When White House counsel Don McGahn exits the West Wing this fall, he will leave with a record number of judicial appointments and a favorable relationship with both President Trump and the career attorneys investigating his administration.
“Don McGahn’s a really good guy. He’s been here now, it will be almost two years, and I have a lot of affection for Don,” Trump told reporters on Wednesday, hours after announcing the latest personnel change.
What’s far from certain is whether McGahn’s eventual successor will leave with the same high praise and accomplishments.
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DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Saturday, September 01, 2018
Funeral is held for Playboy model who was found strangled to death in Philadelphia
A man recently released from prison was arrested Wednesday in the strangulation slaying of a model in one of Philadelphia's affluent Main Line suburbs, authorities said.
Jonathan Wesley Harris, 30, of Johnstown, was arrested as he got off a bus in Pittsburgh, Lower Merion Township police and the Montgomery County prosecutor said.
Harris, who reportedly has family in Philadelphia, was charged with first, second and third-degree murder along with robbery, theft and related offenses in the August 22 slaying of Christina Carlin-Kraft, 36, in Ardmore.
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Jonathan Wesley Harris, 30, of Johnstown, was arrested as he got off a bus in Pittsburgh, Lower Merion Township police and the Montgomery County prosecutor said.
Harris, who reportedly has family in Philadelphia, was charged with first, second and third-degree murder along with robbery, theft and related offenses in the August 22 slaying of Christina Carlin-Kraft, 36, in Ardmore.
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Hogan Administration Announces Awards for Affordable Rental Housing
21 Projects Across the State Will Create or Preserve Approximately 1,147 Units; $47 Million in State and Federal Funding Will Leverage Over $94 Million in Private Sector Capital
ANNAPOLIS, MD – The Hogan administration today announced funding recipients for the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development’s most recent application round for federal Low Income Housing Tax Credits and state Rental Housing Funds. Twenty-one projects will receive awards for the new construction and rehabilitation of approximately 1,147 affordable rental units, including 167 units to be specifically set aside for individuals with disabilities. The projects awarded will receive more than $16.6 million in state Rental Housing Funds and over $30.2 million in federal Low Income Housing Tax Credits, leveraging more than $94.5 million in private sector capital.
The awards allocation for this competitive round focused on enhancing the Baltimore region’s total affordable housing stock and continuing the high level of production established under the leadership of Governor Larry Hogan. Since 2015, financing made available through the state and Maryland's allocation of federal tax credits has resulted in the creation and preservation of more than 15,000 units of affordable housing.
“Our administration remains committed to ensuring that our hardworking families, seniors, and Marylanders with disabilities have access to opportunities and a better quality of life,” said Governor Hogan. “Affordable housing is critical to the wellbeing of our citizens, and these awards will help those most in need have a place to call home.”
ANNAPOLIS, MD – The Hogan administration today announced funding recipients for the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development’s most recent application round for federal Low Income Housing Tax Credits and state Rental Housing Funds. Twenty-one projects will receive awards for the new construction and rehabilitation of approximately 1,147 affordable rental units, including 167 units to be specifically set aside for individuals with disabilities. The projects awarded will receive more than $16.6 million in state Rental Housing Funds and over $30.2 million in federal Low Income Housing Tax Credits, leveraging more than $94.5 million in private sector capital.
The awards allocation for this competitive round focused on enhancing the Baltimore region’s total affordable housing stock and continuing the high level of production established under the leadership of Governor Larry Hogan. Since 2015, financing made available through the state and Maryland's allocation of federal tax credits has resulted in the creation and preservation of more than 15,000 units of affordable housing.
“Our administration remains committed to ensuring that our hardworking families, seniors, and Marylanders with disabilities have access to opportunities and a better quality of life,” said Governor Hogan. “Affordable housing is critical to the wellbeing of our citizens, and these awards will help those most in need have a place to call home.”
Tucker Carlson: The Democratic Party Is Radicalizing Before Our Eyes
Tucker Carlson said Wednesday that, despite media reporting, the Democratic Party — and not the GOP — is facing an identity crisis of sorts
Fox News host Tucker Carlson revealed Wednesday how the rising stars of the Democratic Party want to abolish ICE, have their agents prosecuted for “criminal acts,” give illegal aliens free health care and impeach President Trump for “obstruction” because he fired former FBI director James Comey.
From Fox News:
Tucker Carlson said Wednesday that, despite media reporting, the Democratic Party — and not the GOP — is facing an identity crisis of sorts.
Carlson said that the gubernatorial primary victory of Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum (D) — a Sen. Bernie Sanders-endorsed far-left candidate — is more proof the Democratic Party is looking less like the one once headlined by President John F. Kennedy.
“The Democratic Party is transforming before our eyes,” Carlson said, noting that Gillum wants to “replace ICE,” treat health care as a government-funded “right,” and that the candidate also supports the impeachment of President Trump.
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Fox News host Tucker Carlson revealed Wednesday how the rising stars of the Democratic Party want to abolish ICE, have their agents prosecuted for “criminal acts,” give illegal aliens free health care and impeach President Trump for “obstruction” because he fired former FBI director James Comey.
From Fox News:
Tucker Carlson said Wednesday that, despite media reporting, the Democratic Party — and not the GOP — is facing an identity crisis of sorts.
Carlson said that the gubernatorial primary victory of Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum (D) — a Sen. Bernie Sanders-endorsed far-left candidate — is more proof the Democratic Party is looking less like the one once headlined by President John F. Kennedy.
“The Democratic Party is transforming before our eyes,” Carlson said, noting that Gillum wants to “replace ICE,” treat health care as a government-funded “right,” and that the candidate also supports the impeachment of President Trump.
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Florida Democratic State Senator called 911 on reporter
A Democratic State Senator who called 911 on a reporter asking questions following a campaign event, claims the journalist threatened her at a North Miami Beach restaurant.
Senator Daphne Campbell called police just before 1.30pm on August 9, telling a North Miami Beach officer she was being threatening by a woman in a floral dress, the Miami Herald reported.
That woman was Miami Herald reporter Sarah Blaskey, who had attended Ms Campbell's reelection campaign event at the Duffy's restaurant to ask 'Can you please send a police for me, please, right now,' Campbell can be heard saying, as the operator asks for her location.
