Despite being a self-described socialist and a scourge of the elite classes, Bernie Sanders is in fact a millionaire with a property portfolio that includes three homes, which are pictured in exclusive DailyMail.com photos.
The 78-year-old Vermont senator's property portfolio was mocked by presidential candidate Mike Bloomberg during Wednesday night's debate, as he remarked: 'The best known socialist in the country happens to be a millionaire with three houses. What did I miss?'
‘You missed that I work in Washington, house one,’ responded Sanders. ‘I live in Burlington, house two. And like thousands of other Vermonters, I do have a summer camp. Forgive me for that. Where is your home, which tax haven do you live in?’
Sanders, who has taken the lead in the recent national polls in the race, has had to defend his health, his ability to beat President Trump in November and now his estimated net worth of $2.5 million.
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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
Friday, February 21, 2020
Cutting the cord in droves: 5.5 million Americans ditched cable and satellite TV in 2019 as most flock to cheaper online streaming options
Americans are cutting the cord and ditching traditional cable and satellite television subscriptions in favor of cheaper online streaming options at a faster rate, according to the latest survey.
In 2019, nearly 5.5 million customers who subscribed to large cable and satellite companies canceled their packages - a sharp jump from the 3.2 million subscribers who jumped ship the previous year.
The numbers reflect the increasingly high cost of programming as well as installation and equipment fees that come with the traditional cable and satellite packages.
Experts say that more Americans will opt out of cable and satellite in favor of online streaming services.
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In 2019, nearly 5.5 million customers who subscribed to large cable and satellite companies canceled their packages - a sharp jump from the 3.2 million subscribers who jumped ship the previous year.
The numbers reflect the increasingly high cost of programming as well as installation and equipment fees that come with the traditional cable and satellite packages.
Experts say that more Americans will opt out of cable and satellite in favor of online streaming services.
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THOUSANDS across America are in voluntary self-quarantine after returning from coronavirus-hit China, health officials reveal
Thousands of Americans who have returned from China are being asked to self-quarantine for two weeks as a precaution.
US citizens who have recently returned from China, where the coronavirus outbreak began, have been asked to shut themselves away for 14 days and to limit contact with others.
The returnees have shown no signs of having contracted the virus, formally known as COVID-19, and haven't developed a fever or respiratory complications.
Globally, the coronavirus epidemic has killed at least 2,247 people and infected more than 76,700, and has spread to at least two dozen countries.
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US citizens who have recently returned from China, where the coronavirus outbreak began, have been asked to shut themselves away for 14 days and to limit contact with others.
The returnees have shown no signs of having contracted the virus, formally known as COVID-19, and haven't developed a fever or respiratory complications.
Globally, the coronavirus epidemic has killed at least 2,247 people and infected more than 76,700, and has spread to at least two dozen countries.
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Study: China Is Selling Kenya Fish Poisoned with Mercury, Lead, Pesticides
The Chinese government is selling Kenya tons of fish poisoned with high levels of toxins like mercury, lead, and arsenic, the African country’s the Nation newspaper revealed in a study published Wednesday.
In the past three years, China has overwhelmed the Kenyan fish market with high volumes of cheap farmed fish like tilapia, making it impossible for Kenyans to subsist off of fishing in Lake Victoria as they cannot compete with the low prices of the Chinese product. Yet for years, reports have warned that the fish imported from Nairobi’s communist business partner is toxic, particularly dangerous to pregnant or nursing women who may pass on the poison to infant children.
Concern over both China’s devastation of Kenya’s traditional fishing economy and the dangers of eating Chinese fish led Kenyan authorities to impose a short-lived ban on Chinese fish in early 2019. The Communist Party responded by branding Kenyan officials’ reasonable concerns a “trade war” and threatening to cut funding for Kenyan Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) projects. The ban barely lasted through February of that year.
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In the past three years, China has overwhelmed the Kenyan fish market with high volumes of cheap farmed fish like tilapia, making it impossible for Kenyans to subsist off of fishing in Lake Victoria as they cannot compete with the low prices of the Chinese product. Yet for years, reports have warned that the fish imported from Nairobi’s communist business partner is toxic, particularly dangerous to pregnant or nursing women who may pass on the poison to infant children.
