Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey (D) requested on Thursday that “protesters” in the City of Lakes practice social distancing and wear masks to reduce coronavirus transmission. The municipal government claimed to provide hundreds of masks to the public for this purpose.
Frey’s comments came during ongoing protests and riots in Minneapolis following the death of George Floyd, a man who died after a municipal police officer placed his knee on Floyd’s neck while handcuffed.
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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, May 29, 2020
Valerie Jarrett: Trump’s Embrace of White Supremacists ‘Fueling Anger’ of Protesters
Thursday on MSNBC, former Obama adviser Valerie Jarrett accused President Donald Trump of “fueling” the anger on display from the demonstrators protesting for the last three days in response to the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
Host Joy Reid said, “I want to get your comment. We know that during President Obama’s term, there were uprisings in Baltimore, in Ferguson, Missouri. So this is something that President Obama dealt with. How do you respond to the way the current president is handling this?”
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Host Joy Reid said, “I want to get your comment. We know that during President Obama’s term, there were uprisings in Baltimore, in Ferguson, Missouri. So this is something that President Obama dealt with. How do you respond to the way the current president is handling this?”
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As Seen On Facebook
Steve Rakow
11 hrs ·
Very disappointed in our local OC council and county commissioners. Now that restaurants can open for outside dining - these governing bodies have required additional permits and the local health department must also approve the request. After nearly 90 days of shut down, why did these leaders wait until the last minute announcement of opening for outside dining to issue these decrees? Yes, they are now going to expedite the processing and/or allow for opening if the application for a permit is filed, but this does NOTHING to help our restaurants who have suffered throughout this pandemic. Simply no need for these permits. These restaurants already have licenses to operate, why make another hurdle for these owners to jump through at the last minute? I just continue to shake my head in wonderment of the decision-making process, or lack thereof, by our local government leaders. Real leadership would have simply allowed these restaurants to open for outside dining without any additional permitting. Our local restaurant owners can handle the pandemic-imposed restrictions - of that I'm confident. So, instead of requiring these permits, please trust our local businesses to open properly and conduct business as they know how.
11 hrs ·
Very disappointed in our local OC council and county commissioners. Now that restaurants can open for outside dining - these governing bodies have required additional permits and the local health department must also approve the request. After nearly 90 days of shut down, why did these leaders wait until the last minute announcement of opening for outside dining to issue these decrees? Yes, they are now going to expedite the processing and/or allow for opening if the application for a permit is filed, but this does NOTHING to help our restaurants who have suffered throughout this pandemic. Simply no need for these permits. These restaurants already have licenses to operate, why make another hurdle for these owners to jump through at the last minute? I just continue to shake my head in wonderment of the decision-making process, or lack thereof, by our local government leaders. Real leadership would have simply allowed these restaurants to open for outside dining without any additional permitting. Our local restaurant owners can handle the pandemic-imposed restrictions - of that I'm confident. So, instead of requiring these permits, please trust our local businesses to open properly and conduct business as they know how.
CNN's Omar Jimenez, former WBALTV reporter, arrested live by Minnesota police
CNN journalist Omar Jimenez was arrested on live TV Friday morning at a site of protests in Minneapolis by state police, despite identifying himself to officers and asking where he and his crew should move.
"We can move back to where you like. We are live on the air here. ... Put us back where you want us. We are getting out of your way — wherever you want us (we'll) get out of your way," Jimenez said before he was led away.
Jimenez worked at WBALTV as a reporter from July 2015 through June 2017.
Jimenez's crew, including producer Bill Kirkos and photojournalist Leonel Mendez, were also placed in handcuffs and arrested shortly after 5 a.m.
Police told the crew they were being detained because they were told to move, and didn't, one member of the CNN crew relayed to the network.
CNN released a statement, saying, "A CNN reporter & his production team were arrested this morning in Minneapolis for doing their jobs, despite identifying themselves - a clear violation of their First Amendment rights. The authorities in Minnesota, incl. the Governor, must release the 3 CNN employees immediately."
