Digital Arizona News

California Drivers Can Now Sport Digital License Plates On Their Cars https://digitalarizonanews.com/california-drivers-can-now-sport-digital-license-plates-on-their-cars/ A digital license plate made by Reviver is shown in California on May 30, 2018. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Justin Sullivan/Getty Images A digital license plate made by Reviver is shown in California on May 30, 2018. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images Say goodbye to that rusty piece of metal. California drivers will now be able to get digital license plates under a new law. The Golden State had previously been piloting alternatives to traditional license plates, but a law signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom late last month extends the option to all drivers. The license plate-sized screens display a driver’s license plate number and allow motorists to renew their registration automatically. Users can even change between light and dark modes and customize the plates with personalized banners. California Assemblymember Lori Wilson, who sponsored the legislation, said it will make life easier for drivers. “It is a product of convenience and I’m all about giving people choice here in the state of California,” Wilson said, according to ABC30 Fresno. Reviver, the company that provides digital license plates in California, said the technology is also legal in Arizona and Michigan as well as in Texas for commercial fleet vehicles. Ten other states are also considering adopting digital license plates, the California-based firm said. The plates’ tracking capabilities have raised privacy concerns The company’s so-called RPlate can be equipped with GPS and allows users, including employers, to track a vehicle’s location and mileage. That capability has raised eyebrows among privacy advocates, but Reviver has said that it doesn’t share data with the California Department of Motor Vehicles or law enforcement. The RPlate can also flash a message if a vehicle is reported stolen or if there’s an Amber Alert, features that Wilson believes will be a boon to public safety. “Looking at the back of a vehicle, if I’m driving behind a vehicle and I see this, it will give me a cause for concern and I will be on alert for what I can potentially see,” Wilson said. She told the Los Angeles Times that drivers with privacy concerns could disable the GPS function on their own vehicles. The company reported that about 10,000 California drivers bought the RPlate during the pilot program, a number that’s expected to grow now that the digital license plates are available to all 36 million vehicles registered in the state. A 2019 report from the California DMV found that — aside from a few traffic stops by police who believed the digital license plates were illegal — there were no significant concerns about the new technology from officials or drivers. “The department believes that the Digital License Plate is a viable license plate alternative and recommends it to become a permanent option for Californians,” the agency said. Reviver offers a battery-powered version of the RPlate that costs $19.95 per month as well as a hard-wired option for commercial vehicles priced at $24.95 per month. Read More Here

“This Is Not A Prop. This Is Real”: GOP Senate Candidate Herschel Walker Fumbles On Georgia Debate Stage https://digitalarizonanews.com/this-is-not-a-prop-this-is-real-gop-senate-candidate-herschel-walker-fumbles-on-georgia-debate-stage/ At the fiery Georgia Senate debate on Friday night, former NFL running back Herschel Walker pulled out a fake police badge, backpedaled on his views about abortion, and admitted President Joe Biden won the 2020 election. Senator Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) said that he has supported police officers by holding them accountable, but “I’ve never pretended to be a police officer.”  That’s when Walker whipped out a gold star-shaped badge (the audience broke into laughter and applause). The moderator quickly intervened, saying: “Mr. Walker, you are very well aware of the rules tonight. And you have a prop that is not allowed. Sir, I asked you to put that prop away.” Walker replied: “This is not a prop. This is real.” In 2017, Walker claimed to have worked with the Cobb County Police Department, and two years later, he claimed to have worked for the FBI; the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that neither are true. Although his assertions of serving in law enforcement have largely stayed out of his campaign until this week, a staple of Walker’s campaign has been his harsh anti-abortion stance. On the debate stage, Walker walked back on his position supporting a total abortion ban, now saying he supports Georgia’s “hearbeat” law, which allows for the exceptions for rape, incest and medical emergencies. Walker inquired about Warnock’s pro-abortion stance as a pastor: “Instead of aborting those babies, why aren’t you baptizing those babies?” Warnock retorted, “God gave us a choice and I respect the right of women to make a decision,” adding that Walker “wants to arrogate more power to politicians than God has.” The former football star previously likened abortions to “a woman killling her baby”—despite the evidence that he paid for a woman to get the procedure in 2009. The hypocritical news exploded for a second time when it was revealed that he actually urged the same woman to get the procedure again in 2011; but the woman refused. Christian Walker, Herschel Walker’s son with his wife, who previously advocated for Walker’s Senate run, took to Twitter with some “fatherly” advice: “Wear a condom, damn.”  In a reversal by Walker, he acknowledged that Biden won the 2020 election; although he didn’t distance himself entirely from the former president, referring to Donald Trump as “my friend” and  offering support for his 2024 election run. Shortly after the 2020 election, in December 2020, Walker doubled down on Trump’s election fraud lies, saying on Fox News: “I can guarantee you, Joe Biden didn’t get 50 million people to vote for him, but yet, people think that he’s won this election.” However, in May 2022, Walker contended that Trump never said the 2020 election was stolen.  According to a recent Quinnipiac poll, Warnock is leading 52% to Walker’s 42%. The general election is on Tuesday, November 8. Read More Here

Spotlight On Climate: What Does The Past Tell Us About Abrupt Climate Change? https://digitalarizonanews.com/spotlight-on-climate-what-does-the-past-tell-us-about-abrupt-climate-change/ JOHN FEGYVERESI We now know that human activities like fossil-fuel carbon emissions are currently causing our planet to go through an abrupt climate change. How much should we worry about the consequences of this rapid change? My colleagues and I study past climate by looking closely at ice cores from deep in Antarctic glaciers. The layers of ice in Antarctica go back over 800,000 years and provide a very detailed record of past climate. These data tell us exactly when there were abrupt climate changes in the past, and we can look back at those times to learn some of the causes and consequences. What do these records tell us? They tell us that past climate changes are not random. They all happen for specific reasons. They tell us that over the long-term, Earth’s climate responds to changes in how the Earth orbits around the sun. They show that our climate has changed in direct response to changes in the concentration of greenhouse gases in the Earth’s atmosphere. They show that past climate has changed in response to major alterations of ocean currents, volcanic eruptions, and large meteor impacts. These records show that some climate changes of the past have taken place over long periods of time, while other climate changes have been much more abrupt. One example of an abrupt climate change took place 12,800 years ago, when temperatures dropped as much as 10°C (18°F) in just a few decades. This happened because a large, freshwater lake the size of California drained suddenly into the North Atlantic, breaking the global conveyor belt of ocean currents. This abrupt shift resulted in an immediate decline of Clovis culture and other hunter-gatherer settlements of that time. It changed countless ecosystems and led to the die off of many species that were unable to adapt. As we peer back through Earth’s climate history, we find numerous examples like this. Here in Arizona, there is a rich history of cliff-dwelling ancestral Puebloans. At Walnut Canyon in Flagstaff, you can walk around the still-preserved dwellings and imagine what it would have been like for the people living between 600 and 1400 AD (now known as CE). During this time (800–1250 CE), Earth was going through the Medieval Warm Period. This period led to shifts in climate and persistent drought conditions in the Southwest (particularly up in the nearby Mesa Verde area), which ultimately drove many of the cliff-dwelling populations away. Beyond the ice core data, preserved layers in limestone rock formations provide a climate record going even further back in time. From those records we’ve learned that 251 million years ago, a massive increase in the greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide (CO2) warmed the Earth by over 10°C (18°F). This led to one of Earth’s largest ever mass-extinctions, known as the “Great Dying”. During that time, a series of massive volcanic eruptions in the area now known as Siberia, released an enormous amount of CO2 into our atmosphere. As we see with current climate change, higher CO2 in the atmosphere causes more CO2 to be absorbed by the oceans, making the water more acidic. So, 251 million years ago, this led to widespread acidification and reduction of oxygen in the global oceans. As a result, over 90% of all species on the planet went extinct. Of course new species evolved, but the recovery of full ecosystem function took almost 50 million years. Today, governments and peoples of the world are all interested in where our current climate is headed and what will happen as our oceans continue to acidify. Recent direct measurements show that average global temperatures have already risen by 1.2°C (2.2°F) in just the past few decades, and that greenhouse gas emissions are the primary cause of that change. Given our current emission rates, we can expect to reach 5°C (9°F) of warming by the end of this century. What we’ve learned from studies of the past is that climate changes, even small or subtle ones, can have enormous impacts on our planetary life support systems, and on human civilizations. If we are to avoid large, society-ending impacts, it is imperative that we work collectively to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions as quickly as possible. John Fegyveresi, PhD, Asst. Professor and Director of the Climate Science and Solutions Graduate Program, Northern Arizona University, and Northern Arizona Climate Change Alliance, www.NAZCCA.org/volunteer. Catch the latest in Opinion Get opinion pieces, letters and editorials sent directly to your inbox weekly! Read More Here

AP News Summary At 11:26 A.m. EDT https://digitalarizonanews.com/ap-news-summary-at-1126-a-m-edt-2/ Justice Dept. seeks end to arbiter’s review of Trump docs WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department has asked a federal appeals court to overturn a judge’s appointment of an independent arbiter to review documents seized during an FBI search of former President Donald Trump’s Florida estate. The appeal is the latest salvo in weeks of litigation over the scope of duties of the arbiter, also known as a special master. He was assigned last month by a judge to inspect the thousands of records taken in the Aug. 8 search of Mar-a-Lago and weed out from the investigation any that may be protected by claims of legal privilege. Ukraine: Russia hits power site by Kyiv, defends seized land KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — A missile strike has seriously damaged a key energy facility near Ukraine’s capital. The governor of the Kyiv region said Saturday’s strike didn’t kill or wound anyone. The country’s power system operator said repair crews were working to restore power but warned residents about possible outages. The Russian military strove to cut water and electricity in populated areas of Ukraine this week after a truck bomb explosion damaged the bridge that links Russia to the annexed Crimean Peninsula. Regions of southern Ukraine that Russian President Vladimir Putin illegally designated as Russian territory last month remained a focus of fighting on Saturday. New UK Treasury chief: Mistakes were made, tax rises coming LONDON (AP) — Britain’s new Treasury chief has acknowledged mistakes made by his predecessor and suggested that he may reverse much of Conservative Prime Minister Liz Truss’ tax-cutting plans, in order to bring stability to the country after weeks of economic and political turbulence. Jeremy Hunt was brought in Friday to replace Kwasi Kwarteng and restore order in Truss’ administration. He warned of “difficult decisions” to come, saying taxes could rise and public spending budgets would likely be squeezed further in the coming months. Truss had previously insisted that her tax-cutting plans were what Britain needs to boost economic growth. But a “mini-budget” which she and Kwarteng unveiled in September sent the British pound tumbling and left her credibility in tatters. Violent week a grim sign as targeted killings of police rise SEATTLE (AP) — It’s been an especially violent week for police across the U.S., including the deaths of two Connecticut police officers and the wounding of a third. Even as the number of officers has dropped in the past two years, the number being targeted and killed has risen. Organizations that track violence against police say 56 officers have been killed by gunfire so far this year — a number that is up 14% from this time last year and about 45% from this time in 2020. The country is on track to approach or surpass other top annual totals of recent years, including 73 officers killed in 2011 and 67 in 2016. Social Security boost seen as unlikely to help Dems at polls WASHINGTON (AP) — The news that 70 million people will see an 8.7% boost in their Social Security checks next year came just weeks before Election Day, but it’s unlikely to give Democrats the edge they’re desperately seeking at the polls. In fact, the promise of bigger payments in 2023 could call even more attention to the surging prices that have been inflicting pain on households. And inflation was the reason behind Thursday’s announcement of the the program’s largest cost-of-living increase in four decades. One analyst says the boost is going “to bring more money to people’s pockets, but it primes people to think about high inflation.” Kemp vs. Abrams II: Republican has incumbent advantage now ATLANTA (AP) — The Georgia governor’s race is a rematch of 2018, when Republican Brian Kemp narrowly defeated Democrat Stacey Abrams. But circumstances have changed. This time, it is Kemp who holds a lot of advantages as he seeks reelection. Abrams is trying to rekindle the star power that had people talking about her being president one day. Kemp became the target of Donald Trump’s wrath when the defeated president threatened retribution after Kemp certified Democrat Joe Biden’s slate of presidential electors in Georgia. But not only did Kemp maintain support among most Republican voters while defying Trump, he seems to have only grown stronger heading into his rematch with Abrams. Mamie Till depiction seen as tribute to Black female leaders NEW YORK (AP) — A new biopic about the mother of Emmett Till, the 14-year old Black boy whose lynching in Mississippi in 1955 catalyzed the U.S. civil rights movement, is being promoted as a tribute to Black women and Black mothers who are continuing her legacy and fight for justice, equality and equity. From civil rights and politics to business and performance art, promotional events and screenings of “Till” in select cities across the U.S. honor the courageous works of Black female leaders whose contributions have historically been overlooked, deemphasized or made a footnote. Obama headed to Georgia, Michigan, Wisconsin as vote nears WASHINGTON (AP) — Former President Barack Obama is headed to Georgia, Michigan and Wisconsin in the closing days of the 2022 campaign to give a boost to Democrats running for governor, senator and on down the ballot. He goes first to Atlanta, where Stacey Abrams is taking on Republican Gov. Brian Kemp on Nov. 8. She lost a close race to him in 2018. Georgia also may once again decide which party controls the Senate, with Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock facing a challenge from Republican candidate Herschel Walker. After campaigning in Atlanta on Oct. 28, Obama heads the following day to Detroit and Milwaukee for events to help get out the vote. Death toll rises to 41 in Turkey coal mine explosion AMASRA, Turkey (AP) — Funerals for the miners killed in a coal mine explosion in northern Turkey have begun as officials raised the death toll to at least 41 people. There were 110 miners working in the mine when the explosion occurred Friday evening at the state-owned Turkish Hard Coal Enterprise’s mine in Amasra. The town is in the Black Sea coastal province of Bartin. Officials said 11 miners were injured and hospitalized while 58 others managed to get out of the mine on their own or were rescued unharmed. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrived at the scene Saturday after tweeting that any neglect would be punished. US shift on Venezuelan migrants fuels anxiety in Mexico TIJUANA, Mexico (AP) — The Biden administration’s policy shift on Venezuelan migrants may pose an enormous challenge to overstretched Mexican shelters. The U.S. has coupled plans to let up to 24,000 Venezuelans apply online to fly to the U.S. for temporary stays with a pledge to immediately turn back Venezuelans who cross the border illegally from Mexico. The rapid expulsions expand a Trump-era policy that denies rights to seek asylum on grounds of preventing the spread of COVID-19. Venezuelans have suddenly become the second-largest nationality at the U.S. border after Mexicans, a growing challenge to President Joe Biden and neighboring allies. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Read More Here

