Elon Musk Is Under Federal Investigation Twitter Says In Court Filing
Elon Musk Is Under Federal Investigation, Twitter Says In Court Filing https://digitalalabamanews.com/elon-musk-is-under-federal-investigation-twitter-says-in-court-filing/
WILMINGTON, Del., Oct 13 (Reuters) – Elon Musk is being investigated by federal authorities over his conduct in his $44 billion takeover deal for Twitter Inc (TWTR.N), the social media company said in a court filing released on Thursday.
While the filing said he was under investigations, it did not say what the exact focus of the probes were and which federal authorities are conducting them.
Twitter, which sued Musk in July to force him to close the deal, said attorneys for the Tesla Inc (TSLA.O) CEO had claimed “investigative privilege” when refusing to hand over documents it had sought.
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In late September, Musk’s attorneys had provided a “privilege log” identifying documents to be withheld, Twitter said. The log referenced drafts of a May 13 email to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and a slide presentation to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
The court filing, which asked a Delaware judge to order the Musk’s attorneys to provide the documents, was made on Oct. 6 – the same day that the judge that paused litigation between the two sides after Musk reversed course and said he would proceed with the deal.
“This game of ‘hide the ball’ must end,” the company said in the court filing.
Alex Spiro, an attorney for Musk, told Reuters that Twitter’s court filing was a “misdirection.” Twitter declined to comment on Spiro’s response and to Reuters queries about its understanding of any investigation into Musk.
The SEC did not immediately respond to request for comment and the FTC declined to comment.
The SEC has questioned Musk’s comments about the Twitter acquisition. In April, the SEC asked Musk whether the disclosure of his 9% Twitter stake was late and why it indicated that he intended to be a passive shareholder. Musk later refiled the disclosure to indicate he was an active investor.
In June, the SEC asked Musk in a letter whether he should have amended his public filing to reflect his intention to suspend or abandon the deal.
The Information, a tech news site, reported in April that the FTC was scrutinizing whether Musk failed to comply with an antitrust reporting requirement as he amassed his stake in Twitter.
Twitter said in June that the takeover deal with Musk had cleared an antitrust waiting period for review by the FTC and U.S. Justice Department. read more
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Reporting by Tom Hals in Wilmington, Delaware, Sheila Dang in Dallas and Hyunjoo Jin in San Francisco; Editing by Chris Reese and Edwina Gibbs
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
Tom Hals
Thomson Reuters
Award-winning reporter with more than two decades of experience in international news, focusing on high-stakes legal battles over everything from government policy to corporate dealmaking.
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Northport Water Park 'Now Reality' As City Pivots To New Site Off Highway 82
Northport Water Park 'Now Reality' As City Pivots To New Site Off Highway 82 https://digitalalabamanews.com/northport-water-park-now-reality-as-city-pivots-to-new-site-off-highway-82/
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NORTHPORT, AL — The City of Northport has confirmed plans to pivot its plans for a proposed water park away from a recently purchased tract of land off of Rose Boulevard to a new site along McFarland Boulevard, in addition to revealing new plans for the property initially considered.
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The City of Northport officially closed a deal on Thursday to purchase a large parcel of land along the U.S. Highway 82 corridor in the vacant tract adjacent to Big Lots, Tractor Supply Co. and Zaxby’s that will now be the intended site for the proposed, large-scale aquatic facility.
Find out what’s happening in Tuscaloosawith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The site of the proposed water park is marked with the red star, with Big Lots and Tractor Supply Co. on the lefthand side.
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Council President Jeff Hogg told Patch on Thursday that city officials are currently in negotiations for land acquisition for the proposed youth sports tournament complex and should know more in the coming month.
Find out what’s happening in Tuscaloosawith free, real-time updates from Patch.
“Our goal is to run these projects simultaneously,” he said of the water park, tournament facility and site off of Rose Boulevard.
PROPOSED ADVENTURE SPORTS PARK
As Patch previously reported, the Northport City Council in September 2021 unanimously approved the purchase of 151 acres off of Rose Boulevard for $700,000 from the Black Warrior Solid Waste Authority.
The land is located in the area surrounding Tuscaloosa County’s E911 operations center, which is positioned east of Rose Boulevard and west of 7oth Avenue in Northport.
However, once officials began to examine the terrain of the property, along with rises in construction costs, the decision was made to instead focus on developing the property into an adventure sports park.
Hogg said this concept would feature mountain biking, zip lining, ropes courses, canoeing, walking trails, bird watching, kayaking, paddle boarding, retreat cabins, and other corporate team building amenities.
Hogg said city officials are gearing up to move forward on the design phase for the adventure park, with all three of the projects paid for with revenue generated by the city’s 1 cent sales tax — dubbed Northport First Funds.
The land deal that was closed on Thursday, like the same deal inked on the Rose Boulevard property, will also be paid for in cash, without the city borrowing any money to finance it.
“When the city increased the sales tax by a penny a few years ago, we set up a separate account for this additional revenue to put back into projects that our citizens could see and enjoy,” Hogg explained. “This has allowed us to do many items over the years that we wouldn’t have been able to do from the general fund. Having this extra revenue stream in this instance has allowed us to pay cash for land as we begin the design phase of the water park. From what once was an idea is now reality.”
What’s more, the city plans to address blight in the area by selling out parcels on the frontage of the property along McFarland Boulevard and have already presented parcels to both Buffalo Wild Wings and Starbucks for consideration.
On the financial side, consideration of the exact amounts in Northport First Funds to cover the next phases of the projects will be taken up during the next City Council Finance Committee meeting on Oct. 24.
“The mayor and Council ran their campaigns on expanding our footprint to be the city that people want to live, shop, dine, and raise a family in,” Hogg said. “By providing these quality of life items, we are setting our future high to be just that and also a destination city for years to come. This is no longer just ideas. It’s plans. It’s the future of Northport.”
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.
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Chancellor To Return Early For Crunch Talks Over Mini-Budget With PM
Chancellor To Return Early For Crunch Talks Over Mini-Budget With PM https://digitalalabamanews.com/chancellor-to-return-early-for-crunch-talks-over-mini-budget-with-pm/
Image source, EPA
Image caption,
The chancellor will speak with Prime Minister Liz Truss later on Friday
By Faisal Islam, economics editor, Chris Mason, political editor, & Becky Morton, political reporter
BBC News
Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng has cancelled meetings in the US and is leaving a day early for crunch talks in the UK as pressure mounts on Liz Truss to U-turn over the mini-budget.
The prime minister is facing calls to change her economic plans to reassure markets and her party.
Mr Kwarteng is expected to arrive back on Friday for discussions with the prime minister and Conservative MPs.
He had been in Washington DC for a meeting of global finance ministers.
Speaking about the change in his travel plans, a source close to Mr Kwarteng said he “really wants to engage not only with government colleagues, but also MP colleagues” over the financial plans.
The source said “fiscal responsibility is absolutely core to what we’re trying to do”.
No 11 dismissed a comparison to the Greek financial crisis of 2011, when its finance minister was hauled back from an international meeting to meet the country’s prime minister, saying that was a debt crisis “on a completely different scale to anything that’s happening in our markets”.
It comes as the Bank of England withdraws its post mini-budget emergency support later on Friday – and as many Tory MPs think a U-turn on some of the tax-cutting package is inevitable.
The tense atmosphere in Westminster was apparent as the BBC spoke to dozens of sources across Parliament and the government.
“It’s checkmate, we’re screwed,” one Tory MP remarked.
“There is no question in my mind, they’ll have to junk loads of this stuff and U-turn,” another said.
If the government does announce changes to its plans it is not clear when this might happen.
Image caption,
The chancellor began his journey back to the UK a day earlier than planned
On Thursday, he said he was “not going anywhere” – and when asked if he and Ms Truss would still be in their jobs this time next month, he said: “Absolutely, 100%.”
As it stands, Mr Kwarteng is set to spell out how he will pay for the government’s £43bn package of tax cuts and get the UK’s national debt falling in a statement on 31 October, alongside an independent economic forecast.
The government has already U-turned on its plan to scrap the top rate of income tax, but this only made up £2bn of the tax cuts announced by the chancellor last month.
Some Tory MPs think the government’s tax-cutting plans should be reversed, while others believe the help with energy bills should be more targeted.
Other scenarios being discussed by Tory MPs include the chancellor resigning or the prime minister being ousted.
However, there is little agreement on what should happen next or who should replace Ms Truss if she is removed.
According to the Times, senior Conservatives are holding talks about replacing Ms Truss with a joint ticket of Rishi Sunak and Penny Mordaunt, who both ran for the leadership this summer.
Unlike the summer leadership contest, MPs would propose just one person to succeed the PM, with the other individual taking a senior cabinet role, the paper reported.
Media caption,
Watch: I am not going anywhere – Kwasi Kwarteng speaking earlier
Among the possible U-turns, there has been speculation the government could reverse its plan for corporation tax.
Ms Truss has pledged to scrap a planned rise to the tax, which was set to increase from 19% to 25% in 2023.
When asked about the positive market response to the speculation of a U-turn on corporation tax, Mr Kwarteng told the Daily Telegraph: “Let’s see.”
However, he added that he still thought ensuring “competitive” tax rates for businesses was a “great idea”.
Former Home Secretary Priti Patel, meanwhile, told Sky News the market would now “dictate” the prime minister’s decision on corporation tax “primarily because we want to see stability”.
Senior Tories are continuing to call for the government to change course.
Alicia Kearns, the new chairwoman of the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee, said the government had to “adapt” during a “crisis”.
Asked if the government’s tax cuts should be reversed, she told the BBC: “There are some that are worth keeping, there are some that are not, but do I want to see mass borrowing at this point? I don’t think that’s reassuring.”
Former minister Johnny Mercer called for a “course correction” from No 10, describing the impact of rising mortgage rates on people who want to buy a home as “unconscionable” and “politically unsurvivable”.
“Get on and do it – we all know it’s coming. It’s not a game for folks down here,” he said of his Plymouth Moor View constituency.
Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross called on the prime minister and chancellor to “get a grip” on the economy.
“There have been mistakes, they’ve got to work this out to settle the markets, to settle the economy and to get things back up and running again,” he told the BBC One’s Question Time.
Asked whether he believed Ms Truss could win the next general election, he replied: “Yes.”
But other Tory MPs expressed support for the prime minister and said she must not reverse her plans.
Sir Christopher Chope, a Truss backer, told the BBC Two’s Newsnight: “If we were to increase corporation tax having said that we’re not going to, that would be totally inconsistent with the prime minister’s policy of promoting growth, growth and growth.”
He added that a U-turn would be a “complete betrayal of that she believed in” and he believed it would not happen.
Wales Office Minister David Davies said the government had to be “flexible” in what he described as an economic “storm”.
However, he said Mr Kwarteng should remain chancellor and refused to accept recent market turmoil was due to a “mistake” by the government.
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Sports On TV For October 15-16 https://digitalalabamanews.com/sports-on-tv-for-october-15-16/
(All times Eastern)
Schedule subject to change and/or blackouts
Saturday, October 15
AUTO RACING
12:30 p.m.
USA — NASCAR Cup Series: Qualifying, Playoffs – Round of 8, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Las Vegas
NBC — NASCAR XFINITY Series: The Alsco Uniforms 302, Playoffs – Round of 8, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Las Vegas
ESPN — Top Rank Main Event: Devin Haney vs. George Kambosos (Lightweights), Melbourne
ABC — Iowa St. at Texas
BTN — Minnesota at Illinois
CBSSN — Colgate at Army
ESPN — Auburn at Mississippi
ESPN2 — Kansas at Oklahoma
ESPNU — Old Dominion at Coastal Carolina
FOX — Penn St. at Michigan
SECN — Auburn at Mississippi (Command Center)
PAC-12N — California at Colorado
ABC — Oklahoma St. at TCU
ACCN — NC State at Syracuse
CBS — Alabama at Tennessee
CBSSN — Ohio at W. Kentucky
ESPN — Arkansas at BYU
ESPN2 — Maryland at Indiana
SECN — Vanderbilt at Georgia
ESPNU — Tulane at South Florida
FOX — Wisconsin at Michigan St.
PAC-12N — Arizona at Washington
CBSSN — Utah St. at Colorado St.
ESPN — LSU at Florida
NFLN — Louisiana-Monroe at S. Alabama
ABC — Clemson at Florida St.
BTN — Nebraska at Purdue
ESPN2 — Clemson at Florida St. (CFB with The Pat McAfee Show)
ESPNU — Memphis at East Carolina
NBC — Stanford at Notre Dame
PEACOCK — Stanford at Notre Dame
SECN — Mississippi St. at Kentucky
ACCN — North Carolina at Duke
FOX — Southern Cal at Utah
PAC-12N — Washington St. at Oregon St.
CBSSN — Air Force at UNLV
FS2 — San Jose St. at Fresno St.
ESPNU — Harvard at Howard (Taped)
COLLEGE VOLLEYBALL (WOMEN’S)
4 p.m.
BTN — Illinois at Minnesota
GOLF — DP World Tour: The Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucia Masters, Third Round, Valderrama Golf Course, Sotogrande, Spain
GOLF — PGA Tour Champions: The SAS Championship, Second Round, Prestonwood Country Club, Cary, N.C.
GOLF — PGA Tour: The ZOZO Championship, Final Round, Narashino Country Club, Inzai, Japan
GOLF — LEPGA Tour: The Aramco Team Series, Final Round, Trump Golf Links at Ferry Point, New York (Taped)
FS1 — British Champions Day: From Ascot Racecourse, Ascot, England
FS2 — NYRA: America’s Day at the Races
FS1 — N.L Divisional Series: Atlanta at Philadelphia, Game 4
TBS — A.L. Divisional Series: Houston at Seattle, Game 3
TBS — A.L. Divisional Series: NY Yankees at Cleveland, Game 3
FS1 — N.L Divisional Series: LA Dodgers at San Diego, Game 4
NHLN — Tampa Bay at Pittsburgh
CBS — PBR Team Series: The PBR Ridge Rider Days, Game of the Week, Glendale, Ariz. (Taped)
ESPN2 — FA Cup: Wrexham AFC at Blyth, Fourth Round – Qualifying
USA — Premier League: Crystal Palace at Leicester City
USA — Premier League: Nottingham Forest at Wolverhampton
NBC — Premier League: Everton at Tottenham Hotspur
FS2 — Liga MX Playoff: Cruz Azul at Monterrey, Quarterfinal – Leg 2
SOCCER (WOMEN’S)
6:50 a.m.