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"We can move back to where you like. We are live on the air here. ... Put us back where you want us. We are getting out of your way — wherever you want us (we'll) get out of your way," Jimenez said before he was led away.
Jimenez worked at WBALTV as a reporter from July 2015 through June 2017.
Jimenez's crew, including producer Bill Kirkos and photojournalist Leonel Mendez, were also placed in handcuffs and arrested shortly after 5 a.m.
Police told the crew they were being detained because they were told to move, and didn't, one member of the CNN crew relayed to the network.
CNN released a statement, saying, "A CNN reporter & his production team were arrested this morning in Minneapolis for doing their jobs, despite identifying themselves - a clear violation of their First Amendment rights. The authorities in Minnesota, incl. the Governor, must release the 3 CNN employees immediately."
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With car alarm blaring, off-duty cop shot teen in head after boy's phone flashed: JPSO
An off-duty college campus police officer investigating why a car alarm was blaring outside his Metairie home shot a teenager in the head after a bright light on the boy’s cell phone suddenly flashed, something the officer mistook as a firing gun, the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office said Wednesday.
The Sheriff’s Office said its detectives are still investigating the confrontation that led William Daniel Short to shoot a 14-year-old boy in Metairie last week. Short has not been booked with a crime, and sheriff’s investigators intend to consult with the Jefferson Parish District Attorney’s Office to determine whether he should face charges.
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The Sheriff’s Office said its detectives are still investigating the confrontation that led William Daniel Short to shoot a 14-year-old boy in Metairie last week. Short has not been booked with a crime, and sheriff’s investigators intend to consult with the Jefferson Parish District Attorney’s Office to determine whether he should face charges.
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Md. makes online groceries available for SNAP recipients
The Maryland Department of Human Services has made several adjustments to the supplemental nutrition assistance program in light of the coronavirus pandemic.
As of Thursday, all SNAP recipients can purchase groceries online from approved United States Department of Agriculture retailers without extra charge.
SNAP helps low-income households purchase food. To qualify for SNAP, an individual’s or family’s income must be 130 percent below the federal poverty line.
Katherine Morris, communications director for the human services department, said in a press release that SNAP is playing a critical role in the coronavirus pandemic.
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As of Thursday, all SNAP recipients can purchase groceries online from approved United States Department of Agriculture retailers without extra charge.
SNAP helps low-income households purchase food. To qualify for SNAP, an individual’s or family’s income must be 130 percent below the federal poverty line.
Katherine Morris, communications director for the human services department, said in a press release that SNAP is playing a critical role in the coronavirus pandemic.
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MD Department of Labor addresses unemployment issues with 12-page letter
MARYLAND — The Maryland Department of Labor issued a 12-page letter in response to concerns brought up in a joint Senate committee's hearing on unemployment issues earlier this month.
In the letter, the MD Dept. of Labor said they are working around the clock to ensure that all claimants receive the unemployment benefits they are entitled to as quickly as possible.
The Department stated they feel the frustration and desperation from so many Marylanders in need of assistance and are listening and acting upon feedback from customers daily, in order to further improve systems and processes to better handle the unprecedented volume they are faced with.
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In the letter, the MD Dept. of Labor said they are working around the clock to ensure that all claimants receive the unemployment benefits they are entitled to as quickly as possible.
The Department stated they feel the frustration and desperation from so many Marylanders in need of assistance and are listening and acting upon feedback from customers daily, in order to further improve systems and processes to better handle the unprecedented volume they are faced with.
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Derek Chauvin, cop who pinned down George Floyd, faces murder charge
The cop who was caught on camera using his knee to pin George Floyd’s neck to the ground is being charged with unintentional murder and manslaughter — but may face more serious allegations, a Minnesota prosecutor said Friday.
The three other cops at the scene will likely also face charges in Floyd’s racially charged death, Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman said.
Since-fired Officer Derek Chauvin was taken into custody pending the filing of a criminal complaint charging him with third-degree murder and manslaughter, Freeman said.
Under Minnesota law, third-degree murder covers “eminently dangerous” acts that cause death without the intent of doing so, and is punishable by up to 25 years in prison.
