Digital Alabama News

MotoAmerica: Petersen Lowers Lap Record In Superbike Q1 At Barber (Updated) https://digitalalabamanews.com/motoamerica-petersen-lowers-lap-record-in-superbike-q1-at-barber-updated/ Cameron Petersen, riding his Fresh N Lean Progressive Yamaha YZF-R1, lowered his own lap record to 1:22.323 during MotoAmerica Medallia Superbike Q1 Friday afternoon at Barber Motorsports Park. Petersen’s teammate Jake Gagne lost most of the session when his Yamaha suffered a technical problem and shut off while on track 13 minutes into the 40-minute session. 22_11_BARBER_SBK_Q1_res_REVISED More, from a press release issued by MotoAmerica: Petersen Breaks Barber Track Record, Earns Provisional Pole Action-Packed Day Leading Into This Weekend’s Finale At Barber Motorsports Park Cameron Petersen (45). Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy MotoAmerica. BIRMINGHAM, AL (September 23, 2022) – To say that Cameron Petersen likes Barber Motorsports Park would be a gross understatement. Petersen, who won his first career MotoAmerica Medallia Superbike race here a year ago in a rainstorm, arrives in Alabama every year brimming with confidence. Well, that confidence level just skyrocketed today with provisional pole position and a new lap record of the 2.380-mile circuit. Fresh N Lean Progressive Yamaha Racing’s Petersen was fast from the get-go, breaking the lap record in Free Practice 1 this morning before bettering that effort in Q1 with his 1:22.323 lap on his 18th go-around. The lap put him .595 of a second ahead of Westby Racing’s Mathew Scholtz. “As long as I keep breaking it, I’m happy with that,” Petersen said when reminded his first lap record didn’t last long. “Honestly, I’m pretty damn surprised by that. Obviously, the track was a little bit more greasy this afternoon, but this bike is working so good. It’s crazy. I can’t take all the credit. The bike isn’t doing anything wrong and it’s allowing me to push to that level. I’m having fun.” While Petersen had a perfect day, Gagne did not. With just a few laps under his belt in Q1, Gagne’s Yamaha YZF-R1 gave up the ghost and denied the defending MotoAmerica Medallia Superbike Champion any chance of a quicker lap. Still, he was third fastest with his best lap coming on lap four, his 1:23.310 some two-tenths quicker than Tytlers Cycle Racing’s PJ Jacobsen, the New Yorker 1.5 seconds slower than Petersen’s best. Fifth went to Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati NYC’s Danilo Petrucci with the Italian having a dreadful day on the Panigale V4 R. Although the bike had the same setup as when he’d run at lap-record pace during a test here in May, Petrucci was left scratching his head and in fifth with a best of 1:24.177 – 1.8 seconds slower than Petersen. SportbikeTrackGear.com Junior Cup – Yaakov Leads ‘Em Altus Motorsports’ Kayla Yaakov picked up where she left off with the fastest lap of Barber Motorsports Park in Friday’s SportbikeTrackGear.com Q1 session. Yaakov, who dominated a wet race two at NJMP a few weeks ago, lapped at 1:36.243 to best Bauce Racing/JL62’s Joe LiMandri Jr. by .140 of a second and championship points leader Cody Wyman on his Alpha Omega Kawasaki Ninja 400 by .199 of a second. The top nine Junior Cuppers completed the session within a second of Yaakov. Supersport – The Champ On Top Newly crowned MotoAmerica Supersport Champion Josh Herrin earned provisional pole position on his Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati NYC Panigale V2, besting Landers Racing’s Rocco Landers by just .106 of a second with both riders doing their best on their 13th laps of Q1. Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Tyler Scott was third fastest, half a second off Herrin’s best. Unfortunately, four-time AMA Superbike Champion Josh Hayes was knocked out of the season finale after just the sixth lap of Free Practice 1 when he was highsided from his Squid Hunter Yamaha YZF-R6 and suffered a broken left ankle. Hayes was set to go for a record-setting 87th AMA race win this weekend. Yuasa Stock 1000 – Alexander! Tytlers Cycle Racing’s Corey Alexander wrapped up the Yuasa Stock 1000 Championship a few weeks ago in New Jersey. Today, in Alabama, Alexander was again on top – this time in Friday’s Q1. Alexander’s best was a 1:24.712 and that put him .393 of a second faster than his teammate Travis Wyman. Third fastest was Disrupt Racing’s Hayden Gillim. REV’IT! Twins Cup – De Keyrel’s Friday Veloce Racing’s Kaleb De Keyrel won’t get the chance to run the number-one plate in 2023 after losing out in this year’s championship. But he’s trying to squeeze the most out of that number one while he’s still got it as he earned provisional pole position for the REV’IT! Twins Cup season finale. De Keyrel’s 1:29.398 topped Robem Engineering’s Teagg Hobbs by .483 of a second with Hobbs’ teammate Ben Gloddy ending the day third fastest. More, from a press release issued by Ducati North America: Petrucci and Ducati Prepare for the Race Weekend at Barber Motorsports Park Danilo finishes Q1 in fifth despite a challenging day Danilo Petrucci (9). Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy Ducati North America. Sunnyvale, Calif., September 23, 2022 – Danilo Petrucci (Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati NYC Panigale V4 SBK) faced a challenging day at Barber Motorsports Park for the final round of the 2022 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship, with fifth place in Qualifying One. Petrucci completed 23 laps of the 2.3-mile Alabama venue but admitted he struggled to feel comfortable. However, the Italian is far from giving up yet and still has Qualifying 2 to hoist himself further up the grid as he goes head-to-head with current champion Jake Gagne for the title. Qualifying 1 Results—Top 5 P1 – Cameron Petersen (Yamaha) 1:22.323 P2 – Mathew Scholtz (Yamaha) 1:22.918 P3 – Jake Gagne (Yamaha) 1:23.310 P4 – PJ Jacobsen (BMW) 1:23.854 P5 – Danilo Petrucci (Ducati) 1:24.117 Danilo Petrucci (Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati NYC – #9) : “It was a very challenging day,” Petrucci said. “At first, we thought it was electronics, but the main thing is we’re having issues with the tire and I don’t have the feedback I want. We are trying to solve the problem. We will pull the bike completely apart and rebuild it tomorrow to ensure we have the best possible chance for qualifying in the morning.” MotoAmerica Superbike will be on track tomorrow, September 24 at 10:15 am CDT for Qualifying 2, with Race One scheduled for 3:10 pm CDT that same afternoon. Race Two will start at 3:10 pm CDT on Sunday, September 25. Read More…

9 Arrested In Undercover Drug Operation, Mobile Police Still Looking For 7 https://digitalalabamanews.com/9-arrested-in-undercover-drug-operation-mobile-police-still-looking-for-7/ MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG) — A three-month-long undercover operation ended, according to Mobile Police. Operation West Side focused around Zeigler Boulevard, Athey and Cody Roads. WKRG News 5 went out with the team performing the operation three times over the span of a week. “We go after, in these operations, a lot of times more of the low-level drug dealer,” said Captain Jonathan Lee with Mobile Police. “Oftentimes the low-level drug dealing can have more violence,” said Lee. “They’re more of the street corner drug sales or the house-to-house drug sales, and they can be more violent.” “We still deal with quite a bit of crack cocaine from time to time,” said Public Safety Director Lawrence Battiste. “And methamphetamine is really one of the driving drug forces here in the City of Mobile.” Battiste said the goal is to get to the source of the distribution. “We know that if we pick up some of the guys at the bottom, then they help us get to the guy at the top, it’s a constant effort to try to identify who the players are,” said Battiste. The enforcement we see here happens fast, but the operation starts long before police roll-out. “There’s a lot, a lot, a lot of hours that goes into that,” said Lee. “Everything from when we do control buys, surveillance, the planning, and operation part, because we want to take the drugs out of the community, but do it as safe as we can.” Operations factor in safety for the community, neighbors and also officers who wear gloves protecting them against growing threats. “Now you’re starting to see meth, crack and even marijuana all the laced in some kind of way with the fentanyl,” said Battiste. Through the operation, police confiscated 4.5 pounds of marijuana, 4.5 grams of cocaine, 3.8 grams of meth, 40 hydrocodone pills, 31 grams of codeine syrup, $1,866, and five guns. Officers arrested nine people. Five of them were targeted in the operation. They are Eldridge Rander,19, Marquell Lee, 31, Christopher Coleman, 31, Dizzy Miller, 42, and Brandon Osburn, 34. The other people arrested are Jaelin Williams, 22, Donte Jackson, 44, Felicia Reaser,47, and Paul Hart, 53. Mobile Police officers are still looking for seven more targets. They are Joseph Dixon,22, Willie Williams, 41, David Carlton, 26, Horatio Holifield, 37, Keantea Faulkner-Abrams, 27, Johnathan Wright, 27, and Samuel Jones, 41. Mobile Police release the names of the seven targets they’re still looking for in Operation West Side. The operation hopes to make a difference in the communities surrounding Zeigler Boulevard, Athey and Cody Roads, but the task of fighting drugs is never-ending. “Drugs are like a fire. Whatever they touch, they burn up, they consume. And for the dealer, it’s a record. It’s maybe a violent encounter,” said Lee. “For the user, there can become [an] addiction. Families are involved, children are traumatized.” Read More…

SEC Football By The Numbers: Top 10 For Week 4 https://digitalalabamanews.com/sec-football-by-the-numbers-top-10-for-week-4/ The fourth week of the SEC’s 90th season features four conference and six non-conference contests. Here are 10 numbers, along with the schedule, TV and betting lines, to get ready for the SEC’s fourth Saturday of 2022: 0 Passing TDs for Florida this season. The Gators join Hawaii and South Florida as the only teams in the nation that have not scored through the air in 2022. WR Ricky Pearsall leads the Gators with 120 yards on seven receptions in 2022. Nine SEC players have had more receiving yards in one game this season than Pearsall has had in the entire campaign. Florida’s Saturday opponent, Tennessee, has two players who have exceeded that total in one game this season. WR Cedric Tillman had nine receptions for 162 yards and one TD against Pitt on Sept. 10, and WR Jalin Hyatt had five receptions for 166 yards and two TDs against Akron on Sept. 17. 3 Victories without a loss for Tulsa against Ole Miss. The Golden Hurricane defeated the Rebels 26-0 in Tulsa on Dec. 3, 1932, 47-0 in Memphis on Oct. 21, 1944, and 14-7 in the Bluebonnet Bowl on Dec. 19, 1964. Tulsa QB Davis Brin leads the nation with 1,206 passing yards and 11 TD passes as the Golden Hurricane visits Oxford for the first time on Saturday. 3 100-yard rushing games for Arkansas RB Raheim Sanders in 2022. He’s the only SEC player to run for 100 yards in every game this season, and one of the six players nationally with three 100-yard rushing games in 2022. Sanders is the 13th SEC player this century to start a season with three consecutive 100-yard rushing games and the fifth from Arkansas, joining Cedric Cobbs in 2003, Darren McFadden in 2007 and Alex Collins and Jonathan Williams in 2013. Seven of the players extended their streak to four 100-yard games – Cobbs, McFadden, Auburn’s Rudi Johnson in 2000, LSU’s Charles Scott in 2008, Kentucky’s Derrick Locke in 2010, Georgia’s Nick Chubb in 2015 and Mississippi State’s Kylin Hill in 2019. 8 NCAA FBS players have at least four rushing TDs and one receiving TD this season, including Auburn RB Jarquez Hunter, who is the only SEC player on the list. Hunter is the first Auburn player in this century who ran for at least four TDs and also caught a TD pass through the Tigers’ first three games of a season. 16 Years since Arkansas won its first two conference games in a season. The Razorbacks enter Saturday’s game against Texas A&M with a 1-0 SEC mark after beating South Carolina 44-30 on Sept. 10. In 2006, Arkansas started its conference slate by beating Vanderbilt 21-19 and Alabama 24-23 on consecutive September Saturdays. This season is only the third since then in which the Razorbacks won their SEC opener. SEC FOOTBALL BY THE NUMBERS: TOP 10 FROM WEEK 3 18 Consecutive non-conference opponents have been beaten by Kentucky, the longest such streak in the nation. Kentucky’s most recent loss to a non-conference opponent was a 24-23 setback against Northwestern in the Music City Bowl to end its 2017 season. On Saturday, the Wildcats play Northern Illinois, which is coming off a 38-28 loss to Vanderbilt last week. Kentucky will be playing with the No. 8 ranking in the AP Poll, the highest for the Wildcats since the Oct 14, 2007, poll. Northern Illinois is seeking its first victory over a ranked non-conference opponent since the Huskies upended No. 21 Alabama 19-16 in 2003. 21 Consecutive SEC games have been lost by Vanderbilt. The Commodores have not beaten a conference opponent since topping Missouri 21-14 on Oct. 19, 2019. Of the six losing streaks of at least 21 conference games in SEC history, this is the fourth for Vanderbilt. The Commodores kick off their 2022 conference campaign on Saturday against Alabama, which has won its past 22 meetings with Vanderbilt. The Commodores haven’t beaten the Crimson Tide since taking a 30-21 victory on Sept. 29, 1984, in their only win in 17 games in Tuscaloosa. 30 Consecutive homecoming games have been won by Auburn. The Tigers haven’t lost on homecoming since 1991, when Mississippi State spoiled things by taking a 24-17 victory. Auburn has an 83-8-4 homecoming record and takes on Missouri on Saturday in the 2022 homecoming game. 36 Years since Florida lost its first two SEC games in a season. The Gators enter Saturday’s contest against Tennessee after falling to Kentucky 26-16 in their SEC opener on Sept. 10. In 1986, Florida opened its league schedule by losing to Alabama 21-7 and Mississippi State 16-10. Since then, the Gators have lost their conference opener six times, including last season when they defeated Tennessee 38-14 in their second SEC game of 2021. 108 Years since Tennessee had as many points three games into a season as the Volunteers have scored in 2022, and 106 years since Vanderbilt had as many points four games into a season as the Commodores have scored in 2022. Tennessee has 156 points this season. Three games into the 1914 season, the Volunteers had 171 points after beating Carson-Newman 89-0, King 55-3 and Clemson 27-0. Tennessee plays Florida on Saturday, and the Volunteers have not scored more than 21 points against the Gators in any of the past five meetings. Vanderbilt has 168 points this season – the same number as the Commodores had scored through 11 games in 2021. Four games into the 1916 season, the Commodores had 208 points after beating Rhodes 86-0, Transylvania 42-0, Kentucky 45-0 and Ole Miss 35-0. Vanderbilt plays Alabama on Saturday, and the Commodores have not scored more than 17 points against the Crimson Tide in any of the past 10 meetings. FOR MORE OF AL.COM’S COVERAGE OF THE SEC, GO TO OUR SEC PAGE This week’s SEC schedule includes (all times are CDT with point spreads from vegasinsider.com): Saturday · Bowling Green at Mississippi State, 11 a.m. at Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville, Mississippi (SEC Network). Line: Mississippi State by 30. · Kent State at No. 1 Georgia, 11 a.m. at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Georgia (SEC+). Line: Georgia by 45. · Missouri at Auburn, 11 a.m. at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn (ESPN). Line: Auburn by 7. · No. 20 Florida at No. 11 Tennessee, 2:30 p.m. at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee (CBS). Line: Tennessee by 10.5. · Tulsa at No. 16 Ole Miss, 3 p.m. at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium (SEC+). Line: Ole Miss by 21. · No. 10 Arkansas at No. 23 Texas A&M, 6 p.m. at Kyle Field in College Station, Texas (ESPN). Line: Texas A&M by 2.5. · Northern Illinois at No. 8 Kentucky, 6 p.m. at Kroger Field in Lexington, Kentucky (ESPN2). Line: Kentucky by 25.5. · Charlotte at South Carolina, 6:30 p.m. at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, South Carolina (ESPNU). Line: South Carolina by 22.5. · New Mexico at LSU, 6:30 p.m. at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana (SEC+). Line: LSU by 31.5. · Vanderbilt at No. 2 Alabama, 6:30 p.m. at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa (SEC Network). Line: Alabama by 40.5. Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1. Note to readers: if you purchase something through one of our affiliate links we may earn a commission. Read More…