FS2 — FIFA U-17 World Cup Group Stage: China vs. Colombia, Group C, Navi Mumbai, India
FS2 — FIFA U-17 World Cup Group Stage: Japan vs. Canada, Group D, Fatorda, India
TENNIS — Florence-ATP, Gijon-ATP, Cluj-Napoca-WTA Semifinals
TENNIS — San Diego-WTA, Florence-ATP Semifinals —
Sunday, October 16
AUTO RACING
10 a.m.
FS1 — NHRA: Qualifying, Texas Motorplex, Ennis, Texas (Taped)
NBC — FIM MotoGP: The Australian Grand Prix, Philip Island Grand Prix Circuit, Melbourne (Taped)
NBC — NASCAR Cup Series: The South Point 400, Playoffs – Round of 8, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Las Vegas
FS1 — NHRA: The Texas NHRA FallNationals, Texas Motorplex, Ennis, Texas (Taped)
COLLEGE FIELD HOCKEY
12 p.m.
BTN — Iowa at Michigan
BTN — Rutgers at Maryland
COLLEGE SOCCER (WOMEN’S)
12 p.m.
SECN — Arkansas at Alabama
ESPNU — Florida at Kentucky
BTN — Purdue at Indiana
ESPNU — Baylor at West Virginia
COLLEGE VOLLEYBALL (WOMEN’S)
1 p.m.
ACCN — Virginia Tech at Notre Dame
ESPN — Michigan at Wisconsin
PAC-12N — Washington St. at Utah
SECN — Auburn at Missouri
ACCN — Syracuse at North Carolina
PAC-12N — Stanford at Arizona St.
ESPNU — Oregon at UCLA
GOLF — LEPGA Tour: The Aramco Team Series, Final Round, Trump Golf Links at Ferry Point, New York (Taped)
GOLF — DP World Tour: The Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucia Masters, Final Round, Valderrama Golf Course, Sotogrande, Spain
GOLF — PGA Tour Champions: The SAS Championship, Final Round, Prestonwood Country Club, Cary, N.C.
HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL (BOY’S)
3 p.m.
ESPN2 — GEICO Top Flight Invite: TBD, Showcase Game 1, Las Vegas
ESPN2 — GEICO Top Flight Invite: TBD, Showcase Game 2, Las Vegas
ESPN2 — GEICO Top Flight Invite: TBD, Showcase Game 3, Las Vegas
ESPN2 — GEICO Top Flight Invite: TBD, Championship, Las Vegas
FS1 — NYRA: America’s Day at the Races
FS2 — NYRA: America’s Day at the Races
TBS — A.L. Divisional Series: Houston at Seattle, Game 4 (If Necessary)
FS1 — N.L Divisional Series: Atlanta at Philadelphia, Game 5 (If Necessary)
FS1 — N.L Divisional Series: LA Dodgers at San Diego, Game 5 (If Necessary)
TBS — A.L. Divisional Series: NY Yankees at Cleveland, Game 4 (If Necessary)
CBS — Regional Coverage: New England at Cleveland, Jacksonville at Indianapolis, Cincinnati at New Orleans, Baltimore at NY Giants
FOX – Regional Coverage: San Francisco at Atlanta, NY Jets at Green Bay, Minnesota at Miami, Tampa Bay at Pittsburgh
FOX — Regional Coverage: Carolina at LA Rams OR Arizona at Seattle
CBS — Buffalo at Kansas City
NBC — Dallas at Philadelphia
CBSSN — PBR Team Series: The PBR Ridge Rider Days, Day 3, Glendale, Ariz.
USA — Premier League: Newcastle United at Manchester United
USA — Premier League: Manchester City at Liverpool
CBSSN — Serie A: Bologna at Napoli
ABC — MLS Western Conference Playoff: Salt Lake at Austin FC, First Round
ESPN — MLS Eastern Conference Playoff: Orlando City SC at CF Montréal, First Round
FS2 — Liga MX Playoff: Toluca at Santos Laguna, Quarterfinal – Leg 2
CBSSN — FASL: Brighton & Hove Albion at Manchester United
CBSSN — NWSL Playoff: Chicago at San Diego FC, Quarterfinal
TENNIS — Florence-ATP, Gijon-ATP, Cluj-Napoca-WTA Finals
TENNIS — San Diego-WTA Final
TENNIS — Guadalajara-WTA, Stockholm-ATP, Antwerp-ATP, Naples-ATP Early Rounds
TENNIS — Guadalajara-WTA, Stockholm-ATP, Antwerp-ATP, Naples-ATP Early Rounds —
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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Appetite For Distraction: Trump Rails Against Pulitzer Committee After Jan. 6 Subpoena
Appetite For Distraction: Trump Rails Against Pulitzer Committee After Jan. 6 Subpoena https://digitalalabamanews.com/appetite-for-distraction-trump-rails-against-pulitzer-committee-after-jan-6-subpoena/
October 13, 2022 08:46 PM
Former President Donald Trump slammed the Pulitzer Prize Board for not retracting the awards given in 2018 for reporting on the Russia investigation, the same day the House Jan. 6 committee voted to subpoena him.
Trump, in a release from his Save America PAC, called the reporting by the New York Times and Washington Post “inaccurate, inept, and corrupt.”
PULITZER BOARD REJECTS TRUMP BID TO YANK NEW YORK TIMES AND WASHINGTON POST AWARDS
“The Russia, Russia, Russia hoax has been totally debunked. The fake news media covered it incorrectly — reporting exactly the opposite of what actually happened. Yet, the Pulitzer Board has not rescinded the prizes they awarded for reporting that was inaccurate, inept, and corrupt,” the statement said. “In order to restore the credibility of the Pulitzer Prizes, the Pulitzer Board should take away prizes from all who got it wrong. Additionally, it would be appropriate to award new prizes to all those who got it right.”
The post also included a copy of a notice letter to the Pulitzer Board claiming its statement sticking by the 2018 awards opens members of the board to be held liable for the “defamatory statement.”
The board defended its decision to award the New York Times and Washington Post in 2018, saying it had commissioned two independent reviews after receiving inquiries from Trump.
“Both reviews were conducted by individuals with no connection to the institutions whose work was under examination, nor any connection to each other. The separate reviews converged in their conclusions: that no passages or headlines, contentions or assertions in any of the winning submissions were discredited by facts that emerged subsequent to the conferral of the prizes,” the statement in July said.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
The 2018 Pulitzer Prize for national reporting was awarded “for deeply sourced, relentlessly reported coverage in the public interest that dramatically furthered the nation’s understanding of Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election and its connections to the Trump campaign, the President-elect’s transition team and his eventual administration,” per its website.
Trump’s statement came after the Jan. 6 committee held what may be its final hearing. Members unanimously voted to subpoena Trump, after which the former president asked why the panel didn’t take that action months ago. Trump also called the committee’s review “a total ‘BUST'” that only serves “to further divide our Country.”
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ABC Host Reveals Major Red Flag He Missed In 2016 Trump Interview Meltdown
ABC Host Reveals Major Red Flag He Missed In 2016 Trump Interview Meltdown https://digitalalabamanews.com/abc-host-reveals-major-red-flag-he-missed-in-2016-trump-interview-meltdown/
ABC’s George Stephanopoulos recalled a 2016 incident with Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump that should’ve been the “biggest tell in the world” for what would come in the following years.
During an interview Wednesday on “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert,” Stephanopoulos looked back on an interview he did with Trump in Colorado during the 2016 campaign.
“We started to talk, and I asked him a question about ― remember this gold star mother, the Muslim woman whose son was killed ― and he attacked her,” he said. “And he just went after her. And I was, like, I guess the interview’s over. He just ended his campaign.”
“But we kept on going,” he said, “and I started to ask him about his relationship with Vladimir Putin, which he never gave a straight answer to.”
“So I asked him about three or four times just, you know, just tell us what the relationship was. And I was just asking factual questions.”
He said Trump ended the interview, walked out the door and called over a producer.
“And I could hear the yelling in the hallway,” Stephanopoulos said, recalling that Trump then sent his communications director, Hope Hicks, back into the interview room to “get me and walk me into the hall.”
“And then he started yelling at me, going on and on and on and on and on. Because I asked him about Vladimir Putin. Which should have been the biggest tell in the world back in 2016,” he said.
Trump’s behavior in that interview ― lashing out at a journalist for asking questions that he didn’t want to answer ― was indicative of many future exchanges to come. Trump continued to berate, insult and undermine the press throughout his presidency, particularly when he was asked difficult questions.
Trump also continued to show deference to Putin and other dictators throughout his presidency and afterward. Multiple investigations found that Russia worked to help Trump’s campaign and hurt his Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton. Several top Trump advisers were convicted of felonies in special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election.
New York Times reporter Maggie Haberman reported on Stephanopoulos’ interview incident in her new book. According to her reporting, Trump screamed expletives at ABC producer John Santucci, complaining that Stephanopoulos asked “eight fucking follow-ups” about Russia.
“It’s like asking me if I beat my wife,” Trump reportedly shouted. “You ask me once, I say ‘fuck no,’ and we move on. You don’t then ask if I hit her with a fucking baseball bat or a fucking golf club! That was bullshit and you better fucking fix it in the edit.’”
This article originally appeared on HuffPost and has been updated.
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Multiple Trump Associates Discussed Plan To Declare 2020 Victory Before Votes Were Counted
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PREP FOOTBALL: Week 8 Football Fix https://digitalalabamanews.com/prep-football-week-8-football-fix/
Austin Heinen
Who: Abraham Lincoln at Des Moines East
Last Week: Abraham Lincoln lost to Waukee 58-14, Des Moines East lost to Sioux City East 65-16
Records: Abraham Lincoln is 2-5, Des Moines East is 1-6
Where: Duke Williams Stadium in Des Moines at 7:30 p.m.
The Word: Though there’s a slight difference in records, both teams are in a similar position. Both teams have had to face some formidable foes over the past month. Alas, that’s football though.
Both teams here are presented with an opportunity to build some positive momentum for themselves.
“We’re excited to head out to Des Moines and take on Des Moines East on their homecoming night,” Lynx coach John Wolfe said. “We just want to play well and get ourselves back on track to playing the game well and hopeful that will lead to a win. I feel like we’ve had a great week of practice and we’re ready to go for Friday night.”
The Lynx will need to keep quarterback JeCari Patton in check as he’s thrown just under 1100 yards. Darius Sirleaf has been Patton’s favorite target with the most catches and receiving yards, but will also need to watch Daniel Zeoh who has the most touchdown catches on the team.
“Each game is unique in its own right, but at the same time football is football,” Wolfe said. “We’re really looking for our defensive backs to bounce back this week after a rough go last week. We have a lot of confidence in them and I expect them to play into their abilities this Friday.”
Who: Lewis Central at Dallas Center-Grimes
Last Week: Lewis Central beat Glenwood 58-22, Dallas Center-Grimes beat Des Moines Hoover 48-0
Records: Lewis Central is 7-0, Dallas Center-Grimes is 2-5
Rankings: Lewis Central is ranked No. 1 in Class 4A
Where: Dallas Center-Grimes Football Field at 7 p.m.
The Word: While the Titans may seem in the driver’s seat of the district race, L.C. is not out of the woods yet. Lewis Central now leads the comforts of home again to take on a Dallas Center-Grimes team that has been finding its footing with back-to-back 48-0 wins.
“Their quarterback is phenomenal and he leads our district in passing yards for a reason,” Titans coach Justin Kammrad said. “He is very efficient in what he does. You just hope your kids are able to make enough plays and do the right things after coaching them up to do the right stuff. We’ve done some film evaluation to see what we can adjust so the kids can do what they need to do.”
The Mustangs have a solid junior quarterback in Ty Mikkelsen who has thrown for 1715 yards on the year and 17 touchdowns. After facing a solid quarterback last week and dealing with some early defensive struggles, especially in the passing game, the Titans want to come out with a strong start and dictate the tempo from the start as they look to take another step in trying to lock up another district title.
“You look at them and their record which is very deceiving,” Kammrad said. “We just need to make sure our guys are ready to step off that bus, and we can get off to a quick start to set the tone right away.”
Who: St. Albert vs AHSTW
Last Week: St. Albert beat Sidney 56-23, AHSTW beat Logan-Magnolia 40-0
Records: St. Albert is 2-5, AHSTW is 7-0
Rankings: AHSTW is ranked No. 4 in Class A
Where: Al Leber Field in Council Bluffs at 7 p.m.
The Word: While the Falcons may not have the record they were hoping for, the season is not over. The Falcons have something to still play for. A win in this game and an Earlham loss to Riverside would give St. Albert a ticket into the playoffs as a four-seed which has always been a goal for the Falcons.
However, for anything to matter, the Falcons need to earn a big win over the Vikings, which the Falcons are more than excited for.
“If all goes right we still have a shot at the playoffs,” Falcons coach Jake Driver said. “This is the kind of opportunity you want before playoffs. You want to play a good team to test yourself and we’re excited. We’ve had opportunities with some good teams earlier in the season and felt like if some mistakes don’t happen we’re right there. So we’re going to go out play some tough football and see where the chips land.”
