Source: United States Coast Guard
U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 09/20/2024 04:00 PM EDT
09/20/2024 03:32 PM EDT
Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police
On September 17, 2024, at approximately 12:15pm, officers in the Thompson RCMP detachment executed a Controlled Drugs and Substances Act warrant at a residence on Hickory Avenue in Thompson as a result of an extensive investigation.
Upon forced entry into the residence, officers discovered and seized 40 grams of crack/cocaine, drug paraphernalia, a scale, multiple weapons, cell phones, and an undisclosed amount of Canadian currency.
Three individuals inside the home were arrested and taken into custody.
Wendy Saric, 47, and a 33-year-old male, both of Thompson, were charged with Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking.
Robait Modi, 26, of Alberta, is charged with Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking, Possession of Property Possession of a Prohibited Weapon or Restricted Weapon.
Modi has been remanded in custody while Saric and the male have been released on an Undertaking.
The investigation continues.
Source: US State of New York Federal Reserve
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September 20, 2024
Statement by Governor Michelle W. Bowman
Governor Michelle W. Bowman
On Wednesday, September 18, 2024, I dissented from the Federal Open Market Committee’s (FOMC) decision to lower the target range for the federal funds rate by 1/2 percentage point to 4-3/4 to 5 percent. As the Committee’s post-meeting statement notes, I preferred to lower the target range for the federal funds rate by 1/4 percentage point to 5 to 5-1/4 percent.
Given the progress we have seen since the middle of 2023 on both lowering inflation and cooling the labor market, I agree that at this meeting it was appropriate to recalibrate the level of the federal funds rate and begin the process of moving toward a more neutral policy stance. In my view, however, a smaller first move in this process would have been a preferable action.
The U.S. Economy Remains StrongThe U.S. economy remains strong, with solid underlying growth in economic activity and a labor market near full employment. Although hiring appears to have softened, layoffs remain low. I see the normalization in labor market conditions as necessary to help bring wage growth down to a pace consistent with 2 percent inflation given trend productivity growth. My reading of labor market data has become more uncertain due to increased measurement challenges and the inherent difficulty in assessing the effects of recent immigration flows. I am also taking signal from continued solid growth in the spending data, especially consumer spending, reflecting a healthy labor market.
Despite Progress, Inflation Remains a ConcernInflation remains above our 2 percent goal, as core personal consumption expenditures prices are still rising faster than 2.5 percent from 12 months earlier. Higher prices have an outsized impact on lower- and moderate-income households. Accomplishing our mission of returning to low and stable inflation at our 2 percent goal is necessary to foster a strong labor market and an economy that works for everyone in the longer term.
Although it is important to recognize that there has been meaningful progress on lowering inflation, while core inflation remains around or above 2.5 percent, I see the risk that the Committee’s larger policy action could be interpreted as a premature declaration of victory on our price stability mandate.
We have not yet achieved our inflation goal. I believe that moving at a measured pace toward a more neutral policy stance will ensure further progress in bringing inflation down to our 2 percent target. This approach would also avoid unnecessarily stoking demand.
Shared Goals for the FutureDespite my dissent at our recent meeting, I respect and appreciate that my colleagues preferred to begin the reduction in the federal funds rate with a larger initial reduction in the target range for the policy rate. I remain committed to working together with my colleagues to ensure that monetary policy is appropriately positioned to achieve our goals of maximum employment and returning inflation to our 2 percent target.
Last Update: September 20, 2024
Source: United States Naval Central Command
MANAMA, Bahrain —
U.S. Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard forces joined the Egyptian Naval Force in executing Exercise Eagle Defender in Safaga, Egypt, and in the Red Sea, Sept. 8-20.
For the first time, U.S. and Egyptian naval forces integrated unmanned systems in a bilateral maritime exercise to uphold the international rules-based order while ensuring maritime security in the Red Sea. Scenarios included: explosive ordnance disposal, mine countermeasures, harbor defense, and the integration of unmanned systems.
The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Michael Murphy (DDG 112) sailed alongside Egyptian Navy ships during the exercise while several other units also participated.
This is one of many exercises the U.S. military participates in every year with partner nations in the Middle East to enhance partnerships and strengthen interoperability. The combined exercise is designed to broaden levels of cooperation, support long-term regional security, and enhance Egyptian Naval Force interoperability with U.S. naval forces.
The U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations encompasses nearly 2.5 million square miles of water area and includes the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Red Sea, parts of the Indian Ocean and three critical choke points at the Strait of Hormuz, Suez Canal and Bab al-Mandeb.
For more information, contact U.S. Naval Forces Central Command Public Affairs at m-ba-cusnc-publicaffairs@us.navy.mil.
Source: US State of Pennsylvania
September 20, 2024 – JAMISON, PA
Auditor General Timothy L. DeFoor was joined by State Senator Frank Farry (Bucks) today to announce his department has released more than $68 million in state aid to help dedicated volunteer firefighters across Pennsylvania. Warwick Township Fire Department in Bucks County received $133,759.97 in funds to protect their firefighters, residents and communities.
“This funding will help more than 1,850 volunteer firefighter relief associations in their day-to-day efforts,” DeFoor said. “These funds pay for equipment, training and insurance that each VFRA needs to effectively do their job.”
A total of 2,501 municipalities received $68,268,053 for distribution to volunteer firefighter relief associations (VFRAs), which are legally separate from the fire departments that they support.
List of Speakers:
Sen. Frank Farry, Pennsylvania State Senator
Timothy L. DeFoor, Pennsylvania Auditor General
Aaron McCarty, Chief, Warwick Township Volunteer Fire Company
Source: US State of California
The Justice Department has reached a settlement agreement to resolve a gender-based pay discrimination lawsuit filed in January 2023 against the Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs (WDMA). The lawsuit alleged that the WDMA discriminated against former employee Michelle Hartness, in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, when it offered her a lower salary than similarly or less qualified men for a director position in the Wisconsin Division of Emergency Management.
Title VII is a federal statute that prohibits pay discrimination and other forms of employment discrimination on the basis of sex, race, color, national origin or religion.
“It is time to close the gender pay gap which stands as one of the most pressing problems that we face in the labor market today. This settlement agreement demonstrates the Justice Department’s strong commitment to vindicating the rights of qualified job applicants and employees who are offered or paid less simply because they are women,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “We will continue to aggressively hold state and local government employers accountable when they unlawfully deny women the right to bring home the full paycheck they have rightly earned.”
Under the settlement agreement, WDMA will pay Ms. Hartness a $175,000 monetary award. By signing the agreement, WDMA also confirms that it maintains antidiscrimination and other personnel policies to prevent compensation discrimination, including a pay-setting policy to establish consistency in setting salaries, and that it trains personnel on the pay-setting policy.
Ms. Hartness filed a charge of discrimination with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The EEOC’s Milwaukee Area Office investigated the charge and found reasonable cause to believe that Ms. Hartness was discriminated against because of her sex. After unsuccessful conciliation efforts, the EEOC referred the charge to the Justice Department.
Senior Trial Attorneys Patricia Stasco, Chrisine Dinan and Catherine Sellers and Trial Attorney Young Choi of the Civil Rights Division’s Employment Litigation Section handled the case.
The full and fair enforcement of Title VII is a top priority of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. Additional information about the Civil Rights Division and the Employment Litigation Section is available at www.justice.gov/crt/ and www.justice.gov/crt/employment-litigation-section.
Source: US State of California
An Alaska man was arrested yesterday in Anchorage for allegedly threatening to injure and kill six U.S. Supreme Court Justices and some of their family members.
According to court documents, between March 10, 2023, and July 16, Panos Anastasiou, 76, sent over 465 messages to the Supreme Court through a public website the court maintained.
“We allege that the defendant made repeated, heinous threats to murder and torture Supreme Court Justices and their families to retaliate against them for decisions he disagreed with,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “Our justice system depends on the ability of judges to make their decisions based on the law, and not on fear. Our democracy depends on the ability of public officials to do their jobs without fearing for their lives or the safety of their families.”
Beginning on Jan. 4, Anastasiou’s messages allegedly escalated to messages intending to threaten harm toward the victims. The messages contained violent, racist, and homophobic rhetoric coupled with threats of assassination by torture, hanging, and firearms.
Anastasiou is charged by indictment with nine counts of making threats against a federal judge and 13 counts of making threats in interstate commerce. The defendant made his initial court appearance yesterday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kyle F. Reardon of the U.S. District Court for the District of Alaska.
