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Bob Stefanowski: Ned Lamont Will Try To ‘bury’ State Pier FBI Inquiry https://digitalalaskanews.com/bob-stefanowski-ned-lamont-will-try-to-bury-state-pier-fbi-inquiry/ September 19, 2022 7:16 pm By Mark Pazniokas, Connecticut Mirror Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob Stefanowski suggested Monday that Gov. Ned Lamont was trying to “bury” an FBI investigation of state contracting and implied that the federal authorities would accede to his wishes. Stefanowski’s unsupported assertion came at the end of a press conference called to criticize Lamont’s decision Friday to debate only twice, accusing the Democratic governor of opting for opacity over transparency. The FBI in October subpoenaed records regarding a since-fired state official’s involvement with school construction grants and the reconstruction of the State Pier at New London. It demanded more documents about the pier in March. “We all know what’s going to happen. He’s going to try to bury the FBI investigations until after the election,” Stefanowski said of Lamont. “He’s going to try to bury the scandal at the State Pier until after the election.” Stefanowski then ended the press conference, but he turned back to a shouted follow-up question: How does Lamont bury an FBI investigation? “Well, I think he can,” he replied. “I think the Democrats probably know that the governor is up for reelection this year. I suspect that you know that, too.” And Stefanowski thinks the FBI would defer? “I think that if I were governor right now, it probably would have come out by now, if there was something there,” he replied. “The difference is it wouldn’t have happened under my watch. Thank you, guys.” It was a fairly explosive note to drop, then leave without answering clarifying questions, such as: Was he referring to the Biden administration when he said “Democrats probably know the governor is up for reelection this year?” Stefanowski’s remarks come as Republicans nationally say the FBI and Department of Justice have been politically weaponized in exploring Donald J. Trump’s actions around the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol and, more recently, his handling of classified documents. Democrats wonder if Trump is being protected by an unwritten “60-day rule,” the long-held assumption that federal law enforcement authorities will not bring criminal charges in the two months before an election. In 2020, Republicans complained that John Durham, then the Connecticut U.S. attorney acting as a special prosecutor investigating whether Trump was the victim of improprieties, was too slow to act due to the 60-day rule. Tom Carson, a spokesman for the U.S. attorney’s office in Connecticut, responded tersely when asked Monday if the FBI would have been more aggressive with a Republican or less aggressive with a Democrat near an election. “No,” he replied. “We’ll leave it at that.” The Lamont campaign said Stefanowski was acting out of desperation. “Bob’s campaign is imploding: he’s down in the polls, his staff is quitting on him and the voters are rejecting his anti-choice, anti-gun control, radical agenda,” said Jake Lewis, a Lamont spokesman. “That’s why Bob’s attacking Governor Lamont.” Stefanowski spoke at midday Monday in Branford across the street from Sema4, one of the topics that he says the governor is hoping to avoid in a televised debate. “The voters of Connecticut deserve to hear the positions of each candidate. It’s bizarre to me that Gov. Lamont is dodging it. Probably the best example is over my shoulder with Sema4,” Stefanowski said. Sema4 was one of four companies that got fast-tracked state contracts to perform COVID-19 testing in 2020. The governor’s wife, Annie Lamont, is a managing director of Oak HC/FT, a venture capital firm that invested in Sema4. When Sema4 went public in July 2021, Oak HC/FT’s stake was worth more than $66 million, according to SEC filings. The Lamonts, who had disclosed the investment and said they played no role in the contracting, had promised to donate any family profits off the deal to charity. “We have a right to know. This is our money. This is taxpayer money. At the time, Gov. Lamont said he was going to release how much he made, that he was going to give the family profits to charity,” Stefanowski said. “That was over two years ago.” The Lamonts said last year they have made no money from the investment, and the governor’s campaign said Monday that hasn’t changed. “The truth is neither the governor nor the First Lady made any money from Sema4. These are simply the wild attacks by a losing candidate in the final weeks of a campaign,” Lewis said. Stefanowski said early investors generally take some money out of a deal after an IPO. “We should know whether the Lamonts did that,” he said. Sema4 is struggling financially. A share in Sema4 was valued at about $1 Monday, down from $25.12 on Feb. 12, 2021. “He’s going to try to bury how much he made or lost on Sema4 until after the election. And that’s politics,” Stefanowski said. “And quite honestly, that’s another reason we need debates. Because he’s very good at dodging questions.” Stefanowski’s attack on Lamont’s accessibility comes after a poll that showed him trailing the governor by 10 percentage points and that voters found Lamont to be the more trustworthy of the two candidates. The Republican’s claim of holding the high ground on accessibility is undermined by his tendency to take far fewer questions from the press than Lamont, who generally is available daily. Stefanowski has done in-depth interviews, including one with CT Mirror in June, but he has yet to match the governor in sharing his daily schedule of events. He said daily interactions with the press are no substitute for debates. “With all due respect, people want to hear the guy running against him ask the question,” Stefanowski said. “They want the debater right there to say, ‘Ned, what do you think of taxes?’ And they want my answer right next to his answer.” As for providing his campaign schedule? “Yes,” he said. “We will start providing that schedule, yes.” Read More Here

Jury Selection In Tom Barrack's Foreign Lobbying Trial Begins With Mention Of Trump – Local News 8 https://digitalalaskanews.com/jury-selection-in-tom-barracks-foreign-lobbying-trial-begins-with-mention-of-trump-local-news-8/ By Kara Scannell Jury selection began Monday in the foreign lobbying trial of Tom Barrack, a former adviser to then-President Donald Trump and chairman of his Presidential Inaugural Committee. Judge Brian Cogan mentioned Trump’s name as he questioned a pool of potential jurors to find qualified individuals to hear evidence, suggesting the former President as a possible witness. But it’s unclear if Trump would actually be called to the stand or if the question is meant to gauge juror bias. During jury selection, a judge generally reads a list of names of individuals who could be mentioned during a trial who could be called as witnesses to try to root out any bias on behalf of the potential juror. Barrack and his former assistant Matthew Grimes have been charged with acting as a secret backchannel for the United Arab Emirates to influence the Trump administration’s foreign policy in a way to benefit the Gulf nation. They both have pleaded not guilty to charges of acting as a foreign agent for the UAE and deny having any agreement to aid the Emirates. Questionnaires were sent to prospective jurors over the summer, and a number of them expressed a dislike of Trump. The potential conflict was raised in August court filings, as Barrack’s lawyers and prosecutors went back and forth over whether to strike potential jurors for bias after several said in response to the questionnaire that Trump was their “least admired” person. Prosecutors wrote in one court filing: “The defendants claim that striking jurors who have expressed some dislike of former President Trump or his administration is appropriate because the former President and other members of the Trump Administration ‘cannot be ruled out’ as potential witnesses. Although the defendants have already disclosed their witness lists, neither defendant identified the former President or any former member of the Trump Administration as a potential witness.” Prosecutors also noted the government “may call one or more former Trump Administration officials, and thus would theoretically risk some prejudice to their witnesses from jurors who expressed negative views of the Trump Administration.” The filing did not identify any former White House officials by name. Barrack’s attorneys countered in a court filing that they can’t make any final call on who they will call as witnesses until the government presents its case. “Thus, putting aside which party noticed these witnesses, it is disingenuous for the Government to suggest that it is ‘skeptical of the defendant’s claim’ that key figures in the Trump Administration, or even former President Trump himself, are potential witnesses in this case,” they wrote. Jury selection will continue on Tuesday. The-CNN-Wire & © 2022 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved. Read More Here

A Washington Legal Scandal For The MAGA Media Era https://digitalalaskanews.com/a-washington-legal-scandal-for-the-maga-media-era/ This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Watergate break-in, so it’s only fitting that Washington is once again salivating over a case that explores the boundaries between political subterfuge and investigative journalism. I’m talking, of course, about Democracy Partners v. Project Veritas, the latest in a series of lawsuits targeting Project Veritas and its crusading founder, James O’Keefe, over their infiltration of left-leaning organizations. At the trial, which began Thursday and is now headed for a dramatic finish, a jury will decide if Project Veritas engaged in legitimate journalism, like what Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein pursued once upon a time, or rather nefarious political spying, similar to those Richard Nixon-connected burglars who once broke into D.N.C. headquarters. It’s Watergate, the remix. Project Veritas was founded by O’Keefe in 2010 to capitalize on his blockbuster undercover video recordings targeting ACORN, a liberal grassroots organization, that were selectively edited to discredit their work helping low-income communities. The videos, which O’Keefe promoted by dressing up as a pimp, transformed the then 25-year-old activist into a star of the Fox News cinematic universe. ACORN filed for bankruptcy soon afterwards.  In many ways, these provocative sting videos were a harbinger of Veritas stunts to come: everything from having a “drug smuggler” apply for Medicaid benefits to surreptitiously dialing into CNN’s morning editorial meeting. As for the current trial, it’s connected to one of Project Veritas’s most notorious exploits, part of O’Keefe’s 2016 “Rigging the Election” series, which he later boasted was as important to electing Donald Trump as anything done by Wikileaks or the Russians.  Here’s what happened. In April, 2016, a political consultant named Scott Foval ran into an undercover Veritas hand at a Wisconsin bar, and, with some encouragement, started mouthing off about disrupting Republican events. During this conversation, the two began discussing voter fraud schemes too, and Foval suggested that Democratic consultant Bob Creamer was a true virtuoso when it came to shady political activity. “Bob Creamer comes up with a lot of these ideas,” said Foval. “I’m the white hat, Democracy Partners is kind of a dark hat.”  Project Veritas followed the lead. After figuring out that Creamer was the husband of Democratic Rep. Jan Schakowsky, as well as a top consultant to Hillary Clinton, Project Veritas developed a plan to ingratiate itself to Creamer. The plot was slightly exhausting in its choreography. The undercover Veritas employee would tell Foval he had a wealthy client, “Charles Roth,” who was interested in making a donation. Foval arranged a meeting between “Roth” and Creamer. At the meeting, the fictitious millionaire (with an elaborate backstory, a social media profile, and having made an actual donation) would eventually introduce his niece, “Angela Brandt,” who wanted to volunteer. Eventually, “Angela”—another Project Veritas employee named Allison Maass—got an internship at Creamer’s consultancy, Democracy Partners, where she secretly recorded everything she experienced. The recordings themselves weren’t particularly shocking. Maass caught operatives discussing tactics like “bracketing,” or staging counter messaging wherever an opponent holds an event; “bird-dogging,” or placing sympathetic voters to aggressively question an opponent on the campaign trail; and other tricks of the trade, like the time Clinton had a Donald Duck impersonator sent to Trump Tower to bring attention to how Trump hadn’t released his taxes. Pretty standard-issue stuff for a political shop, frankly, and Creamer resisted undercover attempts to bait him into endorsing a voter fraud scheme. Still, a few of the clips went viral in the final months of the election, and even provided Trump with some grist for his third debate with Clinton. Both Creamer and Foval lost a number of their top clients in the aftermath. Creamer is now suing Project Veritas for misrepresentation and surreptitious taping. He’s demanding about $1 million for the contracts he lost, plus punitive damages. It’s not the first time that Project Veritas has defended itself in court, but it’s the first time a jury will render a verdict about the group’s activities in one of the cleanest legal tests ever of the perennial question, “Is this journalism?”  According to Paul Calli, the attorney representing Project Veritas, it’s an open-and-shut case: “They’re journalists in the finest American tradition called muckraking,” he said in his opening statement. “They did nothing illegal. They remain proud of their journalism. This is sour grapes.”  But Creamer’s attorney, Joseph Sandler, has sought to turn the case back to O’Keefe’s political advocacy and his relationship with the Trump campaign. “The evidence will show James O’Keefe met with Trump,” Sandler countered in his opening. “And the evidence will also show they didn’t ask questions or investigate much of anything. They just sent Ms. Maass in with a hidden camera. What journalist would do such a thing?” Journalism Isn’t a Tort, But… It may seem like kismet that the Creamer-O’Keefe smackdown should come to a head now, in the midst of the post-Trump reckoning, as a sort of referendum on Project Veritas’s brand of politically one-sided, gotcha journalism. In fact, both sides approached the legal questions here extremely tactically, leaning into this particular boundary-testing legal showcase. For Creamer’s side, the strategy was to circumvent not only New York Times v. Sullivan and Hustler Magazine v. Falwell—two Supreme Court opinions which make it hard for public figures to recover damages from publishers over offensive statements—but also to steer around Teter v. Project Veritas, a libel suit from a woman named Shirley Teter who claimed she was defamed by what Foval had told an undercover Veritas operative in that Wisconsin bar (“She was one of our activists trained up to birddog…”). Just weeks before Creamer brought his own suit, Teter’s defamation case fell apart mid-trial when the judge wondered aloud whether her claims would be laughed out of court if it had been the late Mike Wallace from 60 Minutes in the defendant’s chair. The judge then issued a directed verdict that there was no actual malice.  So when Democracy Partners sued, Creamer didn’t make any libel claims—nor did he seek damages for loss of reputation. Instead, Creamer’s lawyers decided to focus on the acts that preceded publication. They aimed to make this showdown analogous to Sanders v. ABC, a big case from the 1990s where an undercover PrimeTime Live reporter secretly taped psychics to reveal the tricks of that trade. Mark Sanders, a “telepsychic,” went up and down the appellate circuit and eventually established a new precedent regarding the tort of “intrusion”: Specifically, that news publishers aren’t immune from legal action in cases where there’s an expectation of privacy in the workplace, and where the invasion is highly offensive. In the end, Sanders resulted in the first ever punitive verdict in a privacy case against a news organization. ABC settled for $900,000. But Democracy Partners v. Project Veritas detoured… slightly. First, on summary judgment, U.S. District Court Judge Paul Friedman rejected a trespass claim against O’Keefe’s outfit because the plaintiff didn’t actually hold the lease to its office, shared its space with others, and ultimately lacked the ability to exclude people like Maass from walking in. As for the other big privacy claim—wiretapping—under both federal and D.C. law, only one party needs to consent to a recording, so as long as there was no criminal or tortious purpose, Maass was perfectly free to hit record on her device without telling anyone else. That’s different from many states where all parties need to consent. But tortious. That’s the key word here, and what’s really the driving force in this trial. Did Maass have some sort of fiduciary relationship with Democracy Partners that she breached? If so, then yes, she had a tortious purpose and committed illicit wiretapping.  Project Veritas’s big tactical move in this case is welcoming a referendum about its journalism. The group says that Maass had no fiduciary relationship with Creamer because her eight-day internship was unpaid. It lasted less than eight days, and Maass never signed an employee contract or non-disclosure or confidentiality agreements. Most importantly, Project Veritas argues, her purpose couldn’t have been tortious because it was journalistic. Judge Friedman was dubious at first when Project Veritas raised this “journalism defense” to wiretap statutes, which don’t include any explicit provision for recordings by journalists. Last year, when he had to decide whether Democracy Partners could introduce evidence showing that O’Keefe and Trump had been chummy during the 2016 election, Friedman wrote that he was “not persuaded that defendants’ supposed journalistic status is a fact of consequence in determining this action.” That said, the judge continued, if Project Veritas wished to “open the door” to the argument that they are journalists, Democracy Partners should be allowed to introduce evidence that O’Keefe’s operation was primarily interested in electing Trump. Both sides eagerly accepted that bargain, opening those doors wide to the trial now at hand. The Chicago political activist Saul Alinsky—who, incidentally, once mentored Creamer—famously said that “any effective means is automatically judged by the opposition as being unethical.” At trial, Veritas attorney Paul Calli brought up this quote and remarked to the jury, “They call our journalism unethical. How rich is that?” Calli was taking a shot at Democratic consultants, like Creamer, for compl...