The Vikings are undefeated for multiple reasons. One of which is their offense which has ran and passed the ball with great success. While it’s going to be no easy no task the Falcon defense has to find a way to limit the Vike’s offense and keep their big plays to a minimum to have a shot at pulling off the upset and give themselves a chance to sneak into the playoffs.
“This is a great football team who is very well-coached,” Driver said. “They’re undefeated for a reason. They’re explosive offensively and we have to control the football. If we control the football and limit their chances then hopefully that means we create more chances for ourselves.
They’re a very dynamic football team and you got to tip your hat to them. They’ve had a great year and that’s why they’re the top team in our district. I think we’ve rebounded from some of our early mental mistakes and I like where we’re at right now and we want to continue making strides here as we did against Sidney.”
Who: Thomas Jefferson vs Glenwood
Last Week: Thomas Jefferson lost to Winterset 55-0, Glenwood lost to Lewis Central 58-22
Records: Thomas Jefferson is 0-8, Glenwood is 4-3
Where: Gale Wickersham Stadium in Council Bluffs at 7 p.m.
The Word: The challenges just don’t get any easier for the Yellow Jackets. After facing a Winterset team that has been playing well as of late. The Jackets now face a team with one of the best quarterbacks in Class 4A at the wick.
Yellow Jackets coach Kevin Culjat also spoke about Glenwood’s offense and how their multiple sets are also a challenge to prepare for.
“They have some great size and they have one of the best quarterbacks in Class 4A behind that size,” Culjat said. “Just like LC’s quarterback this kid can sling it too and Glenwood has a nice group of receivers with great speed to go with it. If you can throw a vertical ball and have success against Lewis Central you know a team has some serious speed at receiver.
“They’re just very stout offensively. It’s not just their pass game, but they run a million different sets. When you’re like us and have a young team, you have to try to make things simple for them.”
With just two games left on the schedule Culjat and the Yellow Jackets are looking to make the most of these last two games as they look to build for the future seasons. The good news for the Jackets is both of these games will be in the comforts of “The Wick”.
“We’re playing a lot of younger kids,” Culjat said. “We have two freshmen and three sophomores on the offensive line as we’re just getting slammed with injuries. So we want to see these younger kids get some varsity experience and hopefully, we’ll see some good things. Defense is the same story. We’re starting a lot of guys in some new positions, it’s just another opportunity for us to learn and grow as we try to get better as a football team.”
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No. 2 Alabama Dream Season Sees Tide Outscoring Foes 46-9
No. 2 Alabama Dream Season Sees Tide Outscoring Foes 46-9 https://digitalalabamanews.com/no-2-alabama-dream-season-sees-tide-outscoring-foes-46-9/
It’s fair to say there wasn’t much warning for what Alabama women’s soccer is doing.
Coming off an 11-10-1 season, it hasn’t been more than four games over .500 in two decades. There have been flashes of what’s been on display this season but nothing like this.
The Crimson Tide is 13-1-1 entering an 11 a.m. CT Sunday showdown with No. 7 Arkansas (10-2-1) in Tuscaloosa.
And in a season where every week breaks the program for the highest ranking, Alabama will face the Razorbacks as the No. 2 team in every major national poll.
The unbeaten streak is up to 13 games after a 4-1 win over No. 20 Ole Miss last Thursday and beating LSU, 5-0 on Sunday. It’s a run that included wins over top-10 teams like BYU and South Carolina.
And as coach Wes Hart points out, the nine-game winning streak hasn’t really included many narrow escapes. The Tide has just a single one-goal win since tying Utah on Sept. 4.
Alabama’s outscored opponents 32-5 in those last nine wins and that included No. 5 South Carolina and Tennessee, the preseason pick to win the SEC. Alabama was voted to finish fifth in the league before the season.
So did Hart see this coming?
“Yes and no,” he said Wednesday night.
They had considerable talent returning, enrolling and coming off injuries.
“But you have been around sports long enough to know it’s not just about talent,” Hart said. “A lot of stuff needs to come together. The chemistry, you have to catch breaks. There are just so many things that come into play. For us, it wasn’t a surprise we were going to be talented and have the potential to be quite good. But it’s hard to say we’d be No. 2 in the country before the season started.”
Alabama’s attacking style has the Tide outscoring the opposition 46-9 this season.
Riley Parker Mattingly’s 11 goals lead the way while her 24 points are tied with Felica Knox. Her 14 assists pair with five goals.
In goal, McKinley Crone has an 80.4 save percentage, stopping 37 shots while allowing nine goals in 15 games.
The lone loss on Alabama’s sheet came Aug. 21 at Miami with a 1-0 final.
Hart is in his eighth season leading Alabama with 2017 being the previous high-water mark. The Tide finished 12-8-1 but his first winning record in conference play came last year at 5-4-1.
The real breakthrough last fall came with 1-0 win over Clemson gave the program its first NCAA tournament win. BYU then ended the Tide season with a 4-1 loss.
Alabama would beat both early in the 2022 season with a 3-0 win over then-No. 18 Clemson on Aug. 28 followed by a 3-2 win over BYU in Provo on Sept. 1.
“It certainly helped beating Clemson and BYU, I think that was kind of the moment,” Hart said. “Like I said, we knew we were good coming into it but getting those results were massive.”
The 4-2 win over Tennessee (9-3-1, 5-1-0) on Sept. 22 was another milestone in Hart’s mind. The two goals allowed in Knoxville ended a three-game shutout streak that included the 2-0 beating of No. 5 South Carolina.
From here, Alabama follows the showdown with No. 7 Arkansas with three final SEC games of the regular season. It heads to Starkville on Oct. 20 to face Mississippi State (9-2-3, 3-2-1) before returning home for Florida (2-11-0, 0-6-0). The regular-season finale comes Oct. 27 at Auburn (6-3-5, 2-3-1).
Michael Casagrande is a reporter for the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @ByCasagrande or on Facebook.
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President Trump Tried To Immediately Withdraw Troops From Afghanistan And Somalia
President Trump Tried To Immediately Withdraw Troops From Afghanistan And Somalia, https://digitalalabamanews.com/president-trump-tried-to-immediately-withdraw-troops-from-afghanistan-and-somalia/
The House committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol held its its ninth public hearing on Thursday, sharing new evidence and pre-recorded testimony from several Trump White House insiders.
Rep. Adam Kinzinger said then-President Donald Trump knew he lost the 2020 election and so he rushed to complete “unfinished business” before his term ended — even trying to withdraw U.S. troops from Afghanistan and Somalia.
In his opening statement, Kinzinger, one of two Republicans on the committee, played previous testimony from administration officials stating Trump new he lost the election even if he publicly kept up the erroneous claims that he won. He played video testimony of Gen. Mark Milley, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, saying that he heard either Trump or then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo say “Yeah, we lost, we need to let that issue go to the next guy. Meaning President Biden.”
Kinzinger then said that “knowing he lost and had weeks left in office, President Trump rushed to complete unfinished business.”
A video is shown of former US President Donald Trump at the US House Select Committee hearing to Investigate the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on October 13, 2022. ALEX WONG/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
“One key example is this: President Trump issued an order for large-scale U.S. troop withdrawals,” Kinzinger continued. “He disregarded concerns about the consequences for fragile governments on the front lines of the fight against ISIS and al Qaeda terrorists.”
“Knowing he was leaving office, he acted immediately and signed this order on Nov. 11, which would have required the immediate withdrawal of troops from Somalia and Afghanistan all to be complete before the Biden inauguration on January 20th.”
Kinzinger played clips from previous testimony with administration and military officials familiar with the memo.
John McEntee, former director of the White House Presidential Personnel Office, said he discussed the possible withdrawals with Col. Douglas McGregor. McGregor said he told the administration if they wanted with withdrawal to happen, the president had to write an order.
General Keith Kellogg, national security adviser to Vice President Mike Pence, said he was familiar with the memo that the president signed to withdraw troops.
All three men testified that Trump signed an order, written by McEntee.
Milley said he felt the order was “odd, not standard and potentially dangerous.”
“I personally thought it was militarily not feasible, nor wise,” he said.
Kellogg went so far as to say if he saw the withdrawal happen, he would “do something physical” because he “thought that what this was was a tremendous disservice to the nation.”
“By the way, it was a very contested issue, there were people who did not agree with getting out of Afghanistan. I appreciated their concerns. An immediate departure, which that memo said, would’ve been catastrophic,” Kellogg said.
“It’s same thing President Biden went through. Would have been a debacle,” he continued, referring to Mr. Biden’s decision to pull all U.S. military forces from Afghanistan by Sept. 11, 2021. As troops withdrew in August of that year, the country quickly fell to the Taliban, with chaos ensuing as thousands tried to evacuate.
“Keep in mind [Trump’s] order was for an immediate withdrawal. It would have been catastrophic. Yet President Trump signed the order,” Kinzinger said during the hearing. “These are highly consequential actions of a president who knows his term will shortly end.”
Mr. Biden reversed Trump’s decision to remove troops from Somalia.
Following the hearing on Thursday, the committee voted unanimously to subpoena Trump, saying there is precedent for a former president to appear before the panel.
“The vast weight of evidence presented so far has shown us that the central cause of January 6th was one man, Donald Trump, who many others followed,” said Rep. Liz Cheney, the other Republican member and vice chair of the committee. “None of this would have happened without him. He was personally and substantially involved in all of it.”
Eleanor Watson contributed to this report.
In:
Donald Trump
January 6 Hearings
Caitlin O’Kane
Caitlin O’Kane is a digital content producer covering trending stories for CBS News and its good news brand, The Uplift.
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NY Seeks Court Oversight After Trump Org.'s Concerning Moves
NY Seeks Court Oversight After Trump Org.'s Concerning Moves https://digitalalabamanews.com/ny-seeks-court-oversight-after-trump-org-s-concerning-moves/
NEW YORK (AP) — New York’s attorney general has asked a judge to bar Donald Trump’s company from selling or transferring assets without court approval, saying it had engaged in a devious attempt to duck potential penalties in her fraud lawsuit against the former president.
In court papers filed Thursday, Attorney General Letitia James’ office said that shortly before she filed the lawsuit last month, Trump’s company incorporated a new entity in Delaware named Trump Organization LLC — almost identical to the original company’s name.
On the day the lawsuit became public, the Trump Organization registered the new Delaware company in New York as “Trump Organization II LLC.”
“Beyond just the continuation of its prior fraud, the Trump Organization now appears to be taking steps to restructure its business to avoid existing responsibilities under New York law,” lawyers for the attorney general’s office said.
Manhattan Judge Arthur Engoron scheduled an Oct. 31 hearing on James’ request for an independent monitor to oversee the Trump Organization’s activities.
FILE – New York Attorney General Letitia James speaks during a press conference on Sept. 21, 2022, in New York. James has asked a judge Thursday, Oct. 13, to bar the Trump Organization from selling or transferring assets without court approval while a legal battle plays out over her fraud allegations against the former president’s company. (AP Photo/Brittainy Newman, File)
Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS/Brittainy Newman
FILE – Former President Donald Trump speaks at the Minden Tahoe Airport in Minden, Nev., on Oct. 8, 2022. New York’s attorney general has asked a judge Thursday, Oct. 13, to bar the Trump Organization from selling or transferring assets without court approval while a legal battle plays out over her fraud allegations against the former president’s company. (AP Photo/José Luis Villegas, Pool, File)
Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS/José Luis Villegas
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James’ office said it wants the case to go to trial in October 2023 — almost a year before the next presidential election. Trump has been laying groundwork for a potential comeback campaign.
Trump’s lawyer, Alina Habba, said the idea of court oversight “has no merit and is dead on arrival.”
“We have repeatedly provided assurance, in writing, that the Trump Organization has no intention of doing anything improper,” Habba said in a written statement. “This is simply another stunt which Ms. James hopes will aid her failing political campaign.”
James, a Democrat, is running for re-election as attorney general against a little-known Republican attorney from Queens, Michael Henry. Trump, a Republican, has repeatedly sparred with James and contends that her lawsuit is part of a politically motivated “witch hunt.”
In the lawsuit, filed last month, James’ office accused Trump of habitually misleading banks and others about how much assets like his golf courses and other real estate were worth. In the latest filing, James said the organization continued to use improper methods of creating valuations.
Trump’s attorney has asked that the case be transferred from Engoron, who has repeatedly ruled against Trump in related subpoena disputes, to the court’s Commercial Division, which is set up to handle complex corporate litigation.
In a letter Thursday to the court’s administrative judge, Habba asked for an expedited decision on her transfer request. Habba argued that Thursday’s filing was “an obvious attempt” by the attorney general’s office to get Engoron involved in the case before a decision is made.
The lawsuit also named his three eldest children, Donald Jr., Ivanka and Eric Trump, as defendants, along with two longtime Trump Organization executives.
In her motion for a preliminary injunction, James’ office said it had raised concerns with the Trump legal team about assets being moved out of state and that it asked for assurances that there would be no changes. If changes were to be made, James’ office said it wanted reasonable notice before hand.
Trump’s lawyers “did offer to provide assurances and advance notice,” James’ said, but “no concrete mechanism to either effectuate or enforce that offer.”
James’ office also disclosed that the former president and Eric Trump have yet to accept service of the lawsuit and sought permission to serve them electronically instead. A lawyer for the office, Colleen Faherty, noted that serving Trump with paper copies is “impracticable given the security measures taken for his protection as the former President of the United States.”
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
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Woman Steals Man's $10000 Gives It To The Missoula Homeless
Woman Steals Man's $10,000, Gives It To The Missoula Homeless https://digitalalabamanews.com/woman-steals-mans-10000-gives-it-to-the-missoula-homeless/
Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) – On October 9, 2022, a male contacted the Missoula Police Department to report a theft of over $10,000 in cash. Approximately six days earlier, the male was gambling at a casino on W. Broadway when he met 33-year-old April Hartley. The male invited Hartley to accompany him to another casino in town.