If convicted, Anastasiou faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison for each count of making threats against a federal judge and a maximum penalty of five years in prison for each count of making threats in interstate commerce. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Attorney General Garland and U.S. Attorney S. Lane Tucker for the District of Alaska made the announcement.
The Supreme Court of the United States Police, Protective Intelligence Unit is investigating the case, with significant support from the U.S. Marshals Service and FBI Anchorage Field Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Will Taylor for the District of Alaska is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Source: US State of North Carolina
Headline: Joined by Education and Business Leaders from Both Parties, Governor Cooper Vetoes HB10
Joined by Education and Business Leaders from Both Parties, Governor Cooper Vetoes HB10
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Today, Governor Roy Cooper vetoed HB10, the Republican scheme to take taxpayer money out of public schools and redirect it to private schools. The Governor was joined by education and business leaders from both sides of the aisle to highlight the disastrous impact this would have on public schools, particularly those in rural areas.
Governor Cooper issued the following statement on his veto of House Bill 10 Require ICE Cooperation & Budget Adjustments:
“This bill takes public taxpayer dollars from the public schools and gives it to private school vouchers that will be used by wealthy families. Studies show that private school vouchers do not improve student performance, but we won’t know with North Carolina’s voucher scheme because it has the least accountability in the country. All public schools will be hurt by the legislature wasting its planned $4 billion of the public’s money over the next decade with rural public schools being hurt the worst. This money should be used to improve our public schools by raising teacher pay and investing in public school students. Therefore, I veto the bill.”
During the press conference, Governor Cooper emphasized the need for investments in public education. Instead of funneling hundreds of millions more in taxpayer dollars toward vouchers for unaccountable private schools that would overwhelmingly benefit the wealthiest demographic in the state, the legislature should invest in public education so our state’s public schools, educators and students have the resources they need to thrive.
“Private school vouchers are the biggest threat to public schools in decades because they don’t improve student performance and they drain taxpayer money from badly needed investments like better teacher pay,” said Governor Cooper. “North Carolina public schools continue to thrive and improve despite chronic underfunding by the legislature. We must stop the expansion of private school vouchers and prioritize investing in our public schools.”
“I am an educator first and a Republican second,” said Burke County Board of Education Member Wendi Craven. “Education is the cornerstone of our nation and once it fails this country fails. Instead of continuing to divide and conquer, which shows a complete lack of leadership, legislators should support public education.”
“This bill encourages families to send their children to private schools in other counties, draining our public schools and dividing our community,” said Chairman of the Washington County Board of Education Carlos Riddick. “Our students deserve strong, well-funded schools right here at home, not a system that incentivizes them to leave. House Bill 10 doesn’t just redirect taxpayer money—it weakens the backbone of our county by undermining public education.”
“As an educator and parent, I want my child and every child to have the education they deserve and that requires funding,” said Pitt County Schools Teacher Elyse Cannon-McRae. “Legislators, I am holding you accountable. You have to do right and support public education.”
“As a former elected Republican who understands the financial challenges of rural governments in North Carolina, I am extremely concerned about the revenue displacement that would take place under HB10,” said Business Leader and Former Transylvania County Commissioner Mike Hawkins. “Rural Republican representatives know that this is a threat to our school systems and to the very fabric of life for rural North Carolina.”
Expanding private school vouchers would disproportionately impact rural North Carolina counties, where access to private education is limited and public schools serve as the backbone of communities. More than one-quarter (28) of North Carolina’s counties – all rural counties – have no or just one private school participating in the voucher program. By diverting public funds to wealthier urban areas, private school vouchers are deepening the resource gap and undermining the educational opportunities for rural students.
Private schools that receive vouchers are not regulated and are not accountable to taxpayers despite receiving taxpayer money. Vouchers cover tuition for schools that don’t have to report how students are performing, don’t have to serve all students regardless of race, gender, socioeconomic status or religious beliefs or don’t have to hire licensed teachers.
Public schools that serve more than 84% of students are continuously asked to do more with less. North Carolina ranks near the bottom of all states in K-12 funding, spending nearly $5,000 less per student than the national average. Our state is falling behind nationally in teacher pay, dropping in the most recent rankings to 38th.
Based on an updated analysis by the Office of State Budget and Management, if the General Assembly fully expands the taxpayer-funded private school voucher program, private schools could siphon nearly $100 million in state funding from public schools just in the first full year of the program. In addition, the expansion of the voucher program will cost the state $277 million in new spending just in the first year.
Governor Cooper declared 2024 as the Year of Public Schools and has been visiting public schools and early childhood education programs across the state calling for investments in K-12 education, early childhood education and teacher pay.
Read more about the truth of North Carolina’s voucher program here.
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Source: US State of California
The Justice Department announced today that it has opened a civil pattern or practice investigation into Rankin County, Mississippi, and the Rankin County Sheriff’s Department (RCSD). Rankin is the state’s fourth most populous county, with a population of approximately 160,000. It is located about 30 minutes east of the state capital, Jackson, Mississippi.
The investigation will seek to determine whether RCSD engages in patterns or practices that violate the Constitution and federal law. The investigation will evaluate all types of force used by RCSD officers, including deadly force. It will also assess whether RCSD engages in unlawful stops, searches, and arrests in violation of the Fourth Amendment and whether RCSD conducts discriminatory policing in violation of the 14th Amendment, Title VI, and Safe Streets Act.
“The public is now well aware of the heinous attack inflicted on two Black men by Rankin County deputies who called themselves the ‘Goon Squad,’” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “Those officers have since been convicted and sentenced, but we are launching this civil pattern or practice investigation to examine serious allegations that the Rankin County Sheriff’s Department systematically violates people’s constitutional rights through excessive use of force; unlawful stops, searches, and arrests; and discriminatory policing. These include allegations that Rankin County deputies have overused tasers, entered homes unlawfully, used racial slurs, and deployed dangerous, cruel tactics to assault people in their custody. We are committed to working with local officials, deputies, and the community to conduct a comprehensive investigation.”
“The violent, unlawful and racially charged actions of the so-called Goon Squad left lasting and damaging effects on the community,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Since the Goon Squad’s sickening acts came to light, we have received reports of other instances where Rankin deputies overused tasers, entered homes unlawfully, bandied about shocking racial slurs, and deployed dangerous, cruel tactics to assault people in their custody. Based on an extensive review of publicly available information as well as complaints provided to us, we have grounds to open a pattern or practice investigation into the Rankin County Sheriff’s Department now. The Justice Department will conduct a comprehensive and fair investigation into allegations of racially discriminatory policing of Black communities, the use of excessive force, and violations of the Fourth Amendment.”
“The information we have learned to date about the conduct of some members of the Rankin County Sheriff’s office calls back to some of the worst periods of Mississippi’s history,” said U.S. Attorney Todd W. Gee for the Southern District of Mississippi. “We do not have to accept the old hatreds and abuse of the past. And we do not have to accept the false claim that safety comes at the price of illegal force and abuse of power. We will conduct an impartial and thorough review of the Rankin County Sheriff’s Office, and if we find violations, we will take necessary action to address them.”
This civil investigation is separate and independent from the federal criminal civil rights prosecutions of RCSD deputies related to the violent assaults of two Black men, Michael Jenkins and Eddie Parker, at the hands of five white deputies.
The investigation will include a comprehensive review of RCSD policies, training, and supervision. The investigation will also examine RCSD’s systems of accountability. The Justice Department will reach out to community groups and members of the public to learn about their experiences with RCSD. The Justice Department will also speak with RCSD deputies and leadership to hear their perspectives.
Before this announcement, the Justice Department notified Rankin County officials, who have pledged to cooperate with the investigation.
The investigation is being conducted pursuant to the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, which prohibits state and local governments from engaging in a pattern or practice of conduct by law enforcement officers that deprives individuals of rights protected by the Constitution or federal law. The Act allows the Justice Department to remedy such misconduct through civil litigation.
The Civil Rights Division’s Special Litigation Section and U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Mississippi will jointly conduct this investigation.
Individuals with relevant information are encouraged to contact the Justice Department via email at community.rankin@usdoj.gov or by toll free phone at (888) 392-8557. Individuals can also report civil rights violations regarding this or other matters using the Civil Rights Division’s new reporting portal, available at civilrights.justice.gov/. Individuals can also report civil rights violations to the U.S. Attorney’s Office at USAMSS.civilrights@usdoj.gov or (601) 973-2825.
