biden administration – Cincy Link https://cincylink.com Explore Cincy Sat, 08 Jul 2023 04:08:07 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.1 https://cincylink.com/pub/content/uploads/sites/27/2020/03/apple-touch-icon-precomposed-100x100.png biden administration – Cincy Link https://cincylink.com 32 32 San Francisco Federal Reserve president on the state of the economy https://cincylink.com/2023/07/08/san-francisco-federal-reserve-president-on-the-state-of-the-economy/ https://cincylink.com/2023/07/08/san-francisco-federal-reserve-president-on-the-state-of-the-economy/#respond Sat, 08 Jul 2023 04:08:07 +0000 https://cincylink.com/?p=165869

As we enter the second half of the year, many Americans are questioning the stability of the U.S. economy amid fears we could be heading into a recession.

Later this month, the Federal Reserve Open Market Committee will meet to discuss the likeliness of more interest rate hikes to address the nation's highest inflation in more than 40 years.

Consumer prices in June saw the biggest 12-month increase since 1981.

Mary Daly is the president and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, and she suggests that the COVID-19 lockdowns and the war in Ukraine have both contributed in part to rising costs across the globe.

"We have a strong economy but inflation is too high," she said. "As an economist and policymaker, I was less startled. It [inflation] is something you can expect because we had a pandemic. We locked down the economy and then opened back up suddenly. We're ready as consumers to get back out there and buy things and do things, but supply chains are completely under siege."

Last month, the Federal Reserve attempted to tame rising costs by raising its key interest rate by 0.75% — its largest hike since 1994. It was the third rate hike from the central bank this year and more are expected.

But Daly said she isn't concerned that the Fed is overcooking things in order to tame down inflation.

"I'm not concerned because we put extraordinary emergency accommodation into the economy," she said. "We put a lot of support into the economy. When we did that, the economy was supported through the pandemic, and now we're just dialing back that support as we raise the interest rates through the end of the year. That should help bring inflation down to help get the economy back in balance."

Newsy is the nation’s only free 24/7 national news network. You can find Newsy using your TV’s digital antenna or stream for free. See all the ways you can watch Newsy here.




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]]> https://cincylink.com/2023/07/08/san-francisco-federal-reserve-president-on-the-state-of-the-economy/feed/ 0 US retail sales up 1% in June, easing fears of a recession https://cincylink.com/2023/07/08/us-retail-sales-up-1-in-june-easing-fears-of-a-recession/ https://cincylink.com/2023/07/08/us-retail-sales-up-1-in-june-easing-fears-of-a-recession/#respond Sat, 08 Jul 2023 04:00:12 +0000 https://cincylink.com/?p=165982

Consumers picked up their spending from May to June, underscoring their resilience despite painfully higher prices at the gas pump and in grocery aisles and allaying fears that the economy might be on the verge of a recession.

U.S. retail sales rose 1% in June, from a revised decline of 0.1 % in May, the Commerce Department said Friday.

The figures aren't adjusted for inflation and so largely reflect higher prices, particularly for gas. But they also show that consumers are still providing crucial support for the economy and spending on such discretionary items as furniture, restaurant meals and sporting goods.

SEE MORE: U.S. Inflation Reached 40-Year High Of 9.1% In June

At the same time, last month's spending gain is modest enough that it likely won't encourage the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates even more aggressively. Stock prices rose after the report's release.

Consumers still have significant savings, on average, bolstered by pandemic-era government relief checks and strong hiring and pay gains. JPMorgan executives said Thursday that their customers are still breaking out their credit and debit cards at a healthy pace.

The report showed consumers' ongoing appetite for nonessentials like gadgets and furniture. In fact, sales at furniture stores rose 1.4%, while consumer electronics stores rose 0.4%. Online sales showed a resurgence, posting a 2.2% increase. Business at restaurants was up 1%. But department stores took a hit, posting a 2.6% decline.

The solid figures bode well for the back-to-school shopping season, the second largest sales period behind the winter holidays. Mastercard SpendingPulse, which tracks spending across all payment forms including cash, forecasts that back-to-school spending will be up 7.5% from July 14 through Sept. 5 compared with the year-ago period when sales rose 11%.

But spending is volatile. The latest round of retail earnings reports published in May showed some slowing of spending, particularly with low-income shoppers. RH, an upscale furniture chain, cut its sales outlook for the year last month, pointing to deteriorating macro-economic conditions. It pointed to higher mortgage rates, which are slowing sales of luxury homes, indicating that even wealthy shoppers are pulling back.

Nevertheless, the overall solid spending came even as shoppers were confronted with high prices in all areas. U.S. inflation surged to a new four-decade high in June because of rising prices for gas, food and rent, squeezing household budgets and pressuring the Fed to raise rates aggressively — trends that raise the risk of a recession.

The retail sales report covers about a third of overall consumer spending and doesn't include services, such as haircuts, hotel stays and plane tickets.

Newsy is the nation’s only free 24/7 national news network. You can find Newsy using your TV’s digital antenna or stream for free. See all the ways you can watch Newsy here. 




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]]> https://cincylink.com/2023/07/08/us-retail-sales-up-1-in-june-easing-fears-of-a-recession/feed/ 0 White House leaning toward canceling $10,000 in student loans for borrowers making less than $125K https://cincylink.com/2023/07/05/white-house-leaning-toward-canceling-10000-in-student-loans-for-borrowers-making-less-than-125k/ https://cincylink.com/2023/07/05/white-house-leaning-toward-canceling-10000-in-student-loans-for-borrowers-making-less-than-125k/#respond Wed, 05 Jul 2023 04:17:05 +0000 https://cincylink.com/?p=169791

White House officials have been weighing — and leaning toward — the cancellation of up to $10,000 in student loan debt per borrower tied to an income threshold, CNN has learned.According to multiple sources familiar with the discussions, the plan is designed to offer forgiveness to individuals who earn less than $125,000 per year.In addition to that baseline of student loan debt forgiveness for individuals who fall under a certain income level, administration officials have also recently discussed the possibility of additional forgiveness for specific subsets of the population, according to sources familiar with internal discussions in the administration.The announcement could come as early as Wednesday, but it is not clear that a final decision on the details of the announcement — as well as the timing — has been made, and there could always be eleventh-hour changes. The White House is also expected to address in the coming days whether to extend again the current pause on federal student loan payments, which is set to expire on Aug. 31.CNN has reached out to the White House for comment.In recent days, White House officials have been in communication with lawmakers to discuss their thinking on student loan debt forgiveness, ahead of the current pause on payments expiring. Last week, for example, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, and Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock of Georgia had a discussion with senior White House officials, sources said.The White House has suggested in the past that Biden was considering canceling $10,000 per borrower but excluding those who earn more than $125,000 a year.Setting an income cap, which has been the subject of intense debate both inside and outside the administration, was also crafted as a buffer against criticism that the forgiveness would benefit those with the means to manage their debt payments. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said Sunday that Americans can expect a decision from the administration on student loans in the "next week or so." With less than two weeks to go, Americans have been left guessing for weeks whether Biden will extend the current moratorium or, perhaps, forgive some of their debt."We've been talking daily about this, and I can tell you the American people will hear within the next week or so from the President and the Department of Education on what we're going to be doing around that," Cardona told NBC's Chuck Todd on "Meet the Press."He did not elaborate on the details, saying he would not get ahead of the announcement.Some Democratic lawmakers and advocates have been urging Biden to broadly cancel up to $50,000 in student loan debt per borrower, but the president has consistently pushed back on canceling that much.Biden has canceled more student loan debt than any other president, with his administration authorizing the cancellation of nearly $32 billion in loans largely for borrowers who were defrauded by their for-profit colleges and for permanently disabled borrowers.

White House officials have been weighing — and leaning toward — the cancellation of up to $10,000 in student loan debt per borrower tied to an income threshold, CNN has learned.

According to multiple sources familiar with the discussions, the plan is designed to offer forgiveness to individuals who earn less than $125,000 per year.

In addition to that baseline of student loan debt forgiveness for individuals who fall under a certain income level, administration officials have also recently discussed the possibility of additional forgiveness for specific subsets of the population, according to sources familiar with internal discussions in the administration.

The announcement could come as early as Wednesday, but it is not clear that a final decision on the details of the announcement — as well as the timing — has been made, and there could always be eleventh-hour changes. The White House is also expected to address in the coming days whether to extend again the current pause on federal student loan payments, which is set to expire on Aug. 31.

CNN has reached out to the White House for comment.

In recent days, White House officials have been in communication with lawmakers to discuss their thinking on student loan debt forgiveness, ahead of the current pause on payments expiring. Last week, for example, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, and Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock of Georgia had a discussion with senior White House officials, sources said.

The White House has suggested in the past that Biden was considering canceling $10,000 per borrower but excluding those who earn more than $125,000 a year.

Setting an income cap, which has been the subject of intense debate both inside and outside the administration, was also crafted as a buffer against criticism that the forgiveness would benefit those with the means to manage their debt payments.

Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said Sunday that Americans can expect a decision from the administration on student loans in the "next week or so." With less than two weeks to go, Americans have been left guessing for weeks whether Biden will extend the current moratorium or, perhaps, forgive some of their debt.

"We've been talking daily about this, and I can tell you the American people will hear within the next week or so from the President and the Department of Education on what we're going to be doing around that," Cardona told NBC's Chuck Todd on "Meet the Press."

He did not elaborate on the details, saying he would not get ahead of the announcement.

Some Democratic lawmakers and advocates have been urging Biden to broadly cancel up to $50,000 in student loan debt per borrower, but the president has consistently pushed back on canceling that much.

Biden has canceled more student loan debt than any other president, with his administration authorizing the cancellation of nearly $32 billion in loans largely for borrowers who were defrauded by their for-profit colleges and for permanently disabled borrowers.


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]]> https://cincylink.com/2023/07/05/white-house-leaning-toward-canceling-10000-in-student-loans-for-borrowers-making-less-than-125k/feed/ 0 US confirms China has had a spy base in Cuba since at least 2019 https://cincylink.com/2023/06/12/us-confirms-china-has-had-a-spy-base-in-cuba-since-at-least-2019/ https://cincylink.com/2023/06/12/us-confirms-china-has-had-a-spy-base-in-cuba-since-at-least-2019/#respond Mon, 12 Jun 2023 04:10:49 +0000 https://cincylink.com/?p=203876

China has been operating a spy base in Cuba since at least 2019, part of a global effort by Beijing to upgrade its intelligence-gathering capabilities, according to a Biden administration official.The official, who was not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the U.S. intelligence community has been aware of China's spying from Cuba and a larger effort to set up intelligence-gathering operations around the globe for some time.The Biden administration has stepped up efforts to thwart the Chinese push to expand its spying operations and believes it has made some progress through diplomacy and other unspecified action, according to the official, who was familiar with U.S. intelligence on the matter.The existence of the Chinese spy base was confirmed after The Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday that China and Cuba had reached an agreement in principle to build an electronic eavesdropping station on the island. The Journal reported China planned to pay cash-strapped Cuba billions of dollars as part of the negotiations.The White House called the report inaccurate."I've seen that press report, it's not accurate," White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said in an MSNBC interview Thursday. "What I can tell you is that we have been concerned since day one of this administration about China's influence activities around the world; certainly in this hemisphere and in this region, we're watching this very, very closely."The U.S. intelligence community had determined Chinese spying from Cuba has been an "ongoing" matter and is "not a new development," the administration official said.Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernández de Cossío also refuted the report in a Twitter post Saturday."The slanderous speculation continues, evidently promoted by certain media to cause harm and alarm without observing minimum patterns of communication and without providing data or evidence to support what they disseminate," he wrote.President Joe Biden's national security team was briefed by the intelligence community soon after he took office in January 2021 about a number of sensitive Chinese efforts around the globe where Beijing was weighing expanding logistics, basing and collection infrastructure as part of the People's Liberation Army's attempt to further its influence, the official said.Chinese officials looked at sites spanning the Atlantic Ocean, Latin America, the Middle East, Central Asia, Africa and the Indo-Pacific. The effort included looking at existing collection facilities in Cuba, and China conducted an upgrade of its spying operation on the island in 2019, the official said.Tensions between the U.S. and China have been fraught throughout Biden's term.The relationship may have hit a nadir last year after then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to democratically governed Taiwan. That visit, the first by a sitting House speaker since Newt Gingrich in 1997, led China, which claims the island as its territory, to launch military exercises around Taiwan.U.S.-China relations became further strained early this year after the U.S. shot down a Chinese spy balloon that had crossed the United States.Beijing also was angered by Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen's stopover in the U.S. last month which included an encounter with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. The speaker hosted the Taiwanese leader at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in southern California.Still, the White House has been eager to resume high-level communications between the two sides.Secretary of State Antony Blinken is planning to travel to China next week, a trip that was canceled as the balloon was flying over the U.S. Blinken expects to be in Beijing on June 18 for meetings with senior Chinese officials, according to U.S. officials, who spoke Friday on condition of anonymity because neither the State Department nor the Chinese foreign ministry has yet confirmed the trip.CIA Director William Burns met in Beijing with his counterpart last month. White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan met with his Chinese counterpart in Vienna over two days in May and made clear that the administration wanted to improve high-level communications with the Chinese side.Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin recently spoke briefly with Li Shangfu, China's minister of national defense, at the opening dinner of a security forum in Singapore. China had earlier rejected Austin's request for a meeting on the sidelines of the forum.___AP Diplomatic Writer Matthew Lee contributed to this report.[/related

WASHINGTON —

China has been operating a spy base in Cuba since at least 2019, part of a global effort by Beijing to upgrade its intelligence-gathering capabilities, according to a Biden administration official.

The official, who was not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the U.S. intelligence community has been aware of China's spying from Cuba and a larger effort to set up intelligence-gathering operations around the globe for some time.

The Biden administration has stepped up efforts to thwart the Chinese push to expand its spying operations and believes it has made some progress through diplomacy and other unspecified action, according to the official, who was familiar with U.S. intelligence on the matter.

The existence of the Chinese spy base was confirmed after The Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday that China and Cuba had reached an agreement in principle to build an electronic eavesdropping station on the island. The Journal reported China planned to pay cash-strapped Cuba billions of dollars as part of the negotiations.

The White House called the report inaccurate.

"I've seen that press report, it's not accurate," White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said in an MSNBC interview Thursday. "What I can tell you is that we have been concerned since day one of this administration about China's influence activities around the world; certainly in this hemisphere and in this region, we're watching this very, very closely."