OnPolitics: President Biden Says The COVID Pandemic Is Over. Is It? https://digitalalaskanews.com/onpolitics-president-biden-says-the-covid-pandemic-is-over-is-it/ Good afternoon, OnPolitics readers! The U.K. and much of the world spent Monday mourning Queen Elizabeth II, who was celebrated at a funeral at Westminster Abbey and brought to her final place of rest, St George’s Chapel. With the funeral concluded, and a private burial service was scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. local time, a period of Royal Mourning is set to last for the next seven days,  according to the wishes of the new king. President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden top the list of foreign leaders present, which also includes France’s President Emmanuel Macron, Germany’s President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Ireland’s President Michael Higgins. Biden arrived at Westminster Abbey for the queen’s funeral in his armored limousine, The Beast. He was among the few international diplomats who, for security reasons, did not ride on a fleet of chartered luxury buses provided for other world leaders. During his visit, Biden told media the queen “was the same in person as her image: decent, honorable and all about service.” It’s Amy with today’s top stories out of Washington. Biden says the COVID pandemic is over. Is it? President Joe Biden’s seemingly offhand declaration that the COVID-19 pandemic “is over” could complicate several issues for the administration. Officials are encouraging people to get boosted ahead of a possible fall and winter wave of infections. They’ve asked Congress for $22.4 billion in emergency coronavirus funding. The administration had been expected to renew a public health emergency, which is keeping millions of Americans on Medicaid. And Biden’s controversial decision to wipe out student loan debt for millions of Americans rests on the Education Department’s ability to ease hardship in a national emergency. White House officials have not commented publicly on Biden’s remark since it aired Sunday on CBS. COVID-19 casualties: Nearly 3,000 Americans are still dying from COVID-19 each week. What happens next: Congress is deciding whether to approve billions of dollars of additional coronavirus funding requested by Biden. Republicans have insisted that unspent money from a previous COVID-19 package be repurposed. The administration has said the money is needed to prepare for future surges. Timeline: The administration has said it would give states 60 days’ notice before declaring an end to the COVID-19 public health emergency that has helped millions of Americans get health coverage through Medicaid. The current end date of the emergency is Oct. 15. But that was expected to be extended because states have not been told otherwise. Real quick: stories you’ll want to read American abducted in Afghanistan to return: President Biden said that the U.S. has secured the release of Mark Frerichs, an American contractor and Navy veteran abducted more than two years ago. It’s one of the most significant prisoner swaps. Do Trump’s attacks on DOJ cross a line? Some legal experts say Trump’s inflammatory rhetoric present DOJ with a quandary over whether to prosecute a former president if he meets the legal threshold. Biden denies Mar-a-Lago document knowledge: President Joe Biden said in an interview Sunday he has not been briefed on the classified documents federal agents retrieved last month from former President Donald Trump’s Florida estate. Read more about Biden’s comments here. Graham pushes back 15-week abortion ban bill:  Sen. Lindsey Graham defended his abortion ban bill Sunday despite lack of full GOP support. Graham’s bill, introduced last week, would prohibit an abortion procedure after 15 weeks of pregnancy. Could DeSantis’ migrant tactic backfire politically with a key voting bloc? Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ decision to transport dozens of Venezuelan migrants to the  elite Massachusetts enclave of Martha’s Vineyard unannounced achieved its unspoken purpose of riling up the left. But the stunt could have unplanned ramifications for DeSantis and the GOP writ large, experts told USA TODAY. What happened at Martha’s Vineyard? A group of about 50 Venezuelan migrants were flown from Texas to Martha’s Vineyard this week on two charter flights for which DeSantis has taken credit. USA TODAY later learned the migrants were told they would be met with well-paying jobs, free housing and transportation once they got off the planes. Instead, when the migrants arrived, Massachusetts officials were surprised and unprepared, with no such promises in sight. A spokesperson for DeSantis said the migrants’ relocation was part of the governor’s “promise to drop off undocumented migrants in progressive states.” The tactic to fly migrants north shows DeSantis is caught between two imperatives, says William LeoGrande, a government professor at American University with expertise in U.S. foreign policy toward Latin America. On one hand, the Florida GOP wants to cultivate the Venezuelan American vote. But on the other hand, DeSantis and the broader GOP see immigration as a “wedge issue.” Could it backfire with voters? Need to catch up on all the coverage of Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral?  USA TODAY was watching every moment as the world paid tribute to the queen. — Amy Read More Here

Trump's Embrace Of QAnon Is 'the Last Act Of A Desperate Man': Ex-FBI Official Predicts 'cult' Acts Are Coming https://digitalalaskanews.com/trumps-embrace-of-qanon-is-the-last-act-of-a-desperate-man-ex-fbi-official-predicts-cult-acts-are-coming/ Over the weekend, Donald Trump went to Ohio to speak out for Republican Senate candidate J.D. Vance. What has left political analysts and elected officials spinning is that Trump has gone beyond flirting with the QAnon cult, and went what some people are describing as full “Q” MSNBC’s Nicolle Wallace began Monday’s “Deadline White House” saying that Trump is fully “tangled up in the sheets” of the conspiracy group. For the past few weeks, Trump has been sharing several QAnon memes, including one popular meme saying “The Storm is Coming.” In QAnon world, “the storm” is the conspiracy that Trump will be placed back into the presidency and prosecute his opponents. At the rally on Saturday, Trump spoke over a soundtrack that played QAnon “flavored songs,” described The Philadelphia Inquirer. It resulted in many members of the crowd raising a single finger into the air, an apparent salute for the QAnon slogan “where we go one, we go all.” Speaking to Wallace was formerly assistant director for the FBI’s counterintelligence Frank Figliuzzi, who explained that Trump knows very well what QAnon is and he knows what he’s doing by promoting it. IN OTHER NEWS: ‘Scandalous’: Trump spokesperson says White House not ‘leaking’ enough national security secrets “It’s like a moth to the flame, and the thing is, he knows that he’s increasingly cornered,” explained Figliuzzi. “He’s in trouble on so many legal fronts, even criminal fronts now, that this is kind of the almost last act of a desperate man. And you can look at this and go, you know, Frank, be careful because that Youngstown, Ohio, rally was actually sparsely attended. The camera shots look great, people are stacked up behind him and right in front of him, but largely there was nobody in that arena. You can see this isn’t that big of a threat.” The Trump rally was competing with the Ohio State-Toledo football game. “I say, yeah, I got you on the attendance issue, but what is extremely dangerous based on past histories of cults is that as they come near the the end, as the leader is threatened, they get more and more dangerous and they do something cult experts call forcing the end,” the counterterrorism expert explained. “Either the leader calls for the violence or the leaders is taken out, the members take a step up and force the ending, whatever that could be. That’s what concerns me. We’ve learned from Jan. 6th that it only takes a small number of people to do that.” Wallace noted FBI Director Christopher Wray testifying to the House that there is a significant threat from anti-government domestic groups, which includes people from QAnon to militia groups. READ: Conservative TikTok attorney erupts after group offers him $400 for Jan. 6 video Last week, Trump spoke with Hugh Hewitt and told law enforcement that they need to be on alert because his people are “going to be mad, mad, mad.” “It doesn’t take a lot of cult members when incited by Donald Trump and warned publicly on the Hugh Hewitt radio show to carry out the violence he’s warned about,” Wallace explained, citing a terrorism expert who spoke out on CBS News. Speaking to “Face the Nation,” the University of Chicago Professor Robert Pape explained that looking at the percentage of people willing to stage a violent uprising is the equivalent of 13 million Americans. The percentage may be small, but the numbers are horrifying. “The problem that we face is that over and over in [truths] by the former president, he is deliberately stoking not just the fires of anger getting him political support but the fires that are leading to that violent — the equivalent of 13 million,” said Pape. “And that is really the heart of our problem that we face as a threat to democracy because if it’s just a political threat, well, then we can have elections, But once it’s not just denying an election but using violence as the response to an election denial, now we’re in a new game.” ALSO IN THE NEWS: Trump flips out on FBI after return to Mar-a-Lago: ‘Didn’t even take off their shoes in my bedroom!’ Wallace explained that experts make it clear that this is all part of the plan and it has happened over and over in societies across the world and throughout history. “It just hasn’t happened here in a really long time, but the denial of the election result as a political maneuver comes first, and what it proceeds is violence,” she said. “So there’s incremental steps that aren’t even moving fast enough,” said Figliuzzi. He has long noted that there is no law on the books that specifically deals with domestic terrorism. “There’s a penetration strategy, infiltration of state, local, county election officials, even add now that to over 100 — something like 119 people running for office throughout the country that are election deniers,” said Figliuzzi. “Get them in the House, the Senate, get them in key positions in key swing states as election officials and now you’ve got a recipe where we may not even be able to seek a legitimately elected next president of the United States because that’s the degree of infiltration that’s gone on here. And that’s a recipe for violence, even as early as the midterms that could happen.” Going back to his training in international terrorism, he said that it’s the combination of religion and cult status that leads people to martyr themselves. Watch video below or at this link. Trump’s embrace of QAnon is ‘the last act of a desperate man’: ex-FBI predicts ‘cults’ are coming youtu.be 13 million are ready to stage a war www.youtube.com Read More Here

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How Ron DeSantis Trumped Trump With Migrant Move https://digitalalaskanews.com/how-ron-desantis-trumped-trump-with-migrant-move/ Gov. Ron DeSantis is having a “moment.” The Florida Republican’s latest high-profile action – flying migrants from Texas to the wealthy, liberal resort island of Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts – captured national attention and added yet more buzz to an expected 2024 presidential bid.  To liberals, last week’s maneuver was a cruel stunt that exploited desperate human beings by turning them into political pawns.  Why We Wrote This Preparing for a likely 2024 presidential run that could pit him against his former mentor, Governor DeSantis is showing a Trump-like ability to command the media spotlight. To conservatives, Governor DeSantis’ move was a stroke of political genius, highlighting the waves of migrants crossing the southern border and supercharging the immigration issue ahead of November’s midterm elections.  Over the weekend, Mr. DeSantis received a standing ovation at an event for conservatives in Kansas. And former President Donald Trump, a fellow Floridian who promoted Mr. DeSantis’ 2018 run for the governorship, is reportedly fuming that his mentee has grabbed the media spotlight on one of his signature issues. But even as Mr. DeSantis shows what he’s learned from Mr. Trump, he’s also doing things differently – for better or worse. To some, the calculated way in which Mr. DeSantis planned and orchestrated those flights shows a key distinction between him and Mr. Trump, who is known for operating more on instinct. “DeSantis is much more strategic,” says Susan MacManus, a professor emerita at the University of South Florida and veteran political observer.  Gov. Ron DeSantis is having a “moment.” The Florida Republican’s latest high-profile action – flying migrants from Texas to the wealthy, liberal resort island of Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts – captured national attention and added yet more buzz to an expected 2024 presidential bid.  To liberals, last week’s maneuver was a cruel stunt that exploited desperate human beings by turning them into political pawns.  To conservatives, Governor DeSantis’ move was a stroke of political genius, highlighting the waves of migrants crossing the southern border and supercharging the immigration issue ahead of November’s midterm elections.  Why We Wrote This Preparing for a likely 2024 presidential run that could pit him against his former mentor, Governor DeSantis is showing a Trump-like ability to command the media spotlight. Over the weekend, Mr. DeSantis received a standing ovation at an event for conservatives in Kansas. And former President Donald Trump, a fellow Floridian who promoted Mr. DeSantis’ 2018 run for the governorship, is reportedly fuming that his mentee has grabbed the media spotlight on one of his signature issues. But even as Mr. DeSantis shows what he’s learned from Mr. Trump, he’s also doing things differently – for better or worse. “Personally, I see it as showboating,” says a conservative political strategist, speaking on background to preserve his relationship with both men. “But it’s great for national fundraising, and it raises DeSantis’ presidential profile.”  Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks during a press conference to announce expanded toll relief for Florida commuters, Sept. 7, 2022, in Miami. He is expected to run for president in 2024. Mr. DeSantis, who is currently running for reelection, believes he’s hit on something. Last week, he told reporters to expect more such flights to “sanctuary communities” – localities that won’t turn migrants without legal status over to immigration authorities. The governor said he has $12 million designated by the Florida Legislature to transport migrants to “sanctuary destinations.” Records show the Martha’s Vineyard flights cost $615,000.  To some, the calculated way in which Mr. DeSantis planned and orchestrated those flights shows a key difference between him and Mr. Trump, who is known for operating more on instinct. “DeSantis is much more strategic,” says Susan MacManus, a professor emerita at the University of South Florida and veteran political observer. “He looks carefully at a big issue and sees what needs more attention, from his party’s and his own ideological perspective. Then he picks a location and timing to maximize media attention.” In their dealings with reporters, Mr. Trump and Mr. DeSantis have some similarities but also differ in key ways. Both men express antipathy toward the news media – Mr. Trump famously referred to the press as “the enemy of the people” – and use reporters as foils to score political points. Both men also know how to play to the cameras.  But their overall media relations strategies are quite different. For all his complaints, Mr. Trump actually seems to enjoy sparring with reporters, and as president carried on the tradition of having the press “pool” travel with him both in Washington and on the road. Mr. DeSantis makes covering his administration much more difficult – at least for the mainstream media. The Florida governor doesn’t release his daily schedule until the end of the day, and while press conferences are usually announced a few hours in advance, they can be anywhere in the state.  “He does not like questions,” says Aubrey Jewett, a political scientist at the University of Central Florida. “I don’t know how much he believes he’s being treated unfairly [by reporters] and how much is a political act. But he seems to believe it’s true.” The big exception is Fox News, whose favorable coverage helped propel Mr. DeSantis to the governorship four years ago, while bringing him to Mr. Trump’s attention. Today, some media observers have noted that Fox seems to be backing away from Mr. Trump, while Mr. DeSantis is still a regular on the network.  But while some see Mr. DeSantis as a younger, savvier version of the former president, others say he lacks the showmanship and charisma that made the reality TV star such a hit with crowds.  Mr. Trump is much more of a “people person,” say conservative operatives who know both men. Mr. DeSantis has made notable improvements delivering speeches to large crowds, but in smaller settings he can be aloof and struggle to connect, they add.  In the run-up to the midterms, both men have been traveling the country, appearing at events to rally conservatives, raise money, and support Republican candidates in competitive races. Much is at stake – control of the House and Senate, as well as numerous governor’s seats, including Mr. DeSantis’. President Donald Trump (left) stands with Florida Republican gubernatorial candidate Ron DeSantis during a rally in Tampa, Florida, July 31, 2018. In their dealings with reporters, Mr. Trump and Mr. DeSantis have some similarities but also differ in key ways. But at the moment it’s Mr. DeSantis who appears to have captured conservative imaginations – and ignited liberals’ ire – by shining a light on the nation’s immigration problem, just as Mr. Trump did in 2016.  Divergent reactions to the Martha’s Vineyard flights “clearly reflect the polarization in this country,” says Professor MacManus.  Island residents were applauded for their outpouring of compassion and material help when about 50 migrants, mostly from Venezuela, showed up last Wednesday in two small planes with no advance warning.  At the same time, Vineyard residents also faced criticism when the migrants were quickly relocated to a military base on Cape Cod, leading some to accuse the liberal islanders of being hypocrites. Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker – a lame-duck, moderate Republican – spearheaded the transfer, saying the migrants would have more access to the services they need.  Here in Florida, where Hispanics are a critical component of the electorate, the fact that most of the migrants sent to Martha’s Vineyard were Venezuelan left some people scratching their heads. Florida’s Venezuelan community leans Republican, in part a response to its native country’s socialist regime.  It’s too soon to say how Mr. DeSantis’ larger project of transporting migrants to “sanctuary communities” will ultimately play out politically, both in his home state and nationwide. For now, conservatives express enthusiastic support, while liberals are horrified. “In our community, it is toxic,” says state Sen. Annette Taddeo, the Democratic challenger to Republican Rep. Maria Salazar in a South Florida congressional district. Senator Taddeo is Colombian American, and Representative Salazar is Cuban American.  But two women handing out DeSantis lawn signs at a street corner in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea are fully behind the governor’s tactic.  “DeSantis couldn’t have made a better move,” says Mary Reid, who runs a business from home in nearby Fort Lauderdale.  Read More Here

