Washington Times, LLC.


washingtontimes--2020-12-16--On-duty detective accused of using fentanyl, crashing car

KLAMATH FALLS , Ore. ( AP ) - A Klamath Falls Police detective has been arrested on accusations he caused a multi-vehicle crash on duty while under the influence of fentanyl taken from evidence in a police case .
Thomas Reif , 27 , was booked in the Klamath County Jail Tuesday on charges including controlled substance , impaired driving and official misconduct , according to a release from Oregon State Police , the agency handling the criminal investigation .
Witnesses told police they saw Reif driving erratically on Nov. 27 before the crash in Klamath Falls , and paramedics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the scene .
Reif was taken to a local hospital and stabilized .
No other injuries were reported .
Over the weekend , evidence analyzed at an OSP crime lab allegedly determined that Reif had been under the influence of the synthetic opioid fentanyl , according to state police .
Investigators believe that Reif obtained the drug from evidence in “ an unrelated case in the course of his duties.
” Klamath County Jail records showed as of Tuesday afternoon , Reif was no longer in jail , the Mail Tribune reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if he has a lawyer .
Reif resigned from the police department Dec. 1 while on administrative leave and in the midst of an internal affairs investigation , according to a Klamath Falls Police Department Facebook post .
The police department said it is cooperating with Oregon State Police in the criminal investigation , and that the police department will cooperate with the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training as the state agency determines whether Reif will be able to work as a law enforcement officer elsewhere in Oregon .

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. (AP) - A Klamath Falls Police detective has been arrested on accusations he caused a multi-vehicle crash on duty while under the influence of fentanyl taken from evidence in a police case.
Thomas Reif, 27, was booked in the Klamath County Jail Tuesday on charges including controlled substance, impaired driving and official misconduct, according to a release from Oregon State Police, the agency handling the criminal investigation.
Witnesses told police they saw Reif driving erratically on Nov. 27 before the crash in Klamath Falls, and paramedics found Reif not conscious and not breathing at the scene. Reif was taken to a local hospital and stabilized. No other injuries were reported.
Over the weekend, evidence analyzed at an OSP crime lab allegedly determined that Reif had been under the influence of the synthetic opioid fentanyl, according to state police. Investigators believe that Reif obtained the drug from evidence in “an unrelated case in the course of his duties.”
Klamath County Jail records showed as of Tuesday afternoon, Reif was no longer in jail, the Mail Tribune reported. It wasn’t immediately known if he has a lawyer.
Reif resigned from the police department Dec. 1 while on administrative leave and in the midst of an internal affairs investigation, according to a Klamath Falls Police Department Facebook post.
The police department said it is cooperating with Oregon State Police in the criminal investigation, and that the police department will cooperate with the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training as the state agency determines whether Reif will be able to work as a law enforcement officer elsewhere in Oregon.


washingtontimes--2020-12-16--Baltimore may put cap on fees charged by food delivery apps

BALTIMORE ( AP ) - Officials in Baltimore may limit the amount of fees that third-party food delivery services can @ @ @ @ @ reported Wednesday that the Baltimore City Council would bar popular apps such as DoorDash and @ @ @ @ @ 15 % in fees under new legislation that is to be introduced .
The popular @ @ @ @ @ Postmates and Uber Eats , typically take commissions from restaurants that are around 30 % @ @ @ @ @ orders .
The proposed bill was written by Democratic Councilman Eric Costello .
He said @ @ @ @ @ is critical because of the city ’ s ban on indoor and outdoor dining that @ @ @ @ @ an effort to stop the coronavirus ’ s spread .
Restaurants across the nation have @ @ @ @ @ to support local businesses amid the pandemic .
If the legislation passes , Baltimore would @ @ @ @ @ Francisco .
It imposed a temporary 15 % cap on third-party delivery fees via an @ @ @ @ @ .
The cap has been extended several times .

BALTIMORE (AP) - Officials in Baltimore may limit the amount of fees that third-party food delivery services can collect.
The Baltimore Sun reported Wednesday that the Baltimore City Council would bar popular apps such as DoorDash and Grubhub from collecting more than 15% in fees under new legislation that is to be introduced.
The popular apps, which also include Postmates and Uber Eats, typically take commissions from restaurants that are around 30% of the total costs of orders.
The proposed bill was written by Democratic Councilman Eric Costello. He said a limit on such fees is critical because of the city’s ban on indoor and outdoor dining that went into effect Friday in an effort to stop the coronavirus’s spread.
Restaurants across the nation have urged customers to order directly to support local businesses amid the pandemic.
If the legislation passes, Baltimore would join cities such as San Francisco. It imposed a temporary 15% cap on third-party delivery fees via an emergency order from the mayor. The cap has been extended several times.


washingtontimes--2020-12-16--Navy leaders ask sailors to take COVID-19 vaccine

The U.S. Navy ’ s senior leaders are strongly encouraging sailors to roll up their sleeves — and receive a does of the new COVID-19 vaccine .
In a message to the fleet , Adm. Mike Gilday , the Chief of Naval Operations , said the vaccine is a proven and effective measure to protect the Navy and the nation “ from this insidious threat.
” “ I ask that every member of our Navy team strongly consider receiving the vaccine , ” Adm. Gilday said .
“ By maximizing vaccination among our force and maintaining our mitigation measures of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ washing , we will begin the return to normal.
” Adm. Gilday said he will receive the vaccine soon after it is made available to senior leadership in the Pentagon .
The Naval Medical Center in San Diego received the first round of vaccines set aside for the Navy .
Other shipments will soon follow at Navy hospitals in Pensacola , Fla. , Portsmouth , Va. and Jacksonville , Fla. Vaccinating the Navy ’ s health care workers and first responders will likely continue into January , Adm. Gilday said .
“ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through a tiered plan as soon as production ramps up , prioritizing those executing our most critical missions , ” he said .
“ I ask for your patience until the vaccine is made available for you and your continued compliance with those health measures we currently have in place.
” The Navy is committed to being completely open and transparent about the vaccine plan , he said .
“ We must remain vigilant even after the vaccinations occur , ” he said .

The U.S. Navy’s senior leaders are strongly encouraging sailors to roll up their sleeves — and receive a does of the new COVID-19 vaccine.
In a message to the fleet, Adm. Mike Gilday, the Chief of Naval Operations, said the vaccine is a proven and effective measure to protect the Navy and the nation “from this insidious threat.”
“I ask that every member of our Navy team strongly consider receiving the vaccine,” Adm. Gilday said. “By maximizing vaccination among our force and maintaining our mitigation measures of physical distancing, mask wearing and hand washing, we will begin the return to normal.”
Adm. Gilday said he will receive the vaccine soon after it is made available to senior leadership in the Pentagon.
The Naval Medical Center in San Diego received the first round of vaccines set aside for the Navy. Other shipments will soon follow at Navy hospitals in Pensacola, Fla., Portsmouth, Va. and Jacksonville, Fla.
Vaccinating the Navy’s health care workers and first responders will likely continue into January, Adm. Gilday said.
“We will make the vaccine available more broadly through a tiered plan as soon as production ramps up, prioritizing those executing our most critical missions,” he said. “I ask for your patience until the vaccine is made available for you and your continued compliance with those health measures we currently have in place.”
The Navy is committed to being completely open and transparent about the vaccine plan, he said.
“We must remain vigilant even after the vaccinations occur,” he said.
• Mike Glenn can be reached at mglenn@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-12-16--India receives bids to buy state-owned Air India airline

NEW DELHI ( AP ) - India ’ s government says it has received “ multiple expressions of interest ” in buying its 100 % stake in debt-laden national carrier Air India to shore up falling government revenues after an initial attempt in 2018 failed to attract any bidders .
The deadline for submission of formal bids was Monday and the government is expected to announce qualified bidders on Jan. 5 .
It did not reveal the identity of the bidders or the number of bids received .
“ Multiple expressions of interest have been received for strategic disinvestment of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ move to the second stage , ” Department of Investment and Public Asset Management Secretary Tuhin Kanta Pandey tweeted .
Indian media reports said Indian conglomerate Tata Group and a group of 219 Air India employees along with Interups Inc. , a U.S.-based fund , filed expressions of interest .
In January , the government invited initial expressions of interest in the airline , which operates both domestic and international routes and has accumulated huge losses in the past decade .
It said the bidders would have to absorb 232 billion rupees ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s 580 billion rupee ( $ 8 billion ) debt burden .
Air India carried 18.36 million domestic passengers in 2019 and has suffered from overly bureaucratic management and political interference as privately owned low-cost carriers have gained market share .
It started as a mail carrier in 1932 before gaining commercial popularity and has been incurring losses since its 2007 merger with a state-owned domestic carrier , Indian Airlines .
The new owner will be taking on a fleet of 121 Air India aircraft and 25 planes from its subsidiary Air @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to more than 30 destinations in India , the Middle East and Southeast Asia .