Concern over both China’s devastation of Kenya’s traditional fishing economy and the dangers of eating Chinese fish led Kenyan authorities to impose a short-lived ban on Chinese fish in early 2019. The Communist Party responded by branding Kenyan officials’ reasonable concerns a “trade war” and threatening to cut funding for Kenyan Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) projects. The ban barely lasted through February of that year.
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What They’re Saying About Governor Hogan’s Response to the Largest Tax Increase In State History
“Governor blasts Democrats' proposed sales tax for Kirwan” Frederick News-Post: “Hogan criticized the plan in a news briefing Thursday. He said it would hurt middle-class families and is the highest proposed sales tax in the state’s history. He listed several services that would be taxed: dog walkers, landscaping, barbers and day care." (Steve Bohnel, “Governor blasts Democrats' proposed sales tax for Kirwan,” Frederick News-Post, 2/20/20)
“Gov. Hogan Condemns Sales Tax Proposal To Fund Kirwan Reforms” WBAL News Radio: “Gov. Larry Hogan is accusing Democratic lawmakers of doing exactly what he said they were going to -- raise taxes to pay for the Kirwan Commission's proposed education reforms...Hogan blasted the proposal, saying the move would carry four times the impact of the 2007 increase. He said it would represent lawmakers going back on a pledge not to propose onerous new taxes.” (Tyler Waldman, “Gov. Hogan Condemns Sales Tax Proposal To Fund Kirwan Reforms,” WBAL News Radio, 2/20/20)
“Gov. Hogan attacks proposed tax plan to fund education reform” WTOP: “Hogan, a Republican, ran as a tax hawk in his first term and campaigned on the state of Maryland’s economy before winning a second term as governor. ‘This would destroy everything we’ve done for five years,’ Hogan told reporters Thursday. ‘It would destroy our economy.’ Hogan had insisted there was no way for Democrats to fund the education reform bill, called ‘The Blueprint for Maryland’s Future,’ without raising taxes. He insisted the introduction of the new bill proves his point.” (Kate Ryan, “Gov. Hogan attacks proposed tax plan to fund education reform,” WTOP, 2/20/20)
“Maryland governor, lawmakers, battle over crime, taxes” AP: “Hogan also condemned a sales tax proposal that would raise $2.6 billion for a sweeping education plan by fiscal year 2025. Maryland already has some of the best and most highly funded schools in the nation, Hogan said, adding that he said he remains committed to improving education.” (Brian Witte, “Maryland governor, lawmakers, battle over crime, taxes,” AP, 2/20/20)
“Expanding state sales tax to pay for school improvements would ‘destroy our economy,’ Maryland Gov. Hogan says” Baltimore Sun: “Hogan blasted the sales tax proposal during his news conference. He said collecting more sales tax would erase economic gains made in the state during his tenure as governor. ‘This would destroy everything we’ve done for five years,’ Hogan said. ‘It would destroy our economy.’” (Pamela Wood and Emily Opilo, “Expanding state sales tax to pay for school improvements would ‘destroy our economy,’ Maryland Gov. Hogan says,” Baltimore Sun, 2/20/20)
“Hogan attacks Democrats on crime bill, expanding sales tax to fund schools overhaul” Washington Post: “Hogan, who campaigned on an anti-tax agenda in 2014, said the proposal “is a tax on working families,” since it would apply regardless of income. ‘It’s a tax on single moms,’ he said. ‘It’s not ever going to happen while I’m governor. I can promise you.’ Hogan said his internal polling shows that only 2 percent of Marylanders support a tax increase.” (Ovetta Wiggins and Erin Cox, “Hogan attacks Democrats on crime bill, expanding sales tax to fund schools overhaul,” Washington Post, 2/20/20)
“Lawmakers considering expanding sales tax to fully fund Maryland schools” WMAR: “Governor Larry Hogan said this is a tax on working families and single moms. He said it will cost families $1,700 and is the largest tax increase ever in the state. Hogan also says this will never happen while he is Governor.” (Kelly Broderick, “Lawmakers considering expanding sales tax to fully fund Maryland schools,” WMAR, 2/20/20)
“Lawmakers Begin Weighing Novel Expansion of State Sales Tax” Maryland Matters: “But Gov. Lawrence J. Hogan Jr. (R) attacked the plan in a news conference Thursday and promised that ‘it’s not ever going to happen while I’m governor.’ Hogan charged that the tax change would cost $1,708 a year for a family of four, which his administration calculated by dividing the total increased tax equally among all Marylanders.” (Danielle E. Gaines, “Lawmakers Begin Weighing Novel Expansion of State Sales Tax,” Maryland Matters, 2/21/20)
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Highest number of independents to date approve of Trump: Poll
President Trump is maintaining elevated approval ratings following his impeachment acquittal in the Senate.
