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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
Tuesday, May 14, 2019
James Tankard Convicted Of Possession With Intent To Distribute Heroin
Nearly 100 people indicted, 50 currently in custody in massive Houston-based marriage fraud conspiracy
HOUSTON — Fifty people are now in law enforcement custody following last week’s return of a 206-count indictment criminally charging 96 people for their alleged roles in a large-scale marriage fraud scheme.
This case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Houston, and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Houston.
A federal grand jury returned the massive indictment April 30, 2019. The indictment remains sealed for those charged but not yet in law enforcement custody.
This case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Houston, and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Houston.
A federal grand jury returned the massive indictment April 30, 2019. The indictment remains sealed for those charged but not yet in law enforcement custody.
“These arrests mark the culmination of a comprehensive yearlong multi-agency investigation into one of the largest alleged marriage fraud conspiracies ever documented in the Houston area,” said Special Agent in Charge Mark Dawson, HSI Houston. “By working together with our partners from various federal law enforcement agencies, we have sent a resounding message that we are united in our effort to disrupt and dismantle criminal organizations that seek to circumvent U.S. law by fraudulent means.”
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NY Times Publication of Trump Tax Information Violates His Legal Right to Confidentiality
The New York Times no doubt considers it quite a coup to have obtained and published President Trump’s tax return information from 1985 to 1994. But doing so violated Trump’s right under federal law to the confidentiality of his tax returns.
The Times — which reported that Trump’s businesses lost $1.17 billion during the 10-year period — has no more right to Trump’s tax returns than it has to mine or those of any of you reading these words.
Confidentiality, as the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals held in 1991 in U.S. v. Richey, is essential to “maintaining a workable tax system.”
Taxpayer privacy is “fundamental to a tax system that relies on self-reporting” since it protects “sensitive or otherwise personal information,” said then-Judge (now Supreme Court Justice) Ruth Bader Ginsburg in 1986 in another case when she served on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia.
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The Times — which reported that Trump’s businesses lost $1.17 billion during the 10-year period — has no more right to Trump’s tax returns than it has to mine or those of any of you reading these words.
Confidentiality, as the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals held in 1991 in U.S. v. Richey, is essential to “maintaining a workable tax system.”
Taxpayer privacy is “fundamental to a tax system that relies on self-reporting” since it protects “sensitive or otherwise personal information,” said then-Judge (now Supreme Court Justice) Ruth Bader Ginsburg in 1986 in another case when she served on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia.
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'We ALWAYS win!' Trump boasts that he'll prevail over Xi in 'little squabble' as he threatens even more tariffs and tells Americans to buy products 'from someplace else other than China'
Donald Trump predicted Tuesday that the U.S. will notch a trade victory in what he described as 'a little squabble with China.'
Speaking to reporters as he left the White House, the president grinned as he asked: 'You want to know something? You want to know something? We always win.'
And Trump warned that he might stack even more tariffs on a growing pile of anti-China duties in order to put additional pressure on Beijing.
'We're looking at it very strongly,' Trump said.
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Speaking to reporters as he left the White House, the president grinned as he asked: 'You want to know something? You want to know something? We always win.'
And Trump warned that he might stack even more tariffs on a growing pile of anti-China duties in order to put additional pressure on Beijing.
'We're looking at it very strongly,' Trump said.
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Low-dose aspirin increases risk of bleeding in the skull - particularly for healthy slim people with no history of heart issues, study finds
Taking low-dose aspirin could increase the risk of bleeding in the skull, especially among those with no history of heart issues, a new report finds.
Low-dose aspirin has been recommended in the past for older adults as a method to reduce their risk of heart attack and stroke by preventing blood clots.
But several recent studies have found this positive benefit is negated by the increased risk of internal bleeding.
Now, a new review finds that taking low-dose aspirin regularly raises the risk of a type of skull bleeding, known as an intracranial hemorrhage.
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Low-dose aspirin has been recommended in the past for older adults as a method to reduce their risk of heart attack and stroke by preventing blood clots.
But several recent studies have found this positive benefit is negated by the increased risk of internal bleeding.
Now, a new review finds that taking low-dose aspirin regularly raises the risk of a type of skull bleeding, known as an intracranial hemorrhage.
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Congressman Harris Announces Military Academy Resource Forums for Maryland’s First District
WASHINGTON, DC: Congressman Andy Harris (MD-01) has announced three military academy resource forums for young constituents seeking information on applying to the U.S. Service Academies or joining ROTC detachments at civilian colleges and universities.
All interested eighth grade and high school students in Maryland’s First Congressional District are encouraged to attend along with their parents. Representatives from the U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, the U.S. Air Force Academy, the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, and the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, as well as ROTC representatives, have been invited to attend and share their perspectives on the application process. This year, Congressman Harris will be hosting three resource forums to serve the district. Details can be found below:
May 21, 2019; 6—8:00 pm
McFaul Senior Center Activity Room
525 W. MacPhail Road, Bel Air, MD 21014
RSVP at 410-588-5670
May 22, 2019; 6—8:00 pm
Black Diamond Lodge
219 South Fruitland Boulevard (Rt 13 North) Fruitland, MD 21826
RSVP at 443-944-8624
May 23, 2019; 6—8:00 pm
Chesapeake College — Caroline Center
1000 College Cir, Wye Mills, MD 21679, Wye Mills, MD 21679
RSVP at 410-643-5425
McFaul Senior Center Activity Room
525 W. MacPhail Road, Bel Air, MD 21014
RSVP at 410-588-5670
May 22, 2019; 6—8:00 pm
Black Diamond Lodge
219 South Fruitland Boulevard (Rt 13 North) Fruitland, MD 21826
RSVP at 443-944-8624
May 23, 2019; 6—8:00 pm
Chesapeake College — Caroline Center
1000 College Cir, Wye Mills, MD 21679, Wye Mills, MD 21679
RSVP at 410-643-5425
“I am pleased to announce that my office will again be hosting military academy resource forums for young constituents to learn more about the multiple ways one can receive a college education and serve in our military. These forums are a great chance for our future leaders and their parents to ask questions and learn more about these incredible opportunities. As a veteran, I am always excited to host these events and look forward to reviewing the applications of these young men and women when it is time for nominating to the academies.”