“We are in the process of continuing to review the evidence,” Freeman said. “There may be subsequent charges later.”
Freeman said Chauvin’s arrest was “by far, the fastest we’ve ever charged a police officer.”
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The three other cops at the scene will likely also face charges in Floyd’s racially charged death, Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman said.
Since-fired Officer Derek Chauvin was taken into custody pending the filing of a criminal complaint charging him with third-degree murder and manslaughter, Freeman said.
Under Minnesota law, third-degree murder covers “eminently dangerous” acts that cause death without the intent of doing so, and is punishable by up to 25 years in prison.
“We are in the process of continuing to review the evidence,” Freeman said. “There may be subsequent charges later.”
Freeman said Chauvin’s arrest was “by far, the fastest we’ve ever charged a police officer.”
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Coronavirus updates: Trump says US ending relationship with WHO
A novel coronavirus pandemic has now killed more than 362,000 people worldwide.
Over 5.8 million across the globe have been diagnosed with COVID-19, the disease caused by the new respiratory virus, according to data compiled by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins University. The actual numbers arebelieved to be much higher due to testing shortages, unreported cases and suspicions that some governments are hiding the scope of their nations' outbreaks.
The United States is the world's most-affected country, with more than 1.7 million diagnosed cases and at least 102,323 deaths.
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Over 5.8 million across the globe have been diagnosed with COVID-19, the disease caused by the new respiratory virus, according to data compiled by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins University. The actual numbers arebelieved to be much higher due to testing shortages, unreported cases and suspicions that some governments are hiding the scope of their nations' outbreaks.
The United States is the world's most-affected country, with more than 1.7 million diagnosed cases and at least 102,323 deaths.
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Maryland’s $20 Billion Pension Shortfall & Peter Franchot
As badly as your 401(k) may be doing because of this year’s COVID stock market swoon, your personal retirement account is not short as many dollars as Maryland’s state pension system. As of last June 30th, Maryland’s pension fund was over $20 billion in the hole, with only enough assets to cover 73% of its liabilities. This year’s numbers will likely be far worse.
Nearly a decade ago, reforms enacted under then-Gov. Martin O’Malley (D) were intended to put the fund on course to reestablish good health by 2023. The “reforms” included higher employee contributions, benefit cuts, and a delayed retirement age for future employees. A significant annual increase in the state’s own annual employer contribution was also supposed to help correct the fund’s imbalance.
Instead of taking advantage of a decade long bull-market to shore up the fund, money promised from the state was spent elsewhere. By 2014 the legislature was already diverting money for promised employer pension contributions to their other spending. As a result, instead of declining, the total dollars due for the pension deficit in fact increased since the O’Malley era “reforms.”[i] All this while the Dow Jones Industrial Average has doubled.
Maryland’s elected official with the most direct responsibility for the pension fund has been missing in action in addressing these problems. The state’s “chief fiscal officer,” Comptroller Peter Franchot has instead used his position as an officer of the board of trustees for his signature political grandstanding, such as calling on the fund to divest itself from Alabama-based companies because of a local abortion law.[ii] (Spoiler alert, only two Alabama headquartered companies are listed in the S&P 500.)
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Nearly a decade ago, reforms enacted under then-Gov. Martin O’Malley (D) were intended to put the fund on course to reestablish good health by 2023. The “reforms” included higher employee contributions, benefit cuts, and a delayed retirement age for future employees. A significant annual increase in the state’s own annual employer contribution was also supposed to help correct the fund’s imbalance.
Instead of taking advantage of a decade long bull-market to shore up the fund, money promised from the state was spent elsewhere. By 2014 the legislature was already diverting money for promised employer pension contributions to their other spending. As a result, instead of declining, the total dollars due for the pension deficit in fact increased since the O’Malley era “reforms.”[i] All this while the Dow Jones Industrial Average has doubled.