Today’s announcement marks the 12th pattern or practice investigation into law enforcement misconduct opened by the Justice Department during this administration. The Justice Department recently completed an investigation of the Phoenix Police Department.
Information specific to the Civil Rights Division’s police reform work can be found here.
Source: US State of California
A federal grand jury in Tyler, Texas, returned an indictment yesterday charging a Texas husband and wife with crimes related to their conspiracy to defraud the United States by seeking fraudulent tax refunds.
According to the indictment, from 2017 to 2023, Larry and Rebecca Kalmowitz filed false tax returns in the name of estates and trusts that sought $42 million in fraudulent refunds, ultimately receiving over $23 million from the IRS. The returns allegedly falsely reported interest income and large amounts of income tax withholdings to the IRS that resulted in large tax refunds to which they were not otherwise entitled. The Kalmowitzs allegedly created bank accounts in the names of the estates and trusts and deposited the fraudulently obtained tax refund checks into those accounts. They allegedly used the proceeds to purchase real property that they placed in the name of a nominee and to purchase luxury vehicles, including a Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 and a Mercedes-Benz GLS450. When the IRS attempted to recover the fraudulent funds, the Kalmowitzs allegedly took steps to obstruct the recovery by, among other things, filing false forms to support the claimed income and withholdings and a false form to release a federal lien.
Both were charged with mail fraud, money laundering, conspiracy to defraud the United States and filing a false claim against the United States. If convicted, the Kalmowitzs each face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for each count of mail fraud, a maximum penalty of 10 years for each count of money laundering, a maximum penalty of five years in prison for the conspiracy to defraud the United States and a maximum penalty of five years in prison for each count of filing a false claim against the United States. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Damien Diggs for the Eastern District of Texas made the announcement.
IRS Criminal Investigation is investigating the case.
Trial Attorneys Zachary Cobb and Daniel Lipkowitz of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Locker for the Eastern District of Texas are prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Source: US State of California
The Justice Department filed a civil complaint today in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas to enjoin John T. Ajuma, aka John Trobisch, from preparing federal tax returns for others.
The complaint alleges Ajuma prepared nearly 11,000 federal income tax returns from 2018 through 2024 through two sole proprietorships named “Destiny Tax Service” and “Momentum Tax Express,” which Ajuma operated from the same location in Hurst, Texas. According to the complaint, in a substantial number of these tax returns, Ajuma significantly overstated customers’ tax refunds by fabricating or inflating unreimbursed employee expense deductions, falsifying child tax credits by reporting bogus child and dependent care expenses and falsely claiming energy, education and other credits to which customers were not entitled.
By repeatedly understating customers’ tax liabilities, the complaint alleges that Ajuma may have caused the United States harm of almost $20 million in lost tax revenue from 2018 through 2022.
Deputy Assistant Attorney General David A. Hubbert of the Justice Department’s Tax Division made the announcement.
Taxpayers seeking a return preparer should remain vigilant against unscrupulous tax preparers. The IRS has information on its website for choosing a tax return preparer and has launched a free directory of federal tax preparers. The IRS also offers guidance on the credentials and qualifications that taxpayers should seek from their return preparer.
In the past decade, the Justice Department’s Tax Division has obtained injunctions against hundreds of unscrupulous tax preparers. Information about these cases is available on the Justice Department’s website. An alphabetical listing of persons enjoined from preparing returns and promoting tax schemes can be found on this page. If you believe that one of the enjoined persons or businesses may be violating an injunction, please contact the Tax Division with details.
Source: US State of California
The Justice Department announced today that Morningstar Storage, which manages and operates a network of self-storage facilities in the southeast area of the United States, has agreed to pay $130,000 to resolve allegations that it violated the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) by failing to obtain court orders before auctioning the contents of at least three storage units owned by active-duty servicemembers.
According to the complaint, an Air Force Staff Sergeant stationed at MacDill Air Force Base rented a unit at a storage facility located in Tampa, Florida. On the storage agreement, the Staff Sergeant indicated that she was in active military service, provided contact information for her military unit and authorized rent payments to be made automatically. Shortly thereafter, before being deployed overseas to Jordan, she stored nearly all of her household goods at the Tampa facility, including her military awards and coins, and her children’s toys and keepsakes. While the Staff Sergeant was still deployed to Jordan, Morningstar acquired the Tampa facility, stopped her automatic payments and auctioned all the contents of her unit for $390.
“We all know that servicemembers endure many hardships and make great sacrifices as a result of their service to the nation,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Our servicemembers should never have to worry that their property, including their most prized keepsakes and personal treasures, will be sold out from under them while they are on duty. The Justice Department will continue standing up for servicemembers to ensure basic respect for their property, their rights and their dignity.”
“The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida is deeply committed to protecting the civil rights of our Nation’s servicemembers,” said U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg for the Middle District of Florida. “The brave individuals who selflessly sacrifice to serve our country deserve the respect and peace of mind of knowing that what they leave behind during their service will be treated with the utmost care. Today’s consent decree reminds us that the companies who take on this responsibility do not always exercise the care that our servicemembers are entitled to under the SCRA, but the department remains committed to ensuring companies like Morningstar follow their obligations under the law.”
The SCRA provides financial and housing protections and benefits to military members while they are in military service. One of the SCRA’s protections requires anyone holding a lien on the property of a servicemember to obtain a court order prior to auctioning off, selling or otherwise disposing of that property. Under the consent order, which must still be approved by the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, Morningstar will pay the Air Force Staff Sergeant $80,000 in damages and will pay $5,000 each to two additional servicemembers. Morningstar has also agreed to pay a $40,000 civil penalty to the United States and must also implement new policies to prevent future violations of the SCRA.
This lawsuit resulted from a referral to the Justice Department from the U.S. Air Force. The department’s enforcement of the SCRA is conducted by the Civil Rights Division’s Housing and Civil Enforcement Section in partnership with U.S. Attorneys’ Offices throughout the country. Since 2011, the department has obtained over $481 million in monetary relief for over 147,000 servicemembers through its enforcement of the SCRA. For more information about the department’s SCRA enforcement efforts, please visit www.servicemembers.gov.
Servicemembers and their dependents who believe that their rights under the SCRA may have been violated should contact the nearest Armed Forces Legal Assistance Program Office. Office locations can be found at legalassistance.law.af.mil.
Source: US State of North Dakota
Lebanese national Mohammad Ibrahim Bazzi, 60, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to conduct and to cause U.S. persons to conduct unlawful transactions with a Specially Designated Global Terrorist.
In May 2018, the Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated Bazzi as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist for assisting in, sponsoring and providing financial, material and technological support and financial services to Hizballah. Hizballah is a foreign terrorist organization that, since the 1980s, engaged in numerous terrorist activities, including attacks against American military members, government employees and civilians abroad.
According to the OFAC designation, Bazzi is a key Hizballah financier who has provided millions of dollars to Hizballah over the years, generated from his business activities in Belgium, Lebanon, Iraq and throughout West Africa. As a result of the designation, Bazzi’s interest in any property in the United States were blocked, and all U.S. persons were generally prohibited from transacting business with, or for the benefit of, Bazzi.
Following Bazzi’s designation and according to the court documents, Bazzi and his co-defendant, Talal Chanine, who remains at large in Lebanon, conspired to force or induce an individual located in the United States (U.S. Person) to liquidate their interests in certain real estate assets located in Michigan and covertly transfer hundreds of thousands of dollars in proceeds of the liquidation out of the United States to Bazzi and Chahine in Lebanon without the required OFAC licenses, in violation of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).
During recorded communications, Bazzi and Chahine proposed numerous methods to conceal from OFAC and law enforcement officials that Bazzi was both the source and destination of the proceeds of the sale and to create the false appearance that the U.S. Person was conducting legitimate arms-length transactions unrelated to Bazzi and Chahine. For example, Bazzi and Chahine proposed that the funds be transferred through:
Bazzi was arrested in February 2023 by Romanian law enforcement authorities and subsequently extradited to the Eastern District of New York. The Justice Department thanks the Romanian authorities for their assistance in this matter.
A sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later date. Bazzi faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. He has also agreed to forfeit the nearly $830,000 that was involved in the illegal transaction, and to be removed from the United States upon completion of his sentence. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the National Security Division, U.S. Attorney Breon Peace for the Eastern District of New York and Executive Assistant Director Robert Wells of the FBI’s National Security Branch made the announcement.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Francisco J. Navarro, Jonathan P. Lax, Nomi D. Berenson, Claire Kedeshian and Robert M. Pollack for the Eastern District of New York are prosecuting the case with assistance provided by Trial Attorney Charles Kovats of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section and Scott Claffee of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Section. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs assisted with the extradition in this case.