The U.S. intelligence community had determined Chinese spying from Cuba has been an "ongoing" matter and is "not a new development," the administration official said.

Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernández de Cossío also refuted the report in a Twitter post Saturday.

"The slanderous speculation continues, evidently promoted by certain media to cause harm and alarm without observing minimum patterns of communication and without providing data or evidence to support what they disseminate," he wrote.

President Joe Biden's national security team was briefed by the intelligence community soon after he took office in January 2021 about a number of sensitive Chinese efforts around the globe where Beijing was weighing expanding logistics, basing and collection infrastructure as part of the People's Liberation Army's attempt to further its influence, the official said.

Chinese officials looked at sites spanning the Atlantic Ocean, Latin America, the Middle East, Central Asia, Africa and the Indo-Pacific. The effort included looking at existing collection facilities in Cuba, and China conducted an upgrade of its spying operation on the island in 2019, the official said.

Tensions between the U.S. and China have been fraught throughout Biden's term.

The relationship may have hit a nadir last year after then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to democratically governed Taiwan. That visit, the first by a sitting House speaker since Newt Gingrich in 1997, led China, which claims the island as its territory, to launch military exercises around Taiwan.

U.S.-China relations became further strained early this year after the U.S. shot down a Chinese spy balloon that had crossed the United States.

Beijing also was angered by Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen's stopover in the U.S. last month which included an encounter with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. The speaker hosted the Taiwanese leader at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in southern California.

Still, the White House has been eager to resume high-level communications between the two sides.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken is planning to travel to China next week, a trip that was canceled as the balloon was flying over the U.S. Blinken expects to be in Beijing on June 18 for meetings with senior Chinese officials, according to U.S. officials, who spoke Friday on condition of anonymity because neither the State Department nor the Chinese foreign ministry has yet confirmed the trip.

CIA Director William Burns met in Beijing with his counterpart last month. White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan met with his Chinese counterpart in Vienna over two days in May and made clear that the administration wanted to improve high-level communications with the Chinese side.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin recently spoke briefly with Li Shangfu, China's minister of national defense, at the opening dinner of a security forum in Singapore. China had earlier rejected Austin's request for a meeting on the sidelines of the forum.

___

AP Diplomatic Writer Matthew Lee contributed to this report.

[related id='43360dcb-3964-4ef4-8ab1-14770011df20' align='center'][/related


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]]> https://cincylink.com/2023/06/12/us-confirms-china-has-had-a-spy-base-in-cuba-since-at-least-2019/feed/ 0 Biden administration issues response to East Palestine, Ohio, train derailment https://cincylink.com/2023/06/02/biden-administration-issues-response-to-east-palestine-ohio-train-derailment/ https://cincylink.com/2023/06/02/biden-administration-issues-response-to-east-palestine-ohio-train-derailment/#respond Fri, 02 Jun 2023 19:03:29 +0000 https://cincylink.com/?p=189217

The White House said it is deploying additional resources to East Palestine, Ohio, nearly two weeks after a train derailment prompted environmental concerns in the region.

Although officials say the air is safe, there remain lingering concerns over the long-term impacts after vinyl chloride and other chemicals were released into the atmosphere.

State officials ordered the town to evacuate late on Feb. 5, nearly 48 hours after the derailment. Within days, residents were allowed to return.

Although Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said that he was told the region doesn’t not meet the standard for it to be declared a federal disaster area, White House officials are deploying additional resources there.

In addition to having the Environmental Protection Agency continue to monitor air quality, the White House said it is holding Norfolk Southern accountable for the costs associated with the cleanup. DeWine echoed on Friday that it was Norfolk Southern’s responsibility to pay for the cleanup.

To date, Norfolk Southern has said it is reimbursing East Palestine residents for their evacuation costs.

“Norfolk Southern responded and has agreed to fund response costs but we will continue to exercise the full authority under the law to hold the company accountable under the Comprehensive Environmental Remediation, Compensation and Liability Act,” a White House officials said.

The administration also said it agreed to a response from DeWine to send teams of federal health officials and toxicologists “to conduct public health testing and assessments.”

Federal officials said that they are still in the emergency response phase, but that will soon shift to a remediation phase.

Reporting from Scripps News White House correspondent Kellan Howell was used in this report.




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]]> https://cincylink.com/2023/06/02/biden-administration-issues-response-to-east-palestine-ohio-train-derailment/feed/ 0 Tesla to make some EV chargers available to all https://cincylink.com/2023/06/02/tesla-to-make-some-ev-chargers-available-to-all/ https://cincylink.com/2023/06/02/tesla-to-make-some-ev-chargers-available-to-all/#respond Fri, 02 Jun 2023 19:03:07 +0000 https://cincylink.com/?p=189287

Electric car giant Tesla will, for the first time, make some of its charging stations available to all U.S. electric vehicles by the end of next year, under a new plan announced Wednesday by the White House.The plan will make at least 7,500 chargers from Tesla's Supercharger and Destination Charger network available to non-Tesla EVs by the end of 2024, the White House said.The plan to open the nation's largest and most reliable charging network to all drivers is a potential game-changer in promoting EV use, a key component of President Joe Biden's pledge to fight climate change. Biden has set a goal that 50% of new U.S. car sales be electric by 2030, and he has promised to install 500,000 chargers across America and build a network of fast-charging stations across 53,000 miles of freeways from coast to coast."As President Biden said, the great American road trip will be electrified," said Mitch Landrieu, a White House aide who oversees implementation of the 2021 infrastructure law signed by Biden.Soon, charging an EV "will be as easy as filling up at a gas station,'' Landrieu told reporters Tuesday ahead of the White House announcement.The plan to open up Tesla's charging network was among a series of developments announced Wednesday by the White House, including new standards to make EV charging networks convenient and reliable for all Americans and made-in-America requirements for EV components.“No matter what EV you drive, we want to make sure that you will be able to plug in, know the price you’re going to be paying and charge up in a predictable, user-friendly experience,” Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said.Standards imposed by the Transportation Department require that EV chargers funded through the infrastructure law be built in the United States, effective immediately. By July 2024, 55% of the cost of all components must come from the U.S.Automakers warned before the rules were issued that imposing made-in-America requirements on EV components could harm EV growth.Biden, who has clashed with Musk over a range of issues, praised the billionaire on Twitter, the social media platform Musk bought last year.Musk's decision to open up Tesla's charging network to all drivers is "a big deal, and it'll make a big difference,'' Biden tweeted late Wednesday.Musk tweeted his thanks to Biden, adding, "Tesla is happy to support other EVs via our Supercharger network."By opening up its network, Tesla will be eligible to compete for federal grants to help create a nationwide charging network. The infrastructure law blocks federal subsidies for chargers that only serve one brand.Tesla, General Motors, EVgo, Pilot, Hertz and other companies have agreed to add thousands of public charging ports in the next two years, using private funds and federal spending from the infrastructure law, "putting the nation’s EV charging goals even closer within reach,'' the White House said.Under the administration's plan, Tesla will set up charging sites at hotels, restaurants and other public spaces in urban and rural locations, the White House said. All EV drivers will be able to access these stations using the Tesla app or website, officials said. Tesla plans to triple its nationwide network of Superchargers over the next few years, the White House said.The developments come after Landrieu and another top White House aide, John Podesta, met with Tesla CEO Elon Musk in Washington last month. Biden did not attend the meeting, which centered on the EV industry and the broader goal of electrification of the U.S. economy, the White House said.A week later, the Treasury Department said it is making more electric vehicles — including SUVs made by Tesla, Ford and General Motors — eligible for tax credits of up to $7,500 under new vehicle classification definitions. The revised standards follow lobbying by Tesla and other automakers to change vehicle definitions to allow higher-priced EVs to qualify for a maximum tax credit.Tesla raised prices on its Model Y SUV within hours of the Treasury announcement.Sam Abuelsamid, principal analyst for Guidehouse Insight, said the agreement to open up Tesla chargers to non-Tesla EVs "is potentially a very big deal."The plan "should be a big help to non-Tesla EV drivers if they can use the Tesla network and if the network remains as reliable as it is today,'' he said. A lack of high-quality public chargers on U.S. roads has slowed the growth of EV sales and is often cited by potential buyers as a leading obstacle to purchase of an EV.While the White House said the Tesla network should be available through use of a company app or website, an adaptor — or even a new charger design — will likely be required for non-Tesla EVs, Abuelsamid said.Mike Ramsey, an analyst at Gartner, said the agreement with Tesla was important on its own, but also as a sign of relative peace between Musk and the Biden administration. Musk has repeatedly clashed with Biden and other Democrats, and as the new owner of Twitter, Musk has released a slew of company information showing internal debates among Twitter employees over a decision to block a story about Hunter Biden, the president’s son.“It's not good for the U.S. government to alienate the top seller of EVs," Ramsey said in an interview.The Biden administration “needs Musk's help to grow EV use” in the United States, he added, and the new agreement "is a sign the government is working with the world's most important EV maker.''

WASHINGTON —

Electric car giant Tesla will, for the first time, make some of its charging stations available to all U.S. electric vehicles by the end of next year, under a new plan announced Wednesday by the White House.

The plan will make at least 7,500 chargers from Tesla's Supercharger and Destination Charger network available to non-Tesla EVs by the end of 2024, the White House said.

The plan to open the nation's largest and most reliable charging network to all drivers is a potential game-changer in promoting EV use, a key component of President Joe Biden's pledge to fight climate change. Biden has set a goal that 50% of new U.S. car sales be electric by 2030, and he has promised to install 500,000 chargers across America and build a network of fast-charging stations across 53,000 miles of freeways from coast to coast.

"As President Biden said, the great American road trip will be electrified," said Mitch Landrieu, a White House aide who oversees implementation of the 2021 infrastructure law signed by Biden.

Soon, charging an EV "will be as easy as filling up at a gas station,'' Landrieu told reporters Tuesday ahead of the White House announcement.

The plan to open up Tesla's charging network was among a series of developments announced Wednesday by the White House, including new standards to make EV charging networks convenient and reliable for all Americans and made-in-America requirements for EV components.

“No matter what EV you drive, we want to make sure that you will be able to plug in, know the price you’re going to be paying and charge up in a predictable, user-friendly experience,” Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said.

Standards imposed by the Transportation Department require that EV chargers funded through the infrastructure law be built in the United States, effective immediately. By July 2024, 55% of the cost of all components must come from the U.S.

Automakers warned before the rules were issued that imposing made-in-America requirements on EV components could harm EV growth.

Biden, who has clashed with Musk over a range of issues, praised the billionaire on Twitter, the social media platform Musk bought last year.

Musk's decision to open up Tesla's charging network to all drivers is "a big deal, and it'll make a big difference,'' Biden tweeted late Wednesday.

Musk tweeted his thanks to Biden, adding, "Tesla is happy to support other EVs via our Supercharger network."

By opening up its network, Tesla will be eligible to compete for federal grants to help create a nationwide charging network. The infrastructure law blocks federal subsidies for chargers that only serve one brand.

Tesla, General Motors, EVgo, Pilot, Hertz and other companies have agreed to add thousands of public charging ports in the next two years, using private funds and federal spending from the infrastructure law, "putting the nation’s EV charging goals even closer within reach,'' the White House said.

Under the administration's plan, Tesla will set up charging sites at hotels, restaurants and other public spaces in urban and rural locations, the White House said. All EV drivers will be able to access these stations using the Tesla app or website, officials said. Tesla plans to triple its nationwide network of Superchargers over the next few years, the White House said.

The developments come after Landrieu and another top White House aide, John Podesta, met with Tesla CEO Elon Musk in Washington last month. Biden did not attend the meeting, which centered on the EV industry and the broader goal of electrification of the U.S. economy, the White House said.

A week later, the Treasury Department said it is making more electric vehicles — including SUVs made by Tesla, Ford and General Motors — eligible for tax credits of up to $7,500 under new vehicle classification definitions. The revised standards follow lobbying by Tesla and other automakers to change vehicle definitions to allow higher-priced EVs to qualify for a maximum tax credit.

Tesla raised prices on its Model Y SUV within hours of the Treasury announcement.

Sam Abuelsamid, principal analyst for Guidehouse Insight, said the agreement to open up Tesla chargers to non-Tesla EVs "is potentially a very big deal."

The plan "should be a big help to non-Tesla EV drivers if they can use the Tesla network and if the network remains as reliable as it is today,'' he said. A lack of high-quality public chargers on U.S. roads has slowed the growth of EV sales and is often cited by potential buyers as a leading obstacle to purchase of an EV.

While the White House said the Tesla network should be available through use of a company app or website, an adaptor — or even a new charger design — will likely be required for non-Tesla EVs, Abuelsamid said.

Mike Ramsey, an analyst at Gartner, said the agreement with Tesla was important on its own, but also as a sign of relative peace between Musk and the Biden administration. Musk has repeatedly clashed with Biden and other Democrats, and as the new owner of Twitter, Musk has released a slew of company information showing internal debates among Twitter employees over a decision to block a story about Hunter Biden, the president’s son.

“It's not good for the U.S. government to alienate the top seller of EVs," Ramsey said in an interview.

The Biden administration “needs Musk's help to grow EV use” in the United States, he added, and the new agreement "is a sign the government is working with the world's most important EV maker.''


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]]> https://cincylink.com/2023/06/02/tesla-to-make-some-ev-chargers-available-to-all/feed/ 0 Biden approval down to 39% before State of the Union https://cincylink.com/2022/03/01/biden-approval-down-to-39-before-state-of-the-union/ https://cincylink.com/2022/03/01/biden-approval-down-to-39-before-state-of-the-union/#respond Tue, 01 Mar 2022 16:57:02 +0000 https://cincylink.com/?p=151815

When President Joe Biden delivers his first State of the Union address Tuesday night, he'll set out to reassure anxious Americans the state of the union is strong.

He'll give the much-anticipated speech amid multiple crises and to a critical public, with hopes of resetting his presidency after a difficult first year in the White House. Polls show only a quarter of

Americans believe the country is on the right track. Biden's own approval rating is underwater, with more disapproving of his job as president than approving.

So expect him to empathize with the public's discontent, while simultaneously shining a spotlight on his successes, touting the 6.6 million jobs created, the waning coronavirus infections amid vaccinations and therapeutics, and the passage of a bipartisan infrastructure bill that eluded his predecessors.

President Biden is also expected to continue to push his stalled domestic spending agenda, unveil his strategies for tackling inflation and crime, and honor his selection of Ketanji Brown Jackson, the first Black woman to be nominated to the Supreme Court.