AP News Summary At 11:26 A.m. EDT https://digitalarizonanews.com/ap-news-summary-at-1126-a-m-edt/ Justice Dept. seeks end to arbiter’s review of Trump docs WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department has asked a federal appeals court to overturn a judge’s appointment of an independent arbiter to review documents seized during an FBI search of former President Donald Trump’s Florida estate. The appeal is the latest salvo in weeks of litigation over the scope of duties of the arbiter, also known as a special master. He was assigned last month by a judge to inspect the thousands of records taken in the Aug. 8 search of Mar-a-Lago and weed out from the investigation any that may be protected by claims of legal privilege. Ukraine: Russia hits power site by Kyiv, defends seized land KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — A missile strike has seriously damaged a key energy facility near Ukraine’s capital. The governor of the Kyiv region said Saturday’s strike didn’t kill or wound anyone. The country’s power system operator said repair crews were working to restore power but warned residents about possible outages. The Russian military strove to cut water and electricity in populated areas of Ukraine this week after a truck bomb explosion damaged the bridge that links Russia to the annexed Crimean Peninsula. Regions of southern Ukraine that Russian President Vladimir Putin illegally designated as Russian territory last month remained a focus of fighting on Saturday. New UK Treasury chief: Mistakes were made, tax rises coming LONDON (AP) — Britain’s new Treasury chief has acknowledged mistakes made by his predecessor and suggested that he may reverse much of Conservative Prime Minister Liz Truss’ tax-cutting plans, in order to bring stability to the country after weeks of economic and political turbulence. Jeremy Hunt was brought in Friday to replace Kwasi Kwarteng and restore order in Truss’ administration. He warned of “difficult decisions” to come, saying taxes could rise and public spending budgets would likely be squeezed further in the coming months. Truss had previously insisted that her tax-cutting plans were what Britain needs to boost economic growth. But a “mini-budget” which she and Kwarteng unveiled in September sent the British pound tumbling and left her credibility in tatters. Violent week a grim sign as targeted killings of police rise SEATTLE (AP) — It’s been an especially violent week for police across the U.S., including the deaths of two Connecticut police officers and the wounding of a third. Even as the number of officers has dropped in the past two years, the number being targeted and killed has risen. Organizations that track violence against police say 56 officers have been killed by gunfire so far this year — a number that is up 14% from this time last year and about 45% from this time in 2020. The country is on track to approach or surpass other top annual totals of recent years, including 73 officers killed in 2011 and 67 in 2016. Social Security boost seen as unlikely to help Dems at polls WASHINGTON (AP) — The news that 70 million people will see an 8.7% boost in their Social Security checks next year came just weeks before Election Day, but it’s unlikely to give Democrats the edge they’re desperately seeking at the polls. In fact, the promise of bigger payments in 2023 could call even more attention to the surging prices that have been inflicting pain on households. And inflation was the reason behind Thursday’s announcement of the the program’s largest cost-of-living increase in four decades. One analyst says the boost is going “to bring more money to people’s pockets, but it primes people to think about high inflation.” Kemp vs. Abrams II: Republican has incumbent advantage now ATLANTA (AP) — The Georgia governor’s race is a rematch of 2018, when Republican Brian Kemp narrowly defeated Democrat Stacey Abrams. But circumstances have changed. This time, it is Kemp who holds a lot of advantages as he seeks reelection. Abrams is trying to rekindle the star power that had people talking about her being president one day. Kemp became the target of Donald Trump’s wrath when the defeated president threatened retribution after Kemp certified Democrat Joe Biden’s slate of presidential electors in Georgia. But not only did Kemp maintain support among most Republican voters while defying Trump, he seems to have only grown stronger heading into his rematch with Abrams. Mamie Till depiction seen as tribute to Black female leaders NEW YORK (AP) — A new biopic about the mother of Emmett Till, the 14-year old Black boy whose lynching in Mississippi in 1955 catalyzed the U.S. civil rights movement, is being promoted as a tribute to Black women and Black mothers who are continuing her legacy and fight for justice, equality and equity. From civil rights and politics to business and performance art, promotional events and screenings of “Till” in select cities across the U.S. honor the courageous works of Black female leaders whose contributions have historically been overlooked, deemphasized or made a footnote. Obama headed to Georgia, Michigan, Wisconsin as vote nears WASHINGTON (AP) — Former President Barack Obama is headed to Georgia, Michigan and Wisconsin in the closing days of the 2022 campaign to give a boost to Democrats running for governor, senator and on down the ballot. He goes first to Atlanta, where Stacey Abrams is taking on Republican Gov. Brian Kemp on Nov. 8. She lost a close race to him in 2018. Georgia also may once again decide which party controls the Senate, with Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock facing a challenge from Republican candidate Herschel Walker. After campaigning in Atlanta on Oct. 28, Obama heads the following day to Detroit and Milwaukee for events to help get out the vote. Death toll rises to 41 in Turkey coal mine explosion AMASRA, Turkey (AP) — Funerals for the miners killed in a coal mine explosion in northern Turkey have begun as officials raised the death toll to at least 41 people. There were 110 miners working in the mine when the explosion occurred Friday evening at the state-owned Turkish Hard Coal Enterprise’s mine in Amasra. The town is in the Black Sea coastal province of Bartin. Officials said 11 miners were injured and hospitalized while 58 others managed to get out of the mine on their own or were rescued unharmed. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrived at the scene Saturday after tweeting that any neglect would be punished. US shift on Venezuelan migrants fuels anxiety in Mexico TIJUANA, Mexico (AP) — The Biden administration’s policy shift on Venezuelan migrants may pose an enormous challenge to overstretched Mexican shelters. The U.S. has coupled plans to let up to 24,000 Venezuelans apply online to fly to the U.S. for temporary stays with a pledge to immediately turn back Venezuelans who cross the border illegally from Mexico. The rapid expulsions expand a Trump-era policy that denies rights to seek asylum on grounds of preventing the spread of COVID-19. Venezuelans have suddenly become the second-largest nationality at the U.S. border after Mexicans, a growing challenge to President Joe Biden and neighboring allies. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Read More Here

Public Sentiment In Russia Darkens Over Ukraine War https://digitalarizonanews.com/public-sentiment-in-russia-darkens-over-ukraine-war/ Updated Oct. 15, 2022 11:00 am ET MOSCOW—President Vladimir Putin’s massive military mobilization and escalating talk of nuclear weapons in the protracted Ukraine conflict are rattling many Russians, including urban elites for whom the war had seemed far in the background. The WhatsApp messaging group for residents of a stately post-World War II apartment building on a major thoroughfare in downtown Moscow, viewed by The Wall Street Journal, is peppered with messages of concern: “Is the bomb shelter in the basement still habitable?”; “Who do we need to contact to get it inspected?”; “Where are the entrances located?” Read More Here

Arizona Soccer Blanks The Colorado Buffaloes By A 2-0 Final https://digitalarizonanews.com/arizona-soccer-blanks-the-colorado-buffaloes-by-a-2-0-final/ LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 09: Trinity Dorsey #5 of the Arizona Wildcats and America Frias #28 of the UCLA Bruins fight for control of the ball during the first half of a game at Wallis Annenberg Stadium on October 09, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Katharine Lotze/Getty Images) TUCSON, AZ – Looking to rebound from their tough loss to No. 1 UCLA, Arizona Soccer (5-6-2) responded in a big way, defeating Colorado (8-4-3), 2-0.  The daunting road continued for Arizona Soccer on Friday evening. Just a week removed from playing No. 8 USC and No. 1 UCLA, the Wildcats returned to action at the friendly confines of Murphey Field at Mulcahy Soccer Stadium in Tucson. This time taking on a formidable opponent in conference foe Colorado, Arizona returned to the pitch with yet another significant challenge on its hands. Hoping to get things back on track despite splitting the weekend action in Los Angeles, Arizona looked primed from the start. Getting out to a quick start in the first half, Arizona Soccer was able to enter halftime with a 1-0 lead before extending its lead and scoring the upset. Arizona came out hungry from the start in this one! Perhaps feeling confident from its competitive showing in Los Angeles, the Wildcats struck first. Just 3:18 into the match, Nicole Dallin’s persistence paid off as she put a shot at the Colorado goalkeeper that was deflected, but luckily, she capitalized on the second chance opportunity and put it in the net to put the Cats up 1-0. Holding strong on defense, the Wildcats would enter the half with a 1-0 lead and also outshot Colorado by a 13-4 advantage. Entering the second with a comfortable lead, the Wildcats would stay aggressive. Scoring again in the 52nd minute, this time it was Arizona’s Olivia Briede who came up big for the Cats. Taking a pass from Iliana Hocking, Briede fired a shot at the goal that went between both the defender and the Colorado keeper to make it 2-0. Despite Colorado’s best efforts to come back in this one, it was Arizona that came up big in the end, holding the Buffaloes scoreless and picking up the 2-0 win! With the victory, the Wildcats improve to 5-6-2 and will return to action next when they travel to the PNW to take on Pac-12 foes, Washington (8-3-3, 2-3-1) and Washington State (8-3-3, 2-2-2). Don’t forget to follow us at @ZonaZealots on Twitter and like our fan page on Facebook for continued coverage of Arizona news, opinions, and recruiting updates! Read More Here

Obituaries In Columbus, OH | The Columbus Dispatch https://digitalarizonanews.com/obituaries-in-columbus-oh-the-columbus-dispatch-2/ Former Scottsdale, AZ resident, Kathleen Marie Fischer Lekowski, died October 6, 2022, at her residence in Dublin Retirement Village, Dublin, OH. She was born November 16, 1934, in Bethlehem, PA to Kathleen and Arthur Fischer. Kathleen attended Moravian College. She was a stenographer at First City National Bank of NY until marrying her husband, C. Steven Lekowski. As the wife of a mining engineer, Kathleen moved sixteen times and lived in twelve states. She embraced each move and cherished many dear friendships. Kathleen always made whomever she was talking to feel they were the most important. Kathleen will be remembered as a loving and encouraging wife, mother, and grandmother. She had a passion for fashion, decor, and entertaining, and enjoyed ice skating, tennis, gardening and reading. Preceded in death by her husband, Steve (3/2/2021), Kathleen is survived by her daughter Helen (Mike) McNeill, of Dublin, OH; son Rob (Kelly) Lekowski, of Cincinnati, OH; and grandchildren, Matt, Drew, and Colleen Lekowski. A funeral mass for the family will be held on October 28, 2022 at St. Brigid of Kildare Church, Dublin, OH. Kathleen’s final resting place will be in Scottsdale, AZ. Memorial contributions may be made online to the American Lung Association at www.lung.org. Please select Donate, Make a Gift in Memory, and include “Kathy Lekowski”. Posted online on October 15, 2022 Published in Columbus Dispatch Read More Here

Ammonia Leak At Reddy Ice Facility In South Phoenix Causes Evacuations, Road Closures https://digitalarizonanews.com/ammonia-leak-at-reddy-ice-facility-in-south-phoenix-causes-evacuations-road-closures/ Evacuations and road closures are in place near 40th St. & Broadway Rd. after an ammonia leak at a Reddy Ice facility in the area. PHOENIX — A chemical spill at a Reddy Ice facility in south Phoenix led to evacuations and road closures Saturday morning, Phoenix police said. According to reports, nearby businesses in the area were evacuated, and the roads were closed for several blocks. Police later confirmed that it was an ammonia leak that led to the closures. No injuries were reported. The Phoenix Fire Department stepped in to handle cleanup while police closed down the area. Crews have been working to close off the leak and are already seeing lower readings on their meters, a fire department spokesman said. Drivers can expect traffic restrictions in the area for some time while hazmat crews continue to clean up the location. Download the 12News app for the latest local breaking news straight to your phone. This is a developing story. Stay with 12News for more updates. More ways to get 12News On your phone: Download the 12News app for the latest local breaking news straight to your phone.   On your streaming device: Download 12News+ to your streaming device   The free 12News+ app from 12News lets users stream live events — including daily newscasts like “Today in AZ” and “12 News” and our daily lifestyle program, “Arizona Midday”—on Roku and Amazon Fire TV.   12News+ showcases live video throughout the day for breaking news, local news, weather and even an occasional moment of Zen showcasing breathtaking sights from across Arizona.  On social media: Find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.  Up to Speed Catch up on the latest news and stories on our 12News YouTube playlist here. Read More…