Each year, Members of Congress have the opportunity to nominate constituents for appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Military Academy at West Point, the U.S. Air Force Academy, and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. A nomination is not required to apply to the U.S. Coast Guard Academy or ROTC programs.
FCC CHAIRMAN AJIT PAI TAKES A BIG STEP TOWARD ENDING ROBOCALLS
The Federal Communication Commission announced plans Monday to instruct major phone companies to update their caller ID services to help combat so-called spoofed robocalls.
FCC Chairman Ajit Pai will host a summit in July to examine to what degree the industry is implementing new industry-wide standard for caller ID authentication. The new standard is called Signature-based Handling of Asserted Information Using Tokens (SHAKEN) and Secure Telephony Identity Revisited (STIR).
Spoofed robocalls happen when criminals, scammers and others call a person using phone numbers that look familiar but are actually fake.
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FCC Chairman Ajit Pai will host a summit in July to examine to what degree the industry is implementing new industry-wide standard for caller ID authentication. The new standard is called Signature-based Handling of Asserted Information Using Tokens (SHAKEN) and Secure Telephony Identity Revisited (STIR).
Spoofed robocalls happen when criminals, scammers and others call a person using phone numbers that look familiar but are actually fake.
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DRUG ABUSE IS RAMPANT ACROSS US. DC RANKS WORST
Thousands of Americans have died in the past half-decade from drug problems, and the District of Columbia ranks worst regarding drug abuse, a Monday study shows.
D.C., when compared against states, was ranked as having the worst drug abuse problems in 2019, followed by Michigan, Missouri and West Virginia, according to a Monday WalletHub study. Minnesota, Hawaii, Idaho and Kansas have the least drug abuse problems, respectively.
WalletHub conducted its study by comparing D.C. and the 50 states across 22 metrics related to drug use and addiction, drug health issues and rehabilitation, and law enforcement.
Study authors used data from the U.S. Census Bureau, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the FBI among other groups to conduct its analysis and produce conclusions.
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D.C., when compared against states, was ranked as having the worst drug abuse problems in 2019, followed by Michigan, Missouri and West Virginia, according to a Monday WalletHub study. Minnesota, Hawaii, Idaho and Kansas have the least drug abuse problems, respectively.
WalletHub conducted its study by comparing D.C. and the 50 states across 22 metrics related to drug use and addiction, drug health issues and rehabilitation, and law enforcement.
Study authors used data from the U.S. Census Bureau, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the FBI among other groups to conduct its analysis and produce conclusions.
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Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Salvation Army Must Stand Up to Leftist Bigots
Here we go again, folks.
A bunch of radical LGBT activists at Trinity University (a Christian university, by the way) launched a campaign to banish Chick-fil-A from campus.
The beloved restaurant chain does not have a franchise on campus, but every two weeks it is permitted to sell its delicious sandwiches and crispy waffle fries to starving Presbyterian students.
Student government leaders at the San Antonio-based school passed a non-binding resolution calling for Chick-fil-A to be banned so they can affirm the school’s “commitment to diversity and inclusion.”
“Trinity’s values of diversity and inclusion and Chick-fil-A’s values regarding the LGBT+ community are mutually exclusive,” student lawmakers wrote.
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A bunch of radical LGBT activists at Trinity University (a Christian university, by the way) launched a campaign to banish Chick-fil-A from campus.
The beloved restaurant chain does not have a franchise on campus, but every two weeks it is permitted to sell its delicious sandwiches and crispy waffle fries to starving Presbyterian students.
Student government leaders at the San Antonio-based school passed a non-binding resolution calling for Chick-fil-A to be banned so they can affirm the school’s “commitment to diversity and inclusion.”
“Trinity’s values of diversity and inclusion and Chick-fil-A’s values regarding the LGBT+ community are mutually exclusive,” student lawmakers wrote.
More
Mueller Report Proves That It’s Time to Investigate the Investigators
Now that President Trump has been exonerated of the false accusations of collusion and obstruction, it is time to investigate the investigators.
The White House has justly praised the outcome of special counsel Robert Mueller‘s investigation for clearing the president of the odious charges that have hung over his presidency since even before his inauguration. The Mueller report overall was favorable to the president, but it also should be remembered as the Mueller special counsel’s final abuse of power. There were nearly 200 pages of irrelevancies about Russia collusion, but it couldn’t disguise the fact that all of those alleged contacts between the Russians and the Trump campaign amounted to nothing, legally or substantively. And the fact remains that the institutional climate in the Justice Department has been so hostile to the president that we can be certain that, if there had been even a scintilla of evidence supporting a criminal indictment, it would have been pursued.
Liberal members of Congress and their media allies are furious with Attorney General William Barr because he blew up the Mueller report smear job before it was out of the box. The Mueller team wanted to drop its 448-page bomb on the American people, who then would have had to sort through the innuendo and fake legal analysis without context. To his great credit, the attorney general imposed necessary discipline on the release, explaining to Congress and the American people in stark terms that there was no collusion and no obstruction. For this truth-telling, he faces impeachment threats, not plaudits, from the Democratic-media swamp.
The continuing argument over “obstruction” fits with the evident agenda of the anti-Trump Mueller team to create lingering political difficulties for the president, even though he has been cleared of legal jeopardy. Some of the Mueller operation’s so-called obstruction theories are ridiculous, such as that the president could not object to being targeted for investigation. Is it now a crime for someone falsely accused to be upset about it? Mueller presumes guilt and then refuses to “exonerate” President Trump. This turns our legal system upside down and shows the rule of law is no bar to smearing President Trump.
More from Judicial Watch
The White House has justly praised the outcome of special counsel Robert Mueller‘s investigation for clearing the president of the odious charges that have hung over his presidency since even before his inauguration. The Mueller report overall was favorable to the president, but it also should be remembered as the Mueller special counsel’s final abuse of power. There were nearly 200 pages of irrelevancies about Russia collusion, but it couldn’t disguise the fact that all of those alleged contacts between the Russians and the Trump campaign amounted to nothing, legally or substantively. And the fact remains that the institutional climate in the Justice Department has been so hostile to the president that we can be certain that, if there had been even a scintilla of evidence supporting a criminal indictment, it would have been pursued.