US Forecast https://digitalalaskanews.com/us-forecast-62/ 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;79;60;71;57;A shower;WNW;9;78%;86%;2 Albuquerque, NM;84;64;84;64;A stray t-shower;SSE;7;48%;77%;4 Anchorage, AK;55;46;52;43;Cloudy;N;8;92%;92%;1 Asheville, NC;80;60;83;57;Mostly sunny;NNW;7;67%;3%;6 Atlanta, GA;86;66;90;67;Mostly sunny, warm;NNE;6;60%;1%;7 Atlantic City, NJ;81;69;82;64;Sunny;WNW;10;57%;1%;5 Austin, TX;96;75;97;73;Mostly sunny and hot;SSE;3;59%;4%;8 Baltimore, MD;88;70;86;65;Partly sunny, warm;NW;8;49%;1%;5 Baton Rouge, LA;92;70;94;73;Sunny and warm;NNE;6;55%;1%;7 Billings, MT;86;52;58;45;Becoming cloudy;NE;11;67%;9%;2 Birmingham, AL;88;67;93;69;Mostly sunny and hot;NE;6;56%;2%;7 Bismarck, ND;87;57;73;47;Cooler;NW;13;54%;42%;4 Boise, ID;81;55;84;55;Mostly sunny, nice;NE;7;30%;2%;5 Boston, MA;64;60;66;55;An afternoon shower;NNE;7;82%;68%;1 Bridgeport, CT;84;64;78;59;Partly sunny;NW;9;62%;33%;4 Buffalo, NY;73;60;72;63;Partly sunny, nice;SSW;8;67%;2%;5 Burlington, VT;71;58;64;55;A couple of showers;NNW;7;85%;90%;1 Caribou, ME;63;42;57;47;Cooler with a shower;ENE;7;71%;85%;1 Casper, WY;84;46;79;43;Increasing clouds;NE;8;37%;11%;5 Charleston, SC;83;70;88;72;Warm with sunshine;E;7;70%;5%;7 Charleston, WV;82;64;84;58;Humid;SE;4;72%;12%;5 Charlotte, NC;86;65;89;65;Sunshine and warm;NNE;6;58%;26%;6 Cheyenne, WY;85;57;85;52;Turning cloudy;N;10;24%;32%;5 Chicago, IL;74;64;88;74;A stray a.m. t-storm;SSW;10;63%;52%;5 Cleveland, OH;81;65;78;69;Partly sunny, warm;SSE;5;65%;55%;5 Columbia, SC;89;67;93;69;Mostly sunny;SSE;5;55%;2%;7 Columbus, OH;80;57;82;63;Partly sunny, warm;SSE;5;66%;23%;5 Concord, NH;60;54;63;49;A p.m. shower or two;NNE;5;89%;78%;1 Dallas-Ft. Worth, TX;95;76;96;76;Sunny and hot;SSE;8;49%;4%;7 Denver, CO;89;59;89;59;Increasing clouds;W;6;26%;37%;5 Des Moines, IA;83;72;93;66;Hot;SW;12;55%;26%;5 Detroit, MI;85;58;81;68;Partly sunny, warm;SSE;6;55%;73%;5 Dodge City, KS;100;72;98;69;Record-tying heat;S;16;39%;8%;6 Duluth, MN;82;60;77;55;Partly sunny, warm;NW;8;71%;18%;4 El Paso, TX;89;69;91;67;Partly sunny;ESE;8;46%;1%;8 Fairbanks, AK;55;40;51;35;Clouds and sun;N;4;69%;33%;2 Fargo, ND;80;58;75;49;Breezy in the p.m.;NW;11;59%;5%;4 Grand Junction, CO;86;59;77;59;A t-storm around;SE;9;47%;55%;2 Grand Rapids, MI;77;55;81;68;A stray thunderstorm;SSE;8;69%;73%;5 Hartford, CT;84;62;75;58;An afternoon shower;WNW;7;68%;79%;2 Helena, MT;75;49;55;40;A morning shower;NW;9;68%;41%;2 Honolulu, HI;87;76;88;75;Mostly sunny, breezy;ENE;15;58%;14%;10 Houston, TX;92;75;94;73;Hot with sunshine;S;6;64%;7%;8 Indianapolis, IN;82;65;88;72;Partly sunny, warm;SSW;7;70%;10%;5 Jackson, MS;93;70;94;73;Sunny and warm;NNE;3;57%;0%;7 Jacksonville, FL;88;74;87;74;A stray t-shower;NE;9;68%;42%;7 Juneau, AK;59;49;59;51;Low clouds;ESE;7;80%;44%;1 Kansas City, MO;99;77;97;75;Hot;SSW;12;45%;10%;5 Knoxville, TN;84;66;90;61;Mostly sunny, warm;E;5;64%;6%;6 Las Vegas, NV;96;71;95;71;Sunshine, pleasant;SSE;8;17%;1%;6 Lexington, KY;86;66;88;66;Sunshine, very warm;S;5;72%;3%;6 Little Rock, AR;97;72;98;72;Very hot;SW;6;50%;2%;6 Long Beach, CA;80;67;82;66;Mostly sunny;W;7;57%;5%;7 Los Angeles, CA;78;64;81;65;Mostly sunny;SW;7;56%;5%;7 Louisville, KY;87;68;90;70;Mostly sunny and hot;SSE;5;68%;5%;5 Madison, WI;78;61;84;66;A t-storm or two;SW;8;70%;68%;5 Memphis, TN;95;74;100;76;Sunshine, very hot;SSW;5;48%;2%;6 Miami, FL;86;78;88;78;A stray t-shower;ENE;7;73%;67%;8 Milwaukee, WI;76;61;84;69;A t-storm or two;WSW;11;69%;91%;4 Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN;81;66;85;60;Fog in the morning;N;6;74%;81%;4 Mobile, AL;92;71;95;75;Sunny and warm;NNW;7;51%;2%;7 Montgomery, AL;91;66;91;70;Sunny and warm;NNE;5;56%;1%;7 Mt. Washington, NH;48;41;44;38;A couple of showers;NE;19;99%;89%;1 Nashville, TN;94;71;95;68;Hot with sunshine;SSE;6;55%;5%;6 New Orleans, LA;92;75;92;77;Plenty of sunshine;SW;8;54%;1%;8 New York, NY;85;68;81;64;Sunshine, less humid;NW;10;54%;5%;5 Newark, NJ;85;65;81;60;Mostly sunny;NW;9;56%;5%;5 Norfolk, VA;91;69;86;66;Mostly sunny, warm;SSE;7;59%;0%;6 Oklahoma City, OK;96;73;97;72;Hot;SSW;12;45%;4%;6 Olympia, WA;78;46;79;45;Sunny and pleasant;NE;7;45%;3%;4 Omaha, NE;90;72;96;64;Hot;W;11;52%;31%;5 Orlando, FL;90;75;89;75;A p.m. t-storm;NNE;5;72%;75%;8 Philadelphia, PA;86;70;85;66;Warm with sunshine;WNW;10;46%;1%;5 Phoenix, AZ;103;82;98;79;Variable cloudiness;WNW;6;32%;35%;3 Pittsburgh, PA;75;62;80;61;Patchy morning fog;SSE;6;61%;26%;5 Portland, ME;58;52;59;50;A p.m. shower or two;NNW;10;92%;75%;1 Portland, OR;82;56;83;54;Sunshine;W;7;41%;5%;4 Providence, RI;73;62;71;56;An afternoon shower;NNE;6;75%;77%;2 Raleigh, NC;88;66;89;63;Warm with sunshine;E;6;60%;0%;6 Reno, NV;60;46;62;45;Occasional rain;NW;7;67%;97%;2 Richmond, VA;88;66;88;60;Mostly sunny, warm;E;6;56%;0%;6 Roswell, NM;90;67;91;65;Sunshine;SSE;10;51%;9%;7 Sacramento, CA;72;62;76;61;Some sun, a shower;NW;5;67%;96%;3 Salt Lake City, UT;89;65;90;65;Mostly sunny;ESE;12;25%;5%;5 San Antonio, TX;96;76;95;73;Mostly sunny, warm;SSE;7;59%;5%;8 San Diego, CA;75;65;77;68;Nice with sunshine;NNW;10;65%;1%;7 San Francisco, CA;72;60;70;60;A shower in places;WSW;8;70%;86%;3 Savannah, GA;86;69;89;71;Mostly sunny;S;6;70%;3%;7 Seattle-Tacoma, WA;76;54;77;52;Sunny and pleasant;NNE;12;42%;3%;4 Sioux Falls, SD;85;62;92;56;Record-tying heat;N;7;59%;28%;5 Spokane, WA;77;48;74;49;Sunny and nice;NE;9;37%;0%;4 Springfield, IL;84;70;91;72;Sunny and hot;SSW;7;61%;8%;5 St. Louis, MO;96;71;98;73;Very hot;SSW;7;50%;6%;5 Tampa, FL;91;74;89;74;A t-storm around;NE;5;77%;55%;8 Toledo, OH;85;55;80;67;More sun than clouds;SSW;3;63%;61%;5 Tucson, AZ;99;75;94;72;A t-storm around;ESE;8;48%;55%;5 Tulsa, OK;99;75;99;74;Hot;S;9;42%;5%;6 Vero Beach, FL;90;72;88;73;A stray t-shower;NE;6;78%;74%;5 Washington, DC;86;67;85;62;Mostly sunny, warm;NW;8;50%;0%;5 Wichita, KS;99;73;101;72;Breezy and hot;SSW;16;41%;5%;6 Wilmington, DE;87;67;83;62;Mostly sunny, warm;W;10;52%;1%;5 _____ Copyright 2022 AccuWeather Read More Here

US Forecast https://digitalalaskanews.com/us-forecast-61/ 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;79;60;71;57;A shower;WNW;9;78%;86%;2 Albuquerque, NM;84;64;84;64;A stray t-shower;SSE;7;48%;77%;4 Anchorage, AK;55;46;52;43;Cloudy;N;8;92%;92%;1 Asheville, NC;80;60;83;57;Mostly sunny;NNW;7;67%;3%;6 Atlanta, GA;86;66;90;67;Mostly sunny, warm;NNE;6;60%;1%;7 Atlantic City, NJ;81;69;82;64;Sunny;WNW;10;57%;1%;5 Austin, TX;96;75;97;73;Mostly sunny and hot;SSE;3;59%;4%;8 Baltimore, MD;88;70;86;65;Partly sunny, warm;NW;8;49%;1%;5 Baton Rouge, LA;92;70;94;73;Sunny and warm;NNE;6;55%;1%;7 Billings, MT;86;52;58;45;Becoming cloudy;NE;11;67%;9%;2 Birmingham, AL;88;67;93;69;Mostly sunny and hot;NE;6;56%;2%;7 Bismarck, ND;87;57;73;47;Cooler;NW;13;54%;42%;4 Boise, ID;81;55;84;55;Mostly sunny, nice;NE;7;30%;2%;5 Boston, MA;64;60;66;55;An afternoon shower;NNE;7;82%;68%;1 Bridgeport, CT;84;64;78;59;Partly sunny;NW;9;62%;33%;4 Buffalo, NY;73;60;72;63;Partly sunny, nice;SSW;8;67%;2%;5 Burlington, VT;71;58;64;55;A couple of showers;NNW;7;85%;90%;1 Caribou, ME;63;42;57;47;Cooler with a shower;ENE;7;71%;85%;1 Casper, WY;84;46;79;43;Increasing clouds;NE;8;37%;11%;5 Charleston, SC;83;70;88;72;Warm with sunshine;E;7;70%;5%;7 Charleston, WV;82;64;84;58;Humid;SE;4;72%;12%;5 Charlotte, NC;86;65;89;65;Sunshine and warm;NNE;6;58%;26%;6 Cheyenne, WY;85;57;85;52;Turning cloudy;N;10;24%;32%;5 Chicago, IL;74;64;88;74;A stray a.m. t-storm;SSW;10;63%;52%;5 Cleveland, OH;81;65;78;69;Partly sunny, warm;SSE;5;65%;55%;5 Columbia, SC;89;67;93;69;Mostly sunny;SSE;5;55%;2%;7 Columbus, OH;80;57;82;63;Partly sunny, warm;SSE;5;66%;23%;5 Concord, NH;60;54;63;49;A p.m. shower or two;NNE;5;89%;78%;1 Dallas-Ft. Worth, TX;95;76;96;76;Sunny and hot;SSE;8;49%;4%;7 Denver, CO;89;59;89;59;Increasing clouds;W;6;26%;37%;5 Des Moines, IA;83;72;93;66;Hot;SW;12;55%;26%;5 Detroit, MI;85;58;81;68;Partly sunny, warm;SSE;6;55%;73%;5 Dodge City, KS;100;72;98;69;Record-tying heat;S;16;39%;8%;6 Duluth, MN;82;60;77;55;Partly sunny, warm;NW;8;71%;18%;4 El Paso, TX;89;69;91;67;Partly sunny;ESE;8;46%;1%;8 Fairbanks, AK;55;40;51;35;Clouds and sun;N;4;69%;33%;2 Fargo, ND;80;58;75;49;Breezy in the p.m.;NW;11;59%;5%;4 Grand Junction, CO;86;59;77;59;A t-storm around;SE;9;47%;55%;2 Grand Rapids, MI;77;55;81;68;A stray thunderstorm;SSE;8;69%;73%;5 Hartford, CT;84;62;75;58;An afternoon shower;WNW;7;68%;79%;2 Helena, MT;75;49;55;40;A morning shower;NW;9;68%;41%;2 Honolulu, HI;87;76;88;75;Mostly sunny, breezy;ENE;15;58%;14%;10 Houston, TX;92;75;94;73;Hot with sunshine;S;6;64%;7%;8 Indianapolis, IN;82;65;88;72;Partly sunny, warm;SSW;7;70%;10%;5 Jackson, MS;93;70;94;73;Sunny and warm;NNE;3;57%;0%;7 Jacksonville, FL;88;74;87;74;A stray t-shower;NE;9;68%;42%;7 Juneau, AK;59;49;59;51;Low clouds;ESE;7;80%;44%;1 Kansas City, MO;99;77;97;75;Hot;SSW;12;45%;10%;5 Knoxville, TN;84;66;90;61;Mostly sunny, warm;E;5;64%;6%;6 Las Vegas, NV;96;71;95;71;Sunshine, pleasant;SSE;8;17%;1%;6 Lexington, KY;86;66;88;66;Sunshine, very warm;S;5;72%;3%;6 Little Rock, AR;97;72;98;72;Very hot;SW;6;50%;2%;6 Long Beach, CA;80;67;82;66;Mostly sunny;W;7;57%;5%;7 Los Angeles, CA;78;64;81;65;Mostly sunny;SW;7;56%;5%;7 Louisville, KY;87;68;90;70;Mostly sunny and hot;SSE;5;68%;5%;5 Madison, WI;78;61;84;66;A t-storm or two;SW;8;70%;68%;5 Memphis, TN;95;74;100;76;Sunshine, very hot;SSW;5;48%;2%;6 Miami, FL;86;78;88;78;A stray t-shower;ENE;7;73%;67%;8 Milwaukee, WI;76;61;84;69;A t-storm or two;WSW;11;69%;91%;4 Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN;81;66;85;60;Fog in the morning;N;6;74%;81%;4 Mobile, AL;92;71;95;75;Sunny and warm;NNW;7;51%;2%;7 Montgomery, AL;91;66;91;70;Sunny and warm;NNE;5;56%;1%;7 Mt. Washington, NH;48;41;44;38;A couple of showers;NE;19;99%;89%;1 Nashville, TN;94;71;95;68;Hot with sunshine;SSE;6;55%;5%;6 New Orleans, LA;92;75;92;77;Plenty of sunshine;SW;8;54%;1%;8 New York, NY;85;68;81;64;Sunshine, less humid;NW;10;54%;5%;5 Newark, NJ;85;65;81;60;Mostly sunny;NW;9;56%;5%;5 Norfolk, VA;91;69;86;66;Mostly sunny, warm;SSE;7;59%;0%;6 Oklahoma City, OK;96;73;97;72;Hot;SSW;12;45%;4%;6 Olympia, WA;78;46;79;45;Sunny and pleasant;NE;7;45%;3%;4 Omaha, NE;90;72;96;64;Hot;W;11;52%;31%;5 Orlando, FL;90;75;89;75;A p.m. t-storm;NNE;5;72%;75%;8 Philadelphia, PA;86;70;85;66;Warm with sunshine;WNW;10;46%;1%;5 Phoenix, AZ;103;82;98;79;Variable cloudiness;WNW;6;32%;35%;3 Pittsburgh, PA;75;62;80;61;Patchy morning fog;SSE;6;61%;26%;5 Portland, ME;58;52;59;50;A p.m. shower or two;NNW;10;92%;75%;1 Portland, OR;82;56;83;54;Sunshine;W;7;41%;5%;4 Providence, RI;73;62;71;56;An afternoon shower;NNE;6;75%;77%;2 Raleigh, NC;88;66;89;63;Warm with sunshine;E;6;60%;0%;6 Reno, NV;60;46;62;45;Occasional rain;NW;7;67%;97%;2 Richmond, VA;88;66;88;60;Mostly sunny, warm;E;6;56%;0%;6 Roswell, NM;90;67;91;65;Sunshine;SSE;10;51%;9%;7 Sacramento, CA;72;62;76;61;Some sun, a shower;NW;5;67%;96%;3 Salt Lake City, UT;89;65;90;65;Mostly sunny;ESE;12;25%;5%;5 San Antonio, TX;96;76;95;73;Mostly sunny, warm;SSE;7;59%;5%;8 San Diego, CA;75;65;77;68;Nice with sunshine;NNW;10;65%;1%;7 San Francisco, CA;72;60;70;60;A shower in places;WSW;8;70%;86%;3 Savannah, GA;86;69;89;71;Mostly sunny;S;6;70%;3%;7 Seattle-Tacoma, WA;76;54;77;52;Sunny and pleasant;NNE;12;42%;3%;4 Sioux Falls, SD;85;62;92;56;Record-tying heat;N;7;59%;28%;5 Spokane, WA;77;48;74;49;Sunny and nice;NE;9;37%;0%;4 Springfield, IL;84;70;91;72;Sunny and hot;SSW;7;61%;8%;5 St. Louis, MO;96;71;98;73;Very hot;SSW;7;50%;6%;5 Tampa, FL;91;74;89;74;A t-storm around;NE;5;77%;55%;8 Toledo, OH;85;55;80;67;More sun than clouds;SSW;3;63%;61%;5 Tucson, AZ;99;75;94;72;A t-storm around;ESE;8;48%;55%;5 Tulsa, OK;99;75;99;74;Hot;S;9;42%;5%;6 Vero Beach, FL;90;72;88;73;A stray t-shower;NE;6;78%;74%;5 Washington, DC;86;67;85;62;Mostly sunny, warm;NW;8;50%;0%;5 Wichita, KS;99;73;101;72;Breezy and hot;SSW;16;41%;5%;6 Wilmington, DE;87;67;83;62;Mostly sunny, warm;W;10;52%;1%;5 _____ Copyright 2022 AccuWeather Read More Here