NC Senate Race: Budd Pro Trump, Abortion Ban https://digitalalabamanews.com/nc-senate-race-budd-pro-trump-abortion-ban/ NC Senate race: Budd pro Trump, abortion ban Newslooks- RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) In competitive races across the U.S., Republican candidates are distancing themselves from their party’s most controversial policies and people — namely, abortion and former President Donald Trump — as Election Day approaches. Not Ted Budd. The North Carolina GOP Senate nominee is leaning into support for abortion restrictions and amity with the former Republican president as Democrats fight for an elusive victory in the Southern swing state. Democratic optimism remains tempered given the state’s recent red tilt, but Democratic officials believe Budd, a low-profile congressman who emerged as the GOP’s Senate nominee largely because of Trump’s backing, gives them a real chance at flipping a seat — and holding the balance of power in Washington — this fall. Christian ministers and others lay their hands on U.S. Senate candidate Ted Budd, center, while praying for him after he spoke at an American Renewal Project event at Peoples Baptist Church, Aug. 29, 2022, in Greenville, N.C. While Budd’s base of supporters includes conservative Christians, the three-term congressman is also trying to win over unaffiliated voters concerned about the economy and inflation. (AP Photo/Gary D. Robertson) Disregarding his critics, Budd is set to appear alongside Trump on Friday night at a rally in Wilmington. The Budd campaign was eager to welcome Trump when the former president’s team called, according to adviser Jonathan Felts. “Trump won North Carolina twice, and an in-person rally is helpful,” Felts said, suggesting Trump would help drive turnout, especially “with unaffiliated and/or undecided voters concerned about the economy.” Others aren’t so sure. “The more Trump emerges, the more Trump is in the news, the better for Democrats,” said David Holian, a political science professor at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Indeed, Trump remains overwhelmingly popular with Republican voters but is less appealing to the moderates and independents who often decide swing-state elections. Trump’s national favorable ratings have been roughly even with, or worse than, President Joe Biden’s in recent weeks. Still, some North Carolina Democrats are far from confident in a state where they have suffered painful losses in recent years. Democratic skepticism comes despite the apparent strength of their Senate nominee, former state Supreme Court Chief Justice Cheri Beasley, who has a decided fundraising advantage, a record of outperforming other Democrats in statewide elections and a moderate message. She would be the state’s first Black senator if elected. Yet Beasley is also running against negative perceptions of her party. Trump’s rise has fueled a growing sense among some voters in North Carolina, along with those in many other states, that the national Democratic Party has lost touch with the daily struggles of the working class and similar voting blocs. The Democratic-controlled Congress’ focus on climate change, for example, hasn’t helped inspire voters like Talmage Layton, a 74-year-old farmer from Durham. Layton said he doesn’t know whether a North Carolina Democrat can make a difference on Capitol Hill in lowering gas prices or pushing back against climate change policies that other Democrats have embraced. “That’s not anything against Cheri Beasley,” Layton said after a recent meeting with Beasley. “I’m a registered Democrat, and I would have no problem voting for a Democrat. But they’ve got to think about the little guy here.” Not long ago, it looked as if the Democratic Party was poised to take over North Carolina politics. In 2008, Obama carried the state, becoming the first Democrat to do so since 1976, and Democrat Kay Hagan upset GOP Sen. Elizabeth Dole. Political experts predicted the Democratic Party would step to dominance as a result of increasing urbanization and out-of-state liberals moving in for tech jobs in the Raleigh-Durham and Charlotte regions. But Republicans took over the state legislature for the first time in over 140 years following the 2010 election and retained it thanks to support from exurban and rural voters and favorably drawn districts. A decade later, Trump became a two-time North Carolina winner, though he won the 2020 election by just 1 percentage point. While Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper managed to win reelection in 2020, Beasley was one of the party’s casualties. She lost a bid to remain chief justice to a Republican rival by just 401 votes. Her near-miss turned her into a rising candidate in the race to succeed retiring GOP Sen. Richard Burr. Democratic North Carolina Senate candidate Cheri Beasley, left, meets with farmers at Perkins Orchard produce stand Sept. 7, 2022, in Durham, N.C. Beasley, a former chief justice of the state Supreme Court, is trying to attract more support from voting blocs that have leaned Republican in recent years in the state. (AP Photo/Gary D. Robertson) In one sign of strength, Beasley has consistently raised more money than Budd. And she appears to be generating momentum by seizing on abortion to energize women and independents, relying on the same playbook Democrats have used elsewhere. Budd, meanwhile, has been outspoken in his opposition to abortion. He co-sponsored a House version of a national 15-week abortion ban introduced by Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham that even Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell distanced himself from. “My opponent has been in Congress for six years, and every opportunity he’s had to vote for North Carolina, he’s voted against us,” Beasley charged after meeting with farmers at a produce market in Durham before Graham’s bill introduction. Meanwhile, Republicans in competitive elections in states like Iowa, Minnesota, Nevada and Arizona have distanced themselves from their rigid anti-abortion stances in recent weeks. Others have stripped their websites of references to Trump or his favorite talking points. In Virginia, a Republican House candidate removed a Trump reference from her Twitter bio. In New Hampshire, Republican Senate nominee Don Bolduc abruptly reversed himself last week when asked about Trump’s false claims that the 2020 election was stolen. After spending much of the last year echoing Trump’s lies, Bolduc told Fox News he had done more research and concluded, “The election was not stolen.” Meanwhile, Budd’s campaign refused this week to say whether he would accept the 2022 election results, having already voted to block certification of the 2020 election. Such positions will almost certainly appeal to Trump’s base, but political operatives say Budd needs sizable support from moderate, independent voters to be successful. Unaffiliated voters this year surpassed Democrats to become the largest bloc of registered voters in the state. “Regardless of what your faith background is, you’re dealing with skyrocketing energy prices. You’re dealing with high grocery costs. You’re dealing with high crime. You’re dealing with economic uncertainty,” Budd said after speaking to pastors recently in Greenville. “And so I want to make life better for all North Carolinians and people in our country by the things that I support.” As Budd has struggled to keep pace with Beasley’s fundraising, outside groups have come to his aid. The McConnell-aligned Senate Leadership Fund and the National Republican Senatorial Committee have spent $17.3 million combined on advertising opposing Beasley, according to Federal Election Commission filings. The Senate Majority PAC, which supports Democratic candidates, and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee have spent close to $4 million in North Carolina while investing far more in high-profile contests in states like Pennsylvania and Arizona. “We’re committed to making sure voters continue seeing and hearing the truth about Ted Budd,” Senate Majority PAC spokesperson Veronica Yoo said. An arm of the pro-abortion-rights EMILY’s List announced this month spending $2.7 million to criticize Budd on abortion as well. During a recent stop at Perkins Orchard in Durham, Beasley chatted with farmers who gathered around picnic tables and near fresh pumpkins for sale. Some said afterward they were glad to see her interest in their plight. Jason Lindsay, 34, a first-generation Black farmer from Rocky Mount, said he’s been frustrated with the divisive political environment but is encouraged by Beasley. “Her temperament here today gave me the first sign of hope that I’ve had in a long time,” he said. For more U.S. political news Read More…

Trump Opens Rally With Crude Rant About ‘raging Maniac’ New York Attorney General https://digitalalabamanews.com/trump-opens-rally-with-crude-rant-about-raging-maniac-new-york-attorney-general/ Former president Donald Trump was not 10 minutes into his remarks at a rally meant to boost Republican candidates in North Carolina when he turned his attention to a candidate who will appear on a ballot 437 miles away in the state he once called home. Instead of extolling the virtues of the GOP ticket in this year’s midterm elections, the twice-impeached ex-president launched into an extended tirade about the New York state attorney general who on Wednesday filed a $250m lawsuit against him, his three eldest children and a host of companies, organisations and persons associated with his eponymous real estate and licensing business, following a three-year civil investigation into allegations of fraud. “There’s no better example of the left’s chilling obsession with targeting political opponents than the baseless, abusive and depraved lawsuit against me, my family, my company, by the racist Attorney General of New York State. Leticia ‘Peekaboo’ James,” said Mr Trump, who employed a bizarre and heretofore unexplained nickname for the Empire State’s chief law enforcement officer. Continuing, Mr Trump called the veteran attorney a “raging maniac” who had no other goal than to “get” him and said she “knows nothing” about him despite having overseen a three-year investigation which has uncovered evidence that his companies systematically overstated the value of his properties to obtain loans and tax benefits. Two days after Ms James said the ex-president “engaged in years of illegal conduct to inflate his net worth … to deceive banks and the people of the great state of New York,” Mr Trump derided her efforts as “gross prosecutorial misconduct” that is part of an ongoing Democratic-led campaign to destroy him and his extremist political movement. “It’s coming in so many different forms, whether it’s in Atlanta, whether it’s from Washington DC, whether it’s January 6, coming from many different forms,” he continued, rattling off a list of the myriad criminal investigations that have placed him in significant legal peril as a result of his attempts to overturn the 2020 election and his hoarding of classified documents at his Palm Beach, Florida home. The former president said that in a “fair country,” the Department of Justice would be investigating Ms James for what he described as “her appalling and malicious abuse of power” instead of looking into whether he broke any US laws when he fomented a riotous mob and sent it to attack the Capitol in hopes of preventing Congress from certifying his 2020 election loss or whether he endangered US national security by hoarding highly classified documents in a basement storage room at his Florida beach club. “There’s never been a president that’s gone through the crap I’ve gone through,” he said, offering an accurate assessment of his situation without including the fact that each investigation into his conduct is predicated upon multiple violations of US and state laws. Referring to the Department of Justice investigation into the improper storage of classified documents at Mr Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, the former president called the whole situation a “hoax”. Read More…

McCarthy Unveils House GOP https://digitalalabamanews.com/mccarthy-unveils-house-gop-2/ 1 of 15 House Minority leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., greets supporters at DMI Companies in Monongahela, Pa., Friday, Sept. 23, 2022. McCarthy joined with other House Republicans to unveil their “Commitment to America” agenda. Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., right, listens as House Minority leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., speaks at DMI Companies in Monongahela, Pa., Friday, Sept. 23, 2022. McCarthy joined with other House Republicans to unveil their “Commitment to America” agenda. House Minority leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., speaks at DMI Companies in Monongahela, Pa., Friday, Sept. 23, 2022. McCarthy joined with other House Republicans to unveil their “Commitment to America” agenda. House Minority leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., speaks at DMI Companies in Monongahela, Pa., Friday, Sept. 23, 2022. McCarthy joined with other House Republicans to unveil their “Commitment to America” agenda. House Minority Whip Rep. Steve Scalise, R-La., left, and Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., right, sit on stage with McCarthy. House Minority leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., speaks at DMI Companies in Monongahela, Pa., Friday, Sept. 23, 2022. McCarthy joined with other House Republicans to unveil their “Commitment to America” agenda. House Minority leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., speaks at DMI Companies in Monongahela, Pa., Friday, Sept. 23, 2022. McCarthy joined with other House Republicans to unveil their “Commitment to America” agenda. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., listens as House Minority leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., not pictured, speaks at DMI Companies in Monongahela, Pa., Friday, Sept. 23, 2022. McCarthy joined with other House Republicans to unveil their “Commitment to America” agenda. President Joe Biden speaks during a Democratic National Committee event at the National Education Association Headquarters, Friday, Sept. 23, 2022, in Washington. President Joe Biden speaks during a Democratic National Committee event at the National Education Association Headquarters, Friday, Sept. 23, 2022, in Washington. President Joe Biden greets people after speaking during a Democratic National Committee event at the National Education Association Headquarters, Friday, Sept. 23, 2022, in Washington. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., talks to the media at DMI Companies in Monongahela, Pa., Friday, Sept. 23, 2022. Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., speaks at DMI Companies in Monongahela, Pa., Friday, Sept. 23, 2022. Rep. Steve Scalise, R-La., speaks as House Minority leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., listens at DMI Companies in Monongahela, Pa., Friday, Sept. 23, 2022. McCarthy joined with other House Republicans to unveil their “Commitment to America” agenda. President Joe Biden speaks during a Democratic National Committee event at the National Education Association Headquarters, Friday, Sept. 23, 2022, in Washington. People listen as President Joe Biden speaks during a Democratic National Committee event at the National Education Association Headquarters, Friday, Sept. 23, 2022, in Washington. Kevin McCarthy on Friday confronted President Joe Biden and the Democratic majority in Congress with a conservative midterm election agenda filled with Trump-like promises. ” itemprop=”description” 1 of 15 House Minority leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., greets supporters at DMI Companies in Monongahela, Pa., Friday, Sept. 23, 2022. McCarthy joined with other House Republicans to unveil their “Commitment to America” agenda. Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., right, listens as House Minority leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., speaks at DMI Companies in Monongahela, Pa., Friday, Sept. 23, 2022. McCarthy joined with other House Republicans to unveil their “Commitment to America” agenda. House Minority leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., speaks at DMI Companies in Monongahela, Pa., Friday, Sept. 23, 2022. McCarthy joined with other House Republicans to unveil their “Commitment to America” agenda. House Minority leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., speaks at DMI Companies in Monongahela, Pa., Friday, Sept. 23, 2022. McCarthy joined with other House Republicans to unveil their “Commitment to America” agenda. House Minority Whip Rep. Steve Scalise, R-La., left, and Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., right, sit on stage with McCarthy. House Minority leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., speaks at DMI Companies in Monongahela, Pa., Friday, Sept. 23, 2022. McCarthy joined with other House Republicans to unveil their “Commitment to America” agenda. House Minority leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., speaks at DMI Companies in Monongahela, Pa., Friday, Sept. 23, 2022. McCarthy joined with other House Republicans to unveil their “Commitment to America” agenda. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., listens as House Minority leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., not pictured, speaks at DMI Companies in Monongahela, Pa., Friday, Sept. 23, 2022. McCarthy joined with other House Republicans to unveil their “Commitment to America” agenda. President Joe Biden speaks during a Democratic National Committee event at the National Education Association Headquarters, Friday, Sept. 23, 2022, in Washington. President Joe Biden speaks during a Democratic National Committee event at the National Education Association Headquarters, Friday, Sept. 23, 2022, in Washington. President Joe Biden greets people after speaking during a Democratic National Committee event at the National Education Association Headquarters, Friday, Sept. 23, 2022, in Washington. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., talks to the media at DMI Companies in Monongahela, Pa., Friday, Sept. 23, 2022. Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., speaks at DMI Companies in Monongahela, Pa., Friday, Sept. 23, 2022. Rep. Steve Scalise, R-La., speaks as House Minority leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., listens at DMI Companies in Monongahela, Pa., Friday, Sept. 23, 2022. McCarthy joined with other House Republicans to unveil their “Commitment to America” agenda. President Joe Biden speaks during a Democratic National Committee event at the National Education Association Headquarters, Friday, Sept. 23, 2022, in Washington. People listen as President Joe Biden speaks during a Democratic National Committee event at the National Education Association Headquarters, Friday, Sept. 23, 2022, in Washington. MONONGAHELA, Pa. (AP) — House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy on Friday confronted President Joe Biden and the Democratic majority in Congress with a conservative midterm election agenda filled with Trump-like promises, working not only to win over voters but to hold together the uneasy coalition of his own party that has struggled to govern. McCarthy, who is poised to seize the speaker’s gavel if Republicans take control of the House in the fall, never once mentioned the former president. Instead, the GOP leader traveled to battleground Pennsylvania hoping to replicate the strategy that former Speaker Newt Gingrich of Georgia used to spark voter enthusiasm and gain a majority in 1994. “What the ‘Commitment’ is, it’s a plan for a new direction,” McCarthy said at a manufacturing facility in a historic building along the Monongahela River. The House GOP’s “Commitment to America” gives a nod to the earlier era but updates it in the age of Donald Trump, with economic, border security and social policies to rouse the former president’s deep well of supporters in sometimes-overlooked regions like this rusty landscape and rolling farmland outside Pittsburgh. Slim enough to fit on a “pocket card,” which McCarthy pulled from his suitcoat, the agenda uses broad strokes — “A Future That’s Built on Freedom” — supplemented by more detailed proposals on energy, security and an end to liberal social policies, particularly in schooling. President Joe Biden hit back quickly in a speech to the National Education Association. He dismissed McCarthy’s agenda as “a thin series of policy goals with little or no detail.” But he provided his own details in urging support for Democrats in the midterm elections. “If Republicans win control of the Congress abortion will be banned,” Biden said. He also criticized other GOP lawmakers for proposals to require reauthorization votes for Social Security and Medicare and opposition to gun control laws and efforts to lower prescription drug costs. “In 46 days, Americans are going to face a choice,” he said. “We have a real alternative here.” In Pennsylvania, McCarthy said that if Republicans win the House, the first bill next year will be to repeal funding approved by Democrats to bolster the Internal Revenue Service with more employees. On Friday, he stood with a wide cross-section of lawmakers — from far-right Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., to less extreme GOP members of Congress — offering a portrait of unity despite the wide range of views that make up the House minority — and the Republican Party nationally. The GOP in the Trump-era has shifted from its focus on small government, low taxes and individual freedoms to a more populist, nationalist and, at times, far-right party, essentially still led by the former president, who remains popular despite the deepening state and federal investigations against him. Propelled by Trump’s “Make America Great Again” voters, the Republicans need to pick up just a few seats to win back control of the narrowly split House and replace Speaker Nancy Pelosi. But even so, McCarthy’s ability to lead the House is far from guaranteed. While Republicans and Trump did pass tax cuts into law, the GOP’s last big campaign promise, repealing and replacing the Affordable Care Act, also known as “Obamacare,” collapsed in failure. Republican speakers, including Gingrich, John Boehner and Paul Ryan, have been forced from office or have chosen early retirement, often ground down by party infighting. “House Republicans are really good at running people out of town,” said Matt Schlapp...