A Gallup poll released Thursday shows Trump with a 49% approval rating from voters, with 43% approval from political independents. The poll reveals deep polarization between views of Trump, with 93% Republican approval and just 6% Democratic approval, but Trump's support from independents is larger than at any other point in his presidency.
The results show that the president's approval has only climbed since his impeachment trial, jumping approximately 5 points.
"Trump's approval rating may be higher because of the Senate's acquitting him in the impeachment trial. Bill Clinton's job approval ratings also were higher spanning the time between his impeachment in late 1998 and his acquittal in early 1999," the survey noted.
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A Gallup poll released Thursday shows Trump with a 49% approval rating from voters, with 43% approval from political independents. The poll reveals deep polarization between views of Trump, with 93% Republican approval and just 6% Democratic approval, but Trump's support from independents is larger than at any other point in his presidency.
The results show that the president's approval has only climbed since his impeachment trial, jumping approximately 5 points.
"Trump's approval rating may be higher because of the Senate's acquitting him in the impeachment trial. Bill Clinton's job approval ratings also were higher spanning the time between his impeachment in late 1998 and his acquittal in early 1999," the survey noted.
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National Marriage, Divorce Rates Both Declined in the Last 10 Years
From 2008 to 2018, national marriage and divorce rates declined. However, both rates vary by state.
A new visualization from the U.S. Census Bureau shows state marriage and divorce rates using data from 2008 and 2018 American Community Survey, 1-year estimates.
In 2018:
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A new visualization from the U.S. Census Bureau shows state marriage and divorce rates using data from 2008 and 2018 American Community Survey, 1-year estimates.
In 2018:
- Utah had among the highest marriage rates.
- Maine and Connecticut had among the lowest marriage rates.
- Arkansas had among the highest divorce rates.
- North Dakota had among the lowest divorce rates.
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Update On Firearm Bill
Our Judiciary Committee just voted to withdraw as unfavorable HB 1261 - which would have criminalized thousands of Maryland gun owners for owning certain guns in wide use. Thank you to all for making your voices heard on this horrible bill.
Original Post:
Maryland ‘Assault Weapon’ Registration Bill Would Charge Gun Owners Up to $1000 Per Firearm
Secession fever spikes in five states as conservatives seek to escape blue rule
You’ve got Oregonians seeking to cascade into Idaho, Virginians who identify as West Virginians, Illinoians fighting to escape Chicago, Californians dreaming of starting a 51st state, and New Yorkers who think three states are better than one.
Separation fever is sweeping the nation as quixotic but tenacious bands of frustrated rural dwellers, suburbanites and conservatives seek to break free from states with legislatures increasingly controlled by liberal big cities and metropolitan strongholds.
“Oregon is controlled by the northwest portion of the state, Portland to Eugene. That’s urban land, and their decisions are not really representing rural Oregon,” said Mike McCarter, president of Move Oregon’s Border for a Greater Idaho. “They have their agenda and they’re moving forward with it, and they’re not listening to us.”
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Separation fever is sweeping the nation as quixotic but tenacious bands of frustrated rural dwellers, suburbanites and conservatives seek to break free from states with legislatures increasingly controlled by liberal big cities and metropolitan strongholds.
“Oregon is controlled by the northwest portion of the state, Portland to Eugene. That’s urban land, and their decisions are not really representing rural Oregon,” said Mike McCarter, president of Move Oregon’s Border for a Greater Idaho. “They have their agenda and they’re moving forward with it, and they’re not listening to us.”
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School Leaders Silent Despite Parkville Sex Offender Fallout
New legislation is working its way through Annapolis as Baltimore County’s school board is drafting new policies to keep students safe. But as all this is happening, County Schools leaders are still not answering our questions.