Giuliani Ethics Case Defense Features Prominent Election Deniers – Including Doug Mastriano https://digitalarizonanews.com/giuliani-ethics-case-defense-features-prominent-election-deniers-including-doug-mastriano/ Zoe Tillman  |  Bloomberg News (TNS) WASHINGTON — Rudy Giuliani intends to defend himself against a legal ethics prosecution in Washington by calling a string of witnesses who promoted baseless claims that the 2020 election was marred by widespread fraud. A witness list submitted Friday by his lawyers to the hearing committee that will consider his case in early December features prominent conservative lawyers and activists who backed then-President Donald Trump’s “Stop the Steal” effort to undo Joe Biden’s victories in key states. Giuliani’s proposed witnesses include Doug Mastriano the Republican candidate for governor of Pennsylvania; Christina Bobb, a lawyer recently in the spotlight for her connection to a federal criminal inquiry into Trump’s handling of government documents at his Mar-a-Lago resort; former Trump campaign lawyer Jenna Ellis; former Florida attorney general Pam Bondi; former White House trade adviser Peter Navarro, former Trump 2016 campaign manager Corey Lewandowski, and former New York City Police Commissioner Bernard Kerik. More:As campaign struggles, Doug Mastriano plans ’40 days of fasting and prayer’ More:Shapiro outraises Mastriano in final weeks of governor’s race More:Prophets, ‘Pizzagaters’ and an Oath Keeper: A field guide to Doug Mastriano World Giuliani’s lawyers, John Leventhal and Barry Kamins, both retired judges, didn’t immediately return a request for comment on whether all of the witnesses they identified had agreed to testify. Mastriano, Bobb, Ellis, Bondi, Navarro, Lewandowski, Kerik or their representatives didn’t immediately return requests for comment on Friday night. Giuliani’s case focuses on his role in pursuing a failed post-election challenge in federal court in Pennsylvania. The Office of Disciplinary Counsel accused him of pressing a “frivolous” claim. Giuliani, a former mayor of New York and U.S. attorney, responded to the allegations in July, arguing there was “good faith basis” to contest mail-in ballots at the time. The witness list includes short descriptions of what his lawyers say they expect each person to testify about. Subjects include interviews with “people who witnessed voting irregularities and allegations of fraud”; purported exclusion of Republican poll watchers; and “voting irregularities and alleged illegalities.” The witness list has 17 names, including Giuliani himself. The disciplinary counsel’s office, the ethics enforcement arm of the District of Columbia Bar, submitted a three-person witness list, saying it planned to call Giuliani and two lawyers hired to analyze the claims that the former mayor pursued in the Pennsylvania litigation. A New York state court previously suspended Giuliani’s license to practice law in that state. Read More Here

AP News Summary At 10:29 A.m. EDT https://digitalarizonanews.com/ap-news-summary-at-1029-a-m-edt-2/ Justice Dept. seeks end to arbiter’s review of Trump docs WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department has asked a federal appeals court to overturn a judge’s appointment of an independent arbiter to review documents seized during an FBI search of former President Donald Trump’s Florida estate. The appeal is the latest salvo in weeks of litigation over the scope of duties of the arbiter, also known as a special master. He was assigned last month by a judge to inspect the thousands of records taken in the Aug. 8 search of Mar-a-Lago and weed out from the investigation any that may be protected by claims of legal privilege. Ukraine: Russia hits power site by Kyiv, defends seized land KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — A missile strike has seriously damaged a key energy facility near Ukraine’s capital. The governor of the Kyiv region said Saturday’s strike didn’t kill or wound anyone. The country’s power system operator said repair crews were working to restore power but warned residents about possible outages. The Russian military strove to cut water and electricity in populated areas of Ukraine this week after a truck bomb explosion damaged the bridge that links Russia to the annexed Crimean Peninsula. Regions of southern Ukraine that Russian President Vladimir Putin illegally designated as Russian territory last month remained a focus of fighting on Saturday. New UK Treasury chief: Mistakes were made, tax rises coming LONDON (AP) — Britain’s new Treasury chief has acknowledged mistakes made by his predecessor and suggested that he may reverse much of Conservative Prime Minister Liz Truss’ tax-cutting plans, in order to bring stability to the country after weeks of economic and political turbulence. Jeremy Hunt was brought in Friday to replace Kwasi Kwarteng and restore order in Truss’ administration. He warned of “difficult decisions” to come, saying taxes could rise and public spending budgets would likely be squeezed further in the coming months. Truss had previously insisted that her tax-cutting plans were what Britain needs to boost economic growth. But a “mini-budget” which she and Kwarteng unveiled in September sent the British pound tumbling and left her credibility in tatters. Violent week a grim sign as targeted killings of police rise SEATTLE (AP) — It’s been an especially violent week for police across the U.S., including the deaths of two Connecticut police officers and the wounding of a third. Even as the number of officers has dropped in the past two years, the number being targeted and killed has risen. Organizations that track violence against police say 56 officers have been killed by gunfire so far this year — a number that is up 14% from this time last year and about 45% from this time in 2020. The country is on track to approach or surpass other top annual totals of recent years, including 73 officers killed in 2011 and 67 in 2016. Social Security boost seen as unlikely to help Dems at polls WASHINGTON (AP) — The news that 70 million people will see an 8.7% boost in their Social Security checks next year came just weeks before Election Day, but it’s unlikely to give Democrats the edge they’re desperately seeking at the polls. In fact, the promise of bigger payments in 2023 could call even more attention to the surging prices that have been inflicting pain on households. And inflation was the reason behind Thursday’s announcement of the the program’s largest cost-of-living increase in four decades. One analyst says the boost is going “to bring more money to people’s pockets, but it primes people to think about high inflation.” Kemp vs. Abrams II: Republican has incumbent advantage now ATLANTA (AP) — The Georgia governor’s race is a rematch of 2018, when Republican Brian Kemp narrowly defeated Democrat Stacey Abrams. But circumstances have changed. This time, it is Kemp who holds a lot of advantages as he seeks reelection. Abrams is trying to rekindle the star power that had people talking about her being president one day. Kemp became the target of Donald Trump’s wrath when the defeated president threatened retribution after Kemp certified Democrat Joe Biden’s slate of presidential electors in Georgia. But not only did Kemp maintain support among most Republican voters while defying Trump, he seems to have only grown stronger heading into his rematch with Abrams. Mamie Till depiction seen as tribute to Black female leaders NEW YORK (AP) — A new biopic about the mother of Emmett Till, the 14-year old Black boy whose lynching in Mississippi in 1955 catalyzed the U.S. civil rights movement, is being promoted as a tribute to Black women and Black mothers who are continuing her legacy and fight for justice, equality and equity. From civil rights and politics to business and performance art, promotional events and screenings of “Till” in select cities across the U.S. honor the courageous works of Black female leaders whose contributions have historically been overlooked, deemphasized or made a footnote. Death toll rises to 41 in Turkey coal mine explosion AMASRA, Turkey (AP) — Funerals for the miners killed in a coal mine explosion in northern Turkey have begun as officials raised the death toll to at least 41 people. There were 110 miners working in the mine when the explosion occurred Friday evening at the state-owned Turkish Hard Coal Enterprise’s mine in Amasra. The town is in the Black Sea coastal province of Bartin. Officials said 11 miners were injured and hospitalized while 58 others managed to get out of the mine on their own or were rescued unharmed. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrived at the scene Saturday after tweeting that any neglect would be punished. US shift on Venezuelan migrants fuels anxiety in Mexico TIJUANA, Mexico (AP) — The Biden administration’s policy shift on Venezuelan migrants may pose an enormous challenge to overstretched Mexican shelters. The U.S. has coupled plans to let up to 24,000 Venezuelans apply online to fly to the U.S. for temporary stays with a pledge to immediately turn back Venezuelans who cross the border illegally from Mexico. The rapid expulsions expand a Trump-era policy that denies rights to seek asylum on grounds of preventing the spread of COVID-19. Venezuelans have suddenly become the second-largest nationality at the U.S. border after Mexicans, a growing challenge to President Joe Biden and neighboring allies. AP source: Tagovailoa, Bridgewater out of protocols MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Miami Dolphins quarterbacks Tua Tagovailoa and Teddy Bridgewater have cleared concussion protocols. That’s according to a person with knowledge of the decisions who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the moves were not announced publicly by the Dolphins. Tagovailoa has been in the protocols since getting hurt against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sept. 29. Bridgewater lasted only one play in Sunday’s loss at the New York Jets. He did not show concussion symptoms, but was placed into the protocols as a result of the revised NFL rules. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Read More Here

Walker-Warnock Debate: What Georgia Senate Race Opponents Said About Inflation, Abortion, Biden, Trump https://digitalarizonanews.com/walker-warnock-debate-what-georgia-senate-race-opponents-said-about-inflation-abortion-biden-trump/ By FOX 5 Atlanta Digital Team Published October 15, 2022 10:25AM Highlights of Walker-Warnock debate Warnock and Walkers shared the stage for a debate as both are vying to represent Georgia in the U.S. Senate. SAVANNAH, Ga. – Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock and Republican candidate Herschel Walker traded barbs in Savannah on Friday night before polls open and Georgians vote to decided who they believe should represent Georgia in the U.S. Senate. It’s likely the only debate to feature both Warnock and Walker prior to the 2022 midterm elections. Warnock, the Reverend at Ebeneezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, is fighting to defend a seat he won in a runoff after late former Sen. Johnny Isakson stepped down mid-term. Walker, a Heisman Trophy winner at the University of Georgia, is trying to help Republicans win back control of the U.S. Senate. Here are highlights from Friday night’s debate in Savannah: Herschel Walker’s badge At one point in the debate Warnock accused Walker of lying about serving in law enforcement. He also referenced a 2001 incident involving Walker and Texas law enforcement in which Walker had “talked about having a shootout with police.”   “One thing I’ve never done, I’ve never pretended to be a police officer, and I’ve never threatened a shootout with the police,” Warnock said during the debate. In response, Walker produced what appeared to be a police badge. “You’re not allowed to have a prop,” WSAV news anchor Tina Tyus-Shaw told Walker. Walker has endorsements from law enforcement. His campaign said in September 112 sheriffs across Georgia endorse him. Walker’s, Warnock’s stances on abortion Walker denied recent reports he urged a woman to have an abortion. “Well, I said it’s a lie,” he said. While Walker supported Georgia’s current abortion restrictions, which ban the procedure after detection of a fetal heartbeat, he didn’t advocate for a complete ban on abortion. “I support the Heartbeat Bill, that’s the bill of the people,” Walker said. Warnock defended his position as a pro-choice pastor. “God gave us a choice and I respect the right of women to make a decision,” Warnock said. Walker blames Warnock, Biden for inflation Neither candidate offered specifics regarding steps Congress could take to correct inflation. Walker repeatedly criticized his opponent for aligning with President Joe Biden administration. He placed blame for rising prices in stores and at gas pumps on Biden administration policies. Walker said the first step to stabilizing the economy is “getting back” to energy independence, a stance also took during an interview with FOX 5 Atlanta’s Russ Spencer. Warnock emphasized his support for the Inflation Reduction Act, which set caps for insulin costs for Medicare patients. Walker has argued the bill kills jobs.  Warnock ask if he endorsed Biden in 2024 Warnock would not outwardly endorse Biden in a 2024 presidential run, saying he believes American politics are centered too much on the politician and not policy. “I’ve not spent a minute thinking about what politician should run for what in 2024,” he said. Walker endorsed his “friend” former President Donald Trump, though he acknowledged Biden won the 2020 election legitimately. Walker responds to questions about his mental health Walker has previously told FOX 5 Atlanta’s Russ Spencer he’s no longer receiving, nor needs, treatment for his diagnosis of dissociative personality disorder.  Walker said he’s been, “transparent,” about his mental health and said his diagnosis doesn’t disqualify him to run for and assume office.  “I continue to get help if I need help, but I don’t need any help. I’m doing well,” he said. “I’m ready to lead today.” Read More Here