He will deliver his address amid the biggest global test of his presidency, underscoring what the Ukraine crisis could mean for Americans, while hailing the unity of U.S. alliances as the world confronts dangerous Russian aggression.

With November's high-stakes midterm elections just months away, Democrats are hoping the State of the Union address provides a much-needed boost to Biden's struggling presidency.

Newsy is the nation’s only free 24/7 national news network. You can find Newsy using your TV’s digital antenna or stream for free. See all the ways you can watch Newsy here. 




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]]> https://cincylink.com/2022/03/01/biden-approval-down-to-39-before-state-of-the-union/feed/ 0 Biden attempting to eliminate more hurdles for immigrants https://cincylink.com/2022/02/19/biden-attempting-to-eliminate-more-hurdles-for-immigrants/ https://cincylink.com/2022/02/19/biden-attempting-to-eliminate-more-hurdles-for-immigrants/#respond Sat, 19 Feb 2022 19:17:09 +0000 https://cincylink.com/?p=148615

The Biden administration plans to roll out a new rule eliminating potential hurdles for immigrants depending on public benefits and trying to obtain legal status, according to a newly proposed regulation. The proposed change brings the so-called "public charge" rule back to the forefront.Video above: The Journey To Becoming An American CitizenThe Trump administration had modified the decades-old regulation in a way that could reshape the legal immigrant population in the United States by making it more difficult for individuals to obtain status.The Biden administration is changing course by considering what public benefits would indicate that an individual is largely depending on the federal government and excluding benefits, like food assistance programs and housing benefits, that shouldn't be used against an individual who is otherwise relying on their own resources.Under the proposed rule, the Department of Homeland Security would consider benefits, like cash assistance for income maintenance under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program and long-term institutionalization at government expense, according to a notice sent to Congress."The 2019 public charge rule was not consistent with our nation's values," said Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas in a statement. "Under this proposed rule, we will return to the historical understanding of the term 'public charge' and individuals will not be penalized for choosing to access the health benefits and other supplemental government services available to them."Under current regulations put in place in 1996, the term "public charge" is defined as someone who is "primarily dependent" on government assistance, meaning it supplies more than half their income.But it only counted cash benefits, such as TANF or Supplemental Security Income from Social Security. The Trump administration widened the definition of who is expected to be dependent on the government by including more benefit programs. That change is no longer in effect.Immigration officials can take into account an applicant's financial resources, health, education, skills, family status and age. But few people are rejected on these relatively narrow grounds, experts said.The use of disaster assistance, pandemic assistance and other benefits will also not count against immigrants, according to the notice.DHS argued in the new proposed regulation that changes made in 2019 by the Trump administration had caused a chilling effect within immigrant communities, citing experts, and led to immigrants avoiding benefits like medical care over concerns that use of those benefits might keep them from obtaining legal status.As a result, the Biden administration proposes to adopt a standard similar to what was used prior to 2019. The proposed rule will have a 60-day public comment period.

The Biden administration plans to roll out a new rule eliminating potential hurdles for immigrants depending on public benefits and trying to obtain legal status, according to a newly proposed regulation.

The proposed change brings the so-called "public charge" rule back to the forefront.

Video above: The Journey To Becoming An American Citizen

The Trump administration had modified the decades-old regulation in a way that could reshape the legal immigrant population in the United States by making it more difficult for individuals to obtain status.

The Biden administration is changing course by considering what public benefits would indicate that an individual is largely depending on the federal government and excluding benefits, like food assistance programs and housing benefits, that shouldn't be used against an individual who is otherwise relying on their own resources.

Under the proposed rule, the Department of Homeland Security would consider benefits, like cash assistance for income maintenance under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program and long-term institutionalization at government expense, according to a notice sent to Congress.

"The 2019 public charge rule was not consistent with our nation's values," said Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas in a statement. "Under this proposed rule, we will return to the historical understanding of the term 'public charge' and individuals will not be penalized for choosing to access the health benefits and other supplemental government services available to them."

Under current regulations put in place in 1996, the term "public charge" is defined as someone who is "primarily dependent" on government assistance, meaning it supplies more than half their income.

But it only counted cash benefits, such as TANF or Supplemental Security Income from Social Security. The Trump administration widened the definition of who is expected to be dependent on the government by including more benefit programs. That change is no longer in effect.

Immigration officials can take into account an applicant's financial resources, health, education, skills, family status and age. But few people are rejected on these relatively narrow grounds, experts said.

The use of disaster assistance, pandemic assistance and other benefits will also not count against immigrants, according to the notice.

DHS argued in the new proposed regulation that changes made in 2019 by the Trump administration had caused a chilling effect within immigrant communities, citing experts, and led to immigrants avoiding benefits like medical care over concerns that use of those benefits might keep them from obtaining legal status.

As a result, the Biden administration proposes to adopt a standard similar to what was used prior to 2019. The proposed rule will have a 60-day public comment period.


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]]> https://cincylink.com/2022/02/19/biden-attempting-to-eliminate-more-hurdles-for-immigrants/feed/ 0 WH commits to making changes to the trucking industry https://cincylink.com/2021/12/20/wh-commits-to-making-changes-to-the-trucking-industry/ https://cincylink.com/2021/12/20/wh-commits-to-making-changes-to-the-trucking-industry/#respond Tue, 21 Dec 2021 03:27:16 +0000 https://cincylink.com/?p=129392

The White House is trying to fix supply chain issues by targeting the trucking industry.

Last week, the Biden Administration took action to expand access to quality driving jobs and fast-track apprenticeship programs for drivers. The White House also made policy changes to address pandemic-related delays on commercial licenses.

Biden also hopes to fill a driver shortage by recruiting veterans and military reserve members. The administration also hopes to recruit military spouses into becoming drivers to bring more women into the industry.

Finally, the administration announced it is investigating predatory training and leasing agreements that dissuade new drivers from entering the industry.

"As a country, we've undervalued our truck drivers' contribution to our supply chains, and even more specifically, their time," said David Cornell with the MIT Center for Transporation and Logistics. "At first blush, this looks to me like an effort to correct that and to take their time more seriously, which I think is a step in the right direction."

The White House also said last week that it plans to investigate the amount of unpaid time truckers spent waiting to load and unload. Experts believe long waits have left drivers under-utilized.

Cornell's research found that drivers are logging on average only six-and-a-half hours of drive time each day, even though they can legally drive for 11 hours a day.

While studying the time truckers spend waiting to load and unload, Cornell found that drivers wait much longer hours on weekends and overnight.

"There were supposed to wait half an hour, and they had to wait an hour," Cornell said. "It's much more like it was accepted that they would wait two hours and they waited eight to 18 hours, so it can be a real detrimental to take home pay every week."

In a past appearance before a Congressional hearing, Cornell testified that those wait times are a significant drain on paychecks for many truckers.

"Even more special to me was truck drivers and people in the industry found my email address online and said thank you," Cornell said. "That's what we're experiencing. This underutilization is just not talked about as much as it should."




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]]> https://cincylink.com/2021/12/20/wh-commits-to-making-changes-to-the-trucking-industry/feed/ 0 White House lays out plan to prevent suicides https://cincylink.com/2021/11/04/white-house-lays-out-plan-to-prevent-suicides/ https://cincylink.com/2021/11/04/white-house-lays-out-plan-to-prevent-suicides/#respond Thu, 04 Nov 2021 04:18:43 +0000 https://cincylink.com/?p=111703

The White House laid out a plan Tuesday to prevent suicides by firearm.

“Before deciding whether to keep a firearm in their home, families should know that having access to a gun triples one’s risk of death by suicide,” the White House said in a statement.

One of the Biden administration’s actions focuses on preventing military and veteran suicides.

Federal agencies are being tasked with creating a public awareness campaign that promotes the safekeeping of a firearm.

In addition, the Biden administration says it will make it easier for gun owners to obtain secure gun storage or safety devices.

The ATF will also issue a “best-practices guide to all federal firearms dealers to remind them about the important steps they are legally required to take, and additional steps they are encouraged to take, to keep their customers and communities safe.”

In addition, the Biden administration is also asking Congress and states to act.

“The president continues to urge Congress to pass an appropriate national “red flag” law, as well as legislation incentivizing states to pass their own versions of these laws,” the White House said.




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]]> https://cincylink.com/2021/11/04/white-house-lays-out-plan-to-prevent-suicides/feed/ 0 State of Florida sues Biden administration over border policies https://cincylink.com/2021/09/30/state-of-florida-sues-biden-administration-over-border-policies/ https://cincylink.com/2021/09/30/state-of-florida-sues-biden-administration-over-border-policies/#respond Thu, 30 Sep 2021 04:18:51 +0000 https://cincylink.com/?p=98652