Liberal members of Congress and their media allies are furious with Attorney General William Barr because he blew up the Mueller report smear job before it was out of the box. The Mueller team wanted to drop its 448-page bomb on the American people, who then would have had to sort through the innuendo and fake legal analysis without context. To his great credit, the attorney general imposed necessary discipline on the release, explaining to Congress and the American people in stark terms that there was no collusion and no obstruction. For this truth-telling, he faces impeachment threats, not plaudits, from the Democratic-media swamp.
The continuing argument over “obstruction” fits with the evident agenda of the anti-Trump Mueller team to create lingering political difficulties for the president, even though he has been cleared of legal jeopardy. Some of the Mueller operation’s so-called obstruction theories are ridiculous, such as that the president could not object to being targeted for investigation. Is it now a crime for someone falsely accused to be upset about it? Mueller presumes guilt and then refuses to “exonerate” President Trump. This turns our legal system upside down and shows the rule of law is no bar to smearing President Trump.
More from Judicial Watch
Student walkout at Colorado shooting vigil is a good sign
The very public scene of hundreds of Colorado students and their parents walking out of a vigil that was turned into political theater by the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence was so embarrassing that the gun control group actually issued an apology.
Before leaving the Wednesday night event, students shouted, in front of journalists who the Brady Campaign invited: “this is not for us,” “political stunt” and “we are people, not a statement.”
The Brady Campaign had portrayed the event as a vigil in memory of Kendrick Castillo, a student hero who died from gunshot wounds after he and two other students charged one of the attackers Tuesday at the Highlands Ranch STEM School in Colorado.
Eight other students were injured in the shooting. Two students were arrested and accused of the attack.
Instead of putting together an event to bring people together to mourn, the gun control group brought in activists and Colorado politicians – Democratic presidential contender U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet and Democratic U.S. Rep. Jason Crow – to push a one-sided political agenda.
The speakers said they weren’t there to just offer thoughts and prayers, but that they instead were there to push for more restrictions on the right to bear arms.
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https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/frank-miniter-student-walkout-at-colorado-shooting-vigil-is-a-good-sign
Before leaving the Wednesday night event, students shouted, in front of journalists who the Brady Campaign invited: “this is not for us,” “political stunt” and “we are people, not a statement.”
The Brady Campaign had portrayed the event as a vigil in memory of Kendrick Castillo, a student hero who died from gunshot wounds after he and two other students charged one of the attackers Tuesday at the Highlands Ranch STEM School in Colorado.
Eight other students were injured in the shooting. Two students were arrested and accused of the attack.
Instead of putting together an event to bring people together to mourn, the gun control group brought in activists and Colorado politicians – Democratic presidential contender U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet and Democratic U.S. Rep. Jason Crow – to push a one-sided political agenda.
The speakers said they weren’t there to just offer thoughts and prayers, but that they instead were there to push for more restrictions on the right to bear arms.
More
https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/frank-miniter-student-walkout-at-colorado-shooting-vigil-is-a-good-sign
The Long-Running Trade War With China
While much of the mainstream media wring their collective hands over President Donald Trump “igniting a trade war” by raising new tariffs against $200 billion in Chinese goods, the reality is the U.S. has been in a long-running economic war with Beijing. The only difference is that Trump has decided to lead the U.S. on the offensive.
As Mark Alexander notes, “In the three-decades-old trade cold war with Red China, Donald Trump is the first president to exercise the political courage to fight back.” He notes further, “One BIG advantage they have is the relentless Leftmedia opposition to Trump. Thus, the Chinese are able to target tariff countermeasures to do the most political damage to Republicans with the support of the Demo/MSM.”
Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) praised Trump’s actions, stating, “This is the first administration ever, in certainly modern history, that’s actually taken these guys on.” Even Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) agreed with the president, arguing, “We have to be strong with [China]. … We ought to hang tough.”
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As Mark Alexander notes, “In the three-decades-old trade cold war with Red China, Donald Trump is the first president to exercise the political courage to fight back.” He notes further, “One BIG advantage they have is the relentless Leftmedia opposition to Trump. Thus, the Chinese are able to target tariff countermeasures to do the most political damage to Republicans with the support of the Demo/MSM.”
Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) praised Trump’s actions, stating, “This is the first administration ever, in certainly modern history, that’s actually taken these guys on.” Even Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) agreed with the president, arguing, “We have to be strong with [China]. … We ought to hang tough.”
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Papadopoulos: Mueller report 'shows that I was clearly set up'
George Papadopoulos, whose London networking triggered the FBI to unleash “Crossfire Hurricane” at the Trump campaign, was the wrong man.
“The report completely vindicates me and shows that I was clearly set up now that we know all the characters in my story were Western operatives,” Papadopoulos told The Washington Times, citing special counsel Robert Mueller’s report on Russian interference in the 2016 election.
Democratic Party-financed dossier writer Christopher Steele falsely told the FBI of a massive Trump-Russia election conspiracy. FBI agents interviewed Papadopoulos in early 2017 as if he owned the keys to the kingdom — how Donald Trump and Moscow colluded. Convivial agents urged the campaign volunteer to fill them in on the new president’s Kremlin capers.
But in a microcosm of the entire three-year FBI investigation, the agents went down the wrong alley. Two judicial entities have cleared Papadopoulos of election interference. He weathered at least two FBI-placed spies, physical surveillance, search warrants, interrogations, threats and possibly wiretaps.
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“The report completely vindicates me and shows that I was clearly set up now that we know all the characters in my story were Western operatives,” Papadopoulos told The Washington Times, citing special counsel Robert Mueller’s report on Russian interference in the 2016 election.
Democratic Party-financed dossier writer Christopher Steele falsely told the FBI of a massive Trump-Russia election conspiracy. FBI agents interviewed Papadopoulos in early 2017 as if he owned the keys to the kingdom — how Donald Trump and Moscow colluded. Convivial agents urged the campaign volunteer to fill them in on the new president’s Kremlin capers.