AP News Summary At 9:33 A.m. EDT https://digitalarizonanews.com/ap-news-summary-at-933-a-m-edt/ Justice Dept. seeks end to arbiter’s review of Trump docs WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department has asked a federal appeals court to overturn a judge’s appointment of an independent arbiter to review documents seized during an FBI search of former President Donald Trump’s Florida estate. The appeal is the latest salvo in weeks of litigation over the scope of duties of the arbiter, also known as a special master. He was assigned last month by a judge to inspect the thousands of records taken in the Aug. 8 search of Mar-a-Lago and weed out from the investigation any that may be protected by claims of legal privilege. Ukraine: Russia hits power site by Kyiv, defends seized land KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — A missile strike has seriously damaged a key energy facility near Ukraine’s capital. The governor of the Kyiv region said Saturday’s strike didn’t kill or wound anyone. The country’s power system operator said repair crews were working to restore power but warned residents about possible outages. The Russian military strove to cut water and electricity in populated areas of Ukraine this week after a truck bomb explosion damaged the bridge that links Russia to the annexed Crimean Peninsula. Regions of southern Ukraine that Russian President Vladimir Putin illegally designated as Russian territory last month remained a focus of fighting on Saturday. Ukrainian deminers remove deadly threats to civilians HRAKOVE, Ukraine (AP) — A group of Ukrainian deminers with the country’s territorial defense forces is working to clear an area in the Kharkiv region of dozens of deadly mines and pieces of unexploded ordnance. The brigade is pushing to restore a semblance of safety to the cities, towns and countryside in a region that spent months under Russian occupation. The deminers swept a remote area with metal detectors, searching for mines left behind by Russian forces that retreated from the region at the beginning of September. While many settlements in the region have finally achieved some measure of safety after fierce battles reduced many of them to rubble, Russian land mines remain an ever-present threat in both urban and rural environments. New UK Treasury chief: Mistakes were made, tax rises coming LONDON (AP) — Britain’s new Treasury chief has acknowledged mistakes made by his predecessor and suggested that he may reverse much of Conservative Prime Minister Liz Truss’ tax-cutting plans, in order to bring stability to the country after weeks of economic and political turbulence. Jeremy Hunt was brought in Friday to replace Kwasi Kwarteng and restore order in Truss’ administration. He warned of “difficult decisions” to come, saying taxes could rise and public spending budgets would likely be squeezed further in the coming months. Truss had previously insisted that her tax-cutting plans were what Britain needs to boost economic growth. But a “mini-budget” which she and Kwarteng unveiled in September sent the British pound tumbling and left her credibility in tatters. Violent week a grim sign as targeted killings of police rise SEATTLE (AP) — It’s been an especially violent week for police across the U.S., including the deaths of two Connecticut police officers and the wounding of a third. Even as the number of officers has dropped in the past two years, the number being targeted and killed has risen. Organizations that track violence against police say 56 officers have been killed by gunfire so far this year — a number that is up 14% from this time last year and about 45% from this time in 2020. The country is on track to approach or surpass other top annual totals of recent years, including 73 officers killed in 2011 and 67 in 2016. Social Security boost seen as unlikely to help Dems at polls WASHINGTON (AP) — The news that 70 million people will see an 8.7% boost in their Social Security checks next year came just weeks before Election Day, but it’s unlikely to give Democrats the edge they’re desperately seeking at the polls. In fact, the promise of bigger payments in 2023 could call even more attention to the surging prices that have been inflicting pain on households. And inflation was the reason behind Thursday’s announcement of the the program’s largest cost-of-living increase in four decades. One analyst says the boost is going “to bring more money to people’s pockets, but it primes people to think about high inflation.” Biden’s pot pardons could boost states’ legalization drives LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — President Joe Biden’s decision to pardon thousands of people convicted of simple possession of marijuana under federal law could give a boost to Election Day ballot proposals in five states that would legalize the drug. Voters in Arkansas, Maryland, Missouri, North Dakota and South Dakota will take up proposals to legalize recreational marijuana. Experts say Biden’s pardon decision could win over some voters on the fence about the idea. Recreational marijuana is legal in 19 states and opposition to legalization has softened despite federal resistance. Opponents of the measures say they see Biden’s pardons having little impact on the campaigns. Kemp vs. Abrams II: Republican has incumbent advantage now ATLANTA (AP) — The Georgia governor’s race is a rematch of 2018, when Republican Brian Kemp narrowly defeated Democrat Stacey Abrams. But circumstances have changed. This time, it is Kemp who holds a lot of advantages as he seeks reelection. Abrams is trying to rekindle the star power that had people talking about her being president one day. Kemp became the target of Donald Trump’s wrath when the defeated president threatened retribution after Kemp certified Democrat Joe Biden’s slate of presidential electors in Georgia. But not only did Kemp maintain support among most Republican voters while defying Trump, he seems to have only grown stronger heading into his rematch with Abrams. Death toll rises to 41 in Turkey coal mine explosion AMASRA, Turkey (AP) — Funerals for the miners killed in a coal mine explosion in northern Turkey have begun as officials raised the death toll to at least 41 people. There were 110 miners working in the mine when the explosion occurred Friday evening at the state-owned Turkish Hard Coal Enterprise’s mine in Amasra. The town is in the Black Sea coastal province of Bartin. Officials said 11 miners were injured and hospitalized while 58 others managed to get out of the mine on their own or were rescued unharmed. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrived at the scene Saturday after tweeting that any neglect would be punished. US shift on Venezuelan migrants fuels anxiety in Mexico TIJUANA, Mexico (AP) — The Biden administration’s policy shift on Venezuelan migrants may pose an enormous challenge to overstretched Mexican shelters. The U.S. has coupled plans to let up to 24,000 Venezuelans apply online to fly to the U.S. for temporary stays with a pledge to immediately turn back Venezuelans who cross the border illegally from Mexico. The rapid expulsions expand a Trump-era policy that denies rights to seek asylum on grounds of preventing the spread of COVID-19. Venezuelans have suddenly become the second-largest nationality at the U.S. border after Mexicans, a growing challenge to President Joe Biden and neighboring allies. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Read More Here

Giuliani Adds 2020 Election Deniers To Witness List In Ethics Case https://digitalarizonanews.com/giuliani-adds-2020-election-deniers-to-witness-list-in-ethics-case/ Rudy Giuliani speaks during a news conference. Photo: Sarah Silbiger for The Washington Post via Getty Images Rudy Giuliani plans to defend himself in an upcoming legal ethics case — and he’ll have help from a number of 2020 election deniers. The big picture: Giuliani could lose his ability to practice law in Washington, D.C., if he loses the case, similar to how he can’t practice in the state of New York over his election fraud claims. Context: The D.C. Office of Disciplinary Counsel, which regulates ethical misconduct for D.C. lawyers, charged Giuliani in June after he made claims to support a Trump campaign lawsuit that looked to overturn the 2020 election results in Pennsylvania, Axios’ Jacob Knutson writes. Details: Giuliani’s lawyers submitted a witness list Friday to a hearing committee that will consider his case in early December, per Bloomberg. The list is packed with conservative lawyers and activists who attempted to undo President Biden’s election victories in key election states. Some of the prominent names on the list include: Jenna Ellis, who will testify as a former Trump campaign lawyer. Doug Mastriano, the Republican candidate for governor of Pennsylvania, who will testify about “the gathering of evidence of voting irregularities.” Peter Navarro, the former White House trade adviser, who plans to testify “to his extensive analysis of voting irregularities and alleged illegalities.” Corey Lewandowski, Trump’s 2016 campaign manager, who will testify that he “witnessed the exclusion of Republican inspectors and poll watchers including himself from inspecting any ballots.” Giuliani is also on the witness list. Flashback: Giuliani was suspended from practicing law in New York in June 2021 for making false statements about the 2020 election, Axios’ Zachary Basu writes. Go deeper … Giuliani faces D.C. Bar ethics charge over false election claims Read More Here

Warnock And Walker Clash Over Abortion, Family Strife And More In High-Stakes Senate Debate https://digitalarizonanews.com/warnock-and-walker-clash-over-abortion-family-strife-and-more-in-high-stakes-senate-debate/ SAVANNAH, Ga. — Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock and Republican challenger Herschel Walker met Friday for their first and only debate in a brutally competitive Georgia Senate race, clashing over abortion and inflation, but agreeing that the 2020 election was legitimately won by President Joe Biden. The debate was marked by frequent interruptions by Walker, a first-time political candidate, who sought to portray the Democratic incumbent as a creature of Washington who votes with Biden too often. Warnock defended his votes on a sweeping climate and health care bill and gun violence prevention legislation during his two years in the Senate. At the center of the recent controversy stands Walker, the former University of Georgia football star whose once-shining brand in the state have take a hit amid a drumbeat of tabloid-style stories and attack ads detailing past domestic abuse allegations against him from an ex wife and a recent claim that the Republican paid for a woman’s abortion, which he denies. “Well, as I said, that’s a lie,” Walker said when asked about the accusations. “On abortion, I’m a Christian. I believe in life. … I’ll be a senator that protects life.” Warnock said he supports legal abortion, because “I trust women more than I trust politicians.” In the debate, Walker rejected the fabricated claims by his longtime friend — former President Donald Trump, whose early endorsement boosted him in the GOP contest — that the 2020 election was stolen. “President Biden won and Senator Warnock won. That’s the reason I decided to run,” Walker said when asked if Biden defeated Trump in the election. Heading into the debate, Walker called himself a “dumb country boy,” setting low expectations against Warnock, the eloquent pastor at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, where Martin Luther King Jr. used to minister. Walker’s debate goal was simple: Go on offense and tie Warnock to the unpopular president, rising gas prices and high inflation. Warnock hammered Walker for opposing the Inflation Reduction Act to defend himself against attacks that his votes fueled inflation. He also rapped Walker over a questionable veterans’ charity, and Walker hit back by drawing attention to an unflattering story about a management company’s attempts to evict tenants at an apartment building owned by a charity associated with Warnock’s church. “Here’s how you know I’m running against a desperate candidate,” Warnock replied. “Any time a candidate would stoop to the level of trying to sully the name … of Martin Luther King Jr.’s church and John Lewis’s church, you know that’s a desperate candidate.” Warnock’s campaign later pushed back as well, citing an article that said no tenants had been evicted since June 2020. But Walker repeated the accusation, referring to one of the Ten Commandments while accusing Warnock of lying. “Do not bear false witness,” he said. Warnock also criticized Walker for accusing him of being soft on crime. “My opponent has a problem with the truth,” he said. In a notable exchange, Warnock took aim at Walker’s erratic behavior in the past and his false claims he had worked in law enforcement. “One thing I’ve never done is pretend to be a police officer. I’ve never threatened a shoot-out with the cops,” Warnock said, referring to a reported incident between Walker and his estranged wife. Walker then produced some sort of badge, suggesting he was in law enforcement and prompting a moderator to repeatedly ask him to put the badge away, saying the rules of the debate barred the use of props. Another contrast between the candidates appeared on health care. Warnock called for expanding Medicaid to cover Georgians who are uninsured due to the state’s decision not to accept extra funding under the Affordable Care Act. Walker appeared flat-footed when asked if he favors Medicaid expansion, saying that “people have coverage for health care” and that he wants Georgians to “get off the government health care and get on the health care he’s got,” gesturing toward Warnock. GOP operatives, wary of Walker’s turbulent past, have been concerned for months about his prospects in a race that gave Democrats control of the 50-50 Senate in 2020 and may well be decisive again this fall. Although the abortion allegations haven’t completely upended the race, Walker has fallen slightly behind in the averages of public-opinion surveys on the race in the two weeks since the story broke. He now trails Warnock by more than 3 points, but most surveys show the race within the margin of error. The negative press dogging Walker has become so all-consuming that the race has become centered on him, prompting a super PAC backing the Republican to start running a TV ad this week that features years-old police body-camera footage of Warnock’s ex-wife weeping and accusing him of being abusive amid a divorce-related dispute, which Warnock denies. Republicans unsuccessfully sought to use the allegations to defeat Warnock in 2020. “I went through a divorce, like a lot of people,” Warnock said when asked about the claims, calling it a “painful period” and adding he remains close to his two children. “My children know that I am with them and for them, and that I support them in every single way that a father does.” Those same polls show Republican Gov. Brian Kemp with a healthy lead over Democratic challenger Stacy Abrams, a sign that Walker’s personal issues might be damaging him. Walker’s own internal polling shows he’s essentially tied with Warnock, who it says is winning independents and who is doing better among Democratic voters than Walker is among Republican voters. The polling also showed Libertarian Chase Oliver is drawing more Republican voters from Walker than Democratic voters from Warnock, putting pressure on Walker to make his case Friday to disaffected Republicans. But the race is so close, and Georgia politics are so unpredictable that operatives from both parties are bracing for the possibility that no candidate gets more than 50 percent of the vote, which would trigger a runoff in December. Later in the debate, Warnock wouldn’t say whether he wants Biden to run for re-election in 2024, telling the audience he hasn’t spent any time thinking about that and is focused on his race. Walker, however, said he would support a Trump 2024 bid. “Yes I would,” Walker said. Read More Here