'I have a lady who threatened me a lot,' Campbell claimed.
'I'm not going to argue with no one. She threatened me right now. I need protection.'
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Senator Daphne Campbell called police just before 1.30pm on August 9, telling a North Miami Beach officer she was being threatening by a woman in a floral dress, the Miami Herald reported.
That woman was Miami Herald reporter Sarah Blaskey, who had attended Ms Campbell's reelection campaign event at the Duffy's restaurant to ask 'Can you please send a police for me, please, right now,' Campbell can be heard saying, as the operator asks for her location.
'I have a lady who threatened me a lot,' Campbell claimed.
'I'm not going to argue with no one. She threatened me right now. I need protection.'
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John McCain: Warm remembrances of roads not taken, or taken and now abandoned
Warm remembrances of John McCain have been filling the political air since his death last weekend. They’ll continue through his the memorial service in Phoenix, his funeral Saturday at Washington’s National Cathedral, and his interment at the Naval Academy cemetery in Annapolis Sunday.
Praise has been voiced by longtime political foes, admiration from recent detractors and recollections of his (self- and other-) deprecating wit from those long close to him.
Why this outpouring of admiration for a politician who was far from universally admired by members of his own party, and whose positive commentary went suddenly silent when he became — or strongly supported — the Republican nominee for president?
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Praise has been voiced by longtime political foes, admiration from recent detractors and recollections of his (self- and other-) deprecating wit from those long close to him.
Why this outpouring of admiration for a politician who was far from universally admired by members of his own party, and whose positive commentary went suddenly silent when he became — or strongly supported — the Republican nominee for president?
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Why Trudeau suddenly danced to Trump's NAFTA tune
As my colleague Sean Higgins reports, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau rapidly decided to dance to President Trump's NAFTA tune, the moment a U.S.-Mexico agreement was announced.
We learned as much on Wednesday when Trudeau announced that "the Americans and Mexicans very much want to try and get things done by Friday and we’re seeing if we can get to the right place by Friday, but as I’ve said all along it has to be the right deal for Canada and that’s what we are staying firm on." Trump had given Trudeau a deadline to join a U.S.-Mexican trade deal by Friday or face exclusion.
But while Trudeau's caveat of "the right deal" might sound like he's playing tough, the opposite is true. In fact, the Canadian chief executive has been outmaneuvered by Trump's phone-call-announced deal on Tuesday with Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto and his incoming successor, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador.
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We learned as much on Wednesday when Trudeau announced that "the Americans and Mexicans very much want to try and get things done by Friday and we’re seeing if we can get to the right place by Friday, but as I’ve said all along it has to be the right deal for Canada and that’s what we are staying firm on." Trump had given Trudeau a deadline to join a U.S.-Mexican trade deal by Friday or face exclusion.
But while Trudeau's caveat of "the right deal" might sound like he's playing tough, the opposite is true. In fact, the Canadian chief executive has been outmaneuvered by Trump's phone-call-announced deal on Tuesday with Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto and his incoming successor, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador.
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Is Trump Right About "Flipping"?
In the wake of the federal criminal conviction of former Trump official Paul Manafort and the guilty plea in federal court of former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen, the mainstream press is singing the praises of special prosecutor (and former FBI Director) Robert Mueller and the Justice Department.
In the process, Trump’s critics are condemning his denunciation of “flipping,” the process by which federal prosecutors offer a sweet deal to criminal defendants in return for testifying against a “higher-up” who the feds are also prosecuting. The press and the anti-Trumpsters say that such a practice is part of the “rule of law” and essential to the proper administration of justice.
Nothing could be further from the truth. Whatever else might be said about Trump, he is absolutely right on this point. The process of offering sweetheart deals to people in return for their “cooperation” to get someone else convicted has long been one of the most corrupt aspects of the federal criminal-justice system, especially as part of the federal government’s much-vaunted (and much-failed) war on drugs.
Suppose a federal criminal defendant contacts a prospective witness in a case and offers him $50,000 in return for his “cooperation” in his upcoming trial. The money will be paid as soon as the trial is over. The defendant makes it clear that he wants the witness to “tell the truth” but that his “cooperation” when he testifies at trial would be greatly appreciated.
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In the process, Trump’s critics are condemning his denunciation of “flipping,” the process by which federal prosecutors offer a sweet deal to criminal defendants in return for testifying against a “higher-up” who the feds are also prosecuting. The press and the anti-Trumpsters say that such a practice is part of the “rule of law” and essential to the proper administration of justice.
Nothing could be further from the truth. Whatever else might be said about Trump, he is absolutely right on this point. The process of offering sweetheart deals to people in return for their “cooperation” to get someone else convicted has long been one of the most corrupt aspects of the federal criminal-justice system, especially as part of the federal government’s much-vaunted (and much-failed) war on drugs.
Suppose a federal criminal defendant contacts a prospective witness in a case and offers him $50,000 in return for his “cooperation” in his upcoming trial. The money will be paid as soon as the trial is over. The defendant makes it clear that he wants the witness to “tell the truth” but that his “cooperation” when he testifies at trial would be greatly appreciated.
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Fox with Rabies in Berlin
Whale gets incredibly close to watchers’ boat, stunning passengers
A group of whale watchers in California were in for a surprise when a whale got up close and personal with their boat. Those aboard captured the moment. Thankfully, nobody was injured. TODAY’s Carson Daly has the Daly Click.
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Fired Naval Academy professor files appeal, former students defend him
Recently fired Naval Academy professor Bruce Fleming appealed his dismissal Tuesday, accusing the academy of trying to silence his public criticism of the institution.
He filed his appeal with the U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board, which handles federal employee issues. Fleming’s attorney, Jason H. Ehrenberg, said it would take several months before a decision is reached.
“Quite simply, the Agency did not follow its own policies, rules and regulations in its investigation of Professor Fleming, in its proposed removal of Professor Fleming, and/or in its removal of Professor Fleming,” Ehrenberg wrote in the appeal.
Fleming has a history of clashing with academy officials. In 2014 he was reprimanded after an investigation concluded he retaliated against two female midshipmen who challenged his opinions on the academy’s sexual assault training program.