But in a microcosm of the entire three-year FBI investigation, the agents went down the wrong alley. Two judicial entities have cleared Papadopoulos of election interference. He weathered at least two FBI-placed spies, physical surveillance, search warrants, interrogations, threats and possibly wiretaps.
More
Troopers Arrest Four on Multiple Drug Charges-Selbyville
Selbyville- The Delaware State Police have arrested four suspects following an investigation into the sale of illegal drugs.
The investigation began in recent weeks when members of the Sussex Governor’s Task Force (GTF) received information that several subjects were loitering on a property located in the 37000 block of Washington Avenue, Selbyville, DE. This specific property was the subject of a civil abatement in 2018 for prior drug related crimes. As a result of that abatement process, the State of Delaware took control of the property, and all occupants were removed from the residence. The residence remained boarded up with no trespassing signs posted.
The Sussex GTF received information that subjects were returning to the property and drug activity seemed to be reoccurring. Upon receiving information on May 13, 2019 that subjects were standing on the property engaging in criminal activity, members of GTF and the Sussex Drug Unit (SDU) responded to the area. Several subjects were observed nearby and upon contact by members of GTF, some proceeded to flee on foot and a foot pursuit ensued. Subsequently the suspects were taken into custody shortly thereafter. The suspects were identified as 51-year-old Keith Handy of Selbyville, 19-year-old Jayquan Bland of Laurel, 55-year-old Herbert Griffin of Selbyville and 23-year-old Devine Lynch of Salisbury,MD.
As a result of this investigation, approximately 97 bags of heroin and over $1600.00 in suspected drug proceeds were recovered. The four suspects were transported back to Troop 4 where they were charged with the following:
Keith Handy:
- Possession with Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance
- Maintaining a Drug Property
- Conspiracy Second Degree
- Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Handy was arraigned before the Justice of the Peace Court and committed to the Sussex Correctional Institution on $14000.00 secured bond.
Jayquan Bland:
- Possession with Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance
- Conspiracy Second Degree
- Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
- Resisting Arrest
- Tampering with Evidence
Bland was arraigned before the Justice of the Peace Court and committed to the Sussex Correctional Institution on $11500.00 secured bond.
Herbert Griffin:
- Possession with Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance
- Conspiracy Second Degree
- Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
- Resisting Arrest
Griffin was arraigned before the Justice of the Peace Court and committed to the Sussex Correctional Institution on $10500.00 secured bond.
Devine Lynch:
- Possession with Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance
- Conspiracy Second Degree
- Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
- Resisting Arrest
Lynch was arraigned before the Justice of the Peace Court and committed to the Sussex Correctional Institution on $10500.00 secured bond.
Walmart reveals salaries — and they may not be what you think
Walmart revealed average worker salaries in a new report, as the low-cost retailer battles a reputation for low pay in one of the tightest job markets in recent American history.
A full-time hourly worker in a Walmart store in the U.S. makes an average of $14.26 an hour, or around $25,000 a year, according to the company’s 2019 Environmental, Social & Governance Report released on Wednesday. That’s the average, but the range is $11 an hour to $24.70 an hour, Walmart spokesman Kory Lundberg told ABC News.
At Walmart, 34 hours a week is considered full-time, and most workers average 37 to 38 hours weekly, the company said. Health insurance is provided for employees who work at least 30 hours a week, Lundberg said.
In the U.S., Walmart store managers earn an average of $175,000 a year, according to the report. Their actual salaries are based on sales volume and the size of the store, Lundberg said.
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A full-time hourly worker in a Walmart store in the U.S. makes an average of $14.26 an hour, or around $25,000 a year, according to the company’s 2019 Environmental, Social & Governance Report released on Wednesday. That’s the average, but the range is $11 an hour to $24.70 an hour, Walmart spokesman Kory Lundberg told ABC News.
At Walmart, 34 hours a week is considered full-time, and most workers average 37 to 38 hours weekly, the company said. Health insurance is provided for employees who work at least 30 hours a week, Lundberg said.
In the U.S., Walmart store managers earn an average of $175,000 a year, according to the report. Their actual salaries are based on sales volume and the size of the store, Lundberg said.
More
Tim Conway, Beloved Comedian From 'The Carol Burnett Show,' Dead at 85
The Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning actor best known for The Carol Burnett Show, McHale’s Navy and The Tim Conway Show, died on Tuesday at 8:45 a.m. in Los Angeles, his rep, Howard Bragman, tells ET. He was 85 years old.
His daughter, Kelly, sent out a statement on Tuesday, confirming his death.
"It is with the greatest sorrow that my brothers, Tim, Patrick, Jamie, Corey, Seann, and I announce that our Dad, Tim Conway has passed away," the statement reads. "The love he gave us, and the laughter he gave the world will never be replaced, but will be remembered forever. He is at peace now but I will miss him every second of every day until we meet again in heaven. We knew he would have to leave us someday, but that day came too soon. 'SO LEAVE ME IF YOU NEED TOO, I WILL STILL REMEMBER, ANGEL FLYING TOO CLOSE TO THE GROUND.' I want to thank everyone for their prayers, love and support over the past year or so."
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Teacher On Leave For Breast Cancer Has To Pay For Her Substitute Due To California Law
A San Francisco teacher who is on medical leave has to worry about more than just battling breast cancer.
On top of footing medical bills, she has to pay for a substitute teacher at Glen Park Elementary School.
All teachers receive 10 paid days of medical leave a year in the San Francisco United School District. If a teacher needs more time, they can get another 100 sick days — at a price. Under a 1976 California law, the cost for the substitute teacher will be deducted from the teacher’s salary.
The average daily cost of a substitute teacher in San Francisco is $203.16, San Francisco United School District spokeswoman Laura Dudnick said. In 2018, the average teacher salary in the school district, excluding benefits, was $82,024.37.
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On top of footing medical bills, she has to pay for a substitute teacher at Glen Park Elementary School.