Maryland’s elected official with the most direct responsibility for the pension fund has been missing in action in addressing these problems. The state’s “chief fiscal officer,” Comptroller Peter Franchot has instead used his position as an officer of the board of trustees for his signature political grandstanding, such as calling on the fund to divest itself from Alabama-based companies because of a local abortion law.[ii] (Spoiler alert, only two Alabama headquartered companies are listed in the S&P 500.)
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Gov. Cuomo's controversial nursing home order deleted from New York Health Department website
Evidence of New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s March 25 order mandating that nursing homes accept individuals diagnosed with the coronavirus has been deleted from the New York State Department of Health’s website.
The webpage relating to the order gives a message saying the document is “not found” when you try to access it, but the document can still be found on the Internet Archive’s Wayback Machine, according to the Daily Caller News Foundation.
Cuomo has faced increasing scrutiny over the past few weeks for the way the state has protected nursing homes during the coronavirus outbreak, including his order requiring that nursing homes accept coronavirus patients.
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The webpage relating to the order gives a message saying the document is “not found” when you try to access it, but the document can still be found on the Internet Archive’s Wayback Machine, according to the Daily Caller News Foundation.
Cuomo has faced increasing scrutiny over the past few weeks for the way the state has protected nursing homes during the coronavirus outbreak, including his order requiring that nursing homes accept coronavirus patients.
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Trimper’s Rides Planning To Host Weekly Greenmarket
OCEAN CITY – A new farmers market will debut at Trimper’s Rides this week.
Beginning this Friday, Trimper’s Rides will debut its weekly Trimper’s Greenmarket.
From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. each Friday, the Greenmarket will provide a platform for local farmers to sell their goods to the public and the city’s restaurants.
Trimper’s Rides President Antoinette Bruno said the market will be an opportunity to support local vendors and buy fresh produce.
“I feel pretty strongly that the Greenmarket can be a center for community in our city,” she said. “With all that’s going on with COVID-19 and with the delayed opening of the city and the amusement park, we thought what better activity to bring locals and visitors alike together.”
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Beginning this Friday, Trimper’s Rides will debut its weekly Trimper’s Greenmarket.
From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. each Friday, the Greenmarket will provide a platform for local farmers to sell their goods to the public and the city’s restaurants.
Trimper’s Rides President Antoinette Bruno said the market will be an opportunity to support local vendors and buy fresh produce.
“I feel pretty strongly that the Greenmarket can be a center for community in our city,” she said. “With all that’s going on with COVID-19 and with the delayed opening of the city and the amusement park, we thought what better activity to bring locals and visitors alike together.”
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Armed redneck vigilantes' vow to return to Minnesota streets to protect stores from George Floyd protest looters as they reveal they met through gun rights rallies
Two men who described themselves as 'armed rednecks' standing guard outside Minneapolis shops during the George Floyd riots have defended taking the law into their own hands.
Stephen, 35, who did not want to give his surname, told DailyMail.com he took his AR-style pistol to the Lake Street area in south Minneapolis to prevent looting, and protect the mainly peaceful protesters.
Minnesota was wracked with protests on Tuesday and Wednesday night, after the killing on Monday of a black man, George Floyd, by a white police officer.
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Stephen, 35, who did not want to give his surname, told DailyMail.com he took his AR-style pistol to the Lake Street area in south Minneapolis to prevent looting, and protect the mainly peaceful protesters.
Minnesota was wracked with protests on Tuesday and Wednesday night, after the killing on Monday of a black man, George Floyd, by a white police officer.
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New York Times Magazine amends story after ER doctor who allegedly died of coronavirus never died
A diary published in New York Times Magazine claiming that a 26-year-old medical resident died of the coronavirus was amended this week after it was learned the medical resident is still alive and was never sick with the virus.
An article in the magazine posted on April 14 with the headline “I’m an E.R. Doctor in New York. None of Us Will Ever Be the Same” told the story of a 26-year-old medical resident in a New York City hospital training program that died from the coronavirus.
“Later in the day, a co-worker pulls me off to the side,” the emergency room doctor’s diary said. “A resident at another New York City training program died from coronavirus this week, she whispers. I search the internet for any news articles about this and find nothing. Maybe it’s a rumor, I tell myself before falling sleep that night. The next morning, I see the posts on Twitter. He was only 26.”