This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
Source: US State of California
Friday, September 20, 2024
Contact: (916) 210-6000, agpressoffice@doj.ca.gov
OAKLAND – California Attorney General Rob Bonta, pursuant to Assembly Bill 1506 (AB 1506), today released a report on Luis Herrera’s death from an officer-involved shooting in Los Angeles, California, on September 17, 2022. The incident involved officers from the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD). The report is part of the California Department of Justice’s (DOJ) ongoing efforts to provide transparency and accountability in law enforcement practices. The report provides a detailed analysis of the incident and outlines DOJ’s findings. After a thorough investigation, DOJ concluded that criminal charges were not appropriate in this case.
“The California Department of Justice remains steadfast in our commitment to working together with all law enforcement partners to ensure an unbiased, transparent, and accountable legal system for every resident of California,” said Attorney General Bonta. “We hope this report brings a sense of assurance to our community. We acknowledge that this incident posed challenges for all parties involved, including Mr. Herrera’s family, law enforcement, and the community.”
On September 17, 2022, at approximately 1:21 PM, LAPD responded to two calls for service at a residence in Los Angeles. The calls, both made by Luis Herrera, reported that a domestic violence incident had occurred at the Herrera family’s residence. Mr. Herrera said that the gate to the residence would be left open for responding officers. When the officers arrived at the residence, they entered the front gate and walked towards the front porch. Mr. Herrera opened the front screen door with what appeared to be an AR-15 assault rifle, which he pointed at the officers. The officers retreated and took cover around the east corner of the residence while issuing multiple commands for Mr. Herrera to “drop the gun.” Mr. Herrera exited the residence and moved into the front yard where he pointed the rifle at the officers then was fatally shot. It was later determined that the AR-15 assault rifle was an airsoft gun.
Under AB 1506, which requires DOJ to investigate all incidents of officer-involved shootings resulting in the death of an unarmed civilian in the state, DOJ conducted a thorough investigation into this incident and concluded that the evidence does not show, beyond a reasonable doubt, that the officer involved acted without the intent to defend himself and others from what he reasonably believed to be imminent death or serious bodily injury. Therefore, there is insufficient evidence to support a criminal prosecution of the officer. As such, no further action will be taken in this case.
As part of its investigation, the DOJ has identified policy recommendations that it believes will help prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. These recommendations include:
LAPD DISPATCHER TRAINING ON HANDLING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CALLS
It is recommended that LAPD conduct periodic dispatcher refresher training on handling domestic violence calls in three distinct areas outlined in the Communications Manual, Volume 3: (1) Diligent interviewing of callers reporting domestic violence, including calling back if calls are disconnected where pertinent information was not obtained; (2) Ensure Priority I coding of calls reporting threatened, imminent, and ongoing crime of violence; and (3) Remain on the line with the reporting party for Priority I calls to provide critical updates to responding officers, unless it compromises the safety and welfare of the reporting party.
A copy of the report can be found here.
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Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki, UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on the situation in the Middle East.
President, I thank USG DiCarlo and High Commissioner Türk for their briefing today. This past year has seen continuous and devastating violence across the region. Civilians have suffered on a dreadful scale on both sides of the Blue Line.
The explosions in Lebanon this week and Israel’s strike in southern Beirut today are the latest in a deadly cycle of violence, and we are deeply concerned by civilian casualties resulting from those incidents. That children were among them is particularly distressing. Our condolences go to the families of the civilians killed.
My Foreign Secretary made our view clear last night: we need an immediate ceasefire on both sides. We are working in lockstep with our allies to de-escalate tensions and end this destructive cycle.
We want to see the implementation of a political plan, based on UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which allows both Israeli and Lebanese civilians to return to their homes and live in peace and security. We are ready to play our role in a diplomatic process to achieve that.
President, let us be clear: Hizballah launched an unprovoked attack on Israel on 8 October 2023. Since then, Israel has faced a near-daily barrage of Hizballah rockets.
We are resolute in our support for Israel’s right to defend its citizens against such threats. However, in doing so, international humanitarian law must be fully respected, and all possible steps taken to avoid civilian casualties.
Lebanese Hizballah’s aggression has been fuelled by Iran and its continued destabilisation of the Middle East, including through its support to partners and proxies. Iran supplies advanced weaponry in contravention of multiple Security Council Resolutions, only prolonging the suffering of the Lebanese people.
While Hizballah and Iran continue to undermine Lebanon’s future, the UK is providing practical support to bolster its stability and security.
This includes funding and training to both the Lebanese Armed Forces and Internal Security Forces, as well as humanitarian assistance to vulnerable communities, including in the south of Lebanon.
President, now is the time for calm heads and an urgent focus on an immediate ceasefire to create the space for negotiations.
Source: US State of Colorado
Solid Power in Thornton to receive $50 million to continue producing clean batteries that power Colorado’s popular electric vehicles
THORNTON – Today, Governor Polis and the Colorado Energy Office applauded the Biden-Harris administration for continuing to invest in clean energy in Colorado and around the country. Solid Power in Thornton will receive $50 million to produce materials that create batteries needed for electric vehicles. Colorado is among the top states for EV adoption in the nation, with more than 22% of new cars sold being electric.
“Congratulations to Solid Power on this major investment that will continue driving Colorado’s leadership in electric vehicles. The strong partnership of the Biden-Harris administration is helping Colorado lead the way in providing low-cost, zero-emission tech, saving people money and improving air quality,” said Governor Jared Polis.
“Electric vehicles are becoming more popular nationwide, and innovative new technologies continue to make these vehicles better and better,” said Colorado Energy Office Executive Director Will Toor. “As EV adoption soars in Colorado, we are pleased to see Colorado businesses play such an important role in electrifying the transportation system, and we thank the Department of Energy for their continued investment in Colorado.”
Solid Power is a national leader in creating the sulfide-based solid electrolytes that help manufacture all-solid-state batteries, which can power electric vehicles. Their batteries are expected to provide more energy with a longer life, and safer and lower cost than conventional lithium-ion technology. With this grant, Solid Power plans to expand their production in Thornton and reduce their costs of production through the first known global implementation of an efficient, continuous manufacturing process.
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Source: US State of Florida
BRADENTON, Fla.—Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the award of $18 million in funding to invest in Florida’s supply chain and boost aggregate storage for critical infrastructure and asphalt and concrete production. These awards specifically are the first of $100 million to be invested over five years. The first five recipients of these grants will create an additional 1.2 million tons of aggregate materials storage and enable more rail access to existing aggregate storage facilities. This material will support major projects under the Moving Florida Forward Initiative.
Additionally, Governor DeSantis announced the groundbreaking of the I-75 interchange at Fruitville Road. This project will transform the existing traditional cloverleaf configuration into a diverging diamond design, enhancing safety, Logistics, and mobility in the area.
“A strong supply chain is key to Florida’s economic strength. We can’t rely on Washington—we need Florida-based solutions,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “These grants will help our state boost capacity and ensure vital materials reach projects on time.”
The grant award recipients include:
“Many Floridians don’t spend a lot of time thinking about construction materials until a disruption in our ability to supply those materials impacts their community,” said Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Jared W. Perdue, P.E. “With the support and action of Governor DeSantis and the Florida Legislature, the transportation construction industry will be able to access these much-needed materials for our infrastructure projects that will help keep construction moving and on time.”
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) identified priority investments to strengthen links in the supply chain and increase storage capacity to allow more aggregate material to be readily available for these critical FDOT projects. Projects were prioritized based on overall project cost, proximity to aggregate needs statewide, and speed to project completion, ensuring the state can begin relying on these investments as soon as possible.
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Source: US State of New York
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the launch of her signature One Network for Regional Advanced Manufacturing Partnerships program, a $200 million investment to help fund and realize a network of four new workforce development centers in strategic high impact locations in Upstate New York first announced as part of her FY25 Enacted Budget. The Centers will bring together industry, academia, social services, and community organizations to provide high quality, in demand skills training and wraparound supports necessary to empower New Yorkers with the skills they need to take on careers in high growth advanced manufacturing industries like semiconductors. Empire State Development developed and will manage the program.
“New York’s economic competitiveness is the result of our extraordinary workforce, striving every day to innovate, create and push the boundaries of what is possible,” Governor Hochul said. “My ON-RAMP program marshals resources to our Upstate communities to catalyze investments in manufacturing – and it’s already delivering for New Yorkers with tens of thousands of new jobs in the industries of the future coming right here to our state.”