When the pair arrived at the casino, the male won $13,700. He gave $200 to Hartley and then took her to Walmart. At Walmart, he bought Hartley $358 worth of merchandise. He said that he was trying to help Hartley out because she was homeless and recently lost her husband. Police Public Information Officer Lydia Arnold picks up the story.
“Hartley ended up staying at the victim’s residence and the victim woke up ill,” Arnold said. “Hatley gave the victim a ride to the hospital and the victim allowed Hatley to use his vehicle while he was in the hospital. When the victim left the hospital, he located his truck, but it was locked. The victim had to get new keys to his truck made and when he accessed his truck again, he noticed only a small amount of money was still in the truck. The victim noticed he was missing thousands of dollars.”
According to court documents, when the victim finally got back into his truck, he discovered that he was missing approximately $10,900 of his winnings and that $600 had been left behind for him.
The victim went to work on the morning of October 8th and told his coworker what had happened. His coworker knows Hartley and called her to encourage her to make things right with the victim. Hartley agreed to meet with the victim. When they met, Hartley told the victim she gave his money away to various homeless people around Missoula.
“The victim provided law enforcement contact information for Hartley,” Arnold said. “Officers made contact with Hartley and took a statement from her. Hartley was taken into custody of felony theft charges.”
When the officer called Hartley, she admitted that she borrowed the victim’s truck and gave his money away to homeless people. When asked how much she gave away, Hartley initially claimed it was only a couple hundred dollars.
The officer confronted Hartley about the discrepancy between her amount and the amount reported stolen by the victim. When pressed again by the officer, Hatley admitted it was between $5000 and $6000.
Hartley was transported to the Missoula County Detention Facility. She is currently being charged with one count of felony theft.
The information in this article was obtained from sources that are publicly viewable.
20 Impressive Features at the New and Improved Missoula Airport
Missoula’s new airport will include large windows for loved ones to watch planes depart and arrive, and the only escalator on this side of Montana! Plus, a keggerator system for the Coldsmoke Tavern.
14 Destinations to Visit With Direct Flights From Missoula
Here’s a list of places to visit (and things to do while you’re there) with nonstop flights out of the Missoula Montana Airport.
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Trump Questions Brushes Off Subpoena From Jan. 6 Panel
Trump Questions, Brushes Off Subpoena From Jan. 6 Panel https://digitalalabamanews.com/trump-questions-brushes-off-subpoena-from-jan-6-panel/
Former President Donald Trump on Thursday brushed off a unanimous vote to subpoena him by a House panel investigating the 2021 insurrection, questioning the timing of the move and once again excoriating the Jan. 6 committee’s work.
The vote – an extraordinary step taken during the final moments of what was expected to be the committee’s last public hearing – would compel Trump to give testimony and documents to the panel of lawmakers.
Trump has been a vocal, frequent critic of the investigation, lashing out repeatedly against the panel over the last year and labeling it the “unselect committee” and a group of “political hacks and thugs.” His response Thursday, which came on his social networking site shortly after the hearing’s conclusion, was uncharacteristically muted compared to some of his previous statements.
“Why didn’t the Unselect Committee ask me to testify months ago? Why did they wait until the very end, the final moment of their last meeting?” Trump said in a post on his platform Truth Social. “Because the Committee is a total ‘BUST’ that has only served to further divide our Country which, by the way, is doing very badly – A laughing stock all over the World?”
Trump also notably did not explicitly say that he would not comply with the subpoena, though his sustained hostility toward the investigation suggests he may defy it as others in his circle have done, potentially triggering a protracted and messy legal battle with constitutional implications.
Trump in subsequent posts also repeated his disproved claims of voter fraud in the 2020 election and lobbed meritless criticism at House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for not calling more law enforcement to the Capitol before Jan. 6.
Throughout the hearing, Trump also reposted posts from others deriding the proceedings and the lawmakers on the panel.
Taylor Budowich, Trump’s spokesperson, said on Twitter that the former president “will not be [intimidated] by their meritless rhetoric or un-American actions.”
The subpoena comes after the committee has compelled and heard the testimony of hundreds of witnesses, including high-profile figures in the former White House and in Trump’s inner circle.
Rep. Jamie Raskin, Maryland Democrat, told reporters after the hearing that the committee was seeking Trump’s testimony to fill in the gaps of accounts given by Trump associates, including many who refused to answer questions at certain times during the investigation by invoking their Fifth Amendment rights against self-incrimination.
“We would like him to come forward and to explain what was happening at those various points,” Raskin said.
Panel Chairman Bennie Thompson, Mississippi Democrat, acknowledged the weight of the move but insisted that it was the committee’s obligation to do so.
“He is required to answer for his actions,” Thomas said.
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Jan. 6 Panel Scrutinizes Trumps Post-Election Military Orders
Jan. 6 Panel Scrutinizes Trump’s Post-Election Military Orders https://digitalalabamanews.com/jan-6-panel-scrutinizes-trumps-post-election-military-orders/
President Donald Trump ordered the Pentagon to rapidly pull all U.S. troops from Afghanistan and Somalia in the immediate aftermath of his 2020 election loss to Joe Biden, alarming senior aides who feared doing so would have “catastrophic” consequences, according to congressional testimony aired Thursday.
Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.) cited Trump’s order during a House select committee hearing scrutinizing the former president’s actions and directives ahead of the U.S. Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021. It was evidence, the congressman said, that Trump knew his days in office were numbered as he sought to overturn Biden’s election win and “rushed” to complete “unfinished business” despite the national security implications.
“He disregarded concerns about the consequences for fragile governments on the front lines of the fight against [the Islamic State] and al-Qaeda terrorists,” Kinzinger said. “Knowing he was leaving office, he acted immediately and signed this order on November 11th, which would have required the immediate withdrawal of troops from Somalia and Afghanistan, all to be complete before the Biden inauguration on January 20th.”
Trump’s withdrawal order was reported previously by Axios and in the book “Peril,” by journalists Bob Woodward and Robert Costa. Kinzinger’s presentation, however, marked a dramatic moment in Thursday’s hearing, as the committee played video and audio segments of testimony provided over the past several months by key officials troubled by the president’s plans, including Army Gen. Mark A. Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; and retired Army Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, who served as national security adviser to Vice President Mike Pence.
The Afghanistan plan ultimately was set aside. Milley called the order “odd” and “potentially dangerous,” telling the committee he did not think it was feasible or wise. Kellogg said the proposition was “very contested,” and that carrying it out would have been a “tremendous disservice to [the] nation.”
“It’s the same thing with President Biden,” Kellogg said, comparing the situation to the chaotic and deadly withdrawal carried out at Biden’s direction in August 2021. “It would have been a debacle.”
John McEntee, an adviser to Trump, recalled typing up the order to withdraw from Afghanistan and securing Trump’s signature on it. He did not offer an assessment similar to Milley’s and Kellogg’s in testimony aired Thursday.
Their comments add to public understanding of key military moves that bridge the two presidencies, and the often erratic nature of deliberations under Trump.
The Trump administration, in February 2020, signed a deal with the Taliban agreeing to remove all U.S. troops by spring 2021. It included a handful of concessions, including that the Taliban would hold fire against U.S. troops as they departed. The Afghan government was cut out of those discussions.
Trump later undermined that agreement, tweeting in October of that year that all U.S. troops should be “home by Christmas!” Then-Defense Secretary Mark T. Esper sent Trump a memo advising the president that ongoing Taliban attacks, potential danger for remaining U.S. personnel and risks to U.S. alliances made that timeline unworkable.
Trump fired Esper on Nov. 9, one day after the election loss, installing loyalists at the Pentagon at a moment when administrations typically seek a smooth transition on issues of national security.
Biden decided in April 2021 to follow through with the Afghanistan withdrawal, prompting the collapse of the country’s government four months later. Biden administration officials blamed Trump, saying his deal with the Taliban left few alternatives, while former Trump administration officials sought to distance themselves from the agreement by arguing that it was meant to be implemented only if the conditions warranted.
Trump has criticized Biden for the haphazard exit, calling it a “humiliation” and “total surrender,” and claiming it would not have happened on his watch.
“We could have gotten out with honor,” Trump said at a rally last year. “We should have gotten out with honor. And instead we got out with the exact opposite of honor.”
Alyssa Farah Griffin, a former Trump administration official who has become a frequent critic, tweeted Thursday that as “someone who remains highly critical of Biden’s Afghanistan withdrawal,” she’d be curious to hear how Trump supporters defend “Trump’s order for an even hastier withdrawal.”
As someone who remains highly critical of Biden’s Afghanistan withdrawal, I’d be curious to hear defense’s on the Right of Trump’s order for an even hastier withdrawal. https://t.co/suCXr4d72o
— Alyssa Farah Griffin (@Alyssafarah) October 13, 2022
Under Trump’s direction, hundreds of U.S. troops were withdrawn from Somalia in the waning weeks of his administration. Some were redeployed to nearby Kenya while continuing to visit Somalia to advise local troops battling al-Qaeda-affiliated militants.
In May, Biden reversed Trump’s Somalia order, deploying hundreds of U.S. troops there. Pentagon officials sought presidential approval to do so, advising that it was becoming increasingly unsustainable to only appear on the ground episodically to carry out operations. The Pentagon has conducted a handful of airstrikes in Somalia since then.
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20 New Businesses Expected To Open In Downtown Mobile By End Of 2022
20 New Businesses Expected To Open In Downtown Mobile By End Of 2022 https://digitalalabamanews.com/20-new-businesses-expected-to-open-in-downtown-mobile-by-end-of-2022/
MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG) — You may have seen many restaurants, bars and retail stores getting ready to open in Downtown Mobile, and construction happening around downtown.
“Dauphin Street is getting cleaned up, it’s good. It used to not feel safe walking around even in the daytime,” said Mobile resident Bob Johnson. “Lunchtime for me, now it’s cleaned up, they’re putting in a lot of new restaurants, businesses, places are getting painted, it’s starting to look nice downtown.”
By the end of the year, the Downtown Mobile Alliance said about 20 new businesses will have opened their doors in 2022.
“That’s everything from new restaurants, new retailers, several financial institutions, runs the gambit really, which is what you want in a really healthy, vibrant downtown,” said Carol Hunter, the communications director for the Downtown Mobile Alliance.
People who spend time downtown are looking forward to the continued growth. “We really didn’t have much to do downtown, every weekend it was the same old thing. So, new things new businesses coming, more for us to do, so I’m excited about it,” said Alexis Chestnut.
“Of course it’s a good sign! Growth! Good Growth,” said Johnson.
The new businesses while exciting for many, are also good for the City of Mobile.
“You can’t have a healthy resilient sustainable city without a vibrant downtown. It just can’t happen,” said Hunter. “Having a strong downtown that generates a lot of revenue, and a lot of the tax dollars that support the rest of the city is essential. I think the entire city benefits when downtown is healthy and growing.”
Downtown Mobile isn’t just seeing a business boom, but a residential boom too. Downtown Mobile Alliance said that is what makes the restaurant and retail growth sustainable.
And at an uncertain time after two years of the COVID-19 pandemic that caused some businesses to shut their doors.
“To have the same number of businesses opening this year has been happening in the past is maybe more remarkable because we’re coming out of a pandemic, and because the economy is a little shaky right now and people are not sure what the next several months are going to be,” said Hunter. “Perhaps the 20+ new businesses is an indication is a more remarkable period of growth than we might expect.”
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Renowned Pianist Fats Domino Has Street Renamed In His Honor
Renowned Pianist Fats Domino Has Street Renamed In His Honor https://digitalalabamanews.com/renowned-pianist-fats-domino-has-street-renamed-in-his-honor/
By CHEVEL JOHNSON – Associated Press
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The New Orleans street where one of the founders of rock ‘n’ roll spent most of his life is being renamed in his honor.
A community-wide Second line and Musical Celebration begins at 11 a.m. Saturday at the longtime home of Antoine “Fats” Domino on Caffin Avenue, which will now be known as Antoine “Fats” Domino Avenue. Led by the Stooges Brass Band, the second line will proceed down the renamed street to Oliver Bush Park, where musical tributes to Domino will occur.
Domino sold more than 110 million records, with hits including “Blueberry Hill,” ″Ain’t That a Shame” — originally titled “Ain’t It A Shame”— and other standards of rock ‘n’ roll. Saturday’s free celebration will feature performances by Kermit Ruffin, Al “Carnival Time” Johnson, Al “Little Fats” Jackson and Domino’s grandson, Antoine Domino Jr.
Rev. Willie Calhoun, who has lived in the Lower 9 his whole life and is one of the celebration’s organizers, said the recognition for Domino is a long-time coming.
“Fats never left the city and he’s never really been celebrated, even though he chose to stay in New Orleans and to raise his family in the Lower 9,” Calhoun said. “He had a choice to live anywhere he wanted and he made the choice to live right here.
“I think this event will help bring some life and recognition to the neighborhood. The Lower 9 has gotten so much negative press, we wanted to bring people back to the area and show them the reason why Fats stayed. He stayed because this is a valuable and viable community.”
Domino died Oct. 24, 2017, of natural causes at the age of 89. He survived the massive flooding that followed Hurricane Katrina’s landfall on Aug. 29, 2005, but had to be rescued by boat from his home, where he tried to ride out the storm. Storm surge flood waters poured into the Lower 9th Ward, knocking many homes off their foundations. A large barge was swept by flood waters into the neighborhood, leveling homes beneath it. The area was flooded again by Hurricane Rita a month later.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
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Alabama's Medical Marijuana Commission Preparing To Accept Requests For Sales Growing Licenses
Alabama's Medical Marijuana Commission Preparing To Accept Requests For Sales, Growing Licenses https://digitalalabamanews.com/alabamas-medical-marijuana-commission-preparing-to-accept-requests-for-sales-growing-licenses/
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey signed the state’s medical cannabis law into effect on May 17, 2021, but the process to license various elements of the production and sale of medical marijuana has been slow — until recently.