High Inflation Locked In As Major Campaign Headwind For Dems: 'Motivating Issue' https://digitalarizonanews.com/high-inflation-locked-in-as-major-campaign-headwind-for-dems-motivating-issue/ Thursday’s inflation numbers said consumer prices rose faster than expected in September, and the inflation rate remained near 40-year highs, likely cementing voter worries about the state of the economy as they head to the polls in November. It was the last report on consumer inflation voters will see before they vote Nov. 8, and election watchers said inflation seems likely to be a major issue for voters, even as other issues like abortion and democracy compete for their attention. “It’s the kind of thing that impacts everyone at every level of our social status and economic status,” Matt Germer, a resident elections fellow for the libertarian R Street Institute, told Fox News Digital.  “We all buy groceries, we buy gasoline, we pay our utility bills. And when those are going up month after month, it’s putting budgets under pressure. And that’s the kind of thing that motivates people in November.” SOARING INFLATION DRIVES MORE AMERICANS TO LIVE PAYCHECK TO PAYCHECK DESPITE 501% INCREASE IN WAGES The Labor Department said Thursday the consumer price index, a broad measure of the price for everyday goods, including gasoline, groceries and rents, rose 0.4% in September from the previous month. Prices climbed 8.2% on an annual basis. Those figures were both higher than the 8.1% headline figure and 0.2% monthly increase forecast by Refinitiv economists. In an even more concerning development that suggests underlying inflationary pressures in the economy remain strong, core prices, which strip out the more volatile measurements of food and energy, climbed 0.6% in September from the previous month. From the same time last year, core prices jumped 6.6%, the fastest since 1982. Republicans have been attacking Democrats on the issue since last year and appear poised to keep hammering their opponents on that issue until Election Day. President Biden and top congressional Democrats backed the “Inflation Reduction Act” earlier this year in an effort to tame rising prices despite debate whether it will actually reduce inflation. (Demetrius Freeman/The Washington Post via Getty Images / Getty Images) “Every American is dealing with the out-of-control price hikes caused by Democrats’ reckless spending. That’s why poll after poll shows inflation is the No. 1 issue headed into the midterms.” National Republican Congressional Committee spokesman Mike Berg told Fox News Digital. Democrats argue that they’ve moved major pieces of legislation aimed at cutting inflation, including a bipartisan infrastructure bill and the Inflation Reduction Act, though Republicans dispute the claim it will actually lower inflation. YELLEN SAYS INFLATION FIGHT REMAINS TOP PRIORITY FOR BIDEN AFTER HOT SEPTEMBER REPORT “The only party with an actual economic plan is the Democratic Party,” Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee spokesperson Tommy Garcia told Fox News Digital. “We’re going to spend every day left in this campaign reminding voters that despite Republican obstruction, Democrats have taken bold action to lower costs, put millions of Americans to work and protect Americans’ reproductive freedoms.” Gas prices displayed at a station in Annapolis, Md., in March 2022 amid a surge in prices tied to the Russian war on Ukraine.  (Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images / Getty Images) Inflation continues to remain high in voters’ minds, but other issues that may be more favorable for Democrats are registering in recent polls. In a Fox News Poll conducted last month in Arizona, inflation was tied with abortion at 17% for the third most important issue for voters. Two issues tied for first at 18% — border security and the preservation of American democracy. A Fox News Poll in Wisconsin revealed that inflation was the second most important issue among voters in that state, at 20%. The preservation of American democracy ranked first at 24%. Abortion trailed at 16%. AFTER SEPTEMBER’S HOTTER-THAN-EXPECTED CPI REPORT, GOP LAWMAKER PREDICTS ‘EVEN BIGGER TURNOUT’ IN NOVEMBER In Pennsylvania, inflation was tied at 21% for the most important issue, along with the preservation of American democracy. Abortion registered at 15%. A shopper looks at organic produce at a supermarket in Montebello, Calif., Aug. 23, 2022. (Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images) / Getty Images) But Germer says when voters go to the polls, inflation will likely be the ultimate issue driving how they cast their ballots. “For months now, Democrats have been trying to make abortion the issue in the election cycle. And there are definitely some people out there where that really is the motivating issue for them. But that’s not most people,” Germer said. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ON FOX BUSINESS “I believe elections are important. I think there are some good ideas for reform,” Germer added. “I care very deeply about it. But that issue isn’t what’s driving people. It’s inflation.” FOX Business’ Megan Henney contributed to this report. Read More Here

Holiday Shopping Deals In October? – AZ Big Media https://digitalarizonanews.com/holiday-shopping-deals-in-october-az-big-media/ Shoppers have become accustomed to seeing holiday-themed items in stores earlier than expected, like Christmas or Hanukkah decorations in October, before Halloween. But online, Black Friday and Cyber Monday have dominated the hype for holiday shopping deals and the holiday shopping season — until now. Already, online retailers, like Amazon, and companies with an e-commerce presence, like Target, have been sprinkling in deals this October. But why this early? And who benefits from this the most? READ ALSO: Retail is making a comeback: Here’s what experts say READ ALSO: Scottsdale Fashion Square plans major south wing renovation ASU News talked to Hitendra Chaturvedi, a supply chain expert and professor of practice in the W. P. Carey School of Business about these earlier-than-early-bird deals. High inflation is a big factor, but so is the supply chain and the way consumers plan to shop for the holidays in the future, he says. Hitendra Chaturvedi Question: Why are some online retailers starting holiday sales in October? Answer: Most online retailers are starting holiday sales early as they are already seeing a slowing of demand from the consumers and they would like to take a share of the decreasing holiday shopping wallet as early as possible. Combine this with high retailer inventories, and you have a rush to sell as much as quickly as possible before buying winter sets in. Q: How will inflation and challenged supply chains impact holiday sales this year? A: Coming out of the pandemic, U.S. consumers spent on products like crazy. With supply chain challenges and shortages of products, this caused prices to skyrocket, but that did not stop the consumers from buying. Low interest rates, rising home prices, pandemic relief, low unemployment and high savings all led to buying like we have never seen before. Many companies made huge profits in this buying frenzy through inflation and shrinkflation. Many retailers, anticipating the same demand, ordered huge quantities this summer, and by the end of summer, they had their warehouses stocked to the gills with warehouse vacancy (at its) lowest in 27 years, at 3.4%. But then reality set in. As (the) Fed starts to raise interest rates to combat runaway inflation, it is causing the housing market to cool down significantly. With fuel prices stubbornly high, savings rates are the lowest since 2009, at 5.4%, and credit card debt is the highest in many years, at close to $900 billion; it is causing consumers to put the emergency brakes on spending. With consumer spending slowing down and retailers stuck with huge inventories — including Walmart, Nike, Target, Kohl’s, Best Buy and Amazon — the only remedy will be early and big discounts this holiday season. Q: Will an earlier holiday shopping season benefit the retailer or the consumer more? A: If there is a time to listen to your mom’s advice that “good things come to people who wait,” it is now. Retailers are starting holiday season early so they can sell at less discount, but as we approach holiday season, retailers will panic if they still have high inventory levels. That is when big discounts will come. Consumers will win if they exercise a little patience. Q: Will the early holiday sales trend stick, and could we potentially see the end of Black Friday or Cyber Monday in the future? A: In the past, with physical retail dominating sales, holiday shopping was concentrated to a few key days because it took a lot of preparation and cost to get stores ready. With online, it is much less expensive to launch a sale, so we will see holiday seasons start early, with many more Prime Days, Cyber Mondays and Black Fridays before the end of the year. We may even see new “named days” created by retailers just to sell more, and early. Retailers prefer early start because that minimizes their risk of concentrated holiday shopping days, and they will do whatever it takes to get the largest share of the holiday sales wallet of the consumer as early as possible. Amazon launching a second Prime Day in October is an example of such a trend. Q: Will we see a shift in consumer behavior and e-commerce trends with increased options to save money? A: The anticipated huge holiday shopping season that we all looked forward to will be a thing of the past. Holiday shopping season will start early, particularly by large retailers. But buying early may not mean saving money. With comparison shopping available, the way consumers can save money will be to know early what they want, keep a lookout for the products on their list and buy when they see a deal. Impulse buying and last-minute buying will be reduced. In the long run, (a) longer holiday season gives more predictability to retailers, which they like. For consumers, it gives them more time to shop around, so the smart, patient shopper will certainly save money. Read More Here

Joseph G. Ravas https://digitalarizonanews.com/joseph-g-ravas/ Joseph G. Ravas, 83, formerly of Oswego, Baldwinsville, and Mesa AZ, passed away peacefully on Sept. 30, 2022, in Oswego, NY, with family by his side. He was pre-deceased by his wife, Susan K. (Connor) Ravas. He is survived by his brother William (Cheryl) Ravas; his children, Mary (Brian) Cullen, Joseph (Laura) Ravas, and Richard (Christine) Ravas; and three grandsons, Kevin Cullen, Casey Ravas, and Cody Ravas. He is also survived by his cousins Joyce (Bill) Dunsmoor, Doris (Frank) May, and Peter (Barbara) DeCaire; and several nieces and nephews. Read More Here

As UK's Truss Fights For Her Job, New Finance Minister Warns Of Tough Decisions https://digitalarizonanews.com/as-uks-truss-fights-for-her-job-new-finance-minister-warns-of-tough-decisions/ PM Truss sacked finance minister on Friday New chancellor Hunt warns of tough decisions Ruling Conservatives have slumped in polls Some Conservative lawmakers say Truss will be ousted LONDON, Oct 15 (Reuters) – Britain’s new finance minister Jeremy Hunt said on Saturday some taxes would go up and tough spending decisions were needed, signalling further reversals from Prime Minister Liz Truss as she battles to keep her job just over a month into her term. In an attempt to appease financial markets that have been in turmoil for three weeks, Truss fired Kwasi Kwarteng as her chancellor of the exchequer on Friday and scrapped parts of their controversial economic package. read more With opinion poll ratings dire for both the ruling Conservative Party and the prime minister personally, and many of her own lawmakers asking, not if, but how Truss should be removed, she has turned to Hunt to help salvage her premiership less than 40 days after taking office. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com “We will have some very difficult decisions ahead,” Hunt said as he toured TV and radio studios to give a blunt assessment of the situation the country faced, saying Truss and Kwarteng had made mistakes. “The thing that people want, the markets want, the country needs now, is stability,” Hunt said. “No chancellor can control the markets. But what I can do is show that we can pay for our tax and spending plans and that is going to need some very difficult decisions on both spending and tax.” Truss won the leadership contest to replace Boris Johnson on a platform of big tax cuts to stimulate growth, which Kwarteng duly announced last month. But the absence of any details of how the cuts would be funded sent the markets into meltdown. She has now ditched plans to cut tax for high earners, and said a levy on business would increase, abandoning her proposal to keep it at current levels. But it is not clear if that has gone far enough to satisfy investors. read more Hunt is due to announce the government’s medium-term budget plans on Oct. 31, in what will be a key test of its ability to show it can restore its economic policy credibility. He said further changes to Truss’s plans were possible. “Giving certainty over public finances, how we’re going to pay for every penny that we get through the tax and spending decisions we make, those are very, very important ways that I can give certainty and help create the stability,” he said. He cautioned spending would not rise by as much as people would like and all government departments were going to have to find more efficiencies than they were planning. “Some taxes will not be cut as quickly as people want, and some taxes will go up. So it’s going to be difficult,” he said, adding that he would sit down with Treasury officials on Saturday before meeting Truss on Sunday to go through the plans. ‘MISTAKES MADE’ Kwarteng’s Sept. 23 fiscal statement prompted a backlash in financial markets that was so ferocious the Bank of England (BoE) had to intervene to prevent pension funds being caught up in the chaos as borrowing costs surged. Hunt, an experienced minister and viewed by many in his party as a safe pair of hands, said he agreed with Truss’s fundamental strategy of kickstarting economic growth, adding that their approach had not worked. “There were some mistakes made in the last few weeks. That’s why I’m sitting here. It was a mistake to cut the top rate of tax at a period when we’re asking everyone to make sacrifices,” he said. It was also a mistake, Hunt said, to “fly blind” and produce the tax plans without allowing the independent fiscal watchdog, the Office for Budget Responsibility, to check the figures. The fact that Hunt is Britain’s fourth finance minister in four months is testament to a political crisis that has gripped Britain since Johnson was ousted following a series of scandals. Hunt said Truss should be judged at an election and on her performance over the next 18 months – not the last 18 days. However, she might not get that chance. During the leadership contest, Truss won support from less than a third of Conservative lawmakers and has appointed her backers since taking office – alienating those who support her rivals. The appointment of Hunt, who ran to be leader himself and then backed her main rival ex-finance minister Rishi Sunak, has been seen as a sign of her reaching out, but the move did little to placate some of her party critics. “It’s over for her,” one such Conservative lawmakers told Reuters after Friday’s events. The next key test will come on Monday, when the British government bond market functions for the first time without the emergency buying support provided by the BoE since Sept. 28. Gilt prices plunged late on Friday after Truss’s announcement. Newspapers said Truss’s position was in jeopardy, but with no appetite in the party or country for another leadership election, it was unclear how she could be replaced. read more “Even Liz Truss’s most loyal allies, viewing the matter through the most rose-tinted glasses available, must now wonder how she can survive,” the Daily Mail tabloid, which had previously given Truss strong support, said in its editorial. “Yet what is the alternative?” Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Reporting by Michael Holden, Alistair Smout and William Schomberg Editing by Emelia Sithole-Matarise and Helen Popper Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. Read More Here