Applications for regions to be selected for three additional ON-RAMP centers and receive planning grants to develop a full business and implementation plan are now open on the ESD website.
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Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, Empire State Development is making smart, high-impact investments designed to expand the opportunity economy to all New Yorkers. The innovative ON-RAMP program partners the needs of the growing industries that we are successfully attracting to New York with a workforce we are ‘ramping up’ – with skills and training – to be successful in the jobs of tomorrow.”
State Senator Sean Ryan said, “New York is home to a growing advanced manufacturing industry and we must ensure that we have the workforce needed to fill these good-paying jobs. Job training for these workers will ensure New York continues to move our economy forward and keep up our efforts to attract established businesses and start-ups from around the world.”
Assemblymember Al Stirpe said, “The rapid growth of New York’s advanced manufacturing sector underscores the critical need to equip our Upstate workforce with the skills necessary for success. The ability to reach into previously disregarded communities by providing wraparound supports, not only increases the number of potential workers, but provides the opportunity to lift individuals out of generational poverty. I am deeply appreciative of the effort behind Governor Hochul’s $200 million ‘ON-RAMP’ program, which will make a significant investment in job training to support these careers and strengthen our region for years to come. With Micron’s arrival in the district, this focus on advanced manufacturing education is more essential than ever as we embrace the opportunities within the semiconductor industry.”
Assemblymember Harry Bronson said, “I am proud to say that thanks to the advocacy and partnership of my colleagues in the Greater Rochester Majority Delegation, the Governor has identified Rochester as one of the high-impact, strategic locations for the ON-RAMP program’s new workforce development training centers. As Assembly Labor Chair, I believe we must prioritize workforce development as a means to reduce poverty and uplift our families. Critically, ON-RAMP will also address barriers to employment such as transportation, childcare, education and other social supports by providing wraparound services alongside job training. This is how we truly increase equity in our economy.”
President and CEO of CenterState Robert Simpson said, “Governor Hochul understands that for our companies to be successful and communities to succeed, investments are needed to ensure advanced manufacturing jobs are accessible to more Central New Yorkers. The ON-RAMP program will bring job training for high-growth industries right in to our neighborhoods, meeting people where they are and ensuring that job creation translates in to more equitable prosperity in our communities.”
“My ON-RAMP program marshals resources to our Upstate communities to catalyze investments in manufacturing – and it’s already delivering for New Yorkers with tens of thousands of new jobs in the industries of the future coming right here to our state.”
Governor Kathy Hochul
ON-RAMP will establish four new workforce development centers, including three chosen competitively, and a flagship location in Central New York, based in Syracuse. For the three competitively selected centers, ON-RAMP grant funding will cover:
ON-RAMP centers are expected to be established as fully sustainable entities that will not require ongoing support from ESD within five years of a center’s implementation funding.
Among other principles, each of the four regional training centers must:
Governor Hochul’s Commitment to Growing New York’s Semiconductor Industry
Governor Hochul has maintained a strong commitment to building a modern economy in New York State by growing a dynamic and innovative semiconductor industry. In 2022, the Governor signed New York’s historic Green CHIPS legislation to make New York a hub for semiconductor manufacturing, creating 21st century jobs and kick-starting economic growth while maintaining important environmental protections. As part of the FY24 Enacted Budget, Governor Hochul secured a $45 million investment to create the Governor’s Office of Semiconductor Expansion, Management, and Integration (GO-SEMI), which leads statewide efforts to develop the chipmaking sector. In December 2023, Governor Hochul announced a $10 billion public-private partnership – including $9 billion in private investment from IBM, Micron, Applied Materials, Tokyo Electron and other semiconductor leaders – to bring the future of advanced semiconductor research to New York’s Capital region by creating the nation’s first and only industry accessible, High NA EUV Lithography Center at the Albany NanoTech Complex. All of these efforts are positioning New York as an innovation leader ready to support one of three National Semiconductor Technology Center facilities that will be established under the U.S. CHIPS & Science Act.
New York is home to a robust semiconductor industry which supports more than 150 semiconductor and supply chain companies that employ over 34,000 New Yorkers. Thanks to Governor Hochul’s efforts, the industry is continuing to grow with major investments from semiconductor businesses and supply chain companies like Micron, GlobalFoundries, AMD, Edwards Vacuum, MenloMicro and TTM Technologies to expand their presence in New York. In fact, in the last two years, chip companies have announced over $112 billion in planned capital investments in New York – more than any other state – and one in four U.S. made chips will be produced within 350 miles of Upstate New York. No other region in the country will account for a greater share of domestic production.
Semiconductors are vital to the nation’s economic strength, serving as the brains of modern electronics, and enabling technologies critical to U.S. economic growth, national security, and global competitiveness. The industry directly employs over 300,000 people in the U.S. and supports more than 1.8 million additional domestic jobs. Semiconductors are a top five U.S. export, and the industry is the number one contributor to labor productivity, supporting improvements to the effectiveness and efficiency of virtually every economic sector – from farming to manufacturing.
Source: US State of New York Federal Reserve
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September 20, 2024
Federal Reserve Board announces it will host the 2nd Thomas Laubach Research Conference on May 15-16, 2025
For release at 2:30 p.m. EDT
The Federal Reserve Board on Friday announced that it will host the 2nd Thomas Laubach Research Conference on May 15-16, 2025. The conference will highlight research focusing on monetary policy and the economy. As such, it is expected to provide timely academic perspectives for the monetary policy framework review that the Federal Reserve has committed to conduct every five years. The first review was completed in 2020. Details about the next monetary policy framework review will be announced in the coming months.
The conference will be broadcast live at federalreserve.gov. Additional details on the agenda will be available closer to the conference.
For media inquiries, please e-mail [email protected] or call (202) 452-2955.
Last Update: September 20, 2024
Source: US State of California
Director Rachel Rossi of the Office for Access to Justice (ATJ) traveled to Kansas this week to engage with stakeholders about the access to justice challenges rural communities face and to discuss innovative solutions. The visit built upon the ongoing work of ATJ to address the rural access to justice gap in the United States.
Director Rossi began by meeting with the Executive Director of Kansas Legal Services, a grantee of the Legal Services Corporation that serves all 105 counties in Kansas, to discuss the importance of civil legal aid, the barriers that low-income Kansans face in addressing their civil legal needs and the operational challenges of providing legal services in rural areas of the state. Director Rossi highlighted various initiatives, including the office’s work to expand and modernize the Federal Government Pro Bono Program — which mobilizes federal government employees to engage in pro bono work, often in partnership with legal service providers, and the online resource developed through the Legal Aid Interagency Roundtable to make federal funding opportunities more accessible for legal service providers.
Following her meeting with Kansas Legal Services, Director Rossi met with the Dean of the University of Kansas (KU) School of Law and Directors of the Law School’s Legal Aid Clinic, which offers students the opportunity to represent low-income clients in civil, criminal and juvenile cases under the guidance of supervising attorneys. Director Rossi and KU Law faculty discussed the recruitment and retention issues plaguing public defense and youth defense systems in Kansas. The clinical professors and Dean shared unique insight into current challenges and potential solutions to several access to justice issues in Kansas, focusing on creative recruitment strategies to encourage law students to pursue public interest and public defense careers.
Later in the day, Director Rossi met with the Executive Director and the Director of Special Projects for the Kansas State Board of Indigents’ Defense Services (BIDS), which oversees Kansas’ 18 regional public defender offices and manages the statewide assigned counsel program, legal services for people in prison, non-capital appellate services and capital defense. Director Rossi shared ATJ’s Public Defense Resource Hub, a digital compilation of federal resources and materials that can be used to support public defense. The meeting included a discussion of caseload and workload standards, the public defense recruitment and retention crisis and the expansion of public defense in Kansas. Following her meeting with BIDS, Director Rossi met with the Federal Public Defender for the District of Kansas, who also serves as the chair of the Defender Services Advisory Group, to discuss issues federal public defenders are facing, implementation of the Report and Recommendations Concerning Access to Counsel at the Federal Bureau of Prisons’ Pretrial Facilities and the innovative defense provided laptop program within the district that ensures discovery access for detained clients.