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He filed his appeal with the U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board, which handles federal employee issues. Fleming’s attorney, Jason H. Ehrenberg, said it would take several months before a decision is reached.
“Quite simply, the Agency did not follow its own policies, rules and regulations in its investigation of Professor Fleming, in its proposed removal of Professor Fleming, and/or in its removal of Professor Fleming,” Ehrenberg wrote in the appeal.
Fleming has a history of clashing with academy officials. In 2014 he was reprimanded after an investigation concluded he retaliated against two female midshipmen who challenged his opinions on the academy’s sexual assault training program.
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WCSO Press Release
Date of Incident: 22 August 2018
Location: 2700 block of N. Salisbury Blvd., Salisbury, MD
Suspect: Irvin Francis Lovett, 54, Delmar, MD
Narrative: On 18 August 2018 at 11:00 AM, a deputy began an investigation into a reported theft and forgery incident. During the investigation, the deputy met with the proprietor of a local landscaping company who reported an individual, later identified as Irvin Lovett, cashed two fraudulent checks purportedly issued by the proprietor to Lovett. Upon cashing the two fake checks which bore the proprietor’s forged signature, Lovett obtained $1,550.00.
Lovett was identified after watching surveillance video from the bank where the checks were presented.
Lovett was arrested and transported to the Sheriff’s Office where he was processed and taken in front of the District Court Commissioner. Following an initial appearance, the Commissioner detained Lovett in the Detention Center in lieu of $10,000.00 bond.
Additionally, Lovett was also discovered to be wanted by authorities in Delaware for a Forgery and Theft case in that State and along with a warrant issued for Violation of Probation in a Robbery case. Lovett was detained without bond pending extradition back to Delaware.
Charges: Theft , Theft Scheme, Forgery
Date of Incident: 23 August 2018
Location: Beaglin Park Drive, Salisbury, MD
Suspect: Ronnie Julian Bivens, 35, Salisbury, MD
Narrative: On 23 August 2018 at 4:40 PM, a deputy arrested Ronnie Bivens on an arrest warrant issued following Bivens’ attempt to flee and elude from the deputy. On 1 August 2018, the deputy stopped Bivens for an equipment violation on Beaglin Park Drive. During the stop, Bivens provided the deputy his driver’s license and registration. While the deputy was processing the stop, Bivens accelerated away at a high rate prompting the deputy to initiate a pursuit.
The pursuit was terminated as the deputy still had Bivens’ license and registration card in hand. It was subsequently discovered that Bivens’ privilege to drive had been suspended by the State of Maryland.
Following Bivens’ arrest, he was transported to the Central Booking Unit where he was processed and taken in front of the District Court Commissioner. Following an initial appearance, the Commissioner detained Bivens in the Detention Center without bond.
Charges: Attempt to Flee and Elude, Driving on a Suspended License
Date of Incident: 24 August 2018
Location: Accomack County, VA
Suspect: Christopher John Moore, 21, Willards, MD
Narrative: On 24 August 2018 a deputy travelled to Accomack County, VA for the purpose of extraditing Christopher Moore back to Wicomico County. Moore was wanted on a Bench Warrant that was issued for Violation of Pre-Trial Conditions in a Robbery case.
Moore was detained in the Wicomico Detention Center without bond.
Charges: Violation of Pre-Trial Conditions
Date of Incident: 29 August 2018
Location: 1500 block of S. Division Street, Salisbury, MD
Suspect: Darnell Demetrius Jenkins, 30, Salisbury, MD
Narrative: On 29 August 2018 at 5:30 PM a deputy responded to the report of a domestic related assault in progress on S. Division Street in the vicinity of May Drive. Upon arrival, the deputy observed an individual later identified as Darnell Jenkins carry a female subject. The deputy observed that the female subject was actively fighting against Jenkins who was carrying her across the yard. The deputy was able to separate the pair and learned they were embroiled in an argument prior to Jenkins picking her up.
The deputy placed Jenkins under arrest for the assault and transported him to the Central Booking Unit where he was processed and taken in front of the District Court Commissioner. Following an initial appearance, the Commissioner detained Jenkins in the Detention Center without bond until his release on Personal Recognizance at Bond Review the following day.
Charges: Assault 2nd Degree and False Imprisonment
Neil Armstrong movie 'First Man' omits the American flag being planted on the moon, and star Ryan Gosling defended the decision
The upcoming Neil Armstrong biopic "First Man," from "Whiplash" and "La La Land" director Damien Chazelle, premiered at the Venice Film Festival on Wednesday to rave reviews and early Oscar buzz. But the movie doesn't include a key scene in Armstrong's mission to the moon and an integral moment in American history.
The movie omits the moment of the American flag being planted on the moon (though the flag is present in the film), and the movie's star Ryan Gosling, who plays Armstrong, defended the decision when asked about it at Venice (via The Telegraph).
Gosling, who is Canadian, argued that the first voyage to the moon was a "human achievement" that didn't just represent an American accomplishment, and that's how Armstrong viewed it.
"I think this was widely regarded in the end as a human achievement [and] that's how we chose to view it," Gosling. "I also think Neil was extremely humble, as were many of these astronauts, and time and time again he deferred the focus from himself to the 400,000 people who made the mission possible."
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The movie omits the moment of the American flag being planted on the moon (though the flag is present in the film), and the movie's star Ryan Gosling, who plays Armstrong, defended the decision when asked about it at Venice (via The Telegraph).
Gosling, who is Canadian, argued that the first voyage to the moon was a "human achievement" that didn't just represent an American accomplishment, and that's how Armstrong viewed it.
"I think this was widely regarded in the end as a human achievement [and] that's how we chose to view it," Gosling. "I also think Neil was extremely humble, as were many of these astronauts, and time and time again he deferred the focus from himself to the 400,000 people who made the mission possible."
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Catholics Call for Investigation, Resignation of Pope Francis
A growing number of American Catholics are calling for an investigation into the allegations that Pope Francis ignored Cardinal Theodore McCarrick’s record of sexually abusing priests, seminarians, and laypeople, including minors. Some Catholics are even calling for the pope to resign.