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An article in the magazine posted on April 14 with the headline “I’m an E.R. Doctor in New York. None of Us Will Ever Be the Same” told the story of a 26-year-old medical resident in a New York City hospital training program that died from the coronavirus.
“Later in the day, a co-worker pulls me off to the side,” the emergency room doctor’s diary said. “A resident at another New York City training program died from coronavirus this week, she whispers. I search the internet for any news articles about this and find nothing. Maybe it’s a rumor, I tell myself before falling sleep that night. The next morning, I see the posts on Twitter. He was only 26.”
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'On Trump's watch': Clinton blames Trump as country surpasses 100,000 coronavirus deaths
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton lashed out at President Trump after the United States reported the coronavirus death toll surpassed 100,000 earlier this week.
Writing to Twitter on Thursday, Clinton criticized the president for sharing a controversial video by Cowboys for Trump before accusing Trump of failing to respond to the coronavirus appropriately.
"Over the last 24 hours, the 100,000th American died of COVID-19 on Trump’s watch," Clinton tweeted. "He’s spent the last 24 hours sharing videos that begin 'The only good Democrat is a dead Democrat' while complaining Twitter’s censoring him. We need a real president."
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Writing to Twitter on Thursday, Clinton criticized the president for sharing a controversial video by Cowboys for Trump before accusing Trump of failing to respond to the coronavirus appropriately.
"Over the last 24 hours, the 100,000th American died of COVID-19 on Trump’s watch," Clinton tweeted. "He’s spent the last 24 hours sharing videos that begin 'The only good Democrat is a dead Democrat' while complaining Twitter’s censoring him. We need a real president."
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Prosecutors warn there is ‘evidence that does not support criminal charge’ in case of four cops accused of killing George Floyd as they say police can use a ‘certain amount of force - but not excessive’
Prosecutors have warned there is ‘evidence that does not support criminal charges’ in the case of four cops accused of killing George Floyd, as they say police can use a ‘certain amount of force - but not excessive’.
At a press conference Thursday, Mike Freeman, county attorney for Hennepin County, condemned the actions of white cop Derek Chauvin as 'horrific and terrible', but said prosecutors needed to determine if he used 'excessive' force when he knelt on the black man's neck for eight minutes until he passed out and later died.
'That video is graphic and horrific and terrible and no person should do that,' he said.
'But my job in the end is to prove he violated a criminal statute - but there is other evidence that does not support a criminal charge.'
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At a press conference Thursday, Mike Freeman, county attorney for Hennepin County, condemned the actions of white cop Derek Chauvin as 'horrific and terrible', but said prosecutors needed to determine if he used 'excessive' force when he knelt on the black man's neck for eight minutes until he passed out and later died.
'That video is graphic and horrific and terrible and no person should do that,' he said.
'But my job in the end is to prove he violated a criminal statute - but there is other evidence that does not support a criminal charge.'
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In Wicomico County, a couple struggles to stay afloat with underwater mortgage
SALISBURY, Maryland – Each week, John Peters does yard work for neighbors, shuttles friends to doctors’ appointments and works as a janitor at Crossroads Church of God. The jobs bring in extra money used to keep the family afloat while he and his wife, Sheryl, scramble to find a lender willing to refinance their troubled mortgage.
Both senior citizens in their 70s, the Peterses owe $72,000 on the small powder-blue bungalow that they have owned since 2002. But the house is worth just $48,000, meaning they are “underwater” and owe more on the home than it’s worth.
It’s a situation that has roiled the Peters family ever since John was laid off from his job as a store clerk in 2017 after 44 years of employment. Unable to sell the house or refinance the 10% mortgage rate to a more affordable level, the couple is stuck in a quagmire that shows few signs of being resolved anytime soon.
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Both senior citizens in their 70s, the Peterses owe $72,000 on the small powder-blue bungalow that they have owned since 2002. But the house is worth just $48,000, meaning they are “underwater” and owe more on the home than it’s worth.