On Thursday, Sept. 19, Director Rossi met with the Rural Justice Initiative Committee, which was created in 2022 by the Kansas Supreme Court to collect information and data on unmet legal needs and the availability of legal help in rural Kansas and to issue a report and recommendations to address gaps and promote effective solutions. Director Rossi also met with the Supreme Court’s Access to Justice Committee and the Language Access Committee to discuss their programs in rural Kansas and ways in which ATJ can advance access to justice in rural areas. Director Rossi also had the opportunity to meet with a group of state court judges and Kansas Supreme Court justices who serve on these committees to hear their perspective on the role that the judiciary plays in addressing access to justice barriers in the state. She highlighted the work of ATJ to convene all 40 state access to justice commissions quarterly, and the office’s work to expand language access under the leadership of the department-wide language access coordinator.
Director Rossi next met with the Kansas Farm Bureau (KFB) Legal Foundation, an organization established by the Kansas Farm Bureau to provide legal education, information and research for those directly engaged in agriculture or related enterprises. They discussed the civil legal help provided by the KFB Legal Foundation to agricultural communities, including programs to educate farmers and ranchers about significant legal issues such as farm bankruptcy and probate issues, farm ownership transitions, agricultural land use and zoning and more. They also discussed the need for more attorneys and legal help in rural communities, and how the KFB Legal Foundation recently responded through the launch of a Rural Law Practice Grant to help defray the educational costs of law school and to encourage new attorneys to locate their legal practice in rural Kansas.
To conclude the trip, Director Rossi traveled to Washburn University Law School (Washburn Law), in Topeka, Kansas, to meet with faculty, administrators and students participating in Washburn Law’s Rural Law program that focuses on identifying rural externship and employment opportunities and providing support for students to transition into rural law practice. They discussed the program’s effort to expand the range of accelerated and remote study options to lower the barriers to rural students seeking a degree. This engagement highlighted the perspectives of law students, many with backgrounds from rural communities, on effective solutions to the rural lawyer shortage.
Source: US State of North Carolina
Headline: North Carolina Museum of History Seeks Community Input for Future Exhibits
North Carolina Museum of History Seeks Community Input for Future Exhibits
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WHAT: Wilmington Community Gathering
WHEN: Thursday, Oct. 3, 6–7:30 p.m.
WHERE: 1125 North 4th Street, Wilmington, NC 28401
DETAILS: The North Carolina Museum of History invites community members in the Wilmington area to participate in an open discussion to help shape the future of the museum’s exhibits. This is an opportunity for the public to share their thoughts on how the state’s layered history should be presented to future visitors.
This event is open to all community members interested in contributing to the storytelling of North Carolina’s history at the state museum. During this gathering, participants will be asked to consider and discuss several key questions, including:
For more information and to register, click here.
About the NC Museum of History
The North Carolina Museum of History, a Smithsonian Affiliate, fosters a passion for North Carolina history. This museum collects and preserves artifacts of state history and educates the public on the history of the state and the nation through exhibits and educational programs. Admission is free. In 2023, more than 355,000 people visited the museum to see some of the 150,000 artifacts in the museum collection. The Museum of History, within the Division of State History Museums, is part of the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.
About the Smithsonian Affiliations Network
Since 2006, the North Carolina Museum of History has been a Smithsonian Affiliate, part of a select group of museums and cultural, educational, and arts organizations that share Smithsonian resources with the nation. The Smithsonian Affiliations network is a national outreach program that develops long-term collaborative partnerships with museums and other educational and cultural organizations to enrich communities with Smithsonian resources. More information is available at affiliations.si.edu.
About the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
The NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) manages, promotes, and enhances the things that people love about North Carolina—its diverse arts and culture, rich history, and spectacular natural areas. Through its programs, the department enhances education, stimulates economic development, improves public health, expands accessibility, and strengthens community resiliency.
The department manages more than 100 locations across the state, including 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, five science museums, four aquariums, 35 state parks, four recreation areas, dozens of state trails and natural areas, the NC Zoo, the State Library, the State Archives, the NC Arts Council, the African American Heritage Commission, the American Indian Heritage Commission, the State Historic Preservation Office, the Office of State Archaeology, the Highway Historical Markers program, the NC Land and Water Fund, and the Natural Heritage Program. For more information, please visit dncr.nc.gov.
Source: US State of North Carolina
Headline: Virtual Walking Tour of ‘Old’ Elizabeth City
Virtual Walking Tour of ‘Old’ Elizabeth City
jejohnson6
The Museum of the Albemarle will host History for Lunch Wednesday, Oct. 16, at noon in the Gaither Auditorium. Take a stroll down memory lane through Edward Fearing’s collection of photographs of “old” Elizabeth City dating back to the turn of the century. Enjoy exploring Elizabeth City’s growth over the last 125 years.
The Museum will offer the History for Lunch program in-person and through Zoom. To attend the lecture virtually, register in advance by clicking here to receive the link. Registration is not required to attend the lecture in person.
The virtual program is supported by Friends of the Museum of the Albemarle.
About the Museum of the Albemarle
The Museum of the Albemarle is located at 501 S. Water Street, Elizabeth City, NC. (252) 335-1453. www.museumofthealbemarle.com. Find us on Facebook! Hours are Monday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Closed Sundays and State Holidays. Serving Bertie, Camden, Chowan, Currituck, Dare, Gates, Hertford, Hyde, Northampton, Pasquotank, Perquimans, Tyrrell, and Washington Counties, the museum is the northeast regional history museum of the North Carolina Division of State History Museums within the N.C.
Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, the state agency with the mission to enrich lives and communities and the vision to harness the state’s cultural resources to build North Carolina’s social, cultural, and economic future. Information is available 24/7 at www.dncr.nc.gov.
About the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) manages, promotes, and enhances the things that people love about North Carolina – its diverse arts and culture, rich history, and spectacular natural areas. Through its programs, the department enhances education, stimulates economic development, improves public health, expands accessibility, and strengthens community resiliency.
The department manages over 100 locations across the state, including 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, five science museums, four aquariums, 35 state parks, four recreation areas, dozens of state trails and natural areas, the North Carolina Zoo, the North Carolina Symphony, the State Library, the State Archives, the N.C. Arts Council, the African American Heritage Commission, the American Indian Heritage Commission, the State Historic Preservation Office, the Office of State Archaeology, the Highway Historical Markers program, the N.C. Land and Water Fund, and the Natural Heritage Program. For more information, please visit www.dncr.nc.gov.
Source: US State of Idaho
Home Newsroom Labrador Letter – Another Victory for Election Integrity
Dear Friends,
This week we delivered another victory in protecting Idaho’s election security. The U.S. District Court upheld Idaho’s statutes that eliminated student IDs as an acceptable form of identification when it came to registering to vote and voting itself. As everyone knows, student IDs lack any kind of uniformity and security measures, as well as not requiring any proof of residency. Our election process deserves more scrutiny and oversight.
The suit in federal court was brought against the Idaho statutes, specifically House Bill 340, by March For Our Lives. It was almost identical to the BABE Vote suit we previously defeated all the way to the Idaho Supreme Court, and on the same merits. Idaho’s statutes allow for driver’s licenses, state-issued ID, tribal identification, and federal ID (like a passport or military ID) to be considered acceptable when registering to vote. March For Our Lives and BABE Vote claimed that Idaho’s laws were unconstitutionally discriminatory against students, despite the legislature creating a secure, no-cost ID available to anybody who needed one.
Students, however, are not a defined, protected class of individuals. In the eyes of both state and federal courts, there is no discrimination occurring because of Idaho’s laws, especially when a free ID option is readily available. Engaging in the political process of our Republic is a right to be protected and cherished. Protecting that right demands security so that we as a people can have trust and confidence in the outcomes, knowing the people who participated in the election had the legal right to do so. I’m pleased that our courts have recognized the importance of secure elections when it comes to valid and uniform identification.
The U.S. District Court Judge wrote in her decision, “The Government has shown House Bill 340 promotes the State’s important interests of election security and prevention of voter fraud. Balancing these interests against House Bill 340’s requirement that registrants provide an approved form of identification to register—which may include no-fee identification—the Court concludes House Bill 340 does not pose an unconstitutional burden on registrants and grants the Secretary summary judgment….”
Best regards,
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Pete Sessions (32nd District of Texas)
WACO- Congressman Pete Sessions (TX-17) announced that the Arctic Acclimatization & Sleep Optimization (ARKTOS) Research Center at Baylor University received federal funding under the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2024. Congressman Sessions was the sponsor of this Congressional Community Project. These funds will support the development of rapid acclimatization protocols and technologies, human-machine teaming, and group dynamics in multi-stressor arctic environments. The purpose of the project is to solidify the dominance of the United States military in complex, multi-stressor environments such as arctic climates.