AP News Summary At 8:40 A.m. EDT https://digitalarizonanews.com/ap-news-summary-at-840-a-m-edt-2/ Justice Dept. seeks end to arbiter’s review of Trump docs WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department has asked a federal appeals court to overturn a judge’s appointment of an independent arbiter to review documents seized during an FBI search of former President Donald Trump’s Florida estate. The appeal is the latest salvo in weeks of litigation over the scope of duties of the arbiter, also known as a special master. He was assigned last month by a judge to inspect the thousands of records taken in the Aug. 8 search of Mar-a-Lago and weed out from the investigation any that may be protected by claims of legal privilege. Ukraine: Russia hits power site by Kyiv, guards seized land A missile strike has seriously damaged a key energy facility in Ukraine’s capital region, The governor of the Kyiv region said Saturday’s strike didn’t kill or wound anyone. The country’s power system operator said repair crews were working to restore power but warned residents about possible outages. The Russian military strove to cut water and electricity in populated areas of Ukraine this week after a truck bomb explosion damaged the bridge that links Russia to the annexed Crimean Peninsula. Regions of southern Ukraine that Russian President Vladimir Putin illegally designated as Russian territory last month remained a focus of fighting on Saturday. Ukrainian deminers remove deadly threats to civilians HRAKOVE, Ukraine (AP) — A group of Ukrainian deminers with the country’s territorial defense forces is working to clear an area in the Kharkiv region of dozens of deadly mines and pieces of unexploded ordnance. The brigade is pushing to restore a semblance of safety to the cities, towns and countryside in a region that spent months under Russian occupation. The deminers swept a remote area with metal detectors, searching for mines left behind by Russian forces that retreated from the region at the beginning of September. While many settlements in the region have finally achieved some measure of safety after fierce battles reduced many of them to rubble, Russian land mines remain an ever-present threat in both urban and rural environments. New UK Treasury chief: Mistakes were made, tax rises coming LONDON (AP) — Britain’s new Treasury chief has acknowledged mistakes made by his predecessor and suggested that he may reverse much of Conservative Prime Minister Liz Truss’ tax-cutting plans, in order to bring stability to the country after weeks of economic and political turbulence. Jeremy Hunt was brought in Friday to replace Kwasi Kwarteng and restore order in Truss’ administration. He warned of “difficult decisions” to come, saying taxes could rise and public spending budgets would likely be squeezed further in the coming months. Truss had previously insisted that her tax-cutting plans were what Britain needs to boost economic growth. But a “mini-budget” which she and Kwarteng unveiled in September sent the British pound tumbling and left her credibility in tatters. Kemp vs. Abrams II: Republican has incumbent advantage now ATLANTA (AP) — The Georgia governor’s race is a rematch of 2018, when Republican Brian Kemp narrowly defeated Democrat Stacey Abrams. But circumstances have changed. This time, it is Kemp who holds a lot of advantages as he seeks reelection. Abrams is trying to rekindle the star power that had people talking about her being president one day. Kemp became the target of Donald Trump’s wrath when the defeated president threatened retribution after Kemp certified Democrat Joe Biden’s slate of presidential electors in Georgia. But not only did Kemp maintain support among most Republican voters while defying Trump, he seems to have only grown stronger heading into his rematch with Abrams. Biden’s pot pardons could boost states’ legalization drives LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — President Joe Biden’s decision to pardon thousands of people convicted of simple possession of marijuana under federal law could give a boost to Election Day ballot proposals in five states that would legalize the drug. Voters in Arkansas, Maryland, Missouri, North Dakota and South Dakota will take up proposals to legalize recreational marijuana. Experts say Biden’s pardon decision could win over some voters on the fence about the idea. Recreational marijuana is legal in 19 states and opposition to legalization has softened despite federal resistance. Opponents of the measures say they see Biden’s pardons having little impact on the campaigns. US shift on Venezuelan migrants fuels anxiety in Mexico TIJUANA, Mexico (AP) — The Biden administration’s policy shift on Venezuelan migrants may pose an enormous challenge to overstretched Mexican shelters. The U.S. has coupled plans to let up to 24,000 Venezuelans apply online to fly to the U.S. for temporary stays with a pledge to immediately turn back Venezuelans who cross the border illegally from Mexico. The rapid expulsions expand a Trump-era policy that denies rights to seek asylum on grounds of preventing the spread of COVID-19. Venezuelans have suddenly become the second-largest nationality at the U.S. border after Mexicans, a growing challenge to President Joe Biden and neighboring allies. Is Alex Jones verdict the death of disinformation? Unlikely NEW YORK (AP) — The award of nearly $1 billion to parents of Sandy Hook shooting victims to compensate for harmful lies spread by fabulist Alex Jones isn’t likely to do much to curb disinformation, experts say. Conspiracy theories have roots too deep in American history and, as Jones proved, there’s a lot of money to be made now in spreading them. Because the ruling involved private citizens and not public figures, many purveyors of disinformation will be able to get around it. Media experts are next looking to a potential trial or settlement in the lawsuit by the Dominion voting system against Fox News for spreading disinformation about the 2020 election. Death toll rises to 40 in Turkey coal mine explosion AMASRA, Turkey (AP) — Funerals for the miners killed in a coal mine explosion in northern Turkey began Saturday as officials raised the death toll to at least 40 people. There were 110 miners working in the mine when the explosion occurred Friday evening at the state-owned Turkish Hard Coal Enterprise’s (TTK) mine in the town of Amasra, in the Black Sea coastal province of Bartin. Officials said 11 miners were injured and hospitalized, while 58 others managed to get out of the mine on their own or were rescued unharmed. The status of one remaining miner was unclear. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrived at the scene after tweeting that any neglect would be punished. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Read More Here

Judge Dismisses 1 Of 5 Counts Against Trump Dossier Source https://digitalarizonanews.com/judge-dismisses-1-of-5-counts-against-trump-dossier-source/ ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) — A judge has tossed out one of five counts against a think-tank analyst charged with lying to the FBI about his role in the creation of a flawed dossier about former President Donald Trump. The remaining counts against Igor Danchenko will go to a jury Monday after both sides rested their cases Friday. But the judge reserved the right to toss out the other four counts regardless of what the jury decides. In the count that was tossed out, prosecutors alleged that Danchenko lied when he told an agent he never talked with a Democratic operative named Charles Dolan about the information in the dossier. As it turns out, there was evidence that Dolan and Danchenko had discussed the information over email but hadn’t spoken orally. ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) — A judge on Friday tossed out one of five counts against a think-tank analyst charged with lying to the FBI about his role in the creation of a flawed dossier about former President Donald Trump. The remaining four counts against Igor Danchenko will go to a jury Monday after prosecutors and the defense rested their cases Friday. But Judge Anthony Trenga reserved the right to toss out the other four counts regardless of what the jury decides. In the count that was tossed out, prosecutors alleged that Danchenko lied to the FBI when he told an agent that he never “talked” with a Democratic operative named Charles Dolan about the information in the dossier. As it turns out, there was evidence that Dolan and Danchenko had discussed the information over email. Defense attorneys argued that Danchenko’s response was literally true because they did not talk orally, and the question the FBI agent asked specifically referenced talking. Trenga agreed, and he said that accepting the prosecution’s argument that the question had a broader context than mere talking would result in “divorcing words from their common meaning.” Danchenko is being prosecuted by Special Counsel John Durham, who was appointed by then-Attorney General William Barr to investigate any misconduct in the FBI’s investigation of the Trump campaign and its alleged ties to Russia. Danchenko is the third person to be prosecuted by Durham. It is the first of Durham’s cases that delves deeply into the origins of the “Steele dossier,” which alleged connections between Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign and the Kremlin. and which Trump derided as fake news and a political witch hunt. Durham’s other two cases resulted in an acquittal and a guilty plea with a sentence of probation. Testimony this week at trial has highlighted Durham’s difficulty in proving his allegations. Two key FBI witnesses for the prosecution ended up providing testimony that was highly favorable to Danchenko, resulting in the unusual spectacle of Durham seeking to eviscerate the credibility of his own witnesses on re-direct. In the remaining counts that will go forward, prosecutors argue that Danchenko fabricated interactions with a supposed source named Sergei Millian, who was a former president of the Russian-American Chamber of Commerce. Defense lawyers say Danchenko received an anonymous call from a person he believed to be Millian, and that Danchenko was forthright from the beginning with the FBI that while he suspected the call came from Millian he was not certain. Prosecutors say that if Danchenko had been more forthcoming about his sources the FBI would have been better equipped to judge the veracity of the dossier. The FBI ended up using the allegations in the dossier to obtain court-ordered surveillance against a Trump campaign official, Carter Page, even though the FBI was never able to corroborate any of the dossier’s allegations. Trenga’s decision to dismiss one of the five counts came Friday afternoon after prosecutors rested their case. Defense lawyers, who have consistently criticized the case as prosecutorial overreach, said the evidence put forward by prosecutors fell far short of anything a reasonable juror could use to convict. “This nightmare of a case for Mr. Danchenko, it should end today,” defense attorney Stuart Sears told the judge. Copyright 2022 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Sign up for the Headlines Newsletter and receive up to date information. Read More Here

Putin's Nuclear Threats Are Pushing People Like Trump And Elon Musk To Press For A Ukraine Peace Deal. A Nuclear Expert Warns That's 'dangerous.' https://digitalarizonanews.com/putins-nuclear-threats-are-pushing-people-like-trump-and-elon-musk-to-press-for-a-ukraine-peace-deal-a-nuclear-expert-warns-thats-dangerous/ Growing fear of nuclear war has prompted calls for an immediate settlement to end the war in Ukraine. But abandoning support for Ukraine now could spur Russia and others to make more nuclear threats. “Just giving in at this point would actually be dangerous,” nuclear expert Pavel Podvig told Insider. Loading Something is loading. Thanks for signing up! Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you’re on the go. An understandable desire to avoid a nuclear war could actually make the world more dangerous if it means rushing to implement a “peace” in Ukraine that serves Russian interests, an expert told Insider. Such a move, which some influential figures have called for, risks setting a precedent that atomic blackmail is the way to win wars and take territory troops can’t otherwise hold, a model that could be copycatted by even the weakest nuclear-armed states, and may only succeed at delaying another war. Pavel Podvig, an expert on Russia’s nuclear doctrine and capabilities at the UN Institute for Disarmament Research, said in a phone interview from Geneva that such a deal — on terms deemed favorable by Moscow, in the wake of battlefield losses and in explicit response to the Kremlin’s nuclear brinkmanship — could well make the world much less peaceful. “The West supports Ukraine with weapons and financial and moral and political support. Giving that up and saying that, ‘Well, you know, we are too afraid of nuclear threats and so we just want to make a deal’ — that would certainly set a precedent that would not be very positive,” Podvig said. “If you yield to this nuclear threat once, then what would prevent Russia in the future — or others — to do the same thing again?” “Just giving in at this point,” he continued, “would actually be dangerous.” Talk of nuclear Armageddon has grown to a fervor in recent weeks as Russian President Vladimir Putin, his military losing ground in what was originally intended to be a 72-hour regime-change operation, has doubled down on existential threats to Ukraine and partner nations. “If the territorial integrity of our country is threatened, we will certainly use all the means at our disposal to protect Russia and our people,” Putin said in a speech last month, just before nominally expanding Russia’s borders by illegally annexing swaths of eastern Ukraine. “This is not a bluff,” he said. Although experts and intelligence agencies have seen no signs that Russia is preparing to match its leader’s rhetorical belligerence with a nuclear strike, the prospect of such an attack, however minuscule, is nonetheless a source of growing concern given the unpredictability of military conflict and speculation over the mental state of the man who started the war in Ukraine.  Some observers, in good or bad faith, have cited the possibility of the unthinkable as all the more reason to negotiate a ceasefire and have at times criticized the US administration they see as leading the world to the precipice of nuclear conflict with its steady stream of aid to Ukraine. “We must demand the immediate negotiation of a peaceful end to the war in Ukraine, or we will end up in World War III and there will be nothing left of our planet,” former President Donald Trump said at a rally this month, attacking the “stupid people” who “don’t understand the power of nuclear.” The terms of such negotiations are typically left to the imagination. Ukraine has said it will never sign away territory currently occupied by Moscow — after Russia annexed Ukrainian land, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy declared that any peace talks were off the table — while the Kremlin has itself sabotaged previous negotiations with maximalist demands that Ukraine disarm and abandon ties with its European partners to become a de facto adjunct of Russia. Tesla CEO Elon Musk,arguing that allowing the conflict in Ukraine to continue could result in a “nuclear war,” spelled out this month what a potential peace could look like, tweeting out a plan that would see Ukraine swear off its NATO aspirations and allow for the possibility of Russia to hold on to the land it has captured, including Crimea, which Musk said had been mistakenly given to Ukraine in the first place by the Soviet Union. Musk’s proposal was derided by Ukraine, with one Ukrainian diplomat telling him to “fuck off,” but welcomed by the Kremlin amid reports, disputed by the tech billionaire, that it was presented after consultations with Moscow.  Though his plan was met with criticism and few outside Russia took Musk’s proposal seriously, his critics acknowledge his stated motivation — the possibility of nuclear war — is a real concern. In discussions with Insider, Podvig said that Russia could decide to use nuclear weapons if its hold over Crimea were threatened. Political analyst Ian Bremmer said that Musk told him in a recent interview that such a possibility drove his decision to block Ukraine’s access to the Starlink satellite internet service on the peninsula. Podvig also said that instead of a small, “tactical” nuclear weapon, Russia would likely — if the purpose was to make a demonstration of its resolve to Kyiv and the West — elect instead to go big and destroy an entire city to achieve the necessary “shock.” “You really would have to kill a lot of people,” Podvig said. “We are talking about tens, maybe hundreds of thousands of people. And you would have to do that very much in cold blood.” He doesn’t think Russia is anywhere near that point, arguing that it’s not at all a sure thing that the Russian military would carry out an unequivocal war crime on such a scale. He also stressed that we would likely know if it were planning such a move because Moscow would want to broadcast its intentions for the same reason it threatens to go nuclear today: to get the West to back down. Though Podvig argued that a rushed peace agreement tilted in Russia’s favor would only encourage nuclear blackmail and drive home the point that only by possessing and threatening to use of nuclear weapons can a nation achieve it security goals, he also said there are real risks associated with going in the other direction. Direct intervention in Ukraine by the US or other NATO members, such as boots on the ground or planes in the sky, could lead Russia to conclude that it faces an existential threat, providing a clearer rationale for going nuclear. “That’s directly the path to escalation, in my view,” Podvig said. There is an alternative to abandonment or escalation: diplomacy that cannot be misread as surrender, he explained. By maintaining support for Ukrainian resistance, without slipping into the pitfalls of direct intervention, the US and its allies could hold onto the moral high ground necessary to “preemptively mobilize the world community, all states, in condemnation of any even attempt to bring nuclear weapons into this conflict,” Podvig said. Instead of capitulation, dressed up in a universal desire for peace, he argued, “You could in effect show – demonstrate in practice — that nuclear weapons are not a useful instrument of terror and compellence.” Have a news tip? Email this reporter: cdavis@insider.com Read More Here