NEW DELHI (AP) - India’s government says it has received “multiple expressions of interest” in buying its 100% stake in debt-laden national carrier Air India to shore up falling government revenues after an initial attempt in 2018 failed to attract any bidders.
The deadline for submission of formal bids was Monday and the government is expected to announce qualified bidders on Jan. 5. It did not reveal the identity of the bidders or the number of bids received.
“Multiple expressions of interest have been received for strategic disinvestment of Air India. The transaction will now move to the second stage,” Department of Investment and Public Asset Management Secretary Tuhin Kanta Pandey tweeted.
Indian media reports said Indian conglomerate Tata Group and a group of 219 Air India employees along with Interups Inc., a U.S.-based fund, filed expressions of interest.
In January, the government invited initial expressions of interest in the airline, which operates both domestic and international routes and has accumulated huge losses in the past decade.
It said the bidders would have to absorb 232 billion rupees ($3.26 billion) of the airline’s 580 billion rupee ($8 billion) debt burden.
Air India carried 18.36 million domestic passengers in 2019 and has suffered from overly bureaucratic management and political interference as privately owned low-cost carriers have gained market share. It started as a mail carrier in 1932 before gaining commercial popularity and has been incurring losses since its 2007 merger with a state-owned domestic carrier, Indian Airlines.
The new owner will be taking on a fleet of 121 Air India aircraft and 25 planes from its subsidiary Air India Express, which operates low-cost flights to more than 30 destinations in India, the Middle East and Southeast Asia.


washingtontimes--2020-12-16--Judge dismisses lawsuit challenging Alabama mask mandate

MONTGOMERY , Ala. ( AP ) - A federal judge has thrown out a lawsuit challenging Alabama ’ s mandatory face mask mandate , which opponents claimed is unconstitutional .
U.S. District Judge Keith Watkins , in a decision Tuesday , dismissed the lawsuit calling it a “ shotgun pleading ” that makes a lot of accusations without organization or solid legal claims .
The same judge in October had refused the suit ’ s request to block the mask rule , which health officials have credited with lessening the impact of COVID-19 , the illness caused by the new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was first imposed in the summer and extends at least through Jan. 22 , requires anyone over the age of 6 to wear masks in indoor public spaces and outdoors when it ’ s impossible to stay at least 6 feet ( 2 meters ) away from others .
The lawsuit was filed by former Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore on behalf of state residents against Gov .
Kay Ivey and the state health officer claiming the mask rule is unconstitutional .
The judge allowed three weeks for a replacement lawsuit .
Moore @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Watkins ’ criticism of the lawsuit and said another version of the complaint would be filed .

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - A federal judge has thrown out a lawsuit challenging Alabama’s mandatory face mask mandate, which opponents claimed is unconstitutional.
U.S. District Judge Keith Watkins, in a decision Tuesday, dismissed the lawsuit calling it a “shotgun pleading” that makes a lot of accusations without organization or solid legal claims.
The same judge in October had refused the suit’s request to block the mask rule, which health officials have credited with lessening the impact of COVID-19, the illness caused by the new coronavirus.
The mask order, which was first imposed in the summer and extends at least through Jan. 22, requires anyone over the age of 6 to wear masks in indoor public spaces and outdoors when it’s impossible to stay at least 6 feet (2 meters) away from others.
The lawsuit was filed by former Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore on behalf of state residents against Gov. Kay Ivey and the state health officer claiming the mask rule is unconstitutional. The judge allowed three weeks for a replacement lawsuit.
Moore’s Foundation for Moral Law denied Watkins’ criticism of the lawsuit and said another version of the complaint would be filed.


washingtontimes--2020-12-16--Erdogan: US aims to stymie growing Turkish defense industry

ANKARA , Turkey ( AP ) - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday portrayed U.S. sanctions imposed on Turkey over its purchase of a Russian air defense system as an attempt to obstruct his country ’ s rising defense industry .
In a speech delivered during the inauguration of a highway in central Turkey , Erdogan also said the sanctions would increase his government ’ s determination to make the Turkish defense industry stronger and more independent .
The U.S. sanctions , imposed on Monday over Turkey ’ s procurement of Russia ’ s advanced S-400 system , are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CAATSA , which are aimed at pushing back on Russian influence .
The move is the first time that the law has been used to penalize a U.S. ally .
They target Turkey ’ s Presidency of Defense Industries , Ismail Demir and three other senior officials .
The penalties block any assets the four officials may have in U.S. jurisdictions and bar their entry into the U.S .
They also include a ban on most export licenses , loans and credits to the agency .
“ The real aim ( of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that we have made lately in the defense industry and to make us once again strictly dependent on ( the United States ) , ” Erdogan said .
“ If it weren ’ t the S-400 issue , they would have used other issues.
” Erdogan added : “ What will happen now ?
We will work twice as hard as in the past to make our defense industry independent in all aspects and to hasten projects undertaken by our Presidency of Defense Industries .
We will provide even greater support to our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ previously kicked Turkey out of its F-35 stealth jet program , saying their use alongside the Russian technology would jeopardize the safety of the fighter jets .
Washington also says the Russian system wouldn ’ t be interoperable with NATO systems .
Turkey had insisted that the Russian technology is no risk to NATO systems because they wouldn ’ t be integrated into defense strategies involving the S-400s .
Erdogan on Mondays reiterated Turkey ’ s position that Ankara wasn ’ t offered the U.S. Patriot systems , leaving it with no other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for its national security .
The United States says talks on a potential Patriot deal failed over Turkey ’ s insistence on technology transfer rights that would have allowed it eventually to make the missiles themselves .
This ran against U.S. manufacturers ’ propriety interests in addition to any national security concerns .
Turkey took delivery of the S-400 missiles in the summer of 2019 and tested them for the first time in October .

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday portrayed U.S. sanctions imposed on Turkey over its purchase of a Russian air defense system as an attempt to obstruct his country’s rising defense industry.
In a speech delivered during the inauguration of a highway in central Turkey, Erdogan also said the sanctions would increase his government’s determination to make the Turkish defense industry stronger and more independent.
The U.S. sanctions, imposed on Monday over Turkey’s procurement of Russia’s advanced S-400 system, are part of a U.S. law known as CAATSA, which are aimed at pushing back on Russian influence.
The move is the first time that the law has been used to penalize a U.S. ally.
They target Turkey’s Presidency of Defense Industries, Ismail Demir and three other senior officials. The penalties block any assets the four officials may have in U.S. jurisdictions and bar their entry into the U.S. They also include a ban on most export licenses, loans and credits to the agency.
“The real aim (of the sanctions) is to block the progress that we have made lately in the defense industry and to make us once again strictly dependent on (the United States),” Erdogan said. “If it weren’t the S-400 issue, they would have used other issues.”
Erdogan added: “What will happen now? We will work twice as hard as in the past to make our defense industry independent in all aspects and to hasten projects undertaken by our Presidency of Defense Industries. We will provide even greater support to our defense industry companies.”
The U.S. had previously kicked Turkey out of its F-35 stealth jet program, saying their use alongside the Russian technology would jeopardize the safety of the fighter jets. Washington also says the Russian system wouldn’t be interoperable with NATO systems.
Turkey had insisted that the Russian technology is no risk to NATO systems because they wouldn’t be integrated into defense strategies involving the S-400s.
Erdogan on Mondays reiterated Turkey’s position that Ankara wasn’t offered the U.S. Patriot systems, leaving it with no other option but to buy the Russian system for its national security.
The United States says talks on a potential Patriot deal failed over Turkey’s insistence on technology transfer rights that would have allowed it eventually to make the missiles themselves. This ran against U.S. manufacturers’ propriety interests in addition to any national security concerns.
Turkey took delivery of the S-400 missiles in the summer of 2019 and tested them for the first time in October.


washingtontimes--2020-12-16--Kansas City, Kansas, officer shot in arm; suspect at large

KANSAS CITY , Kan. ( AP ) - Authorities are searching for a man who shot a Kansas City , @ @ @ @ @ the arm and then fled .
The shooting was reported Thursday afternoon in Overland Park @ @ @ @ @ for the suspect most of the day Tuesday after he was involved in at least @ @ @ @ @ , KMBC-TV reported .
When the officer saw the suspect driving near the Johnson County @ @ @ @ @ his vehicle , got out and opened fire , Kansas City , Kansas , police @ @ @ @ @ The officer returned fire .
It was not clear if the suspect was hit before @ @ @ @ @ was hit in the arm and taken to a local hospital for treatment .