It’s a situation that has roiled the Peters family ever since John was laid off from his job as a store clerk in 2017 after 44 years of employment. Unable to sell the house or refinance the 10% mortgage rate to a more affordable level, the couple is stuck in a quagmire that shows few signs of being resolved anytime soon.
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Amy Klobuchar missed chance to prosecute Minneapolis cop now at center of George Floyd death
Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar, who is in the running to be presumed Democratic presidential nominee Joseph R. Biden’s running mate, found herself under fire Thursday for not prosecuting years ago a Minneapolis police officer who this week was videotaped kneeling on the neck of an African-American suspect who died in custody.
The attention on Ms. Klobuchar’s tenure as Hennepin County attorney, which had posed problems for her during her presidential bid, comes at a time when she is one of several women under consideration by Mr. Biden’s campaign as a possible vice presidential candidate.
The issue Thursday largely revolved around former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, the cop kneeling on George Floyd’s neck in the infamous video who, with three other officers, was immediately dismissed from the force when the video surfaced.
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The attention on Ms. Klobuchar’s tenure as Hennepin County attorney, which had posed problems for her during her presidential bid, comes at a time when she is one of several women under consideration by Mr. Biden’s campaign as a possible vice presidential candidate.
The issue Thursday largely revolved around former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, the cop kneeling on George Floyd’s neck in the infamous video who, with three other officers, was immediately dismissed from the force when the video surfaced.
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Wicomico Eyes Second Amendment Sanctuary Status
SALISBURY – An effort to declare Wicomico County a Second Amendment sanctuary county moved forward last week with an open work session to discuss a proposed resolution.
In a work session last week, the Wicomico County Council met with Sheriff Mike Lewis to discuss a proposed resolution declaring Wicomico a Second Amendment sanctuary county, or a county that prohibits or impedes the enforcement of gun control measures viewed as a violation of the Second Amendment.
“Let’s pass this Second Amendment resolution,” Lewis said. “Let’s let our constituents know that while we recognize such passage is largely ceremonial, largely symbolic, we also want to send a strong message to Annapolis, to the state of Maryland, and to our nation that we stand with our people, we stand with our communities and we stand firmly on the rule of law.”
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In a work session last week, the Wicomico County Council met with Sheriff Mike Lewis to discuss a proposed resolution declaring Wicomico a Second Amendment sanctuary county, or a county that prohibits or impedes the enforcement of gun control measures viewed as a violation of the Second Amendment.
“Let’s pass this Second Amendment resolution,” Lewis said. “Let’s let our constituents know that while we recognize such passage is largely ceremonial, largely symbolic, we also want to send a strong message to Annapolis, to the state of Maryland, and to our nation that we stand with our people, we stand with our communities and we stand firmly on the rule of law.”
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Maryland’s COVID-19 Positivity Rate Drops To 12.4%, Now Up To Nearly 100 Major Testing Sites Statewide
Maryland Has Now Conducted 316,797 COVID-19 Tests, Including 16,354 Over The
Last 24 HoursCVS Health Will Now Have 30 COVID-19 Testing Sites Across MarylandNew VEIP Testing Site Opens Today in Prince George’s County Today; Major State Testing Site Tomorrow at Six Flags America
Last 24 HoursCVS Health Will Now Have 30 COVID-19 Testing Sites Across MarylandNew VEIP Testing Site Opens Today in Prince George’s County Today; Major State Testing Site Tomorrow at Six Flags America
ANNAPOLIS, MD—Governor Larry Hogan today announced that the State of Maryland’s COVID-19 positivity rate has dropped to 12.4%, and the state is now up to nearly 100 major testing sites statewide, including 13 new CVS Health drive-thru centers.
“Each day, we are conducting more tests and offering more places for Marylanders to get tested,” said Governor Hogan. “We have now conducted 316,797 COVID-19 tests, and we are up to nearly 100 major testing sites statewide. I want to thank CVS Health for working closely with us to expand their testing options across the state, and we continue to encourage all of our nearly 1,200 licensed pharmacies to offer testing.”