All teachers receive 10 paid days of medical leave a year in the San Francisco United School District. If a teacher needs more time, they can get another 100 sick days — at a price. Under a 1976 California law, the cost for the substitute teacher will be deducted from the teacher’s salary.
The average daily cost of a substitute teacher in San Francisco is $203.16, San Francisco United School District spokeswoman Laura Dudnick said. In 2018, the average teacher salary in the school district, excluding benefits, was $82,024.37.
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MEET NYCHA’S OVERTIME KING: A $315,000 PLUMBER
It appears that 2018 proved a very busy year for Vincenzo Giurbino, a plumber with the New York City Housing Authority.
The 65-year-old city worker’s payroll numbers indicated he put in an average 16-hour day every single day he worked — reaping him more than $300,000 in salary and overtime.
According to data obtained by THE CITY, Giurbino recorded 1,835 hours of overtime on top of the 1,449 hours of regular time NYCHA says he clocked fixing toilets and leaky pipes in public housing in Brooklyn.
That puts him in an exclusive category: He’s the only NYCHA worker to clock more overtime than regular hours. And his OT take alone exceeded Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s salary.
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The 65-year-old city worker’s payroll numbers indicated he put in an average 16-hour day every single day he worked — reaping him more than $300,000 in salary and overtime.
According to data obtained by THE CITY, Giurbino recorded 1,835 hours of overtime on top of the 1,449 hours of regular time NYCHA says he clocked fixing toilets and leaky pipes in public housing in Brooklyn.
That puts him in an exclusive category: He’s the only NYCHA worker to clock more overtime than regular hours. And his OT take alone exceeded Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s salary.
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Florida must provide Spanish-language ballots in 2020, federal judge orders
A federal judge ordered 32 Florida counties to provide ballots in Spanish beginning next year, stating that failure to do so would be a violation of the Voting Rights Act.
The order was in the form of a preliminary injunction in a case brought by voters who were educated in Puerto Rico and are lacking proficiency in English, The Palm Beach Post reported.
"Compliance with this Order is not optional," Chief Judge Mark Walker of the Northern District of Florida Gainesville Division wrote in a Friday ruling. "This Court will not hesitate to use every tool the law provides to enforce this Order."
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https://www.foxnews.com/politics/judge-orders-florida-counties-to-provide-spanish-language-ballots-in-2020
The order was in the form of a preliminary injunction in a case brought by voters who were educated in Puerto Rico and are lacking proficiency in English, The Palm Beach Post reported.
"Compliance with this Order is not optional," Chief Judge Mark Walker of the Northern District of Florida Gainesville Division wrote in a Friday ruling. "This Court will not hesitate to use every tool the law provides to enforce this Order."
More
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/judge-orders-florida-counties-to-provide-spanish-language-ballots-in-2020
GOP Voters Say Border Wall, Reducing All Immigration Must be Top Priority for Trump
Ahead of the 2020 presidential election, Republican voters say President Trump’s top priorities ought to be building a wall along the United States-Mexico border and reducing all immigration to the country.
The latest Harvard/Harris Poll finds that when Republican voters are asked to rank the issues which should be Trump’s biggest priorities, building a wall at the southern border and reducing all immigration top the list.
Ranking as the top priority for Republicans, conservatives, and Trump supporters, 22 to 25 percent of these voters said building a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border should be the president’s number one goal today.
Reducing all immigration — both illegal and legal — to the U.S. is ranked as the second top priority for Republicans, conservatives, and Trump voters. Between 19 and 20 percent of these voters said reducing the inflow of immigrants should be Trump’s second top priority.
Even among all U.S. voters, building a border wall and reducing all immigration to the country ranks as the fourth top priority.
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The latest Harvard/Harris Poll finds that when Republican voters are asked to rank the issues which should be Trump’s biggest priorities, building a wall at the southern border and reducing all immigration top the list.
Ranking as the top priority for Republicans, conservatives, and Trump supporters, 22 to 25 percent of these voters said building a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border should be the president’s number one goal today.
Reducing all immigration — both illegal and legal — to the U.S. is ranked as the second top priority for Republicans, conservatives, and Trump voters. Between 19 and 20 percent of these voters said reducing the inflow of immigrants should be Trump’s second top priority.
Even among all U.S. voters, building a border wall and reducing all immigration to the country ranks as the fourth top priority.
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Newt: China's Economy Can't Withstand Trump's 'Battering'
China's economy will not be able to withstand the "battering" President Donald Trump can deliver if the country does not negotiate a satisfactory deal on trade, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich said Monday.
"We don't need the sales, the Chinese do," Gingrich told Fox Business' "Mornings with Maria." "The basic argument Trump makes, that I agree with, is that we've had a very one-sided relationship."
China has participated in intellectual property theft and has the "enormous advantage" of having a closed market that blocks most U.S. high-tech companies from competing, Gingrich said.
"The Chinese are faced with a real crisis because we're telling them we are going to change the rules of the game," Gingrich said. "The core principle is simply China got to be this big and this wealthy because all the rules of the game favored them and we tolerated behavior that is intolerable."
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"We don't need the sales, the Chinese do," Gingrich told Fox Business' "Mornings with Maria." "The basic argument Trump makes, that I agree with, is that we've had a very one-sided relationship."
China has participated in intellectual property theft and has the "enormous advantage" of having a closed market that blocks most U.S. high-tech companies from competing, Gingrich said.
"The Chinese are faced with a real crisis because we're telling them we are going to change the rules of the game," Gingrich said. "The core principle is simply China got to be this big and this wealthy because all the rules of the game favored them and we tolerated behavior that is intolerable."
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Amazon offers to pay employees to quit, start delivery business
NEW YORK — Amazon, which is racing to deliver packages faster, is turning to its employees with a proposition: Quit your job and we'll help you start a business delivering Amazon packages.
The offer, announced Monday, comes as Amazon seeks to speed up its shipping time from two days to one for its Prime members. The company sees the new incentive as a way to get more packages delivered to shoppers' doorsteps faster.