US Forecast https://digitalalaskanews.com/us-forecast-60/ 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;79;60;71;57;A shower;WNW;9;78%;86%;2 Albuquerque, NM;84;64;84;64;A stray t-shower;SSE;7;48%;77%;4 Anchorage, AK;55;46;52;43;Cloudy;N;8;92%;92%;1 Asheville, NC;80;60;83;57;Mostly sunny;NNW;7;67%;3%;6 Atlanta, GA;86;66;90;67;Mostly sunny, warm;NNE;6;60%;1%;7 Atlantic City, NJ;81;69;82;64;Sunny;WNW;10;57%;1%;5 Austin, TX;96;75;97;73;Mostly sunny and hot;SSE;3;59%;4%;8 Baltimore, MD;88;70;86;65;Partly sunny, warm;NW;8;49%;1%;5 Baton Rouge, LA;92;70;94;73;Sunny and warm;NNE;6;55%;1%;7 Billings, MT;86;52;58;45;Becoming cloudy;NE;11;67%;9%;2 Birmingham, AL;88;67;93;69;Mostly sunny and hot;NE;6;56%;2%;7 Bismarck, ND;87;57;73;47;Cooler;NW;13;54%;42%;4 Boise, ID;81;55;84;55;Mostly sunny, nice;NE;7;30%;2%;5 Boston, MA;64;60;66;55;An afternoon shower;NNE;7;82%;68%;1 Bridgeport, CT;84;64;78;59;Partly sunny;NW;9;62%;33%;4 Buffalo, NY;73;60;72;63;Partly sunny, nice;SSW;8;67%;2%;5 Burlington, VT;71;58;64;55;A couple of showers;NNW;7;85%;90%;1 Caribou, ME;63;42;57;47;Cooler with a shower;ENE;7;71%;85%;1 Casper, WY;84;46;79;43;Increasing clouds;NE;8;37%;11%;5 Charleston, SC;83;70;88;72;Warm with sunshine;E;7;70%;5%;7 Charleston, WV;82;64;84;58;Humid;SE;4;72%;12%;5 Charlotte, NC;86;65;89;65;Sunshine and warm;NNE;6;58%;26%;6 Cheyenne, WY;85;57;85;52;Turning cloudy;N;10;24%;32%;5 Chicago, IL;74;64;88;74;A stray a.m. t-storm;SSW;10;63%;52%;5 Cleveland, OH;81;65;78;69;Partly sunny, warm;SSE;5;65%;55%;5 Columbia, SC;89;67;93;69;Mostly sunny;SSE;5;55%;2%;7 Columbus, OH;80;57;82;63;Partly sunny, warm;SSE;5;66%;23%;5 Concord, NH;60;54;63;49;A p.m. shower or two;NNE;5;89%;78%;1 Dallas-Ft. Worth, TX;95;76;96;76;Sunny and hot;SSE;8;49%;4%;7 Denver, CO;89;59;89;59;Increasing clouds;W;6;26%;37%;5 Des Moines, IA;83;72;93;66;Hot;SW;12;55%;26%;5 Detroit, MI;85;58;81;68;Partly sunny, warm;SSE;6;55%;73%;5 Dodge City, KS;100;72;98;69;Record-tying heat;S;16;39%;8%;6 Duluth, MN;82;60;77;55;Partly sunny, warm;NW;8;71%;18%;4 El Paso, TX;89;69;91;67;Partly sunny;ESE;8;46%;1%;8 Fairbanks, AK;55;40;51;35;Clouds and sun;N;4;69%;33%;2 Fargo, ND;80;58;75;49;Breezy in the p.m.;NW;11;59%;5%;4 Grand Junction, CO;86;59;77;59;A t-storm around;SE;9;47%;55%;2 Grand Rapids, MI;77;55;81;68;A stray thunderstorm;SSE;8;69%;73%;5 Hartford, CT;84;62;75;58;An afternoon shower;WNW;7;68%;79%;2 Helena, MT;75;49;55;40;A morning shower;NW;9;68%;41%;2 Honolulu, HI;87;76;88;75;Mostly sunny, breezy;ENE;15;58%;14%;10 Houston, TX;92;75;94;73;Hot with sunshine;S;6;64%;7%;8 Indianapolis, IN;82;65;88;72;Partly sunny, warm;SSW;7;70%;10%;5 Jackson, MS;93;70;94;73;Sunny and warm;NNE;3;57%;0%;7 Jacksonville, FL;88;74;87;74;A stray t-shower;NE;9;68%;42%;7 Juneau, AK;59;49;59;51;Low clouds;ESE;7;80%;44%;1 Kansas City, MO;99;77;97;75;Hot;SSW;12;45%;10%;5 Knoxville, TN;84;66;90;61;Mostly sunny, warm;E;5;64%;6%;6 Las Vegas, NV;96;71;95;71;Sunshine, pleasant;SSE;8;17%;1%;6 Lexington, KY;86;66;88;66;Sunshine, very warm;S;5;72%;3%;6 Little Rock, AR;97;72;98;72;Very hot;SW;6;50%;2%;6 Long Beach, CA;80;67;82;66;Mostly sunny;W;7;57%;5%;7 Los Angeles, CA;78;64;81;65;Mostly sunny;SW;7;56%;5%;7 Louisville, KY;87;68;90;70;Mostly sunny and hot;SSE;5;68%;5%;5 Madison, WI;78;61;84;66;A t-storm or two;SW;8;70%;68%;5 Memphis, TN;95;74;100;76;Sunshine, very hot;SSW;5;48%;2%;6 Miami, FL;86;78;88;78;A stray t-shower;ENE;7;73%;67%;8 Milwaukee, WI;76;61;84;69;A t-storm or two;WSW;11;69%;91%;4 Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN;81;66;85;60;Fog in the morning;N;6;74%;81%;4 Mobile, AL;92;71;95;75;Sunny and warm;NNW;7;51%;2%;7 Montgomery, AL;91;66;91;70;Sunny and warm;NNE;5;56%;1%;7 Mt. Washington, NH;48;41;44;38;A couple of showers;NE;19;99%;89%;1 Nashville, TN;94;71;95;68;Hot with sunshine;SSE;6;55%;5%;6 New Orleans, LA;92;75;92;77;Plenty of sunshine;SW;8;54%;1%;8 New York, NY;85;68;81;64;Sunshine, less humid;NW;10;54%;5%;5 Newark, NJ;85;65;81;60;Mostly sunny;NW;9;56%;5%;5 Norfolk, VA;91;69;86;66;Mostly sunny, warm;SSE;7;59%;0%;6 Oklahoma City, OK;96;73;97;72;Hot;SSW;12;45%;4%;6 Olympia, WA;78;46;79;45;Sunny and pleasant;NE;7;45%;3%;4 Omaha, NE;90;72;96;64;Hot;W;11;52%;31%;5 Orlando, FL;90;75;89;75;A p.m. t-storm;NNE;5;72%;75%;8 Philadelphia, PA;86;70;85;66;Warm with sunshine;WNW;10;46%;1%;5 Phoenix, AZ;103;82;98;79;Variable cloudiness;WNW;6;32%;35%;3 Pittsburgh, PA;75;62;80;61;Patchy morning fog;SSE;6;61%;26%;5 Portland, ME;58;52;59;50;A p.m. shower or two;NNW;10;92%;75%;1 Portland, OR;82;56;83;54;Sunshine;W;7;41%;5%;4 Providence, RI;73;62;71;56;An afternoon shower;NNE;6;75%;77%;2 Raleigh, NC;88;66;89;63;Warm with sunshine;E;6;60%;0%;6 Reno, NV;60;46;62;45;Occasional rain;NW;7;67%;97%;2 Richmond, VA;88;66;88;60;Mostly sunny, warm;E;6;56%;0%;6 Roswell, NM;90;67;91;65;Sunshine;SSE;10;51%;9%;7 Sacramento, CA;72;62;76;61;Some sun, a shower;NW;5;67%;96%;3 Salt Lake City, UT;89;65;90;65;Mostly sunny;ESE;12;25%;5%;5 San Antonio, TX;96;76;95;73;Mostly sunny, warm;SSE;7;59%;5%;8 San Diego, CA;75;65;77;68;Nice with sunshine;NNW;10;65%;1%;7 San Francisco, CA;72;60;70;60;A shower in places;WSW;8;70%;86%;3 Savannah, GA;86;69;89;71;Mostly sunny;S;6;70%;3%;7 Seattle-Tacoma, WA;76;54;77;52;Sunny and pleasant;NNE;12;42%;3%;4 Sioux Falls, SD;85;62;92;56;Record-tying heat;N;7;59%;28%;5 Spokane, WA;77;48;74;49;Sunny and nice;NE;9;37%;0%;4 Springfield, IL;84;70;91;72;Sunny and hot;SSW;7;61%;8%;5 St. Louis, MO;96;71;98;73;Very hot;SSW;7;50%;6%;5 Tampa, FL;91;74;89;74;A t-storm around;NE;5;77%;55%;8 Toledo, OH;85;55;80;67;More sun than clouds;SSW;3;63%;61%;5 Tucson, AZ;99;75;94;72;A t-storm around;ESE;8;48%;55%;5 Tulsa, OK;99;75;99;74;Hot;S;9;42%;5%;6 Vero Beach, FL;90;72;88;73;A stray t-shower;NE;6;78%;74%;5 Washington, DC;86;67;85;62;Mostly sunny, warm;NW;8;50%;0%;5 Wichita, KS;99;73;101;72;Breezy and hot;SSW;16;41%;5%;6 Wilmington, DE;87;67;83;62;Mostly sunny, warm;W;10;52%;1%;5 _____ Copyright 2022 AccuWeather Read More Here

Ford Warns Investors Of An Extra $1 Billion In Supply Chain Costs During The Third Quarter https://digitalalaskanews.com/ford-warns-investors-of-an-extra-1-billion-in-supply-chain-costs-during-the-third-quarter/ 2023 Ford F-150 Raptor R Ford DETROIT – Ford Motor on Monday warned investors that the company expects to incur $1 billion more in costs than previously expected during the third quarter due to inflation and supply chain issues. Ford said supply problems have resulted in parts shortages affecting roughly 40,000 to 45,000 vehicles, largely high-margin trucks and SUVs, that haven’t been able to reach dealers. The company expects to complete and deliver the vehicles to dealers in the fourth quarter and is still projecting 2022 adjusted earnings before interest and taxes of between $11.5 billion to $12.5 billion. Shares of the company fell about 5% in extended trading following the update. Ford said based on recent negotiations, inflation-related supplier costs during the third quarter will run about $1 billion higher than originally expected. The automaker anticipates third-quarter adjusted earnings before interest and taxes to be in the range of $1.4 billion to $1.7 billion. The company said executives will “provide more dimension about expectations for full-year performance” when the automaker reports its third-quarter results on Oct. 26. Automakers have been battling supply chain problems since the coronavirus pandemic brought manufacturing to a standstill in early 2020. Demand continued to be strong, followed by ongoing issues with the availability of parts, specifically, semiconductor chips. Ford’s largest crosstown rival, General Motors, announced similar issues earlier this year. GM on July 1 warned investors that supply chain issues would impact its second-quarter earnings, as it had about 95,000 vehicles in its inventory that were manufactured without certain components. GM at the time also reconfirmed its yearly guidance and said it expects that “substantially all of these vehicles” will be completed and sold to dealers before the end of 2022. Read More Here