AL Lawmaker: Widespread Electric Vehicle Adoption Could Cause $700 Million Gas Tax Revenue Shortfall https://digitalalabamanews.com/al-lawmaker-widespread-electric-vehicle-adoption-could-cause-700-million-gas-tax-revenue-shortfall/ MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WIAT) — Gov. Kay Ivey and other state leaders are welcoming the shift to electric vehicles in Alabama as a plus for the economy. Lawmakers are grappling with how to make up for lost gas tax revenue if, and some say when, EVs become dominant on the roads. Right now, Alabama collects about $1 billion a year in gas taxes which funds road projects. However, a widespread shift to electric vehicles could reduce that total by about $700 million, according to House Ways and Means Budget Committee Chairman Danny Garrett. “How do we build roads in Alabama? And that’s a question as we consider this pending shift in consumer demand,” Garrett (R, Trussville) said. It’s a shift Gov. Ivey says could be big for Alabama’s car manufacturing industry. “We need to lean in on this new technology for the sake of our economy tomorrow,” Ivey said at the EV summit in Birmingham Thursday. The state does charge an annual $200 electric vehicle fee, but Garrett estimates that would bring in only about $200 million a year if vehicles switched to electric. He says lawmakers have started talking about what to do if and when a shortfall happens. “The shift is not imminent, so it’s not going to happen like right now. I think the discussions have begun and I think will continue in the next session,” Garrett said. That shift could come sooner than later. Alabama Clean Fuels Coalition President Michael Staley says EV adoption is happening fast. “We saw a 62% increase in the number of EV’s registered to drivers in the state last year. This year just in the first nine months of the year we’ve seen another doubling of those,” Staley said. Staley says EVs shouldn’t be held wholly responsible for a dip in revenue. “What we have is more increasing efficiency in all forms of transportation, including gas-burning vehicles, and as a result of that you have less gas tax revenue,” Staley said. Another House Budget Committee Chairman Steve Clouse says he doesn’t think this is something Alabama needs to address right now. “Not at this time, I don’t. Who knows what may happen 10 to 15 years down the road,” Clouse (R, Ozark) said. Staley says even with EV drivers not paying a gas tax, the state still benefits a lot from out-of-state drivers who stop for a charge and spend money while they’re here. Read More…

Tropical Depression Nine Strengthens In The Caribbean, Forecast To Hit Florida As Category 3 Hurricane https://digitalalabamanews.com/tropical-depression-nine-strengthens-in-the-caribbean-forecast-to-hit-florida-as-category-3-hurricane/ Video above: The latest tropical forecast from WPBF 25 News meteorologists. Tropical Depression Nine formed in the Caribbean Friday morning, and it is expected to strengthen into a Category 3 hurricane by the time it hits Florida next week. Gov. Ron DeSantis issued a state of emergency for 24 counties in Florida Friday.Informational: 2022 WPBF 25 First Warning Weather Hurricane Survival Guide This comes as Hurricane Fiona, Tropical Storm Gaston, Tropical Storm Hermine and other disturbances churn in the Atlantic. Those are not a threat to Florida at this time. As of 8 p.m. Friday, it is 410 miles east-southeast of Kingston, Jamaica. It has maximum sustained winds of 35 mph. Tropical Depression Nine is moving west-northwest at 15 mph. Weather | Radar | Hurricanes | Traffic | uLocal | Facebook | Twitter | InstagramOutlook: All of South Florida is in the cone for Tropical Depression Nine’s path as continues to strengthen in the Caribbean Sea. The next name for a storm is Ian.It is forecast to become a Category 3 hurricane before making landfall on the west coast of Florida. Watches and Warnings:There is a hurricane watch in effect for the Cayman Islands There is a tropical storm watch in effect for JamaicaStay Prepared: WPBF 25 News coverage on hurricanesOne of the models has the storm crossing from the west coast of Florida over Okeechobee County, according to WPBF 25 News meteorologists. South Florida could see tropical storm-force winds as early as Tuesday morning with possible watches as early as Sunday.WPBF 25 News meteorologist Glenn Glazer discussed the possibility of a tropical system hitting Florida during late September in the WPBF 2022 Hurricane Season Forecast.Video below: WPBF 25 News 2022 Atlantic Hurricane Season ForecastStay updated on the latest weather updates with the WPBF 25 News app. You can download it here. Video above: The latest tropical forecast from WPBF 25 News meteorologists. Tropical Depression Nine formed in the Caribbean Friday morning, and it is expected to strengthen into a Category 3 hurricane by the time it hits Florida next week. Gov. Ron DeSantis issued a state of emergency for 24 counties in Florida Friday. Informational: 2022 WPBF 25 First Warning Weather Hurricane Survival Guide This comes as Hurricane Fiona, Tropical Storm Gaston, Tropical Storm Hermine and other disturbances churn in the Atlantic. Those are not a threat to Florida at this time. As of 8 p.m. Friday, it is 410 miles east-southeast of Kingston, Jamaica. It has maximum sustained winds of 35 mph. Tropical Depression Nine is moving west-northwest at 15 mph. Weather | Radar | Hurricanes | Traffic | uLocal | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Outlook: All of South Florida is in the cone for Tropical Depression Nine’s path as continues to strengthen in the Caribbean Sea. The next name for a storm is Ian. It is forecast to become a Category 3 hurricane before making landfall on the west coast of Florida. Watches and Warnings: There is a hurricane watch in effect for the Cayman Islands There is a tropical storm watch in effect for Jamaica Stay Prepared: WPBF 25 News coverage on hurricanes One of the models has the storm crossing from the west coast of Florida over Okeechobee County, according to WPBF 25 News meteorologists. South Florida could see tropical storm-force winds as early as Tuesday morning with possible watches as early as Sunday. WPBF 25 News meteorologist Glenn Glazer discussed the possibility of a tropical system hitting Florida during late September in the WPBF 2022 Hurricane Season Forecast. Video below: WPBF 25 News 2022 Atlantic Hurricane Season Forecast Stay updated on the latest weather updates with the WPBF 25 News app. You can download it here. Read More…

Southern-Based Outdoor Network For Black Women Signs Brand Deal With REI https://digitalalabamanews.com/southern-based-outdoor-network-for-black-women-signs-brand-deal-with-rei/ Outdoorsy Black Women, a social network for Black women who enjoy nature and the outdoors, has inked a brand partnership with outdoor retail giant REI. The group has signed on to join REI’s Inclusion Partnerships Network. Through the network, the retailer builds partnerships with organizations and leaders working to create a more diverse community for outdoor leisure and adventure. Organizations in the network include Black Girls RUN!, LatinXHikers, and The Venture Out Project. REI and the nonprofit organization Outdoor Afro have also collaborated on a line of hiking gear which debuted earlier this month. Through the brand partnership, Outdoorsy Black Women and REI will share and promote content, such as photos and videos, on social media. Outdoorsy Black Women has also agreed to promote REI through its app, and REI will supply merchandise and staff for the organization’s events, as well as provide funds for travel. Valese Jones, a Birmingham native and University of Alabama alum who manages publicity and branding for Outdoorsy Black Women, says the network created the terms of the partnership contract. “The only thing (REI) did was say ‘These are the things we want from you.’ But, in terms of what we were going to offer them, we pretty much came up with the things that we were going to include them in,” said Jones. “So they are covering things for us like travel expenses, money for us to do content creation, giveaways and gear.” Jones has worked with Toyin Ajayi, the founder of Outdoorsy Black Women, since 2019. In June 2020, Ajayi, who is based in Georgia, started her transition to nomadic life, opting to give up her permanent residence to live out of an RV and travel full-time. “So as I decided to do that, I recognized that I kind of wanted to commune and find other like-minded Black women,” said Ajayi. Ajayi and Jones worked together to launch Black Women Camp, a group inspired by Ajayi’s desire to connect with Black women who enjoy camping as well as RV, van, and nomadic life. The network, which launched that summer, was primarily based in a Facebook group. Ajayi didn’t develop the group solely for social networking. She also created the group to help other Black female campers feel safe. “During that time, it was right before the election. More and more Black campers and more and more Black van lifers were feeling unsafe going to different campgrounds,” said Ajayi. “There were stories of Black campers being harassed at different campgrounds. So a lot of us started turning to social media and asking ‘Where is it safe to go camping? Where is it safe to go spend time outdoors?’ And what I noticed was, as Black women were asking these questions in groups, people were gaslighting us. People were saying ‘It’s nothing different than what it is to be a woman outdoors’ or ‘Why does it have to be about race?’” Ajayi recognized the need for Black women to have their own private spaces to talk about concerns they had when traveling outdoors. “I recognized it was more than just Black women that were camping who needed a safe space,” said Ajayi. That’s where Outdoorsy Black Women came into the picture. In November 2020, Ajayi and Jones folded Black Women Camp into the wider umbrella of Outdoorsy Black Women― a network for Black cisgender women, transgender women, and non-binary people to connect through outdoor activities such as hiking, beekeeping, gardening, and hunting. Instead of Facebook, members of Outdoorsy Black Women communicate primarily through the dashboard on the network’s website, as well as the free app. Joining the Outdoorsy Black Women is free, and members have access to shop for merchandise, as well as the network’s book club. Members can also participate in discussion forums, take quizzes, and plan events, such as group hikes. The Outdoorsy Black Women blog has articles with advice about nature and outdoor activities, including preparing for van life, fishing, and Black-owned farms. Outdoorsy Black Women has chapters in more than 10 states, including Alabama. Each chapter is led by an ambassador. Lakeitha Clark, the ambassador for the Alabama Chapter of Outdoorsy Black Women (left) and Toyin Ajayi (right) hold up a banner before a hike up Red Mountain Park in Birmingham. (Shauna Stuart| AL.com) Last November, after months of conversations, Ajayi and Jones started working with REI on event partnerships with Outdoorsy Black Women— the retailer supplied the group with either money or equipment for events such as demonstrations or nature walks. This year, REI sponsored Outdoorsy Black Women’s biggest event to date: the inaugural Wine and Waterfalls, an all inclusive outdoor retreat with options for traditional tent camping or the more luxurious “glamping.” For three days and two nights, attendees dined, hiked, and attended bonding sessions such as yoga classes and movie nights. As part of the sponsorship, staff from REI were also on hand to teach two sessions: one about how to pitch a tent and another about how to safely start a fire. “A lot of the women we attract are first time campers for wine and waterfalls. So it’s important to have knowledgeable people out there with us,” said Jones. Jones says REI has signed on to sponsor Wine and Waterfalls again next year. The new diversity partnership means REI will also provide ongoing support for events such as hikes, happy hours, and classes, as well as the Outdoorsy Black Women app. The brand deal, says Jones, is an elevation from their previous partnership, which was mostly centered on activities. “They decided to take us to the corporate level,” said Jones. “So, it’s just an overall partnership that has the potential to grow throughout the years.” Hikers walk Red Mountain Park in Birmingham with the Alabama Chapter of Outdoorsy Black Women (Shauna Stuart|Al.com) Over the years, REI has been open about its intentions to create a more inclusive environment in the outdoor leisure and retail industry. In 2018, the company released a detailed description about its initiatives, including a new role that would consult across the retailer’s divisions on topics of diversity, equity and inclusion. In 2020, amid the nation-wide protests for social justice, REI released a statement committing to the fight for social equity. A year later, the company reasserted its commitment to racial equity by pledging to become a fully inclusive, anti-racist, multicultural organization. Jones says, so far, REI has followed through on its promises to help create a more inclusive outdoor industry. “They were doing this before it was the thing to do. They have diversity partners that they’ve been with for years. So, it wasn’t like they just started their diversity initiatives.” “I love working with them because they are real allies. They’re not those allies that don’t listen to you and don’t hear you. We can talk to them about real things, like why we don’t share the location of our hikes publicly,” said Jones. “We don’t share them until a few days before (the hikes) because some people will feel a type of way because it’s just a group of Black women. And that could put us in harm’s way.” With the new partnership, Jones is looking forward to continuing to expand Outdoorsy Black Women to more cities. The network has added eight more chapters since July, including two chapters in New York— one in upstate and one in New York City. Last month, the chapter hosted a hike in Central Park. Outdoorsy Black Women has also added chapters in Greensboro, N.C., Phoenix. Los Angeles, Chicago, Colorado, and Jacksonville, Fla. Wine and Waterfalls, Outdoorsy Black Women’s crown jewel event, will return next May for its second year. Tickets go on sale in October. Note to readers: if you purchase something through one of our affiliate links we may earn a commission. Read More…

U.S. Tells Lula It Plans To Quickly Recognize Brazil Election Winner, Sources Say https://digitalalabamanews.com/u-s-tells-lula-it-plans-to-quickly-recognize-brazil-election-winner-sources-say/ A man runs past banners with photos of presidential candidates, Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro, Ciro Gomes and former president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil September 1, 2022. REUTERS/Pilar Olivares/File Photo Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com BRASILIA/RIO DE JANEIRO, Sept 23 (Reuters) – U.S. diplomats have assured Brazil’s leading presidential candidate, leftist former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, that they will swiftly recognize the winner of next month’s election, two sources told Reuters, seeking to avert any attempt to contest a legitimate result or sow chaos after the vote. With just days to go until the first-round vote on Oct. 2, Lula is ahead in the polls against President Jair Bolsonaro, a far-right populist who has sought to discredit Brazil’s electronic voting system. Critics fear Bolsonaro may follow the example of former U.S. President Donald Trump and refuse to accept an electoral defeat. One of the sources, who requested anonymity to discuss the confidential talks, said that in a meeting on Wednesday, Lula asked Douglas Koneff, the top U.S. diplomat in Brazil, for a quick U.S. recognition if he does win, either in the first-round vote or in an Oct. 30 runoff. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Lula was told that Washington plans to immediately recognize the results, regardless of who wins, setting an example for other nations to follow suit and minimize the chance of a contested result, the source added. Lula foreign policy adviser Celso Amorim heard similar assurances on Thursday when he met with a group of diplomats from Latin America and the Caribbean, the other source said. A third source said many European countries are also planning for swift recognition of Brazil’s election results. In response to a request for comment, a U.S. State Department spokesperson did not mention the Lula meeting, but said in a statement that get-togethers with presidential candidates “do not imply support for a particular individual, party, or platform.” The spokesperson added that the State Department “trusts in the strength of Brazil’s democratic institutions.” Still scarred by the Jan. 6, 2021, assault on the U.S. Capitol by Trump supporters, the administration of President Joe Biden has grown increasingly concerned with Bolsonaro’s baseless allegations of electoral fraud, sending high-level delegations to Brasilia to urge him to commit to democratic norms. Reuters reported in may that the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency director last year told senior Brazilian officials that Bolsonaro should stop casting doubt on the voting system. One of the sources said that in the meeting with Koneff, Lula thanked the United States for having expressed faith in Brazil’s voting system. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Reporting by Lisandra Paraguassu and Gabriel Stargardter Additional reporting by Anthony Boadle Editing by Brad Haynes, Alistair Bell and Leslie Adler Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. Read More…

Tuscaloosa Police Arrest Four In String Of Vehicle Break-Ins https://digitalalabamanews.com/tuscaloosa-police-arrest-four-in-string-of-vehicle-break-ins/ TUSCALOOSA, AL — The Tuscaloosa Police Department on Friday announced four arrests of suspects believed to have been responsible for multiple vehicle break-ins over the last few weeks. Click here to subscribe to our free daily newsletter and breaking news alerts. TPD said in a press release on Friday that three of the suspects who were allegedly working together are accused in a string of break-ins recently reported in the Forest Lake neighborhood. Find out what’s happening in Tuscaloosawith free, real-time updates from Patch. Another suspect, reportedly working alone, was arrested Friday morning after he was caught on camera breaking into a car parked in Rosedale. TPD said officers responded to 29th Street in Rosedale on the call of a vehicle break-in in progress around 1 a.m. Friday morning. Officers then reportedly spotted Bryan Michael Covey, 44, walking away from the area with a backpack. TPD officers would eventually obtain surveillance video that showed Covey going through a resident’s parked car. The owner informed police that they did not know Covey. Find out what’s happening in Tuscaloosawith free, real-time updates from Patch. Covey was charged with one count of breaking into a vehicle and transported to the Tuscaloosa County Jail, where his bond was set at $10,000. TPD then said that earlier in the week, Marcus Edwards and Corvaddius Henderson — both 19 years old — and a 14 year old were each charged with seven counts of unlawful breaking and entering a vehicle. TPD explained that the three individuals were identified as the suspects seen on multiple home surveillance cameras in the Forrest Lake area during the early morning hours of Aug. 25. Items stolen included clothing, electronics and a firearm. Edwards saw his bond set at $105,000, while Henderson’s was set at $52,500. The juvenile in the case was taken to the Tuscaloosa County Juvenile Detention Center. Have a news tip or suggestion on how I can improve Tuscaloosa Patch? Maybe you’re interested in having your business become one of the latest sponsors for Tuscaloosa Patch? Email all inquiries to me at ryan.phillips@patch.com Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com. The rules of replying: Be respectful. This is a space for friendly local discussions. No racist, discriminatory, vulgar or threatening language will be tolerated. Be transparent. Use your real name, and back up your claims. Keep it local and relevant. Make sure your replies stay on topic. Review the Patch Community Guidelines. Read More…