Florida sues Biden administration over border policies



morning slash afternoon. I want to thank Sheriff Marciano for hosting us here to lee county Sheriff's office. Also want to thank representatives roach and persons malika from being here. We also have the state attorney uh Fox here, Thank you so much. And we have the Attorney General Ashley moody here. Um and uh also gonna introduce larry keith here in a minute. Uh if you look at what's going on at the southern border, uh it is a total disaster and it's a disaster that has been created by disastrous policy choices by president joe biden since taking office in january by it and terminated the remain in Mexico program, Which required those claiming asylum to wait in Mexico until their asylum claims can be processed and verified. And let's just be clear, 99% of these are not valid asylum claims. Uh this is being used as a way to to gain access to the interior of our country. Biden is also re instituted a catch and release policy allowing illegal aliens apprehended at the border to simply just be released into american communities. Biden also ended construction of the effective border wall biden refused to detain and remove certain criminal aliens prior to biden taking office. If we had somebody that was convicted of a crime here illegally served a sentence, the trump administration would take them and then they would be returned to their home country. Not so with biden in office, biden's also failed to aggressively exercise his administration's public health authority to expel inadmissible aliens due to the pandemic. Um The reversal and weakening of our policies have amounted to uh an open invitation for folks all across the world to just simply come through the southern border illegally And basically get a ticket to ride to the interior of the country. Uh and the numbers speak for themselves. The number encounters at the southwest border has skyrocketed from 78,000 in January to over 210,000 in July. That's 171% increase. That's the highest monthly total and more than 20 years. And there's no sign of its slowing down. You have another 208,000 in August uh and that was again close to another record. Um additionally, the number of illegal aliens who were issued a notice to appear in court and subsequently released by the border patrol, which means they're not going to actually appear In July alone was a staggering 60 607. By contrast, during the last full month of the Trump administration, only 17 individuals in this category were released. So this is absolutely a crisis. It's a crisis of the administration's own making. Um and yes, this is their primary responsibility, the federal government, but the states, we are the ones that are affected by this. Uh and we have to be able to uh to to fight back. Now a couple months ago, the state of texas asked other states to provide mutual aid florida did that. We deployed over 250 state law enforcement officers over a period of about 6 to 8 weeks to help combat the smuggling of people and drugs across the border. While our folks were there, they were actually in the Del Rio sector, wasn't quite as bad as you've seen in the last week or so, but they did 9171 individual contacts of people coming across the border illegally. They made 311 felony arrest, 79 human smuggling cases, 16 stolen vehicle cases, 43 narcotics cases and four actual drug seizures. Uh, and so then then that's just our florida footprint there in that part. And um, I actually went to the border, was able to see firsthand what was going on. I spoke with our folks and all our folks volunteered because they understood the mission is important. But what they were saying is a lot of these folks that were interacting with, you know, most of these people are not just coming, you know, they're not mexicans there from over 100 different countries. They're coming from africa, from Asia, from the Middle East, from south America, from the Caribbean, you name it. And basically they're being told effectively this is the way to do it. I don't know how people feel are actually going through our legal immigration system feel about this. They're certainly not being, uh, there's certainly been given the short end of the stick. Um, but it's very clear that open borders is the biden administration policy, you know, they want a massive illegal migration, uh, into this country. And it's obvious in the policies that, that they're choosing. The frustrating thing about this from a state perspective is they are farming out people all across communities across the United States, including here in florida. Yet they don't ever tell us what they're doing. The administration won't tell Flora florida how many people coming across the border illegally have been resettled in florida. Uh, they don't talk about the destination of the people that are being resettled in florida. Uh, and they don't tell talk about the number who have been resettled in florida, who have been, uh, covid positive. Uh, they don't tell us a lot of stuff. They don't say whether they have a criminal record. They don't say whether they've failed to appear for the removal proceedings. And we're entitled to know, given that we bear the cost of most of this with our services, our criminal justice system, our education system, we're entitled to know what's going on here. And so the absence of transparency in particular is just quite frankly, unacceptable. Um, and we've seen the federal government take people coming across the border illegally flying them to airports around the country, including right here at Southwest florida International airport. They basically are given a notice appear and then they're sent on their way to think about that though, if you're given a notice to appear and you're told, hey, call this number to schedule, schedule of proceeding at your convenience, how many people are actually going to follow through on that? That's not the way they do it here. I mean, if if they arrest somebody, they don't just give them the option to schedule their own trial. They actually hold them accountable. So a lot of this is just a complete and utter farce. If you're really serious about adjudicating those claims, you wouldn't be farming people out all across the United States. Um, the end of the day that affects people here. It will affect people, uh, medical services. It will affect other types of social services. It will affect education. Uh, so this continued release of folks on a very mass scale and unprecedented scale, um, will saddle states and local governments with health, financial, economic and public safety costs. There's just no doubt about it. That's why at the end of august I wrote a letter to the DHS Secretary Mayorkas demanding that the biden administration cease using florida to resettle folks from the southwest border. And I asked that, uh, the prior policies be reinstituted such as remain in Mexico. And I'm under no illusion that they're going to change course. I think this is intentional. I think this is ideological. I also requested DHS provide information regarding the number identities, destinations, criminal record, Covid testing status of all the illegal aliens that had resettled in florida and that moving forward that they actually provide florida notice when they are affirmatively doing this. And of course, not surprisingly, we've not heard a peep from the biden administration concerning our request and they continue to leave us in the dark, but we are undeterred and I'm pleased to be here today. Attorney general moody to announce three significant actions we are taking to address the biden border crisis. First, the state of florida is suing the biden administration over its unlawful and destructive catch and release policy. Thanks to Attorney General for leading that effort. And she'll have more to say about that when she makes her remarks. Second, I'm signing an executive order to prohibit state agencies that report, excuse me to prohibit state agencies that report to me from aiding or abetting in any way what the federal government is doing right now. We're not going to be a party to this lawlessness. We haven't, to my knowledge, but we're letting the marker down know that this is an absolute red line. We're not gonna do it uh, in the order prohibits our agencies from providing assistance to the feds or any other entity for the transportation of folks who are here illegally into florida from the southwest border. It also directs the florida Department of Children and families determine whether florida should continue to grant licenses for facilities that house, unaccompanied alien minors brought into the state from the southwest border granting licenses to house uh illegal alien Children who do not reside in florida takes resources away for child welfare from Children who do reside here. This is a problem we have to address and we have to put florida Children first. The order also requests that the commissioner of F. D. L. E. Conduct regular audits of companies doing business in florida, particularly publicly traded corporations and other large companies to verify that they are only employing lawful individuals. Additionally, the order request state agencies to collect and provide information concerning the impact of illegal immigration in florida. We want information on the number and identities of everyone that's been resettled from the Southwest border uh to florida, we also encourage both F. D. L. E. And florida Highway patrol uh to detain vehicles such as buses or aircraft if their transport transporting illegal aliens from the Southwest border, if there's reasonable suspicion that the vehicles being used for human trafficking or drug trafficking. Unfortunately, that is an all too common occurrence when you talk about what's going on here. The order also requests information from state officials on the number who are pending criminal prosecution in florida and the number who have been convicted, including the crimes convicted. The amount of funds expended on health care for uh illegal aliens and the amount of funds spent on social services. Uh Finally, I'm proud to announce that I'm appointing Larry keith, the former U. S. Attorney for the Northern district of florida to serve as our public safety czar and as public safety czar. Larry will ensure that the actions directed by this executive order as well as many other things are carried out and I'm very honored and happy to have him on my team. So we are in a situation where we have a disaster on the southern border that's been apparent for many, many months. We would like to see the prior policies reinstituted. We're under no illusion that that's gonna happen. So we've got to take every effort we can to make sure that we're protecting the people of florida. Uh and that's what we're doing here today. So I want to let Attorney General moody come up and say a few words and and governor, thank you so much for your leadership, your partnership on these issues. Uh it really helps to have a governor that was a former federal prosecutor that is the congressman, stood up for a true separation of powers and understanding why certain branches of government are given certain authorities and why that is fundamental to the security and stability of a successful free nation and state. And you can see that leadership since he's taken office. I don't care if it is extreme incompetence if it is radical liberal policy agenda. No one let me repeat that no one is above the law. We are seeing dramatic effects at our border. It is an unmitigated crisis based on this president's refusal to follow Federal law is in black and white folks and it's not a president's responsibility to decide whether he agrees with the law. In fact, the head of an executive branch must follow the law. And as we saw, the numbers rapidly increased from the time our last president was in office trump and his last fall Month, full month, 17 people were released into the interior with improper procedure. Last month alone, 60,000 people were released into the interior with no regard for the process that's required by federal law. And after the our governor requested details, I've never seen a leader so focused on details of what's going on in his state. What the effects of disastrous leadership nationally. How it will affect our state in terms of the cost to our taxpayers, in terms of the social consequences, our criminal justice system, understand that florida will pay over $100 million in incarcerating folks here illegally that are committing crimes in florida. Over $100 million dollars are pleased to this President have gone with no response. You heard from the governor? He demanded what was going on? Who are you releasing? What are their criminal backgrounds? Who's being resettled in our state So that we know its effects on our state so that we can lead effectively with due regard for the safety and stability of our communities. Hearing nothing from the biden administration. We have had to take action and today I filed suit against the biden administration for failing to follow federal law. We know that we have seen increasing amounts of drugs flowing over our border, specifically fentaNYL enough fit in all to kill our United States population. Four times over We saw 3,000% increase at one time and sexual offenders being detained at the border. It is clear that at this point this administration, President biden is aiding and abetting criminal cartels. Their criminal activity is only spiraling out of control because we are not following law and processing folks collecting the necessary details needed to collect and detaining them according to federal law before releasing them in due process. Criminal cartels are having a field day. I can assure you their profits are skyrocketing. We brought suit today we will pursue this aggressively and I am proud to say that Governor de Santis and I, as long as we in office will not stop in pursuing the interests of our state and the safety of the american people. Thank you very much. Great thanks Attorney General and uh you know Attorney General for the first two years of her term worked with Larry keith when he was U. S. Attorney for the northern district of florida under the in the trump administration. Larry is now as I mentioned working and my administration as our public safety czar. Someone let Larry come up and say a few words, Yeah, thank you. Governor to santa's for protecting florida and for appointing me to lead this initiative to protect our state from the illegal immigration crisis that President biden has created at our border. I promise you if there are people illegally in our state and if they're in violation of our law, we are going to enforce our law. As a former United States attorney working in the United States Department of Justice. We saw illegal aliens repeatedly re enter our country. They were deported and came back, then got deported again and then came back again. In a continuing cycle of criminal lawlessness. We saw this illegal immigration associated with violent crime, Mexican cartels, gangs, drugs, human trafficking by cracking down on illegal immigration. We will be cracking down on these violent crimes. Some of the impacts of illegal immigration are less visible, but they have great hidden costs like the taxpayer dollars that disappear, paying for support services for people who are here illegally. We will use every bit of the authority that we have to protect Floridians and protect their taxpayer dollars that are now being spent to provide services to those who are here illegally. When I was the United States Attorney, I prosecuted illegal entry cases in north florida. I am now honored to be able to team with our state and local law enforcement partners to protect the entire state of florida from illegal immigration. Our elected sheriffs and local police see most and know best. The lawlessness and criminal chaos that is associated with their legal immigration on the streets of florida's communities. They are are critical partners in this fight. We honor them. We respect them and we need them and we will use every bit of the authority to support them when they are attacked. And they will be attacked simply for doing their duty. Attorney general. Ashley, moody. The statewide prosecutor in the florida Department of Law enforcement will also partner with us in this fight. Our state agencies will partner with us as well and they will be analyzing and assessing the impacts that illegal immigration have on our state governor. We are your team and we thank you for taking this bold action to protect Floridians. I am committed to getting to work with our partners to protect and secure our state. Thank you, Mr. Sheriff. Thank you Governor. Uh, I'll be brief, but I want to say a few things first and foremost. Uh, you know, there are two reasons why people from all over the country come here. And it's not just sunshine. It's because we have law and order in this state. But the other two reasons is because we have an amazing governor who stands up no matter what the causes for what's right. And we have an outstanding attorney general and both of them give us the tools to do our job every single day in lee county and in this state. You champion for law enforcement. Everything that you have done for us every single day. We're able to go out there and makes certain that our residents are safe with law and order and that criminals go to jail so that the rest of America can enjoy life governor. Thank you so much for your time, Attorney general. Uh, we are one cohesive team and we're gonna make certain that we deliver on our end. I promise you that. So thank you. Okay. So I think this may be morning think this is the executive order. And so we've signed the direction is out for those folks. The lawsuit is that dropped yet. It's drop lawsuits official and that's in the Northern district of florida. Uh, so, so stay tuned for that. And uh, you know, we're just gonna, we're going to keep fighting because I think it's very, very important. And I think that there's um, you know, certain things just just happened. There can be natural disasters. There can be stuff sometimes financial mark, there's all kind of things. Um, and you've got to deal with those obviously, but there's certain things when you're creating like the federal government is doing, you're creating this crisis, uh, it's just wrong and it's wrong that they're not providing us information. It's wrong that they're not following the law and it's wrong that they're going to be imposing a lot of costs and a lot of burdens on state and local communities all throughout the United States. So this is another example of us fighting back, You know, we do have a case pending on the release of criminal aliens because that's something that's very dangerous for our communities. We think we're going to have good success there. Obviously the administration lost the case about the remain in Mexico. So we don't know that they're going to follow because they do what they want, but they should follow that and re institute that policy. So we're, we're proud to stand up today. We wish we didn't have to do it. But when we're called we will okay, we could all take some questions. Governor, every administration has dealt with ebbs and flows of people crossing the border illegally. What proof is there that we have crime going on here? And you mentioned our s w people flying in there. What do you know about that? People there was, it was actually, there was was on video member. They literally will give people cards saying, you know, like signs like, hey, I don't speak english, helped me all this stuff and that's just what they're doing. Just kind of throwing them, throw them in different communities. And I know there was, uh, we've seen some social at the hospital. Uh, this is not just an ebb and flow though. This is absolutely created because of the change in policy when our guys were over there. Uh, in the southwest border. These folks would tell them we would never have come prior to biden like Biden telling us.

Florida sues Biden administration over border policies


On Tuesday, the state of Florida sued the Biden administration over its border policies.Florida Attorney General Ashley Mood filed the suit. It alleges that the Biden administration's catch-and-release policy is "illegal" and either a violation of federal immigration law or an abuse of authority.The lawsuit also alleges that the policy hurts Florida because those released will arrive in Florida, harming the state and forcing it to "incur millions of dollars in expenses."During a news conference on Tuesday, Gov. Ron DeSantis discussed the situation at the border. He cited numerous arrests made by Florida law enforcement officers who were sent to assist officers at the border, and he talked about his visit there as well."I was able to see firsthand what was going on," DeSantis said. "It's very clear that open borders is the Biden Administration policy."Referring to the Biden administration, DeSantis said, "They want a massive illegal migration into this country."He said people entering the United States illegally are being transported to communities across the United States, including Florida.The more than 200,000 encounters tallied along the Mexican border in August was four times more than in the same month a year ago.DeSantis said it is unknown whether the people entering the United States illegally have criminal records."We bear the cost of most of this," DeSantis said. He went on to say, "we're entitled to know what's going on."Attorney General Ashley Moody then spoke, talking about Florida suing the Biden administration."Criminal cartels are having a field day. I can assure you, their profits are skyrocketing," Moody said, in part, regarding activity at the border."Had the government — the federal government — just done its job, this would not have happened. They would not have been in that situation," DeSantis said.The governor also signed an executive order titled the "Biden Border Crisis" which bars all state agencies from aiding illegal immigration.He also hired former U.S. Attorney Larry Keefe, who resigned after President Joe Biden took office as the state's public safety czar to oversee immigration security."I would encourage the governor to focus on what is really affecting us right now," Democratic local Congressman Darren Soto said. "The governor, who visited the Texas-Mexico border in July, should be focusing on fighting the spread of COVID-19, and protecting the health of people in Florida."U.S. Rep. Darren Soto agreed, stating: "Governor DeSantis's attention would be better placed, back in our own state rather than a thousand miles away at the U.S. southern border."The attorney general previously filed a lawsuit to try and force the federal government to stop releasing what the state called "criminal aliens." That case is pending.

ORLANDO, Fla. —

On Tuesday, the state of Florida sued the Biden administration over its border policies.

Florida Attorney General Ashley Mood filed the suit. It alleges that the Biden administration's catch-and-release policy is "illegal" and either a violation of federal immigration law or an abuse of authority.

The lawsuit also alleges that the policy hurts Florida because those released will arrive in Florida, harming the state and forcing it to "incur millions of dollars in expenses."

During a news conference on Tuesday, Gov. Ron DeSantis discussed the situation at the border. He cited numerous arrests made by Florida law enforcement officers who were sent to assist officers at the border, and he talked about his visit there as well.

"I was able to see firsthand what was going on," DeSantis said. "It's very clear that open borders is the Biden Administration policy."

Referring to the Biden administration, DeSantis said, "They want a massive illegal migration into this country."

He said people entering the United States illegally are being transported to communities across the United States, including Florida.

The more than 200,000 encounters tallied along the Mexican border in August was four times more than in the same month a year ago.

DeSantis said it is unknown whether the people entering the United States illegally have criminal records.

"We bear the cost of most of this," DeSantis said. He went on to say, "we're entitled to know what's going on."

Attorney General Ashley Moody then spoke, talking about Florida suing the Biden administration.

"Criminal cartels are having a field day. I can assure you, their profits are skyrocketing," Moody said, in part, regarding activity at the border.

"Had the government — the federal government — just done its job, this would not have happened. They would not have been in that situation," DeSantis said.

The governor also signed an executive order titled the "Biden Border Crisis" which bars all state agencies from aiding illegal immigration.

He also hired former U.S. Attorney Larry Keefe, who resigned after President Joe Biden took office as the state's public safety czar to oversee immigration security.

"I would encourage the governor to focus on what is really affecting us right now," Democratic local Congressman Darren Soto said. "The governor, who visited the Texas-Mexico border in July, should be focusing on fighting the spread of COVID-19, and protecting the health of people in Florida."

U.S. Rep. Darren Soto agreed, stating: "Governor DeSantis's attention would be better placed, back in our own state rather than a thousand miles away at the U.S. southern border."

The attorney general previously filed a lawsuit to try and force the federal government to stop releasing what the state called "criminal aliens." That case is pending.


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]]> https://cincylink.com/2021/09/30/state-of-florida-sues-biden-administration-over-border-policies/feed/ 0 States learning how many Afghan evacuees coming their way https://cincylink.com/2021/09/17/states-learning-how-many-afghan-evacuees-coming-their-way/ https://cincylink.com/2021/09/17/states-learning-how-many-afghan-evacuees-coming-their-way/#respond Fri, 17 Sep 2021 04:29:11 +0000 https://cincylink.com/?p=93397

Related video above: Iowa may receive 695 Afghan evacuees for resettlementThe Biden administration began notifying governors and state refugee coordinators across the country about how many Afghan evacuees from among the first group of nearly 37,000 arrivals are slated to be resettled in their states.California is projected to take more arrivals than any other — more than 5,200 people, according to State Department data for the Afghan Placement and Assistance program obtained by The Associated Press. Alabama and Mississippi are each slated to welcome 10, U.S. officials said Wednesday. Hawaii, South Dakota, West Virginia, Wyoming and the District of Columbia are not expected to resettle anyone from the first group of evacuees who fled during the final days of the chaotic U.S. withdrawal last month. The administration has requested funding from Congress to help resettle 65,000 Afghans in the United States by the end of this month and 95,000 by September 2022. President Joe Biden tapped the former governor of his home state of Delaware, Jack Markell, to temporarily serve as his point person on resettling Afghan evacuees in the United States.States with a historically large number of Afghans who resettled in the U.S. over the last 20 years — including California, Maryland, Texas and Virginia — are again welcoming a disproportionate number of evacuees, according to the data. Many gravitate to northern Virginia, the Maryland suburbs of D.C. and northern California — some of the most expensive housing markets in the country. Oklahoma, which over the course of the 20-year war had resettled a relatively small number of Afghans, is slated to resettle 1,800 new arrivals.Many of the new evacuees requested to be resettled in those states because they already have family and close friends living in those states, according to two U.S. officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the calls to state government officials. Resettlement agencies also have a large presence and capacity in many of those states. The State Department resettled evacuees based on the advice of local affiliates of nine national resettlement agencies the U.S. government is working with, the officials said.The officials said Afghan evacuees are advised that other parts of the country -- including areas with plentiful job openings and cheaper housing -- could be good places to begin their new lives in the U.S.The Afghan evacuees go through a Department of Homeland Security-coordinated process of security vetting before being admitted. And every evacuee who comes into the United States also goes through health screening. Evacuees who are 12 and older are required to get the COVID-19 vaccination as a term of their humanitarian parolee status after entering the country.Still, there have been unexpected complications.U.S.-bound flights for evacuees who had been staying temporarily in third-country processing sites were halted last week after measles cases were discovered among several Afghans who had recently arrived in the U.S.Some of the recent Afghan arrivals could also face a tough road ahead if Congress doesn't take action to treat them as refugees arriving in the U.S.The Afghan evacuees are not currently eligible for food stamps, cash assistance through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program for low income families, Medicaid or other traditional refugee services that are funded through the Department of Health and Human Services.Currently, each Afghan evacuee is slated to receive $1,225 to help with rent, furniture and food and provide a small amount of pocket money. Biden has called on Congress to take action to ensure that the recent arrivals have access to the same benefits as refugees.