The calls from Catholic bishops, organizations, and media outlets for Pope Francis to be investigated and/or resign have come after the former Vatican ambassador to the United States, Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò, released an 11-page affidavit Saturday alleging that Pope Francis turned a blind eye to McCarrick’s behavior.
Viganò’s affidavit specifically claimed that Pope Francis lifted Pope Benedict’s “canonical sanctions” on the disgraced cardinal imposed between 2009-2010 that forbade him from interacting with the public in an official capacity, and Viganò alleged Francis did this despite knowing of the serious allegations against McCarrick.
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The calls from Catholic bishops, organizations, and media outlets for Pope Francis to be investigated and/or resign have come after the former Vatican ambassador to the United States, Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò, released an 11-page affidavit Saturday alleging that Pope Francis turned a blind eye to McCarrick’s behavior.
Viganò’s affidavit specifically claimed that Pope Francis lifted Pope Benedict’s “canonical sanctions” on the disgraced cardinal imposed between 2009-2010 that forbade him from interacting with the public in an official capacity, and Viganò alleged Francis did this despite knowing of the serious allegations against McCarrick.
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Gohmert doubles down after FBI dismisses claim of Clinton server hack
Republican Rep. Louie Gohmert doubled down after the FBI dismissed claims that a Chinese state-owned company hacked former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s private email server.
'[P]artisan politics, sadly, are very much at play within some of the leadership at the FBI," the Texas congressman said in a statement late Wednesday.
The Daily Caller first reported that the FBI was notified of the purported hack in 2015, when the Intelligence Community Inspector General (ICIG) warned the bureau of the intrusion. The hack reportedly implanted code that generated a “courtesy copy” for almost all Clinton's emails -- which was then forwarded to the Chinese company.
A source briefed on the matter confirmed to Fox News the details of the Caller’s reporting. Gohmert also had told Fox News on Tuesday that the emails were obtained by a foreign country’s intelligence, though he declined to name the country in question.
But on Wednesday, the FBI sharply disputed the claims, saying it “has not found any evidence the servers were compromised.”
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'[P]artisan politics, sadly, are very much at play within some of the leadership at the FBI," the Texas congressman said in a statement late Wednesday.
The Daily Caller first reported that the FBI was notified of the purported hack in 2015, when the Intelligence Community Inspector General (ICIG) warned the bureau of the intrusion. The hack reportedly implanted code that generated a “courtesy copy” for almost all Clinton's emails -- which was then forwarded to the Chinese company.
A source briefed on the matter confirmed to Fox News the details of the Caller’s reporting. Gohmert also had told Fox News on Tuesday that the emails were obtained by a foreign country’s intelligence, though he declined to name the country in question.
But on Wednesday, the FBI sharply disputed the claims, saying it “has not found any evidence the servers were compromised.”
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http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/08/30/gohmert-doubles-down-after-fbi-dismisses-claim-clinton-server-hack.html
Post-primary Dem poll shows Gillum leading DeSantis in Florida
Democrat Andrew Gillum leads Republican Rep. Ron DeSantis (Fla.) by 5 points in the race for the Florida governor's mansion, according to the first publicly released poll since the state's primary elections on Tuesday.
The survey was commissioned by Florida Democratic consultant Christian Ulvert and conducted by the Democratic polling firm Public Policy Polling (PPP) from Aug. 29-30 — just after Gillum and DeSantis secured their parties' nominations. The margin of error is plus or minus 4 percentage points.
Forty-eight percent of the 743 voters surveyed chose Gillum, the current mayor of Tallahassee and a self-styled progressive, in the match-up, while 43 percent said they would cast their ballots for DeSantis.
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The survey was commissioned by Florida Democratic consultant Christian Ulvert and conducted by the Democratic polling firm Public Policy Polling (PPP) from Aug. 29-30 — just after Gillum and DeSantis secured their parties' nominations. The margin of error is plus or minus 4 percentage points.
Forty-eight percent of the 743 voters surveyed chose Gillum, the current mayor of Tallahassee and a self-styled progressive, in the match-up, while 43 percent said they would cast their ballots for DeSantis.
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Email Logs Reveal Correspondence Between Clinton Associate, Fusion GPS, and Russians at Trump Tower Meeting
NEW YORK — Attorney Edward Lieberman, whose late wife Evelyn served as Hillary Clinton’s chief of staff, exchanged numerous emails with the co-founder of the controversial Fusion GPS firm and Russian participants in the infamous June 9, 2016, Trump Tower meeting, documentation provided to the Senate Judiciary Committee shows.
The correspondence, part of a series of exhibits provided to Senate investigators and reviewed by Breitbart News, took place in the weeks leading up to the Trump Tower meeting.
Earlier this week, Breitbart News cited witness testimony saying Lieberman was present at one and possibly two dinner meetings between the controversial Fusion GPS firm and key participants in the infamous June 2016 Trump Tower meeting. Also, Lieberman met with one Russian participant the same day of the Trump Tower meeting, according to separate testimony.
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The correspondence, part of a series of exhibits provided to Senate investigators and reviewed by Breitbart News, took place in the weeks leading up to the Trump Tower meeting.
Earlier this week, Breitbart News cited witness testimony saying Lieberman was present at one and possibly two dinner meetings between the controversial Fusion GPS firm and key participants in the infamous June 2016 Trump Tower meeting. Also, Lieberman met with one Russian participant the same day of the Trump Tower meeting, according to separate testimony.
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Texas Company Must Forfeit Over $5 Million For Hiring Illegal Aliens
A company in Texas must forfeit $5.5 million to the government for hiring illegal aliens over a course of nine years, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas Wednesday.
Waste Management of Texas hired at least three managers who actively encouraged illegal aliens to work between 2003 to April 2012, according to a press release from the attorney’s office. Many workers were hired or rehired with little to no regard to authorization status at the Houston location.
“The non-prosecution agreement requires Waste Management to continue its substantial remedial measures to address all past immigration violations and forfeit more than $5.5 million in proceeds gained from hiring an illegal workforce at the Afton [Street] location,” U.S. Attorney Ryan Patrick said in statement.