As part of the state’s long-term testing strategy, Maryland continues to expand community-based testing, opening a new VEIP site today in Clinton and a major state testing site tomorrow at Six Flags America.
Maryland’s Statewide Positivity Rate Drops to 12.4%
Maryland has now conducted 316,797 COVID-19 tests, including 16,354 tests over the last 24 hours. The state’s positivity rate peaked on April 17, when it reached 26.91%. Since then, it has dropped by nearly 54%, down to just 12.4% statewide.
Harris Applauds Passage of Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act
WASHINGTON, DC: On Thursday, May 28, 2020, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 7010 – the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act of 2020. Congressman Andy Harris, M.D. (MD-01) was an original co-sponsor of this legislation, which will add greater flexibility to the tremendously popular Paycheck Protection Program established by Congress and President Trump just two months ago. Among other provisions, the bill would extend the time businesses have to rehire employees and qualify for loan forgiveness; extend the time businesses have to repay portions of the loan that do not qualify for loan forgiveness; and modify the “75-25” rule that requires loan recipients to spend 75% of the principal on payroll expenses, which will benefit businesses with high capital costs relative to labor expenses, like restaurants and shops that pay more in rent than wages.
Congressman Harris made the following statement:
“It’s good that we finally got back to bi-partisan agreement on plans to keep America and her workers protected during this pandemic. This bill included much-needed reforms to the Paycheck Protection Program that makes it possible for our small businesses to survive during and after the lockdown.”
Congressman Harris made the following statement:
“It’s good that we finally got back to bi-partisan agreement on plans to keep America and her workers protected during this pandemic. This bill included much-needed reforms to the Paycheck Protection Program that makes it possible for our small businesses to survive during and after the lockdown.”
'The department is on fire': Minneapolis police precinct set aflame by protesters
A mass of protesters demonstrating in the wake of George Floyd's death set a police department in downtown Minneapolis on fire.
Video and images circulating on Twitter show hundreds of protesters surrounding the Minneapolis Police Department's 3rd Precinct early Friday morning as flames shot out of the building.
"We're looking at the building on fire and it says Minneapolis police department right on the side of the building and we've people, at least, we've seen a few going in and out of parts of the building," CNN host Don Lemon said. "The department is on fire."
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Video and images circulating on Twitter show hundreds of protesters surrounding the Minneapolis Police Department's 3rd Precinct early Friday morning as flames shot out of the building.
"We're looking at the building on fire and it says Minneapolis police department right on the side of the building and we've people, at least, we've seen a few going in and out of parts of the building," CNN host Don Lemon said. "The department is on fire."
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Leave Your Cell Phone In Your Car This Weekend
Republicans propose blocking Chinese graduate students and researchers from STEM fields
Two Republican senators proposed a ban on issuing visas to Chinese graduate students and researchers in science and technology fields.
Sens. Tom Cotton and Marsha Blackburn argued that blocking Chinese students and researchers from receiving visas in STEM fields would protect “American ingenuity.”
“The Chinese Communist Party has long used American universities to conduct espionage on the United States. What's worse is that their efforts exploit gaps in current law. It's time for that to end,” Cotton said in a statement Wednesday.
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Sens. Tom Cotton and Marsha Blackburn argued that blocking Chinese students and researchers from receiving visas in STEM fields would protect “American ingenuity.”
“The Chinese Communist Party has long used American universities to conduct espionage on the United States. What's worse is that their efforts exploit gaps in current law. It's time for that to end,” Cotton said in a statement Wednesday.
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Trump claims victory as Texas Supreme Court rules lack of coronavirus immunity doesn't qualify as disability requiring mail-in ballot
The Texas Supreme Court has ruled that lack of immunity to the coronavirus does not qualify as a physical disability granting people the right to vote by mail.
Chief Justice Nathan Hecht was joined by six other justices on the nine-seat court, who ruled that contracting a disease is not a physical condition and that if the criteria were expanded, then the disability category would be rendered useless, according to the Houston Chronicle.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton had argued against the notion that contracting the coronavirus is a disability that should warrant a mail-in ballot, while the Texas Democratic Party had been advocating expanded mail-in voting due to the pandemic and had won cases in lower courts.