WASHINGTON —

Related video above: Iowa may receive 695 Afghan evacuees for resettlement

The Biden administration began notifying governors and state refugee coordinators across the country about how many Afghan evacuees from among the first group of nearly 37,000 arrivals are slated to be resettled in their states.

California is projected to take more arrivals than any other — more than 5,200 people, according to State Department data for the Afghan Placement and Assistance program obtained by The Associated Press.

Alabama and Mississippi are each slated to welcome 10, U.S. officials said Wednesday. Hawaii, South Dakota, West Virginia, Wyoming and the District of Columbia are not expected to resettle anyone from the first group of evacuees who fled during the final days of the chaotic U.S. withdrawal last month.

The administration has requested funding from Congress to help resettle 65,000 Afghans in the United States by the end of this month and 95,000 by September 2022. President Joe Biden tapped the former governor of his home state of Delaware, Jack Markell, to temporarily serve as his point person on resettling Afghan evacuees in the United States.

States with a historically large number of Afghans who resettled in the U.S. over the last 20 years — including California, Maryland, Texas and Virginia — are again welcoming a disproportionate number of evacuees, according to the data. Many gravitate to northern Virginia, the Maryland suburbs of D.C. and northern California — some of the most expensive housing markets in the country.

Oklahoma, which over the course of the 20-year war had resettled a relatively small number of Afghans, is slated to resettle 1,800 new arrivals.

Many of the new evacuees requested to be resettled in those states because they already have family and close friends living in those states, according to two U.S. officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the calls to state government officials. Resettlement agencies also have a large presence and capacity in many of those states.

The State Department resettled evacuees based on the advice of local affiliates of nine national resettlement agencies the U.S. government is working with, the officials said.

The officials said Afghan evacuees are advised that other parts of the country -- including areas with plentiful job openings and cheaper housing -- could be good places to begin their new lives in the U.S.

The Afghan evacuees go through a Department of Homeland Security-coordinated process of security vetting before being admitted. And every evacuee who comes into the United States also goes through health screening. Evacuees who are 12 and older are required to get the COVID-19 vaccination as a term of their humanitarian parolee status after entering the country.

Still, there have been unexpected complications.

U.S.-bound flights for evacuees who had been staying temporarily in third-country processing sites were halted last week after measles cases were discovered among several Afghans who had recently arrived in the U.S.

Some of the recent Afghan arrivals could also face a tough road ahead if Congress doesn't take action to treat them as refugees arriving in the U.S.

The Afghan evacuees are not currently eligible for food stamps, cash assistance through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program for low income families, Medicaid or other traditional refugee services that are funded through the Department of Health and Human Services.

Currently, each Afghan evacuee is slated to receive $1,225 to help with rent, furniture and food and provide a small amount of pocket money. Biden has called on Congress to take action to ensure that the recent arrivals have access to the same benefits as refugees.


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]]> https://cincylink.com/2021/09/17/states-learning-how-many-afghan-evacuees-coming-their-way/feed/ 0 Rising meat prices hitting business owners, customers in the pocket https://cincylink.com/2021/09/15/rising-meat-prices-hitting-business-owners-customers-in-the-pocket/ https://cincylink.com/2021/09/15/rising-meat-prices-hitting-business-owners-customers-in-the-pocket/#respond Wed, 15 Sep 2021 04:17:35 +0000 https://cincylink.com/?p=92855

Shopping for beef, pork or chicken? Be prepared to spend a little extra than you have in the past.The prices of all three have gone up during the pandemic, particularly in the last few weeks. "I haven't really paid that much attention to the meat prices, but if you do watch the news at all, you do know that there is a surge in the prices across the board for a lot of commodities," said 12-year Avril & Bleh customer Jim Whalen.According to new consumer inflation data report from the Labor Department, beef prices alone jumped 12.2% over the last year. Pork prices jumped 9.8% in the last year, and chicken prices jumped 7.2%"Actually the past two to three months have been awful," said Main Street Market owner Christina Busch.Busch's family has been in the meat business for decades, and they say right now is the worst inflation they've seen with prices from suppliers steadily going up each week."Usually, you know, it'll fluctuate a few cents every week, whether it go up, whether it go down a few cents, but the past two to three months, it has done nothing but go up, and it hasn't been by sense, it's been by dollars," Busch said.The Biden administration believes a handful of big meatpacking companies like Tyson Foods and JBS USA, which control most of the country's supply, are making the market less competitive. In July, the president signed a new executive order to promote competition in the economy as a whole. Market owners say they welcome any kind of help to keep them off the chopping block. "I don't know how much longer we're going to be able to last if prices keep rising, because I know people aren't going to want to spend $25-plus on the steak — there's just there's no way," Busch said.The administration is setting aside $500 million to help supply new meat processors to compete with the big four.The justice department is also investigating alleged price-fixing in the chicken market.

CINCINNATI —

Shopping for beef, pork or chicken? Be prepared to spend a little extra than you have in the past.

The prices of all three have gone up during the pandemic, particularly in the last few weeks.

"I haven't really paid that much attention to the meat prices, but if you do watch the news at all, you do know that there is a surge in the prices across the board for a lot of commodities," said 12-year Avril & Bleh customer Jim Whalen.

According to new consumer inflation data report from the Labor Department, beef prices alone jumped 12.2% over the last year. Pork prices jumped 9.8% in the last year, and chicken prices jumped 7.2%

"Actually the past two to three months have been awful," said Main Street Market owner Christina Busch.

Busch's family has been in the meat business for decades, and they say right now is the worst inflation they've seen with prices from suppliers steadily going up each week.

"Usually, you know, it'll fluctuate a few cents every week, whether it go up, whether it go down a few cents, but the past two to three months, it has done nothing but go up, and it hasn't been by sense, it's been by dollars," Busch said.

The Biden administration believes a handful of big meatpacking companies like Tyson Foods and JBS USA, which control most of the country's supply, are making the market less competitive.

In July, the president signed a new executive order to promote competition in the economy as a whole.

Market owners say they welcome any kind of help to keep them off the chopping block.

"I don't know how much longer we're going to be able to last if prices keep rising, because I know people aren't going to want to spend $25-plus on the steak — there's just there's no way," Busch said.

The administration is setting aside $500 million to help supply new meat processors to compete with the big four.

The justice department is also investigating alleged price-fixing in the chicken market.


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]]> https://cincylink.com/2021/09/15/rising-meat-prices-hitting-business-owners-customers-in-the-pocket/feed/ 0 Biden administration ousts 18 Trump military academy board appointees https://cincylink.com/2021/09/09/biden-administration-ousts-18-trump-military-academy-board-appointees/ https://cincylink.com/2021/09/09/biden-administration-ousts-18-trump-military-academy-board-appointees/#respond Thu, 09 Sep 2021 04:17:16 +0000 https://cincylink.com/?p=90610

The Biden administration on Wednesday removed 18 appointees named to U.S. military academy boards by Donald Trump in the final months of the Republican president's term in office, according to the White House.Cathy Russell, director of the White House Presidential Personnel Office, sent letters to 18 people named to the boards of visitors for the Air Force Academy, Military Academy and Naval Academy calling on them to resign by close of business on Wednesday or face termination.Among those Biden ousted are some high-profile Trump administration officials, including White House counselor Kellyanne Conway (Air Force Academy), press secretary Sean Spicer (Naval Academy), national security adviser H.R. McMaster (Military Academy) and Office of Management and Budget director Russell Vought (Naval Academy).White House press secretary Jen Psaki confirmed that the former Trump officials were asked to resign or face firing. It was not immediately clear if any of those asked to tender their resignations did so before a 6 p.m. deadline set by the White House."I will let others evaluate whether they think Kellyanne Conway and Sean Spicer and others were qualified, or not political, to serve on these boards," Psaki said. "But the president's qualification requirements are not your party registration. They are whether you're qualified to serve and whether you are aligned with the values of this administration."Several of those called on to resign pushed back. Conway jabbed at Biden and said, "I'm not resigning but you should." She went on in a statement to call it a "disappointing but understandable" effort to distract from the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, a rise in COVID-19 cases and a disappointing August jobs report.Vought on Twitter posted the letter he received from Russell and responded: "No. It's a three year term."Jonathan Hiler, a Navy academy alumnus who served as director of legislative affairs for Vice President Mike Pence, said he was "not resigning." "As an alum and former naval officer, I believe developing leaders capable of defending our country's interests at sea — USNA's mission — is not something that should be consumed by partisan politics. Apparently, President Biden feels differently. @WhiteHouse," Hiler posted on Twitter.Spicer, who works for the conservative news channel Newsmax, in his own social media posting criticized Biden for trying to terminate Trump appointees instead of "focusing on the stranded Americans left in #Afghanistan."Later on Newsmax, Spicer accused Psaki of minimizing his military service and that of other veterans appointed by Trump to the boards. He said he intended to take legal action against the decision.

WASHINGTON —

The Biden administration on Wednesday removed 18 appointees named to U.S. military academy boards by Donald Trump in the final months of the Republican president's term in office, according to the White House.

Cathy Russell, director of the White House Presidential Personnel Office, sent letters to 18 people named to the boards of visitors for the Air Force Academy, Military Academy and Naval Academy calling on them to resign by close of business on Wednesday or face termination.

Among those Biden ousted are some high-profile Trump administration officials, including White House counselor Kellyanne Conway (Air Force Academy), press secretary Sean Spicer (Naval Academy), national security adviser H.R. McMaster (Military Academy) and Office of Management and Budget director Russell Vought (Naval Academy).

White House press secretary Jen Psaki confirmed that the former Trump officials were asked to resign or face firing. It was not immediately clear if any of those asked to tender their resignations did so before a 6 p.m. deadline set by the White House.

"I will let others evaluate whether they think Kellyanne Conway and Sean Spicer and others were qualified, or not political, to serve on these boards," Psaki said. "But the president's qualification requirements are not your party registration. They are whether you're qualified to serve and whether you are aligned with the values of this administration."

Several of those called on to resign pushed back. Conway jabbed at Biden and said, "I'm not resigning but you should." She went on in a statement to call it a "disappointing but understandable" effort to distract from the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, a rise in COVID-19 cases and a disappointing August jobs report.

Vought on Twitter posted the letter he received from Russell and responded: "No. It's a three year term."

Jonathan Hiler, a Navy academy alumnus who served as director of legislative affairs for Vice President Mike Pence, said he was "not resigning."

"As an alum and former naval officer, I believe developing leaders capable of defending our country's interests at sea — USNA's mission — is not something that should be consumed by partisan politics. Apparently, President Biden feels differently. @WhiteHouse," Hiler posted on Twitter.

Spicer, who works for the conservative news channel Newsmax, in his own social media posting criticized Biden for trying to terminate Trump appointees instead of "focusing on the stranded Americans left in #Afghanistan."

Later on Newsmax, Spicer accused Psaki of minimizing his military service and that of other veterans appointed by Trump to the boards. He said he intended to take legal action against the decision.


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]]> https://cincylink.com/2021/09/09/biden-administration-ousts-18-trump-military-academy-board-appointees/feed/ 0 Nursing homes concerned about Biden’s vaccine mandate https://cincylink.com/2021/08/23/nursing-homes-concerned-about-bidens-vaccine-mandate/ https://cincylink.com/2021/08/23/nursing-homes-concerned-about-bidens-vaccine-mandate/#respond Mon, 23 Aug 2021 04:19:17 +0000 https://cincylink.com/?p=84219

Some in the nursing home industry are concerned about President Joe Biden’s requirement that all nursing home staff members be vaccinated. Facilities have a lot to lose – including federal funding if those new requirements aren’t met.

“I think that we’re being set up to fail, we’re going to fail the most vulnerable and frail in our community,” said Chase Kohn, chief operating officer Caring Place Healthcare Group.

Nationwide, the numbers show there are more unvaccinated staff members in nursing homes than there are residents. The long-term care industry faced a nationwide shortage of employees before the coronavirus pandemic.

The Caring Place Health Group operates six senior living communities in Southwest Ohio.

“It’s been a tremendous challenge for our entire industry and specifically for us,” Kohn said. “We probably have 15 to 20 openings per facility.”

And with the new vaccination requirements, he said he’s concerned about losing even more employees. Kohn said about 70% of their employees are vaccinated. He’s concerned about their facilities losing Medicaid and Medicare funding if some of his employees decline the vaccine.

“Instead of penalizing us financially, I think the federal government should have been partnering with us to develop better strategies to educate the unvaccinated individuals in our facilities,” Kohn said.

Advocates are hoping for some alternatives like frequent COVID-19 testing and additional PPE.

“Something to give them an option besides quitting and leaving our patients with not enough staff to take care of them,” Ohio Healthcare Association executive director Peter Van Runkle said.

He added that solutions are needed for the sake of those who need help the most.

“What’s better for the patient?” Van Runkle asked. “An unvaccinated staff person who is wearing a mask, PPE as needed and is getting tested regularly, or having so few staff members that they ring their call light and no one comes for 15 minutes because they’re busy taking care of other people? That’s not good for our patients.”