Dems Fear Kari Lake Will Be Arizona's Governor, And A Major MAGA Star https://digitalarizonanews.com/dems-fear-kari-lake-will-be-arizonas-governor-and-a-major-maga-star/ Former President Trump with Kari Lake at a rally in Arizona. Photo: Mario Tama/Getty Images Democratic Party strategists are watching Arizona’s Kari Lake with growing alarm. Why it matters: As some see it, Lake — a 2020 election denier — could easily win the state’s gubernatorial race and threaten its 2024 election processes. And with the talent she’s already displayed even as a political novice, they see her potential to soar to a vice presidential spot or a post-Trump presidential candidacy. Zoom in: Of this year’s midterm elections slate of “ultra MAGA” candidates, Lake has perhaps the best chance of winning. The polls are neck-and-neck. Some Democrats are venting frustration that Katie Hobbs is not presenting a stronger challenge to Lake. Hobbs has refused to debate Lake, which some say signals fear and amounts to “political malpractice.” What they’re saying: David Plouffe, the architect of Barack Obama’s 2008 victory, told Axios that Lake looks like a “plausible presidential candidate.” David Axelrod, another key former Obama adviser, offered this assessment of Lake’s 20+ years in Arizona local TV before her entrance last year into politics: “If you get a candidate who has the performance skills of a major market local TV anchor and the philosophy and thinking of Steve Bannon, that’s a potent and dangerous combination … Look at Italy.” Former President Donald Trump’s advisers view Lake as the most politically potent of the “stop the steal” candidates. She is every bit as hardcore an election denier as Pennsylvania gubernatorial candidate Doug Mastriano, but infinitely more suited to the age of social media videos and quick TV hits. Lake is skilled at creating viral moments by dressing down reporters and eviscerating the mainstream media. The 53-year-old former news anchor left journalism altogether in 2021, saying she didn’t like how much media has changed since she started. Behind the scenes: Lake has other advantages that are less visible. Unlike Mastriano, she has been embraced by top figures in the Republican establishment. She is benefiting from their money and connections. Doug Ducey, Arizona’s outgoing GOP governor and chair of the Republican Governors Association, opposed Lake in her primary. But now, he’s backing her with great energy. Lake has also charmed Arizona GOP donors, including members of the state’s political establishment, according to sources who have witnessed the interactions. In private meetings and on calls with donors, RGA officials have made clear they are prepared to spend aggressively to get Lake across the finish line. “Voters have a clear choice and we’re confident they’ll make Kari Lake their next governor,” RGA spokesman Jesse Hunt told Axios. Between the lines: If Lake wins the governorship, Democrats anticipate that her future endorsements will be sought after, that she will be giving fiery speeches around the country, and that she will have a standing invitation on Fox News. Her absence of governing experience and decades of daily TV experience make her a perfect match for aspects of this political moment. “That’s what’s changed a lot in our politics. There’s a performance aspect to it in both parties,” Plouffe said. “Obama and Trump accelerated that change in many respects, which is that you don’t have to sit around for 20 years building your case,” he said. “If you’ve got something compelling to say and you can organize a campaign online, you’re a plausible presidential candidate.” The bottom line: Former senior Hillary Clinton adviser Karen Finney said Lake represents “a more polished version” of MAGA. “I’m sure a big part of why Trump likes her is that TV experience,” Finney said. (Fact check: True!) “In the same way he understood how to use media and avoid questions that he didn’t want to answer, she certainly has that.” The other side: “Kari Lake is all spectacle and no substance and we’re confident voters will see right through it,” said Josselyn Berry, a spokesperson for the Arizona Democratic Party. Read More Here

Social Security COLA 2023, Live Online Today: Increase, Benefits And Adjustment | SSA Latest News https://digitalarizonanews.com/social-security-cola-2023-live-online-today-increase-benefits-and-adjustment-ssa-latest-news-3/ 2023 Social Security COLA: Latest News “The higher-than-expected COLA costs could have long term implications for Social Security solvency, and could potentially move the insolvency date, currently around 2034, forward.” COLA 2023 official announcement If you like to hear your communications straight from the financial benefits horse’s mouth, then here you go… How to get Social Security help? The best way for people with access to the internet to get help from Social Security is online at ssa.gov. For those unable to use the website, an 800 Number is available (1-800-772-1213) or call your local Social Security office for help. For quicker access to a representative at the National 800 Number, try calling early in the day (between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. local time) or later in the afternoon (between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. local time). Welcome to AS USA 2023 COLA increase updates Hello and welcome to AS USA’s live blog on the 2023 Social Security COLA increase for Saturday, 15 October.  The Social Security Adminstration announced the 2023 Cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for social security benefits, for programs like Supplemental Security Income and Social Security Disability Insurance. Other government pension and benefits programs will also be affected by the 8.7% increase. The COLA offered for next year is historic in size after inflation has plagued markets for basic commodities consumed by most households, including food, shelter, utilities, and gasoline.   Read More Here

US: Trump Backed Candidate Walker Opposes Abortion Without Exceptions https://digitalarizonanews.com/us-trump-backed-candidate-walker-opposes-abortion-without-exceptions/ With the crucial midterms inching closer, Georgia witnessed a fierce televised debate. It was between Democratic US Senator Rafael Warner and Republican Herschel Walker. Read More Here

AP News Summary At 7:28 A.m. EDT https://digitalarizonanews.com/ap-news-summary-at-728-a-m-edt/ Justice Dept. seeks end to arbiter’s review of Trump docs WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department has asked a federal appeals court to overturn a judge’s appointment of an independent arbiter to review documents seized during an FBI search of former President Donald Trump’s Florida estate. The appeal is the latest salvo in weeks of litigation over the scope of duties of the arbiter, also known as a special master. He was assigned last month by a judge to inspect the thousands of records taken in the Aug. 8 search of Mar-a-Lago and weed out from the investigation any that may be protected by claims of legal privilege. Ukraine: Russia hits power site by Kyiv, guards seized land A missile strike has seriously damaged a key energy facility in Ukraine’s capital region, The governor of the Kyiv region said Saturday’s strike didn’t kill or wound anyone. The country’s power system operator said repair crews were working to restore power but warned residents about possible outages. The Russian military strove to cut water and electricity in populated areas of Ukraine this week after a truck bomb explosion damaged the bridge that links Russia to the annexed Crimean Peninsula. Regions of southern Ukraine that Russian President Vladimir Putin illegally designated as Russian territory last month remained a focus of fighting on Saturday. Ukrainian deminers remove deadly threats to civilians HRAKOVE, Ukraine (AP) — A group of Ukrainian deminers with the country’s territorial defense forces is working to clear an area in the Kharkiv region of dozens of deadly mines and pieces of unexploded ordnance. The brigade is pushing to restore a semblance of safety to the cities, towns and countryside in a region that spent months under Russian occupation. The deminers swept a remote area with metal detectors, searching for mines left behind by Russian forces that retreated from the region at the beginning of September. While many settlements in the region have finally achieved some measure of safety after fierce battles reduced many of them to rubble, Russian land mines remain an ever-present threat in both urban and rural environments. New UK Treasury chief: Mistakes were made, tax rises coming LONDON (AP) — Britain’s new Treasury chief has acknowledged mistakes made by his predecessor and suggested that he may reverse much of Conservative Prime Minister Liz Truss’ tax-cutting plans, in order to bring stability to the country after weeks of economic and political turbulence. Jeremy Hunt was brought in Friday to replace Kwasi Kwarteng and restore order in Truss’ administration. He warned of “difficult decisions” to come, saying taxes could rise and public spending budgets would likely be squeezed further in the coming months. Truss had previously insisted that her tax-cutting plans were what Britain needs to boost economic growth. But a “mini-budget” which she and Kwarteng unveiled in September sent the British pound tumbling and left her credibility in tatters. Kemp vs. Abrams II: Republican has incumbent advantage now ATLANTA (AP) — The Georgia governor’s race is a rematch of 2018, when Republican Brian Kemp narrowly defeated Democrat Stacey Abrams. But circumstances have changed. This time, it is Kemp who holds a lot of advantages as he seeks reelection. Abrams is trying to rekindle the star power that had people talking about her being president one day. Kemp became the target of Donald Trump’s wrath when the defeated president threatened retribution after Kemp certified Democrat Joe Biden’s slate of presidential electors in Georgia. But not only did Kemp maintain support among most Republican voters while defying Trump, he seems to have only grown stronger heading into his rematch with Abrams. US shift on Venezuelan migrants fuels anxiety in Mexico TIJUANA, Mexico (AP) — The Biden administration’s policy shift on Venezuelan migrants may pose an enormous challenge to overstretched Mexican shelters. The U.S. has coupled plans to let up to 24,000 Venezuelans apply online to fly to the U.S. for temporary stays with a pledge to immediately turn back Venezuelans who cross the border illegally from Mexico. The rapid expulsions expand a Trump-era policy that denies rights to seek asylum on grounds of preventing the spread of COVID-19. Venezuelans have suddenly become the second-largest nationality at the U.S. border after Mexicans, a growing challenge to President Joe Biden and neighboring allies. Is Alex Jones verdict the death of disinformation? Unlikely NEW YORK (AP) — The award of nearly $1 billion to parents of Sandy Hook shooting victims to compensate for harmful lies spread by fabulist Alex Jones isn’t likely to do much to curb disinformation, experts say. Conspiracy theories have roots too deep in American history and, as Jones proved, there’s a lot of money to be made now in spreading them. Because the ruling involved private citizens and not public figures, many purveyors of disinformation will be able to get around it. Media experts are next looking to a potential trial or settlement in the lawsuit by the Dominion voting system against Fox News for spreading disinformation about the 2020 election. EXPLAINER: What to expect from China’s party congress BEIJING (AP) — China’s ruling Communist Party is holding its twice-a-decade national congress starting Sunday. That’s where President Xi Jinping is expected to receive a third five-year term as the uncontested head of the party, government and military of the world’s second-largest economy. The event proceedings are shrouded in secrecy, as is typical in China’s authoritarian one-party state. But the weeklong congress is expected to produce a new set of leaders handpicked by Xi. Xi faces no term limits and has yet to indicate a successor after a decade in the top spot. If past protocols are followed, the new leadership will be unveiled the day after the congress closes. Death toll rises to 40 in Turkey coal mine explosion AMASRA, Turkey (AP) — Funerals for the miners killed in a coal mine explosion in northern Turkey began Saturday as officials raised the death toll to at least 40 people. There were 110 miners working in the mine when the explosion occurred Friday evening at the state-owned Turkish Hard Coal Enterprise’s (TTK) mine in the town of Amasra, in the Black Sea coastal province of Bartin. Officials said 11 miners were injured and hospitalized, while 58 others managed to get out of the mine on their own or were rescued unharmed. The status of one remaining miner was unclear. Parkland shooter’s life sentence could bring changes to law FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — The life sentence about to be imposed on Florida school shooter Nikolas Cruz could bring changes to the state’s death penalty law. Until recently, Florida law allowed the imposition of a death sentence if a majority of the jury agreed. But after the U.S. and state supreme courts rejected those laws, the Florida Legislature in 2017 voted to require jury unanimity for a death sentence to be imposed. That’s why Cruz will get life without parole, even though his jury voted 9-3 Thursday to support his execution. Relatives of Cruz’s victims and others say the law should now be changed. Cruz murdered 17 people at Parkland’s Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in 2018. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Read More Here