No licenses have yet been granted, but on Sept. 1, the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission began accepting requests for license applications related to the production, processing, transportation and sale of medical marijuana.
Applications will be sent to requestors Oct. 24. A timetable provided by the commission sets June 12, 2023, as the target date for the first granting of licenses. A 30-day public comment period from April 14 to May 14 precedes the June 12 target date. (Click here to download the timetable.)
Opting in
Alabama’s law requires cities and counties to authorize medical cannabis-related operations within their borders — essentially an “opt-in” situation, said Greg Davis, president and CEO of Alabama Citizens Action Program.
“Every single city and county in Alabama is automatically opted-out of having a dispensary,” Davis told The Alabama Baptist. “Your city council and/or county commissioners must vote to ‘opt-in.’”
And as of Oct. 13, the commission has received resolutions from 16 cities and four counties authorizing medical cannabis operations within their borders. The list includes large cities like Birmingham, Tuscaloosa and Montgomery; smaller cities like Foley, Opelika and Killen; and Macon, Houston, Butler and Cullman counties. The commission does not keep track of cities or counties that vote down authorization.
Debate has been fierce in some cases, with opponents and supporters arguing the social merits of allowing medical marijuana sales.
For example, Fairhope is expected to decide next week whether it will authorize medical cannabis.
Ahead of the meeting, Fairhope council member Kevin Boone expressed what many feel. He said that “anytime we made a decision based on something, it’s the opinion that we condone it,” he told AL.com.
Speak up
Davis said concerned Alabamians should contact their city council members and/or county commissions now and urge them not to opt in to allowing medical marijuana in their jurisdictions.
“Please do not delay in educating your congregation and surrounding communities,” Davis said. “Urge as many people as possible to contact their local leaders to say ‘not in our town.’
“And please make regular contact with your state representatives and senators and demand changes to the legislation.”
Davis and Christine Carr, an advanced practice nurse specializing in critical care, anesthesia and pain management who also works with Drug Free Alabama, have written an op-ed letter to share their concerns about the new law and its implementation. Click here to read the letter.
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Biden Quietly Unveils New Border Policy That Could Ease Flow Of Migrant Asylum Seekers From Venezuela To NYC
Biden Quietly Unveils New Border Policy That Could Ease Flow Of Migrant Asylum Seekers From Venezuela To NYC https://digitalalabamanews.com/biden-quietly-unveils-new-border-policy-that-could-ease-flow-of-migrant-asylum-seekers-from-venezuela-to-nyc/
President Biden’s administration quietly announced on Wednesday that Venezuelans who enter the U.S. illegally will be “returned” to Mexico and that those seeking asylum must secure a sponsor, undergo a public safety screening and fulfill certain, as yet unspecified vaccination requirements, according to a statement put out by the Department of Homeland Security.
The policy is coming after New York City has buckled for months under the strain of migrants — many of them Venezuelans — streaming into the five boroughs in search of refuge.
[ Mayor Adams, Gov. Hochul present united front on N.Y. migrant crisis, call for federal aid ]
So far this year, nearly 20,000 migrants have come to the Big Apple.
In that time, Mayor Adams has pleaded for assistance from the state and federal government to help relieve the pressure the influx of new arrivals has placed on the city’s homeless shelter system.
Biden’s new policy — pieces of which were posted with little fanfare on the Department of Homeland Security’s website Wednesday — is similar to former President Donald Trump’s in that it allows for migrants to be sent back to Mexico if they enter the U.S. illegally.
President Joe Biden speaks at a meeting at the White House on Sept. 26, 2022 in Washington, DC. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
Two areas where the policy differs from Trump’s are the provision that asylum seekers must secure sponsorship in the form of someone providing financial support in the U.S. and a clearer path to legal residency. The Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to a message.
According to DHS, the new policy seeks to establish a safer and more orderly process for people fleeing Venezuela and ease the pressure on cities like New York that have been taking in the migrants.
“These actions make clear that there is a lawful and orderly way for Venezuelans to enter the United States, and lawful entry is the only way,” said Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas in a written statement. “Those who attempt to cross the southern border of the United States illegally will be returned to Mexico and will be ineligible for this process in the future. Those who follow the lawful process will have the opportunity to travel safely to the United States and become eligible to work here.”
[ Thousands of migrants are pouring into NYC from Texas, straining a shaky shelter system. When will it hit a tipping point? ]
The new program will also establish new migration checkpoints along the southwestern border, target human smuggling rings, and create a new process to lawfully allow up to 24,000 “qualifying” Venezuelans into the U.S.
Migrants who’ve been ordered removed from the U.S. in the last five years or who have crossed the border illegally after Oct. 12 will be ineligible to remain in the U.S. People who are permanent residents or dual nationals of countries other than Venezuela or who hold refugee status in a country other than the U.S. would also be subject to deportation.
People gather for a rally and press conference at City Hall on October 13, 2022 in lower Manhattan, New York. (Michael M Santiago/GettyImages/Getty Images)
“Venezuelans should not travel to Mexico to pursue entry into the United States,” according to DHS.
In the written statement it issued Wednesday, the agency noted that it “may consider expanding [the process] in the future,” but it did not elaborate on what exactly that means.
Over the past several months, assistance from the feds and state has either come in trickles, or not at all. Gov. Hochul activated more than 140 members of the New York National Guard to assist with the logistics of setting up tents to house migrants on Randalls Island recently, but with the midterm elections looming and Hochul in the middle of her own re-election run, both she and Biden have appeared reluctant to make any moves that would supply Republicans with talking points on a hot-button issue like immigration.
Despite the politics, Adams, also a Democrat, delivered a speech from City Hall last Friday renewing his demands that the feds and state do more to provide assistance to the city. Among those asks were that the federal government loosen work requirements for migrants now in the U.S. and that there be a concerted effort to distribute the burden felt by New York to other cities and states.
Workers assemble hangar-sized tents, Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2022, on New York’s Randalls Island. (Julia Nikhinson/AP)
On Thursday, Adams pointed to the president’s new policy as a victory — but with the caveat that more needs to be done.
“While details are still emerging, this federal action is a short-term step to address this humanitarian crisis and humanely manage the flow of border crossings. But a long-term and proactive strategy is still needed, which includes Congress both passing legislation that will allow asylum seekers to legally work and providing emergency financial relief for our city,” Adams said. “We additionally need a bipartisan effort to deliver long-awaited immigration reform so we can offer people a safe, legal path to the American dream. We are grateful to President Biden and his administration for our ongoing dialogue to address this humanitarian crisis and look forward to continuing to work closely with them moving forward.”
New York City Mayor Eric Adams speaks during a news conference in Manhattan, New York on Jan. 6, 2022. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
Republicans were declaring victory over the announcement Thursday morning as well.
City Councilman Joe Borelli (R-Staten Island) suggested the news validated Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s controversial practice of bussing migrants to New York — a policy Adams has criticized repeatedly for Abbott’s failure to coordinate with him.
“The pressure that built after New York’s crisis exploded was enough for the administration to realize they couldn’t advertise an open border policy going into the midterms,” Borelli said. “If you’re the governor of Texas or Arizona, you probably can’t help but think the mission was partially accomplished today. This wouldn’t have happened without New York experiencing an explosion in the migrant population with budget-busting costs.”
Read More…
Trussville Doctor Allegedly Asked To Be A Teen Patients sugar Daddy Set Up Motel Meeting In Oneonta
Trussville Doctor Allegedly Asked To Be A Teen Patient’s ‘sugar Daddy,’ Set Up Motel Meeting In Oneonta https://digitalalabamanews.com/trussville-doctor-allegedly-asked-to-be-a-teen-patients-sugar-daddy-set-up-motel-meeting-in-oneonta/
A Trussville physician is under arrest in Blount County after authorities say he offered to a 17-year-old patient to be her “Sugar Daddy,” had sexually explicit text conversations and then showed up to meet her at a Days Inn.
When Dr. Janaki Earla, 59, showed up to the motel, however, he was met by law enforcement officers instead and taken into custody on a charge of first-degree human trafficking of a minor.
Earla, a doctor at the Wellness Center in Trussville, is being held without bond in the Blount County Jail.
Prosecutors have asked that he surrender his passport. His mugshot was not immediately available.
The Blount County Sheriff’s Office launched the investigation Oct. 5 when the mother of the 17-year-old female contacted investigators, according to court records.
On the previous day – Oct. 4 – her daughter was seen Earla. The teen girl told her mother that Earla had put the stethoscope on her breasts instead of above her breasts.
After the physical exam, authorities said in charging documents, Earla took the victim to his office and told her how beautiful she was and how pretty her hair was.
He then had the teen put her cell phone number in his cell phone. He texted her, “you can text me whenever you feel like.”
The next afternoon, the doctor texted the girl and asked her how she was feeling. He also texted, “Please promise me that you won’t tell anyone. I mean it.”
He also said, “Let’s keep it a secret and I won’t tell anything to anyone I promise. I respect your mom and dad, and this is between you and me.”
On Oct. 5, the girl’s mother gave law enforcement consent to search her daughter’s IPhone. The following day, the mother gave investigators permission to assume the teen’s identity online and on her electronic devices.
An undercover investigator with the FBI Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force continued to communicate with the doctor pretending to be the teen victim, telling him, “please don’t tell my parents.”
Over the course of the next two days, Earla corresponded with the undercover investigator whom he believed to be the teen, telling her their conversations with top secret and asking that she delete the texts.
During the conversation, Earla told “the teen” that he would be her “Sugar Daddy” and take care of her. He even sent the definition of “Sugar Daddy “which read, an older man who supports/provides for a younger woman (ex: financially) in return for companionship and/or sexual favors.”
The investigator, still pretending to be the teen, texted Earla, “So are you my Suggar daddy?”
Earla responded, “Yes. Love you baby.”
The investigator asked Earla, again via text, what he wanted to do to her, and what he wanted her to do to him, documents show. “I want you to play with me and own me. You can treat me like a lover,’’ the doctor replied.
He went on to write, “I took a risk and asked you to be my sugar baby. I was afraid to say, and you may freak out. I am a middle-aged sad man and you’re a bubbly senior in high school and about to (go to) college and one of my friends said that he had a sugar baby who is also a senior in school and she made a big difference in his life, and they had fun together and said that you will see a huge, nice experience.”
A Trussville physician is charged with human trafficking after authorities say he offered to be a teen patient’s sugar daddy and set up a meeting at an Oneonta Days Inn. (AL.com)
Earla, authorities said, tried to set up a location to meet with the teen. He suggested a movie theater where a non-English movie could be seen so there would not be many people there.
He said he couldn’t meet over the weekend but could on Monday or Tuesday. He suggested the Trussville Regal Theatre and sent a screenshot of the times a movie would be playing.
Earla, authorities said, initiated and engaged in long and detailed discussions about sexual things he wanted the teen to do to him. He talked about taking trips to Destin and supporting her financially.
He then said a movie theater may not be private enough, and suggested they meet at a Days Inn in Oneonta, records show. He made arrangements to meet the teen there at 6 p.m. after he closed his office, and promised to bring condoms, a pizza, alcohol and money for her.
Authorities said Earla knew the teen was 17 years old.
On Oct. 11, Earla traveled to the Days Inn to meet what he thought would be the teen girl. He brought with him a box of condoms, HPNOTIQ, Jose Cuervo, Jagerrmeister and a 12-pack of White Claw. He also had $386 in cash. Authorities said he had promised to give her $50.
Instead of finding the teen girl, Earla was met by law enforcement, where authorities say he admitted to the crime.
Blount County District Attorney Pamela Casey confirmed the arrest. She said the joint investigation was carried out by the Blount County Sheriff’s Office, the FBI’s Internet Crimes Against Children, an FBI Online Covert Employee, the Oneonta Police Department, the Homewood Police Department and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.
Casey is asking that any other potential victims contact her office at 205-625-4171.
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Havoc Coach Retiring HSV Teacher Makes Alleged Suggestive Comment
🌱 Havoc Coach Retiring + HSV Teacher Makes Alleged Suggestive Comment https://digitalalabamanews.com/%f0%9f%8c%b1-havoc-coach-retiring-hsv-teacher-makes-alleged-suggestive-comment/
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Happy Friday, friends! It’s me, your host of the Huntsville Daily. Let’s get this day started off right with a quick guide to everything you need to know about what’s going on around town, including updates on:
A Mountain Gap Middle School teacher allegedly makes sexual comments in front of children
Havoc head coach announces retirement
Madison County Commission votes to keep the same insurance rates for retirees
But first, today’s weather:
Sunny and pleasant. High: 76 Low: 52.
Find out what’s happening in Huntsvillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Shoutout to the awesome local business that keeps this newsletter running:
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Here are the top stories in Huntsville today:
A Mountain Gap Middle School teacher, who doubles as a drag queen in their free time, was allegedly filmed making sexually suggestive comments in front of kids at a “family-friendly” Drag Queen Storytime. Mountain Gap Middle has not commented on the incident as of this writing. (Yellowhammer News)
Huntsville Havoc’s head coach Glenn Detulleo has announced his retirement after 11 years. Detulleo will continue for the 2022/2023 season, his 11th season, before transitioning to executive general manager. Assistant Coach Stuart Stefan will take over as head coach. (WAFF)
The Madison County Commission has voted to keep current insurance rates for retirees. This means that retirees won’t have to pay more next year, which should keep more money in their pocket. (WHNT News 19)
Residents of Madison County are sharing frustrations with the Madison County Service Center, which opened last March. County officials have also noticed that what was supposed to help take the pressure off other service locations, has now become incredibly congested with the needs of citizens. Commissioners discussed the issue at the latest commission meeting, talking about the need for a solution to lower wait times. (WHNT News 19)
Today in Huntsville:
Coffee and Commerce — Madison Chamber of Commerce (8:30 AM)
Artsy Tots: Matisse Snail Collage — Huntsville Museum of Art (11:00 AM)
CyberPatriot Competition — Columbia High School (11:30 AM)
Friday Night Art Walk — Downtown Huntsville, Inc. (5:00 PM)
Scarecrow Trail Night Hikes — Huntsville Botanical Garden (6:30 PM)
Columbia vs Athens — Football (Senior Night) (7:00 PM)
Jemison vs Hazel Green — Football (Homecoming) (7:00 PM)
“Charlotte’s Web” — Fantasy Playhouse Children’s Theater & Academy (7:00 PM)
“God of Carnage” — Theatre Huntsville (7:00 PM)
From my notebook:
Have you seen Greater Huntsville Humane Society’s cute kitty Velma? She is looking for a home where she can be an only cat. (Details)
Don’t forget that the 2022 Microwave Dave Day is this Sunday at Stovehouse! (Details)
Thanks for following along and staying informed. I’ll see you soon!