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) - Authorities are searching for a man who shot a Kansas City, Kansas, police officer in the arm and then fled.
The shooting was reported Thursday afternoon in Overland Park.
Investigators had been searching for the suspect most of the day Tuesday after he was involved in at least one hit-and-run in Wyandotte County, KMBC-TV reported.
When the officer saw the suspect driving near the Johnson County border, the man stopped his vehicle, got out and opened fire, Kansas City, Kansas, police spokeswoman Nancy Chartrand said.
The officer returned fire. It was not clear if the suspect was hit before he fled.
The officer was hit in the arm and taken to a local hospital for treatment.


washingtontimes--2020-12-16--Man shot by Des Moines police gets time served for assault

DES MOINES , Iowa ( AP ) - A man shot by Des Moines police has been sentenced to time @ @ @ @ @ during the scuffle in which he was wounded .
Ryan Mathews was sentenced Wednesday after @ @ @ @ @ Through the plea , he maintained his innocence but acknowledged prosecutors had strong evidence , @ @ @ @ @ .
Prosecutors also dropped a harassment charge related to the dispute that brought officers to @ @ @ @ @ .
Mathews reportedly had told a woman he “ had a contract to have her @ @ @ @ @ say Mathews charged one of the responding officers with a stick .
Another officer then @ @ @ @ @ hitting Mathews , but he “ forcibly grabbed ” her .
In the ensuing struggle @ @ @ @ @ the arm and torso .

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - A man shot by Des Moines police has been sentenced to time served for assaulting two officers during the scuffle in which he was wounded.
Ryan Mathews was sentenced Wednesday after entering an Alford plea. Through the plea, he maintained his innocence but acknowledged prosecutors had strong evidence, The Des Moines Register reports. Prosecutors also dropped a harassment charge related to the dispute that brought officers to his apartment on Jan. 31. Mathews reportedly had told a woman he “had a contract to have her life terminated.”
Court documents say Mathews charged one of the responding officers with a stick. Another officer then deployed a stun gun, hitting Mathews, but he “forcibly grabbed” her. In the ensuing struggle, Mathews was shot in the arm and torso.


washingtontimes--2020-12-16--California committees eye who's next for scarce vaccines

SACRAMENTO , Calif. ( AP ) - A pair of advisory committees is making potential life-and-death decisions starting Wednesday over who is next in line for scarce coronavirus vaccines that aren ’ t expected to be universally available to California ’ s nearly 40 million residents until sometime deep into next year .
Should teachers be among the chosen few ?
Farmworkers ?
Grocery workers ?
Ride-hailing drivers ?
How about newspaper reporters ?
Each has its constituency lobbying to be included among about 8 million California residents who will be selected for the second round of vaccines early next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the committees , 131 were from groups hoping to be near the front of the line to get the first vaccines after healthcare workers .
Among them are the state ’ s chief justice seeking protections for court workers , public defenders wanting vaccines for themselves and their jailed clients , multiple groups representing the elderly , cemetery workers , public transit workers , nonemergency healthcare workers like dentists and podiatrists , NASA employees , dock workers , Amazon employees , solid waste workers , cleaning services , retailers , pharmacists and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three senior citizens , each over age 78 , wrote what the committee described as passionate letters urging that essential workers get the vaccines before them .
The discussion comes as the virus surges across California , straining the state ’ s health care system .
State health officials on Wednesday reported 53,711 new coronavirus cases and 293 additional deaths , setting new records .
The public meeting is happening as other states are holding closed discussions about vaccine allocation and receiving criticism .
The first batch of vaccinations in California began this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ news , but those will roll out over the next month or so to about 3 million healthcare workers and vulnerable residents like those in skilled nursing facilities and nursing homes .
That is Phase 1a .
The rules for who receives those first vaccines were recommended previously by the same committees that are meeting into the evening Wednesday to decide who will get the inoculations under what is known as Phase 1b .
The recommendations come from a 16-member Drafting Guidelines Workgroup made up of health professionals and led by the immediate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the head of the California Department of Public Health ’ s Immunizations Branch .
They will be vetted by a 60-member Community Vaccine Advisory Committee led by California Surgeon General Dr. Nadine Burke Harris .
That committee includes representatives from numerous organizations and associations representing retirees , business and labor , racial and sexual minorities , people with disabilities , school administrators and teachers , nursing homes , medical providers , religious groups and legal advocates .
Their job is to make recommendations “ based upon … the values that we ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Gov .
Gavin Newsom said Tuesday .
He listed teachers , farmworkers and grocery workers among those deserving of consideration for a slice of the limited pie .
The committee itself earlier listed for consideration broad categories including emergency services providers , those working in the fields of energy , water and wastewater , transportation , communication , technology , government operations , critical manufacturing , financial services , and defense .
Agriculture , educators , first responders , critical infrastructure workers and various health providers together tally nearly 10.8 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ picking which groups go first , a majority supported prioritizing the societal impact of the job ; equity - making sure low-income workers and those working in vulnerable communities are included ; the jobs ’ impact on the economy ; and the risk of each occupations ’ exposure to the coronavirus , including workers ’ risk of death and risk of spreading the virus in the community .

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - Teachers, first responders, and grocery and restaurant workers were among those recommended Wednesday to get the next round of scarce vaccines in California, as were florists and sawmill operators who fall into the same broad category of those deemed essential workers.
“We’ve got to figure who we’re going to prioritize,” said Dr. Oliver Brooks, co-chairman of a 16-member panel of medical experts recommending who makes the potential life-and-death cut after the first round of about 3 million vaccines began going this week to health care workers and those in long-term care facilities.
They’re divvying up the next round of about 8 million doses expected early next year, and settled on three broad sectors in no particular order:
- 1.4 million education and child care providers, a category that includes preschools, K-12, and higher education including trade schools.
- 1.1 million emergency services providers, including not only police and firefighters but those who provide child and youth services, shelters, social services for the elderly and those with disabilities, the criminal justice system, and businesses that provide goods used by the safety workers.
- 3.4 million food and agriculture workers, from farm to table including those working in food and drinking establishments as well as farmworkers and grocers, bakers and butchers. Plant nurseries, florists and sawmills all fall into that category, as do community food services and pharmacies.
The nearly 6 million in those sectors make up about half of all those deemed essential workers in California - and that roughly 12 million makes up nearly two-thirds of the state’s entire workforce.
“Two-thirds of us are essential. That’s nice to know,” said Brooks, who is immediate past president of the National Medical Association and heads the Watts Health Care Corporation.
In picking which groups go first, the panel prioritized what they termed the “societal impact” of the job; equity - making sure low-income workers and those working in vulnerable communities are included; the jobs’ impact on the economy; and the risk of each occupations’ exposure to the coronavirus, including workers’ risk of death and risk of spreading the virus in the community.
Yet there won’t be enough vaccine to protect even that narrower group of educators, first responders and food providers until next spring. Officials expect 2 million doses by year’s end, 4 million by the end of January and more than 20 million by the end of April.
So the experts are trying to further decide who goes first within those categories.
“We’ll be grappling with trying to determine criteria that can be used practically and efficiently to sort between worthy recipients of scarce vaccine, whether that’s using age or medical condition or other factors to … let the highest-risk priority go first,” said Dr. Robert Schechter, co-chairman of the expert panel and chief of the California Department of Public Health’s Immunizations Branch.
The panel and a broader committee of 60 community organizations’ representatives were lobbied by dozens of professions that want their members included in the next round of vaccines, including ride-hailing drivers and news reporters.
Of 142 written public comments to the committees, 131 were from groups hoping to be near the front of the line to get the first vaccines after health care workers.
Among them were the state’s chief justice seeking protections for court workers, public defenders wanting vaccines for themselves and their jailed clients, multiple groups representing the elderly, cemetery workers, public transit workers, nonemergency health care workers like dentists and podiatrists, NASA employees, dock workers, Amazon employees, solid waste workers, cleaning services, retailers, pharmacists and power grid workers.
By contrast, three people, each over age 78, wrote what the committee described as passionate letters urging that essential workers get the vaccines before them.
The discussion comes as the virus surges across California, straining the state’s health care system. State health officials on Wednesday reported 53,711 new coronavirus cases and 293 additional deaths, setting new records. The public meeting took place as other states are holding closed discussions about vaccine allocation and receiving criticism.
The massive surge led committee members to warn against allowing even the perception that some Californians can unfairly push to the front of the line, a process complicated by the difficulty in proving who belongs to which group.
“There’s a social solidarity here that we all say, ‘Yes, the health care workers go first,’” said Anthony Wright, executive director of the consumer advocacy group Health Access. “But once people think that other people are sort of cutting the line, that dissolves the social compact that we’re all in, and I’m really scared about that.”
Many eligible workers will get their vaccines at their work sites or through appointments with providers at which their employment can be verified.
But “there may be many settings that need to rely on the honor system rather than more sophisticated validation,” Schechter acknowledged.
Mitch Steiger, legislative advocate of the California Labor Federation, urged strict uniformity across California instead of allowing counties to make their own potentially conflicting decisions that could set up disparities within broad state and federal distribution guidelines.
“We also need to figure out what we do when angry people who can’t get the vaccine show up and you’ve got a pharmacy tech who … has to deal with someone screaming at them, really angry that this lifesaving care isn’t going to be offered to them,” he said.