Baltimore County Schools Superintendent Dr. Darryl Williams makes $290,000 a year. The former interim Superintendent Verletta White, who is currently a consultant, makes $232,700. Mychael Dickerson served as chief of staff for both, making $223,283. And Parkville Principal Maureen Astarita earns $129,628. They are the four people who would have the most say in important decisions at Parkville High School, such as allowing a registered sex offender to take classes. That sex offender was enrolled at the school, when he was arrested again on a second-degree rape charge involving an underaged girl.
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CNN analyst predicts Trump 'will destroy Michael Bloomberg' after 'god-awful' debate performance
A CNN political contributor didn't mince words after 2020 Democrat Michael Bloomberg's debut debate performance, calling the billionaire's first appearance "god-awful."
Network analyst Bakari Sellers blasted Bloomberg's lack of preparation for Wednesday's primary debate, pondered if he fired his debate preparation staff, and said President Trump would "destroy" the former New York City mayor if he is atop the Democratic ticket in November.
“Donald Trump will destroy Mike Bloomberg if last night is any example of what happens on a debate stage," Sellers told CNN's New Day with hosts Alisyn Camerota and John Berman on Thursday.
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Network analyst Bakari Sellers blasted Bloomberg's lack of preparation for Wednesday's primary debate, pondered if he fired his debate preparation staff, and said President Trump would "destroy" the former New York City mayor if he is atop the Democratic ticket in November.
“Donald Trump will destroy Mike Bloomberg if last night is any example of what happens on a debate stage," Sellers told CNN's New Day with hosts Alisyn Camerota and John Berman on Thursday.
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Chelsea Handler ripped for claiming Trump only pardons white people
Comedian Chelsea Handler was slammed on Twitter this week for claiming President Trump only pardoned white people.
Trump announced Tuesday he was granting clemency to 11 people who served time, including former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich and financier Michael Milken.
Handler took issue with the announcement, tweeting, “While our president exonerates criminals and releases them from jail, notice what color they all are.”
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Trump announced Tuesday he was granting clemency to 11 people who served time, including former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich and financier Michael Milken.
Handler took issue with the announcement, tweeting, “While our president exonerates criminals and releases them from jail, notice what color they all are.”
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Taxpayers Should Not Be Paying Social Security Benefits to Dead People, Says Rep. Ted Budd
If you are dead, you don’t need to be getting Social Security benefits, says North Carolina Congressman Ted Budd.
The Republican lawmaker is launching a new initiative – “Budd’s Budget Busters” – to identify wasteful government spending and propose more efficient alternatives.
The primarily focus is to curb federal government expenditures on individuals who are no longer alive.
The Republican congressman describes the program as “a new effort to highlight and push for common sense ways that Congress can cut government waste and save taxpayer money.”
“In order to cut government waste, we’ve really got to highlight it,” Budd told The Todd Starnes Show on Thursday. “We’re also going to come out with a solution to fix it.” Budd said identifying a wasteful government problem will be a weekly, reoccurring agenda.
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The Republican lawmaker is launching a new initiative – “Budd’s Budget Busters” – to identify wasteful government spending and propose more efficient alternatives.
The primarily focus is to curb federal government expenditures on individuals who are no longer alive.
The Republican congressman describes the program as “a new effort to highlight and push for common sense ways that Congress can cut government waste and save taxpayer money.”
“In order to cut government waste, we’ve really got to highlight it,” Budd told The Todd Starnes Show on Thursday. “We’re also going to come out with a solution to fix it.” Budd said identifying a wasteful government problem will be a weekly, reoccurring agenda.
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Wow. Just wow.
William M. Stanley
Tonight (just now) on the Senate floor, I tried to amend the state budget to give our men and women of our Sheriff’s Department a 3% raise for this year. It was defeated, with all democrats voting “no.” When I went to get a vote count from the clerk, Majority Leader Dick Saslaw came up and said this to me: “Hey Stanley, you want to know why your sheriffs didn’t get a raise? —because they came to our committees and said that they weren’t going to enforce our laws.” When I asked him which law was he talking about, he said “gun control”. I was shocked that the Democrats are now financially punishing our local law enforcement for their decision to protect our citizens’ Second Amendment rights. Wow. Just wow.