— Amy Young
Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Huntsville Daily? Contact me at huntsville@patch.com
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Running Back Jarquez Hunter Provides Energy For Auburns Offense
Running Back Jarquez Hunter Provides Energy For Auburn’s Offense https://digitalalabamanews.com/running-back-jarquez-hunter-provides-energy-for-auburns-offense/
Auburn Football
Published: Oct. 13, 2022, 2:59 p.m.
Auburn didn’t have many shining moments during last week’s 42-10 loss against No. 1 Georgia. The Tigers were quiet offensively other than a flash of brilliance from sophomore running back Jarquez Hunter during the fourth quarter at Sanford Stadium.
Hunter caught a swing pass from Robby Ashford with a little over 10 minutes left in the third quarter and trailing 35-3. He caught the ball at the Tigers’ 40 and broke two tackles around the 50-yard-line before sprinting into the end zone.
Auburn was 5-18 on third down against Georgia. Hunter’s catch was the longest play of the season and a rare third down conversion for the Tigers in an otherwise primarily abysmal offensive output. It was also the Tigers’ first second-half touchdown in two weeks.
Read More Auburn Football: Bryan Harsin shares how he stays motivated amid a rough start
Watch Bryan Harsin react to Robby Ashford’s fumble against Georgia
Robby Ashford learns tough lessons from the 42-10 Georgia loss
“We were able to get the ball in his hands quick, good throw, and it was on their sideline,” Auburn head coach Bryan Harsin said about the play. “But, Jarquez made a spectacular play to get down the sideline and score.”
Hunter is one of Auburn’s most dynamic offensive players. He’s averaging 4.1 yards per carry for 159 yards through six games and four rushing touchdowns.
Another dynamic for Hunter comes when he lines up as a receiver. He has eight catches for 180 yards and two touchdowns this season. Last year he had 12 catches for 61 yards.
“It’s going to be a big part,” Hunter said about his increasing role during fall camp. “They get us in open spaces, one-on-one with the linebackers, just catching the ball — and we all can catch, pretty much, in the running backs room. So that’s going to be a big part of the offense, running backs catching.”
Hunter gets a homecoming when Auburn (3-3, 1-2 SEC) looks to bounce back from a two-game losing streak on Saturday (11 am) against Ole Miss. The Tigers have struggled to run the ball over the last few games. Harsin is hoping honorary team captain Hunter and Tank Bigsby can get rolling against the Rebels.
“Penetration slows the backs down. And depending on the run scheme — whatever it is, there’s different schemes — but you don’t want to give up penetration. That’s what’s happened to us at times. As far as adjusting, blocking is a fundamental of the game, probably the most important one. That goes back to footwork, to aiming points, to what the defense is trying to do to you, and to how you prepare yourself every week — how we get our guys prepared.”
Nubyjas Wilborn covers Auburn for Alabama Media Group
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Trump Dossier Source Shocked Speculation Portrayed As Fact
Trump Dossier Source Shocked Speculation Portrayed As Fact https://digitalalabamanews.com/trump-dossier-source-shocked-speculation-portrayed-as-fact/
ALEXANDRIA, Va. — (AP) — A Russian-born analyst who provided the bulk of the information for a flawed dossier about former President Donald Trump told an FBI agent he was shocked and dismayed that the speculative information he provided was portrayed as fact, an agent testified Thursday.
FBI agent Kevin Helson is the second bureau employee to testify at the trial of Igor Danchenko, who’s accused of lying to the FBI about his own sources for the information he passed on to British spy Christopher Steele.
The “Steele dossier” contained numerous allegations about connections between Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign and the Kremlin, and also included allegations of salacious sexual activity that Trump supposedly engaged in at a Moscow hotel.
Prosecutors say Danchenko should have been more forthcoming about his own sources and that if he had done so, the FBI would not have treated the dossier as credulously as it did. As it turned out, the FBI used the allegations in the dossier to obtain a surveillance warrant against a Trump campaign staffer, Carter Page.
Helson, though, offered largely positive assessments of his interviews with Danchenko when he was cross-examined by Danchenko’s attorneys. In that respect, Helson’s testimony mirrored that of the first FBI witness, analyst Brian Auten, who contradicted the prosecution theory that Auten fabricated interactions with one of his supposed sub-sources, Sergei Millian.
Helson served as Danchenko’s handler from 2017 through 2020, a time period in which Danchenko was a paid “confidential human source” for the FBI.
Helson said Danchenko was upfront from the start that the information he gave to Steele was mere rumor and speculation, and that he had no ability to corroborate it.
He also said Steele seemed to be telling the FBI in the months after the dossier was leaked and prompted a media frenzy that Danchenko’s sourcing was more solid than Danchenko ever claimed it to be.
“Steele was really trying to prove it (the dossier), even during that time period, because he wanted it to be true. And that was putting pressure on Danchenko,” Helson said.
Danchenko is being prosecuted by Special Counsel John Durham, who was appointed by then-Attorney General William Barr to investigate any misconduct in the FBI’s investigation of the Trump campaign and its alleged ties to Russia. Danchenko is the third person to be prosecuted by Durham. It is the first of Durham’s cases that delves deeply into the origins of the dossier, which Trump derided as fake news and a political witch hunt.
Durham’s other two cases resulted in an acquittal and a guilty plea with a sentence of probation.
In the Danchenko trial, prosecutors say he lied when he told the FBI he obtained some of his information during an anonymous phone call from a man he believed to be Millian, a former head of the Russian-American Chamber of Commerce.
Prosecutors say Danchenko never spoke with Millian and that phone records show he never received an anonymous phone call at the time Danchenko claimed it occurred.
They also say Danchenko lied when he told the FBI he never “talked” with a man named Charles Dolan about the allegations contained in the dossier.
Defense lawyers say that Danchenko did receive a call, perhaps over an internet app, from someone he genuinely believed to be Millian, and that he was truthful when he said he never “talked” with Dolan about the information in the dossier because their relevant exchanges were over email.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Read More…
Jefferson County School District Lawsuit Cemetery Clean-Up Bids
🌱 Jefferson County School District Lawsuit + Cemetery Clean-Up Bids https://digitalalabamanews.com/%f0%9f%8c%b1-jefferson-county-school-district-lawsuit-cemetery-clean-up-bids/
Hello, friends! It’s me, Miranda Fraraccio, your host of the Hoover Daily — back in your inbox with all the most important things happening in the community.
But first, today’s weather:
Sunny and beautiful. High: 79 Low: 51.
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Here are the top stories in Hoover today:
Find out what’s happening in Hooverwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
A Jefferson County mother and student are suing three Jefferson County School District employees. The lawsuit is centered around the alleged failure to enforce bullying policies set by the state of Alabama and the district’s board. The employees work at Mortimer Jordan High School, where the student currently attends. Jefferson County School Superintendent Dr. Walter Gonsoulin reports that the allegations are being reviewed. (WBRC)
Jefferson County has shared a construction update on the Smucker’s facility on its social media accounts. The facility is the county’s largest capital investment by a company. The facility will cost $1.1 billion and will eventually make “Uncrustables”. The facility will bring 750 new jobs to the county. Click to watch the update video. (AL.com)
The Jefferson County Cemetery Board is set to finally clean up local cemeteries. The first cemetery clean-up project will occur at Pine Hill Cemetery in McCalla. Many of the county’s cemeteries suffer from overgrowth and a lack of upkeep. The Board is currently reviewing cleanup bids. (WBRC)
Today in Hoover:
Yoga Storytime At Hoover Public Library (10:30 AM)
Goldfish Swim School Hoover BOO Bash At Goldfish Swim School (5:00 PM)
From my notebook:
Is the current housing market making you feel a little overwhelmed? Consider this list of the latest properties in the Hoover area to hit the market. Click to view the full list of properties that includes prices, photos, and property dimensions. (Hoover Patch)
The City of Hoover is currently hiring. The city is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Click to view the full list of jobs and apply today. (City of Hoover)
The Hoover Belles are currently accepting applications for its Class of 2023. Click to learn more about the organization and for application details. (City of Hoover)
More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!
Events:
Rae and the Ragdolls with Velvet Willow and Palomino (October 14)
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That’s it for today. See you all tomorrow morning for another update!
— Miranda Fraraccio
About me: Miranda Fraraccio is a born and raised Rhode Islander, now living in New York. She works as a staff writer for content creation agency Lightning Media Partners and is a graduate of The University of Rhode Island, where she earned a degree in Writing & Rhetoric and Communication Studies. In her free time, you can find her traveling, drinking tea, or photographing her neighborhood as a street photographer.
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The rules of replying:
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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…
Supreme Court Rejects Trump Request On Mar-A-Lago Documents
Supreme Court Rejects Trump Request On Mar-A-Lago Documents https://digitalalabamanews.com/supreme-court-rejects-trump-request-on-mar-a-lago-documents-2/
The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to reinstate Judge Aileen M. Cannon’s order that a special master review classified documents taken in an FBI search of Mar-a-Lago, Donald Trump’s Florida home and private club.
There were no noted dissents to the court’s unsigned, one-sentence order. It amounted to a quick and sharp rejection of an emergency request by the former president to intervene in the high-profile document review, which is part of an ongoing criminal investigation into the potential mishandling of classified material after Trump left the White House.
The review is being done by special master Raymond J. Dearie, a federal judge in Brooklyn, who was recommended for the job by Trump’s legal team. Trump’s lawyers asked for a review of all 11,000 or so documents seized by the FBI to see if any should be shielded from investigators because of attorney-client or executive privilege.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit put on hold Cannon’s order that 103 of the seized documents, which bore classified markings, should be part of Dearie’s review. It also reversed Cannon’s finding that the Justice Department could not continue its use of the classified documents in a criminal probe.
The Trump team did not try to convince the Supreme Court to withhold the documents from Justice Department investigators, which is considered the more important part of the appeals court order. But it did challenge the 11th Circuit’s order that Dearie should not examine the classified documents.
Such a review might have required showing the classified files to Trump’s legal team, so they could have made claims about privilege. The government has said some of the seized documents are extremely sensitive, and The Washington Post has reported that authorities recovered one document that described a foreign government’s military defenses, including its nuclear capabilities.
The Trump team’s request said, in effect, that said key parts of Cannon’s order were not properly before the 11th Circuit. The Justice Department’s response was that all provisions of Cannon’s involvement in the case were entangled, and that the appeal court’s action was warranted.
The Justice Department said allowing an outside arbiter to review the classified documents would “irreparably injure” the government, and argued that Trump had offered no evidence he would be harmed without the Supreme Court’s intervention. As a former president, the government said, Trump has no “plausible” claims of ownership over sensitive government materials.
The legal fight over Cannon’s intervention in the case is not over. The Justice Department has said it intends to ask the 11th Circuit to overrule Cannon’s entire decision to appoint a special master; it has until Friday to file that appeal.
Trump’s lawyers will have until Nov. 10 to respond to the Justice Department’s appeal, according to an 11th Circuit order. The government said in a filing to the Supreme Court this week that Cannon “fundamentally erred” in appointing a special master.
The Supreme Court’s quick work in rejecting Trump’s request that it intervene in the case signals there was little interest in getting involved at this time. The court issued its order without waiting for Trump’s lawyers to reply to the Justice Department’s response, as is customary.
Trump’s request was modest in any case, legal experts said. “It can be trumpeted as what Trump took to the Supreme Court, but what he took to the Supreme Court was a very narrow argument,” Sean M. Moratta, a Washington appellate lawyer, said in an interview before the justices announced their rejection of the petition. “It’s not an earth-shaking aspect of the investigation.”
The high court’s rejection of Trump’s request continues a string of unfavorable rulings for the former president. Trump chose a third of the Supreme Court’s nine justices, a body that has moved to the right on issues dear to conservatives, such as abortion, gun rights and religion. But the court has been a disappointment to Trump on issues that pertain to him personally.
The justices turned aside multiple challenges to the 2020 election results brought by Trump and his allies. And post-presidency, the court turned down his request to keep certain White House documents from the congressional committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol. In that case, only Justice Clarence Thomas indicated he would support Trump’s plea.
In July 2020, the court rejected Trump’s bold claims of immunity from local law enforcement and congressional investigators.
Read More…
U.S. FCC Set To Ban Approvals Of New Huawei ZTE Equipment -Document
U.S. FCC Set To Ban Approvals Of New Huawei, ZTE Equipment -Document https://digitalalabamanews.com/u-s-fcc-set-to-ban-approvals-of-new-huawei-zte-equipment-document/
WASHINGTON, Oct 13 (Reuters) – The U.S. Federal Communications Commission is set to ban approvals of new telecommunications equipment from China’s Huawei Technologies and ZTE (000063.SZ) in the United States on national security grounds, according to an agency document.
FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel last week circulated the proposed ban to the other three commissioners for final approval. The companies would not be able to sell new equipment in the United States without equipment authorizations.
“The FCC remains committed to protecting our national security by ensuring that untrustworthy communications equipment is not authorized for use within our borders, and we are continuing that work here,” Rosenworcel said in a statement Thursday.
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The FCC faces a mid-November congressional deadline to act.