Judge Aileen Cannon Thinks Poor Donald Trump May Be Stigmatized https://digitalalaskanews.com/judge-aileen-cannon-thinks-poor-donald-trump-may-be-stigmatized/ Say someone took some important and personal papers of yours. You go to court, and a judge decides you can get those documents back. You would expect, by following the rules, that you could, right? Now say you were the U.S. Department of Justice and you wanted some documents back that you had had in your possession. The DOJ has even more reason to think it should not just have the documents back but use them to investigate possible crimes, right? A federal judge in Florida, Judge Aileen Cannon, disagrees. The DOJ seized, from Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence, 11,000 documents, about 100 of them having national security classifications. It had a warrant because it had enough evidence to suggest crimes may have been committed, and the seizure has reinforced that view. But Judge Cannon took the unusual step of temporarily blocking the DOJ’s ability to use the 100 classified documents to investigate those crimes. Now the DOJ has appealed that ruling to the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals, and little wonder as to why: The very first sentence of its appeal says that the lower court blocked “the Executive Branch’s use of its own highly classified records in a criminal investigation with direct implications for national security.” Judge Cannon’s opinion is shocking, but the DOJ is not appealing all of it. Judge Cannon appointed a “special master” to review all 11,000 pages because some are probably personal and not relevant to the investigation and some might be privileged— communications with attorneys giving legal advice or opinions, and executive privilege. Rather than appeal that decision, Justice is only trying to get its criminal investigation back underway on the 100 pages that are indisputable national security documents. They are not personal papers nor subject to attorney-client privilege. I won’t dignify the executive privilege claim with a comment. We, the people, need to understand exactly how much this marks our departure from the once-shared belief that no former president is above the law. Every one of us has a big constitutional stake in this procedural fight. Trump is a private citizen. Judge Cannon’s decision affords Trump unique protections despite that. It halted, albeit temporarily, the criminal investigation’s use of the very documents seized by a judicial warrant. While Trump has argued he declassified all classified documents, which is not necessarily a defense to the Espionage Act, and certainly not a defense to taking government records, his attorneys have not made that argument. Nor did Judge Cannon ask for evidence of declassification. The payload of documents the FBI recovered from Mar-a-Lago does not prove alone that Trump is guilty of crimes, but it certainly shows that the independent federal judge who found sufficient evidence to sign the search warrant was right to do so. Trump is a person of interest because he admits he took these government documents, including classified documents, upon leaving office. Frankly, if it didn’t involve national security he should, nonetheless, be treated like any private citizen: fairly, not specially. We had an honest constitutional debate about whether President Donald Trump could be criminally prosecuted, thanks to Robert Mueller’s report on Trump’s “perfect call” to President Zelensky of Ukraine asking him to interfere in our elections. Few scholars seriously questioned whether a private citizen who was formerly a president could be prosecuted for alleged crimes arising after he left office. After Richard Nixon’s Watergate resignation, President Gerald Ford pardoned him because Nixon faced the very real likelihood of prosecution for offenses committed while in office. In fact, Leon Jaworski, the Watergate special prosecutor, wrote a memorandum weighing the arguments for and against the criminal prosecution of the former president. In that memo, he did not raise any constitutional challenge to charging Nixon. What he said still stands: “The principle of equal justice under law requires that every person, no matter what his past position or office, answer to the criminal justice system for his past offenses.” He went on to cite Article 3, Section 1 of the Constitution for the proposition that impeachment did not shield Nixon from prosecution. We don’t know whether the current DOJ investigation dovetails with, or will be connected to, investigations related to Trump’s second impeachment. But as Leon Jaworski made clear, it is irrelevant. One of the dangers to our democracy is Trump and his allies continuously undermining the credibility of democratic institutions. By no means is the DOJ or the FBI perfect, and nor should we assume that everything they do is lawful and just. But Judge Cannon’s opinion attempts to undermine those institutions where they have followed the law. She suggested that the FBI had not taken the proper precautions to protect attorney client privilege, using an example that demonstrated the process worked. The DOJ has a separate team, a walled off set of FBI investigators, known as the filter team, that reviews materials for privilege. The investigative team saw and transferred some materials to the filter team because they might be considered privileged. That’s what they are supposed to do. Cannon used that against them. The absurd implications of the judge’s arguments amount to a privilege to Trump as a powerful person, despite the fact that he no longer holds that power. That should concern us all. The judge says Trump may be harmed in not getting some personal records back sooner. Really? Why? She continues that he may be harmed if privileged communications are viewed by investigators or leaked to the public and then states. But there is a lawful process of segregation and judicial review that applies to all of us private citizens. Trump is one of us. Here’s the kicker. She says, “…Plaintiff has claimed injury from the threat of future prosecution and the serious, often indelible stigma associated therewith.” Well, yes, Trump may be harmed—because there is probable cause to believe crimes have been committed and the FBI may have evidence of it. Trump is in a world of legal trouble because of his own actions, and for no other reason than that, period. The same week that DOJ appeals Judge Cannon’s decision, we have learned that the Department of Justice sent dozens of subpoenas to high-level Trump operatives and advisers, now making clear that virtually all of Trump’s efforts to remain in office are under investigation. We do not know, nor have we seen any evidence, that directly links the Mar-a-Lago national security investigation with the January 6 fake electors, Trump campaign financing, or the violence that erupted on January 6. But one thing is clear. Trump’s attorneys are also receiving subpoenas. Sadly, this is not surprising. Since the 2020 election, Trump lawyers have been in the news for efforts to overturn the results. Four Trump attorneys in particular, Rudy Giuliani, Sydney Powell, Jenna Ellis, and Boris Epshteyn, have been in the sights of the January 6 committee for months. All had played some role, according to the Committee Chair, Rep. Bennie Thompson, their attorneys spread the Big Lie and at least two, Giuliani and Epshteyn, participated in the “fake elector” scheme, and news reports state that his federal agents seized Epshteyn’s phone pursuant to a warrant. A judge in the Michigan 2020 election case called for Trump attorneys, including Powell and others, to be investigated for ethics violations. The judge said it “was about undermining the People’s faith in our democracy and debasing the judicial process to do so.” We don’t know how the DOJ investigation should end. We only know that it isn’t over and, for the sake of our democracy and the rule of law, we need it to be full and fair and to follow the same rules and protections for everyone, including private citizen Trump. Trump has spent the past several years undermining the legitimacy of democratic institutions, including the DOJ and the courts. It must stop. Read More Here

Maine Rematch Could Be A Bellwether For Control Of Congress https://digitalalaskanews.com/maine-rematch-could-be-a-bellwether-for-control-of-congress-2/ The race is in the more conservative 2nd Congressional District, where former President Donald Trump maintains a base of support. AUBURN, Maine — Donald Trump isn’t on the ballot in Maine’s 2nd Congressional District this year, but his brand of politics is. In a race that will help decide control of the U.S. House of Representatives, Democratic Rep. Jared Golden will defend his seat against Republican former Rep. Bruce Poliquin and independent candidate Tiffany Bond. The race is a rematch for Golden and Poliquin, who ran for the same seat in 2018, when Golden emerged victorious by a razor-thin margin. The appeal of Trump-style politics has grown in the district since then despite the fact it is represented by Golden, a moderate Democrat. Poliquin, who represented the 2nd District as a moderate Republican from 2014 to 2018, has shifted his own messaging rightward to try to take advantage of those headwinds. The result is a race that could be an indicator of Trump’s continued influence on swing districts and rural politics. Voters in the district are taking notice. Mary Hunter, a Democrat and retired academic who lives in the city of Lewiston, thinks Golden is still the right candidate for the district. She said she’s voting for him in part because she’s concerned about Democrats losing control of Congress. And she’s aware Trump is still a big influence on a lot of voters in her district. “Most people are kind of red team or blue team. I think Jared is doing his best to move to the middle. He’s very centrist,” Hunter said. “Whether that will serve him, I don’t know.” But in Auburn, a nearby city of about 23,000 in the 2nd District, Coastal Defense Firearms owner Rick LaChapelle said he’s planning to vote for Poliquin. LaChapelle, a Republican city councilor in Lewiston, said he respects Golden but feels the Democratic Party has become too extreme. “His party is too radical. He cannot overcome the strength of his party, so you have to change the party,” LaChapelle said. The district, one of two in Maine, includes the state’s second- and third-largest cities — Lewiston and Bangor — but is mostly made up of vast rural areas in northern and western Maine. It also includes the state’s Down East coastline and is home to Maine’s traditional industries such as lobster fishing, logging and potato and blueberry farming. The district is also geographically the largest in the U.S. east of the Mississippi River, and it is far more politically mixed than the heavily Democratic 1st Congressional District in southern Maine. Trump won the 2nd District in 2016 and performed even better in the district in 2020, though he lost the statewide vote both times because of overwhelming margins in the 1st District, centered in liberal Portland. Poliquin has focused his campaign on issues such as curtailing immigration and protecting gun rights. It’s a shift from his earlier campaigns, which focused more closely on controlling taxes and protecting rural jobs, though he continues to tout those issues. His website has warned of liberals who want to defund law enforcement and push critical race theory in schools, and boasted of his work with Trump when he served in Congress. “I came out again from semi-retirement because our country and our state are in deep trouble,” said Poliquin, who was once an investment manager and served two years as Maine’s state treasurer. Golden, a Marine Corps veteran, has long positioned himself as a moderate who supports the 2nd Amendment and works to safeguard industries such as commercial fishing and papermaking. He’s continuing that approach this time around. Golden has shown a willingness to buck his own party over the years, including coming out against President Joe Biden’s student loan forgiveness plan in August. His positions have sometimes won him crossover endorsements from groups that often back Republicans, such as when he received the backing of the state’s largest police union in July. The union also endorsed Republican former Gov. Paul LePage, who is running for his old job. Golden said he expects voters to reward him for standing up to the Democratic Party leadership on issues such as the nearly $2 trillion climate and health care bill the House passed in 2021. He voted against the bill. He subsequently voted for the slimmed-down $740 billion measure that passed Congress last month. “In the last two years, I don’t know of anyone who has been more independent, and more willing to stand up to their own party, than I have been,” Golden said. “I’m not trying to strategize ‘How do I hold on to the Democratic voters or to the Trump voters?’” The race will include the use of ranked-choice voting, which Golden needed to win the seat in 2018. Bond, who came in third in 2018, said independent voters in the race will be the ones who decide it. She said she’s focusing her campaign on issues such as improving health care access and addressing climate change. Bond said she expects ranked voting will play a role again this time around. “I was the candidate who got all the votes that neither party could,” she said. The race is likely to be much closer than Golden’s 2020 reelection victory, said Mark Brewer, a political scientist at University of Maine. Golden won that election handily over Republican Dale Crafts. It’ll be closer this time in part because of national backlash against Democrats over issues such as inflation, Brewer said. But it’ll also be closer simply because the 2nd District is unpredictable, he said. “It’s the kind of district that has a lot of the people Trump made his appeal to in 2016. Relatively rural, largely white working class voters who have a sense of grievance, economic grievance,” Brewer said. “I don’t think there’s any doubt that this race is going to be closer than Golden’s last race.” ____ The story has been corrected to show that Golden voted for the $740 billion climate and health care bill passed last month. He voted against a previous, more expansive bill in 2021 labeled the Build Back Better Act. More NEWS CENTER Maine stories Read More Here

Velshi On Monarchy. Bill Clinton Is Right About Midterms. Heitkamp On Trump. Pro-Lifers, Listen Up https://digitalalaskanews.com/velshi-on-monarchy-bill-clinton-is-right-about-midterms-heitkamp-on-trump-pro-lifers-listen-up/   (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.) Monday September 19, 2022 · 1:00 PM PDT 2022/09/19 · 13:00 {{backgroundUrl avatar_large}} Joined: {{created_at}} Story Count: {{n_stories}} Comment Count: {{n_comments}} Popular Tags: {{showTags popular_tags}} {{#each badges}} {{badgeUrl .}} {{/each}} {{authorSig user_sig}} {{/unless}} {{/if}} {{#ifcanRecComment author_id}} {{#if recommenders_text}} {{else}} {{/if}} {{n_recrates}} {{n_recrates}} {{else}} {{#if recommenders_text}} {{else}} {{/if}} Recommended {{n_recrates}} time{{simplePlural n_recrates}} {{/ifcanRecComment}} {{#ifCommentFlaggable author_id story_author_id}} {{/ifCommentFlaggable}} {{#if preview}} {{/if}} Read More Here

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Large Earthquake Shakes Mexican Coastline; Tsunami Not Expected In U.S. | The Weather Channel https://digitalalaskanews.com/large-earthquake-shakes-mexican-coastline-tsunami-not-expected-in-u-s-the-weather-channel/ A​ preliminary 7.6 magnitude earthquake has struck the Pacific coast of Mexico, not far from the town of Aquila. T​he USGS said the quake struck at 2:05 p.m. EDT Monday afternoon (1:05 p.m. local time) at a depth of about 9 miles. The epicenter was located about 23 miles southeast of Aquila. T​he U.S. Tsunami Warning Center said a tsunami was possible locally along parts of the coastline within about 200 miles of the epicenter, but there was no threat for the U.S. West Coast. T​here were no immediate reports of damage, according to the Associated Press. In Mexico City, some 400 miles east of the epicenter, buildings were evacuated as a precaution. A​ccording to the AP, Mexico had just finished a nationwide earthquake drill an hour before the shaking started, as Monday marked the anniversary of major earthquakes that struck the country in 1985 and 2017. T​his is a developing story. Please check back frequently for updates. The Weather Company’s primary journalistic mission is to report on breaking weather news, the environment and the importance of science to our lives. This story does not necessarily represent the position of our parent company, IBM. Read More Here

Opinion | Project Veritas Offered Cash Bonuses For ‘specific Goals,’ Court Records Say https://digitalalaskanews.com/opinion-project-veritas-offered-cash-bonuses-for-specific-goals-court-records-say/ Conducting an undercover investigation is a resource-intensive project, if the ongoing civil trial involving sting-video operation Project Veritas is any indication. It requires cutting-edge technology, extensive planning and dedicated employees. And in this particular case, a till deep enough for some cash-bonus offers, according to an email that surfaced in the trial exhibits. “With the knowledge that ‘Content is King,’ I’ve decided to challenge the organization with a rallying focus,” wrote Project Veritas founder James O’Keefe in the email to his colleagues. “I’ve laid out below specific goals that when achieved will reward each and every full-time employee and several others intimately involved in the investigations.” The email came amid crunchtime for Project Veritas, a month before the 2016 presidential election, whose contours it sought to shape. For months, it had taken careful steps to infiltrate Democracy Partners, an umbrella group of progressive political consulting firms. Project Veritas staffers used hidden cameras to record Democratic operatives boasting about their work. Among the targets were Robert Creamer, founder of Democracy Partners, and Scott Foval, a subcontractor of the firm. (Following the publication of the videos starting on Oct. 17, 2016, Creamer stepped away from his work advising the Hillary Clinton campaign, and Foval lost his job.) Arguments in the trial Democracy Partners v. Project Veritas center on whether the infiltrators engaged in fraudulent misrepresentation and unlawful wiretapping, as alleged in the plaintiffs’ 2017 complaint. Paul Calli, who represents Project Veritas, argues that his clients were merely reporting a news story — and that it’s not their fault if the political operatives happened to make embarrassing statements while on tape. Democracy Partners, on the other hand, maintains that Project Veritas is a “political spying operation” that was out to help Donald Trump win the presidential race. Follow Erik Wemple’s opinionsFollow Add In his opening statement last week, Joseph Sandler, an attorney representing Democracy Partners, cited the cash-bonus offer as part of his argument that the organization was engaging in politics, not investigative journalism. The topic may well arise again this week, when O’Keefe is due to testify in the trial, which is unfolding in the courtroom of U.S. District Judge Paul Friedman. O’Keefe’s offer of cash bonuses came late in Project Veritas’s investigation of Democracy Partners, an operation whose timeline stretches back to spring 2016. Through the use of false identities, backstories and internet pages, Project Veritas had not only scooped up video of Creamer and Foval, but it had also planted an intern — Allison Maass, who presented herself as “Angela Brandt” — in the offices of Democracy Partners. In an Oct. 3, 2016, email, O’Keefe specified what more the project needed. The top objective: 1) $1,000 bonus to every qualified participant IF we get the content we need on Democracy Partners: Objective- Prior to October 14th, PV obtains Video and Audio OR Written collaboration where individuals directly connected to the Creamer/Foval element (or some derivative directly connected to same) state that they participate in some form of voter fraud. The words “Voter Fraud” don’t need to be mentioned, however the activities addressed must contain elements of Voter Fraud. Such as “we bus “x” in to the area from out of state” or “we offer money to homeless people to vote,” etc. The memo also proposed a $1,000 bonus if either candidate mentioned the Democracy Partners investigation “OR we GET TV or Print coverage in Washington Post, New York Times, WSJ, Associated Press, National CBS, National NBC, National ABC, Fox News, CNN, or MSNBC.” A higher bonus of $2,500 would be disbursed “if Donald Trump mentions our videos in the Oct 19th debate, with or without attribution to PV.” “I can’t wait to write dozens of bonus checks,” wrote O’Keefe in concluding the email. In a February 2019 deposition, O’Keefe fielded a number of questions from Sandler on the email, including whether it was ethical “to offer a bonus to reporters, to a reporter, if they get a source or interviewee to state something specific that’s set out in advance.” O’Keefe responded that in this situation, “I believe it’s not unethical.” Further defending the practice, he said there’s nothing unethical in “providing an incentive for reporters to go get a story, which is essentially what our reporters did, and the story they got was huge.” What’s more, O’Keefe claimed that “we can’t make people say things.” However: When Sandler noted that Project Veritas “never got Mr. Creamer to say” that he’d participated in voter fraud, O’Keefe replied, “We got him to say, perhaps, things that were even worse.” Asked about these matters, Project Veritas responded with this statement: “As journalists, we understand your focus. As litigants, your specific focus is likely to be a subject of future testimony during Mr. Sandler’s examination and thus it would not be ethical or appropriate for us to comment at this time.” The Project Veritas videos went viral and snared coverage from several mainstream outlets. O’Keefe told Sandler in the deposition that he didn’t recall if he’d actually paid out any bonuses for the first “objective” in the memo. The Erik Wemple Blog has never heard of a bonus being offered to journalists at mainstream outlets in connection with particular reportorial outcomes. Any such arrangement would only boost critiques that establishment media adjusts the facts to its preconceived conclusions — and it would be a smoking-gun liability in a defamation suit brought against any media outlets reckless enough to deploy it as an incentive. Mark Stencel, co-director of the Reporters’ Lab at Duke University, notes that tabloids pay for exclusives when hot stories arise, though such scenarios are different from “bounties for specific news outcomes,” he writes via email. And though there are examples of “checkbook journalism” in Britain, he’s “hard pressed to think of recent examples here.” Read More Here