Football High Live: Scores, Updates From Friday's Week 6 Slate https://digitalalabamanews.com/football-high-live-scores-updates-from-fridays-week-6-slate/ It’s non-region week across the state of Alabama, but the Week 6 matchups are as big as we have seen in quite a while. Central-Phenix City hosting national power IMG Academy, Theodore traveling to Opelika, Clay-Chalkville putting its 20-game win streak on the line at Thompson and Hoover taking on Mountain Brook are just some of the intriguing matchups. Also in Mobile, St. Michael takes on McGill-Toolen for the first time in the battle of the two Gulf Coast Catholic schools. RELATED: Ben Thomas’ mid-season report card RELATED: ASWA prep football rankings Check back frequently tonight for updates and all the final scores. 7:50 PM, Picking them apart: Cam Long intercepts Spanish Fort’s Brayden Walker and Daphne has the ball again, leading Spanish Fort 7-0. Trojans at the Toro 23 with 6:19 left in the half. Andalusia 14, Bibb County 6 (End 1) Bulldogs trying to stay undefeated Oxford 21, Hartselle 17 (7:03 2nd) West Limestone 10, East Limestone 0 (2nd) Prattville 21, Stanhope Elmore 10 (7:50 2nd) Ardmore 28, Elkmont 0 (10:25 2nd) 7:48 PM, Good one in south Baldwin County: Foley scores to tie Class 6A No. 3 Saraland 7-7. Here’s the TD … 7:45 PM, Checking in on the Catholics: McGill-Toolen turns an interception into an 81-yard field goal drive. Yellow Jackets lead St. Michael 10-0. St. Michael coach Philip Rivers said this week that his team could not afford to turn it over and get behind early. They have a fumble and an interception already. Thompson 10, Clay-Chalkville 0 (10:47 2nd) Central-Florence 28, Westminster 14 (7:45 2nd) Moody 28, Shelby County 0 7:39 PM, End 1 in Alabaster: Thompson leads Class 6A No. 1 Clay-Chalkville 7-0 and is driving again as they head to the second quarter. New Hope 14, Decatur Heritage 10 (10:04 2nd) Central-Florence 21, Westminster 14 (11:56 2nd) Guntersville 14, Buckhorn 0 (End 1) Florence 14, Minor 3 (End 1) Fyffe 28, Plainview 0 (2nd) Weaver 14, Asbury 0 (2nd) Sylvania 14, Pisgah 7 (2nd) Westbrook 35, Section 0 (2nd) Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa 14, Gadsden City 10 (2nd) Woodville 24, Brindlee Mtn. 0 (2nd) Oxford 14, Hartselle 10 (2nd) Douglas 21, West Point 7 (2nd) 7:34 PM, Heading to the 4th: IMG Academy leads Central-Phenix City 34-26. Been a good game so far. You can with the final quarter on ESPNU. Jaylen Epps with 213 yards and 2 TDs passing and a TD running for the Red Devils. Trojans take the lead: Stephon Blackshear with a TD on a quarterback keeper to open the second quarter for Daphne. Trojans lead Spanish Fort 7-0 early in the second quarter. Blackshear’s long reception from Gabe Reynolds got Daphne close. In Opelika, the homestanding Bulldogs lead Theodore 21-7 after one quarter. 7:28 PM, Ho Hum: Saraland’s Ryan Williams with another TD, this one from 54 yards out. He now has 17 total TDs in 6 games. Spartans lead at Foley 7-0 with 3:43 left in the first. Read about Williams’ transformation from quarterback to sophomore receiving stud. Also: Northridge 7, American Christian 7 (End 1) Hoover 7, Mountain Brook 7 (End 1) McGill-Toolen 7, St. Michael 0 (11:16 2nd) Alexandria 0, Central-Clay County 0 (End 1) Dothan 14, Baker 7 (End 1) Daphne 0, Spanish Fort 0 (End 1, Trojans will start the 2nd inside the Toros’ 10) 7:23 PM, Warriors on top: Class 7A Thompson gets a 56-yard TD run from AJ Green and leads Class 6A No. 1 Clay-Chalkville 7-0 with 7:05 left in the first quarter in Alabaster. Other scores: Williamson 0, Blount 0 (After 1) Central-Florence 14, Westminster 7 (3:01 1st) Gardendale 0, Austin 0 (End 1) Decatur Heritage 10, New Hope 7 (4:01 1st) Leroy 6, St. Luke’s 0 (3:01 1st) Briarwood Christian 14, Oak Mountain 0 Mobile Christian 14, Pensacola Catholic 0 (Kolin Wilson 54-yard TD run) St. Michael 0, McGill-Toolen 0 (End 1) 7:12 PM, Hanging around: Jaylen Epps with a 1-yard TD run for Central-Phenix City. Red Devils close to within 27-26 of IMG with 7:33 left in the third. At Spanish Fort, homestanding Toros force a Daphne punt on the opening possession and now have the ball. 0-0. Pelham 7, Chelsea 0 (1st) Decatur Heritage 10, New Hope 0 (1st) Alabama Christian 13, Montgomery Academy 7 Sidney Lanier 14, Satsuma 0 7:06 PM, War on the Eastern Shore: Baldwin County rivals Daphne and Spanish Fort renewing their rivalry tonight on the Hill in Spanish Fort. Big game for both teams. A few scores already: Central-Florence 7, Westminster 0 (9:53 1st) Mobile Christian 7, Pensacola Catholic 0 (9:27 1st, Patrick Sullivan 1-yard run) IMG 27, Central-Phenix City 19 (10:14 3rd) Decatur Heritage 3, New Hope 0 (8:28 1st) Clay-Chalkville 0, Thompson 0 (Warriors miss a FG after a strip sack) 7:04 PM, 2 powers meet: Clay-Chalkville puts its 20-game win streak on the line at three-time reigning 7A champ Thompson. 6:58 PM, Big one in North Alabama … as James Clemens visits unbeaten Muscle Shoals, one of the state’s surprise teams so far. 6:53 PM, Tough task for the Leopards: Mobile Christian may be facing a tough test tonight at home against a talented, ranked and undefeated Pensacola Catholic team. 6:46 PM, Battle of the Catholics: One of the more intriguing games of the night comes at Archbishop Lipscomb Stadium in Mobile were St. Michael Catholic battles tradition-rich McGill-Toolen Catholic for the first time on the football field. Read the preview here. 6:38 PM, Halftime: Central-Phenix City’s nationally televised game against IMG Academy kicked off at 5 p.m. and is at the half already. IMG rallied from a 19-6 deficit by outscoring the Red Devils 21-7 in the second quarter. IMG leads 27-19 at the break. Central QB Jaylen Epps has thrown for 147 yards and 2 TDs, 1 to Karmello English and 1 to TJ Parker. Here’s the English TD from Christian Clemente. 6:12 PM, Rough news: Pensacola High head coach and Opp native Cantrell Tyson had a second stroke while at school today and is back in the hospital. Tyson had a stroke during a game two weeks ago. Continued prayers for the coach’s recover. THURSDAY’S SCORES Anniston 30, Piedmont 28 Charles Henderson 26, St. James 14 Corner 44, Fultondale 6 Hewitt-Trussville 49, Huffman 8 Highland Home 28, Brantley 27 Mary Montgomery 35, Baldwin Co. 7 Millry 27, Clarke Co. 7 Winfield 52, Hamilton 0 Note to readers: if you purchase something through one of our affiliate links we may earn a commission. Read More…

Geneva Keasal I. Obituary (2022) https://digitalalabamanews.com/geneva-keasal-i-obituary-2022/ Geneva I. Keasal of Hillsdale, MI, age 90, went to be with the Lord and her Savior Jesus Christ on Saturday, September 17, 2022. She was born on January 8, 1932 in Macon, MI to Harley and Ethel Kimerer. She was preceded in death by both of her parents, as well as her brothers Dewitt and Karl and twin sister Gene (Kimerer) Barrett. Earlier this year, she was preceded in the death of her husband, Harold Keasal. During their 72 years together, they demonstrated to their children the importance of having a Christ-centered marriage and love for one another. She is survived by three sons; Douglas (Brenda) Keasal of Canton; Doyle (Carolyn) Keasal of Auburn, AL; Kenneth (Gloria) Keasal of Hillsdale; and a daughter, Marilyn (Harvey) Herriman of East Tawas. In addition, she is survived by seven grandchildren, Christie (Keasal) Stephens, Eugene Herriman, Lauren (Keasal) Storey, Allison (Keasal) Mock, Jennifer (Keasal) Nagel, Maya Keasal –Anjum and Shawn Keasal as well as 11 great grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren. Geneva was greatly loved and admired by her family for her unselfish love of Christ and family, and willingness to serve and help others. Geneva graduated from Britton High School in 1950. Geneva always saw her main role in life as being a housewife and mother but she also pursued other interests and worked out of the home at times. Since Harold and Geneva started their lives together as a farming couple, she helped in the fields as needed, especially during haying season. During their early years together they farmed near Manchester, MI where all four of their children were born. During her time in the Manchester area, she also drove school bus, played organ and piano at church and made wedding cakes. In 1976, they moved to Camden, MI where they continued to farm on a lesser scale. While living in Camden, Geneva started to pursue her interest in a variety of artistic areas. She started her own business called Keasal’s Krafts where she displayed her artistic talents through wood crafts, painting, stained glass, and sewing. Harold also helped her with her business and always traveled with her to a number of art festivals around the area. Geneva continued her arts and crafts business for many years along with teaching painting to people in the community well into her 80’s. She enjoyed the flowers that Harold grew for her in the yard, going to church functions at Cambria Baptist Church, spending time with family and friends, and helping others. During the past few years, they looked forward to the weekly Saturday evening trip to the Gospel Barn in Hillsdale to enjoy time with friends and listening to Christian music. Playing a variety of games with others or by herself while sitting around the kitchen table helped keep her mind sharp up until the end. Visitation and funeral service will be at Cambria Baptist Church on Thursday, September 22, 2022. Visitation will begin at 11:00 am, immediately followed with the funeral service at 1:00 pm. Pastor David Locke will be officiating. In lieu of flowers, a memorial contribution may be made to Cambria Baptist Church or to Hospice of Hillsdale. Please visit www.hamptonfuneralhomes.com to sign the guestbook and/or send a condolence to the family. Hampton Funeral Homes – Hillsdale 517-437-0605 To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Geneva, please visit our floral store. Published by Hampton Funeral Homes – Hillsdale on Sep. 23, 2022. Read More…

4 People Dead In Oak Forest Fire, Barricade Situation; Shootings Caught On Neighbor's Ring Camera https://digitalalabamanews.com/4-people-dead-in-oak-forest-fire-barricade-situation-shootings-caught-on-neighbors-ring-camera/ OAK FOREST, Ill. (WLS) — Four people are dead in Oak Forest after neighbors said a man was seen shooting his family members outside his home before barricading himself inside and setting the home on fire. The Cook County Medical Examiner’s office identified the victims Friday afternoon as 22-year-old Briana Rodriguez, 20-year-old Emilio Rodriguez, 43-year-old Lupe Gomez and 44-year-old Carlos Gomez. The man’s next-door neighbor’s Ring camera captured video of the incident Friday morning in the 5500-block of Ann Marie Lane in Oak Forest. ABC7 viewed the video, which appeared to show a man shooting three people outside of the home while one runs away. The man can then be seen going back into the home and barricading himself inside, then setting the home on fire. WATCH | Deadly Oak Forest shootings, fire caught on doorbell camera Neighbors said they awoke to more than a dozen gunshots about 6:30 a.m. Oak Forest police said they initially responded to a domestic disturbance involving a report of gunfire in the area around 7 a.m. When they arrived, police said they found two gunshot victims in the driveway and a third in the road, south of the home. Oak Forest police pulled the victims into their squad cars while the suspect was still on the scene. They were taken to local hospitals, but later died from their injuries, police said. Meanwhile, the suspect was still inside the home when police said a minor was safely evacuated to police before the fire broke out. SEE ALSO | Aunt faces attempted murder charges after pushing 3-year-old nephew into lake near Navy Pier Police initially asked residents who live in the area to shelter in place, but said there was no longer a threat to the community about 10 a.m. Neighbors said the family had lived in the home about eight years and there were some recent history of problems there, but no one imagined it would end like this. “A normal family just like us,” neighbor Cody Wilson said. “The neighbors over there were all shocked as well,” Cheryl Wilson added. “They don’t understand what’s happened.” One neighbor said the family had been acting strangely in recent weeks, and said he heard a lot of arguing and screaming. He said police had been called to the home before. “We just kinda sat here and watch it unfold in disbelief,” neighbor Jake Bittner said. “It’s a hell of a way to wake up.” WATCH | Police respond to barricade situation, fire at Oak Forest home Emergency crews were on the scene all morning, and went inside to investigate once the fire was put out. There, they found the fourth deceased person, who is believed to be the suspect. The ages of identities of the suspect and victims are still not being released until more family can be notified. SEE ALSO | Tinley Park teen killed by her father weeks before high school graduation, police say Neighbors are truly devastated and in shock over what’s happened. “We just ask that everyone pray for the family,” Cody Wilson said. Neighbors said that a surviving family member is a student at Oak Forest High School. Oak Forest High School canceled its homecoming parade Friday, citing “an ongoing incident in the community.” A spokesperson for Bremen High School District 228 confirmed the homecoming football game will still take place on campus Friday night. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Sgt. Ryan Burnett at the Oak Forest Police Department at 7086871376 or rburnett@oakforest.org. Copyright © 2022 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved. Read More…

Donald Trump Allies Create A New Super PAC Called MAGA Inc. https://digitalalabamanews.com/donald-trump-allies-create-a-new-super-pac-called-maga-inc/ NEW YORK (AP) — Top allies of former President Donald Trump are creating a new super PAC that’s expected to serve as the main vehicle for his midterm spending and could become a key part of his campaign infrastructure should he move forward with a 2024 White House run. The political action committee, called MAGA Inc., will supersede Trump’s existing super PAC, Politico first reported. Paperwork for the new committee was filed Friday morning with the Federal Election Commission. The buildout comes as Trump, a Republican, is under mounting legal pressure on multiple fronts. The Department of Justice has launched a criminal investigation into how hundreds of documents with classified markings ended up at his Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida, and state and federal officials are probing his efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss to Democrat Joe Biden. And in New York, Attorney General Letitia James filed a lawsuit this week claiming Trump’s namesake company engaged in decades of fraudulent bookkeeping, padding his net worth by billions of dollars and habitually misleading banks. News of the new super PAC also comes less than two months before the Nov. 8 midterm elections and as many Republican candidates have been struggling to raise money against well-funded Democrats. WATCH: New book ‘The Divider’ takes a look at Trump presidency and what led to January 6 attacks “President Trump is committed to saving America, and Make America Great Again, Inc. will ensure that is achieved at the ballot box in November and beyond,” said Trump spokesman Taylor Budowich, who will serve as the group’s executive director. Others joining the committee include Republican strategist Chris LaCivita, longtime Trump pollster Tony Fabrizio and communications aides Steven Cheung and Alex Pfeiffer. Until now, Trump’s Save America leadership PAC, which must abide by far stricter fundraising and spending limits and has come under its own scrutiny, has served as his chief political vehicle. Super PACs can raise unlimited money and spend it freely but are barred from coordinating directly with campaigns. Trump officials declined to say how much the notoriously thrifty former president intends to spend on his midterm efforts or how much he might try to transfer from his Save America PAC, which ended August with more than $90 million. The Associated Press previously reported that aides had been discussing the possibility of moving at least some of that money to a new or repurposed super PAC, though campaign finance experts are mixed on the legality of such a move. While Trump has been a prolific fundraiser since leaving office, vacuuming up small-dollar donations, his existing super PAC — Make America Great Again, Again! — has not been a major midterm player. READ MORE: Trump should not run for president in 2024, majority of Americans say Trump has been under growing pressure to open his war chest and start spending on midterm races as Republicans have been outraised by Democrats heading into the final campaign stretch. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, in particular, has urged candidates with Trump’s support to ask him to open his wallet. In the meantime, candidates, including some who presented themselves as McConnell antagonists during their primaries, have had to grovel to him and the Senate Leadership Fund, the super PAC he controls, which had $100 million in reserve at the end of June. Trump played a highly visible role during the GOP primaries, endorsing hundreds of candidates up and down the ballot, from Senate to governor to county commissioner. But some of those contenders are now struggling in their general election races, putting control of the evenly divided Senate up in the air. Trump is widely expected to launch another presidential run, but the timing of an announcement remains unclear. While he had once been keen to announce before the midterm elections, in part to try to stave off a long list of potential rivals who have been circling, some aides have urged him to wait, warning that announcing early could leave him open to blame if Republicans perform poorly in November. Read More…

QAnon Follower Who Chased Officer Convicted In Jan. 6 Trial https://digitalalabamanews.com/qanon-follower-who-chased-officer-convicted-in-jan-6-trial/ WASHINGTON (AP) — An Iowa man was convicted Friday of charges that he led a crowd of rioters in chasing a U.S. Capitol police officer up a staircase and accosting other officers guarding the Senate, one of the most harrowing scenes of the mob’s attack that day. A federal jury deliberated for roughly four hours before convicting Douglas Jensen of felony charges that he obstructed Congress from certifying the Electoral College vote on Jan. 6, 2021, and that he assaulted or interfered with police officers during the siege. Jensen was convicted on all counts, including a charge that he engaged in disorderly conduct inside the Capitol while carrying a folding knife in his pocket. During the trial’s closing arguments, a prosecutor accused Jensen of “weaponizing” rioters by taking the lead in chasing Capitol Police Officer Eugene Goodman up a staircase. A reporter’s video of the confrontation went viral. “The defendant wasn’t just leading the mob. He was weaponizing it,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Hava Mirell told jurors. “He knew he had the numbers, and he was willing to use them.” FILE – This photo provided by Polk County (Iowa) Jail shows Douglas Jensen. The Iowa man was “weaponizing” rioters who joined him in chasing a police officer up a staircase during one of the most harrowing scenes from a mob’s attack on the U.S. Capitol, a prosecutor told jurors on Friday, Sept. 23, 2022, at the close of his trial. (Polk County (Iowa) Jail via AP, File) Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE – Smoke fills the walkway outside the Senate Chamber as supporters of President Donald Trump, including Douglas Jensen, center, are confronted by U.S. Capitol Police officers, Jan. 6, 2021, inside the Capitol in Washington. The Iowa man was “weaponizing” rioters who joined him in chasing a police officer up a staircase during one of the most harrowing scenes from a mob’s attack on the U.S. Capitol, a prosecutor told jurors on Friday, Sept. 23, 2022, at the close of his trial. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta, File) Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS/Manuel Balce Ceneta PreviousNext Jensen, a construction worker from Des Moines, Iowa, was wearing a T-shirt with a large “Q” expressing his adherence to the QAnon conspiracy theory. One of the most memorable images from the Jan. 6 attack captured Jensen with his arms extended as he confronted a line of police officers near the Senate chambers. “Go arrest the vice president,” Jensen told one of the officers, according to prosecutors. QAnon has centered on the baseless belief that former President Donald Trump was secretly fighting a Satan-worshipping cabal of “deep state” enemies, prominent Democrats and Hollywood elites. Jensen believed the conspiracy theory’s apocalyptic prophesy that “The Storm” was coming and would usher in mass arrests and executions of Trump’s foes, including Vice President Mike Pence. Pence was presiding over the Senate on Jan. 6 as a joint session of Congress was convened to certify President Joe Biden’s 2020 electoral victory. Before the riot, Trump and his allies spread the falsehood that Pence somehow could have overturned the election results. After scaling the outer walls of the Capitol, Jensen climbed through a broken window to enter the building. Prosecutors said Jensen learned from a friend’s text message that Pence was about to certify the election results. “That’s all about to change,” Jensen replied. Jensen didn’t testify at his trial, which started Tuesday. Goodman was a key witness for prosecutors. Before running upstairs, Goodman approached Jensen and other rioters with his hand on his gun. Fearing for his life, Goodman retreated upstairs and found backup from other officers guarding an entrance to the Senate, where senators were being evacuated, according to prosecutors. At least 880 people have been charged with Capitol riot-related federal crimes. About 400 of them have pleaded guilty. Juries have convicted eight Capitol riot defendants after trials. None of the defendants who had jury trials was acquitted of any charges. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Read More…