In June 2021, the FCC voted to advance the plan to ban approvals for equipment in U.S. telecommunications networks from Chinese companies deemed national security threats, including Huawei and ZTE.
That came after a March 2021 designation of five Chinese companies on the so-called “covered list” as posing a threat to national security under a 2019 law aimed at protecting U.S. communications networks: Huawei, ZTE, Hytera Communications Corp (002583.SZ), Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology Co (002415.SZ) and Zhejiang Dahua Technology Co (002236.SZ).
Senate Intelligence Committee chair Mark Warner said he was glad to see the FCC “finally take this step to protect our networks and national security.”
The FCC said in June 2021 it was considering banning all equipment authorizations for all companies on the covered list.
This year, the FCC added Russia’s AO Kaspersky Lab, China Telecom (Americas) Corp (0728.HK), China Mobile International USA (0941.HK), Pacific Networks Corp and China Unicom (Americas) to the covered list.
FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr said in 2021 the FCC had approved more than 3,000 applications from Huawei since 2018.
In 2019, the United States placed Huawei, Hikvision and other firms on its economic blacklist.
Also in 2020, the FCC designated Huawei and ZTE as national security threats to communications networks – a declaration that barred U.S. companies from tapping an $8.3 billion government fund to purchase equipment from the companies.
Earlier this year, the Chinese embassy in Washington said the FCC “abused state power and maliciously attacked Chinese telecom operators again without factual basis.”
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Reporting by David Shepardson in Washington and Jyoti Narayan in Bengaluru; Editing by John Stonestreet, Jonathan Oatis and Marguerita Choy
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
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US Forecast https://digitalalabamanews.com/us-forecast-71/
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;69;52;64;41;Clouds and sunshine;SSE;7;62%;8%;4
Albuquerque, NM;76;50;76;52;Plenty of sunshine;ESE;7;28%;0%;5
Anchorage, AK;39;21;35;28;Partly sunny;NNE;8;58%;68%;1
Asheville, NC;73;38;69;42;Mostly sunny;S;6;42%;2%;5
Atlanta, GA;73;44;76;48;Plenty of sun;SSW;6;38%;2%;5
Atlantic City, NJ;69;57;69;49;Mostly sunny;NW;9;51%;4%;4
Austin, TX;89;62;92;69;Sunshine and warm;SSE;5;40%;0%;5
Baltimore, MD;69;51;69;51;Mostly sunny;SSE;6;44%;14%;4
Baton Rouge, LA;86;55;85;57;Mostly sunny;SSE;6;47%;1%;5
Billings, MT;69;48;75;49;Partly sunny, breezy;WSW;14;34%;26%;3
Birmingham, AL;76;44;78;51;Sunny and pleasant;S;7;39%;2%;5
Bismarck, ND;55;33;49;30;Breezy;SSW;15;49%;41%;3
Boise, ID;78;45;77;44;Sunny and warm;ENE;6;28%;0%;4
Boston, MA;67;61;68;50;Heavy morning rain;NNW;12;77%;97%;2
Bridgeport, CT;69;55;68;45;Turning sunny;NNW;8;55%;8%;3
Buffalo, NY;60;44;59;45;Breezy;SSE;13;53%;20%;3
Burlington, VT;71;51;59;42;A bit of a.m. rain;ESE;6;71%;57%;3
Caribou, ME;65;55;65;57;Windy with showers;SE;19;81%;100%;1
Casper, WY;63;36;72;35;Mostly sunny, warmer;SW;15;28%;0%;4
Charleston, SC;81;59;77;55;Sunny and nice;ENE;7;51%;6%;5
Charleston, WV;66;42;69;49;Sunny;SSE;8;48%;7%;4
Charlotte, NC;77;46;74;46;Plenty of sun;S;6;38%;2%;4
Cheyenne, WY;64;40;70;37;Mostly sunny, breezy;WNW;16;23%;0%;4
Chicago, IL;55;36;58;39;Partly sunny, breezy;WSW;14;34%;55%;3
Cleveland, OH;58;43;61;50;Breezy;SSE;14;48%;29%;4
Columbia, SC;78;51;76;48;Sunny and nice;S;5;41%;7%;5
Columbus, OH;61;40;63;48;Brilliant sunshine;SSE;10;40%;26%;4
Concord, NH;63;58;64;40;Morning downpours;WNW;9;76%;86%;2
Dallas-Ft. Worth, TX;83;56;89;68;Sunny and very warm;S;8;30%;0%;5
Denver, CO;68;44;75;44;Plenty of sunshine;WSW;8;21%;1%;4
Des Moines, IA;53;32;62;33;Windy, a p.m. shower;NW;17;35%;41%;4
Detroit, MI;58;40;57;45;Partly sunny;SSE;10;37%;30%;4
Dodge City, KS;71;43;84;42;Warmer with sunshine;WNW;12;31%;0%;4
Duluth, MN;46;34;42;35;Showers of rain/snow;WNW;7;70%;88%;1
El Paso, TX;83;57;84;61;Increasing clouds;NE;7;37%;1%;5
Fairbanks, AK;30;9;27;12;Sunshine, but chilly;NE;5;64%;6%;1
Fargo, ND;43;33;41;28;Rain/snow showers;WNW;15;80%;84%;1
Grand Junction, CO;73;42;75;44;Plenty of sunshine;ESE;7;27%;0%;4
Grand Rapids, MI;53;40;55;38;Breezy in the p.m.;SE;11;45%;90%;2
Hartford, CT;71;57;69;43;Clouds breaking;NNW;8;60%;18%;3
Helena, MT;69;38;68;47;Partly sunny, warm;W;6;46%;2%;3
Honolulu, HI;87;73;85;71;Rain and drizzle;NNE;8;62%;71%;5
Houston, TX;90;65;87;68;Partly sunny;SSE;7;59%;27%;5
Indianapolis, IN;61;39;66;43;Mostly sunny;SSW;10;38%;27%;4
Jackson, MS;81;50;84;57;Sunny and beautiful;S;6;42%;1%;5
Jacksonville, FL;87;65;81;64;Mostly sunny;ENE;8;57%;14%;5
Juneau, AK;57;42;51;47;Rain and drizzle;ENE;8;84%;100%;1
Kansas City, MO;65;43;77;42;Breezy and warmer;N;13;35%;27%;4
Knoxville, TN;73;43;71;48;Plenty of sunshine;S;8;43%;5%;4
Las Vegas, NV;91;63;93;66;Sunny and very warm;NNW;5;16%;1%;4
Lexington, KY;64;42;69;53;Sunshine and breezy;S;14;39%;6%;4
Little Rock, AR;78;47;87;59;Sunny and very warm;SSW;9;38%;1%;4
Long Beach, CA;74;65;74;65;Partly sunny;S;6;74%;48%;3
Los Angeles, CA;78;63;77;64;Partly sunny;S;6;84%;47%;3
Louisville, KY;67;44;72;52;Breezy in the p.m.;S;11;37%;5%;4
Madison, WI;47;29;53;30;Cool with some sun;WNW;9;45%;16%;3
Memphis, TN;70;50;83;61;Sunny and pleasant;SSW;10;34%;3%;4
Miami, FL;85;74;85;76;A stray p.m. t-storm;ENE;7;77%;58%;4
Milwaukee, WI;53;34;54;34;Breezy and cool;W;13;43%;55%;3
Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN;44;32;46;31;Rain/snow showers;NW;10;55%;88%;1
Mobile, AL;83;56;82;55;Sunny and pleasant;E;6;47%;1%;5
Montgomery, AL;79;49;78;50;Sunny and pleasant;S;5;46%;5%;5
Mt. Washington, NH;44;40;47;33;Heavy morning rain;SSW;25;88%;99%;1
Nashville, TN;69;41;77;55;Mostly sunny;SSW;9;38%;5%;4
New Orleans, LA;85;66;84;65;Mostly sunny;SSE;9;48%;3%;5
New York, NY;71;57;67;50;Turning sunny;WNW;8;50%;5%;4
Newark, NJ;70;54;68;45;Clouds, then sun;WNW;7;47%;6%;4
Norfolk, VA;76;56;70;49;Mostly sunny;SSE;7;54%;10%;4
Oklahoma City, OK;74;52;84;57;Breezy in the p.m.;SSW;13;35%;0%;4
Olympia, WA;75;43;73;42;Partly sunny, warm;NE;6;69%;4%;3
Omaha, NE;60;36;67;33;Partly sunny, breezy;N;14;41%;8%;3
Orlando, FL;85;72;85;70;A p.m. t-storm;NE;8;73%;66%;6
Philadelphia, PA;71;53;69;49;Mostly sunny;SW;7;45%;5%;4
Phoenix, AZ;96;70;97;72;Mostly sunny and hot;WSW;6;24%;4%;5
Pittsburgh, PA;60;43;63;47;Partly sunny;SE;8;43%;29%;4
Portland, ME;62;58;63;49;Rain;W;18;92%;99%;1
Portland, OR;81;50;80;51;Plenty of sun;N;6;51%;4%;3
Providence, RI;68;61;70;46;Morning downpours;NW;10;69%;86%;3
Raleigh, NC;78;49;73;46;Plenty of sunshine;S;5;47%;8%;4
Reno, NV;81;43;81;43;Sunny and very warm;WSW;4;26%;0%;4
Richmond, VA;72;49;72;46;Mostly sunny;SSE;5;46%;11%;4
Roswell, NM;78;50;84;54;Mostly sunny;SW;9;41%;1%;5
Sacramento, CA;84;52;88;54;Sunny and very warm;S;5;45%;1%;4
Salt Lake City, UT;74;49;75;48;Plenty of sunshine;ESE;7;34%;0%;4
San Antonio, TX;93;65;91;69;Mostly sunny, warm;SSE;7;53%;26%;5
San Diego, CA;73;67;74;67;Partly sunny;SSW;7;68%;50%;3
San Francisco, CA;66;52;66;54;Low clouds breaking;WSW;8;72%;1%;4
Savannah, GA;83;56;78;54;Sunny and pleasant;E;6;48%;4%;5
Seattle-Tacoma, WA;74;53;73;53;Partly sunny, warm;NNE;7;57%;4%;3
Sioux Falls, SD;52;30;54;28;Partly sunny, breezy;WNW;14;44%;3%;3
Spokane, WA;74;42;74;46;Partly sunny, warm;ESE;4;54%;1%;3
Springfield, IL;61;35;67;36;Breezy in the p.m.;NW;12;37%;40%;4
St. Louis, MO;67;42;74;44;Mostly sunny;WSW;10;35%;26%;4
Tampa, FL;81;71;86;69;A p.m. t-storm;ENE;7;80%;64%;5
Toledo, OH;57;38;58;42;Partly sunny;S;9;39%;30%;4
Tucson, AZ;92;65;91;67;Turning cloudy, warm;SE;8;30%;2%;5
Tulsa, OK;77;48;85;55;Plenty of sun;SW;9;40%;2%;4
Vero Beach, FL;87;70;84;73;Sunshine, a t-storm;ENE;9;77%;96%;5
Washington, DC;70;49;68;49;Mostly sunny;SSE;6;46%;13%;4
Wichita, KS;74;44;85;45;Breezy in the p.m.;NW;13;32%;0%;4
Wilmington, DE;69;51;69;46;Mostly sunny;SW;7;47%;4%;4
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Copyright 2022 AccuWeather
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Supreme Court Rejects Trump Request On Mar-A-Lago Documents
Supreme Court Rejects Trump Request On Mar-A-Lago Documents https://digitalalabamanews.com/supreme-court-rejects-trump-request-on-mar-a-lago-documents/
The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to reinstate Judge Aileen M. Cannon’s order that a special master review classified documents taken in an FBI search of Mar-a-Lago, Donald Trump’s Florida home and private club.
There were no noted dissents to the court’s unsigned, one-sentence order. It amounted to a quick and sharp rejection of an emergency request by the former president to intervene in the high-profile document review, which is part of an ongoing criminal investigation into the potential mishandling of classified material after Trump left the White House.
The review is being done by special master Raymond J. Dearie, a federal judge in Brooklyn, who was recommended for the job by Trump’s legal team. Trump’s lawyers asked for a review of all 11,000 or so documents seized by the FBI to see if any should be shielded from investigators because of attorney-client or executive privilege.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit put on hold Cannon’s order that 103 of the seized documents, which bore classified markings, should be part of Dearie’s review. It also reversed Cannon’s finding that the Justice Department could not continue its use of the classified documents in a criminal probe.
The Trump team did not try to convince the Supreme Court to withhold the documents from Justice Department investigators, which is considered the more important part of the appeals court order. But it did challenge the 11th Circuit’s order that Dearie should not examine the classified documents.
Such a review might have required showing the classified files to Trump’s legal team, so they could have made claims about privilege. The government has said some of the seized documents are extremely sensitive, and The Washington Post has reported that authorities recovered one document that described a foreign government’s military defenses, including its nuclear capabilities.
The Trump team’s request said, in effect, that said key parts of Cannon’s order were not properly before the 11th Circuit. The Justice Department’s response was that all provisions of Cannon’s involvement in the case were entangled, and that the appeal court’s action was warranted.
The Justice Department said allowing an outside arbiter to review the classified documents would “irreparably injure” the government, and argued that Trump had offered no evidence he would be harmed without the Supreme Court’s intervention. As a former president, the government said, Trump has no “plausible” claims of ownership over sensitive government materials.
The legal fight over Cannon’s intervention in the case is not over. The Justice Department has said it intends to ask the 11th Circuit to overrule Cannon’s entire decision to appoint a special master; it has until Friday to file that appeal.
Trump’s lawyers will have until Nov. 10 to respond to the Justice Department’s appeal, according to an 11th Circuit order. The government said in a filing to the Supreme Court this week that Cannon “fundamentally erred” in appointing a special master.