Suspect Shot Two Victims In Neighbourhood And Five More On Hiking Trail – Live https://digitalarizonanews.com/suspect-shot-two-victims-in-neighbourhood-and-five-more-on-hiking-trail-live/ Five dead, including police officer, in North Carolina shooting Five people were killed by a shooter who opened fire along a walking trail in North Carolina’s capital city on Thursday and eluded police for hours before he was cornered in a home and arrested, police said. Law enforcement officials identified the victims of the shooting on Friday. An off-duty police officer was among those killed by the suspect, whom police only described as a white, 15-year-old male. The suspect was arrested around 9.37pm after evading capture for hours and hiding inside a home, authorities said. Gunfire broke out around 5pm, along the Neuse River Greenway in a residential area northeast of downtown, Raleigh Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin said. Officers from numerous law enforcement agencies swarmed the area, closing roads and warning residents to stay inside while they searched for the shooter. Two people, including another police officer, were also taken to hospitals. “Tonight terror has reached our doorstep. The nightmare of every community has come to Raleigh. This is a senseless horrific and infuriating act of violence that has been committed,” governor Roy Cooper told reporters. Registration is a free and easy way to support our truly independent journalism By registering, you will also enjoy limited access to Premium articles, exclusive newsletters, commenting, and virtual events with our leading journalists Email Please enter a valid email Please enter a valid email Password Must be at least 6 characters, include an upper and lower case character and a number Must be at least 6 characters, include an upper and lower case character and a number Must be at least 6 characters, include an upper and lower case character and a number First name Please enter your first name Special characters aren’t allowed Please enter a name between 1 and 40 characters Last name Please enter your last name Special characters aren’t allowed Please enter a name between 1 and 40 characters You must be over 18 years old to register You must be over 18 years old to register Year of birth I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent.  Read our Privacy notice You can opt-out at any time by signing in to your account to manage your preferences. Each email has a link to unsubscribe. Already have an account? sign in Registration is a free and easy way to support our truly independent journalism By registering, you will also enjoy limited access to Premium articles, exclusive newsletters, commenting, and virtual events with our leading journalists Email Please enter a valid email Please enter a valid email Password Must be at least 6 characters, include an upper and lower case character and a number Must be at least 6 characters, include an upper and lower case character and a number Must be at least 6 characters, include an upper and lower case character and a number First name Please enter your first name Special characters aren’t allowed Please enter a name between 1 and 40 characters Last name Please enter your last name Special characters aren’t allowed Please enter a name between 1 and 40 characters You must be over 18 years old to register You must be over 18 years old to register Year of birth I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent.  Read our Privacy notice You can opt-out at any time by signing in to your account to manage your preferences. Each email has a link to unsubscribe. Already have an account? sign in Read More Here

Kamikaze Drones Hit Zaporizhzhia As Rocket Strikes Kyiv, Ukrainian Officials Say | CNN https://digitalarizonanews.com/kamikaze-drones-hit-zaporizhzhia-as-rocket-strikes-kyiv-ukrainian-officials-say-cnn/ Ukrainian commanders show video of drone strikes on Russian targets 03:32 – Source: CNN CNN  —  Ukrainian officials say the southern city of Zaporizhzhia came under attack again from Russian forces early Saturday, in an assault involving kamikaze drones and missiles. The city was struck by “10 or more” C300 missiles Saturday morning, following four strikes by “kamikaze” drones overnight, said Oleksandr Starukh, the head of Zaporizhzhia’s regional military administration. “As a result of the Shahed-136 UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) attack, infrastructure facilities in the city of Zaporizhzhia were destroyed. Fires broke out, which were contained in time by our rescuers. There are no casualties,” Starukh said. The city’s acting mayor Anatoliy Kurtev also reported what he referred to as an “insidious attack on Zaporizhzhia with kamikaze drones” in a Telegram post. Kamikaze drones, or suicide drones, are a type of aerial weapon system. They are known as a loitering munition because they are capable of waiting for some time in an area identified as a potential target and only strike once an enemy asset is identified. The Ukrainian military and US intelligence say Russia is using Iranian-made attack drones in Ukraine. US officials told CNN in July that Iran had begun showcasing Shahed series drones to Russia at Kashan Airfield south of Tehran the previous month. The drones are capable of carrying precision-guided missiles and have a payload of about 50 kilograms (110 pounds). The city of Zaporizhzhia houses Europe’s largest nuclear plant and shelling in the area has previously sparked fears of a nuclear disaster. The apparent attacks on the city came as Ukrainian officials claimed the capital Kyiv had been hit by an apparent Russian rocket. Civilians in and around the capital, Kyiv were warned to remain in shelters until air raid sirens stopped. “All services are working, rescue teams are on site,” said the head of Kyiv regional state administration Oleksiy Kuleba in a Telegram post. “Stay in your shelters until the air raid sirens stop. Do not record the place of impact and do not post photos and videos on social networks.” Kuleba said no casualties had been reported. A major energy infrastructure facility in the Kyiv region was also left severely damaged after a Russian missile attack early Saturday, according to Ukraine’s energy operator. Ukrenergo warned about the possibility of rolling blackouts on Telegram, urging local residents to save electricity from 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. local time Saturday so specialists could carry out essential restoration work. Russian shelling on the frontline killed at least one person and left another three injured over the past day. A 66-year-old civilian was killed by shelling in Kharkiv district close to the Russian border, according to a military official. Moscow also bombarded the settlements of Kharkiv, Izyum, Kupiansk and Chuhuyiv districts, the head of the Kharkiv Regional Military Adminstration, Oleh Syniehubov, said on Telegram. A 74-year-old man was also injured in the Kupiansk district. Houses and commercial buildings were damaged in Vovchansk, where fires broke out due to shelling. Separately, a 65-year-old man was seriously injured when his car ran over a mine in the Chuhuyiv district, Syniehubov added. Further south, Russian shelling in the Dniper-river town of Nikopol left a 35-year-old man and a 42-year-old woman hospitalized, according to a military official. Critical infrastructure including high-rise buildings, a transport company and several shops and offices were struck, according to Valentyn Reznichenko, head of the Dnipropetrovsk Regional Military Administration. Read More Here

Here Is Today https://digitalarizonanews.com/here-is-today-18/ Tucson folks should be prepared for high temperatures. It looks to reach a balmy 87 degrees. We’ll see a low temperature of 67 degrees today. How likely is it that it’ll rain on your picnic? The weather forecast calls for a 40% chance of rain. The area will see gentle winds today, with forecast showing winds from Southeast, clocking in at 6 mph. This report is created automatically with weather data provided by TownNews.com. Keep an eye on tucson.com for forecast information and severe weather updates. Local Weather Get the daily forecast and severe weather alerts in your inbox! The Tucson area can expect a hot day. It looks to reach a warm 83 degrees. We’ll see a low temperature of 62 degrees today. The Tucson area sh… Tucson folks should be prepared for high temperatures. It should reach a balmy 85 degrees. 62 degrees is today’s low. The Tucson area should s… The forecast is showing a hot day in Tucson. It looks to reach a balmy 86 degrees. Today’s forecasted low temperature is 61 degrees. The area … Tucson folks should be prepared for high temperatures. It looks like it will be a balmy 83 degrees. We’ll see a low temperature of 62 degrees … Hot temperatures are predicted today. It should reach a warm 89 degrees. Expect a drastic drop in temperatures though, with a low reaching 62 … Tucson folks should be prepared for high temperatures. It looks to reach a balmy 84 degrees. 64 degrees is today’s low. The Tucson area should… Tonight’s weather conditions in Tucson: A clear sky. Low 62F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph. Hot temperatures are predicted tomorrow. It looks like… The forecast is showing a hot day in Tucson. Temperatures are projected to be a scorcher today with temperatures reaching a high of 91, though… Tucson’s evening forecast: Mostly clear. Low 62F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph. The forecast is showing a hot day in Tucson Sunday. It looks to re… Tucson’s evening forecast: Clear skies. Low 62F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Looking ahead, the Tucson area can expect a hot day tomorrow. It sho… Read More Here

AP News Summary At 5:36 A.m. EDT https://digitalarizonanews.com/ap-news-summary-at-536-a-m-edt-3/ Justice Dept. seeks end to arbiter’s review of Trump docs WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department has asked a federal appeals court to overturn a judge’s appointment of an independent arbiter to review documents seized during an FBI search of former President Donald Trump’s Florida estate. The appeal is the latest salvo in weeks of litigation over the scope of duties of the arbiter, also known as a special master. He was assigned last month by a judge to inspect the thousands of records taken in the Aug. 8 search of Mar-a-Lago and weed out from the investigation any that may be protected by claims of legal privilege. Putin calls his actions in Ukraine ‘correct and timely’ KYIV, UKRAINE (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin expects his troop mobilization for combat in Ukraine to end in about two weeks. That would allow him to end the unpopular and chaotic call-up meant to counter Ukrainian battlefield gains and solidify his illegal annexation of Ukrainian territory. Putin faces domestic discontent and military setbacks in a neighboring country increasingly armed with advanced Western weapons. He told reporters Friday he “did not set out to destroy Ukraine” and doesn’t regret starting the conflict. Russia’s difficulties in achieving its war aims are becoming apparent in the illegally annexed Kherson region. Anticipating an advance by Ukrainian forces, Moscow-installed authorities there urged residents to flee Friday. Ukrainian deminers remove deadly threats to civilians HRAKOVE, Ukraine (AP) — A group of Ukrainian deminers with the country’s territorial defense forces is working to clear an area in the Kharkiv region of dozens of deadly mines and pieces of unexploded ordnance. The brigade is pushing to restore a semblance of safety to the cities, towns and countryside in a region that spent months under Russian occupation. The deminers swept a remote area with metal detectors, searching for mines left behind by Russian forces that retreated from the region at the beginning of September. While many settlements in the region have finally achieved some measure of safety after fierce battles reduced many of them to rubble, Russian land mines remain an ever-present threat in both urban and rural environments. Kemp vs. Abrams II: Republican has incumbent advantage now ATLANTA (AP) — The Georgia governor’s race is a rematch of 2018, when Republican Brian Kemp narrowly defeated Democrat Stacey Abrams. But circumstances have changed. This time, it is Kemp who holds a lot of advantages as he seeks reelection. Abrams is trying to rekindle the star power that had people talking about her being president one day. Kemp became the target of Donald Trump’s wrath when the defeated president threatened retribution after Kemp certified Democrat Joe Biden’s slate of presidential electors in Georgia. But not only did Kemp maintain support among most Republican voters while defying Trump, he seems to have only grown stronger heading into his rematch with Abrams. US shift on Venezuelan migrants fuels anxiety in Mexico TIJUANA, Mexico (AP) — The Biden administration’s policy shift on Venezuelan migrants may pose an enormous challenge to overstretched Mexican shelters. The U.S. has coupled plans to let up to 24,000 Venezuelans apply online to fly to the U.S. for temporary stays with a pledge to immediately turn back Venezuelans who cross the border illegally from Mexico. The rapid expulsions expand a Trump-era policy that denies rights to seek asylum on grounds of preventing the spread of COVID-19. Venezuelans have suddenly become the second-largest nationality at the U.S. border after Mexicans, a growing challenge to President Joe Biden and neighboring allies. Is Alex Jones verdict the death of disinformation? Unlikely NEW YORK (AP) — The award of nearly $1 billion to parents of Sandy Hook shooting victims to compensate for harmful lies spread by fabulist Alex Jones isn’t likely to do much to curb disinformation, experts say. Conspiracy theories have roots too deep in American history and, as Jones proved, there’s a lot of money to be made now in spreading them. Because the ruling involved private citizens and not public figures, many purveyors of disinformation will be able to get around it. Media experts are next looking to a potential trial or settlement in the lawsuit by the Dominion voting system against Fox News for spreading disinformation about the 2020 election. Trump’s subpoena and what’s next for the Jan. 6 panel WASHINGTON (AP) — In an extraordinary step, the House Jan. 6 committee has voted unanimously to subpoena former President Donald Trump – a final effort to get the full story of the Capitol insurrection as the panel wraps up its work by the end of the year. Trump has been relentlessly hostile to the investigation, calling it a “charade and a witch hunt” in a letter to the committee on Friday. But he has not said whether he will comply with the demand for his appearance.  Even if he does, there’s no guarantee the committee would get anything different from the broadsides Trump sends out periodically. Death toll rises to 40 in Turkey coal mine explosion AMASRA, Turkey (AP) — The death toll from a coal mine explosion in northern Turkey rose to at least 40 people Saturday, officials said. There were 110 miners working in the shaft when the explosion occurred Friday evening at the state-owned TTK Amasra Muessese Mudurlugu mine in the town of Amasra, in the Black Sea coastal province of Bartin. Officials said 11 miners were injured and hospitalized, while 58 others managed to get out of the mine on their own or were rescued unharmed. The status of one remaining miner was unclear. Parkland shooter’s life sentence could bring changes to law FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — The life sentence about to be imposed on Florida school shooter Nikolas Cruz could bring changes to the state’s death penalty law. Until recently, Florida law allowed the imposition of a death sentence if a majority of the jury agreed. But after the U.S. and state supreme courts rejected those laws, the Florida Legislature in 2017 voted to require jury unanimity for a death sentence to be imposed. That’s why Cruz will get life without parole, even though his jury voted 9-3 Thursday to support his execution. Relatives of Cruz’s victims and others say the law should now be changed. Cruz murdered 17 people at Parkland’s Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in 2018. Mel Gibson can testify at Harvey Weinstein trial, judge says LOS ANGELES (AP) — A judge has ruled that Mel Gibson can testify about what he learned from one of Harvey Weinstein’s accusers. The 66-year-old actor and director Gibson was one of many trial witnesses whose identities were revealed in court Friday. Weinstein is accused of sexual battery against the woman, who is a masseuse and friend of Gibson’s. The judge and lawyers took a break from jury selection to argue over which witnesses and evidence will be allowed during the eight-week trial. Weinstein has pleaded not guilty. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Read More Here