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Waste Management of Texas hired at least three managers who actively encouraged illegal aliens to work between 2003 to April 2012, according to a press release from the attorney’s office. Many workers were hired or rehired with little to no regard to authorization status at the Houston location.
“The non-prosecution agreement requires Waste Management to continue its substantial remedial measures to address all past immigration violations and forfeit more than $5.5 million in proceeds gained from hiring an illegal workforce at the Afton [Street] location,” U.S. Attorney Ryan Patrick said in statement.
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Trump Says Google, Facebook In "Very Antitrust Situation"
Responding to reports that Silicon Valley social media platforms are censoring conservatives, President Trump stepped up his criticism of technology firms - telling Bloomberg in a wide-ranging interview that they may be in a "very antitrust situation," while repeatedly censoring himself over whether or not the companies should be broken up.
“I won’t comment on the breaking up, of whether it’s that [Google] or Amazon or Facebook,” Trump said in an Oval Office interview Thursday with Bloomberg. “As you know, many people think it is a very anti-trust situation, the three of them. But I just, I won’t comment on that.”
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“I won’t comment on the breaking up, of whether it’s that [Google] or Amazon or Facebook,” Trump said in an Oval Office interview Thursday with Bloomberg. “As you know, many people think it is a very anti-trust situation, the three of them. But I just, I won’t comment on that.”
BREAKING: Trump said some people see an “antitrust situation” with Google, Facebook and Amazon.
But he said “I just can’t comment. I won’t comment on the breaking up, of whether it’s that (Google) or Amazon or Facebook.”
"Look the conservatives have been treated very unfairly."
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Muslim Militants Burn Alive Christian Pastor and His Family
Fulani Muslim militants launched raids on eight villages in central Nigeria this week, burning alive a Christian pastor along with his wife and three of their children.
In the village of Abonong in Plateau State, the Islamic raiders, armed with machetes and AK47 rifles, looted and destroyed 95 houses, along with farmland and three churches. They killed Pastor Adamu Gyang Wurim and his family by setting fire to their house while they were inside and shot the pastor’s wife in the bathroom. The assailants killed two other villagers as well, wounding several others.
A local lawyer, Dalyop Solomon Mwantiri, spoke with one of the three surviving children of the pastor, who was away at the University of Jos at the time of the attack and learned of it on Facebook.
“When I called a friend to find out about the situation, the report I received was very devastating,” the young man said. “I couldn’t believe that all my family members have been engulfed in the pogrom. On reaching home, I saw my daddy and younger ones burnt beyond recognition.”
More here
In the village of Abonong in Plateau State, the Islamic raiders, armed with machetes and AK47 rifles, looted and destroyed 95 houses, along with farmland and three churches. They killed Pastor Adamu Gyang Wurim and his family by setting fire to their house while they were inside and shot the pastor’s wife in the bathroom. The assailants killed two other villagers as well, wounding several others.
A local lawyer, Dalyop Solomon Mwantiri, spoke with one of the three surviving children of the pastor, who was away at the University of Jos at the time of the attack and learned of it on Facebook.
“When I called a friend to find out about the situation, the report I received was very devastating,” the young man said. “I couldn’t believe that all my family members have been engulfed in the pogrom. On reaching home, I saw my daddy and younger ones burnt beyond recognition.”
More here
Dog Found 9-1-18: UPDATE
I just found this sweet dog running along Cherrywalk Rd. in Hebron. She seemed to be in a panic because of the storm we just had. She's wearing a collar but no tags. Hope we can find her owner soon.
Cell 631-275-7274
AT&T Continues Layoffs of Americans to Outsource Jobs
Multinational conglomerate AT&T is continuing layoffs of more than 16,000 American workers since 2011 to outsource those jobs to foreign countries while it rakes in record profits.
A revealing report by The Guardian‘s Michael Sainato uncovers the extent to which multinational corporations like AT&T have profited from the GOP’s tax cuts passed last year, and yet they continue to lay off Americans to send their jobs to counties like Mexico, India, and the Philippines.
Though AT&T executives were heralded for giving their workers $1,000 bonuses after the tax cuts were passed by the Republican-controlled Congress and signed into law by President Trump, Americans keep losing their jobs to outsourcing.
Since 2011, AT&T has outsourced or eliminated more than 16,000 U.S. jobs, including the closure of 44 call centers. Just this year, AT&T has shuttered four call centers in the U.S. and sent those American jobs to foreign countries.
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A revealing report by The Guardian‘s Michael Sainato uncovers the extent to which multinational corporations like AT&T have profited from the GOP’s tax cuts passed last year, and yet they continue to lay off Americans to send their jobs to counties like Mexico, India, and the Philippines.
Though AT&T executives were heralded for giving their workers $1,000 bonuses after the tax cuts were passed by the Republican-controlled Congress and signed into law by President Trump, Americans keep losing their jobs to outsourcing.
Since 2011, AT&T has outsourced or eliminated more than 16,000 U.S. jobs, including the closure of 44 call centers. Just this year, AT&T has shuttered four call centers in the U.S. and sent those American jobs to foreign countries.
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Soros-Backed Priorities USA Requests 2016 Ballots Via ‘United Impact Group’
The nonprofit arm of Priorities USA is undertaking a massive effort to collect voting data in Michigan by requesting copies of ballots cast in the 2016 elections across the state—but is doing so via an opaque limited liability company and not under the actual name of the group, whose super PAC counts George Soros as a top funder.
Marc Elias, a partner at the D.C. office of the Perkins Coie law firm who acted as Hillary Clinton's top campaign lawyer, joined the board of Priorities USA last year to help spearhead voter-related efforts of its nonprofit arm, Priorities USA Foundation. Elias has led past efforts bankrolled by Soros that challenged voter ID laws.
Priorities USA Foundation is now seeking the Michigan data under the name "United Impact Group LLC," which left local clerks "unnerved," the Detroit News reported. Priorities had contracted a third-party firm to help with the efforts and the city of Lansing alone said that it would take 275 hours for their staff to complete and cost $12,000.