Amazon says it will cover up to $10,000 in startup costs for employees who are accepted into the program and leave their jobs. The company says it will also pay them three months' worth of their salary. The offer is open to most part-time and full-time Amazon employees, including warehouse workers who pack and ship orders. Whole Foods employees are not eligible to receive the new incentives.
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The offer, announced Monday, comes as Amazon seeks to speed up its shipping time from two days to one for its Prime members. The company sees the new incentive as a way to get more packages delivered to shoppers' doorsteps faster.
Amazon says it will cover up to $10,000 in startup costs for employees who are accepted into the program and leave their jobs. The company says it will also pay them three months' worth of their salary. The offer is open to most part-time and full-time Amazon employees, including warehouse workers who pack and ship orders. Whole Foods employees are not eligible to receive the new incentives.
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Cartels ‘kicking our butts’ in New Mexico, as state left without checkpoints
What happens when our government takes down its interior checkpoints north of the border in New Mexico? Well, the cartels, with the drug and human smuggling, are “kicking our butts,” according to one local official.
In an interview with CR, Couy Griffin, the chairman of the Otero County, New Mexico, county commission, explained how our government has exposed his county, and by extension, the rest of the nation, to unprecedented criminal activity from the Mexican cartels. In his view, by taking down the two secondary Border Patrol checkpoints in his county in order to focus on more processing of illegal immigrants, the federal government is missing the point.
“The cartel is winning and winning big; they are kicking our butts,” complained the commissioner of this sparsely populated but large county bordering Texas, near El Paso. “We get so tied up and focused on the asylum seekers or the illegal immigrant aspect of what’s going on at our southern border, but the reality of it is that it’s nothing but a mere smoke screen for the cartel. They’re using these large groups of migrants as nothing more than a smoke screen to smuggle their drugs across the southern border. Meanwhile, as soon as those agents are exhausted, those critical spots, they’re sending boatloads of drugs across the border in unsecured areas. The shutting down of the checkpoints on the major drug smuggling corridors is a recipe for disaster. Now they have a green light to shuttle drugs through our counties and through our rural areas, with no security in place.”
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In an interview with CR, Couy Griffin, the chairman of the Otero County, New Mexico, county commission, explained how our government has exposed his county, and by extension, the rest of the nation, to unprecedented criminal activity from the Mexican cartels. In his view, by taking down the two secondary Border Patrol checkpoints in his county in order to focus on more processing of illegal immigrants, the federal government is missing the point.
“The cartel is winning and winning big; they are kicking our butts,” complained the commissioner of this sparsely populated but large county bordering Texas, near El Paso. “We get so tied up and focused on the asylum seekers or the illegal immigrant aspect of what’s going on at our southern border, but the reality of it is that it’s nothing but a mere smoke screen for the cartel. They’re using these large groups of migrants as nothing more than a smoke screen to smuggle their drugs across the southern border. Meanwhile, as soon as those agents are exhausted, those critical spots, they’re sending boatloads of drugs across the border in unsecured areas. The shutting down of the checkpoints on the major drug smuggling corridors is a recipe for disaster. Now they have a green light to shuttle drugs through our counties and through our rural areas, with no security in place.”
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Warren Refloats $100 Billion Opioid Plan
Presidential contender Elizabeth Warren (D., Mass.) floated a proposal Wednesday to combat America's ever-growing overdose crisis.
The proposal would allocate $10 billion per year primarily for treatment and harm reduction. However, some experts argue that that might not be enough.
Warren debuted her proposal in a Medium post, highlighting the year-on-year decline in life expectancy attributable to opioids, as well as suicide and overdose deaths involving drugs like methamphetamine and cocaine.
Her proposed response is the reintroduction of the Comprehensive Addiction Resources Emergency (CARE) Act, a bill co-authored with Rep. Elijah Cummings (D., Md.). If passed, the bill would allocate $100 billion to fund "first responders, public health departments, and communities on the front lines of this crisis," divided up into ten $10 billion payments over ten years.
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The proposal would allocate $10 billion per year primarily for treatment and harm reduction. However, some experts argue that that might not be enough.
Warren debuted her proposal in a Medium post, highlighting the year-on-year decline in life expectancy attributable to opioids, as well as suicide and overdose deaths involving drugs like methamphetamine and cocaine.
Her proposed response is the reintroduction of the Comprehensive Addiction Resources Emergency (CARE) Act, a bill co-authored with Rep. Elijah Cummings (D., Md.). If passed, the bill would allocate $100 billion to fund "first responders, public health departments, and communities on the front lines of this crisis," divided up into ten $10 billion payments over ten years.
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OBAMA WHITE HOUSE TRACKED FOIA REQUEST FOR HILLARY EMAILS THAT WAS IMPROPERLY DENIED
The Obama White House kept tabs on a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request for information on former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s email accounts that the State Department improperly denied, according to newly released emails.
The emails, which were provided to Judicial Watch, show for the first time that the Obama White House was aware of the Clinton-related FOIA request, which the liberal watchdog group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) submitted to the State Department in December 2012.
The State Department denied the request in May 2013, claiming that no responsive records existed. That despite officials at the State Department, the White House and even President Obama himself knowing that Clinton used a personal email account for government business.
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The emails, which were provided to Judicial Watch, show for the first time that the Obama White House was aware of the Clinton-related FOIA request, which the liberal watchdog group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) submitted to the State Department in December 2012.
The State Department denied the request in May 2013, claiming that no responsive records existed. That despite officials at the State Department, the White House and even President Obama himself knowing that Clinton used a personal email account for government business.
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BLACK BROOKLYNITES ATTACK HASIDIC JEWS, DE BLASIO BLAMES TRUMP AND ‘WHITE SUPREMACY’
In a recent spate of hate crime attacks on Hasidic Jews in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, virtually all the perpetrators have been African-American, according to local activists, elected officials, and victims.
Yet at a recent news briefing reporting an 82 percent increase in anti-Semitic incidents in the city, when New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio was asked about the attacks, he connected the attacks to national trends, blaming “white supremacy” and “nativism.”