washingtontimes--2020-12-16--Alleged Boogaloo member pleads guilty to terrorism charge

MINNEAPOLIS ( AP ) - A North Carolina man and self-described member of an anti-government extremist group who authorities say traveled to Minnesota during protests following the death of George Floyd pleaded guilty Wednesday to a terrorism charge .
Benjamin Ryan Teeter , 22 , of Hampstead , North Carolina , pleaded guilty Wednesday to one count of conspiracy to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization .
Prosecutors say Teeter and another man , Michael Robert Solomon , 30 , built firearms suppressors that authorities believed the pair sold to Hamas .
They also allegedly offered to fight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
According to the Star Tribune , Teeter said during his plea hearing that he believed the suppressors would be used by Hamas ‘ military wing .
“ I mean , why would someone buy suppressors if they weren ’ t going to deliver them to a militant wing ?
” he said .
Authorities said Solomon and Teeter are self-described members of the “ Boogaloo Bois.
” U.S. Attorney Erica MacDonald said in a statement that Teeter ’ s “ extremist ideologies had moved into the realm of violent action.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ date .
Floyd , a Black man who was handcuffed , died May 25 after a white Minneapolis police officer pressed his knee against Floyd ’ s neck as Floyd repeatedly said he couldn ’ t breathe .
His death sparked protests in Minneapolis and beyond .
Authorities began investigating the Boogaloo Bois after learning that some members were discussing violence and were armed during the unrest in Minneapolis .
Boogaloo supporters , who use the movement ’ s name as a slang term for a second civil war or collapse of civilization @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with rifles and wearing Hawaiian shirts .
According to court documents , Solomon was seen openly carrying a firearm , and he and Teeter spoke about committing acts of violence against police , politicians and other targets .
Teeter said he and Solomon planned to blow up a courthouse in northern Minnesota , then changed their target to a courthouse in the metro area .
Solomon and Teeter told an informant that the views of Hamas - a Palestinian Islamic political party - aligned with their own anti-government views and that they wanted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hamas ’ armed wing so they could earn cash for the Boogaloo movement , authorities said .

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - A North Carolina man and self-described member of an anti-government extremist group who authorities say traveled to Minnesota during protests following the death of George Floyd pleaded guilty Wednesday to a terrorism charge.
Benjamin Ryan Teeter, 22, of Hampstead, North Carolina, pleaded guilty Wednesday to one count of conspiracy to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization.
Teeter admitted he and another man, Michael Robert Solomon, 30, built firearms suppressors that they delivered to an informant and an undercover FBI employee, believing they were going to Hamas, according to Teeter’s plea agreement. Authorities have said the pair also offered to fight as mercenaries for the group.
According to the Star Tribune, Teeter said during his plea hearing that he believed the suppressors would be used by Hamas’ military wing.
“I mean, why would someone buy suppressors if they weren’t going to deliver them to a militant wing?” he said.
Authorities said Solomon and Teeter are self-described members of the “Boogaloo Bois.” U.S. Attorney Erica MacDonald said in a statement that Teeter’s “extremist ideologies had moved into the realm of violent action.”
Teeter will be sentenced at a later date.
Floyd, a Black man who was handcuffed, died May 25 after a white Minneapolis police officer pressed his knee against Floyd’s neck as Floyd repeatedly said he couldn’t breathe. His death sparked protests in Minneapolis and beyond.
Authorities began investigating the Boogaloo Bois after learning that some members were discussing violence and were armed during the unrest in Minneapolis. Boogaloo supporters, who use the movement’s name as a slang term for a second civil war or collapse of civilization, frequently show up at protests armed with rifles and wearing Hawaiian shirts.
According to court documents, Solomon was seen openly carrying a firearm, and he and Teeter spoke about committing acts of violence against police, politicians and other targets. Teeter said he and Solomon planned to blow up a courthouse in northern Minnesota, then changed their target to a courthouse in the metro area.
Solomon and Teeter told an informant that the views of Hamas - a Palestinian Islamic political party - aligned with their own anti-government views and that they wanted to work as mercenaries on behalf of Hamas’ armed wing so they could earn cash for the Boogaloo movement, authorities said.
___
This story was first published on Dec. 16, 2020. It was updated Dec. 17, 2020, to correct that, according to his plea agreement, Benjamin Teeter admitted that he his co-defendant delivered suppressors to an informant and an undercover FBI employee, believing they were going to Hamas.


washingtontimes--2020-12-16--Iowa Supreme Court hears arguments in water pollution case

DES MOINES , Iowa ( AP ) - The Iowa Supreme Court heard arguments Wednesday on whether to allow two groups to go to trial with a lawsuit claiming Iowa has allowed crop and hog farmers to pollute the Raccoon River , denying citizens safe water for drinking and recreation .
The case filed in March 2019 declares that every Iowan has a right to clean water under the Public Trust Doctrine , a legal concept that dates back to English common law and has been part of U.S. law since the nation ’ s founding .
The lawsuit claims @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protect Iowans ’ right to clean water by permitting nearly unlimited expansion of hog farms and few restrictions on pollution from crop farms , allowing bacteria , nitrates and phosphorous from manure and fertilizer to pollute the water .
That pollution , the lawsuit argues , violates citizens ’ right to clean water from part of the Raccoon River , a primary source of drinking water for about 500,000 central Iowa customers of Des Moines Water Works .
The river has occasionally exceeded federal safe drinking water nitrate limits for the past decade @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expensive treatment systems to maintain acceptable levels of nitrate and other pollutants .
The state , represented by Iowa Solicitor General Jeff Thompson , argued the case should be dismissed because the Iowa Constitution places the responsibility of balancing the interests of farmers and water quality in the hands of the legislature and executives .
The courts shouldn ’ t intervene in those policy considerations , Thompson said .
“ Agriculture is who we are as a state historically , culturally and economically .
The regulation of agriculture is one of the most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ difficult challenges faced by this state , ” he said .
Lawyer Brent Newell argued for Iowa Citizens For Community Improvement and Food & Water Watch , which filed the lawsuit .
He said the court should uphold an Iowa judge ’ s ruling in September 2019 that denied the state ’ s motion to dismiss the lawsuit and concluded it should proceed to trial .
“ The public ’ s use of this river is being substantially impaired now .
It ’ s polluted severely , ” Newell said .
“ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for which the district court can grant relief.
” If it goes to trial , the lawsuit will ask the court to throw out the state ’ s policy that allows crop farmers to voluntarily implement environmental practices to help constrain field runoff and order mandatory limits on nitrogen and phosphorous pollution and for a moratorium on new and expanding hog confinement facilities .
Iowa is the nation ’ s leading pork producer , with 25 million pigs on farms , and the top corn producer , a crop which requires abundant nitrogen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decision on whether the case will be allowed to go to trial will likely come in a few months .