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Marc Elias, a partner at the D.C. office of the Perkins Coie law firm who acted as Hillary Clinton's top campaign lawyer, joined the board of Priorities USA last year to help spearhead voter-related efforts of its nonprofit arm, Priorities USA Foundation. Elias has led past efforts bankrolled by Soros that challenged voter ID laws.
Priorities USA Foundation is now seeking the Michigan data under the name "United Impact Group LLC," which left local clerks "unnerved," the Detroit News reported. Priorities had contracted a third-party firm to help with the efforts and the city of Lansing alone said that it would take 275 hours for their staff to complete and cost $12,000.
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Brock Seeks $2 Million for New Anti-Trump Project Before Midterms
Liberal operative and Media Matters founder David Brock is seeking an additional $2 million from donors to launch a new anti-Trump project to attack Republicans heading into the midterms that will also include a news service to counter publications such as the Washington Free Beacon, according to Politico.
Brock sent an email to donors on Wednesday asking for the cash for the project that will operate from American Bridge, the Clinton loyalist's rapid response and opposition research arm, which already has been given $20 million this cycle, Politico reported.
The proposed initiative would target Steve Bannon's new political action committee, which will attempt to make the midterms an up-or-down vote on whether Trump should be impeached, and feature a digital advertising campaign targeting 70 House races this fall.
Politico writes that the "biggest plank" of Brock's new program is an online news service, called the American Ledger, that will "seek to counter conservative news outlets like the Free Beacon and Breitbart" with a goal of generating articles that will be cited in political ads.
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Brock sent an email to donors on Wednesday asking for the cash for the project that will operate from American Bridge, the Clinton loyalist's rapid response and opposition research arm, which already has been given $20 million this cycle, Politico reported.
The proposed initiative would target Steve Bannon's new political action committee, which will attempt to make the midterms an up-or-down vote on whether Trump should be impeached, and feature a digital advertising campaign targeting 70 House races this fall.
Politico writes that the "biggest plank" of Brock's new program is an online news service, called the American Ledger, that will "seek to counter conservative news outlets like the Free Beacon and Breitbart" with a goal of generating articles that will be cited in political ads.
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McMaken: You Can't Be Both "Pro Military" And "Pro Second Amendment"
The phrase "pro-gun, pro-military" is used by some conservatives to describe themselves, as if the two go together seamlessly. For example, activist and political candidate Erin Cruz states she is both "Pro Second Amendment" and "Pro Military" in her promotional materials.
Another Republican candidate, Gregory Duckworth, advertises that he advances "pro-gun and pro-military initiatives."
And last year, Donald Trump, Jr. - as part of a controversy over Keurig coffee pulling its advertising from Sean Hannity's show — denounced Keurig and endorsed Black Rifle Coffee, which is advertised as a company with a "pro-gun and pro-military stance."
And yet, there is an inherent conflict between the two positions. This becomes evident when we consider the words of US Senator Tom Coburn in 2013:
The Second Amendment wasn't written so you can go hunting, it was to create a force to balance a tyrannical force here.
Given that the US military is one of the primary means by which the US government can exert its own coercive force, it seems a bit odd to think that one can simultaneously be "pro-military" while also being for gun rights designed to "balance a tyrannical force here."
Even the left, which is prone to an especially high level of confusion when it comes to the gun issue, has identified the conflict with memes such as this:
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Another Republican candidate, Gregory Duckworth, advertises that he advances "pro-gun and pro-military initiatives."
And last year, Donald Trump, Jr. - as part of a controversy over Keurig coffee pulling its advertising from Sean Hannity's show — denounced Keurig and endorsed Black Rifle Coffee, which is advertised as a company with a "pro-gun and pro-military stance."
And yet, there is an inherent conflict between the two positions. This becomes evident when we consider the words of US Senator Tom Coburn in 2013:
The Second Amendment wasn't written so you can go hunting, it was to create a force to balance a tyrannical force here.
Given that the US military is one of the primary means by which the US government can exert its own coercive force, it seems a bit odd to think that one can simultaneously be "pro-military" while also being for gun rights designed to "balance a tyrannical force here."
Even the left, which is prone to an especially high level of confusion when it comes to the gun issue, has identified the conflict with memes such as this:
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Democrat Sen. Bob Menendez's Re-Election Bid in Big Trouble
Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) skated on public corruption charges this year, but the verdict New Jersey voters render in November may have a different outcome.
Menendez “is forcing his party to spend big on him as he struggles to fend off a Republican challenger,” Fox News reported on Thursday:
Bob Hugin, a former U.S. Marine and pharmaceutical executive, has cut Menendez’s lead to a mere 6 points, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released last week. Back in March, when the race began, Hugin trailed by 17 points and it appeared as if Menendez was on his way to an easy victory.
Hugin attacked Menendez over the weekend, saying that if he hadn’t decided to run, Menendez would likely have been re-elected without facing any real opposition.
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Menendez “is forcing his party to spend big on him as he struggles to fend off a Republican challenger,” Fox News reported on Thursday:
Bob Hugin, a former U.S. Marine and pharmaceutical executive, has cut Menendez’s lead to a mere 6 points, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released last week. Back in March, when the race began, Hugin trailed by 17 points and it appeared as if Menendez was on his way to an easy victory.
Hugin attacked Menendez over the weekend, saying that if he hadn’t decided to run, Menendez would likely have been re-elected without facing any real opposition.
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St. Louis Prosecutor Refuses To Take On Cases From 28 Police Officers
St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner delivered an “exclusion list” to the city police department on Tuesday. On that list were the names of 28 police officers — and Gardner says that she will no longer consider cases brought to her office by any of those on the list.
Gardner’s office gave no reason for submitting the list, but did note that previous cases brought by those same officers were under review for “viability.”
Warrant applications from the affected officers may also be denied according to an emailobtained by the St. Louis Post Dispatch in which Maj. Michael Sack, of the Bureau of Professional Standards, referenced Gardner’s Chief Warrant Officer Chris Hinckley as the point of contact for any concerns.
In his email, Sack quoted Hinckley’s email. “Mr. Hinckley advised, ‘warrant applications involving officers (sic) as essential witnesses will be refused if their participation is essential to the successful prosecution of the case. Cases previously issued where the above officers are essential witnesses will be reviewed for viability.'”