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]]> https://cincylink.com/2021/08/23/nursing-homes-concerned-about-bidens-vaccine-mandate/feed/ 0 More eligible for lower mortgage payments with foreclosure moratorium set to expire https://cincylink.com/2021/07/25/more-eligible-for-lower-mortgage-payments-with-foreclosure-moratorium-set-to-expire/ https://cincylink.com/2021/07/25/more-eligible-for-lower-mortgage-payments-with-foreclosure-moratorium-set-to-expire/#respond Sun, 25 Jul 2021 04:18:22 +0000 https://cincylink.com/?p=74294

With the federal foreclosure moratorium set to expire next week, the Biden administration on Friday announced it was taking steps to prevent some foreclosure for those with government-backed mortgages.

Last month, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced it was extending a pause on foreclosures one final time. The CDC chose to end the moratorium, even though a July 5 Census Bureau survey indicated that 3.6 million people said they would likely have to leave their homes in the next two months due to eviction.

In an effort to lessen the impact, the Biden administration on Friday announced it was taking steps to provide relief to some homeowners by reducing borrowers' monthly principal and interest (P&I) payments.

According to a statement from the White House, homeowners with government-backed mortgages through the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the USDA and the VA will get "enhanced assistance" in an effort to prevent foreclosures.

The White House says that Federal Housing Administration "will require mortgage servicers to offer a no cost option to eligible homeowners who can resume their current mortgage payments." For those who won't be able to resume their monthly mortgage, HUD will "enhance servicers' ability to provide all eligible borrowers with a 25% P&I reduction."

In addition, the USDA and the VAS will provide "new alternatives for borrowers to help them achieve up to a 20% reduction in their monthly P&I payments."

"This brings options for homeowners with mortgages backed by HUD, USDA, and VA closer in alignment with options for homeowners with mortgages backed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac," the White House statement read.




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]]> https://cincylink.com/2021/07/25/more-eligible-for-lower-mortgage-payments-with-foreclosure-moratorium-set-to-expire/feed/ 0 Kim Janey becomes 1st woman, person of color to be Boston mayor https://cincylink.com/2021/07/05/kim-janey-becomes-1st-woman-person-of-color-to-be-boston-mayor/ https://cincylink.com/2021/07/05/kim-janey-becomes-1st-woman-person-of-color-to-be-boston-mayor/#respond Mon, 05 Jul 2021 04:38:38 +0000 https://cincylink.com/?p=39457

BOSTON (AP) — Boston has a new mayor in Kim Janey, who makes history as the city's first female and first person of color to take the office.

Marty Walsh resigned Monday evening to become President Joe Biden’s labor secretary.

The Boston City Council President Janey, who is Black, has stepped into the role of acting mayor and is scheduled to have a ceremonial swearing in Wednesday.

Walsh said for the past two months he’s had regular meetings and conversations with Janey to ensure a smooth transition.

Walsh, the latest in a long line of largely Irish-American Boston mayors stretching back the better part of a century, said he welcomed the change.




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]]> https://cincylink.com/2021/07/05/kim-janey-becomes-1st-woman-person-of-color-to-be-boston-mayor/feed/ 0 US waives FBI fingerprint background checks on caregivers at new migrant facilities https://cincylink.com/2021/06/30/us-waives-fbi-fingerprint-background-checks-on-caregivers-at-new-migrant-facilities/ https://cincylink.com/2021/06/30/us-waives-fbi-fingerprint-background-checks-on-caregivers-at-new-migrant-facilities/#respond Wed, 30 Jun 2021 04:59:17 +0000 https://cincylink.com/?p=40083

The Biden administration is not requiring FBI fingerprint background checks of caregivers at its rapidly expanding network of emergency sites to hold thousands of immigrant teenagers, alarming child welfare experts who say the waiver compromises safety.In the rush to get children out of overcrowded and often unsuitable Border Patrol sites, President Joe Biden's team is turning to a measure used by previous administrations: tent camps, convention centers and other huge facilities operated by private contractors and funded by U.S. Health and Human Services. In March alone, the Biden administration announced it will open eight new emergency sites across the Southwest adding 15,000 new beds, more than doubling the size of its existing system. These emergency sites don't have to be licensed by state authorities or provide the same services as permanent HHS facilities. They also cost far more, an estimated $775 per child per day. And to staff the sites quickly, the Biden administration has waived vetting procedures intended to protect minors from potential harm. Staff and volunteers directly caring for children at new emergency sites don't have to undergo FBI fingerprint checks, which use criminal databases not accessible to the public and can overcome someone changing their name or using a false identity. HHS issued a statement Friday saying that direct care staff and volunteers "must pass public record criminal background checks." Public records checks generally take less time but are reliant on the subject providing correct information. The agency says those giving direct care are supervised by federal employees or others who have passed fingerprint-based background checks. "In the Emergency Intake Sites, HHS is implementing the standards of care used for children in an emergency response setting," the agency said.During former President Donald Trump's administration, HHS for months did not ensure FBI fingerprint checks or child welfare screenings were done for workers at a large camp in Tornillo, Texas. An Associated Press investigation in 2018 also found staff at another camp at Homestead, Florida, were not given routine screenings to rule out allegations of child abuse or neglect.HHS' inspector general warned then that FBI fingerprint checks "provide a unique safeguard" over most commercial background checks that search a person's name. "While the various background checks could identify some past criminal convictions or sexual offenses, these checks were not as extensive as the FBI fingerprint background checks," the inspector general found.Laura Nodolf, the district attorney in Midland, Texas, where HHS opened an emergency site this month, said that without fingerprint checks, "we truly do not know who the individual is who is providing direct care.""That's placing the children under care of HHS in the path, potentially, of a sex offender," Nodolf said. "They are putting these children in a position of becoming potential victims."Dr. Amy Cohen, a child psychiatrist who is executive director of the immigration advocacy group Every Last One, noted that HHS requires fingerprint checks of relatives who seek to take in children as part of a vetting process that takes more than 30 days on average. "Failure to check fingerprints of frontline facility staff exposes vulnerable migrant children to a significant danger of physical and sexual abuse," she said. The Biden administration has 18,000 children and teenagers in its custody, a figure that has risen almost daily over the last several weeks. While Biden continues to expel most adults and many families crossing the border, he has declined to reinstate expulsions of unaccompanied immigrant children, which stopped last year after a now-stayed federal court order. More than 5,000 youths are in border custody, many of them in a South Texas tent facility with limited space, food and access to the outdoors. But Border Patrol is apprehending hundreds more minors than HHS is releasing every day — a difference of 325 just on Thursday. At the downtown Dallas convention center, one of HHS' emergency sites, almost all of its 2,300 beds were filled just one week after it opened this month. Child advocates say that rather than opening more unlicensed emergency facilities, the administration must speed up placing children with sponsors, especially the approximately 40% of youths in custody who have a parent in the country ready to take them.HHS has tried to expedite processing of minors in recent weeks, allowing some youths to be placed with parents while fingerprint checks are pending and authorizing the use of government funds to pay for airfare when a child is released. Ana, the mother of a 17-year-old teen detained in Dallas, told AP said her son fled gangs trying to recruit him in El Salvador and hoped to join her in Virginia. After an eight-day journey, the teenager crossed the U.S.-Mexico border on March 9. Eight days would pass until she heard from authorities at the border that they had him in custody.She received a 10-minute call from him on March 20, after he was taken to the Dallas facility. It was the first time she's spoken to him since he entered the country. She says she has repeatedly called HHS' Office of Refugee Resettlement to ask if they would release him to her family, but they have refused, saying they have to process her case. In the meantime, she's ready to present documentation proving she is his mother and fit to take him. "I don't understand why they are making it so difficult," said Ana, who is not being identified by her last name to protect her son's privacy. "I know that we are in a pandemic, but maybe I think that it is that they are behind schedule, that maybe there are a lot of people there."Tornillo and Homestead were sharply criticized by Democrats and child welfare experts who warned of the potential trauma of detaining thousands of teenagers without adequate support. Volunteers from the American Red Cross provided care at the first two emergency HHS sites, a converted camp for oil workers in Midland, Texas, and the Dallas convention center. Those volunteers are now being phased out. The Red Cross and HHS for several days refused to acknowledge that the volunteers weren't given FBI fingerprint checks. The Red Cross first said that all of its volunteers underwent background checks when they joined the group. On Tuesday, the group said it was "refreshing" checks on about 300 volunteers sent to care for children and that it had not found any new red flags. HHS spokesman Mark Weber said he could not yet identify which companies or groups will now step in. The department asked contractors in mid-March to submit bids to provide child care and transportation. Leecia Welch, an attorney for the nonprofit National Center for Youth Law who monitors the treatment of immigrant children, said lawyers would pay "close attention to whether this temporary waiver becomes standard operating practice.""Given the urgency of the current placement crisis, families deserve the same flexibility as the for-profit companies contracting with the federal government," she said. Video: Hundreds of migrant cross U.S.-Mexico river border Safety concerns have already been raised about the Midland camp. One official working there noted a lack of new clothes and caseworkers when teenagers initially arrived, and state regulators last week warned that the water on site may not be safe, forcing U.S. authorities to give teens bottles until they could arrange for water deliveries. Michelle Saenz-Rodriguez, a Dallas-based immigration lawyer, described the Dallas convention center as reminiscent of a barracks but "very welcoming." She visited the convention center in its first days as a volunteer for Catholic Charities and said that cots for more than 2,000 boys have been placed in socially distanced rows in a ballroom.After being bused to the site, the boys get clean clothes, a pillow, a blanket and a COVID-19 test, Saenz-Rodriguez said. She saw them last week sitting together at tables, talking and playing card games. Most did not understand why they'd been brought to Dallas or what would happen to them next, she said."Their number one question is 'How long are we going to be here? What's going to happen to us?'" Saenz-Rodriguez said.___Associated Press journalist Jake Bleiberg in Dallas contributed to this report.

HOUSTON —

The Biden administration is not requiring FBI fingerprint background checks of caregivers at its rapidly expanding network of emergency sites to hold thousands of immigrant teenagers, alarming child welfare experts who say the waiver compromises safety.

In the rush to get children out of overcrowded and often unsuitable Border Patrol sites, President Joe Biden's team is turning to a measure used by previous administrations: tent camps, convention centers and other huge facilities operated by private contractors and funded by U.S. Health and Human Services. In March alone, the Biden administration announced it will open eight new emergency sites across the Southwest adding 15,000 new beds, more than doubling the size of its existing system.

These emergency sites don't have to be licensed by state authorities or provide the same services as permanent HHS facilities. They also cost far more, an estimated $775 per child per day.

And to staff the sites quickly, the Biden administration has waived vetting procedures intended to protect minors from potential harm.

Staff and volunteers directly caring for children at new emergency sites don't have to undergo FBI fingerprint checks, which use criminal databases not accessible to the public and can overcome someone changing their name or using a false identity.

HHS issued a statement Friday saying that direct care staff and volunteers "must pass public record criminal background checks." Public records checks generally take less time but are reliant on the subject providing correct information.

The agency says those giving direct care are supervised by federal employees or others who have passed fingerprint-based background checks. "In the Emergency Intake Sites, HHS is implementing the standards of care used for children in an emergency response setting," the agency said.

During former President Donald Trump's administration, HHS for months did not ensure FBI fingerprint checks or child welfare screenings were done for workers at a large camp in Tornillo, Texas. An Associated Press investigation in 2018 also found staff at another camp at Homestead, Florida, were not given routine screenings to rule out allegations of child abuse or neglect.

HHS' inspector general warned then that FBI fingerprint checks "provide a unique safeguard" over most commercial background checks that search a person's name.

"While the various background checks could identify some past criminal convictions or sexual offenses, these checks were not as extensive as the FBI fingerprint background checks," the inspector general found.

Laura Nodolf, the district attorney in Midland, Texas, where HHS opened an emergency site this month, said that without fingerprint checks, "we truly do not know who the individual is who is providing direct care."

"That's placing the children under care of HHS in the path, potentially, of a sex offender," Nodolf said. "They are putting these children in a position of becoming potential victims."

Dr. Amy Cohen, a child psychiatrist who is executive director of the immigration advocacy group Every Last One, noted that HHS requires fingerprint checks of relatives who seek to take in children as part of a vetting process that takes more than 30 days on average.

"Failure to check fingerprints of frontline facility staff exposes vulnerable migrant children to a significant danger of physical and sexual abuse," she said.

A privately-funded border fence stands along the bank of the Rio Grande at the U.S.-Mexico Border on March 23, 2021 near Mission, Texas.

John Moore / Getty Images

A privately-funded border fence stands along the bank of the Rio Grande at the U.S.-Mexico Border on March 23, 2021 near Mission, Texas.

The Biden administration has 18,000 children and teenagers in its custody, a figure that has risen almost daily over the last several weeks. While Biden continues to expel most adults and many families crossing the border, he has declined to reinstate expulsions of unaccompanied immigrant children, which stopped last year after a now-stayed federal court order.

More than 5,000 youths are in border custody, many of them in a South Texas tent facility with limited space, food and access to the outdoors. But Border Patrol is apprehending hundreds more minors than HHS is releasing every day — a difference of 325 just on Thursday.

At the downtown Dallas convention center, one of HHS' emergency sites, almost all of its 2,300 beds were filled just one week after it opened this month.

Child advocates say that rather than opening more unlicensed emergency facilities, the administration must speed up placing children with sponsors, especially the approximately 40% of youths in custody who have a parent in the country ready to take them.

HHS has tried to expedite processing of minors in recent weeks, allowing some youths to be placed with parents while fingerprint checks are pending and authorizing the use of government funds to pay for airfare when a child is released.

Ana, the mother of a 17-year-old teen detained in Dallas, told AP said her son fled gangs trying to recruit him in El Salvador and hoped to join her in Virginia. After an eight-day journey, the teenager crossed the U.S.-Mexico border on March 9. Eight days would pass until she heard from authorities at the border that they had him in custody.

She received a 10-minute call from him on March 20, after he was taken to the Dallas facility. It was the first time she's spoken to him since he entered the country. She says she has repeatedly called HHS' Office of Refugee Resettlement to ask if they would release him to her family, but they have refused, saying they have to process her case. In the meantime, she's ready to present documentation proving she is his mother and fit to take him.

"I don't understand why they are making it so difficult," said Ana, who is not being identified by her last name to protect her son's privacy. "I know that we are in a pandemic, but maybe I think that it is that they are behind schedule, that maybe there are a lot of people there."

Tornillo and Homestead were sharply criticized by Democrats and child welfare experts who warned of the potential trauma of detaining thousands of teenagers without adequate support.

Volunteers from the American Red Cross provided care at the first two emergency HHS sites, a converted camp for oil workers in Midland, Texas, and the Dallas convention center. Those volunteers are now being phased out.