Readers Write: Pardoning Trump, Elections, Health Care Internship https://digitalalabamanews.com/readers-write-pardoning-trump-elections-health-care-internship/ Opinion editor’s note: Star Tribune Opinion publishes letters from readers online and in print each day. To contribute, click here. ••• On Sept. 8, 1974, President Gerald Ford issued a full and unconditional pardon to former President Richard Nixon for any and all crimes against the United States. He wanted to avoid the long-drawn-out process of prosecution of the disgraced former president. He believed that process would have been highly partisan and would have deeply divided the country, which was at the time, facing many other issues deemed more important. By comparison, former President Donald Trump’s potential prosecution seems likely to be far more divisive and damaging to the country. But he certainly doesn’t merit an unconditional pardon like that given to Nixon. Is there an alternative that could end the mess we find ourselves in? I submit that a conditional pardon could be an answer. A full pardon could be offered to Trump and his family if he and all of his children and their spouses agreed that they will 1) never again run for any public office, 2) never again endorse any political candidate for any office, local, state or federal, 3) never again engage in political discourse in any media, including social media, 4) admit publicly that the 2020 election was fairly won by President Joe Biden, 5) admit that actions in attempting to prevent the transfer of power and mishandling of presidential documents are crimes of which Trump is guilty, and 6) never participate in any interviews in the media or write any book or publication about the aforementioned pardon or any of the crimes it forgives. Should any of these conditions be broken by any family member, perhaps a fine could be levied against the Trump organization and all real estate holdings of the organization be surrendered to the federal government, except for a single residence for each family. If he accepts the pardon under the above conditions, his voice would be effectively silenced and his acolytes would no longer have a rallying point from which to launch their absurd conspiracy theories. It would take some time, but the flames would eventually burn out. If he refuses the pardon, the government has every right to prosecute him fully for every crime he and his family have been accused of. This could be a win-win-win situation. The GOP effectively rids itself of the toxic environment created by Trump. The Democrats remove their most dangerous competitor. And, the country finally gets to move on after Trump admits his wrongdoing and goes quietly into that good night. Mark A. Wolters, Woodbury ELECTIONS The Star Tribune guide to elections leaves me wondering if there are any third party candidates running for important offices in Minnesota (“Minnesota 2022 voter’s guide: Who’s running in the election, where they stand on the issues,” StarTribune.com, Sept. 21). The two-party system leaves much to be desired and the fact that news organizations, not only in Minnesota but across the country, give no voice to third-party candidates is frustrating in the extreme. How are voters to choose among the other names on the ballot if we don’t know what their position is? Too bad the Star Tribune can’t find the time or space to allow other candidates to speak. Oh, and I don’t want to hear the “wasted vote” nonsense. It’s not wasted if you believe in the candidate. The two-party system needs some competition, and this sort of an election guide doesn’t help. Dan Anderson, Birchwood Village ••• I am not sure what is more disturbing about the recent election guide. U.S. Rep. Pete Stauber’s comment about the climate (it’s weather-related, sir!) responding that crime in the Twin Cities is the big problem (not your district and not related to climate change, sir). No, it is the fact that U.S. Rep. Tom Emmer, my congressman, had no answers to anything. And he’ll win handily in the Sixth District that still thinks Jan. 6 was caused by antifa. Fah! Paul Schultz, Ham Lake ••• I was not surprised to see that my Seventh District representative, Michelle Fischbach, declined to answer all questions in the Star Tribune election guide. I guess she didn’t have time to get the “correct” answers from Trump and the Republican National Committee. (Some of her mailings have been word-for-word identical to those sent by Stauber and late Rep. Jim Hagedorn.) She tries to impress our red-leaning district by being against everything, but doesn’t seem to be for anything. We are not getting our money’s worth from this representative. Mark Hodapp, Belle Plaine ATTORNEY GENERAL RACE Perhaps Jim Schultz misread the job description when he filed to run against Keith Ellison for Minnesota attorney general. With his sole focus on crime and how many sheriffs he can find to endorse him, he may have thought he was applying for a sheriff or officer position, except he has no experience (“Nearly two dozen sheriffs endorse Schultz for AG,” Sept. 21). As a hedge fund attorney with no prosecution or courtroom experience, perhaps he should find another office for which he’s better suited. The Attorney General’s Office, according to its website, “enforces state consumer protection and antitrust laws, regulates charitable institutions, and advocates for people and small businesses” on a wide range of issues. As “the people’s lawyer,” Ellison advocates for senior citizens who are victims of scams, veterans who are experiencing problems accessing benefits and, yes, those who are victims of crime. Unlike Schultz, who holds extreme anti-abortion views that are rejected by most Minnesotans, Ellison believes in upholding a woman’s right to the reproductive health care of their choice, including abortion. Ellison is the right person to continue leading this important office. He has the experience and knowledge needed to serve all Minnesotans. I encourage his opponent to reread the job description and keep his day job. Diane Haugesag, Bloomington HEALTH CARE I landed the internship of my dreams this summer at Hennepin Healthcare. Walking into each department was riveting. I saw doctors sprinting to their dying patients, traumas that included gushing blood coming from amputated wounds, and one patient had a full body rash that was cherry red, speckled with white pustules and lesions. The scenes I witnessed left me awe-struck and profoundly interested. The doctors’ compassion for their patients was unmatched. I attribute my experiences to the hospital I was interning for — Hennepin Healthcare, which has a complicated reputation for various reasons. They are understaffed, underfunded and the safety net hospital for the whole city — meaning the uninsured and the homeless. They have one of the most advanced trauma centers in the Midwest, which sounds like a good thing until you realize these doctors are working with the most ghastly cases. After witnessing patients screaming in agony, with bloody wounds, and hearing the craziest stories, the most impactful thing after the long eight-hour day was the absolute care each doctor had for their patients no matter the background or current mental status. The hospital was a place of inclusion and equity. As a kid, I saw white people on signs and on advertisements but at Hennepin, you saw every culture represented. I remember practicing CPR and being pleasantly surprised there were black and white baby dolls to practice on. It was those little things that made a cumulative difference. Hennepin really was a home for some, and I’m not saying that ironically because some of the patients didn’t have anywhere else to go. The founder of the program was like Oprah Winfrey to me. I first met her at a youth summit. I listened to her speak at the edge of my seat. She commanded the room. Everyone had their eyes fixed on her, mouths sealed and leaning in, and you could hear a pin drop. When she spoke it was with grace and poise. What made Dr. Nneka Sederstrom was special how genuine she was and how much she believed in us. I hope the interns of 2023 get the same experience. Stella Wright, Golden Valley Read More…

Missoula Sheriff Announces Closure Of 1992 Cold Case Murder https://digitalalabamanews.com/missoula-sheriff-announces-closure-of-1992-cold-case-murder/ Missoula County Sheriff T.J. McDermott announced on Friday morning that a 30-year-old cold case murder of a local transient has been solved. Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Jeannette Smith provided details of the murder investigation that began in 1992. “The known facts of the case are on September 13, 1992, a partially buried body was discovered in an area known at that time as Orange Avenue Ranch or Peace Tree camp,” began Smith. “Detectives at the time were able to determine that the victim who was identified as William T. Adams, also known as Cadillac man, spent the night at the Poverello Center on August 25, 1982. Through an entomology report, it was determined that he died as a result of a knife wound to the chest and massive head trauma on or about September second or third.” Smith provided more details of the cold case investigation. “The body of Mr. Adams, who was a known transient and also was known to ride by train, was found facedown in a shallow grave, near the base of a hillside with a broken knife in his chest,” she said. “He was wearing a sweat jacket and wool sweater that had been pulled up over his head, appearing as though he had been dragged to that location. Several other items of clothing were found at the scene including two ball caps and a bloody shirt or jacket that through DNA testing led to the identity of the suspect.” Smith revealed the evidence that eventually led to the suspect in the murder. “During the initial investigation, it was believed that the unknown suspect at that time had sustained a cut on their hand and possibly used the shirt or jacket that was found at the scene to cover and help control the bleeding on the hand,” she said. “Through DNA testing, the cold case unit was able to identify the suspect from that piece of clothing. His name was Leonard D, also known as ‘eight ball’ and his last name was Owen. He was also a known transient who traveled by train.” The suspect was deceased, but the cold case investigators were able to wrap up the case thanks to an organization called ‘Season of Justice’. “Although Mr. Owen is deceased, we had cooperation from immediate family and the support and financial assistance of Season of Justice,” she said. “The cold case unit was able to make a positive identification. Although a transient by choice, Mr. Owen had family ties to Montana that most likely brought him to the area.” The Cold Case Unit was established by Sheriff McDermott in 2019 and has had success in solving several cases throughout the state. 25 True Crime Locations: What Do They Look Like Today? Below, find out where 25 of the most infamous crimes in history took place — and what the locations are used for today. (If they’ve been left standing.) LOOK: What major laws were passed the year you were born? Data for this list was acquired from trusted online sources and news outlets. Read on to discover what major law was passed the year you were born and learn its name, the vote count (where relevant), and its impact and significance. Read More…

How To Start An LLC In Alabama: Step-By-Step Guide | MarketWatch https://digitalalabamanews.com/how-to-start-an-llc-in-alabama-step-by-step-guide-marketwatch/ It is relatively simple to create an LLC in Alabama. It’s a matter of thinking through your business idea, putting it down on paper and filing that paper with the proper government office. 1. Reserve Your LLC Name With the Alabama Secretary of State To form your Alabama LLC, name reservation is the first step. You must have a unique business name that meets three requirements: Contains the phrase “limited liability company,” “LLC” or “L.L.C.” Is not identical to any other registered Alabama business entity Does not contain words or phrases that mislead consumers about the services provided by the business Reserving your business name first ensures it will be available to you once all the paperwork is complete. To do this, you can file online using the Alabama Secretary of State forms on the interactive website. It requires a $25 fee, and you must save your certificate digitally after filing — one will not be mailed to you. Inside Scoop: For a variety of reasons, some business owners don’t want to use the full business name for every business activity. In this instance, you can use a “DBA” business name, which stands for “doing business as.” In Alabama, you must use your DBA name to do business before you can register it with the state, making Alabama unique from other states in this regard. To register a DBA name, follow these instructions on the Secretary of State’s website. You’ll need to renew every five years. 2. Designate a Registered Agent Doing business in Alabama requires a permanent address in the state. When researching how to start an LLC in Alabama, you’ll see a lot of information on “registered agents.” It sounds complicated, but a registered agent is simply a designated person and address to which the state and IRS send official correspondence. Many businesses offer registered agent services for a periodic fee. You can easily select an Alabama registered agent by searching online or choosing from a list of agents provided by the AL Secretary of State. Inside Scoop: You can be your own registered agent, but it’s not always practical to do so. This is because registered agents must be physically present during all business hours at the address provided to receive correspondence. Additionally, if you receive clients at your registered address, it’s possible you could be served with legal documents in front of them. It may be worth the small fee to let a registered agent company handle it for you, so you can focus on growing your business. 3. File a Certificate of Formation This is the most important step to learning how to start an LLC in Alabama — the certificate of formation tells the government several important pieces of information about your business: Business name, including the indication it’s an LLC Registered agent’s address Registered agent’s name Confirmation that there is at least one member of the LLC If the LLC is a “series LLC,” a statement on enforceability of obligations and expenses Any other matters the members think should be included The form must be typed and can be submitted by mail or online. To mail the form, send the following items in an envelope addressed to: Secretary of State, Business Services, P.O. Box 5616, Montgomery AL 36103 Two copies of the completed Certificate of Formation, with the Name Reservation Certificate attached A self-addressed, stamped envelope A check, money order, or credit card payment form (provided in the online form) for $200.00 To file online, follow the instructions on the Secretary of State’s website. Your filing fee will be $208, payable by credit card or bank account. You’ll find there are multiple options when researching how to start an LLC. In Alabama, an additional option is to convert another type of business to an LLC using this form. Inside Scoop: In a certificate of formation, Alabama allows you to choose one of three LLC types: Series LLC, which operates as part of a larger entity Professional LLC, which offers services by licensed professionals, such as doctors, lawyers or accountants Non-Profit LLC, which engages in charitable activity If you think any of these apply to your LLC, consult a legal or tax professional to ask about your options. Additional tax write-offs or obligations may apply, depending on the type you select. 4. Create an Operating Agreement This isn’t a legal requirement, but it is important. An operating agreement details the policies and procedures you intend to govern your business. Especially if your Alabama LLC has more than one member, an operating agreement will save you legal trouble down the road and lets your members, customers and employees know what to expect. As you draft the operating agreement, you may also be prompted to work out aspects of your business you hadn’t thought of before. You can also use your operating agreement as legal proof you own your business. Operating agreements often include, but are not limited to, information about: Transferring membership interests Voting rights Contributions by members How profits, losses and distributions are shared Management Compensation Bookkeeping Dissolution Inside Scoop: When developing a business idea, it can be difficult to decide how to start. An LLC in Alabama should have an operating agreement from the time of formation, and can always be amended later. A helpful tip is to determine whether your LLC will be “member-managed” or “manager-managed.” In a member-managed organization, all of the members make day-to-day management decisions collectively. In a manager-managed organization, the operating agreement specifies one or more members to be tasked with day to day management. It is important to write this into the operating agreement to prevent confusion down the road. 5. Request an IRS Employer Identification Number (EIN) After formation, you’ll need to request an EIN from the IRS, also known as a federal tax identification number. This unique identifier is used for tax purposes and can be used for other activities, like opening your business bank account. If you have formed an LLC by converting one type of business to an Alabama LLC, you will likely need a new EIN. Make sure to check state requirements for how to start an LLC. In Alabama, if you hire employees, you’ll also need an Alabama income tax withholding number. This can be obtained by registering with My Alabama Taxes. Inside Scoop: You don’t need to request an EIN if your business meets the following conditions: Single-member LLC No employees Does not file “excise taxes” (special taxes levied on goods and services like alcohol, cigarettes, fuel, heavy vehicles, etc.) An owner of such a business will simply use their Social Security number for tax purposes. 6. Fulfill Ongoing Obligations The fun doesn’t end after learning how to start an LLC in Alabama. There are yearly obligations you’ll need to meet in addition to running your business. File Your Taxes Remember to file your yearly federal, state and local income taxes. If you have employees, it’s likely you will need an accounting service to do this for you. Alabama requires a combined Business Privilege Tax Return and annual report to be filed 2.5 months after the LLC is formed and once per taxable year after that. You must pay a minimum of $100 per year as an Alabama LLC. Keep Your Licenses Up to Date You need to check with your local or county government to determine whether you need additional licenses to operate your business. Any professional licenses such as bar memberships for lawyers or accounting certifications for CPAs must be kept current as well. Keep Your Records Part of your ongoing obligations is to keep certain records available for inspection by members of the LLC. Records should be kept in your “principal place of business,” which may be your office or, as is becoming more common, your home. Name and address of each member and manager Copy of the certificate of formation and any subsequent amendments Legal documents such as powers of attorney Federal, state and local income tax returns for the past three years Operating agreement and any amendments Financial statements from the past three years Inside Scoop: Consult a tax professional for more information as you learn how to start an LLC in Alabama. One helpful tip — if you’re working out of your home, dedicate a room or conspicuous space to work. That way, you’ll be able to write off expenses associated with maintaining that space as costs of doing business. Read More…

2 Americans Captured By Russian-Backed Forces Are Back On US Soil After Their Release | CNN Politics https://digitalalabamanews.com/2-americans-captured-by-russian-backed-forces-are-back-on-us-soil-after-their-release-cnn-politics/ CNN  —  Two Americans who had been held by Russian-backed forces for more than three months were back on US soil Friday afternoon. Americans Alexander John-Robert Drueke and Andy Tai Ngoc Huynh arrived in New York City after they were released earlier this week in a prisoner swap between Russia and Ukraine that was brokered by Saudi Arabia. Their families said they believe the men are in good health. “We know that they are speaking, they are breathing, they are ambulatory, and they sound like themselves,” Darla Black, the mother of Huynh’s fiancée, told CNN on Friday. The two men were captured in June while fighting for Ukraine in a battle near Kharkiv. Their pro-Russian captors, the so-called Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR), is a Russian-backed, self-declared republic that has governed a breakaway portion of Ukraine’s Donetsk region since 2014. Drueke’s and Huynh’s families, CNN previously reported, had not spoken to the Alabama men during their months-long imprisonment until they got unexpected phone calls from the US Embassy in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday. “I have your son standing right next to me,” Bunny Drueke recalled a woman from the US Embassy in Saudi Arabia telling her. The families did not know the prisoner exchange was in the works. “My mind just couldn’t comprehend it because there had been no warning. It just came out of the blue,” Drueke’s mother told CNN’s Anderson Cooper. Huynh’s fianceé, Joy Black, told CNN’s Erin Burnett that Huynh requested spaghetti with meat – a meal he had been craving since being in Ukraine – as soon as he returns to Alabama. Even after being captured, their families say the men had said they have no regrets about going over to fight with the Ukrainians. “Alex told me emphatically no, no regret,” said his aunt, Dianna Shaw, told CNN. “They really want people to understand that Ukraine needs our support. They need the support of all democratic nations. They need democracies to come together and push (Russian President Vladimir) Putin back.” Four Russian-occupied areas began voting Friday in referendums on joining Russia, according to their separatist leaders, in a move that raises the stakes of Moscow’s invasion. The referendums, which are illegal under international law and dismissed as a sham by Western governments and Kyiv, could pave the way for Russian annexation of the areas, allowing Moscow to frame the ongoing Ukrainian counteroffensive as an attack on Russia itself. President Joe Biden said Friday the United States will never recognize Russia’s referendums in occupied parts of Ukraine. “The United States will never recognize Ukrainian territory as anything other than part of Ukraine. Russia’s referenda are a sham — a false pretext to try to annex parts of Ukraine by force in flagrant violation of international law, including the United Nations Charter,” Biden said in a statement. Read More…