Red Cross Responds To Devastating Storms In Puerto Rico, USVI And Alaska https://digitalalaskanews.com/red-cross-responds-to-devastating-storms-in-puerto-rico-usvi-and-alaska/ The American Red Cross has launched relief responses in Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Alaska following major weekend storms that caused disastrous flooding, and left the entire island of Puerto Rico without power, forcing many people to leave their homes. Hurricane Fiona slashed Puerto Rico with 85 mph winds and 16 inches of rain, knocking out power to the entire island. Thousands of miles away, Typhoon Merbok pounded the west coast of Alaska, causing flooding which tore buildings off their foundations and forced people from their homes. The Red Cross is launching relief responses to both storms. FIONA Red Cross disaster teams are in Puerto Rico and nearby, poised to resume relief services when it is safe do so. Hurricane Fiona hit Puerto Rico with 75 mph winds and heavy rain, knocking out power to the entire island. Some areas might see as much as 30 inches of rain before the storm moves away from Puerto Rico, and flooding, mudslides and debris are making it difficult to restore power and assess the damage. Hundreds have been evacuated and people are being urged to move to higher ground now. Rescuers have conducted multiple swift water rescues. Public transportation is at a halt and airports and seaports continue to remain closed In Puerto Rico, the government opens and manages emergency shelters. Reports indicate more than 120 shelters are open, many in schools powered by solar micro-grid power systems installed with a Red Cross contribution of nearly $1.5 million after Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico in 2017. Prior to Hurricane Fiona making landfall, the Red Cross prepositioned blood products to support hospitals in Puerto Rico. On Monday, the Red Cross sent additional units of platelets to support patients there. Platelets have a short shelf life of only 5 days. The Red Cross urges those in non-impacted areas to give blood and platelets by visiting RedCrossBlood.org. Fiona also passed over the U.S. Virgin Islands with heavy rain and 45 mph winds. Many are without power and the main hospital and 911 Center are operating with generator power. Trained Red Cross disaster workers will help with damage assessment when it is safe and are working with officials to determine what help is needed. MERBOK The Red Cross is preparing to respond in western Alaska where Typhoon Merbok struck over the weekend, causing flooding powerful enough to uproot buildings and forcing residents to seek shelter. With winter’s freezing temperatures expected in the coming weeks, flooded homes and airport runways are a major concern. Air travel and delivery of goods and supplies by barge will halt soon because of the oncoming cold weather. In some remote areas, these are the main methods of getting supplies. The Red Cross has disaster teams in Alaska ready to offer help and comfort to those affected by this massive storm as soon as it is safe to do so. Disaster workers from out of state arrived in Anchorage last week and more Red Cross teams are on their way to support this operation. Communities have been identified that need assistance and Red Cross teams are working with community leaders to provide help where it is needed most. In Alaska, shelters are run by the government and community groups and the Red Cross is preparing to support them if needed. It’s important to remember that responding to disasters is a team effort and no single organization can do it alone — the Red Cross will coordinate with officials and emergency management to help those affected. YOU CAN HELP people affected by disasters like storms and countless other crises by making a gift to Red Cross Disaster Relief. Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters big and small. Visit redcross.org, call 800-RED-CROSS, or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. DURING AND AFTER A HURRICANE If local authorities advise you to evacuate, go right away. Bring your Go Kit. Follow evacuation routes and do not try to take shortcuts because they may be blocked. Check with local officials for shelter locations. If staying at home, determine your best protection for high winds and flooding. Take shelter in a designated storm shelter or an interior room. Stay away from glass windows and doors. Move to higher ground before flooding begins. After the storm, wait for officials to say it is safe before going back home. Avoid damaged or fallen power lines, poles, and downed wires. Do not touch floodwaters because they may contain sewage, bacteria and chemicals that can make you ill. Do not use propane, natural gas, or charcoal-burning devices inside a home, basement, garage, tent, or camper – or even outside near an open window. Carbon monoxide can’t be seen or smelled, but it can kill you fast. If you start to feel sick, dizzy, or weak, get to fresh air right away – do not delay. Wear appropriate protective equipment including gloves, goggles and boots. Clean and disinfect everything that got wet. When cleaning heavy debris, work with a partner. Make sure that you have proper training before using equipment, such as chainsaws. FLOOD SAFETY Turn around, don’t drown! Stay off the roads. If you must drive and you encounter a flooded roadway, turn around and go another way. If you are caught on a flooded road and waters are rising around you, quickly get out of the car, move to higher ground and stay there. Most cars can be swept away by less than two feet of moving water. Tune into your local radio, NOAA radio or news channel for the latest updates. If your neighborhood is prone to flooding, prepare to evacuate quickly if necessary. Follow evacuation orders and don’t return until officials say it is safe. Stay away from floodwaters. Beware of snakes, insects and other animals that may be in or around floodwaters and your home. POWER OUTAGE SAFETY Use flashlights in the dark — not candles. Don’t drive unless necessary. Traffic lights will be out and roads could be congested. Turn off and unplug any appliances, equipment and electronics. When the power comes back on, surges or spikes can damage equipment. Leave one light on, so you’ll know when power is restored. Download the free Red Cross Emergency app to have severe weather safety information right at your fingertips, along with shelter locations. The Emergency app provides real-time weather alerts and tips on how to stay safe during severe weather and countless other emergencies. Search “American Red Cross” in app stores or go to redcross.org/apps. CORPORATIONS AND ORGANIZATIONS HELP The generous donations from members of the Red Cross Annual Disaster Giving Program (ADGP) and the Disaster Responder Program enable the American Red Cross to prepare communities for disasters big and small, respond whenever and wherever disasters occur and help families during the recovery process. ADGP $1M Members: Amazon; American Airlines; Anheuser-Busch Foundation; Bank of America; Best Buy; Caterpillar Foundation; The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; Costco Wholesale; Delta Air Lines; Elevance Health Foundation; Enterprise Rent-A-Car Foundation; FedEx; Lilly Endowment Inc.; Lowe’s Companies, Inc.; McDonald’s Corporation; Microsoft Corp.; Nationwide Foundation; PayPal; PetSmart Charities; The Starbucks Foundation; State Farm; Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited; Truist Foundation; VSP Vision; Walmart and the Walmart Foundation; and Wells Fargo. ADGP $500K Members: Altria Group; American Express; Aon; Bread Financial; Calmoseptine, Inc.; Capital One; CarMax; Citi Foundation; The Clorox Company; Darden Foundation; Delta Dental; Dollar General; Edison International; Energy Transfer/Sunoco Foundation; Ford Motor Company Fund; Fox Corporation; General Motors; Google.org The Home Depot Foundation; International Paper; The J.M. Smucker Company; Johnson Controls Foundation; The Kroger Co. Foundation; Liberty Mutual Insurance; Lockheed Martin Corporation; Mastercard; Merck; Mondelēz International Foundation; New Balance Foundation; Organon; PepsiCo Foundation; Salesforce; Southeastern Grocers Gives Foundation & Southeastern Grocers, home of Fresco y Más, Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie; Stanley Black & Decker; Target; The TJX Companies, Inc.; Toyota; United Airlines; UPS; USAA; Visa Foundation; The Walt Disney Company; and The Wawa Foundation. ADGP $250K Members: 7-Eleven Cares Foundation; Adobe; The AES Corporation; Ameriprise Financial; Assurant; AT&T; AvalonBay Communities, Inc.; Avangrid Foundation; Barclays; Big 5 Sporting Goods; CDW; Choice Hotels International; Cisco Foundation; CNA Insurance; The Coca-Cola Company; CSX; The DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation; Discover; Duke Energy; Dutch Bros Foundation; Equitable; FirstEnergy Corporation; Gopuff; Harbor Freight Tools Foundation, LLC; HCA Healthcare; Hewlett Packard Enterprise Foundation; HP Foundation; Kaiser Permanente; Kimberly-Clark Corporation; The Kraft Heinz Company Foundation; The Labcorp Charitable Foundation; Lenovo Foundation; LHC Group; Major League Baseball; Marathon Petroleum Foundation, Inc.; Martin Marietta; Mattress Firm; McKesson Foundation; MetLife Foundation; Neiman Marcus Group; NextEra Energy, Inc.; Northrop Grumman; Northwestern Mutual; Old Dominion Freight Line; Pacific Life Foundation; Procter & Gamble; Prudential; Raytheon Technologies; Reckitt; Rodan + Fields Prescription for Change Project, a project of New Venture Fund; Ross Stores Foundation; Ryder System, Inc.; San Manuel Band of Mission Indians; Security Finance’s Lending Hand Foundation; ServiceNow; Southwest Airlines; Tata Consultancy Services; U-Haul International; U.S. Bank Foundation; and Zurich. 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Critics Torch Donald Trump’s Rallygoers For Their 'uncanny Resemblance' To 'Nazi Salute' https://digitalalaskanews.com/critics-torch-donald-trumps-rallygoers-for-their-uncanny-resemblance-to-nazi-salute/ Image via screengrab. Donald Trump‘s Ohio weekend rally is being held up as a warning by critics who say it was a dystopian display of fascism and are sounding the alarm on his supporters’ religious-like supplication to QAnon and the former president – complete with a disturbing salute. Central to their argument is this moment, at the end of Trump’s rally, when supporters raised their arms, holding one finger pointed in a QAnon reference, which many saw as far too close to, as The Washington Post’s Jennifer Rubin writes, the Nazi salute. “Donald Trump has gone full QAnon. As he spoke during a rally for Ohio Republican candidates on Saturday, a soundtrack associated with the conspiracy theory played. That elicited one-armed salutes — another QAnon symbol — from many attendees,” Rubin says. READ MORE: Brochure Claims Asylum Seekers DeSantis Sent to Martha’s Vineyard Could Receive ‘8 Months Cash Assistance’: Report “The display bore an uncanny resemblance to the infamous Nazi salute,” Rubin warns at The Washington Post. “The delusional incitement and zombie-like response should put to rest the notion that President Biden (or anyone) should be ‘reaching out’ to these people. They are unreachable, and pretending otherwise misleads voters.” Dean Obeidallah, an attorney, journalist, and host of SiriusXM Progress’ “The Dean Obeidallah Show,” posted video noting his concerns. “Symbolism matters,” writes former U.S. Attorney Joyce Vance, pointing to Rubin’s tweet. “This gesture is so reviled it’s impossible to miss it, and although it’s hard to believe anyone could intend it, ignoring the truth is not a path forward.” Many others are ringing the warning bells. READ MORE: Religious University Shutters All Student Clubs Rather Than Recognize One LGBTQ Group – Despite Supreme Court Order NBC News and MSNBC military analyst Barry McCaffrey, a four star U.S. Army General (ret.) also makes the Hitlerian connection. As did government watchdog Citizens for Ethics (CREW). Read More Here

What To Know About Trump Ally Tom Barrack’s Trial https://digitalalaskanews.com/what-to-know-about-trump-ally-tom-barracks-trial/ Jury selection began on Sept. 19 for the criminal trial of billionaire Thomas J. Barrack Jr., the businessman and longtime Trump ally who the Justice Department charged last year with attempting to influence Donald Trump’s foreign policy positions to benefit the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Barrack faces charges of acting as an unregistered agent of a foreign government, with the Justice Department (DOJ) alleging that over a two-year period he improperly used his close relationship to Trump to try to advance the interests of the UAE at the direction of senior Emirati officials. The outcome of Barrack’s trial could shed light on how foreign nations sought to cement influence within the Trump Administration, as well as how President Joe Biden’s Department of Justice is ramping up its prosecution of undisclosed foreign lobbying. Barrack has pleaded not guilty and denied any wrongdoing. The criminal trial of the close Trump associate also comes amid increasing legal troubles for the former President himself, who faces criminal investigations into his alleged involvement in the 2021 riots in the U.S. Capitol, allegations that he illegally removed classified materials from the White House, and probes into whether he inflated the value of his assets and misled lenders in his business dealings. (Trump has denied any wrongdoing.) Here’s what to know about the trial of Tom Barrack. Who is Tom Barrack? Barrack, 75, is a wealthy businessman who built his fortune from real estate investments. He founded the private equity real estate firm Colony Capital—which has since rebranded to DigitalBridge—in 1991. According to Forbes, the firm now manages $34 billion in assets, including $16 billion in commercial real estate and distressed debt-focused funds. As of 2013, Barrack was worth at least $1 billion, per Forbes. Barrack is also a longtime friend of Trump’s and a powerful fundraiser. His Rebuilding America Now Super PAC raised $23 million for Trump’s 2016 presidential bid, according to the Center for Public Integrity, and Barrack served as chairman of the committee overseeing Trump’s 2017 Presidential inauguration and reportedly also served as an informal advisor to the campaign. The grandson of Lebanese immigrants, Barrack’s work has often centered around the Middle East. He has done significant business in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE, according to the Washington Post, and first met longtime Republican operative Paul Manafort while working in Beirut. It was reportedly Barrack who convinced Trump to hire Manafort for his 2016 bid for President decades later. (Manafort was later convicted of tax and bank fraud in a 2018 trial in Virginia, and pleaded guilty to criminal charges related to his political consulting work in Ukraine as part of a plea deal with special counsel Robert Mueller’s office the same year.) In 2018, the New York Times reported that Barrack not only “opened communications” between the 2016 Trump campaign and the Emiratis and the Saudis, but also held a “unique place in the Trump world,” as evidenced by Trump’s evolution from a candidate who campaigned on a Muslim ban to a close ally of both nations. Why is Tom Barrack on trial? In July 2021, DOJ unsealed a seven-count indictment alleging that Barrack—along with his assistant Matthew Grimes and UAE official Rashid Al Malik Alshahhi, also known as Rashid Al Malik—acted and conspired to act as agents of the UAE between April 2016 and April 2018. The indictment also alleged that Barrack made multiple false statements during a June 2019 interview with law enforcement and charged him with obstruction of justice. Barrack was briefly arrested in July 2021 and released on a $250 million bond awaiting trial, per the Los Angeles Times. Barrack and Grimes have pleaded not guilty to all wrongdoing. Barrack faces charges of acting as an unregistered agent of a foreign government, obstruction of justice, and lying to federal officials. He’s being tried with Grimes, who also faces charges of acting as an unregistered agent of a foreign government. Grimes’ lawyer did not respond to TIME’s request for comment. Al Malik could not be reached for comment; CNN reports that he fled the US in April 2018, three days after speaking with the FBI, and has not been located since. As TIME reported last year, it is not unlawful for Americans to lobby for foreign governments—but they must register to work as a foreign agent in order to do so. DOJ alleges that Barrack, Al Malik, and Grimes used Barrack’s close relationship with Trump during both his first campaign and his presidency to advance the interests of and provide intelligence to the UAE, and failed to notify the Attorney General that their actions were allegedly at the direction of senior UAE officials. This work allegedly included Barrack inserting pro-UAE language into a Trump campaign speech in May 2016, as well as receiving talking points from senior UAE officials for Barrack’s national press appearances. DOJ alleges that Barrack emailed Al Malik after one press appearance in 2016 that he “nailed it… for the home team,” seemingly referring to the UAE. DOJ also alleges Barrack, Grimes and Al Malik agreed to promote a candidate for the position of United States Ambassador to the UAE that senior UAE officials preferred, and Al Malik and Barrack communicated in 2017 about UAE opposition to a proposed Camp David summit to address a dispute between Qatar and the UAE that Emirati officials did not want to take place. The summit never occurred. Monday’s jury selection comes after weeks of back and forth between Barrack’s lawyers and DOJ over what candidates could be allowed to serve on the jury. Barrack and Grimes had requested that over 30 prospective jurors be excluded from the trial, according to Bloomberg. On September 2, Judge Brian Cogan said that jurors who had “merely some dislike” of Trump could be allowed to be considered for the jury. The trial is expected to run into October. Write to Madeleine Carlisle at madeleine.carlisle@time.com. Write to Madeleine Carlisle at madeleine.carlisle@time.com. Read More Here