“It’s really clear that forces of white supremacy have been unleashed,” de Blasio said in a press conference earlier this month. “A lot of folks used to be told it was unacceptable to be anti-Semitic, it was unacceptable to be racist and now they’re getting more permission. We’ve got make it very clear it’s unacceptable in our society. And the best way we do that here is by finding the perpetrators and prosecuting them and ensuring that they feel the consequences of their acts.”
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Yet at a recent news briefing reporting an 82 percent increase in anti-Semitic incidents in the city, when New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio was asked about the attacks, he connected the attacks to national trends, blaming “white supremacy” and “nativism.”
“It’s really clear that forces of white supremacy have been unleashed,” de Blasio said in a press conference earlier this month. “A lot of folks used to be told it was unacceptable to be anti-Semitic, it was unacceptable to be racist and now they’re getting more permission. We’ve got make it very clear it’s unacceptable in our society. And the best way we do that here is by finding the perpetrators and prosecuting them and ensuring that they feel the consequences of their acts.”
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Retail Giant PetSmart Names PETA in Spying Lawsuit
Pet superstore PetSmart has filed a lawsuit against PETA, claiming a former employee who illegally filmed internal operations was being paid by and acting with orders from the animal-rights group that aims to fully eradicate pet ownership.
PetSmart had already filed a lawsuit against the employee, Jenna Jordan, for lying on her job application and proceeding to transmit secretly recorded audio and video to PETA. The newly filed lawsuit, however, names both Jordan and PETA as the defendants.
The lawsuit alleges that Jordan was on the receiving end of both "funding and logistical support" from PETA while she was employed by PetSmart. It says Jordan lied on her job application by omitting her employment with PETA, as well as the fact that she had previously been fired by a zoo for secretly collecting information on its operations for PETA.
"When Jordan applied to work at PetSmart in March 2017, Jordan deliberately concealed from PetSmart that she was a PETA agent and operative with a clear and obvious conflict of interest preventing her from discharging her duties and honoring the common law and contractual duties that she owed to PetSmart as a PetSmart employee," the lawsuit says.
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PetSmart had already filed a lawsuit against the employee, Jenna Jordan, for lying on her job application and proceeding to transmit secretly recorded audio and video to PETA. The newly filed lawsuit, however, names both Jordan and PETA as the defendants.
The lawsuit alleges that Jordan was on the receiving end of both "funding and logistical support" from PETA while she was employed by PetSmart. It says Jordan lied on her job application by omitting her employment with PETA, as well as the fact that she had previously been fired by a zoo for secretly collecting information on its operations for PETA.
"When Jordan applied to work at PetSmart in March 2017, Jordan deliberately concealed from PetSmart that she was a PETA agent and operative with a clear and obvious conflict of interest preventing her from discharging her duties and honoring the common law and contractual duties that she owed to PetSmart as a PetSmart employee," the lawsuit says.
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OCASIO-CORTEZ SUGGESTS TOP DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES ARE AS DUMB AS SEA SPONGES
New York Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said “you’d have to have the social intelligence of a sea sponge” to take her literally when she invoked a 12-year deadline to stop “world ending” global warming.
However, at least five Democrats running for president in 2020 invoked the “12 years left” talking point as a sign of how seriously they took climate change to build support among the environmental left.
In January, Ocasio-Cortez said young people were worried “the world is going to end in 12 years if we don’t address climate change.” In April, Ocasio-Cortez warned again there were only 12 years left and that “for everyone who wants to make a joke about that, you may laugh, but your grandkids will not.”
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However, at least five Democrats running for president in 2020 invoked the “12 years left” talking point as a sign of how seriously they took climate change to build support among the environmental left.
In January, Ocasio-Cortez said young people were worried “the world is going to end in 12 years if we don’t address climate change.” In April, Ocasio-Cortez warned again there were only 12 years left and that “for everyone who wants to make a joke about that, you may laugh, but your grandkids will not.”
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Equality Act Could Impose Left-Wing LGBT Curriculum on Whole Nation
If Democrats’ priority legislation becomes law, public schools could be forced to include discussions about transgenderism in math and history classes for elementary school students.
The Equality Act, if passed and signed into law, would add gender identity and sexual orientation to the list of classes—race, color, religion, sex, and national origin–protected in the Civil Rights Act.
And although it sounds good to say you oppose discriminating against people on the basis of gender identity and sexual orientation, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s priority bill, known as HR 5, has far-reaching legal implications.
A variety of Supreme Court cases, including Meyer v. Nebraskaand Pierce v. Society of Sisters, affirm the rights of parents to control their child’s education. But the Equality Act would create precedent for federal courts to require curriculum celebrating lesbian, gay, transgender, and bisexual orientations.
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The Equality Act, if passed and signed into law, would add gender identity and sexual orientation to the list of classes—race, color, religion, sex, and national origin–protected in the Civil Rights Act.
And although it sounds good to say you oppose discriminating against people on the basis of gender identity and sexual orientation, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s priority bill, known as HR 5, has far-reaching legal implications.
A variety of Supreme Court cases, including Meyer v. Nebraskaand Pierce v. Society of Sisters, affirm the rights of parents to control their child’s education. But the Equality Act would create precedent for federal courts to require curriculum celebrating lesbian, gay, transgender, and bisexual orientations.
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Farmers Remain Silent at Auction So This Young Man Can Buy His Family Farm Back
Throughout his life, David dreamed of somehow getting back the family’s land and rebuild their business.
Several years after losing the family land, it suddenly appeared on auction. David and his father decided they would do their best to collect whatever modest means they had to try to get it back, reports goodnewsnetwork.com.
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Democrats Displace U.S. Kids to Favor Economic Migrants
The Democrat-run city of Albuquerque is forcing U.S. kids out of city accommodations to provide cheap temporary housing for foreign migrants.
The first victims were American children in a state 4H club who were expecting to use the temporary accommodation at the Expo New Mexico convention center for a four-day horse riding course.
“My daughter was in tears about this,” Dr. Donny MacDougall told KRQE.com, which continued:
“We were extremely disappointed when we have a quality facility like Expo New Mexico and the rug gets ripped out from under our kids’ feet,” MacDougall says.