Editor's Note:
William M. "Bill" Stanley Jr. is an American politician. A Republican, he was elected in 2011 to the Senate of Virginia for the 20th district. The 20th district includes the cities of Galax and Martinsville, Henry and Patrick counties, part of the city of Danville, and parts of five other Southside Virginia counties
Coronavirus 2-21-20
SINCE YESTERDAY 1951 NEW INFECTIONS ... 238 MORE DEATHS
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the U.S.
Updated February 19, 2020
CDC is closely monitoring an outbreak of respiratory illness caused by a novel (new) coronavirus. The outbreak first started in Wuhan, China, but cases have been identified in a growing number of other international locations, including the United States. This page will be updated regularly on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
Persons Under Investigation (PUI) in the United States*†‡
People under Investigation (PUI) in the United States
Positive 15
Negative 412
Pending§ 52
Total 479
*Cumulative since January 21, 2020.
† Numbers closed out at 4 p.m. the day before reporting.
§Includes specimens received and awaiting testing, as well as specimens en route to CDC.
‡Does not include passengers from the Diamond Princess cruise ship, including presumptive-positive cases, who were returned to the U.S. via State Department-chartered flights.
Number of states and territories with PUI: 42
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Melania Trump mocked for receiving 2020 'Woman of Distinction' award
First lady Melania Trump took flak on Twitter after receiving the 2020 “Woman of Distinction” award from Palm Beach Atlantic University.
Trump used part of her acceptance speech to highlight her work in combating cyberbullying via her Be Best campaign.
“We live in an age where too many people allow the number of retweets or likes to define their self-worth,” the first lady warned. “I am convinced now more than ever that teaching healthy online behavior is crucial to securing a safer future for our children.”
Some took issue with that message, including a professor at the university that issued the award.
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Trump used part of her acceptance speech to highlight her work in combating cyberbullying via her Be Best campaign.
“We live in an age where too many people allow the number of retweets or likes to define their self-worth,” the first lady warned. “I am convinced now more than ever that teaching healthy online behavior is crucial to securing a safer future for our children.”
Some took issue with that message, including a professor at the university that issued the award.
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WCSAO CAT Press Release - Feb 18, 2020
Date of Incident: February 18, 2020
Location: 8600 Ocean Highway, Delmar, Maryland 21875
Suspects:
- Shawonne Joshay Hill (29 years of age)
- Donregus E. Holland (25 years of age)
Charges:
- Hill: PWID Heroin, Possession of Heroin, (2) counts of Reckless Endangerment
- Holland: PWID Heroin, Possession of heroin, (2) counts of Reckless Endangerment
Kellyanne Conway says Bloomberg should fire staffers after his first Democratic debate appearance
Kellyanne Conway said 2020 Democrat Michael Bloomberg should start firing campaign staffers after his first presidential debate appearance.
Conway sounded off on the former New York City mayor’s performance on Twitter while he contended with his primary opponents on the debate stage in Las Vegas Wednesday night. The White House adviser insinuated that Bloomberg performed poorly, insisting he should fire any staffers who claim he did the opposite.
“Mike Bloomberg should fire two groups of people tonight: those who helped with debate prep and those who squeal 'GREAT JOB!!' as he exits the debate stage,” she tweeted.
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Conway sounded off on the former New York City mayor’s performance on Twitter while he contended with his primary opponents on the debate stage in Las Vegas Wednesday night. The White House adviser insinuated that Bloomberg performed poorly, insisting he should fire any staffers who claim he did the opposite.
“Mike Bloomberg should fire two groups of people tonight: those who helped with debate prep and those who squeal 'GREAT JOB!!' as he exits the debate stage,” she tweeted.
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US Mistakenly Awarded $877 Million Meant for Disabled Vets
The Pentagon mistakenly awarded $876.8 million in contracts to ineligible small businesses supposedly owned by disabled veterans in the fiscal years 2017 and 2018, according to the Defense Department’s inspector general.
If personnel continue to award contracts “without verifying contractor eligibility, service-disabled veterans may be in jeopardy of not receiving contract awards intended for them, and the DoD will be at risk of misreporting the amounts” of participation for qualified contractors, according to the audit released Thursday.