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - The Iowa Supreme Court heard arguments Wednesday on whether to allow two groups to go to trial with a lawsuit claiming Iowa has allowed crop and hog farmers to pollute the Raccoon River, denying citizens safe water for drinking and recreation.
The case filed in March 2019 declares that every Iowan has a right to clean water under the Public Trust Doctrine, a legal concept that dates back to English common law and has been part of U.S. law since the nation’s founding.
The lawsuit claims lawmakers and state officials have failed to protect Iowans’ right to clean water by permitting nearly unlimited expansion of hog farms and few restrictions on pollution from crop farms, allowing bacteria, nitrates and phosphorous from manure and fertilizer to pollute the water. That pollution, the lawsuit argues, violates citizens’ right to clean water from part of the Raccoon River, a primary source of drinking water for about 500,000 central Iowa customers of Des Moines Water Works.
The river has occasionally exceeded federal safe drinking water nitrate limits for the past decade, and the water utility must run expensive treatment systems to maintain acceptable levels of nitrate and other pollutants.
The state, represented by Iowa Solicitor General Jeff Thompson, argued the case should be dismissed because the Iowa Constitution places the responsibility of balancing the interests of farmers and water quality in the hands of the legislature and executives. The courts shouldn’t intervene in those policy considerations, Thompson said.
“Agriculture is who we are as a state historically, culturally and economically. The regulation of agriculture is one of the most important and also one of the most difficult challenges faced by this state,” he said.
Lawyer Brent Newell argued for Iowa Citizens For Community Improvement and Food & Water Watch, which filed the lawsuit. He said the court should uphold an Iowa judge’s ruling in September 2019 that denied the state’s motion to dismiss the lawsuit and concluded it should proceed to trial.
“The public’s use of this river is being substantially impaired now. It’s polluted severely,” Newell said. “We believe that we have stated a claim for which the district court can grant relief.”
If it goes to trial, the lawsuit will ask the court to throw out the state’s policy that allows crop farmers to voluntarily implement environmental practices to help constrain field runoff and order mandatory limits on nitrogen and phosphorous pollution and for a moratorium on new and expanding hog confinement facilities.
Iowa is the nation’s leading pork producer, with 25 million pigs on farms, and the top corn producer, a crop which requires abundant nitrogen fertilizer to produce high yields.
A decision on whether the case will be allowed to go to trial will likely come in a few months.


washingtontimes--2020-12-16--Nebraska tribal corporation creates new casino division

OMAHA , Neb .
( AP ) - The economic development arm of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska has created @ @ @ @ @ manage the three casinos it hopes to open starting next year , planners said Wednesday @ @ @ @ @ said it has launched WarHorse Gaming , LLC , to develop the casinos at three @ @ @ @ @ , Lincoln and South Sioux City .
The corporation has partnered with the Nebraska Horsemen @ @ @ @ @ Association , a horse racing industry group .
The plans are taking shape after voters @ @ @ @ @ month to repeal Nebraska ’ s longtime ban on casino gambling .
The measure was @ @ @ @ @ , and the horsemen ’ s group .
WarHorse managers said they hope to offer @ @ @ @ @ in the latter half of 2021 , with full casino operations up and running in @ @

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - The economic development arm of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska has created a new gaming division to manage the three casinos it hopes to open starting next year, planners said Wednesday.
Ho-Chunk, Inc., said it has launched WarHorse Gaming, LLC, to develop the casinos at three state-licensed horse-racing tracks in Omaha, Lincoln and South Sioux City. The corporation has partnered with the Nebraska Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association, a horse racing industry group.
The plans are taking shape after voters passed a constitutional amendment last month to repeal Nebraska’s longtime ban on casino gambling. The measure was bankrolled by Ho-Chunk, Inc., and the horsemen’s group.
WarHorse managers said they hope to offer expanded gaming in some form in the latter half of 2021, with full casino operations up and running in 2022.


washingtontimes--2020-12-16--Robert E. Lee to be replaced by Barbara Rose Johns in Capitol Statuary Hall

Virginia ’ s special history commission on Wednesday picked Barbara Rose Johns , a lesser-known civil rights pioneer who led an early school desegregation effort , as the figure it wants to send to Washington to replace the state ’ s current statue of Robert E. Lee in the hallowed halls of the U.S. Capitol .
Brushing aside suggestions of founding-era heroes such as James Madison or Patrick Henry , and 20th Century statesman George C. Marshall , the commission said it wanted someone schoolchildren would identify with — and Johns , who was a teen in 1951 led a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ demand facilities like white students had , fit the bill .
The local chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People sued on the students ’ behalf , in a case that would get wrapped up as part of the historic Brown v. Board of Education decision that outlawed segregated schools .
“ The impact of what she did as a young person is so compelling and it changed so many lives , ” said Margaret Vanderhye , a former Democratic state lawmaker and one of the commissioners .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The commission ’ s vote was 6-1 , with the lone dissent coming from Anne Richardson , chief of the Rappahannock Tribe , who cast her vote for Pocahontas , an iconic figure from the beginning of the first English colony who was one of the other five finalists the commission had in front of it .
“ In the time period we ’ re in when we ’ re going back and trying to correct history , removing statues … the Native American people who have been left out of everything should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she said .
Other than Pocahontas , the other finalists were all black , and three were women , capturing the Black Lives Matter-inspired moment of 2020 .
L. Louise Lucas , chair of the commission and also president pro tepore of the state Senate , said she respected Chief Richardson ’ s view , but for her , a statue of a young black woman was the right antidote to the Capitol .
“ There ’ s nothing that would be more significant than having a teenager in Statuary Hall so that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ somebody who looks like them — a teenager , ” she said .
“ I hate to say it like this , you got a bunch of old white guys in Statuary Hall .
I think it ’ s time for a young person.
” The recommendation of the panel — officially known as the Commission for Historical Statues in the United States Capitol — now goes to Gov .
Ralph Northam , then on to the General Assembly , which will have final say .
“ It ’ s not a done @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ward , a Democrat and panel member .
But the Lee statue is on the way out no matter what .
A state official told the commission money has been earmarked to remove it , and it should be gone from the U.S. Capitol ’ s collection by the end of the year .
It would have been gone already , but it has to be removed after hours when Congress isn ’ t in session , and lame-duck business has shrunk that window of opportunity .
The Lee statue was controversial from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ late 1800s decided he , along with George Washington , would be the state ’ s offerings at the Capitol .
Each state is allowed two slots in Statuary Hall .
While some saw the decision to send Lee as a sign of reconciliation , others — including some veterans of the Union Army — saw it as an affront .
The statue was carted into the Capitol almost in secret , and Congress refused for decades to hold an official acceptance ceremony for it .
In recent decades , as statues to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ name stripped from schools and roadways , attempts to oust the statue from the Capitol have been made and thwarted .
This year is different .
Racial justice protests following the death of a Black man at the hands of a White police officer in Minneapolis sparked a new reckoning that ’ s surmounted previous bulwarks .
Congress voted this month to delete Confederate names from military bases nationwide .
In New York , Gov .
Andrew Cuomo this week signed legislation banning sale of Confederate flags on state property as part of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” And several Democrats in Congress proposed legislation to strip Lee ’ s name from his own former house at Arlington plantation , which after the Civil War became the site of the most storied military cemetery in the country .
“ Robert E. Lee himself opposed erecting Confederate monuments , and the site was chosen to punish his insurrection against the lawful government of the United States , ” said Rep. Don Beyer , the Virginia Democrat whose district includes Arlington and who ’ s leading the renaming effort .
He is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which he said was the original name before Congress dubbed it the Custis-Lee Mansion , recognizing the home ’ s link to the Washington-Custis family that Lee married into .
While Mr. Beyer said he was digging deeper into history to replace the Lee name , in Richmond , the debate over Lee statue replacements was dominated by far more modern options .
In addition to Pocahontas and Johns , the other finalists were Oliver W. Hill , a leading Civil Rights-era lawyer ; John Mercer Langston , a 19th century statesman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; and Maggie Lena Walker , the first Black woman to create and run a bank in the U.S .
Rejected were titans of the founding era , such as James Madison , George Mason and Patrick Henry .
Also failing to make even the first cut were Arthur Ashe , a barrier-breaking Black tennis player who has already been at the center of a statue controversy when Richmond added him to the Confederate generals along Monument Avenue , and Douglas Wilder , the country ’ s first elected Black governor .
Mr. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him ineligible to be in Statuary Hall .
Prominent Black Virginia natives failing to make the initial cut were Booker T. Washington and Ella Fitzgerald .
One name that seemed intriguing to many , but also left off the finalist list , was George C. Marshall , perhaps one of the country ’ s most important statesmen never to become president .
He was chief of staff for the Army during World War II , then a diplomat without parallel , helping create NATO and the European post-war recovery plan that became known @ @ @ @ @ @ @ win the Nobel Peace Prize for that effort .
“ Marshall ’ s character and impact have earned a statue in that American pantheon on Capitol Hill , ” said one member of the public , Beau Hammond , testifying at Wednesday ’ s meeting .
All in all , the process has worked better than the last time Virginia tried to retire a part of its history deemed incongruent with modern sensibilities and morals .
In the 1990s the state legislature voted to demote the state song “ Carry Me Back to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ African-American composer — to state song emeritus because of its references to “ Massa ” and “ Missis ” and “ this old darkey.
” The legislature appointed a commission to find a brand new state song .
The panel met several times , received submissions and even heard auditions .
But it turned into a fiasco , with charges of corruption and favoritism involving country star and sausage magnate Jimmy Dean and his wife , who penned one of the finalists .
Embarrassed by the whole thing , the commission quietly went @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still has no official state song .