Just days ago, parents received a letter explaining the camp would now be held in Las Cruces because the state wants to use the dorms to help with the rush of asylum-seekers entering the U.S.
“A different venue is a challenge for a lot of parents. It will cost more money and be more difficult logistically to get the kids there,” MacDougall says.
“The city says this was an opportunity to save money for the [pro-migration] organizations that help the asylum seekers,” according to KRQE.com.
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The first victims were American children in a state 4H club who were expecting to use the temporary accommodation at the Expo New Mexico convention center for a four-day horse riding course.
“My daughter was in tears about this,” Dr. Donny MacDougall told KRQE.com, which continued:
“We were extremely disappointed when we have a quality facility like Expo New Mexico and the rug gets ripped out from under our kids’ feet,” MacDougall says.
Just days ago, parents received a letter explaining the camp would now be held in Las Cruces because the state wants to use the dorms to help with the rush of asylum-seekers entering the U.S.
“A different venue is a challenge for a lot of parents. It will cost more money and be more difficult logistically to get the kids there,” MacDougall says.
“The city says this was an opportunity to save money for the [pro-migration] organizations that help the asylum seekers,” according to KRQE.com.
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Felicity Huffman cries in court while pleading guilty to college admissions scam
Felicity Huffman broke down in court Monday while pleading guilty to rigging her eldest daughter’s SAT score as part of a massive college-admissions scam.
The former “Desperate Housewives” star — who faces a recommended four months in prison under her deal with prosecutors — began crying while discussing the evidence against her with Boston federal Judge Indira Talwani.
After Talwani noted that daughter Sophia Grace Macy got extra time to take the test because an unidentified psychologist certified that she has learning disabilities, Huffman addressed the judge directly.
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The former “Desperate Housewives” star — who faces a recommended four months in prison under her deal with prosecutors — began crying while discussing the evidence against her with Boston federal Judge Indira Talwani.
After Talwani noted that daughter Sophia Grace Macy got extra time to take the test because an unidentified psychologist certified that she has learning disabilities, Huffman addressed the judge directly.
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Governor Hogan Signs Measures to Add Marylanders to Health Insurance Rolls, Raise Tobacco Age to 21
Also Signs Legislation Introducing Tough Penalties for Violent Crimes Against Pregnant Women
ANNAPOLIS, MD—Governor Larry Hogan today signed a number of critical health care and crime prevention measures, including legislation that will add more Marylanders to the health insurance rolls, and raise the minimum age tobacco can be sold to 21 amid an epidemic of teen vaping. The governor also signed Laura and Reid’s Law, which introduces tougher penalties for violent crimes against pregnant women.
“There is no more important job than protecting the health and safety of Marylanders,” said Governor Hogan. “The bipartisan measures we are enacting today – to confront the sharp rise in teen vaping and protect pregnant women and unborn children – are important steps in achieving that goal. We are also proud to continue Maryland’s record of leadership on health care by enacting legislation to further improve access and lower costs.”
Health Care
House Bill 1169—Business Regulation—Tobacco Products and Electronic Smoking Devices—Revision. The FDA has declared teen vaping to be an epidemic. This legislation includes vaping in the definition of ‘tobacco products’ and raises the minimum age for purchasing these products from 18 to 21.
House Bill 814—Maryland Easy Enrollment Health Insurance Program. This legislation implements a simple, straightforward process for more Marylanders to obtain health coverage. By checking a box on their state income tax return, uninsured Marylanders can have the Maryland Health Benefits Exchange determine their eligibility for benefits under the federal Affordable Care Act. This will help enroll as many as 220,000 more Marylanders in Medicaid or the Maryland Health Benefits Exchange, further reducing uncompensated care and lowering health insurance premiums.
House Bill 155/Senate Bill 164—Maryland Department of Health—Capital and Grant Programs—State Grants. This legislation will improve our ability to build community mental health, addiction, and developmental disabilities facilities by increasing the state’s share of the commitment to these projects. It also increases the caps on the percentages of certain costs that may be covered by state grants under the Federally Qualified Health Centers Grant Program.
House Bill 1098—Health Insurance—Maryland Health Benefit Exchange—Small Business Tax Credit Subsidy. This legislation paves the way for the Maryland Health Benefits Exchange to provide tax credit subsidies to small businesses who provide their employees with health care benefits. The tax credit benefits employers who have fewer than 25 full-time equivalent employees, pay an average wage of less than $51,600 a year, and pay at least half of employee health insurance premiums.
House Bill 116—Public Health—Correctional Services—Opioid Use Disorder Examinations and Treatment. This legislation puts Maryland at the forefront of opioid addiction treatment for inmates. It requires correctional facilities to offer all three FDA-approved forms of medication-assisted treatment to inmates diagnosed with opioid use disorder. The legislation also calls for mental health and substance use status screenings for each inmate.
House Bill 754—Health Insurance and Pharmacy Benefits Managers—Cost Pricing and Reimbursement. This emergency legislation protects pharmacies against a number of predatory practices that have come to light over the last few years regarding contract negotiations with Pharmacy Benefit Managers. The bill also gives the Insurance Commissioner greater powers to review and disapprove contracts if they violate these prohibitions.
Crime
Senate Bill 561—Laura and Reid’s Law. This legislation is named after Laura Wallen and her unborn son, Reid. Laura, a Howard County educator, was murdered in 2017. The bill prohibits a person from committing a crime of violence against another person when the offender knows or believes the other person is pregnant. An individual who violates this law is guilty of a felony and—in addition to any other penalty imposed for the underlying crime of violence—is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 10 years.
Senate Bill 346—Public Safety—Regulated Firearms—Prohibition of Loans. This legislation is designed to keep guns out of the hands of people who should not possess them. It prohibits the act of loaning a firearm to someone if the individual has cause to believe the recipient meets one of the legal disqualifiers for firearm possession, such as a felony conviction or involuntary commitment for mental illness. The bill also adds to the list of disqualifying circumstances under which a dealer or other person may not sell a regulated firearm to another person.
These measures are among 181 bills Governor Hogan signed on Monday morning, alongside Senate President Thomas V. “Mike” Miller and House Speaker Adrienne Jones.