Report: Former Trump Aide Says Gaetz Sought Pardon Related To Sex-Trafficking Inquiry https://digitalalaskanews.com/report-former-trump-aide-says-gaetz-sought-pardon-related-to-sex-trafficking-inquiry/ A former White House aide told the House select committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol that Rep. Matt Gaetz sought a preemptive pardon regarding a Justice Department sex-trafficking investigation targeting Gaetz, The Washington Post reported. The Post, citing unnamed sources familiar with the testimony, reported on Saturday that Johnny McEntee testified to the committee behind closed doors that Gaetz told him during a brief meeting that he was seeking a pardon related to the investigation.  The report was the first to directly tie Gaetz seeking a pardon to a Justice Department investigation into allegations that he had a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old girl and paid for her travel across state lines.  Jan. 6 Committee: Rep. Matt Gaetz asked Donald Trump for pardon before and after Jan. 6 Gaetz extortion: Stephen Alford sentenced to five years in prison for scheme to extort $25M from Gaetz family Gaetz wins primary: Matt Gaetz wins GOP nomination for House in Florida’s 1st Congressional District According to The Post, McEntee could not remember if the conversation happened before or after Jan. 6, 2021, but Gaetz told McEntee that “he did not do anything wrong but they are trying to make his life hell, and you know, if the president could give him a pardon, that would be great.” McEntee was asked if the request was in the context of the Justice Department investigation into whether Gaetz violated federal sex trafficking laws and McEntee replied, “I think that was the context, yes.” Gaetz reportedly made the request to White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows. McEntee and Meadows did not respond to The Post’s request for comment.  Other White House officials have also told the Jan. 6 committee that Gaetz was seeking a pardon in the closing days of Trump’s administration. Former White House Senior Advisor Eric Herschman and Cassidy Hutchinson, former Meadows aide, both told the committee that Gaetz was among a group of Republican lawmakers seeking pardons from the Trump administration. Gaetz and other lawmakers were not given pardons. Gaetz has repeatedly and vehemently denied the allegations related to the sex-trafficking investigation and has not been charged. A Gaetz spokesperson pushed back against the testimony of other former Trump administration officials citing a public statement from former President Donald Trump that Gaetz never directly asked him for a pardon. “Congressman Matt Gaetz discussed pardons for many other people publicly and privately at the end of President Donald Trump’s first term,” a Gaetz spokesperson wrote in an email to The Washington Post. “As for himself, President Trump addressed this malicious rumor more than a year ago stating, ‘Congressman Matt Gaetz has never asked me for a pardon.’ Rep. Gaetz continues to stand by President Trump’s statement.” Jim Little can be reached at jwlittle@pnj.com and 850-208-9827. Read More Here

Teen Vanished During Cross Country Trip In 2012. Her Remains Were Just ID'd At N.Y.C. Construction Site https://digitalalaskanews.com/teen-vanished-during-cross-country-trip-in-2012-her-remains-were-just-idd-at-n-y-c-construction-site/ Skeletal remains found during an excavation at a New York City construction in 2020 have been identified as belonging to a teen who vanished during a cross-country trip a decade earlier, authorities say. Now the New York City Police Department is asking for information in connection to the 2012 disappearance and death of Stevie Bates, 19, of Brooklyn. On Friday, the New York City Office of the Chief Medical Examiner positively identified the remains as those of Bates, the NYPD confirmed in an email to PEOPLE. The remains were found on Sept. 18, 2020, during an excavation at a construction site at 80-97 Cypress Avenue in Queens, according to the NYPD. Her body was wrapped in a blanket, AMNY reports. Bates had taken part in Occupy Wall Street protests in 2011 and 2012, according to the missing persons report, the outlet reports. “The cause of death remains part of the ongoing investigation,” the NYPD said in the email. In April of 2012, Bates vanished while traveling back to New York City after a cross-country trip, her mother, Vivian Jones, wrote on the FindStevieBates website in 2013. On April 27, 2012, Bates was “traveling alone by Greyhound bus to NYC from Hot Springs, AK,” Jones wrote. Jones last spoke to her daughter at 7:52 p.m. on April 27, 2012, when she was on a layover at a bus stop in Pittsburgh, she wrote. Bates told her that when she got to New York City, she planned to meet up with her ex-boyfriend “at his Queens, N.Y. address” before coming to see her mother in Yonkers, she wrote in a GoFundMe she set up called Help Stevie Bates Family Find Peace: Sad Update. Surveillance camera footage from the Port Authority Bus shows Bates “coming up the escalator from the Greyhound bus at 8:51 a.m. and walking downtown on 8th Avenue from 42nd Street” on April 28, 2012, Jones wrote. On April 26, 2012, Bates had Facebook conversations with her ex-boyfriend, high school friends and her best friend — with whom she had made plans to meet up with for spring break, Jones wrote. Her ex-boyfriend “claimed he hadn’t seen her since before she left NYC on April 19, 2012, to begin her travels,” Jones wrote. She didn’t have any activity “on her card since April 26, 2012,” she wrote. She added, “Stevie NEVER goes without calling me.” Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up forPEOPLE’s free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. The OCME positively identified the remains on Friday, but Jones noted on March 30, 2021, on the FindStevieBates website that she and her family had learned that Bates’ remains had been discovered. “It is with deepest sorrow that we announce after nine long years of suffering the unknown our greatest fear has been confirmed,” Jones wrote. “Through the recent discovery of our beloved Stevie’s remains, we now know that her precious life was taken in April of 2012. “We the family of Stevie Bates would like to thank you for your unwavering support and prayers throughout this catastrophic and unimaginable tragedy. Funeral arrangements and details will be posted shortly.” Bates took part in gifted programs from preschool through high school, Jones wrote in the GoFundMe that her daughter “graduated from Bronx High School of Science as a National Achievement Scholar and a recipient of several awards and scholarships for her academic excellence.” “Her talents eventually took her to Hunter College of NYC to study Architectural Design on a full scholarship,” she wrote. According to Jones, Bates “was a passionate soul who loved to laugh and bring joy. She lived her life to the fullest always.” Anyone with information in regard to this incident is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the CrimeStoppers website at https://crimestoppers.nypdonline.org/ or on Twitter @NYPDTips. All calls are strictly confidential. Read More Here

Lathrop Football Rolls Past Kodiak https://digitalalaskanews.com/lathrop-football-rolls-past-kodiak/ By DEREK CLARKSTON sports@kodiakdailymirror.com Sep 19, 2022 2 hrs ago 0 Kodiak football ran into a buzzsaw Saturday in Fairbanks.  Lathrop — possibly the top team in the state regardless of classification — scored early and often in a 73-6 Railbelt Conference opener for both the Malemutes and the Bears.  Post a comment as anonymous Welcome to the discussion. Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. Don’t Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated. Be Truthful. Don’t knowingly lie about anyone or anything. Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person. Be Proactive. Use the ‘Report’ link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts. Share with Us. We’d love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article. Support Local Journalism Now, more than ever, the world needs trustworthy reporting—but good journalism isn’t free. Please support us by subscribing or making a contribution. By MAISIE THOMAS Fairbanks Daily News-Miner Apr 4, 2022 1 In Alaska, Covid-19 cases are leveling off after reaching record highs during the Omicron surge, but a new and even more highly contagious variant is on the rise. The BA.2 variant of Omicron now accounts for over 50% of new cases nationally, and just under half of cases in Alaska, state epid… LINDA F. HERSEY Fairbanks Daily News-Miner Apr 1, 2022 0 North Pole Rep. Mike Prax was one of eight lawmakers diagnosed with Covid-19 Wednesday in an outbreak that has swept through the Alaska House. By LIV CLIFFORD Fairbanks Daily News-Miner Mar 31, 2022 0 Alaskans lost more than $13 million to suspected internet crimes in 2021, federal data shows. Read More Here

Puerto Rico Reels From Fiona, With 1.3M Without Power Amid Deluge, Flash Floods https://digitalalaskanews.com/puerto-rico-reels-from-fiona-with-1-3m-without-power-amid-deluge-flash-floods/ Puerto Rico remains under tropical storm warning after Hurricane Fiona dumped more than 2 feet of rain over the weekend. More floods and landslides are expected Monday as intense rains are expected to continue until the end of day Tuesday. Since Puerto Rico is still in the emergency response phase following Fiona, the island is not in need of humanitarian aid yet, Puerto Rican Gov. Pedro Pierluisi said in a news conference Monday. “We do need help with first responders,” he said, adding that New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has already vowed to send 100 first responders to Puerto Rico. Most of the nearly 1.5 power customers in Puerto Rico remain without electricity. As of late Monday morning, about 100,000 customers have had their electricity restored, according to Luma Energy, the company in charge of power transmission and distribution in Puerto Rico. President Joe Biden declared a federal emergency on the island Sunday, allowing FEMA to step in with emergency response resources. Pierluisi said he is hoping to have an initial estimate of damages after tropical storm rains dissipate Tuesday, a process necessary for Puerto Rico to request a formal disaster declaration that would free additional resources to help the island with recovery efforts. The governor added Puerto Rico has 4 warehouses stocked with enough food and water to last during the emergency response phase, emphasizing humanitarian aid may be needed once the island enters its recovery stage. Heavy rainfall left an “unprecedented accumulation of water in some areas,” but the most affected are towns in the mountainous region in the center of the island, as well as in the southern region. Catastrophic flooding has already battered much of Puerto Rico after Fiona made landfall Sunday at about 3:20 p.m. An islandwide blackout was reported about an hour earlier as the hurricane’s eye neared Puerto Rico‘s southwestern coast. The devastation and the failure of the power grid echo the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, which made landfall five years ago this month and was the deadliest natural disaster on U.S. territory in 100 years. On Monday, the National Weather Service in San Juan urged locals to “move to high ground immediately” due to ongoing flash flooding, expected to worsen with the pounding rain. Bands of showers and gusty winds from 30 mph to 40 mph are forecast to bear down on the island Monday, especially in the south, from Guayama to Ponce, the weather service said. People inside a house in Cayey await rescue Sunday from the floods caused by Hurricane Fiona in Puerto Rico.Stephanie Rojas / AP At least two bridges have collapsed after the Category 1 hurricane ravaged Puerto Rico, one in the town of Utuado and another one in Arecibo. Almost 66% of all water service customers, over 830,000 customers, have not had their service restored as of late Monday morning, according to the government’s PREPS page. In the southern town of Ponce, the Mercedita International Airport remains closed due to flooding. Muddy waters in the region created mudslides in some neighborhoods, forcing some people to cling to poles in waist-deep water. Smaller airports in Mayagüez, Arecibo and Humacao are not yet operating, according to the PREPS page. Puerto Rico’s main airport, the Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport, resumed operations Monday morning but some airlines have opted to cancel some of their flights in and out of Puerto Rico. In Aguadilla, another small airport resumed operations as well. As of Monday morning, Fiona was making landfall in the Dominican Republic, last located 35 miles southeast of Samana with maximum sustained winds of 90 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center. The storm is forecast to bring hurricane conditions to the Dominican Republic on Monday with a hurricane warning in effect from Cabo Caucedo to Cabo Frances Viejo, as well as Turks and Caicos. A tropical storm warning was in effect for Puerto Rico, including Vieques and Culebra, and the north coast of the Dominican Republic and southeastern Bahamas.  Fiona is expected to continue northwest through Monday night and will turn north-northwest Tuesday and to the north Wednesday, the hurricane center said. The storm is forecast to move over the eastern portion of the Dominican Republic early Monday, with its center passing near or to the east of Turks and Caicos on Tuesday.  Nicole Acevedo is a reporter for NBC News Digital. She reports, writes and produces stories for NBC Latino and NBCNews.com. Marlene Lenthang Marlene Lenthang is a breaking news reporter for NBC News Digital. Read More Here

S https://digitalalaskanews.com/s-3/ Choose your subscription Trial Try full digital access and see why over 1 million readers subscribe to the FT For 4 weeks receive unlimited Premium digital access to the FT’s trusted, award-winning business news Digital Be informed with the essential news and opinion MyFT – track the topics most important to you FT Weekend – full access to the weekend content Mobile & Tablet Apps – download to read on the go Gift Article – share up to 10 articles a month with family, friends and colleagues Print FT print edition delivered Monday – Saturday along with ePaper access Delivery to your home or office Monday to Saturday FT Weekend paper – a stimulating blend of news and lifestyle features ePaper access – the digital replica of the printed newspaper Team or Enterprise Premium FT.com access for multiple users, with integrations & admin tools Group Subscription Premium Digital access, plus: Convenient access for groups of users Integration with third party platforms and CRM systems Usage based pricing and volume discounts for multiple users Subscription management tools and usage reporting SAML-based single sign-on (SSO) Dedicated account and customer success teams Or, if you are already a subscriber Sign in Are you a student or a professor? Check if your university has an FT membership to read for free. Check my access Read More Here