Alaska Judge Keeps Oath Keepers Lawmaker On November Ballot https://digitalalabamanews.com/alaska-judge-keeps-oath-keepers-lawmaker-on-november-ballot/ ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — An Alaska judge has ruled that a state lawmaker affiliated with the Oath Keepers may stay on the general election ballot in November even though he’s likely ineligible to hold public office. But Judge Jack McKenna on Thursday ordered elections officials to delay certifying the result of that particular race until a trial scheduled for December can be held, the Anchorage Daily News reported. This would allow elections officials to exclude state Rep. David Eastman from the ranked choice voting tabulation process if the trial finds him ineligible, meaning votes cast for him would go to the voters’ next-highest choices. Former Matanuska-Susitna Assembly member Randall Kowalke filed a lawsuit arguing the Republican lawmaker’s membership in the Oath Keepers runs afoul of the Alaska Constitution’s disloyalty clause. The clause prohibits a person who advocates for the overthrow by force of the U.S. or state government from holding public office in Alaska. An Oath Keepers leader and other members or associates have been charged with seditious conspiracy related to the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol. Eastman has said he attended a rally in Washington, D.C., for outgoing President Donald Trump. But he has said that he did not participate in the riot. Eastman has not been accused of any crimes. McKenna said based on the evidence presented, Kowalke would likely succeed in arguing that Eastman is a member of the Oath Keepers, that the group is active and that it is presently seeking to overthrow the U.S. government. But, McKenna said, “the court emphasizes that this analysis is based upon a limited record and after the testimony of no witnesses, and it does not represent a final decision in this case.” Instead of ordering Eastman’s name off the ballot, McKenna ordered that election officials delay their certification of election results for House District 27 in Wasilla until after the December trial finishes. The Division of Elections’ target date for certifying all other election results is Nov. 29, three weeks after the Nov. 8 general election. Eastman could be seated in the House of Representatives in January if he wins the election and he’s found eligible to hold public office. But if he wins re-election and is ineligible to hold public office, the Alaska Division of Elections would exclude Eastman from the ranked choice voting tabulation process and his votes would go to voters’ next-highest choices. Kowalke said he was “thrilled” by the compromise and that the judge had found a “really balanced, beautiful solution.” Eastman’s attorney, Joe Miller, did not respond to calls and a text message seeking a request for comment. Read More…

Trump Allies Create A New Super PAC Called MAGA Inc. https://digitalalabamanews.com/trump-allies-create-a-new-super-pac-called-maga-inc/ Former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally in Youngstown, Ohio., Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022. AP Photo/Tom E. Puskar Top allies of former President Donald Trump are creating a new super PAC that’s expected to serve as the main vehicle for his midterm spending and could become a key part of his campaign infrastructure should he move forward with a 2024 White House run. The political action committee, called MAGA Inc., will supersede Trump’s existing super PAC, Politico first reported. Paperwork for the new committee was filed Friday morning with the Federal Election Commission. The buildout comes as Trump, a Republican, is under mounting legal pressure on multiple fronts. The Department of Justice has launched a criminal investigation into how hundreds of documents with classified markings ended up at his Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida, and state and federal officials are probing his efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss to Democrat Joe Biden. And in New York, Attorney General Letitia James filed a lawsuit this week claiming Trump’s namesake company engaged in decades of fraudulent bookkeeping, padding his net worth by billions of dollars and habitually misleading banks. News of the new super PAC also comes less than two months before the Nov. 8 midterm elections and as many Republican candidates have been struggling to raise money against well-funded Democrats. “President Trump is committed to saving America, and Make America Great Again, Inc. will ensure that is achieved at the ballot box in November and beyond,” said Trump spokesman Taylor Budowich, who will serve as the group’s executive director. Others joining the committee include Republican strategist Chris LaCivita, longtime Trump pollster Tony Fabrizio and communications aides Steven Cheung and Alex Pfeiffer. Until now, Trump’s Save America leadership PAC, which must abide by far stricter fundraising and spending limits and has come under its own scrutiny, has served as his chief political vehicle. Super PACs can raise unlimited money and spend it freely but are barred from coordinating directly with campaigns. Trump officials declined to say how much the notoriously thrifty former president intends to spend on his midterm efforts or how much he might try to transfer from his Save America PAC, which ended August with more than $90 million. The Associated Press previously reported that aides had been discussing the possibility of moving at least some of that money to a new or repurposed super PAC, though campaign finance experts are mixed on the legality of such a move. While Trump has been a prolific fundraiser since leaving office, vacuuming up small-dollar donations, his existing super PAC — Make America Great Again, Again! — has not been a major midterm player. Trump has been under growing pressure to open his war chest and start spending on midterm races as Republicans have been outraised by Democrats heading into the final campaign stretch. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, in particular, has urged candidates with Trump’s support to ask him to open his wallet. In the meantime, candidates, including some who presented themselves as McConnell antagonists during their primaries, have had to grovel to him and the Senate Leadership Fund, the super PAC he controls, which had $100 million in reserve at the end of June. Trump played a highly visible role during the GOP primaries, endorsing hundreds of candidates up and down the ballot, from Senate to governor to county commissioner. But some of those contenders are now struggling in their general election races, putting control of the evenly divided Senate up in the air. Trump is widely expected to launch another presidential run, but the timing of an announcement remains unclear. While he had once been keen to announce before the midterm elections, in part to try to stave off a long list of potential rivals who have been circling, some aides have urged him to wait, warning that announcing early could leave him open to blame if Republicans perform poorly in November. NY probe found potential crimes. Why isn’t Trump in cuffs? September 23 | Jill Colvin, Associated Press ‘Art of the steal’: Trump accused of vast fraud in NY suit September 22 | Jill Colvin, Associated Press New York AG seeks sanctions that could hurt Trump’s business September 22 | Jill Colvin, Associated Press Trump rape accuser plans suit under new NY ‘survivors’ law September 21 | Jill Colvin, Associated Press Read More…

PolitiFact – Who Is Ginni Thomas, And Why Does The Jan. 6 Committee Want To Talk To Her? https://digitalalabamanews.com/politifact-who-is-ginni-thomas-and-why-does-the-jan-6-committee-want-to-talk-to-her/ Stand up for the facts! Our only agenda is to publish the truth so you can be an informed participant in democracy. We need your help. More Info I would like to contribute Who is Ginni Thomas, and why does the Jan. 6 committee want to talk to her? Elections Supreme Court Jan. 6 Virginia “Ginni” Thomas, a conservative activist married to Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Oxon Hill, Md., Feb. 23, 2017. (AP) If Your Time is short Ginni Thomas, a conservative activist married to Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, agreed to speak to the House select committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.  Committee members said they wanted to speak with her because she may have information relating to the efforts of John Eastman, an attorney for then-President Donald Trump, to overturn the 2020 election. Text messages obtained by media outlets show that Thomas urged then-White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows to continue pursuing efforts to reject and overturn the election results. Emails also revealed she implored lawmakers in battleground states to ignore the results of the popular vote in their states. Thomas said she briefly attended the Jan. 6, 2021, rally, but left before Trump’s speech and the violence that followed. She denied having any role in organizing the rally. Conservative activist Virginia “Ginni” Thomas will speak to the House select committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol about her involvement in efforts to overturn the 2020 election. It’s a notable development for many reasons, not the least of which is that she is married to U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. Her lawyer, Mark Paoletta, confirmed she agreed to a voluntary interview with the panel, according to news reports. That agreement came three months after the committee sent Thomas a letter requesting an interview. Although Thomas initially said she was willing, Paoletta pushed back on the committee’s request, asking it in an eight-page letter to justify the need to speak with Thomas, NBC News reported.  It is unclear what changed to allow the interview with the committee to go forward. A date for the interview has not yet been set. Why the Jan. 6 committee wants to talk to Thomas Reps. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., and Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., the committee’s chair and vice chair, respectively, indicated they wanted to speak with Thomas after discovering references to her in communications from John Eastman, one of the lawyers for former President Donald Trump, the AP reported. Eastman was the architect of a plan to have then-Vice President Mike Pence set aside Electoral College votes from seven states and deny President Joe Biden victory. Eastman outlined his six-step plan in a memo obtained by CNN and others. It included having states send a second slate of electors. Eastman pleaded the Fifth Amendment 100 times in a deposition before the committee. Part of a memo from John Eastman, a lawyer for former President Donald Trump, is displayed on the screen during a Jan. 6 committee hearing at the Capitol in Washington, June 16, 2022. (AP) “We believe you may have information concerning John Eastman’s plans and activities relevant to our investigation,” Thompson and Cheney wrote to Thomas in a letter obtained by The New York Times. Thomas said in a June 16 interview with the conservative Daily Caller that she “can’t wait to clear up misconceptions. I look forward to talking to them.” Eastman downplayed a Washington Post report of his communications with Thomas. He wrote on his Substack blog that a Dec. 4, 2020, email cited in the Post story merely shows her inviting him to speak about election litigation to Frontliners, a group which Thomas described as “grassroots state leaders.” There was also earlier debate within the Jan. 6 committee about whether to ask Thomas to testify following revelations in March that she had exchanged more than two dozen text messages with then-White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows. Her messages urged Meadows to intensify his efforts to overturn Biden’s election victory. Thomas’ involvement in efforts to overturn the 2020 election “Help This Great President stand firm, Mark!!!” Thomas wrote to Meadows Nov. 10, 2020, three days after the Associated Press and Fox News had declared Biden the winner. “You are the leader, with him, who is standing for America’s constitutional governance at the precipice. The majority knows Biden and the Left is attempting the greatest Heist of our History.” That’s according to reporting by The Washington Post and CBS News. The news organizations obtained 29 text messages between Thomas and Meadows that were among more than 2,000 Meadows turned over to the Jan. 6 committee during its investigation. The committee has not publicly released the texts. On Nov. 19, Thomas texted Meadows about Sidney Powell, a lawyer who falsely claimed Trump won the election in a landslide and said electronic voting machines were made for changing election results. Thomas encouraged Meadows to continue working with Powell, who was part of the unsuccessful effort to file legal challenges to election results in states Trump lost. “Sounds like Sidney and her team are getting inundated with evidence of fraud,” Thomas wrote. “Make a plan. Release the Kraken and save us from the left taking America down.” The phrase “release the Kraken” had been adopted by election deniers to refer to false claims of election fraud they hoped would invalidate Biden’s win. Many of Thomas’ messages to Meadows contained this type of coded language used by promoters of baseless conspiracy theories. Sidney Powell, right, speaks next to former Mayor of New York Rudy Giuliani, as members of President Donald Trump’s legal team, during a news conference at the Republican National Committee headquarters, Nov. 19, 2020, in Washington. (AP) Thomas also implored lawmakers in battleground states to ignore the results of the election. She sent emails encouraging 29 Republican lawmakers in Arizona and two Republican lawmakers in Wisconsin to set aside Biden’s popular-vote victory in their states and instead select their own presidential electors, according to emails obtained by The Washington Post. Thomas and the Jan. 6 rally Thomas attended the pro-Trump rally at the Ellipse, but she told the Washington Free Beacon she got cold and left before Trump’s speech and the Capitol attack that followed. Eastman and Rudy Giuliani, another Trump lawyer, both spoke at the rally before Trump took the stage at noon. On the morning of Jan. 6, in Facebook posts that are no longer public, she expressed support for rally attendees. “Love MAGA people,” she wrote in one all-caps post, and “God bless each of you for standing up or praying,” she wrote in another, according to a Slate reporter’s tweeted screenshots. She later amended the posts to clarify they were written before the violence, Slate reported. On the morning of Jan. 6, Ginni Thomas—wife of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas—endorsed the protest demanding that Congress overturn the election, then sent her “LOVE” to the demonstrators, who violently overtook the Capitol several hours later. She has not posted since. pic.twitter.com/378CHMkFN5 — Mark Joseph Stern (@mjs_DC) January 8, 2021 “I was disappointed and frustrated that there was violence that happened following a peaceful gathering of Trump supporters on the Ellipse on Jan. 6,” she told the Free Beacon in March 2022. Thomas has denied playing any role in planning the rally. Rioters try to break through a police barrier at the Capitol in Washington on Jan. 6, 2021. (AP) The New York Times Magazine reported in March that her role in the rally went deeper than she claims. The article quoted Dustin Stockton, an organizer with Women for America First, which held the permit for the rally. The article said Stockton was told by another organizer that Thomas played a role in mediating disputes “between feuding factions of rally organizers.” After that article was published, Kylie Jane Kremer, the executive director of Women for America First, issued a statement denying that Thomas had any role in planning the Jan. 6 rally, according to Times reporter Danny Hakim. Thomas told the Free Beacon that she “played no role with those who were planning and leading the Jan. 6 events” and denied the allegation that she “mediated feuding factions of leaders for that day.” There were also unsubstantiated reports after the attack that she paid for buses to transport people to the rally, an allegation she denied in her interview with the Free Beacon. RELATED: A fact-checker’s guide to Ginni Thomas’ texts to Trump’s chief of staff RELATED: ​​The facts of a fair US election have only gotten stronger since Capitol attack RELATED: What’s next for the Jan. 6 Committee? The Associated Press, “Jan. 6 panel sends letter asking Ginni Thomas to testify,” June 16, 2022 PolitiFact, “Jan. 6 hearing piles on evidence: Pence didn’t have power to change 2020 election,” June 17, 2022 CNN, “READ: Trump lawyer’s memo on six-step plan for Pence to overturn the election,” Sept. 21, 2021 C-SPAN, “Jan. 6 Committee: John Eastman Plead the Fifth 100 Times After Not Getting Pardon,” June 16, 2022 The Daily Caller, “EXCLUSIVE: Ginni Thomas Responds To Jan. 6 Committee’s Official Request For Testimony,” June 28, 2022 John Eastman, Substack, “OMG, Mrs. Thomas asked me to give an update about election litigation to her group. Stop the Presses!,” June 16, 2022 The Washington Post, “Ginni Thomas corresponded with John Eastman, sources in Jan. 6 House investigation say,” June 15, 2022 The Washington Post, “John Eastman says Gi...