The Red Cross and HHS for several days refused to acknowledge that the volunteers weren't given FBI fingerprint checks. The Red Cross first said that all of its volunteers underwent background checks when they joined the group. On Tuesday, the group said it was "refreshing" checks on about 300 volunteers sent to care for children and that it had not found any new red flags.

HHS spokesman Mark Weber said he could not yet identify which companies or groups will now step in. The department asked contractors in mid-March to submit bids to provide child care and transportation.

Leecia Welch, an attorney for the nonprofit National Center for Youth Law who monitors the treatment of immigrant children, said lawyers would pay "close attention to whether this temporary waiver becomes standard operating practice."

"Given the urgency of the current placement crisis, families deserve the same flexibility as the for-profit companies contracting with the federal government," she said.

Video: Hundreds of migrant cross U.S.-Mexico river border

Safety concerns have already been raised about the Midland camp. One official working there noted a lack of new clothes and caseworkers when teenagers initially arrived, and state regulators last week warned that the water on site may not be safe, forcing U.S. authorities to give teens bottles until they could arrange for water deliveries.

Michelle Saenz-Rodriguez, a Dallas-based immigration lawyer, described the Dallas convention center as reminiscent of a barracks but "very welcoming." She visited the convention center in its first days as a volunteer for Catholic Charities and said that cots for more than 2,000 boys have been placed in socially distanced rows in a ballroom.

After being bused to the site, the boys get clean clothes, a pillow, a blanket and a COVID-19 test, Saenz-Rodriguez said. She saw them last week sitting together at tables, talking and playing card games. Most did not understand why they'd been brought to Dallas or what would happen to them next, she said.

"Their number one question is 'How long are we going to be here? What's going to happen to us?'" Saenz-Rodriguez said.

___

Associated Press journalist Jake Bleiberg in Dallas contributed to this report.


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]]> https://cincylink.com/2021/06/30/us-waives-fbi-fingerprint-background-checks-on-caregivers-at-new-migrant-facilities/feed/ 0 Smugglers drop 2 children over US border wall in glimpse of border danger https://cincylink.com/2021/06/25/smugglers-drop-2-children-over-us-border-wall-in-glimpse-of-border-danger/ https://cincylink.com/2021/06/25/smugglers-drop-2-children-over-us-border-wall-in-glimpse-of-border-danger/#respond Fri, 25 Jun 2021 04:59:12 +0000 https://cincylink.com/?p=40976

A border wall. Smugglers. Small children being dropped into America in the darkness.A grainy video released Wednesday by authorities — its figures visible only in ghostly white outline, its stark storyline dramatic and obvious — captures, in mere seconds, the dangers for migrant children at the southern U.S. border.A man straddling a 14-foot barrier near Santa Teresa, New Mexico, lowers a toddler while holding onto one arm. With the child dangling, he lets go. She lands on her feet, then falls forward face first into the dirt. The smuggler does the same thing with a slightly larger child, who falls on her feet and then her bottom. Then the smuggler and another man run off into the desert, deeper into Mexico.The simple scene caught by a remote camera is an extreme case. But it embodies so much of the saga playing out on the border amid a spike in migrant arrivals, particularly children.There is implied desperation — a family willing to subject their children to such risks in hopes of changing their future. There is the callousness of the smugglers handling kids like rag dolls. And there is that barrier over which so many have fought — a symbol of American strength for some, a decidedly un-American thing altogether for others. A fence that, despite its height, is relatively easily overcome.For immigrant advocates, scenes like this underscore why immigration laws need to be overhauled with a focus on unifying families and making legal immigration easier. For many opponents of such reform, scenes like this are confirmation that the nation's rule of law isn't being respected, that a reform of immigration policies could never even be contemplated while such things are happening. And Americans of all political stripes may debate what circumstances, if any, justify parents taking such actions.While such debates happen, thousands of migrants from Mexico, Central America, and countries further south are arriving every day to the Mexico-U.S. border. Many are fleeing violence or other hardships in their home countries. Others are simply looking for better economic opportunities. They arrive by boat or wade through the Rio Grande River in Texas, or come on land into California, Arizona and New Mexico.Many are children traveling alone. Border authorities encountered more than 9,000 children without a parent in February, the highest single month since May 2019, when 11,000 unaccompanied minors came to the border.Unlike their parents in many situations, all unaccompanied minors are allowed to stay in the U.S. That dynamic has prompted many parents to either send kids on the journey to America alone, or get to the border and let them go the rest of the way. Most end up at least temporarily in shelters that are currently way beyond capacity.Border authorities said the children caught on video were sisters, ages 3 and 5, and from Ecuador. They were found alert, taken to a hospital and cleared or any physical injuries. As of Thursday, they remained at a Border Patrol temporary holding facility pending placement by the U.S. Health and Human Services Department.The girls’ mother is in the United States and authorities are in contact with her, Roger Maier, a spokesman for U.S. Customs and Border Protection, told The Associated Press on Thursday. Maier couldn’t provide more details.Many children arriving alone have relatives in the United States. If they are too young to remember names or phone numbers, as these girls likely were, they may come with contact information written down on paper or directly on their bodies. After being processed by the Border Patrol, they are transferred to Health and Human Services. Eventually they will be released to a sponsor, usually a parent or close relative.The hope of those who send the children is that they will eventually be reunited with family in the U.S. But the risks to get to that point are enormous.They can come from traveling without parents. They can come from the actual crossing, whether by river, crammed into a vehicle or on foot through the desert and traversing a wall; last year, a woman died after falling from a barrier in the Santa Teresa area where the girls were found. Finally, the risks can come from unscrupulous smugglers.“People considering using the services of smugglers need to know that smugglers don’t have the kids’ best interest at heart. It’s entirely too dangerous,” said Maier, who added this about the girls being dropped: “Had it not been an area that was monitored, these children would have been fending for themselves.”

SANTA TERESA, N.M. —

A border wall. Smugglers. Small children being dropped into America in the darkness.

A grainy video released Wednesday by authorities — its figures visible only in ghostly white outline, its stark storyline dramatic and obvious — captures, in mere seconds, the dangers for migrant children at the southern U.S. border.

A man straddling a 14-foot barrier near Santa Teresa, New Mexico, lowers a toddler while holding onto one arm. With the child dangling, he lets go. She lands on her feet, then falls forward face first into the dirt. The smuggler does the same thing with a slightly larger child, who falls on her feet and then her bottom. Then the smuggler and another man run off into the desert, deeper into Mexico.

The simple scene caught by a remote camera is an extreme case. But it embodies so much of the saga playing out on the border amid a spike in migrant arrivals, particularly children.

There is implied desperation — a family willing to subject their children to such risks in hopes of changing their future. There is the callousness of the smugglers handling kids like rag dolls.

And there is that barrier over which so many have fought — a symbol of American strength for some, a decidedly un-American thing altogether for others. A fence that, despite its height, is relatively easily overcome.

This Tuesday, March 30, 2021 photo taken from night video provided by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection shows a smuggler dropping children from the top of border barrier in Santa Teresa, N.M. Video released Wednesday, March 31 by federal authorities show the two Ecuadoran children being abandoned by smugglers after they were dropped over a 14-foot-high barrier along the U.S.-Mexico border. Authorities said Santa Teresa border agents were able to find the 3- and 5-year-old sisters after being directed by the camera operator to the remote location in New Mexico, just west of El Paso, Texas. The girls were alert but were taken to a hospital to be checked out and cleared.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection via AP

This Tuesday, March 30, 2021 photo taken from night video provided by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection shows a smuggler dropping children from the top of border barrier in Santa Teresa, N.M. Video released Wednesday, March 31 by federal authorities show the two Ecuadoran children being abandoned by smugglers after they were dropped over a 14-foot-high barrier along the U.S.-Mexico border. Authorities said Santa Teresa border agents were able to find the 3- and 5-year-old sisters after being directed by the camera operator to the remote location in New Mexico, just west of El Paso, Texas. The girls were alert but were taken to a hospital to be checked out and cleared.
This Tuesday, March 30, 2021, photo taken from night video provided by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection shows smugglers, upper right after dropping two children from the top of border barrier in Santa Teresa, N.M. From a video released Wednesday by federal authorities showing two Ecuadoran children being abandoned by smugglers after they were dropped over a 14-foot-high barrier along the U.S.-Mexico border. Authorities said Santa Teresa border agents were able to find the 3- and 5-year-old sisters after being directed by the camera operator to the remote location in New Mexico, just west of El Paso, Texas. The girls were alert but were taken to a hospital to be checked out and cleared. (U.S. Customs and Border Protection via AP)

U.S. Customs and Border Protection via AP

This Tuesday, March 30, 2021, photo taken from night video provided by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection shows smugglers, upper right after dropping two children from the top of border barrier in Santa Teresa, N.M.

For immigrant advocates, scenes like this underscore why immigration laws need to be overhauled with a focus on unifying families and making legal immigration easier. For many opponents of such reform, scenes like this are confirmation that the nation's rule of law isn't being respected, that a reform of immigration policies could never even be contemplated while such things are happening. And Americans of all political stripes may debate what circumstances, if any, justify parents taking such actions.

While such debates happen, thousands of migrants from Mexico, Central America, and countries further south are arriving every day to the Mexico-U.S. border. Many are fleeing violence or other hardships in their home countries. Others are simply looking for better economic opportunities. They arrive by boat or wade through the Rio Grande River in Texas, or come on land into California, Arizona and New Mexico.

Many are children traveling alone. Border authorities encountered more than 9,000 children without a parent in February, the highest single month since May 2019, when 11,000 unaccompanied minors came to the border.

Unlike their parents in many situations, all unaccompanied minors are allowed to stay in the U.S. That dynamic has prompted many parents to either send kids on the journey to America alone, or get to the border and let them go the rest of the way. Most end up at least temporarily in shelters that are currently way beyond capacity.

Border authorities said the children caught on video were sisters, ages 3 and 5, and from Ecuador. They were found alert, taken to a hospital and cleared or any physical injuries. As of Thursday, they remained at a Border Patrol temporary holding facility pending placement by the U.S. Health and Human Services Department.

The girls’ mother is in the United States and authorities are in contact with her, Roger Maier, a spokesman for U.S. Customs and Border Protection, told The Associated Press on Thursday. Maier couldn’t provide more details.

Many children arriving alone have relatives in the United States. If they are too young to remember names or phone numbers, as these girls likely were, they may come with contact information written down on paper or directly on their bodies. After being processed by the Border Patrol, they are transferred to Health and Human Services. Eventually they will be released to a sponsor, usually a parent or close relative.

The hope of those who send the children is that they will eventually be reunited with family in the U.S. But the risks to get to that point are enormous.

They can come from traveling without parents. They can come from the actual crossing, whether by river, crammed into a vehicle or on foot through the desert and traversing a wall; last year, a woman died after falling from a barrier in the Santa Teresa area where the girls were found. Finally, the risks can come from unscrupulous smugglers.

“People considering using the services of smugglers need to know that smugglers don’t have the kids’ best interest at heart. It’s entirely too dangerous,” said Maier, who added this about the girls being dropped: “Had it not been an area that was monitored, these children would have been fending for themselves.”


Source link

]]> https://cincylink.com/2021/06/25/smugglers-drop-2-children-over-us-border-wall-in-glimpse-of-border-danger/feed/ 0 Attorneys pivot to free immigrants from Butler County Jail https://cincylink.com/2021/06/01/attorneys-pivot-to-free-immigrants-from-butler-county-jail/ https://cincylink.com/2021/06/01/attorneys-pivot-to-free-immigrants-from-butler-county-jail/#respond Tue, 01 Jun 2021 04:18:45 +0000 https://cincylink.com/?p=54825

HAMILTON, Ohio — For the first time in about 17 years, the Butler County Sheriff’s Office will no longer work with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to detain immigrants.

Butler County Sheriff Richard Jones terminated the contract with the Department of Homeland Security this week.

Over the next 60 days, attorneys said immigrants will be released, moved to another jail or deported.

“I think the chances of release for a lot of folks is good if they have representation, and, right now, we don't have access to good data on how many people are there and how many have lawyers,” said Brian Hoffman, an attorney for Ohio Strategic Immigration Litigation & Outreach.

The sheriff's office said it started working with ICE in 2003. The deal was to hold immigrants while federal judges decided to grant them asylum or deport them.

These are civil cases in which the immigrant is either criminally innocent or served their sentence for a crime.

WCPO first told you about Sara Mendez Morales in April 2021.

"This is somebody who was victimized her entire life,” said her attorney, Kim Alabasi. "I mean, it's a very long, horrific story."

Morales, who has survived cancer, human trafficking and domestic violence, reported abuse in 2019. Prosecutors accused her of child endangerment, and she served her sentence, at which point, a judge agreed to grant her asylum. However, ICE will not release her, citing the seriousness of the crime.

Dema Diawara is a former detainee. He’s deported now.

“No hot water. No clothes. We are treated like animals at Butler County jail,” said Diawara. “They are just making money on people. That’s it,” said Diawara.

In 2017, WCPO’s investigative team told you the federal government used taxpayer dollars to pay the jai about $8.2 million dollars over five years to house ICE detainees.

How much federal funding the jail has received since beginning to hold ICE detainees was not immediately available.

“I think immigrants sounding alarm about the Butler County Jail set off a chain reaction,” said Anna Nathanson, who is part of the team that filed a civil rights lawsuit after dozens reported medical neglect of cancer patients, severe assault, no hot water and uncooked food.

“After all that happened, the Biden Administration and ICE started asking difficult questions to Butler County Sheriff and contract was cut,” she said.

Sheriff Jones released a statement this week saying:

“We operate an efficient correctional facility and federal officials continue to add unreasonable and cost prohibitive mandates to hold these illegal immigrants. With the crisis at the border getting worse, it concerns me that the feds will ship detainees to my facility, then release them to the streets of my community under some technicality. It’s better to just end this arrangement now, than to let that happen. Unlike this current administration, I’m still a firm believer that our government should strictly enforce the immigration laws and I will continue to promote that stance at every opportunity.”

“What Sheriff Jones is really saying is if the feds, if the Biden Administration is going to require him to treat immigrants like people, he doesn't want them in his jail anymore,” said Hoffman.

WCPO was still waiting for ICE to comment as of Friday evening.