Virginia’s special history commission on Wednesday picked Barbara Rose Johns, a lesser-known civil rights pioneer who led an early school desegregation effort, as the figure it wants to send to Washington to replace the state’s current statue of Robert E. Lee in the hallowed halls of the U.S. Capitol.
Brushing aside suggestions of founding-era heroes such as James Madison or Patrick Henry, and 20th Century statesman George C. Marshall, the commission said it wanted someone schoolchildren would identify with — and Johns, who was a teen in 1951 led a strike at her Virginia high school to demand facilities like white students had, fit the bill.
The local chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People sued on the students’ behalf, in a case that would get wrapped up as part of the historic Brown v. Board of Education decision that outlawed segregated schools.
“The impact of what she did as a young person is so compelling and it changed so many lives,” said Margaret Vanderhye, a former Democratic state lawmaker and one of the commissioners. “Sometimes the history finds the people.”
The commission’s vote was 6-1, with the lone dissent coming from Anne Richardson, chief of the Rappahannock Tribe, who cast her vote for Pocahontas, an iconic figure from the beginning of the first English colony who was one of the other five finalists the commission had in front of it.
“In the time period we’re in when we’re going back and trying to correct history, removing statues … the Native American people who have been left out of everything should have a place in history,” she said.
Other than Pocahontas, the other finalists were all black, and three were women, capturing the Black Lives Matter-inspired moment of 2020.
L. Louise Lucas, chair of the commission and also president pro tepore of the state Senate, said she respected Chief Richardson’s view, but for her, a statue of a young black woman was the right antidote to the Capitol.
“There’s nothing that would be more significant than having a teenager in Statuary Hall so that when students go there they will see somebody who looks like them — a teenager,” she said. “I hate to say it like this, you got a bunch of old white guys in Statuary Hall. I think it’s time for a young person.”
The recommendation of the panel — officially known as the Commission for Historical Statues in the United States Capitol — now goes to Gov. Ralph Northam, then on to the General Assembly, which will have final say.
“It’s not a done deal yet,” said Delegate Jeion Ward, a Democrat and panel member.
But the Lee statue is on the way out no matter what.
A state official told the commission money has been earmarked to remove it, and it should be gone from the U.S. Capitol’s collection by the end of the year. It would have been gone already, but it has to be removed after hours when Congress isn’t in session, and lame-duck business has shrunk that window of opportunity.
The Lee statue was controversial from the start, when Virginia in the late 1800s decided he, along with George Washington, would be the state’s offerings at the Capitol. Each state is allowed two slots in Statuary Hall.
While some saw the decision to send Lee as a sign of reconciliation, others — including some veterans of the Union Army — saw it as an affront.
The statue was carted into the Capitol almost in secret, and Congress refused for decades to hold an official acceptance ceremony for it.
In recent decades, as statues to Lee have been taken down and his name stripped from schools and roadways, attempts to oust the statue from the Capitol have been made and thwarted.
This year is different.
Racial justice protests following the death of a Black man at the hands of a White police officer in Minneapolis sparked a new reckoning that’s surmounted previous bulwarks.
Congress voted this month to delete Confederate names from military bases nationwide. In New York, Gov. Andrew Cuomo this week signed legislation banning sale of Confederate flags on state property as part of a new ban on “hate symbols.”
And several Democrats in Congress proposed legislation to strip Lee’s name from his own former house at Arlington plantation, which after the Civil War became the site of the most storied military cemetery in the country.
“Robert E. Lee himself opposed erecting Confederate monuments, and the site was chosen to punish his insurrection against the lawful government of the United States,” said Rep. Don Beyer, the Virginia Democrat whose district includes Arlington and who’s leading the renaming effort.
He is proposing to go back to Arlington House, which he said was the original name before Congress dubbed it the Custis-Lee Mansion, recognizing the home’s link to the Washington-Custis family that Lee married into.
While Mr. Beyer said he was digging deeper into history to replace the Lee name, in Richmond, the debate over Lee statue replacements was dominated by far more modern options.
In addition to Pocahontas and Johns, the other finalists were Oliver W. Hill, a leading Civil Rights-era lawyer; John Mercer Langston, a 19th century statesman and Virginia’s first black congressman; and Maggie Lena Walker, the first Black woman to create and run a bank in the U.S.
Rejected were titans of the founding era, such as James Madison, George Mason and Patrick Henry.
Also failing to make even the first cut were Arthur Ashe, a barrier-breaking Black tennis player who has already been at the center of a statue controversy when Richmond added him to the Confederate generals along Monument Avenue, and Douglas Wilder, the country’s first elected Black governor. Mr. Wilder is still alive, which made him ineligible to be in Statuary Hall.
Prominent Black Virginia natives failing to make the initial cut were Booker T. Washington and Ella Fitzgerald.
One name that seemed intriguing to many, but also left off the finalist list, was George C. Marshall, perhaps one of the country’s most important statesmen never to become president. He was chief of staff for the Army during World War II, then a diplomat without parallel, helping create NATO and the European post-war recovery plan that became known as the Marshall Plan. He would win the Nobel Peace Prize for that effort.
“Marshall’s character and impact have earned a statue in that American pantheon on Capitol Hill,” said one member of the public, Beau Hammond, testifying at Wednesday’s meeting.
All in all, the process has worked better than the last time Virginia tried to retire a part of its history deemed incongruent with modern sensibilities and morals.
In the 1990s the state legislature voted to demote the state song “Carry Me Back to Old Virginny” — written by an African-American composer — to state song emeritus because of its references to “Massa” and “Missis” and “this old darkey.”
The legislature appointed a commission to find a brand new state song. The panel met several times, received submissions and even heard auditions. But it turned into a fiasco, with charges of corruption and favoritism involving country star and sausage magnate Jimmy Dean and his wife, who penned one of the finalists.
Embarrassed by the whole thing, the commission quietly went away, and Virginia to this date still has no official state song.
• Stephen Dinan can be reached at sdinan@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-12-16--Ex-officer in Georgia accused of stealing money

MCDONOUGH , Ga. ( AP ) - The former head of a suburban Atlanta drug task force has been charged @ @ @ @ @ organization .
Chad Rosborough of Meansville was arrested Tuesday on three counts of theft by @ @ @ @ @ violating his oath of office , the Georgia Bureau of Investigation said .
GBI said @ @ @ @ @ $ 4,500 .
The agency was asked in June 2019 to investigate the 47-year-old Rosborough @ @ @ @ @ the McDonough Police Department and acting commander of the Henry County drug task force .
@ @ @ @ @ had voiced concerns over Rosborough ’ s handling of money to the board of the @ @ @ @ @ placed on leave and later resigned .
He was booked into the Henry County Jail @ @ @ @ @ on bail .
It was not immediately clear whether he had an attorney .

MCDONOUGH, Ga. (AP) - The former head of a suburban Atlanta drug task force has been charged with stealing money from the organization.
Chad Rosborough of Meansville was arrested Tuesday on three counts of theft by taking and two counts of violating his oath of office, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation said. GBI said investigators determined Rosborough stole approximately $4,500.
The agency was asked in June 2019 to investigate the 47-year-old Rosborough, then a major in the McDonough Police Department and acting commander of the Henry County drug task force. McDonough Police Chief Preston Dorsey had voiced concerns over Rosborough’s handling of money to the board of the task force.
Rosborough was placed on leave and later resigned. He was booked into the Henry County Jail on Tuesday and later released on bail. It was not immediately clear whether he had an attorney.


washingtontimes--2020-12-16--Heavy snow blankets Maryland with forecasts calling for more

BALTIMORE ( AP ) - A winter storm brought heavy snow , sleet and freezing rain to Maryland Wednesday , setting up treacherous road conditions .
Forecasters expected Baltimore to see snow and sleet in the late afternoon Wednesday , and freezing rain falling as well after 5 p.m. , The Baltimore Sun reported .
North and west of Baltimore , forecasters called for considerably more snow in Baltimore County near the Pennsylvania border , Carroll County , northwestern Howard County , Frederick County and Maryland ’ s western panhandle .
The forecast also called for more snow in Baltimore @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weather advisory would still be in effect .
National Weather Service meteorologist Cody Ledbetter said most of the snow in Baltimore will probably melt with sunshine on Thursday .
He said the big problem would be when temperatures dip to or below freezing , meaning wet spots will freeze overnight and impact the Thursday morning commute .
Baltimore City issued its first “ Code Blue Extreme Cold ” declaration of the season Wednesday , urging residents to stay indoors and also check on neighbors who may be at risk to ensure they have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the National Weather Service recorded just 1.8 inches ( 4 centimeters ) of snow in Baltimore all season , compared with 18 inches ( 45 centimeters ) during the previous winter .