While Gardner’s office has given no official reason for the case review or the exclusion list, many of her critics fear that the move could be political. Gardner’s relationship with local police departments has long been contentious — and a couple of recent high profile cases have not done much to mend fences.
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Gardner’s office gave no reason for submitting the list, but did note that previous cases brought by those same officers were under review for “viability.”
Warrant applications from the affected officers may also be denied according to an emailobtained by the St. Louis Post Dispatch in which Maj. Michael Sack, of the Bureau of Professional Standards, referenced Gardner’s Chief Warrant Officer Chris Hinckley as the point of contact for any concerns.
In his email, Sack quoted Hinckley’s email. “Mr. Hinckley advised, ‘warrant applications involving officers (sic) as essential witnesses will be refused if their participation is essential to the successful prosecution of the case. Cases previously issued where the above officers are essential witnesses will be reviewed for viability.'”
While Gardner’s office has given no official reason for the case review or the exclusion list, many of her critics fear that the move could be political. Gardner’s relationship with local police departments has long been contentious — and a couple of recent high profile cases have not done much to mend fences.
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China Denies Reported Military Base in Afghanistan
Both Chinese and Afghan officials quickly denied the report and said China is merely helping to train Afghan counter-terrorist forces.
The South China Morning Post cited “sources close to the Chinese military” who said China funded and broke ground on a training camp in the Wakhan Corridor, “a narrow strip of inhospitable and barely accessible land extending about 350km from the northern Afghan province of Badakhshan to China’s Muslim region of Xinjiang.”
The sources added that China intended to dispatch People’s Liberation Army troops to the base after it was completed: “Construction of the base has started, and China will send at least one battalion of troops, along with weapons and equipment, to be stationed there and provide training to their Afghan counterparts.”
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DeSantis Says His Use of the Phrase 'Monkey This Up' 'Has Zero to Do With Race'
Immediately after winning Florida's Republican gubernatorial primary, Rep. Ron DeSantis -- the candidate endorsed by Donald Trump -- was branded a racist for using the phrase "monkey this up" in connection with his African-American opponent.
The controversy was still thriving on Thursday morning, stoked by cable news shows, where indignation flared anew.
DeSantis, appearing on Sean Hannity's show Wednesday night, said his "monkey this up" comment "has zero to do with race. It has everything to do with whether we want Florida to continue to go in a good direction, building off the success, or do we want to turn to left wing socialist policies which will absolutely devastate our state?"
DeSantis told Hannity:
"I believe people should be judged based on their ability and character regardless of race. But it's because of that that I know socialism won't work in Florida. It's not good for any race, color or creed. So this is not about race. This is about ideas and principles. And I'm not going to let the Democrats and Andrew Gillum try to obscure a debate about whether his tax increases, his single-payer health care plan, his desire to abolish ICE -- whether that is something that's acceptable for Florida. I don't think it is and I don't care what color you are."
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The controversy was still thriving on Thursday morning, stoked by cable news shows, where indignation flared anew.
DeSantis, appearing on Sean Hannity's show Wednesday night, said his "monkey this up" comment "has zero to do with race. It has everything to do with whether we want Florida to continue to go in a good direction, building off the success, or do we want to turn to left wing socialist policies which will absolutely devastate our state?"
DeSantis told Hannity:
"I believe people should be judged based on their ability and character regardless of race. But it's because of that that I know socialism won't work in Florida. It's not good for any race, color or creed. So this is not about race. This is about ideas and principles. And I'm not going to let the Democrats and Andrew Gillum try to obscure a debate about whether his tax increases, his single-payer health care plan, his desire to abolish ICE -- whether that is something that's acceptable for Florida. I don't think it is and I don't care what color you are."
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Black Trump Supporter: I ‘Can’t Keep Up’ with All the Jobs Created in Indiana
Ahead of President Donald Trump’s rally in Evansville, Indiana, on Thursday evening, a black supporter of the president told the Fox Business Network he “can’t keep up with the jobs” created under the current administration.
Reporting live from outside Evansville’s Ford Center, the venue for President Trump’s campaign rally in support of Republican Indiana senatorial candidate Mike Braun running against incumbent Democrat Sen. Joe Donnelly, Fox Business Network correspondent Jeff Flock asked Tony Hughes for his thoughts on the current economic climate.
“I can tell you right now. I saw jobs when Obama was in office, and I saw jobs when Trump’s in office, it’s night and day,” Hughes told Flock. I couldn’t go out in rural communities and get a job when Obama was president. I can’t keep up with the jobs now that Trump is in office.”
“Under President Trump, black employment has grown by an average of nearly 40,000 each month. In January 2017, the black unemployment rate stood at 7.8 percent. It’s now at 6.6 percent,” Trump campaign advisor Jason D. Meister wrote in an opinion-editorial last week. “The number of black Americans with a job has risen by 708,000 from last year. Not only are black wages and incomes up since the election of Donald Trump – black employment has repeatedly hit historic highs.”
In a meeting with President Trump at the White House earlier this month, pastors praised the administration’s efforts aimed at boosting the economic prospects of inner-city communities across the U.S.
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Reporting live from outside Evansville’s Ford Center, the venue for President Trump’s campaign rally in support of Republican Indiana senatorial candidate Mike Braun running against incumbent Democrat Sen. Joe Donnelly, Fox Business Network correspondent Jeff Flock asked Tony Hughes for his thoughts on the current economic climate.
“I can tell you right now. I saw jobs when Obama was in office, and I saw jobs when Trump’s in office, it’s night and day,” Hughes told Flock. I couldn’t go out in rural communities and get a job when Obama was president. I can’t keep up with the jobs now that Trump is in office.”
“Under President Trump, black employment has grown by an average of nearly 40,000 each month. In January 2017, the black unemployment rate stood at 7.8 percent. It’s now at 6.6 percent,” Trump campaign advisor Jason D. Meister wrote in an opinion-editorial last week. “The number of black Americans with a job has risen by 708,000 from last year. Not only are black wages and incomes up since the election of Donald Trump – black employment has repeatedly hit historic highs.”
In a meeting with President Trump at the White House earlier this month, pastors praised the administration’s efforts aimed at boosting the economic prospects of inner-city communities across the U.S.