The Supreme Court’s quick work in rejecting Trump’s request that it intervene in the case signals there was little interest in getting involved at this time. The court issued its order without waiting for Trump’s lawyers to reply to the Justice Department’s response, as is customary.
Trump’s request was modest in any case, legal experts said. “It can be trumpeted as what Trump took to the Supreme Court, but what he took to the Supreme Court was a very narrow argument,” Sean M. Moratta, a Washington appellate lawyer, said in an interview before the justices announced their rejection of the petition. “It’s not an earth-shaking aspect of the investigation.”
The high court’s rejection of Trump’s request continues a string of unfavorable rulings for the former president. Trump chose a third of the Supreme Court’s nine justices, a body that has moved to the right on issues dear to conservatives, such as abortion, gun rights and religion. But the court has been a disappointment to Trump on issues that pertain to him personally.
The justices turned aside multiple challenges to the 2020 election results brought by Trump and his allies. And post-presidency, the court turned down his request to keep certain White House documents from the congressional committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol. In that case, only Justice Clarence Thomas indicated he would support Trump’s plea.
In July 2020, the court rejected Trump’s bold claims of immunity from local law enforcement and congressional investigators.
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Social Security Benefits To Jump By 8.7% Next Year
Social Security Benefits To Jump By 8.7% Next Year https://digitalalabamanews.com/social-security-benefits-to-jump-by-8-7-next-year/
WASHINGTON (AP) — Millions of Social Security recipients will get an 8.7% boost in their benefits in 2023, a historic increase but a gain that will be eaten up in part by the rising cost of everyday living.
The cost-of living adjustment — the largest in more than 40 years — means the average recipient will receive more than $140 extra a month beginning in January, the Social Security Administration said Thursday.
While Social Security recipients welcomed the benefit increase, many said it wasn’t enough to cover the impact of inflation.
It’s “not much help,” said 85-year-old Shirley Parker, who lives in Chatham on Chicago’s South Side,
Home maintenance costs and high grocery prices are cutting steeply into her budget. “Food is ridiculous. I come out with a bag full of groceries — $50 — don’t have about 10 items,” she said.
A separate government report Thursday showed inflation newly accelerating. The Consumer Price Index rose 0.4% for September after just 0.1% in August and is up 8.2% for the past 12 months. Jobless claims for unemployment benefits rose for the week.
The Social Security Administration said the estimated average monthly Social Security benefit for all retired workers will be $1,827 starting in January, according to an agency fact sheet.
The boost in Social Security benefits will be coupled with a 3% drop in Medicare Part B premiums, meaning retirees will get the full impact of the Social Security increase.
“This year’s substantial Social Security cost-of-living adjustment is the first time in over a decade that Medicare premiums are not rising and shows that we can provide more support to older Americans who count on the benefits they have earned,” said the Social Security Administration’s acting commissioner, Kilolo Kijakazi.
President Joe Biden on Thursday afternoon echoed the sentiment that the Medicare premium reduction would have some impact on retirees’ wallets. “Seniors are gonna get ahead of inflation next year,” Biden said. “For the first time in 10 years, their Social Security checks will go up while their Medicare premiums go down.”
Jo Ann Jenkins, CEO of the AARP, said the benefits increase “will provide much needed relief to millions of Americans.”
Several government indexes show that inflation hits older Americans harder than the rest of the population. Medical costs are a big part of the burden.
The Social Security announcement comes just weeks before the midterm elections, and at a time when Democrats and Republicans are sparring about high prices now and how best to shore up the program financially in the future.
William Arnone, chief executive of the National Academy of Social Insurance, an advocacy organization for Social Security, said the benefit increase is “no cause for celebration,” since it will not help all recipients overcome inflation, especially if prices continue to rise.
“There’s already indications that health care inflation is going to be through the roof next year,” Arnone said.
Margaret Toman, a 78-year-old in Garner, North Carolina, who had stopped working to take care of her mother, who has since died, described the 8.7% increase as “quite stingy.”
“I think most of us who are older receiving Social Security are grateful for that Social Security,” she said. “But that gratitude sometimes covers up or replaces a certain feeling of anger at having paid into a system for so long and still struggling to survive.”
About 70 million people — including retirees, disabled people and children — receive Social Security benefits. This will be the biggest increase in benefits that baby boomers, those born between the years 1946 and 1964, have ever seen. The last time a COLA was higher was in 1981, at 11.2%.
Willie Clark, 65, of Waukegan, Illinois, says his budget is “real tight” and the increase in his Social Security disability benefits could give him some breathing room to cover household expenses he’s been holding off on.
Still, he doubts how much of the extra money will end up in his pocket. His rent in an apartment building subsidized by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is based on his income, so he expects that will rise, too.
Social Security is financed by payroll taxes collected from workers and their employers. The maximum amount of earnings subject to Social Security payroll taxes for 2023 is $160,200, up from $147,000 in 2022.
The financing setup dates to the 1930s, the brainchild of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who believed a payroll tax would foster among average Americans a sense of ownership that would protect the program from political interference.
Next year’s higher payout, without an accompanying increase in Social Security contributions, could put additional pressure on a system that’s facing a severe shortfall in coming years.
The annual Social Security and Medicare trustees report released in June says the program’s trust fund will be unable to pay full benefits beginning in 2035.
If the trust fund is depleted, the government will be able to pay only 80% of scheduled benefits, the report said. Medicare will be able to pay 90% of total scheduled benefits if the fund is depleted.
In January, a Pew Research Center poll showed 57% of U.S. adults saying that “taking steps to make the Social Security system financially sound” was a top priority for the president and Congress to address this year. Securing Social Security got bipartisan support, with 56% of Democrats and 58% of Republicans calling it a top priority.
Some solutions for reforming Social Security have been proposed, but none has moved forward in a sharply partisan Congress.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Thursday the COLA announcement is a reminder that “extreme MAGA Republicans are openly plotting new schemes to slash seniors’ benefits and raise their costs – including by threatening to cause an economic catastrophe by holding the debt limit hostage for their toxic agenda.”
Earlier this year, Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., issued a detailed plan that would require Congress to come up with a proposal to adequately fund Social Security and Medicare or potentially phase them out.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., publicly rebuked the plan and Biden has used Scott’s proposal as a political bludgeon against Republicans before the midterm elections.
“If Republicans in Congress have their way, seniors will pay more for prescription drugs and their Social Security benefits will never be secure,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said.
___
Claire Savage in Chicago and Hannah Schoenbaum in Raleigh, North Carolina, contributed to this report.
Follow the AP’s coverage of inflation: https://apnews.com/hub/inflation
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Jan. 6 Committee Votes To Subpoena Former President Donald Trump
Jan. 6 Committee Votes To Subpoena Former President Donald Trump https://digitalalabamanews.com/jan-6-committee-votes-to-subpoena-former-president-donald-trump/
WASHINGTON — The House committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol voted unanimously Thursday to subpoena former President Donald Trump.
Members of the panel, which held what was expected to be its final hearing before the midterm elections Thursday, had previously said that they were still considering seeking an interview with Trump or former Vice President Mike Pence. Sources familiar with the committee’s plans told NBC News of the subpoena earlier Thursday.
The panel’s chair, Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., said the committee had an “obligation” to hear from Trump.
“This is a question about accountability to the American people. He must be accountable. He is required to answer for his actions. He’s required to answer to those police officers who put their lives and bodies on the line to defend our democracy. He’s required to answer to those millions of Americans whose votes he wanted to throw out as part of his scheme to remain in power,” Thompson said, acknowledging the move as a “serious and extraordinary action.”
The resolution to subpoena Trump passed with the support of all members, 9-0.
The resolution was introduced by the panel’s vice chair Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., who called Trump the riot’s “central player.”
A source familiar with the committee’s plans told NBC News the panel plans to issue the subpoena in the coming days.
The panel is on a tight timeframe — the subpoena will expire at the end of this congressional term, and Trump is likely to challenge it.
The subpoena comes more than a year after the committee began investigating the insurrection and despite multiple members of Congress previously acknowledging that it was unlikely Trump would comply.
Supporters of then-President Donald Trump storm the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Samuel Corum / Getty Images file
Still, subpoenaing the former president had been under consideration for a while and has been an active topic of discussion among committee members. On his way to the hearing Thursday, Thompson told reporters the panel had not yet ruled out a subpoena for Trump.
Thompson said at the beginning of Thursday’s hearing that the panel had convened as a formal committee business meeting, so that, in addition to presenting evidence, “We can potentially hold a committee vote on further investigative action based upon that evidence.”
In its wide-ranging investigation, the panel has already conducted more than 1,000 interviews and depositions. It has also received hundreds of thousands of documents and some 100 subpoenas are known to have been issued.
Thursday’s hearing once again placed Trump at the center of plans to overturn the election — which ultimately led to the bloodshed on Jan. 6, Cheney said in her opening statement.
Then-President Trump speaks to supporters from the Ellipse on Jan. 6, 2021.Brendan Smialowski / AFP via Getty Images file
“None of this would have happened without him. He was personally and substantially involved in all of it,” she said. “Today, we will focus on President Trump’s state of mind, his intent, his motivations, and how he spurred others to do his bidding. And how another Jan. 6 could happen again if we do not take necessary action to prevent it.”
Cheney also said that the committee “may ultimately decide to make a series of criminal referrals to the Department of Justice,” though she said that lawmakers “recognize that our role is not to make decisions regarding prosecution.”
Trump would not be the first former president subpoenaed by Congress. Several sitting and former presidents and vice presidents have also testified before congressional committees, including Presidents Abraham Lincoln, Woodrow Wilson and Gerald R. Ford.
It’s unclear if the committee will seek to interview Pence, who blocked Trump’s effort on Jan. 6 to overturn the 2020 presidential election and who faced threats of being hanged that day.
In August, Pence said during an event in New Hampshire that he would consider testifying before the House Jan. 6 committee if invited to appear, but he suggested he would need to sort out some constitutional questions before committing.
“If ever any formal invitation were rendered to us, we’d give it due consideration,” he said.
Thompson had previously suggested that Thursday would be the committee’s final hearing, but several of its members recently have said that might not be the case.
When asked on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” whether there will be additional hearings, Rep. Stephanie Murphy, D-Fla., said the investigation “has its own life, and we keep finding new information.”
Haley Talbot
Haley Talbot is an associate producer in the NBC News Washington bureau.
Ali Vitali
Ali Vitali is a Capitol Hill correspondent for NBC News, based in Washington.
Rebecca Shabad is a politics reporter for NBC News based in Washington.
Dareh Gregorian is a politics reporter for NBC News.
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Supreme Court Rejects Former President Donald Trump's Request To Intervene In Mar-A-Lago Documents Fight | CNN Politics
Supreme Court Rejects Former President Donald Trump's Request To Intervene In Mar-A-Lago Documents Fight | CNN Politics https://digitalalabamanews.com/supreme-court-rejects-former-president-donald-trumps-request-to-intervene-in-mar-a-lago-documents-fight-cnn-politics/
CNN —
The Supreme Court on Thursday rejected an emergency request from former President Donald Trump to intervene in the dispute over classified documents seized from his Mar-a-Lago estate in August.
Trump had asked the justices to reverse a federal appeals court and allow a special master to review about 100 documents marked classified, a move that could have opened the door for his legal team to review the records and argue that they should be off limits to prosecutors in a criminal case.
But in a brief order, the court denied the request. There were no noted dissents.
For now, the documents will stay out of the reach of the special master.
The court’s decision steers the court away from the political fray at a time when approval ratings of the 6-3 conservative-leaning court have dipped to new lows and liberals, including President Joe Biden, have attacked the legitimacy of the institution. The order was issued during the hearing of the House select committee’s investigation of the January 6, 2021, US Capitol attack.
Calling the records “extraordinarily sensitive,” the Justice Department had asked the court to stay out of the dispute while legal challenges play out.
“As this Court has emphasized, courts should be cautious before ‘insisting upon an examination’ of records whose disclosure would jeopardize national security ‘even by the judge alone, in chambers,’” DOJ wrote earlier this week, citing a past case.
At issue are two orders US District Judge Aileen Cannon issued recently. She has authorized a special master to review seized materials – including those with classified markings. Earlier, Cannon temporarily enjoined the Justice Department from using the subset of documents as a part of its ongoing criminal probe.
A panel of judges on the 11th US Circuit Court of Appeals, however, acting upon a request from the Justice Department, agreed to freeze portions of those orders while the legal dispute plays out.
Trump has argued that he may have had a right, as a former president, to possess certain government documents, including documents potentially containing the country’s most sensitive secrets. And he claimed that the appeals court exceeded its authority in ruling against him.
“The Eleventh Circuit lacked jurisdiction to review, much less stay, an interlocutory order of the District Court providing for the Special Master to review materials seized from President Trump’s home,” Trump told the Supreme Court last week.
Raymond Dearie, the senior US judge appointed as special master, will be “substantially impaired” by the appeals court order and that it will slow “ongoing time-sensitive work,” Trump’s team added.
“Any limit on the comprehensive and transparent review of materials seized in the extraordinary raid of a President’s home erodes public confidence in our system,” the filing said.
US Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar said Cannon, who was appointed by Trump, “fundamentally erred” in appointing a special master in the first place and noted the Justice Department is appealing that decision in the lower courts.
The DOJ, in its filing, argued that the 11th US Circuit Court of Appeals found that Cannon “abused her discretion” and inflicted “a serious and unwarranted intrusion on the Executive Branch’s authority to control the use and distribution of extraordinarily sensitive government records.”
Cannon’s decision to block DOJ’s access to documents marked classified and seized from Mar-a-Lago has slowed down the DOJ’s ability to work on the case and given Trump a runway to sharpen his defenses.
DOJ said that Trump’s application to the Supreme Court “concerns an unprecedented order by the district court restricting the Executive Branch’s use of its own highly classified records in an ongoing criminal investigation and directing the dissemination of those records outside the Executive Branch for a special-master review.”
This story has been updated with additional details.
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