BALTIMORE (AP) - A winter storm brought heavy snow, sleet and freezing rain to Maryland Wednesday, setting up treacherous road conditions.
Forecasters expected Baltimore to see snow and sleet in the late afternoon Wednesday, and freezing rain falling as well after 5 p.m., The Baltimore Sun reported.
North and west of Baltimore, forecasters called for considerably more snow in Baltimore County near the Pennsylvania border, Carroll County, northwestern Howard County, Frederick County and Maryland’s western panhandle.
The forecast also called for more snow in Baltimore on Thursday morning, when a winter weather advisory would still be in effect.
National Weather Service meteorologist Cody Ledbetter said most of the snow in Baltimore will probably melt with sunshine on Thursday. He said the big problem would be when temperatures dip to or below freezing, meaning wet spots will freeze overnight and impact the Thursday morning commute.
Baltimore City issued its first “Code Blue Extreme Cold” declaration of the season Wednesday, urging residents to stay indoors and also check on neighbors who may be at risk to ensure they have heat and electricity.
Last winter, the National Weather Service recorded just 1.8 inches (4 centimeters) of snow in Baltimore all season, compared with 18 inches (45 centimeters) during the previous winter.


washingtontimes--2020-12-16--Closing prices for crude oil, gold and other commodities

Benchmark U.S. crude oil for January delivery rose 20 cents to $ 47.82 a barrel Wednesday .
Brent crude oil @ @ @ @ @ cents to $ 51.08 a barrel .
Wholesale gasoline for January delivery rose 3 cents @ @ @ @ @ .
January heating oil rose 1 cent to $ 1.48 a gallon .
January natural @ @ @ @ @ 2.68 per 1,000 cubic feet .
Gold for February delivery rose $ 3.80 to $ @ @ @ @ @ for March delivery rose 41 cents to $ 25.05 an ounce and March copper rose @ @ @ @ @ pound .
The dollar fell to 103.63 Japanese yen from 103.70 yen .
The euro @ @ @ @ @ $ 1.2157 .

Benchmark U.S. crude oil for January delivery rose 20 cents to $47.82 a barrel Wednesday. Brent crude oil for February delivery rose 32 cents to $51.08 a barrel.
Wholesale gasoline for January delivery rose 3 cents to $1.35 a gallon. January heating oil rose 1 cent to $1.48 a gallon. January natural gas was unchanged at $2.68 per 1,000 cubic feet.
Gold for February delivery rose $3.80 to $1,859.10 an ounce. Silver for March delivery rose 41 cents to $25.05 an ounce and March copper rose 1 cent $3.56 a pound.
The dollar fell to 103.63 Japanese yen from 103.70 yen. The euro rose to $1.2163 from $1.2157.


washingtontimes--2020-12-16--Nursing students, teachers to fill gaps at UAB Hospital

BIRMINGHAM , Ala. ( AP ) - Short of staff as COVID-19 cases increase rapidly , UAB Hospital is bringing in more than 120 students and faulty members from the University of Alabama at Birmingham nursing school to help care for patients sickened by the coronavirus pandemic , officials said Wednesday .
The hospital , which already has enlisted retired nurses to assist with care , will use faculty members and graduate students , all licensed registered nurses , to fill out patient care teams .
Undergraduate students will serve as technicians and assist with vaccine distribution , the hospital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the new workers are faculty members , while more than 70 are nursing students .
The program is meant to assist nurses , not replace them , the hospital said .
Statistics compiled by bamatracker.com show the state on Wednesday added more than 4,100 new cases of COVID-19 , and the virus has killed almost 4,200 people statewide .
The Alabama Hospital Association said staffing shortages have worsened as cases increase , partly because seriously ill COVID-19 patients require extra care .
While COVID-19 causes only mild or moderate symptoms for most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people who have other serious health problems .
Health care workers and a few others including elderly veterans have begun receiving vaccines to guard against the illness , but health officials say most members of the general public won ’ t begin receiving vaccinations for weeks .
Follow AP coverage of the pandemic at https : //apnews.com/hub/virus-outbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak .

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) - Short of staff as COVID-19 cases increase rapidly, UAB Hospital is bringing in more than 120 students and faulty members from the University of Alabama at Birmingham nursing school to help care for patients sickened by the coronavirus pandemic, officials said Wednesday.
The hospital, which already has enlisted retired nurses to assist with care, will use faculty members and graduate students, all licensed registered nurses, to fill out patient care teams. Undergraduate students will serve as technicians and assist with vaccine distribution, the hospital said in a statement.
Almost 50 of the new workers are faculty members, while more than 70 are nursing students. The program is meant to assist nurses, not replace them, the hospital said.
Statistics compiled by bamatracker.com show the state on Wednesday added more than 4,100 new cases of COVID-19, and the virus has killed almost 4,200 people statewide. The Alabama Hospital Association said staffing shortages have worsened as cases increase, partly because seriously ill COVID-19 patients require extra care.
While COVID-19 causes only mild or moderate symptoms for most people, it can be deadly for people who have other serious health problems.
Health care workers and a few others including elderly veterans have begun receiving vaccines to guard against the illness, but health officials say most members of the general public won’t begin receiving vaccinations for weeks.
___
Follow AP coverage of the pandemic at https://apnews.com/hub/virus-outbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak.


washingtontimes--2020-12-16--Report: Native American women, girls suffer more violence

MINNEAPOLIS ( AP ) - Native American women and girls are far more likely than other Minnesota residents to be victims of homicide , go missing or experience others forms of violence , according to a task force established last year to address the crisis .
American Indian women and girls make up less than 1 % of the state ’ s population , yet they accounted for 8 % of all women and girls slain in Minnesota from 2010 through 2018 , according to state data included in the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women Task Force report .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % of Minnesota ’ s female missing persons cases every month are American Indian women and girls .
From 27 to 54 Native American women were missing in Minnesota in any given month from 2012 to 2020 , the report states .
Their cases are usually poorly investigated and remain unsolved , the group says .
“ For far too long , Native women have been , at best , invisible , and at worst , disposable , ” Lt. Gov .
Peggy Flanagan said in a statement .
“ As Native women @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , or were murdered at disproportionate rates , too often , the cases and root causes went unexamined.
” The task force recommends 20 steps to address the problem , including passage of the 2020 Violence Against Women Act .
It also suggests the creation of an MMIW office and the expansion of Minnesota ’ s Safe Harbor Law to include all trafficking victims , not just those who are 24 and younger .
The high rates of violence against American Indian women and girls are well known within their community , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the media or acknowledged by public officials until recently , the report said .
“ Many of us have a story of a relative or loved one who has been missing or murdered , ” Nicole Matthews , executive director of the Minnesota Indian Women ’ s Sexual Assault Coalition and task force vice chairwoman , said in a statement .
“ This report with the included mandates is one more step that we are taking in Minnesota to address this issue and ensure that all our Indigenous relatives are safe.
” The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Gov .
Tim Walz in April 2019 to address the disproportionately high levels of violence against Native American women and girls .
It comprises representatives from 11 tribal nations , community and advocacy organizations , legislators , law enforcement and legal experts .
They talked to survivors and families , advocates , law enforcement , public health experts , tribal members and others in the writing of the report .