Congressman Sessions said, “As the lead sponsor in the House of Representatives, I am proud to have played a pivotal role in achieving funding to improve the scientific endeavors of Baylor University. These funds will allow Baylor’s excellent researchers to optimize the performance of our military through rapid acclimatization.”
“We appreciate Congressman Sessions and his staff for their hard work supporting the impactful research being conducted at Baylor University as a Research 1 institution,” said Provost Nancy Brickhouse, Ph.D. “Leading-edge research tied to rapid adaptation to extreme environments is greatly needed and critical for our state and country to remain ahead.”
In response to a ruling by the Constitutional Court of Taiwan that found the death penalty constitutional for offences such as murder, E-Ling Chiu, Director of Amnesty International Taiwan, said:
“Today’s decision is a small step for human rights in Taiwan. The Constitutional Court has recognized the fundamental flaws of the death penalty and strengthened human rights protections for those on death row. Yet the death penalty remains on the books for several offences. This marks a start in Taiwan’s journey towards abolition, and we must ensure it does not stop here.
“We have long been concerned about the unfair proceedings that have resulted in the imposition of the death penalty in many cases in Taiwan. Today’s verdict acknowledges that the current procedures are not rigorous – the Taiwanese authorities must now amend the relevant provisions within the two-year timeframe given to ensure fundamental safeguards are put in place. But this does not go far enough.
“It is also positive that the Constitutional Court determined that current provisions fail to protect from the death penalty people with mental disabilities who are not competent to stand trial or execution. However, it is regrettable that the judgment did not fully reflect safeguards under international law and standards and did not exclude those with mental and intellectual disabilities from the use of the death penalty completely.
“Despite the progress made today, we are extremely worried that this decision effectively puts close to 40 people at risk of execution. We urge the government of Taiwan to immediately establish an official moratorium on executions as a first critical step. The death penalty is inherently cruel and does not make us safer.
“As the global trend continues towards abolition, today’s decision stacks Taiwan against the majority of the world’s countries that have already fully consigned this punishment to the history books. The authorities of Taiwan must act to swiftly commute all death sentences, bring about reforms to the criminal justice system that prioritize the protection of human rights and abolish the death penalty once and for all.”
Background
On 20 September 2024, the Constitutional Court of Taiwan issued its decision on a challenge on the constitutionality of the death penalty, finding the death penalty constitutional for serious offences such as murder. The constitutional challenge arose from a case filed by Wang Xinfu (Petition No. 2022), the oldest person on Taiwan’s death row, consolidated with petitions by 37 others.
The Constitutional Court also held that the death penalty may not be carried out on any person with a mental disability.
It gave the authorities two years to amend the law in order to comply with the judgment, and prohibited the use of the death penalty against anyone with a mental disability in the meantime.
Amnesty International Taiwan and the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty are among several non-governmental organizations who intervened in the case, in support of the full abolition of the death penalty.
In a joint briefing filed on 8 April, Amnesty International Taiwan and the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty argued that the use of the death penalty in Taiwan constitutes a violation of human rights as guaranteed under the Constitution of Taiwan (Articles 8 on personal freedom and procedural guarantees in case of arrest and conviction; and 15 on the right to existence).
The organizations hold that the death penalty violates the human right to life and the right not to be subjected to torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, as reflected in the development of international human rights law and standards. Amnesty International Taiwan, the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty and its members have long raised concern at the use of the death penalty in Taiwan, including in relation to proceedings in several cases that violated constitutional and international standards for a fair trial and resulted in the imposition of the death penalty.
The last execution in Taiwan was carried out in 2020. As of 31 December 2023, 37 out of the 45 people held on death row had their death sentences finalized and were at risk of execution. As of today, 112 countries have abolished the death penalty for all crimes and 144 are abolitionist in law or practice. According to figures by Amnesty International, 16 countries were known to have carried out executions in 2023 – the lowest number of executing countries on record, since Amnesty International began its monitoring.
Amnesty International opposes the death penalty in all cases without exception regardless of the nature or circumstances of the crime; guilt, innocence or other characteristics of the individual; or the method used by the state to carry out the execution.
US Senate News:
Source: The White House
Around the world today, our people and economies are increasingly impacted by the severe consequences of the climate crisis. Coastal communities and military bases are threatened by storms and flooding. Extreme heat, now a regular phenomenon with each passing summer, costs lives, reduces productivity, and damages critical infrastructure. Vital breadbaskets face historic droughts, and are no longer able to regularly deliver on the food security needs of their regions. Record-breaking fires ravage forests, spill into communities, and pollute the air.
The U.S. national security community has long understood climate change to be a “threat multiplier,” intensifying existing security threats and vulnerabilities, and decreasing resilience. But today, the devastating impacts of the climate crisis increasingly are themselves the new direct threats from which we must protect our communities. We are witnessing cycles of cascading climate impacts and increasing instability, at home and across the globe.
U.S. national security requires addressing the growing impacts of the climate crisis.
As described in our recent U.S. National Climate Assessment, growing climate vulnerabilities have profound impacts for U.S. national security, economic, and strategic interests. As our military is increasingly called upon to respond to disasters, we risk stretching defense resources. At the same time, our critical infrastructure—including relatively new infrastructure resulting from the increased investments in the clean-energy transition—risks being degraded more rapidly by the changing environment. Around the world, changing temperature, precipitation, ecosystems, and ocean conditions threaten supply chains, increase prices, affect the affordability and availability of insurance, and strain public coffers, forcing all levels of government to shift funds away from other priorities. And alongside these strains, we are witnessing vicious cycles of fragility, where communities may have limited capacity to recover from one disaster to the next. Simply put, climate hazards are threatening the long-term stability of our governments, our economies, and our global security.
The United States has prioritized the need to both mitigate and build resilience to these strategic threats. This new U.S. Framework for Climate Resilience and Security prescribes three actions for turning this prioritization into implementation.
Assess Climate-Related Threats and Opportunities: Without assessment of the impacts of climate change on our security and defense, it is difficult for our leaders to adapt to a rapidly changing environment or to plan strong responses. The United States has state-of-the-art scientific capabilities, and thanks to this strategic edge, we are able to predict where climate impacts will exacerbate threats–and act effectively in advance.
Partner for an Integrated Approach: Each federal department and agency has unique capabilities and comparative advantages in our response to climate hazards, but coordination is critical to efficiently and effectively meet the needs of our communities. Similar partnerships must also extend to partners overseas at the national, regional, and local levels, civil society, the private sector, philanthropies, and international organizations, to enable the effective use of resources and information, and to incorporate and respond to the needs of those who are impacted most.
Invest in Collective Resilience: Increasing the resilience of our own investments—including those in our supply chains, physical installations, or the provision of emergency assistance when challenges arise—advances national security objectives and yields economic results. As our deployment of mitigation resources intensifies through the clean energy transition, we must protect them with commensurate consideration for and investment in resilience that can not only protect lives, and livelihoods, but avoid or lessen future humanitarian and economic assistance needs.
Ultimately, these are the investments for which Americans across the country, and our partners across the world, are asking. These are not just about the rising threats of the climate crisis, but ultimately they are critical ingredients for ensuring economic security. Realizing these goals will protect lives and property, prepare first responders and defense forces, and improve livelihoods globally.
We will bring to bear the leadership of the United States to confront these threats, and bring our cutting-edge analysis, partnership, and investment to partners globally. In doing so, we will be able to turn many of these growing vulnerabilities into strategic opportunities. Through these efforts, we will build a more resilient and sustainable global security—one that asserts that projecting and withstanding climate shocks and disruptions is better done through partnership and investment.
Signed,
John PodestaSenior Advisor to the President for International Climate Policy
Jake SullivanAssistant to the President for National Security Affairs
The full U.S. Framework for Climate Resilience and Security can be found here.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Kweisi Mfume (MD-07)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Congressman Kweisi Mfume, Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen, and Congressmen Steny Hoyer, John Sarbanes, and Jamie Raskin (all D-Md.) welcomed Maryland Legislative Black Caucus Chair Delegate Jheanelle Wilkins, the Maryland Black Caucus Foundationand members of the Maryland Legislative Black Caucus to the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday to discuss federal priorities for the state.The meeting covered vital issues such as education equity; Black maternal health; Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) programs; federal funding for the Francis Scott Key Bridge and more. The meeting was the group’s first Congressional Delegation meeting on Capitol Hill and followed last week’s Congressional Black Caucus Annual Legislative Conference in D.C. Maryland has the largest Black caucus of all state legislatures in the country.