A 2004 executive order requires the heads of federal agencies to provide an opportunity for service-disabled veteran businesses to increase their participation in federal contracting. The order set a target goal of providing at least 3% of all federal contracting dollars to service-disabled veteran businesses each year.
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If personnel continue to award contracts “without verifying contractor eligibility, service-disabled veterans may be in jeopardy of not receiving contract awards intended for them, and the DoD will be at risk of misreporting the amounts” of participation for qualified contractors, according to the audit released Thursday.
A 2004 executive order requires the heads of federal agencies to provide an opportunity for service-disabled veteran businesses to increase their participation in federal contracting. The order set a target goal of providing at least 3% of all federal contracting dollars to service-disabled veteran businesses each year.
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New York Times publishes Taliban propaganda
It used to be that a murderous regime needed a pliable Western journalist to get its propaganda printed in the New York Times.
Not anymore!
It can submit directly to the Times opinion section, as the Taliban proved this week.
“What We, the Taliban, Want,” reads the actual headline to an article published Thursday by an actual American newsroom.
The op-ed, authored by Taliban deputy leader and suspected terrorist Sirajuddin Haqqani, opens with a series of sentences that attempt to “both sides” the conflict between the Taliban and the United States and present the Americans as unreliable and untrustworthy negotiators.
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Not anymore!
It can submit directly to the Times opinion section, as the Taliban proved this week.
“What We, the Taliban, Want,” reads the actual headline to an article published Thursday by an actual American newsroom.
The op-ed, authored by Taliban deputy leader and suspected terrorist Sirajuddin Haqqani, opens with a series of sentences that attempt to “both sides” the conflict between the Taliban and the United States and present the Americans as unreliable and untrustworthy negotiators.
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Ex-Intel Official Pleads Guilty to Leaking Top Secret Info
A former counter-terrorism analyst has pleaded guilty to leaking classified information to two journalists, including one he was dating.
Henry Kyle Frese, 31, of Philadelphia held a top-secret clearance when he worked at the Defense Intelligence Agency. He pleaded guilty Thursday in federal court in Alexandria to illegally transmitting national defense information.
Prosecutors say Frese leaked classified details about foreign nations' weapon systems in 2018 and 2019.
The court papers do not explicitly identify the journalists who received the information, but details in the papers make it clear that the recipients were Amanda Macias of CNBC and Courtney Kube of NBC News.
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Henry Kyle Frese, 31, of Philadelphia held a top-secret clearance when he worked at the Defense Intelligence Agency. He pleaded guilty Thursday in federal court in Alexandria to illegally transmitting national defense information.
Prosecutors say Frese leaked classified details about foreign nations' weapon systems in 2018 and 2019.
The court papers do not explicitly identify the journalists who received the information, but details in the papers make it clear that the recipients were Amanda Macias of CNBC and Courtney Kube of NBC News.
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Chesapeake City Bridge Head-on Crash
(Chesapeake City, MD) On February 21, 2020 at 7:20 AM troopers from the North East Barrack were dispatched to respond to the Chesapeake City Bridge on MD 213 for a two vehicle crash. Upon their arrival troopers located a head-on collision. The bridge had to be closed down entirely for the crash, emergency personnel, and the investigation.
Witnesses on scene advised investigators that a black Dodge Journey had been traveling northbound on the bridge when it crossed the center-line striking a southbound white Hyundai Veloster head-on. The Dodge and the Hyundai had no passengers. One driver was flown to Christiana Hospital in Delaware by Delaware State Police’s Aviation Unit. The other driver was taken to Christiana Hospital by a Cecil County Emergency Services medic unit. The names of the drivers are being withheld at this time pending notification to their families.
The Maryland State Highway Administration responded to the scene to assist with the road closure and to detour traffic. The Maryland State Police CRASH Team responded to assist in the reconstruction of the crash.
Witnesses to the crash are asked to contact the Maryland State Police North East Barrack at 410-996-7800 in reference to case # 20-MSP-007416.
The investigation continues…
More Than Half of Baltimore's Mayoral Candidates Have Faced Criminal Charges
BALTIMORE (WBFF) - In less than ten days, former Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh will appear in federal court to be sentenced.