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]]> https://cincylink.com/2021/06/01/attorneys-pivot-to-free-immigrants-from-butler-county-jail/feed/ 0 New cybersecurity measures for pipelines expected from feds following Colonial attack https://cincylink.com/2021/05/28/new-cybersecurity-measures-for-pipelines-expected-from-feds-following-colonial-attack/ https://cincylink.com/2021/05/28/new-cybersecurity-measures-for-pipelines-expected-from-feds-following-colonial-attack/#respond Fri, 28 May 2021 04:18:53 +0000 https://cincylink.com/?p=53494

The Transportation Security Administration is expected to issue new cybersecurity measures this week aimed at the pipeline industry for the first time.

The new rules will apply to U.S. pipeline operators and follow the ransomware attack against one of the country's largest, Colonial Pipeline, earlier this month. The attack resulted in a disruption to fuel supply on the entire east coast for nearly two weeks.

Pipeline companies would be required to report cyber incidents to the federal government as soon as possible.

They will also reportedly be asked to review their security system to determine any weaknesses or risks.

The rules are coming from the TSA, which operates under the Department of Homeland Security. The Washington Post reports a security directive is expected this week, and more rules will be released in the coming weeks.

This is the first time such rules will be issued for the pipeline industry. Previously, there were voluntary guidelines.

Alex Livingston and Robin Dich contributed to this report




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]]> https://cincylink.com/2021/05/28/new-cybersecurity-measures-for-pipelines-expected-from-feds-following-colonial-attack/feed/ 0 Karine Jean-Pierre made history at White House briefing https://cincylink.com/2021/05/28/karine-jean-pierre-made-history-at-white-house-briefing/ https://cincylink.com/2021/05/28/karine-jean-pierre-made-history-at-white-house-briefing/#respond Fri, 28 May 2021 04:18:08 +0000 https://cincylink.com/?p=53535

Karine Jean-Pierre made history Wednesday becoming the first openly gay woman and the first Black woman in 30 years to deliver a White House press briefing.

Jean-Pierre is the White House principal deputy press secretary. She's briefed reporters aboard Air Force One before, but Wednesday was the first time she did a televised briefing. 

A reporter asked Jean-Pierre what the moment meant for her and she said it was an honor. 

"I appreciate the historic nature, I really do," Jean-Pierre said. "But I believe that, you know, being behind this podium, being in this room, being in this building is not about one person. It's about, you know, what we do on behalf of the American people. Clearly, the president believes in representation matters, and I appreciate him giving me this opportunity. And it's another reason why I think we are so proud that this is the most diverse administration in history."

Judy Smith, who served as deputy press secretary to President George H.W. Bush in 1991, was the first Black woman in the role.

Jean-Pierre is seen as a potential successor to current White House press secretary Jen Psaki, and Wednesday’s appearance was seen as an audition of sorts for the job.

Johannah Grenaway contributed to this report




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]]> https://cincylink.com/2021/05/28/karine-jean-pierre-made-history-at-white-house-briefing/feed/ 0 President Biden doesn’t just want more taxes; more tax audits may be coming too https://cincylink.com/2021/05/23/president-biden-doesnt-just-want-more-taxes-more-tax-audits-may-be-coming-too/ https://cincylink.com/2021/05/23/president-biden-doesnt-just-want-more-taxes-more-tax-audits-may-be-coming-too/#respond Sun, 23 May 2021 04:28:33 +0000 https://cincylink.com/?p=51493

WASHINGTON — By now, most Americans know that President Joe Biden's American Jobs Plan and American Families Plan require tax increases.

The President wants hikes on individuals making more than $450,000 a year and couples who file their taxes jointly with a combined income of over $500,000 or so.

In exchange, transportation would be fundamentally transformed in this country, along with new social programs, like paid family leave, created.

The exact figures will be determined by leaders in Congress as negotiations continue.

NOT JUST TAXES

The Biden administration wants more than just tax increases, however.

The Internal Revenue Service has announced a comprehensive plan to transform the agency and hold more Americans accountable for what they owe.

The plan, which was released this week, calls for the agency to double in size over the next ten years with 87,000 new employees.

The $80 billion expansion would, according to IRS officials, generate more revenue than it would cost to increase in size.

Officials believe anywhere between $500 billion to $1 trillion in taxes go uncollected each year because Americans or companies don't pay them and aren't held accountable.

Individuals making more than $400,000 annually would be subjected to a higher risk of an audit according to the plan.

Some items of the IRS' plan require congressional approval.

CRITICISM BY CONSERVATIVES

The "Coalition to Protect American Workers" has launched commercials in Georgia and Pennsylvania criticizing Biden for the plan.

"If Joe Biden gets his way, they are coming: IRS agents," the commercial begins.

The proposal, along with the comprehensive transportation package, will be negotiated over the coming weeks.

No votes are expected until the end of June at the earliest.




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]]> https://cincylink.com/2021/05/23/president-biden-doesnt-just-want-more-taxes-more-tax-audits-may-be-coming-too/feed/ 0 Hugs are in; masks are (mostly) out https://cincylink.com/2021/05/23/hugs-are-in-masks-are-mostly-out/ https://cincylink.com/2021/05/23/hugs-are-in-masks-are-mostly-out/#respond Sun, 23 May 2021 04:19:37 +0000 https://cincylink.com/?p=51607

A smiling crowd of unmasked people filling the largest room in the White House.A visiting head of state welcomed with pomp, circumstance and handshakes. A 94-year old Medal of Honor recipient receiving a joyous hug from Vice President Kamala Harris.The White House is springing back to life.Thanks to growing availability of the coronavirus vaccine and a recent relaxation of federal guidance on masks and distancing, the Biden administration is embracing the look and feel of pre-pandemic days on Pennsylvania Avenue. More West Wing staffers are turning up there for work and more reporters will be doing so as well, as the White House spreads the message that a return to normal is possible with vaccinations.There are lingering concerns about safety and mixed messaging — the same contradictions and confusions that are popping up across a nation that is gingerly re-opening. But the images of a reopened, relaxed White House stand in striking contrast to the days when it was the site of several COVID-19 outbreaks last year, a sign of just how far the pandemic has begun to recede in the United States. "We're back," White House press secretary Jen Psaki declared at Friday's daily briefing. "I can confirm we're a warm and fuzzy crew and we like to hug around here."The changes within the White House over the past week were swift and sweeping. Hugs were in, masks were (mostly) out. There was no need to stand six feet apart. And no one seemed to enjoy the shift more than Biden, the most back-slapping and tactile of politicians.The president had been happy to announce the relaxed mask guidance when he appeared in the Rose Garden on May 13 without a mask, just hours after the CDC said those who are fully vaccinated don't need to wear masks in most settings. That cheerfulness carried over this past week into a series of larger public events that would have been out of bounds earlier in Biden's presidency.For the second straight day, the White House on Friday opened the East Room — the executive mansion's largest room — to scores of outside guests. Smiling broadly, Biden awarded the Medal of Honor for the first time as commander in chief, giving it to 94-year-old retired Col. Ralph Puckett Jr. for acts of bravery during the Korean War some 70 years ago.The White House timed Friday's ceremony to coincide with the visit of South Korea's president, Moon Jae-in, who joined Biden at the event before their policy meetings. Both world leaders repeatedly clasped Puckett's hands and crowded in for a photo with the war hero's extended family.A day earlier, an even larger group of lawmakers and other guests were on hand to witness Biden sign legislation to counter an alarming spike in crimes against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, were among the lawmakers trading hugs and kisses."The nicest part is being able to shake hands again and to see people's smiles," Collins marveled at one point.Afterward, lawmakers who helped shepherd the legislation through Congress surrounded Biden as he signed the measure into law. The president also engaged in an act that had largely disappeared from official Washington during the pandemic: He shook hands with a few guests before leaving.Earlier that day, he had welcomed the newest Kennedy Center honorees to the White House for a visit that marked the return of celebrity wattage to the property. By multiple accounts from Kennedy Center Honors recipients, the White House event was high-spirited, with Biden seemingly thrilled to have visitors.Debbie Allen called the president, "so engaging and open. He spent a lot more time with us than I expected."Joan Baez said the official visit "turned into a jolly romp," included a tour of the Rose Garden and culminated in Baez singing for Biden.Due to social distancing guidelines, the number of journalists allowed inside the White House shrunk once the pandemic hit, with the briefing room only about a quarter full for Psaki's daily question-and-answer sessions. Capacity is slated to go to 50% soon, with the goal of a full return by summer. The daily COVID-19 testing requirement for staff and most journalists was also expected to soon be waived for the fully vaccinated. And the parking spaces around the West Wing and Eisenhower Executive Office Building have been fuller as of late.Psaki said the effort to return to a more normal vibe was part of "continuing to open the White House up, the people's house up to the American people."But questions remain about protocol.Abiding by the safety guidelines is a matter of the honor system. And Psaki acknowledged Friday that the White House did not have plans to verify vaccination status. Members of the administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have continued, at times, to offer confusing guidance on exactly when, and by whom, a mask should still be worn. Yet in most ways, the mood has changed dramatically.The first image that Americans saw of Biden at the White House as president was on Inauguration Day, as he sat behind the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office wearing a mask. Aiming to draw a stark contrast with the Trump White House, which took a cavalier attitude toward the virus within the building, the Democratic administration consistently erred on the side of caution, at times exceeding precautions recommended by the CDC.For months, Biden had privately groused that the pandemic prevented him from having face-to-face meetings with lawmakers and world leaders alike, and he chafed at having to conduct diplomacy by Zoom. On Friday, the White House unfurled all of its traditional in-person pageantry for Moon's visit and the two men were able to sit across from each other in the State Dining Room and, later, answer questions before a mask-free audience of diplomats, officials and reporters.Moon had opened his day with a visit to Harris' office in the White House complex, where the two stepped out on a balcony for a quick wave. The sun was shining. Smiles were everywhere. There wasn't a cicada in sight.___Lemire reported from New York. Associated Press writer Ashraf Khalil contributed to this report.

WASHINGTON —

A smiling crowd of unmasked people filling the largest room in the White House.

A visiting head of state welcomed with pomp, circumstance and handshakes. A 94-year old Medal of Honor recipient receiving a joyous hug from Vice President Kamala Harris.

The White House is springing back to life.

Thanks to growing availability of the coronavirus vaccine and a recent relaxation of federal guidance on masks and distancing, the Biden administration is embracing the look and feel of pre-pandemic days on Pennsylvania Avenue. More West Wing staffers are turning up there for work and more reporters will be doing so as well, as the White House spreads the message that a return to normal is possible with vaccinations.

There are lingering concerns about safety and mixed messaging — the same contradictions and confusions that are popping up across a nation that is gingerly re-opening. But the images of a reopened, relaxed White House stand in striking contrast to the days when it was the site of several COVID-19 outbreaks last year, a sign of just how far the pandemic has begun to recede in the United States.

"We're back," White House press secretary Jen Psaki declared at Friday's daily briefing. "I can confirm we're a warm and fuzzy crew and we like to hug around here."

The changes within the White House over the past week were swift and sweeping. Hugs were in, masks were (mostly) out. There was no need to stand six feet apart. And no one seemed to enjoy the shift more than Biden, the most back-slapping and tactile of politicians.

The president had been happy to announce the relaxed mask guidance when he appeared in the Rose Garden on May 13 without a mask, just hours after the CDC said those who are fully vaccinated don't need to wear masks in most settings. That cheerfulness carried over this past week into a series of larger public events that would have been out of bounds earlier in Biden's presidency.

For the second straight day, the White House on Friday opened the East Room — the executive mansion's largest room — to scores of outside guests. Smiling broadly, Biden awarded the Medal of Honor for the first time as commander in chief, giving it to 94-year-old retired Col. Ralph Puckett Jr. for acts of bravery during the Korean War some 70 years ago.

The White House timed Friday's ceremony to coincide with the visit of South Korea's president, Moon Jae-in, who joined Biden at the event before their policy meetings. Both world leaders repeatedly clasped Puckett's hands and crowded in for a photo with the war hero's extended family.

A day earlier, an even larger group of lawmakers and other guests were on hand to witness Biden sign legislation to counter an alarming spike in crimes against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, were among the lawmakers trading hugs and kisses.

"The nicest part is being able to shake hands again and to see people's smiles," Collins marveled at one point.

Afterward, lawmakers who helped shepherd the legislation through Congress surrounded Biden as he signed the measure into law. The president also engaged in an act that had largely disappeared from official Washington during the pandemic: He shook hands with a few guests before leaving.

Earlier that day, he had welcomed the newest Kennedy Center honorees to the White House for a visit that marked the return of celebrity wattage to the property.

By multiple accounts from Kennedy Center Honors recipients, the White House event was high-spirited, with Biden seemingly thrilled to have visitors.

Debbie Allen called the president, "so engaging and open. He spent a lot more time with us than I expected."

Joan Baez said the official visit "turned into a jolly romp," included a tour of the Rose Garden and culminated in Baez singing for Biden.

Due to social distancing guidelines, the number of journalists allowed inside the White House shrunk once the pandemic hit, with the briefing room only about a quarter full for Psaki's daily question-and-answer sessions.

Capacity is slated to go to 50% soon, with the goal of a full return by summer. The daily COVID-19 testing requirement for staff and most journalists was also expected to soon be waived for the fully vaccinated. And the parking spaces around the West Wing and Eisenhower Executive Office Building have been fuller as of late.

Psaki said the effort to return to a more normal vibe was part of "continuing to open the White House up, the people's house up to the American people."

But questions remain about protocol.

Abiding by the safety guidelines is a matter of the honor system. And Psaki acknowledged Friday that the White House did not have plans to verify vaccination status. Members of the administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have continued, at times, to offer confusing guidance on exactly when, and by whom, a mask should still be worn.

Yet in most ways, the mood has changed dramatically.

The first image that Americans saw of Biden at the White House as president was on Inauguration Day, as he sat behind the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office wearing a mask. Aiming to draw a stark contrast with the Trump White House, which took a cavalier attitude toward the virus within the building, the Democratic administration consistently erred on the side of caution, at times exceeding precautions recommended by the CDC.

For months, Biden had privately groused that the pandemic prevented him from having face-to-face meetings with lawmakers and world leaders alike, and he chafed at having to conduct diplomacy by Zoom.

On Friday, the White House unfurled all of its traditional in-person pageantry for Moon's visit and the two men were able to sit across from each other in the State Dining Room and, later, answer questions before a mask-free audience of diplomats, officials and reporters.

Moon had opened his day with a visit to Harris' office in the White House complex, where the two stepped out on a balcony for a quick wave. The sun was shining. Smiles were everywhere. There wasn't a cicada in sight.

___

Lemire reported from New York. Associated Press writer Ashraf Khalil contributed to this report.


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