Tale Of The Tape: Who Has The Edge When Notre Dame Visits North Carolina? https://digitalalabamanews.com/tale-of-the-tape-who-has-the-edge-when-notre-dame-visits-north-carolina/ WHEN NOTRE DAME HAS THE BALL Like mentor Ian Book in 2017, Drew Pyne will make his first career road start at Kenan Stadium. Book was intercepted twice in that 33-10 win, but a 341-yard rushing output eased his burden. Pyne shook off a miserable start to complete 14 of his final 15 passes in last week’s win over Cal and could feast on a Tar Heels pass defense that is tied for 111th nationally in yards per attempt (8.3). Despite weak competition, UNC has allowed 11 touchdown passes already and ranks 119th in scoring defense (37.3 ppg) and 123rd in total defense (468 yards per game). Edge: Notre Dame WHEN UNC HAS THE BALL Redshirt freshman quarterback Drake Maye has picked up right where Sam Howell left off. The Tar Heels are sixth nationally in scoring offense (51.3 points per game), fifth in total offense and tied for ninth in rushing offense, in part because of Maye’s scrambling ability. Wide receiver Josh Downs, described as “crafty” by Notre Dame defensive coordinator Al Golden, is expected to play after missing two games with a lower body injury. Downs had 10 catches for 142 yards against the Irish last season but had just one catch in a reserve role in the 2020 meeting. Notre Dame, coming off a six-sack outburst in the win over Cal, ranks 53rd in scoring defense (21.3 ppg), 59th in total defense and is tied for 88th in rushing defense (4.34 yards per carry). Edge: UNC SPECIAL TEAMS UNC is tied for fourth nationally with an efficiency grade of 90.1, per Pro Football Focus, while the Irish are 115th with a grade of just 60.4. The Tar Heels have blocked six punts or kicks since the start of last season. Senior punter Ben Kiernan, averaging 51.3 yards per punt, was born in Dublin, Ireland and lived there 15 years before moving to North Carolina. Irish punter Jon Sot, the Harvard grad transfer, has forced eight fair catches while dropping nine punts inside the 20 with just one touchback.   Edge: UNC COACHING UNC coach Mack Brown had just finished his first season at Tulane (1-10 record in 1985) when Marcus Freeman was born. Brown, 71, ranks second only to Alabama’s Nick Saban in career coaching victories (268) among those still active. A College Football Hall of Fame inductee who led Texas to the 2005 national title, Brown has gone 24-17 since leaving a cushy studio gig at ESPN for a second tour of duty in Chapel Hill. This is his 34th season as a head coach. Likewise, Gene Chizik, who led Auburn to the 2010 national title, left ESPN last offseason for a second stint with the Tar Heels. Chizik’s title is assistant head coach for defense, but he has a pair of co-defensive coordinators (Tommy Thigpen and Charlton Warren) for good measure. Edge: UNC PREDICTIONS TOM NOIE: North Carolina 38, Notre Dame 37 —It’s already been an adventure of a ride for the Irish. Why should this game be any different? MIKE BERARDINO: Notre Dame 40, North Carolina 30 — Another porous Tar Heel defense offers little resistance as the Irish make it 25 straight regular-season wins against ACC foes. JUSTIN FROMMER: Notre Dame 31, North Carolina 26 — Drew Pyne and the Notre Dame offense put up points against a porous UNC defensive unit to get to .500. MICHAEL WANBAUGH: Notre Dame 34, North Carolina 31 — The Irish defense and offensive lines came alive late against Cal. They’ll need to do it a little earlier against the Tar Heels. Read More…

Quebec Election: Legault Calls Duhaime An https://digitalalabamanews.com/quebec-election-legault-calls-duhaime-an/ “I know he’s a man who tolerates very little criticism and different ideas,” the Conservative Party of Quebec leader said about the incumbent premier. Author of the article: The Canadian Press Jacob Serebrin CAQ Leader François Legault said he understands Quebecers were frustrated with restrictive measures his government took to slow the spread of COVID, but said party leaders need to be responsible. Photo by Ryan Remiorz /The Canadian Press Coalition Avenir Québec Leader François Legault went on the offensive Friday morning, comparing rival Éric Duhaime to former United States president Donald Trump and saying the Conservative leader’s stance on COVID-19 restrictions is disqualifying. Advertisement 2 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Legault said he understands that Quebecers were frustrated with the restrictive measures his government took to slow the spread of COVID-19, but he said party leaders need to be responsible. Montreal Gazette Headline News Sign up to receive daily headline news from the Montreal Gazette, a division of Postmedia Network Inc. By clicking on the sign up button you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. You may unsubscribe any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link at the bottom of our emails. Postmedia Network Inc. | 365 Bloor Street East, Toronto, Ontario, M4W 3L4 | 416-383-2300 Duhaime is an “agitator” who is “profiting from the distress of certain people to win votes,” Legault told reporters in Laval, before comparing the Conservative leader to the former president. “He even reminds me of someone in the south (who) also denied the reality, denied the numbers,” Legault said, without directly mentioning Trump’s name. It was the second day in a row that Legault has described Duhaime’s position on COVID-19 measures as “disqualifying.” The incumbent premier made the same attack to reporters following a leaders debate Thursday evening. Advertisement 3 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Duhaime responded to Legault Friday, telling reporters the CAQ leader is “panicking” after the debate. “He was obviously not happy with his performance and I can understand, indeed,” the Conservative leader said. “It was a … very difficult debate for Mr. Legault; it was very poorly handled. He did a very poor job of defending his government’s record, particularly on the mental health of children, and he is looking for a scapegoat.” Duhaime, whose party gained support with its opposition to COVID-19 restrictions, denied that he’s an agitator and said Quebecers deserve to hear ideas that differ from the premier’s. “I know he’s a man who tolerates very little criticism and different ideas; it’s been two years that he’s had a lot of power in his hands and clearly he doesn’t appreciate the democratic aspect of an election campaign, which is there to debate these issues,” Duhaime said. Advertisement 4 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Duhaime said that while Quebec had the “most radical” COVID-19 restrictions in the country, the province is “far from having the best record” when it comes to the number of deaths attributed to COVID-19 per 100,000 people. Had he been in power, the government would have protected the most vulnerable and allowed the rest of the public to follow advice from health officials, Duhaime said. Legault has said he believes excess mortality — the number of deaths over a certain period that exceed what would be expected compared with previous years — is a better measure of the pandemic’s impact than COVID-19 deaths per 100,000 people. A 2021 report published by the Royal Society of Canada argued that Quebec came closer than any other province to capturing the true death toll of COVID-19, in part because it tested more people for the disease after death than any other province except Manitoba. Advertisement 5 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. “I think Éric Duhaime is smart enough to see, like the rest of us, that the data on excess mortality is clear: there were fewer deaths in Quebec because we had more measures and he knows it,” Legault said Friday. Elsewhere, Québec solidaire spokesperson Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois, who was a frequent target of Legault’s attacks during Thursday’s second and final leaders debate, accused the CAQ leader of lying about the left-wing party’s plan to fight climate change. Nadeau-Dubois said that despite Legault’s claims, his party wouldn’t force businesses to close. Instead, he said, the plan reflects an acknowledgment that certain industries — like oil refineries — will see shrinking demand in coming years. Legault’s claims are “unworthy of someone who wants to be premier,” Nadeau-Dubois said. Earlier on Friday, Parti Québécois Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon said he was pausing his campaign after developing flu-like symptoms. St-Pierre Plamondon said on Twitter he has tested negative for COVID-19 twice but would isolate as a precaution. Read More…

Quebec Votes: Legault Says Conservative Leader An 'agitator,' Compares Him To Trump https://digitalalabamanews.com/quebec-votes-legault-says-conservative-leader-an-agitator-compares-him-to-trump-2/ MONTREAL — Coalition Avenir Québec Leader François Legault went on the offensive Friday, comparing rival Éric Duhaime to former United States president Donald Trump and saying the Conservative leader’s stance on COVID-19 restrictions is disqualifying MONTREAL — Coalition Avenir Québec Leader François Legault went on the offensive Friday, comparing rival Éric Duhaime to former United States president Donald Trump and saying the Conservative leader’s stance on COVID-19 restrictions is disqualifying.  It is understandable that Quebecers were frustrated with COVID-19 health orders, but party leaders have to be responsible, Legault told reporters in Laval, Que., north of Montreal. Duhaime is an “agitator” who is “profiting from the distress of certain people to win votes,” Legault said, before comparing the Conservative leader to the former president. The Conservatives have channelled the public’s anger toward COVID-19 restrictions — such as the five-month-long curfew — and as a result have significantly risen in the polls over the past two years. “He even reminds me of someone in the south (who) also denied the reality, denied the numbers,” Legault said, without directly mentioning Trump’s name. It was the second day in a row that Legault described Duhaime’s position on COVID-19 rules as “disqualifying.” The incumbent premier made the same attack to reporters following a leaders debate Thursday evening. Duhaime responded to Legault Friday, saying the CAQ leader is “panicking” after the debate. “He was obviously not happy with his performance and I can understand,” the Conservative leader said. “It was a … very difficult debate for Mr. Legault; it was very poorly handled. He did a very poor job of defending his government’s record, particularly on the mental health of children, and he is looking for a scapegoat.” Duhaime denied that he’s an agitator and said Quebecers deserve to hear ideas that differ from the premier’s. “I know he’s a man who tolerates very little criticism and different ideas; it’s been two years that he’s had a lot of power in his hands and clearly he doesn’t appreciate the democratic aspect of an election campaign, which is there to debate these issues,” Duhaime said. Duhaime said that while Quebec had the “most radical” COVID-19 restrictions in the country, the province is “far from having the best record” when it comes to the number of deaths attributed to COVID-19 per 100,000 people. Had he been in power, the government would have protected the most vulnerable and allowed the rest of the public to follow advice from health officials, Duhaime said. Legault has said he believes excess mortality — the number of deaths over a certain period that exceed what would be expected compared with previous years — is a better measure of the pandemic’s impact than COVID-19 deaths per 100,000 people. A 2021 report published by the Royal Society of Canada argued that Quebec came closer than any other province to capturing the true death toll of COVID-19, in part because it tested more people for the disease after death than any other province except Manitoba.  “I think Éric Duhaime is smart enough to see, like the rest of us, that the data on excess mortality is clear: there were fewer deaths in Quebec because we had more measures and he knows it,” Legault said Friday.  Elsewhere, Québec solidaire spokesman Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois, who was a frequent target of Legault’s attacks during Thursday’s second and final leaders debate, accused the CAQ leader of lying about the left-wing party’s plan to fight climate change. Nadeau-Dubois said that despite Legault’s claims, his party wouldn’t force businesses to close. Instead, he said, the plan reflects an acknowledgment that certain industries — like oil refineries — will see shrinking demand in coming years. Legault’s claims are “unworthy of someone who wants to be premier,” Nadeau-Dubois said. Later in the day, Nadeau-Dubois and Liberal Leader Dominique Anglade were among the party leaders who participated in a march for “climate justice” in Montreal. Quebec’s incumbent environment minister, Benoit Charette, had planned to participate but left the march before it began amid jeers from participants. Organizers had asked politicians not to participate unless they supported the protesters’ demands, which included a total end to the production and consumption of fossil fuels in Quebec by 2030. Earlier on Friday, Parti Québécois Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon said he was pausing his campaign after developing flu-like symptoms. St-Pierre Plamondon said on Twitter he has tested negative for COVID-19 twice but would isolate as a precaution.  This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 23, 2022. Jacob Serebrin, The Canadian Press Read More…

Legal Experts See More Challenges For Trump In Records Dispute https://digitalalabamanews.com/legal-experts-see-more-challenges-for-trump-in-records-dispute/ Former President Donald Trump’s court battle over presidential records he claims to have declassified was dealt another blow by the Eleventh Circuit this week and some legal experts doubt the former president will get the legal recourse he seeks. Former Acting U.S. Solicitor General Neal Katyal said he thinks the Eleventh Circuit decision granting the government’s motion to keep using the roughly 100 records it identified as classified in its criminal probe while the appeal plays out is “extremely strong.” “It’s really hard to lose an appeal more decisively than Trump just did,” Katyal said. The ruling, he said, is “not only a straight repudiation of every legal claim Trump has made since Mar a Lago [was] searched, it’s a boomerang.” Katyal highlighted the appellate panel’s finding that Trump has not even tried to show he has a “need to know” the information contained in the purportedly classified documents, and that “even if he had, that, in and of itself, would not explain why plaintiff has an individual interest in the classified documents.” He said the circuit judges “powerfully” explain in their ruling why criminal and national security implications related to the records dispute “are so massive.” And he notes that the 29-page opinion was unanimously agreed upon by an Obama appointee and two Trump-appointed judges. Wednesday’s Eleventh Circuit ruling comes after the FBI raided Trump’s Mar-a-Lago compound on Aug. 8 and seized more than 11,000 documents, including at least 103 documents with classification markings, according to records unsealed by the court last month. The former president brought a motion for judicial oversight of the government’s review of the seized materials last month and U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon granted his request for a special master on Sept. 5 — prompting a swift appeal to the Eleventh Circuit by the Department of Justice, which also filed a motion to stay part of her order. Trump argued in court filings that the Atlanta-based appellate court lacks jurisdiction over the appeal. But the circuit judges agreed with the government’s argument that Cannon likely erred in her finding that the southern Florida federal court had jurisdiction over Trump’s motion for judicial oversight. “The absence of this ‘indispensab[le]’ factor,” the circuit judges wrote, “is reason enough to conclude that the district court abused its discretion in exercising equitable jurisdiction here.” Laurence Tribe, a professor emeritus at Harvard Law School, said it was “refreshing” to read the Eleventh Circuit opinion, which he described as a “demolition” of both Trump and Judge Cannon’s arguments that he describes as “ludicrous evasions of settled law and indisputable fact.” “It reads a lot like a stern but polite reprimand of a child caught red handed who needs to be read the riot act,” he said, Katyal highlighted part of the Eleventh Circuit’s ruling, in which the judges found that Cannon erred when she determined Trump had an interest in some of the seized materials because it included “medical documents, correspondence related to taxes, and accounting information.” The appellate panel found that “none of those concerns apply” to the approximately 100 purportedly classified documents at issue. “In any event, at least for these purposes, the declassification argument is a red herring because declassifying an official document would not change its content or render it personal,” the judges wrote. “For our part, we cannot discern why plaintiff would have an individual interest in or need for any of the one-hundred documents with classification markings.” U.S. District Judge Raymond Dearie, who is tasked with reviewing the materials uncovered in the FBI raid, released his case management plan on Thursday following the 11th Circuit decision. Under the plan, he has asked Trump for a detailed list of the seized items and annotations to support any claims the items fall under attorney-client privilege, executive privilege or the Presidential Records Act. Katyal said the circuit judges’ ruling “says what all of us have been saying, the whole declassification thing is a red herring.” Former federal prosecutor Neama Rahmani told Courthouse News last week the classification dispute was a red herring that would not impact potential charges under the Espionage Act or Presidential Records Act. “Attorney General Merrick Garland will … need to make the ultimate decision of whether to charge Trump or not,” Rahmani said. As Katyal sees it, the appeals court ruling “justified a prosecution.” Trump is under investigation for removing government records from the White House at the end of his single term as president on Jan. 20, 2021, and storing them at his 12-acre Mar-a-Lago estate in West Palm Beach.  Trump, for his part, denies any wrongdoing and he told Fox News’ Sean Hannity on Wednesday night that, “if you’re president of the United States, you can declassify just by saying ‘it’s declassified,’ even by thinking about it because you’re sending it to Mar-a-Lago or wherever you’re sending it.” Katyal meanwhile said, “Trump can try to go to the U.S. Supreme Court but it’s a loser every day of the week.” Read More…

Referendums Begin In Russian-Occupied Regions Of Ukraine; Long Lines Form At Borders As Russians Flee Military Call-Up https://digitalalabamanews.com/referendums-begin-in-russian-occupied-regions-of-ukraine-long-lines-form-at-borders-as-russians-flee-military-call-up-2/ Putin’s mobilization of 300,000 more troops unlikely to resolve basic problems in Ukraine, experts say Service members of the self-proclaimed Luhansk People’s Republic (LPR) line up to vote during a referendum on joining LPR to Russia, at a military unit in Luhansk, Ukraine September 23, 2022. Alexander Ermochenko | Reuters The main challenge the Russian military faces after almost seven months at war looks likely to remain a basic one: manpower.  The “partial mobilization” President Vladimir Putin rolled out Wednesday aims to add an additional 300,000 reservists to the front, according to Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu, primarily those with some kind of military experience. “Realistically, most of these guys haven’t been through recent training, and a 300,000 input is incredibly high,” he said. “Most Russian soldiers receive most of their training in the units now, but it’s hard to imagine the units that are in Ukraine being in any state to train recruits.” Ukraine had nearly 200,000 active duty soldiers at the start of the war, according to the International Institute for Strategic Studies, a British research institute in London. Kyiv bolstered that number with new recruits and volunteers that are trained in Ukraine and in partner countries, such as Poland and the United Kingdom. Russia had about 1 million active personnel at the start, according to the institute’s estimates, though it did not dedicate all its troops to Ukraine.  Forcing dissidents and unwilling Russians into the military would likely exacerbate what are widely believed to be deep problems with morale within the rank and file. Read the full story on NBC News. — NBC NEWS White House prepared to impose additional sanctions on Russia following ‘sham referendum’ White House Principal Deputy Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre conducts a daily press briefing at the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House on Feb. 14, 2022 in Washington, DC. Jean-Pierre announced on March 27, 2022 that she tested positive for Covid-19. Alex Wong | Getty Images News The Biden administration said it was prepared to impose additional sanctions on Russia following a referendum held in parts of UKraine. On Wednesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin voiced his support for a referendum to decide if four occupied regions of Ukraine should join Russia. The move is believed to be a Kremlin attempt to annex additional swaths of its ex-Soviet neighbor. “We are prepared to impose additional swift and severe economic costs on Russia along with our allies and partners in response to these actions if they move forward with annexation” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said during a daily news briefing. “We have sent a loud message and our allies have as well about this illegitimate vote,” she said, adding that the U.S. and its allies will never recognize land Russia annexes from Ukraine. — Amanda Macias U.N. commission says Russian troops committed war crimes Ukrainian servicemen search for land mines at a burial site in a forest on the outskirts of Izyum, eastern Ukraine on September 16, 2022. Juan Barreto | AFP | Getty Images A team of experts tasked by the U.N. said in a new report that Russian troops committed war crimes in Ukraine. The Independent Commission of Inquiry, which was set up by the U.N. to probe the conduct of the ongoing war, published grisly findings after visiting nearly 30 cities in four Ukrainian regions. “We have inspected sites of destruction, graves, places of detention and torture, as well as weapon remnants and consulted a large number of documents and reports,” said commission Chairman Erik Mose told the U.N. Human Rights Council. “Based on the evidence gathered by the commission, it has concluded that war crimes have been committed in Ukraine,” he added. Mose said that the commission documented several cases in which “children have been raped, tortured, and unlawfully confined.” He added that many bodies showed visible signs of torture before execution, including bound hands, wounds to the head and slit throats.” The Kremlin has previously denied that its troops have committed war crimes. — Amanda Macias More than 400 bodies exhumed from mass burial site in Izium with many of them showing signs of violent death, Ukrainian official says Forensic technicians uncover a coffin in a forest on the outskirts of Izyum, eastern Ukraine on September 16, 2022. – Ukraine said on September 16, 2022 it had counted 450 graves at just one burial site near Izyum after recapturing the eastern city from the Russians. Sergey Bobok | AFP | Getty Images A Ukrainian official overseeing the Kharkiv region said that 436 bodies were exhumed from a mass burial site in Izium. “Most of them have signs of violent death and 30 have traces of torture,” Oleh Synehubov, head of the regional military administration in Kharkiv wrote in an update on the Telegram messaging app. “There are bodies with ropes around their necks, with bound hands, with broken limbs and gunshot wounds. Several men have amputated genitalia. All this is evidence of the terrible tortures that the occupiers subjected the residents of Izium to,” Synehubov added. He said that most of the bodies that were recovered were civilians and at least 21 were part of the Ukrainian armed forces. Synehubov said that a team of 200 people, including forensic experts and investigators helped exhume the bodies. — Amanda Macias More than 191 vessels carrying grain and other crops have left Ukrainian ports Barbados-flagged general cargo ship Fulmar S is pictured in the Black Sea, north of the Bosphorus Strait, in Istanbul, Turkey August 5, 2022. Mehmet Caliskan | Reuters The organization overseeing the export of agricultural products from Ukraine said that so far 191 vessels have left the besieged country since ports reopened. The Joint Coordination Center, an initiative of Ukraine, Russia, the United Nations and Turkey, said the ships transported a total of 4.35 million metric tons of grain and other food products. In July, three of Ukraine’s ports were reopened to exports under the U.N.-backed Black Sea Grain Initiative. — Amanda Macias Three NATO allies still have to approve Sweden and Finland’s entry into the alliance NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg (C), Finland Ministers for Foreign Affairs Pekka Haavisto (L) and Sweden Foreign minister Ann Linde (R) give a press conference after their meeting at the Nato headquarters in Brussels on January 24, 2022. John Thys | AFP | Getty Images Three NATO member countries have yet to sign ratification protocols for Finland and Sweden to join the military alliance. Out of NATO’s 30 member countries, Hungary, Slovakia and Turkey are the last holdouts to grant Sweden and Finland membership. In May, both nations began the formal process of applying to NATO as Russia’s war in Ukraine raged. All 30 members of the alliance have to ratify the countries’ entry into the group. Last month, U.S. President Joe Biden signed ratification documents following a 95-1 Senate vote to bring Finland and Sweden into NATO. — Amanda Macias Senior Chinese diplomat presses Ukraine foreign minister for ‘peaceful settlement’ China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi at a meeting in Bali on July 9, 2022. China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Monday that the South China Sea is not a “safari park” for countries outside the region or a “fighting arena” for major powers to compete in. Stefani Reynolds | Afp | Getty Images Senior Chinese diplomat Wang Yi told Ukraine Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba that all efforts conducive to peaceful settlement of the Ukraine crisis must be supported, state media reported on Friday. “Sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries must be respected,” he said on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly, adding that China always stands on the side of peace. Both diplomats last spoke to each other on a call in April.  — Reuters World’s largest yacht with ties to Russian oligarch is relocated to dock in Germany by authorities The super-yacht Dilbar is pulled into a covered floating dock of Luerssen shipyards on the Weser river at the harbour of Bremen on September 23, 2022. – The 156-meter-yacht had stayed since October 2021 for repairs in dry dock at a German shipbuilding company at Hamburg’s harbour, northern Germany, and is considered the world’s biggest by tonnage. It is owned the Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov, 68, who has been among dozens of Russian oligarchs hit by punishing Western sanctions over Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. (Photo by FOCKE STRANGMANN / AFP) (Photo by FOCKE STRANGMANN/AFP via Getty Images) Focke Strangmann | Afp | Getty Images The world’s largest superyacht with ties to Russian billionaire and business tycoon Alisher Usmanov was pulled into a dock in Bremen, Germany. The stunning superyacht was initially restricted from leaving its anchorage by German authorities on March 3. Usmanov entered the crosshairs of the U.S. and its allies following coordinated global sanctions on Russian elites with Kremlin ties after Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24. The yacht, named Dilbar after Usmanov’s mother, extends over 500 feet and is equipped with two helipads and the largest indoor swimming pool ever installed on a private vessel. The Department of Treasury estimates that the current value of Usmanov’s yacht is approximately $735 million. — Amanda Macias 436 bodies exhumed from mass grave; 30 show signs of torture, Ukraine says Investigators carry away a body bag in a forest near Izyum, eastern Ukraine, on September 23, 2022, where Ukrainian investigators have uncovered more t...