In November of 2019, Pugh pleaded guilty to charges that included tax evasion and conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
FOX45 began to look into the backgrounds of the 32 candidates campaigning to become the next Mayor of Baltimore.
Operation: Crime & Justice found of the 32 mayoral hopefuls, more than half of the candidates have faced criminal charges.
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In November of 2019, Pugh pleaded guilty to charges that included tax evasion and conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
FOX45 began to look into the backgrounds of the 32 candidates campaigning to become the next Mayor of Baltimore.
Operation: Crime & Justice found of the 32 mayoral hopefuls, more than half of the candidates have faced criminal charges.
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Democrat expects House hearings on Trump pardons and commutations
A Democrat said he expected the House to investigate this week's wave of presidential commutations and pardons, including the commutation of former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s prison sentence.
“I mean, we will, of course, I expect, have hearings on this,” Rep. David Cicilline, a Rhode Island Democrat, told CNN. “There’s a process that the president is expected to follow in granting pardons or granting clemency. We’ll try to bring attention to this issue on behalf of the American people. We will continue to do oversight.”
The Trump administration announced this week that Blagojevich would be released from prison in Colorado, where he was eight years into a 14-year sentence after being convicted on corruption charges.
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“I mean, we will, of course, I expect, have hearings on this,” Rep. David Cicilline, a Rhode Island Democrat, told CNN. “There’s a process that the president is expected to follow in granting pardons or granting clemency. We’ll try to bring attention to this issue on behalf of the American people. We will continue to do oversight.”
The Trump administration announced this week that Blagojevich would be released from prison in Colorado, where he was eight years into a 14-year sentence after being convicted on corruption charges.
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THE OUTDOOR MAN
The 14 coronavirus-stricken Americans evacuated from a cruise ship in Japan were flown back to the US on a plane full of healthy people against advice from the CDC, a report said Thursday.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention officials argued the 14 infected Diamond Princess passengers shouldn’t be flown back with the about 300 virus-free people — but ultimately lost the battle to the US State Department, according to The Washington Post.
“It was like the worst nightmare,” an anonymous senior U.S. official involved in the decision told the paper.
“Quite frankly, the alternative could have been pulling grandma out in the pouring rain, and that would have been bad, too.”
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention officials argued the 14 infected Diamond Princess passengers shouldn’t be flown back with the about 300 virus-free people — but ultimately lost the battle to the US State Department, according to The Washington Post.
“It was like the worst nightmare,” an anonymous senior U.S. official involved in the decision told the paper.
“Quite frankly, the alternative could have been pulling grandma out in the pouring rain, and that would have been bad, too.”
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Bernie Sanders snags endorsement from top Muslim group
Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders earned an endorsement this week from the self-proclaimed largest Muslim political action committee in the United States.
Emgage PAC announced their support of the Vermont senator on Thursday, saying the decision was based on his “inclusive” presidential campaign.
“More than any other presidential candidate, Senator Sanders has built a historically inclusive and forward-thinking movement: one that represents America as a set of ideas grounded in the belief that all humans are equal and worthy of a dignified life,” Emgage PAC CEO Wa'el Alzayat said in a statement.
“Our endorsement is intended to galvanize Muslim Americans at the polls to ensure that our voices are heard. Furthermore, we hope that this endorsement marks a new era of presidential candidates including Muslim American voices in the political process and policy-making decisions," he added.
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Emgage PAC announced their support of the Vermont senator on Thursday, saying the decision was based on his “inclusive” presidential campaign.
“More than any other presidential candidate, Senator Sanders has built a historically inclusive and forward-thinking movement: one that represents America as a set of ideas grounded in the belief that all humans are equal and worthy of a dignified life,” Emgage PAC CEO Wa'el Alzayat said in a statement.
“Our endorsement is intended to galvanize Muslim Americans at the polls to ensure that our voices are heard. Furthermore, we hope that this endorsement marks a new era of presidential candidates including Muslim American voices in the political process and policy-making decisions," he added.
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George Zimmerman sues Warren and Buttigieg for defamation
George Zimmerman, the former Floridian neighborhood watch volunteer who was acquitted of murder in the 2012 fatal shooting of unarmed black teenager Trayvon Martin, is suing Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren and former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg for defamation.