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Many City of Salisbury Maryland Employees In Fear For Their Jobs If They Don't Volunteer For Folked Festival
In a blow to the N.F.L., Colin Kaepernick will be allowed to continue his case accusing the league of collusion to keep him off the field.
The ruling by an arbitrator who was appointed by the league and the N.F.L. Players Association said that Colin Kaepernick’s lawyers had unearthed enough evidence in the past year for the case to proceed to a full hearing. After months of depositions and document searches, the lawyers will be able to question league officials, owners and others in trial-like format.
Alec Baldwin To Headline Troubled New Hampshire Democratic Dinner
Baldwin, 60, a liberal activist who has toyed with running for office, in September 2000 denied ever having said “unequivocally” that he would leave the country if George W. Bush were elected president. Bush was, and Baldwin didn’t.
This year’s event, scheduled for Sunday, October 14 at Manchester Downtown Hotel, is billed as the “inaugural” Eleanor Roosevelt Dinner.
Before 2016, the annual fund raiser was known as the Jefferson-Jackson Day Dinner, after the two prominent 19th century presidents whom Democrats consider to be the party’s founders. But then party officials changed the name because Thomas Jefferson and Andrew Jackson owned slaves.
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Troopers Arrest Maryland Man for Drug and Weapon Charges
Gregory A. Dukes
Bridgeville- The Delaware State Police have arrested a Federalsburg, MD man for drug and weapon charges after he was found to be driving under the influence.
The incident occurred on Wednesday, August 39, 2018 at approximately 11:23 p.m. when Troopers were dispatched to the intersection of Evans Drive and Iris Field Lane in reference to a check on the welfare complaint. Upon arrival, Troopers located a black Hunyadi Electra, stopped in the middle of the intersection, with front end damage, and the driver passed out behind the wheel. Contact was made with the driver, identified as 19 year-old Gregory A. Dukes, and an odor of marijuana was detected.
Further investigation revealed that the Electra was traveling southbound on Sussex Highway, when it exited the roadway and struck a ditch. The vehicle re-entered the roadway where it eventually came to a stop at the intersection of Evans Drive and Iris Field Lane.
A DUI investigation ensued and Dukes was taken into custody. A search of his person yielded drug paraphernalia. A search of the vehicle yielded approximately 1.4 grams of marijuana, six 1mg. Alprazolam pills, a .22 caliber revolver, a .22 caliber long rifle, ammunition, and drug paraphernalia.
Dukes was transported back to Troop 5 where he was charged with the following:
- Carrying a Concealed Deadly Weapon (2 counts)
- Possession of Marijuana
- Possession of a Firearm while under the influence (2 counts)
- Possess/Consume a Controlled or Counterfeit Substance
- Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (2 counts)
- Leaving the Scene of Property Collision Accident
- Failure to Provide Information At Collision Scene
- Driving a Vehicle Under the Influence of Drug
Dukes was arraigned before the Justice of the Peace Court 3 and committed to theSussex Correctional Institution on $12,900.00 secured bond.
Statewide DUI Enforcement Checkpoints Take Aim to Reduce DUI-Related Crashes and Fatalities
Law enforcement officers from across Delaware will assemble at locations in all three counties to conduct statewide impaired driving checkpoints. The focus will be on behavioral traffic safety issues such as impaired driving, seat belt use, speeding, child passenger safety, pedestrian and bicycle safety, motorcycle safety, and teen driving issues.
Drug Recognition Experts (DREs), law enforcement officers trained in detecting drug impaired drivers, will be on hand at the checkpoints to identify drivers impaired by illegal and prescription drugs as well. Please ensure that you plan ahead and find a safe ride home!
To continue it's mission of saving lives by enhancing highway safety, the Delaware Office of Highway Safety will be implementing several countermeasures to combat impaired driving. (A DUI arrest can set you back an average of $10,000 in attorney fees, fines, court costs, lost time at work, higher insurance rates, car towing and repairs, and more. It could also result in the loss of your license and possibly even your job.)
On Saturday, September 1st, police will be out in full force in Delaware as part of the “CheckPoint StrikeForce” deployment. Three sobriety check points, one in each county, will be conducted at the following locations:
1. New Castle County: U.S. Rt. 40 (Pulaski Hwy.), Newark
2. Kent County: State Rt. 10, Dover
3. Sussex County: State Rt. 54, Selbyville
During the 2017 Labor Day holiday weekend, from September 1st-4th, 12 DUI related crashes were investigated, one of which resulted in a fatality. There were also a total of 83 arrests made statewide for DUI.
If you celebrate the unofficial end of summer and choose to drink and drive during this Labor Day holiday weekend, in addition to jeopardizing the safety of you and other motorists, you could very well be jeopardizing your current job status as well as future employability. Think of those people that you care about, and who care about you, before deciding to get behind the wheel. One bad decision can have permanent ramifications.
2. Kent County: State Rt. 10, Dover
3. Sussex County: State Rt. 54, Selbyville
During the 2017 Labor Day holiday weekend, from September 1st-4th, 12 DUI related crashes were investigated, one of which resulted in a fatality. There were also a total of 83 arrests made statewide for DUI.
If you celebrate the unofficial end of summer and choose to drink and drive during this Labor Day holiday weekend, in addition to jeopardizing the safety of you and other motorists, you could very well be jeopardizing your current job status as well as future employability. Think of those people that you care about, and who care about you, before deciding to get behind the wheel. One bad decision can have permanent ramifications.
New Missouri law raises minimum marriage age to 16
A new Missouri law went into effect Tuesday that prohibits anyone under the age of 16 from obtaining a marriage license in the state.
Missouri Gov. Mike Parson signed the legislation last month, which also make it illegal for anyone 21 or older to marry anyone under the age of 18, CBS reported.
Applicants who are 16 and 17 years old would still need parental consent to be eligible for a marriage license.
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Missouri Gov. Mike Parson signed the legislation last month, which also make it illegal for anyone 21 or older to marry anyone under the age of 18, CBS reported.
Applicants who are 16 and 17 years old would still need parental consent to be eligible for a marriage license.
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