US Forecast https://digitalalabamanews.com/us-forecast-38/ City/Town, State;Yesterday’s High Temp (F);Yesterday’s Low Temp (F);Today’s High Temp (F);Today’s Low Temp (F);Weather Condition;Wind Direction;Wind Speed (MPH);Humidity (%);Chance of Precip. (%);UV Index Albany, NY;58;44;66;47;Mostly sunny, warmer;SW;10;51%;6%;4 Albuquerque, NM;82;59;83;57;Clouds and sun;NNW;7;30%;1%;6 Anchorage, AK;50;43;51;43;Cloudy;E;8;75%;55%;1 Asheville, NC;74;48;75;52;Sunshine and nice;S;5;48%;36%;6 Atlanta, GA;78;53;80;61;Sunny, low humidity;S;6;47%;5%;6 Atlantic City, NJ;66;50;71;61;Breezy in the p.m.;WSW;13;43%;5%;5 Austin, TX;100;71;96;72;Sunny and hot;SSW;4;56%;4%;7 Baltimore, MD;69;53;74;61;Mostly sunny, nice;SW;6;39%;26%;5 Baton Rouge, LA;94;72;95;72;Very warm and humid;SE;6;58%;15%;7 Billings, MT;75;53;76;49;Clearing and breezy;SSW;14;32%;1%;4 Birmingham, AL;82;58;85;64;Sunny, low humidity;S;6;45%;30%;6 Bismarck, ND;69;49;70;48;Breezy in the p.m.;WNW;11;56%;2%;4 Boise, ID;76;51;81;52;Partly sunny;ENE;7;28%;0%;5 Boston, MA;60;46;69;52;Windy and warmer;W;22;40%;7%;5 Bridgeport, CT;61;46;70;51;Mostly sunny, warmer;WNW;10;44%;5%;5 Buffalo, NY;58;47;64;55;Clouds and sun;S;8;56%;80%;4 Burlington, VT;54;45;66;48;Warmer;W;11;53%;5%;4 Caribou, ME;55;41;60;44;Partly sunny, windy;WNW;19;51%;27%;4 Casper, WY;74;41;74;38;Breezy in the a.m.;ENE;13;34%;2%;5 Charleston, SC;79;60;80;66;Sunny, low humidity;SSE;6;50%;3%;6 Charleston, WV;69;51;74;59;Sun and clouds, nice;S;5;59%;27%;5 Charlotte, NC;76;51;78;58;Sunshine, pleasant;SSW;6;43%;2%;6 Cheyenne, WY;72;47;75;43;Mostly sunny, breezy;NNW;16;22%;2%;5 Chicago, IL;64;56;73;61;A morning shower;WSW;9;56%;76%;5 Cleveland, OH;61;53;69;60;Variable cloudiness;SSE;10;56%;87%;2 Columbia, SC;80;51;82;61;Sunny, low humidity;S;5;42%;3%;6 Columbus, OH;66;52;68;57;Variable cloudiness;S;7;57%;83%;3 Concord, NH;57;39;65;42;Winds subsiding;W;15;51%;6%;4 Dallas-Ft. Worth, TX;97;77;97;74;Hot;S;10;39%;3%;6 Denver, CO;81;50;80;49;Sunny and nice;NNW;5;20%;3%;5 Des Moines, IA;57;54;78;55;Pleasant and warmer;WNW;12;61%;5%;5 Detroit, MI;66;52;66;55;Periods of sun;S;8;57%;87%;3 Dodge City, KS;83;57;88;55;Plenty of sunshine;E;8;49%;1%;5 Duluth, MN;57;48;57;51;Cloudy with a shower;W;6;82%;81%;1 El Paso, TX;92;65;93;68;Sunny and very warm;WSW;6;28%;0%;7 Fairbanks, AK;49;37;50;33;Decreasing clouds;NNE;5;69%;23%;1 Fargo, ND;60;49;66;49;Breezy in the p.m.;NW;12;84%;20%;1 Grand Junction, CO;77;48;80;49;Sunny and pleasant;NNW;6;34%;0%;5 Grand Rapids, MI;64;51;63;55;An afternoon shower;S;9;73%;90%;3 Hartford, CT;63;45;68;49;Mostly sunny;WSW;10;49%;5%;5 Helena, MT;69;50;73;45;Clouds and sun;WSW;8;40%;0%;4 Honolulu, HI;89;75;89;75;Partly sunny, nice;ENE;9;60%;13%;9 Houston, TX;97;75;95;74;Record-breaking heat;S;5;60%;8%;7 Indianapolis, IN;66;58;76;61;Decreasing clouds;SW;9;55%;34%;5 Jackson, MS;88;65;91;70;Sunny and warm;S;3;49%;7%;7 Jacksonville, FL;82;70;85;67;Mostly sunny;ENE;9;55%;2%;7 Juneau, AK;52;48;53;49;Rain and drizzle;ESE;12;88%;99%;1 Kansas City, MO;69;58;86;61;Warmer with sunshine;W;6;58%;5%;5 Knoxville, TN;76;53;80;60;A shower in spots;WSW;6;54%;55%;6 Las Vegas, NV;95;72;97;74;Plenty of sunshine;NNW;6;14%;0%;6 Lexington, KY;70;57;77;62;A t-storm around;SSW;9;54%;55%;5 Little Rock, AR;85;65;95;70;A t-storm around;SW;7;53%;50%;6 Long Beach, CA;87;68;89;68;Sunny and warm;WSW;6;46%;0%;6 Los Angeles, CA;90;67;91;69;Sunny and hot;SSE;6;46%;0%;6 Louisville, KY;69;60;79;64;A t-storm around;SSW;9;51%;55%;5 Madison, WI;61;50;67;55;A morning shower;NW;7;73%;80%;3 Memphis, TN;85;65;92;71;A t-storm around;SSE;8;43%;66%;5 Miami, FL;91;79;87;79;A p.m. t-storm;E;8;70%;76%;7 Milwaukee, WI;64;54;69;57;A morning shower;WSW;10;68%;76%;3 Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN;57;52;67;53;Warmer;NW;8;78%;37%;2 Mobile, AL;92;68;92;70;Sunny and warm;ESE;6;55%;5%;7 Montgomery, AL;84;59;83;63;Sunny, low humidity;SE;6;53%;6%;7 Mt. Washington, NH;25;24;40;32;Windy, not as cold;WNW;28;75%;4%;5 Nashville, TN;76;58;83;65;Some sun, a shower;S;7;49%;81%;5 New Orleans, LA;92;78;92;75;Mostly sunny;SSE;7;54%;8%;7 New York, NY;64;50;70;57;Mostly sunny;W;10;39%;6%;5 Newark, NJ;64;47;71;52;Mostly sunny, warmer;W;9;42%;8%;5 Norfolk, VA;70;55;76;60;Mostly sunny;SW;7;37%;5%;5 Oklahoma City, OK;92;68;92;67;Very warm;SSW;13;43%;27%;6 Olympia, WA;70;51;74;49;Clouds and sun;NE;5;68%;3%;4 Omaha, NE;65;53;81;53;Warmer;NW;12;55%;0%;5 Orlando, FL;90;74;88;73;Breezy in the p.m.;ENE;11;65%;32%;5 Philadelphia, PA;66;49;72;58;Mostly sunny;SW;8;40%;10%;5 Phoenix, AZ;100;81;102;80;Lots of sun, warm;WSW;6;37%;5%;6 Pittsburgh, PA;63;45;69;57;Clouds and sun;SSE;6;54%;58%;5 Portland, ME;58;44;66;48;Windy and warmer;W;19;45%;7%;4 Portland, OR;72;54;79;53;Sunshine and nice;N;7;56%;3%;4 Providence, RI;63;45;67;49;Mostly sunny, windy;W;20;45%;5%;5 Raleigh, NC;73;48;77;59;Nice with sunshine;S;6;44%;3%;6 Reno, NV;77;49;82;52;Plenty of sunshine;WSW;6;28%;0%;5 Richmond, VA;70;49;75;58;Sunshine, pleasant;SSW;6;44%;25%;5 Roswell, NM;91;61;93;63;Sunny and very warm;W;4;36%;4%;7 Sacramento, CA;86;60;93;60;Plenty of sunshine;NW;6;42%;1%;5 Salt Lake City, UT;75;53;81;54;Plenty of sunshine;ESE;7;29%;0%;5 San Antonio, TX;98;70;93;72;Mostly sunny, warm;SSE;6;61%;27%;7 San Diego, CA;78;68;82;69;Mostly sunny, humid;NW;9;65%;0%;6 San Francisco, CA;83;59;79;58;Mostly sunny, nice;WSW;8;60%;0%;5 Savannah, GA;79;60;82;63;Sunny, low humidity;SSE;6;55%;2%;7 Seattle-Tacoma, WA;68;55;71;54;Clouds and sun;NNE;8;61%;3%;4 Sioux Falls, SD;68;51;75;50;Breezy and warmer;NW;14;54%;4%;4 Spokane, WA;70;47;74;46;Sunshine, pleasant;ESE;2;47%;0%;4 Springfield, IL;59;53;80;57;Sunny and warmer;W;8;60%;12%;5 St. Louis, MO;65;57;85;62;Mostly sunny, warmer;WSW;8;60%;39%;5 Tampa, FL;92;75;90;73;Mostly sunny;ENE;8;70%;35%;8 Toledo, OH;64;48;67;54;Partly sunny;SE;5;59%;88%;3 Tucson, AZ;95;72;95;72;A t-storm around;SSW;7;47%;55%;7 Tulsa, OK;92;70;89;67;A shower in the p.m.;WSW;7;51%;57%;5 Vero Beach, FL;93;77;86;76;A stray thunderstorm;ENE;13;76%;91%;3 Washington, DC;70;51;73;57;Sunshine, pleasant;S;7;42%;40%;5 Wichita, KS;81;58;91;58;Mostly sunny, warmer;NW;6;49%;4%;5 Wilmington, DE;66;48;72;56;Mostly sunny, nice;SSW;9;42%;26%;5 _____ Copyright 2022 AccuWeather Read More…

Little London Closing Permanently: ‘Our Journey Has Been Worth Taking The Risk’ https://digitalalabamanews.com/little-london-closing-permanently-our-journey-has-been-worth-taking-the-risk/ Little London Kitchen, the Homewood pub that started as a double decker bus specializing in British comfort food and international cuisine, has closed permanently. Owners Bea and Matthew Morrissette announced the news via Facebook post Friday, including a photo of the couple standing in front of the original 1968 Leyland double decker bus. “It is with a heavy heart that we are announcing The Little London will not be re-opening,” the post said. “We will be having a Sip and Shop on Saturday from 11-5 where we will be selling through our stock. As you can imagine I have an estate sale’s amount of antiques and cute sets and things to sell. “My husband Matthew and I would like to sincerely thank everyone who has supported us through this whole journey with Little London,” London native Bea Morrissette wrote. “As a British expat — it was a wonderful way to meet so many interesting people. As a Londoner — The Little London was truly a home away from home for me — but through her I have managed to make Birmingham, AL my home away from home.” The business expanded operations into a brick and mortar location at 162 Oxmoor Road in early 2020. Three days prior to the announcement of permanent closure, Little London’s Facebook page posted they had to close temporarily due to staffing shortage: “Hello all. We appreciate all of the love and support you have shown us through out the last few weeks. You have truly shown the power of community. However, we cannot in good conscience continue to delivering the level of service we have as we are so understaffed. Please check back in for updates soon. Thank you.” In Friday’s post, Bea Morrissette wrote she knows the restaurant’s customers “truly loved what we were doing as much as we did.” “We have so many wonderful (if at times chaotic) memories to treasure,” the post said. “I will forever be grateful for your enthusiasm, patience and patronage.” The post acknowledged there would be questions about the owners’ future. Morrissette noted she is a business and non-profit strategist and community developer and that the Little London was “part of my ‘rest of life’ plan in order to fund my own non-profit that I have been working on for 7 years.” But she said through this experience, she could learned how she could be more helpful to their new home city. “Us also coming to this point means that it’s time for me to stop passively spectating and call upon my networks to help me actively participate in supporting what makes our city so magical — the people,” she wrote. She said she wants to work towards “finding solutions that not only ensure this doesn’t happen to any other of our favorite businesses — but cultivates communities in the tangible little ways I’ve learned through my time with Little London.” Morrissette concluded by thanking families, friends and patrons for their support throughout the process. “Our journey has been worth taking the risk,” she wrote. AL.com’s Shauna Stuart reported in January 2020 that the mobile British dining experience developed a huge following after opening in June 2019, prompting the owners to expand. They served classic British comfort food including as meat pies, sausage rolls and fish and chips from a trailer connected to a double decker bus called The Duchess. The Morrissettes converted the interior of the bus into themed dining rooms, decorated with Union Jack banquettes, flags and table covers. Bea, who is from London, met Matthew in New York and then decided to move to his hometown of Birmingham where they worked to “bring the international flavours of London to Birmingham as well as a slice of British culture,” according to the restaurant website. “(It’s) my way of having a bit of home right here to be able to share with you all. We will serve food from our Little London Kitchen food trailer and you can pop on the bus to eat or take away.” On Sept. 14, Bea Morrissette posted the restaurant was in “survival mode,” updating customers on Little London’s status. “Sacrifice upon sacrifice to keep a larger dream alive,” she wrote. “The Little London was supposed to create a fundraising mechanism for my non-profit (another story for another time) that I had planned to be opening about 600 days ago. As the story with so many small businesses — Covid turned our world upside down and post covid issues are no easier for many of us. I appreciate those who showed us such kindness last week. Cautiously hope is returning thanks to our Little Londoners. We cannot thank you enough for you generous hearts and kindness as we work this all out.” Note to readers: if you purchase something through one of our affiliate links we may earn a commission. Read More…