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Native American women and girls are far more likely than other Minnesota residents to be victims of homicide, go missing or experience others forms of violence, according to a task force established last year to address the crisis.
American Indian women and girls make up less than 1% of the state’s population, yet they accounted for 8% of all women and girls slain in Minnesota from 2010 through 2018, according to state data included in the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women Task Force report.
The report released Tuesday notes that about 15% of Minnesota’s female missing persons cases every month are American Indian women and girls. From 27 to 54 Native American women were missing in Minnesota in any given month from 2012 to 2020, the report states. Their cases are usually poorly investigated and remain unsolved, the group says.
“For far too long, Native women have been, at best, invisible, and at worst, disposable,” Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan said in a statement. “As Native women and girls experienced violence, went missing, or were murdered at disproportionate rates, too often, the cases and root causes went unexamined.”
The task force recommends 20 steps to address the problem, including passage of the 2020 Violence Against Women Act. It also suggests the creation of an MMIW office and the expansion of Minnesota’s Safe Harbor Law to include all trafficking victims, not just those who are 24 and younger.
The high rates of violence against American Indian women and girls are well known within their community, but the cases were not well documented by the media or acknowledged by public officials until recently, the report said.
“Many of us have a story of a relative or loved one who has been missing or murdered,” Nicole Matthews, executive director of the Minnesota Indian Women’s Sexual Assault Coalition and task force vice chairwoman, said in a statement. “This report with the included mandates is one more step that we are taking in Minnesota to address this issue and ensure that all our Indigenous relatives are safe.”
The 27-member task force was signed into law by Gov. Tim Walz in April 2019 to address the disproportionately high levels of violence against Native American women and girls. It comprises representatives from 11 tribal nations, community and advocacy organizations, legislators, law enforcement and legal experts. They talked to survivors and families, advocates, law enforcement, public health experts, tribal members and others in the writing of the report.


washingtontimes--2020-12-16--Rand Paul: Election was 'in many ways stolen'

Sen. Rand Paul said at a hearing Wednesday that the 2020 presidential election was “ stolen ” for Democrat Joseph R. Biden .
The Kentucky Republican made the claim about voter fraud and the need for election reforms during a hearing featuring testimony from Christopher Krebs , the president ’ s former cybersecurity chief whom President Trump fired for saying there was no significant election fraud .
“ The fraud happened .
The election in many ways was stolen and the only way it will be fixed is by in the future reinforcing the laws , ” Mr. Paul said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
As a skeptical Mr. Krebs looked on , Mr. Paul said that he didn ’ t want to federalize elections , but does want hearings next year involving state legislators on election fixes , including limiting the involvement of courts in rewriting election laws on the fly , as Republicans charge in several key swing states .
“ I think state legislatures will need to reaffirm that election law can only be changed by a state legislature , ” he said .
Mr. Paul said that whether voting irregularities would have affected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brought successfully are distractions .
“ We can ’ t just say it didn ’ t happen .
We can ’ t just say ‘ oh , 4,000 people voted in Nevada that were noncitizens ’ and we ’ re just going to ignore it , ” he said .
The libertarian-leaning congressman also warned against saying “ Oh , the courts have decided the facts .
“ The courts have not decided the facts .
The courts never looked at the facts , ” he said .
“ The courts don ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
They stayed out of it by finding an excuse , standing or otherwise , to stay out of it .
”

Sen. Rand Paul said at a hearing Wednesday that the 2020 presidential election was “stolen” for Democrat Joseph R. Biden.
The Kentucky Republican made the claim about voter fraud and the need for election reforms during a hearing featuring testimony from Christopher Krebs, the president’s former cybersecurity chief whom President Trump fired for saying there was no significant election fraud.
“The fraud happened. The election in many ways was stolen and the only way it will be fixed is by in the future reinforcing the laws,” Mr. Paul said during the Senate Homeland Security Committee hearing.
.@RandPaul: “The fraud happened. The election in many ways was stolen and the only way it will be fixed is by in the future reinforcing the laws.” pic.twitter.com/o0iBhe9ois — Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) December 16, 2020
As a skeptical Mr. Krebs looked on, Mr. Paul said that he didn’t want to federalize elections, but does want hearings next year involving state legislators on election fixes, including limiting the involvement of courts in rewriting election laws on the fly, as Republicans charge in several key swing states.
“I think state legislatures will need to reaffirm that election law can only be changed by a state legislature,” he said.
Mr. Paul said that whether voting irregularities would have affected the outcome and whether legal cases were brought successfully are distractions.
“We can’t just say it didn’t happen. We can’t just say ‘oh, 4,000 people voted in Nevada that were noncitizens’ and we’re just going to ignore it,” he said.
The libertarian-leaning congressman also warned against saying “Oh, the courts have decided the facts.
“The courts have not decided the facts. The courts never looked at the facts,” he said. “The courts don’t like [challenges to] elections. They stayed out of it by finding an excuse, standing or otherwise, to stay out of it.”
• Victor Morton can be reached at vmorton@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-12-16--Alaska court sets arguments in Anchorage House race dispute

JUNEAU , Alaska ( AP ) - The Alaska Supreme Court plans to hear arguments Jan. 8 , less than two weeks before the start of the next legislative session , in a challenge to the election lost by House Minority Leader Lance Pruitt .
A group of individuals earlier this month appealed the outcome of a recount they ’ d requested that found Pruitt , a Republican , lost by 11 votes to Democrat Liz Snyder .
Pruitt and those same individuals also filed a lawsuit raising concerns with the elimination of witness requirements for absentee ballots and alleging @ @ @ @ @ @ @ properly notice a polling location change .
The complaint alleges “ several ” voters did not meet eligibility requirements to vote in the district .
A Department of Law spokesperson has said the department will respond “ in a timely manner.
” The waiver of witness requirements during the pandemic applied to absentee ballots cast statewide following an October ruling by the Alaska Supreme Court .
According to an order from the Supreme Court dated Tuesday , Superior Court Judge Josie Garton is to hold an evidentiary hearing and make findings on issues @ @ @ @ @ @ @ report and an order in Pruitt ’ s related election challenge are due by Dec. 29 .
Garton ’ s order in the election challenge also can be appealed .

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) - The Alaska Supreme Court plans to hear arguments Jan. 8, less than two weeks before the start of the next legislative session, in a challenge to the election lost by House Minority Leader Lance Pruitt.
A group of individuals earlier this month appealed the outcome of a recount they’d requested that found Pruitt, a Republican, lost by 11 votes to Democrat Liz Snyder.
Pruitt and those same individuals also filed a lawsuit raising concerns with the elimination of witness requirements for absentee ballots and alleging the Division of Elections didn’t properly notice a polling location change. The complaint alleges “several” voters did not meet eligibility requirements to vote in the district.
A Department of Law spokesperson has said the department will respond “in a timely manner.”
The waiver of witness requirements during the pandemic applied to absentee ballots cast statewide following an October ruling by the Alaska Supreme Court.
According to an order from the Supreme Court dated Tuesday, Superior Court Judge Josie Garton is to hold an evidentiary hearing and make findings on issues raised in the recount appeal. That report and an order in Pruitt’s related election challenge are due by Dec. 29.
Garton’s order in the election challenge also can be appealed.


washingtontimes--2020-12-16--Twitter to crack down on misleading info on coronavirus vaccines

Twitter said Wednesday it is enacting new policies to crack down on misleading information about the coronavirus vaccines .
While Twitter has already torn down content it deems misleading about the coronavirus ’ spread and on how to prevent its spread , Twitter ’ s new policy is specifically focused on content it deems misleading info about vaccines .
“ Starting next week , we will prioritize the removal of the most harmful misleading information , and during the coming weeks , begin to label Tweets that contain potentially misleading information about the vaccines , ” said Twitter in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the context of a global pandemic , vaccine misinformation presents a significant and growing public health challenge—and we all have a role to play .
We are focused on mitigating misleading information that presents the biggest potential harm to people ’ s health and wellbeing.
” Twitter also said starting in early 2021 it will place warning labels on Tweets about vaccines that include rumors , disputed claims , or information that Twitter believes is incomplete or out-of-context .
The initial policy shift will take effect on December 21 , and Twitter said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ combination of technology and human review .
”

Twitter said Wednesday it is enacting new policies to crack down on misleading information about the coronavirus vaccines.
While Twitter has already torn down content it deems misleading about the coronavirus’ spread and on how to prevent its spread, Twitter’s new policy is specifically focused on content it deems misleading info about vaccines.
“Starting next week, we will prioritize the removal of the most harmful misleading information, and during the coming weeks, begin to label Tweets that contain potentially misleading information about the vaccines,” said Twitter in a post on its blog.
“In the context of a global pandemic, vaccine misinformation presents a significant and growing public health challenge—and we all have a role to play. We are focused on mitigating misleading information that presents the biggest potential harm to people’s health and wellbeing.”
Twitter also said starting in early 2021 it will place warning labels on Tweets about vaccines that include rumors, disputed claims, or information that Twitter believes is incomplete or out-of-context.
The initial policy shift will take effect on December 21, and Twitter said it will be enforced through a “combination of technology and human review.”
• Ryan Lovelace can be reached at rlovelace@washingtontimes.com.