The lawsuit focuses on tweets each of the presidential candidates sent on Feb. 5, the day Martin would have turned 25 years old. It was filed in Polk County, Florida, on Tuesday and claims Warren and Buttigieg tried using the killing "as a pretext to demagogue and falsely brand Zimmerman as a white supremacist and racist to their millions of Twitter followers," according to Fox News.
He seeks damages of $265 million.
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The lawsuit focuses on tweets each of the presidential candidates sent on Feb. 5, the day Martin would have turned 25 years old. It was filed in Polk County, Florida, on Tuesday and claims Warren and Buttigieg tried using the killing "as a pretext to demagogue and falsely brand Zimmerman as a white supremacist and racist to their millions of Twitter followers," according to Fox News.
He seeks damages of $265 million.
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Wicomico Hears Update On New Lobbyist’s Efforts
SALISBURY – Months after calling into question the hiring of a county lobbyist, officials this week received their first update on the lobbyist’s efforts.
On Tuesday, Assistant Director of Administration Weston Young presented the Wicomico County Council with an update on efforts taken by the county’s new lobbyist since his hiring last June.
“We’ve contracted with State and Local Advisors to assist us with our interests at the state and federal level,” he said. “This provides us a permanent presence in Annapolis.”
Last fall, the council held a work session with representatives of the Wicomico County Executive’s Office after learning that the county had hired lobbyist Paul Ellington of State and Local Advisors earlier in the summer. At that meeting, officials questioned the administration’s reasoning for hiring the lobbyist and spending $30,000 upfront for his services.
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On Tuesday, Assistant Director of Administration Weston Young presented the Wicomico County Council with an update on efforts taken by the county’s new lobbyist since his hiring last June.
“We’ve contracted with State and Local Advisors to assist us with our interests at the state and federal level,” he said. “This provides us a permanent presence in Annapolis.”
Last fall, the council held a work session with representatives of the Wicomico County Executive’s Office after learning that the county had hired lobbyist Paul Ellington of State and Local Advisors earlier in the summer. At that meeting, officials questioned the administration’s reasoning for hiring the lobbyist and spending $30,000 upfront for his services.
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State Police Medevac Helicopter Crew Tackles Challenges To Fly Premature Infant And Mother From Remote Location In Garrett County
(SWANTON, MD) – A mother and her newborn pre-mature infant were safely flown by Maryland State Police Trooper 5 helicopter, based in Cumberland, MD from a remote Garrett County location amidst challenging weather conditions in the mountainous region of the state yesterday morning.
The infant, born approximately 10 weeks early, was delivered on the side of the road near Backbone Mountain by Garrett County Emergency Medical Services shortly after 9:30 a.m. At the time, the child’s mother was enroute to the hospital nearly 40 miles away when she suffered complications and went into labor. An off-duty medical professional from UPMC Western Maryland Regional Medical Center came upon the woman and assisted with the delivery of the infant. Tri-Towns Emergency Medical Services and Bloomington Volunteer Fire Company responded to provide emergency medical care to the mother and infant.
Due to the deteriorating medical condition of the infant, the Maryland State Police (MSP) Duty Officer, stationed in the Operations Control Center (OCC) in Baltimore, MD received a request for assistance from Garrett County volunteers for a MEDEVAC. Maryland State Police Trooper 5 out of Cumberland, MD was dispatched and arrived on scene within 15 minutes.
The infant’s medical condition led to the crew of Trooper 5 to make the decision to fly the infant and mother to J. W. Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown, West Virginia at approximately 9:45a.m. yesterday morning. As Trooper 5 departed the scene, complicated weather conditions enroute and limited flight visibility led to the crew requesting an instrument clearance from Air Traffic Control. Using the AW139 aircraft’s advanced avionics the crew was able to execute the instrument approach into Morgantown nearly 60 miles away. Trooper 5 was able to successfully transport the mother and infant to the medical facility for further treatment.
The Maryland State Police Aviation Command has served Maryland citizens since 1970, and operates a fleet of 10 helicopters from seven bases throughout Maryland on a 24/7/365 basis. Missions include medevac, law enforcement, search & rescue, homeland security, and disaster assessment. The success of rescues performed by the Aviation Command depends a great deal on the cooperative efforts of local fire, rescue and EMS law enforcement agencies.