Poor Glycemic Control And Associated Factors Among Pediatric Diabetes Mellitus Patients In Northwest Ethiopia, 2020: Facility-Based Cross Sectional Retrospective Study Design – Scientific Reports https://digitalalaskanews.com/poor-glycemic-control-and-associated-factors-among-pediatric-diabetes-mellitus-patients-in-northwest-ethiopia-2020-facility-based-cross-sectional-retrospective-study-design-scientific-reports/ Abstract Diabetes mellitus is a global public health problem. Glycemic control is a major public health problem. Diabetes results from elevated levels of glycaemia such as increased glucose and glycated hemoglobin, and controlling glycaemia is an integral component of the management of diabetes. Glycemic control in children is particularly difficult to achieve. Identifying determinants of poor glycemic control is important for early modification of diabetic related end organ damages. This study was aimed to assess the status of glycemic control and associated factors among pediatric diabetes mellitus patients in northwest Ethiopia. Facility-based cross sectional retrospective cohort study design was used and this study was conducted from September, 2015 to February, 2018. Simple random sampling was used to select 389 samples. Data were collected using an extraction checklist. Data were entered into Epi-data − 4.6, and analyzed using Stata-16. Finally, multivariable binary logistic regression was done. Poor glycemic control was more common among pediatric patients 39.3% (95% CI 34.6, 44.3). Treatment discontinuation (AOR 2.42, 95% CI 1.25, 4.69), age (AOR 1.15, 95% CI 1.03, 1.28) and treatment dose (AOR 0.96, 95 CI 0.92, 0.99) were significantly associated with poor glycemic control. Prevalence of poor glycemic control was high. Patient’s age, history of treatment discontinuation and dose of treatment were the significant contributing factors to poor glycemic control. These need to be addressed to attain the objective of adequate glycemic control. Introduction Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a metabolic condition marked by high level of blood glucose1,2. Diabetes is one of the common non communicable diseases and the prevalence is high. DM is the potential for lifelong chronic complications3. DM is a global public health problem, that causes around five million deaths per year4. In 2013, there were 382 million individuals living with diabetes worldwide, with a prevalence rate of 8.3%. Type one diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is the most common endocrine-metabolic disorder in children and adolescents worldwide, with a prevalence of 190 per 100,000 among school aged children in USA and an annual incidence ranging from 1.7 per 100,000 in China to 40 per 100,000 in Finland5. Similarly diabetes affects an estimated 1.1 million children under the age of 20 worldwide, with 132 600 new cases diagnosed each year, representing a 3% annual increase6. The global prevalence of DM have increased considerably, specifically in Sub- Saharan Africa7. About 80% of diabetes deaths occur in low as well as middle income countries8,9. Diabetes results from elevated levels of glycaemia such as increased glucose and glycated hemoglobin (A1C), and controlling glycaemia is an integral component of the management of diabetes10. Glycated hemoglobin (A1C) is one of the most widely used test to diagnose DM and to monitor glycemic control10. Glycemic control is the primary therapeutic objective for the prevention of target organ damage and other complications11. Poor glycemic control constitutes a major public health issue and a key risk factor for the development of diabetes-related complications, diseases related healthcare expenses, lower life expectancy and quality of life4. Long-term uncontrolled hyperglycemia results several macro-vascular and micro-vascular complications such as neuropathy, nephropathy, retinopathy, cardiovascular diseases, amputations, and even premature death6,12,13. Several studies indicated that more than half of diabetic patients have poor glycemic control12,14,15,16. According to a recent study by the Ministry of Health (MoH), patients with diabetes have suboptimal glycemic control due to insufficient training of primary health care workers, a lack of access to essential diabetes medications, technology, awareness, and a failure to properly document diabetes data13. According to the evidence, the main therapeutic goal for all diabetic patients is to maintain good glycemic control so as to prevent organ damage such that micro-vascular and macro-vascular complications17. Good glycemic control reduces the risk of diabetic related complications and death7. However, the majority of patients fail to achieve good glycemic control. The reasons for this are complex and multi-factorial8. Patients need to adhere to medications, undertake lifestyle modifications, and monitor their blood glucose levels frequently for achieving proper glucose control18. As demonstrated by the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial and the Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications study, the improvement of glycemic control in both children and adolescents with T1DM leads to a decreased risk of diabetic complications19. However, considering the physiological and behavioral challenges that children with T1DM, optimizing glycemic control in this age group is particularly difficult20. Identifying the determinants of poor glycemic control is important for early modification of diabetic related end organ damage. This also allows patients to maintain good glycemic control. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the level of glycemic control among pediatric DM patients in northwest Ethiopia. Methodology Study design, period, and area A facility-based cross sectional retrospective cohort study design was used and this study was conducted from September 2015 to February 2018. The study was carried out at the University of Gondar Comprehensive and Specialized Referral Hospital (UoGCSRH) and Felege Hiwot Comprehensive and Specialized Referral Hospital (FHCSRH) in the Amhara Regional State, in northwest Ethiopia. The catchment population in both hospitals is expected to be five million individuals. Both hospitals provide pediatric emergency, inpatient wards, outpatient follow-up, and chronic illness Out Patient Department (OPD) services. Between 2015 and 2018, 322 and 301 pediatric DM patients were followed at UoGCSRH and FHCSRH, respectively. Study subjects and sampling procedures All pediatric DM patients at UoGCSRH and FHCSRH were the source population, and all pediatric DM patients who started treatment at the both hospitals from 2015 to 2018 were the study populations. The study included pediatric DM patients’ under the age of 18 who were followed from 2015 to 2018. Pediatric DM patients, whose diagnosis and follow up dates unknown were excluded from this study. The normalized Poisson suggested method of Signori (1991) was used to determine sample size. Based on the approach, using a 95% confidence level and 90% power, the final sample size used for this study was 389. Patients were selected using simple random sampling method. Based on the study period, a patient record numbers (MRN) were selected from the logbooks. The estimated samples were allocated proportionally to the two hospitals, 201 samples from UoGCSRH and 188 from FHCSRH and simple random sampling by table of random numbers was used to select the samples. Operational definition Glycemic control Is a medical term referring to levels of blood glucose in a person with diabetes mellitus which were categorized by American Diabetic Association (ADA) recommendation based on the value of glycosylated hemoglobin21,22. Good glycemic control fasting blood glucose of 70 ± 130 mg/dl, HbA1c was below 7%11,22. Poor glycemic control fasting blood glucose of � 70 mg/dl and  130 mg/dl, HbA1c was found to be more or equal to 7%11,22. Fasting blood sugar Blood glucose measured from venous blood after 8 h of overnight fasting or longer21,23. Severity of DKA Mild Plasma glucose  250 mg/dl, urine ketone positive, Arterial pH of 7.25–7.30 and Alteration in sensorium become alert24. Moderate Plasma glucose  250 mg/dl, urine ketone positive, Arterial pH of 7.00–� 7.24 and Alteration in sensorium become alert or drowsy24. Sever Plasma glucose  250 mg/dl, urine ketone positive, Arterial pH of � 7.00 and Alteration in sensorium become stuporous or comatose24. Nutritional status Wasting/thinness is defined as children with weight—for—height Z-score (WAZ) � − 2 SD25,26. Stunting is defined children with height—for-age Z-score (HAZ) �  − 2 SD25,26. Underweight defined as the children with weight-for-age Z-score (WAZ) �  − 2 SD25,26. Anemic status Anemic (hemoglobin � 11.0 g/dl), not anemic (hemoglobin ≥ 11.0 g/dl)25,26. Potassium level Hyperkalaemia serum K +   5.5 mEq/l27,28. Normal serum K + 3.5–5.0 mEq/l27,28. Hypokalaemia is defined as a plasma potassium level less than 3.5 mmol/l27,28. Sodium level Hyponatraemia is defined as serum sodium concentration � 135 mmol/l29. Normal (135–145 mEq/l)29. Hypernatremia serum sodium concentration  145 mEq/l29. Pediatric age group age less than 19 years old. Treatment discontinue skipping treatments a minimum of one day including skipping of even single dose of treatment. Data collection procedures and quality assurance The study was based on secondary data gathered using a check-list from patients’ charts March 4 and May 11, 2020. The data extraction check-list was developed after reviewing the patient charts and different literature. The extraction check-list included socio-demographic and clinical variables. The outcome variable was glycemic control, and the independent variables were socio-demographic characteristics (age, gender, residence), medical, nutritional, and measurement variables (type of DM, family history, severity of DKA at diagnosis, blurring of vision, foot ulcer, sodium level, potassium level, infection,...

Shelba Jean Summers https://digitalalaskanews.com/shelba-jean-summers/ April 27, 1938 – September 14, 2022 Graveside service for Shelba Jean Summers, 84, of Myrtle Point, will be held at 1:00 PM on Friday, September 23, 2022 at Myrtle Crest Memorial Gardens in Coquille. Shelba was born on April 27, 1938 in Madisonville, Tennessee to Kenneth and Lena (Ivens) Stratton.  She died September 14, 2022 at her home in Myrtle Point. She moved to Coquille at a young age, settling in Fairview.  Shelba married Richard Keith Summers on June 27, 1954 in Fairview.  She worked as a waitress at several restaurants for many years before buying the Busy Corner in Coquille which she ran for many years before she retired.  After she sold the restaurant, she and Keith moved to Alaska for a few months before returning back to Oregon, settling in Myrtle Point.  When she was able, she loved bowling. Shelba is survived by her husband of 68 years, Keith Summers; daughters, Pam Snodgrass, Laurie Price and Tracey Godfrey; brother, Donald Stratton; she is also survived by eight grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and six siblings. Online remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at www.westrumfuneralservice.com Arrangements are under the direction of Amling/Schroeder Funeral Service – Myrtle Point Chapel, 541-572-2524 To plant a tree in memory of Shelba Summers as a living tribute, please visit Tribute Store. Read More Here

Tracking Northern California Weather: What To Know About Monday Rain, Possible Thunderstorms, Flash Flood Watch https://digitalalaskanews.com/tracking-northern-california-weather-what-to-know-about-monday-rain-possible-thunderstorms-flash-flood-watch/ September is often a month with big changes as summer turns to fall, and this particular September is no different as off-and-on rain showers bring a flash flooding watch to nearby burn scars. “We are looking at some scattered showers in the forecast today, and maybe even some isolated thunderstorms for the afternoon,” meteorologist Eileen Javora said Monday morning. Monday morning commuters are looking at a wet drive. KCRA 3 is calling Monday a weather alert day since it is the first rain of the season and the morning commute could be slippery as folks hit the roads. There is also a slight chance of thunderstorms.Rain in Sacramento MondayA weather system spiraling off the coast is sending waves of rain to Northern California, with Monday being the best chance of rain around Sacramento and Stockton. A chance of thunderstorms pops up Monday as we get into the afternoon, Javora says. “As we get into the afternoon, we might see that flare-up of a few thunderstorms, especially around Sacramento and points westward,” she said. There are expected to be scattered showers in the morning throughout NorCal, but the Sierra will hang on to some light to moderate rain throughout the day. What we know about the rest of the weekTuesday is forecast to have partly cloudy skies again with a chance of a shower on Tuesday, with most of the activity in the Sierra.”As we get into Tuesday night and Wednesday, that is when the system finally pivots through. We might wake up to a few showers in the Valley but clearing is expected,” Javora said. By Thursday and Friday, we will see a warming trend with the possibility of hitting 90 by Saturday.Amounts of rain with this 3-day rain event look uncertain. If this storm system stays just to the west or north of Sacramento, rain totals should be meaningful in a lot of places. If this system slips farther south, rain totals would be significantly diminished.(Click through the weather map room below to find the 7-day forecast, temperatures across Northern California and more.)Flash flooding watchThe National Weather Service has issued a flash flooding watch for parts of Northern California through Tuesday. The Mosquito Fire burn scar is under the watch from Tuesday afternoon through Tuesday evening. “Rain will pick up this morning increasing the risk for ash flows, and debris flows may occur with any thunderstorms that develop today,” the National Weather Service said Monday morning.Strong winds cause power outages across Sacramento CountyTens of thousands of SMUD customers were without power on Sunday evening as the storm rolled through the area. The first outage was in Rio Linda where more than 10,000 customers were without power due to a pole snapping in half and smoking. The second outage was in downtown Sacramento where more than 5,000 customers were without power due to a tree falling on a power line.Temperature trendRain or no rain, this offshore system will instigate another cool-down. Expect high temperatures in the 70s through Tuesday. Morning lows will be in the 50s.The average high temperature for Sacramento at this point in the season is 90 degrees.Sign up for daily weather forecasts and severe weather alerts for your location by CLICKING HERE. September is often a month with big changes as summer turns to fall, and this particular September is no different as off-and-on rain showers bring a flash flooding watch to nearby burn scars. “We are looking at some scattered showers in the forecast today, and maybe even some isolated thunderstorms for the afternoon,” meteorologist Eileen Javora said Monday morning. Monday morning commuters are looking at a wet drive. KCRA 3 is calling Monday a weather alert day since it is the first rain of the season and the morning commute could be slippery as folks hit the roads. There is also a slight chance of thunderstorms. Rain in Sacramento Monday A weather system spiraling off the coast is sending waves of rain to Northern California, with Monday being the best chance of rain around Sacramento and Stockton. A chance of thunderstorms pops up Monday as we get into the afternoon, Javora says. “As we get into the afternoon, we might see that flare-up of a few thunderstorms, especially around Sacramento and points westward,” she said. There are expected to be scattered showers in the morning throughout NorCal, but the Sierra will hang on to some light to moderate rain throughout the day. What we know about the rest of the week Tuesday is forecast to have partly cloudy skies again with a chance of a shower on Tuesday, with most of the activity in the Sierra. “As we get into Tuesday night and Wednesday, that is when the system finally pivots through. We might wake up to a few showers in the Valley but clearing is expected,” Javora said. By Thursday and Friday, we will see a warming trend with the possibility of hitting 90 by Saturday. Amounts of rain with this 3-day rain event look uncertain. If this storm system stays just to the west or north of Sacramento, rain totals should be meaningful in a lot of places. If this system slips farther south, rain totals would be significantly diminished. (Click through the weather map room below to find the 7-day forecast, temperatures across Northern California and more.) Flash flooding watch The National Weather Service has issued a flash flooding watch for parts of Northern California through Tuesday. The Mosquito Fire burn scar is under the watch from Tuesday afternoon through Tuesday evening. “Rain will pick up this morning increasing the risk for ash flows, and debris flows may occur with any thunderstorms that develop today,” the National Weather Service said Monday morning. This content is imported from Twitter. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. A Flash Flood Watch is in effect through Tuesday evening for the #MosquitoFire burn scar. Rain will pick up this morning increasing the risk for ash flows, and debris flows may occur with any thunderstorms that develop today. #CAwx pic.twitter.com/qElAciwrNu — NWS Sacramento (@NWSSacramento) September 19, 2022 Strong winds cause power outages across Sacramento County Tens of thousands of SMUD customers were without power on Sunday evening as the storm rolled through the area. The first outage was in Rio Linda where more than 10,000 customers were without power due to a pole snapping in half and smoking. The second outage was in downtown Sacramento where more than 5,000 customers were without power due to a tree falling on a power line. Temperature trend Rain or no rain, this offshore system will instigate another cool-down. Expect high temperatures in the 70s through Tuesday. Morning lows will be in the 50s. The average high temperature for Sacramento at this point in the season is 90 degrees. Sign up for daily weather forecasts and severe weather alerts for your location by CLICKING HERE. Read More Here

Trump's Ohio Hate Rally Goes Full Fascist With Creepy Nazi-Style Q Salute https://digitalalaskanews.com/trumps-ohio-hate-rally-goes-full-fascist-with-creepy-nazi-style-q-salute/ We didn’t want to waste time and energy discussing Donald Trump’s latest propaganda fest in Youngstown, Ohio, but you can’t really ignore rallies where the attendees raise their arms and salute their leader like a pack of Nazis. Saturday’s rally was supposedly about Republican Senate nominee J.D. Vance, who is struggling to dispatch his Democratic opponent Rep. Tim Ryan. However, Trump predictably kept the event focused on himself and his own lengthy list of personal grievances. Whenever he did mention Vance, though, Trump found new ways of humiliating him. “J.D. is kissing my ass,” Trump boasted. “Of course, he wants my support.” It’s the one true statement Trump made at the rally. Vance, who once compared Trump to Hitler (unfavorably so!), willingly appeared at Trump’s Hitler rally. Vance didn’t actually invite Trump to his rally that some genius on his staff scheduled on the same day as an Ohio State game, but Trump exerted his dominance and came anyway. As we all learned after the 2020 election, you just can’t get rid of this guy. PREVIOUSLY: Wouldn’t You Just Love To See Tim Ryan Beat Dumpster Fire J.D. Vance In Ohio? Trump, of course, lied and bragged on his garbage Truth Social platform that “both J.D. Vance and Dr. Oz asked me to do big rallies for them.” They did no such thing. After describing Vance as “a great person who I’ve really gotten to know,” Trump reminded the crowd that Vance is an opportunistic fraud who submitted fully to the MAGA cult. “Yeah, he said some bad things about me, but that was before he knew me and then he fell in love. Remember, I said that about Kim Jong Un – he fell in love, and they said, ‘Oh, Trump was saying he fell in love.’ Actually, he did.” See, that’s what happens when you let Trump crash your rally. He compares you to North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un. Like the supreme leader, Trump has built a cult of personality around himself. So it’s not a shock that he’d embrace the QAnon conspiracy theory, which imagines Trump as some all-powerful, god-like figure. PREVIOUSLY: QAnon Morons Show Up At Trump Rally, Ready To Battle Imaginary Pedophile Cabal QAnoners have shown up at Trump rallies for years now, but Trump is now openly catering to them. He’s reposted images of himself wearing a QAnon pin overlaid with the cultist rallying cry “The Storm Is Coming.” According to QAnon “lore,” the rapturous “storm” is Trump’s final victory, when he’ll supposedly regain power and his opponents will be tried and possibly executed on live TV. This seems more divisive than President Joe Biden suggesting that some Republicans are “semi-fascist.” It’s also practically his unofficial 2024 platform. It’s less a conspiracy theory now than an outright threat. CBS News’s Robert Costa tweeted after Saturday’s spectacle, “Tonight in Ohio, fingers were pointed in the air in the crowd as Trump spoke and swelling orchestral music was played through the speakers. Trump spoke darkly of Democrats and cast the nation as adrift. A snapshot of American democracy, Sept. 17, 2022.” u201cTonight in Ohio, fingers were pointed in the air in the crowd as Trump spoke and swelling orchestral music was played through the speakers. Trump spoke darkly of Democrats and cast the nation as adrift. nnA snapshot of American democracy, Sept. 17, 2022.nnu201d — Robert Costa (@Robert Costa) 1663471104 When Trump announced his candidacy in 2015, he claimed, “America doesn’t win anymore.” He vowed to end the so-called “American carnage” during his 2017 inaugural address. His rhetoric has rarely been uplifting but it’s grown increasingly darker since his election loss, and reeks of jackboots. During his nightmare-fuel address, sinister orchestral music played — a fascist knockoff of Wagner. It was apparently eerily similar to the QAnon anthem “Wwg1wga” (“Where we go one, we go all”), but Trump’s aides insist it was a different song called “Mirrors.” Either way, it resulted in a chilling sight: People raised a single finger in the air, apparently referencing the “1” they believed was the song’s title. After attempting to overthrow a duly elected government, Trump somehow remains free to lead an unstable army containing your neighbors and coworkers. This is today’s America, and it’s terrifying. [New York Times / USA Today] Follow Stephen Robinson on Twitter. Do your Amazon shopping through this link, because reasons. Have you heard that Wonkette DOES NOT EXIST without your donations? Please hear it now, and if you have ever enjoyed a Wonkette article, throw us some bucks, or better yet, SUBSCRIBE! Stephen Robinson Stephen Robinson is a writer and social kibbitzer based in Portland, Oregon. He writes make believe for Cafe Nordo, an immersive theatre space in Seattle. Once, he wrote a novel called “Mahogany Slade,” which you should read or at least buy. He’s also on the board of the Portland Playhouse theatre. His son describes him as a “play typer guy.” Read More Here