“It was powerful to welcome Chair Wilkins and the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland to Capitol Hill for the first of what we anticipate will be a series of compelling discussions with my colleagues and me,” said Congressman Kweisi Mfume. “There is a strong activist legacy inherited by any member of a Black Caucus. As a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, we must continue to work alongside one another and advance the work of Black legislators who have come before us,” he concluded.
“Any opportunity to discuss priorities with Maryland’s Legislative Black Caucus is a welcome opportunity. Maryland’s HBCUs are leading the state in entrepreneurship, our minority business community is an engine of economic growth, and we are one of the most diverse states in the country. We celebrate and embrace that diversity,” said Senator Cardin. “The issues that uniquely impact Black and minority communities affect our entire state and nation, and we continue to support federal policies that create more equitable pathways to success for these communities.”
“One of the keys to our Congressional delegation’s success is our close collaboration with our counterparts in Annapolis. It was a privilege to welcome the formidable Maryland Legislative Black Caucus to the Hill to discuss our efforts on important issues like improving Black maternal health, supporting HBCUs, investing in minority-owned businesses, providing universal early education, and helping communities across the state thrive. Together, we will keep working to deliver on these priorities for our mutual constituents,” said Senator Van Hollen.
“Maryland’s Legislative Black Caucus has invaluable insights into the challenges and opportunities facing Black Marylanders across our state today,” said Congressman Hoyer. “I was pleased to have the chance to meet with our partners in the Maryland General Assembly to discuss how we can help Maryland’s Black community get ahead in the months and years ahead. From improving Black maternal health to supporting our HBCUs to rebuilding the Francis Scott Key Bridge, Team Maryland will continue our work in both Congress and the General Assembly to promote equity and opportunity in our state and beyond.”
“The issues highlighted by Maryland’s Legislative Black Caucus are critical to our Maryland communities and to Americans across the country. I am proud of the diversity of leadership in our state, and we are stronger because of it. Team Maryland remains committed to advancing policies at the federal level that build a more just, inclusive and equitable future for all,” said Congressman Sarbanes.
“On Team Maryland, close partnerships among federal, local and state officials help us deliver for communities across our state,” said Congressman Raskin. “That’s why I was delighted to join my fellow delegation members in welcoming Maryland’s Legislative Black Caucus, led by MoCo’s own Delegate Jheanelle Wilkins, to the Capitol for a conversation about education equity and civil rights, Black maternal health, federal funding opportunities and more. Marylanders depend on our continued collaboration, with leaders in Washington, Annapolis, and across the state working together to ensure our people have access to the resources, programs and opportunities to achieve their dreams.”
“It was a historic day for the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland. We had a productive meeting with our Congressional Delegation where we discussed issues of critical importance to the state. We’re excited about future opportunities to come together and collaborate, moving forward, to ensure that Maryland’s residents are being served at every level of government,” said Delegate Wilkins.
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Source: United States Department of Justice (video statements)
#ThisWeekAtJustice
• Justice Department Awards Over $600M to Hire Law Enforcement Officers, Keep Schools Safe, and Improve Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Services
• Justice Department Announces Five Cases Tied to Disruptive Technology Strike Force
• Justice Department and Department of Housing and Urban Development Secure Over $15M from OceanFirst Bank to Resolve Redlining Claims in New Jersey
• Justice Department Files Lawsuit Against Owner and Operator of the Vessel that Destroyed the Francis Scott Key Bridge
• Suspect at Trump International Golf Course Charged with Firearms Offenses
Source: The White House
Around the world today, our people and economies are increasingly impacted by the severe consequences of the climate crisis. Coastal communities and military bases are threatened by storms and flooding. Extreme heat, now a regular phenomenon with each passing summer, costs lives, reduces productivity, and damages critical infrastructure. Vital breadbaskets face historic droughts, and are no longer able to regularly deliver on the food security needs of their regions. Record-breaking fires ravage forests, spill into communities, and pollute the air.
The U.S. national security community has long understood climate change to be a “threat multiplier,” intensifying existing security threats and vulnerabilities, and decreasing resilience. But today, the devastating impacts of the climate crisis increasingly are themselves the new direct threats from which we must protect our communities. We are witnessing cycles of cascading climate impacts and increasing instability, at home and across the globe.
U.S. national security requires addressing the growing impacts of the climate crisis.
As described in our recent U.S. National Climate Assessment, growing climate vulnerabilities have profound impacts for U.S. national security, economic, and strategic interests. As our military is increasingly called upon to respond to disasters, we risk stretching defense resources. At the same time, our critical infrastructure—including relatively new infrastructure resulting from the increased investments in the clean-energy transition—risks being degraded more rapidly by the changing environment. Around the world, changing temperature, precipitation, ecosystems, and ocean conditions threaten supply chains, increase prices, affect the affordability and availability of insurance, and strain public coffers, forcing all levels of government to shift funds away from other priorities. And alongside these strains, we are witnessing vicious cycles of fragility, where communities may have limited capacity to recover from one disaster to the next. Simply put, climate hazards are threatening the long-term stability of our governments, our economies, and our global security.
The United States has prioritized the need to both mitigate and build resilience to these strategic threats. This new U.S. Framework for Climate Resilience and Security prescribes three actions for turning this prioritization into implementation.
Ultimately, these are the investments for which Americans across the country, and our partners across the world, are asking. These are not just about the rising threats of the climate crisis, but ultimately they are critical ingredients for ensuring economic security. Realizing these goals will protect lives and property, prepare first responders and defense forces, and improve livelihoods globally.
We will bring to bear the leadership of the United States to confront these threats, and bring our cutting-edge analysis, partnership, and investment to partners globally. In doing so, we will be able to turn many of these growing vulnerabilities into strategic opportunities. Through these efforts, we will build a more resilient and sustainable global security—one that asserts that projecting and withstanding climate shocks and disruptions is better done through partnership and investment.
Signed,
John Podesta
Senior Advisor to the President for International Climate Policy
Jake Sullivan
Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs
The full U.S. Framework for Climate Resilience and Security can be found here.
US Senate News:
Source: The White House
Our Nation’s nearly 200 Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs) open doors of opportunity for millions of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AA and NHPI) students. AANAPISIs provide a pathway to the middle class and a better life for their students, many of whom often come from low-income neighborhoods and may be the first in their families to attend college. During AANAPISI Week, we celebrate these critical institutions for the resources and support they provide to students, and we recommit to advancing their mission and success.
AANAPISIs play a critical role in the lives of so many of our Nation’s AA and NHPI students. In addition to a quality education, these institutions meet AA and NHPI students where they are and foster inclusive learning environments — providing tutoring, career development, counseling, culturally and linguistically responsive services, and more. AANAPISIs confer more than half of all associate degrees and more than a third of baccalaureate degrees that AA and NHPI students earn.
My Administration is committed to strengthening our AANAPISIs so that more AA and NHPI students can reach their full potential. My American Rescue Plan delivered $5 billion to AANAPISIs. The Department of Education has invested in increasing the number of diverse and talented teachers by funding programs at Minority Serving Institutions that serve large percentages of AA and NHPI populations. Across my Administration, Federal agencies are working to expand the capacity of AANAPISIs and strengthen their programs. And I re-established the White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders and released a National Strategy to Advance Equity, Justice, and Opportunity for AA and NHPI Communities. These actions work to ensure AA and NHPI communities have the resources they need to thrive.
My Administration is also working to make college more affordable for all students. We provided a $900 increase to the maximum Pell Grant award — the largest increase in over a decade, canceled debt for hundreds of thousands of borrowers through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, and taken steps to help borrowers manage their payments through income-driven repayment. And earlier this year, I laid out my Administration’s new plans that would cancel student debt for more than 30 million Americans when combined with everything we have done so far.
I have always believed that the American Dream is big enough for everyone — and every generation has benefited by opening the doors of opportunity a bit wider for those behind them. During AANAPISI Week, may we celebrate the nearly 200 institutions across our Nation that ensure generations of AA and NHPI students can pursue the limits of their talents and ambitions. May we recognize that diversity will always be one of our Nation’s greatest strengths. And may we celebrate all our Nation’s AA and NHPI students.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim September 23 through September 29, 2024, as Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions Week. I call on public officials, educators, and all the people of the United States to observe this week with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities that acknowledge the many ways these institutions and their graduates contribute to our country.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twentieth day of September, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-four, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-ninth.
JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.