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Chief Justice Nathan Hecht was joined by six other justices on the nine-seat court, who ruled that contracting a disease is not a physical condition and that if the criteria were expanded, then the disability category would be rendered useless, according to the Houston Chronicle.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton had argued against the notion that contracting the coronavirus is a disability that should warrant a mail-in ballot, while the Texas Democratic Party had been advocating expanded mail-in voting due to the pandemic and had won cases in lower courts.
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Salisbury News Exceeds 80,000,000 Hits!!!
BREAKING: President Trump signs order to fight online censorship
Tech bias is a major issue facing our democracy. It challenges the free exchange of ideas and public debate that protects our civil liberties. Every citizen—liberal, conservative, or otherwise—has a right to be heard and treated fairly online.
🎬 WATCH: President Trump announces executive action to fight online censorship
In the next few hours, you may hear a lot about this Executive Order. Leftwing media will claim it addresses a fake problem because tech bias doesn’t exist. Democrats in Congress will say the President is exceeding his authority. Some in the Beltway establishment will say the order doesn’t do that much in the first place.
All of these are lies. Here are a few of the key actions in President Trump’s order:
Makes it U.S. policy that platforms who selectively edit, censor, or are not acting in “good faith” with regards to content will not receive the liability protectionincluded in Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act
Directs the Commerce Department to petition the FCC to make clarifying ruleson Section 230 in line with U.S. policy
Helps stop millions of taxpayer dollars from being wasted by federal agencies on advertising with biased social media platforms
Ensures the Justice Department will review more than 16,000 complaints about politically motivated censorship that were collected by the White House in advance of a Social Media Summit held last year
Mobilizes State Attorneys General—who have massive subpoena and consumer protection authorities—to ensure social media platforms are not engaging in unfair or deceptive acts or practices
Acts as federal law and lists the many ways in which tech platforms act with bias against viewpoints they disagree with
Massive corporations that treat millions of American citizens unfairly shouldn’t expect special privileges and protections under the law. With President Trump’s Executive Order today, our country is one step closer to having an honest, fair public debate.
Read President Trump’s Executive Order on censorship here.
Kayleigh McEnany shuts down reporter asking how many dead Americans should be considered a coronavirus success
White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany shut down a reporter pressing her for a number of dead Americans that should be considered a success for the coronavirus response by the Trump administration.
Ryan Lizza of Politico asked the question during Tuesday's media briefing.
"What does the White House view, as having by election day, what does the White House view as the number of dead Americans where you can say that you successfully defeated this pandemic?" asked Lizza. "Is there a number?"
"Yeah, you know, every loss of life counts," responded McEnany.
"We say 100,000, but like the president says, one death is something to be mourned. These 100,000 individuals have a face, the president takes this very seriously, it's why he lowered the flag to half-staff for three days to remember these men and women," she continued.
"I think, you know, Dr. Birx said it best when she said that in their estimates they had anywhere between 1.5 and 2.2 million people in the U.S. succumbing to the virus if we didn't shut down the economy. The president made the very hard choice of shutting down the economy, so we avoided that extraordinary number," McEnany explained.
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Ryan Lizza of Politico asked the question during Tuesday's media briefing.
"What does the White House view, as having by election day, what does the White House view as the number of dead Americans where you can say that you successfully defeated this pandemic?" asked Lizza. "Is there a number?"
"Yeah, you know, every loss of life counts," responded McEnany.
"We say 100,000, but like the president says, one death is something to be mourned. These 100,000 individuals have a face, the president takes this very seriously, it's why he lowered the flag to half-staff for three days to remember these men and women," she continued.
"I think, you know, Dr. Birx said it best when she said that in their estimates they had anywhere between 1.5 and 2.2 million people in the U.S. succumbing to the virus if we didn't shut down the economy. The president made the very hard choice of shutting down the economy, so we avoided that extraordinary number," McEnany explained.
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