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Jonathan Bernstein: Senators are undermining their own power

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:07:51 GMT

The slow decline of the United States Congress continues.The latest example is a practice that has helped individual senators wield disproportionate influence: the “hold.” Once a justifiable way for senators to bring attention to a problem or issue germane to their state, senators are increasingly using the hold as a publicity stunt on matters of national policy.Three senators currently have holds on various executive-branch nominations. Republican Tommy Tuberville of Alabama, upset about what he sees as the military’s support for abortion, is blocking many military promotions; Republican J.D. Vance of Ohio, in a tantrum over former president Donald Trump’s federal indictment, is blocking Justice Department nominations; and Democrat Bernie Sanders of Vermont is blocking all nominees for health-related positions until the administration has a plan for lowering prescription drug prices.A “hold” is simply a request from a senator that the chamber not...

Make Music Day makes its Capital Region debut

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:07:51 GMT

CAPTIAL REGION, N.Y. (NEWS10) - The first day of summer is music to many ears and make music day is a worldwide festival every summer solstice, this year is the return from the pandemic with over 4,000 live, free music-making events across the United States. Troy holding events to celebrate Make Music Day At Washington Park in Albany there were many happy people enjoying the free music and weather as the world celebrates the longest day of the year, the summer solstice. From free music concerts, to face painting, to making your own instruments, the fun is here in the Capital Region.Make Music Day is completely different from any other traditional music festival.  Make music day activities are free and open to all. And the annual worldwide event brings people of all ages and skill levels together to make music.“This is a way of healing, learning and connecting with the community,” said Beverly Hickman, Troy Community Outreach Connector.Over in Troy the festivities started at the Te...

Clifton Park volunteer firefighters prepare to go to court over property tax credits

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:07:51 GMT

CLIFTON PARK, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Clifton Park’s volunteer firefighters have a bone to pick with the town assessor after he denied more than a dozen applications for property tax credits. "I'm disappointed. We put so many hours into serving this community," says Vischer Ferry’s Vice Chairman of the Fire Commission, Marty Schantz. "I don't think Walt is doing this to be mean or because he's against the fire departments. I'm sure he thinks he's right, but I'm disappointed."Town Assessor Walter Smead says he believes he’s on the right side of the law. "If they wrote the legislation that says all you have to be is a volunteer fireman then we’ll give you a 10% exemption, I would be fine with that, but they didn’t," he says, referring to the state law that passed December 2022.Clifton Park was one of the first to adopt the state’s option offering its volunteer firefighters credit on their property taxes as both a thank you and a recruitment incentive. Smead says the applications he deni...

Downtown St. Louis shooting: Search for suspects continues

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:07:51 GMT

ST. LOUIS – The search for suspects and answers continue in last weekend’s mass shooting at a youth party inside a downtown St. Louis office building.Investigators believe someone used a keycard to get inside and then propped a door open, allowing dozens of teens to come inside.On Wednesday, St. Louis police pleaded with the public to help find the suspects.Makao Moore, 17, died in the shooting. Ten other victims, ages 15 to 19, were also wounded or injured.The shooting occurred around 1 a.m. on June 19, on the fifth floor of a building near the intersection of Washington Avenue and 14th Street. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News SIGN UP NOW Police said the teens at the at party could face trespassing charges. Meanwhile, the 17-year-old who was arrested ...

Denver police release videos of officer being ambushed, shooting of second officer later same day

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:07:51 GMT

Denver police on Wednesday released video footage of the two separate incidents on the same day last week in which officers were shot and injured.Both officers were fired upon by suspects and both officers returned fire, officials said at a news conference Wednesday afternoon at Denver Police Department headquarters.Police Chief Ron Thomas, who has been with the department for 34 years, said he couldn’t recall two officers being shot separately on the same day.“The challenge we face here in Denver is there are too many guns out in our community and we have individuals who feel emboldened to use them,” Thomas said. “It’s a challenge.”Both officers likely survived, in part, because of the protective bulletproof vests they wore. Although not required by the department, “vests are strongly encouraged” and the vast majority of officers wear them, Thomas said.Both videos — one from a surveillance camera, the other from an officer’...

Former Broncos Super Bowl champ Bill Romanowski owes $15 million in back taxes, feds allege

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:07:51 GMT

Four-time Super Bowl Champion Bill Romanowski and Julie Romanowski attend Time Warner Cable Studios Presents SHOWTIME And Food Network’s Ultimate Tailgate Experience at Highline Stages on January 29, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Eugene Gologursky/Getty Images for Time Warner Cable)Former Denver Broncos linebacker Bill Romanowski and his wife owe more than $15 million in back taxes and penalties and have been using their nutrition company to pay for family expenses, the U.S. government alleged in a newly filed complaint.“Despite timely notice and demand for payment, the Romanowskis have neglected, refused or failed to fully pay the assessments against them,” prosecutors in the U.S. Department of Justice’s tax division wrote in the 18-page complaint, filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.The couple owes $15.33 million in taxes for the period between 1998 and 2007, prosecutors allege.Romanowski’s wife, Julie, and ...

Justice Samuel Alito accepted Alaska resort vacation from GOP donors, report says

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:07:51 GMT

WASHINGTON — Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito accepted a 2008 trip to a luxury fishing lodge in Alaska from two wealthy Republican donors, one of whom repeatedly had interests before the court, and he did not disclose the trips on his financial disclosure for that year, ProPublica reports. A story published late Tuesday by the nonprofit investigative journalism organization states that in July 2008 Alito flew to a remote corner of Alaska aboard the private plane of businessman and Republican donor, Paul Singer. A hedge fund founded by the billionaire has brought roughly a dozen cases before the court since then, ProPublica reported. Alito did not recuse himself from participating in any of those cases. Alito’s three-day stay at the King Salmon Lodge was paid for by another wealthy donor, Robin Arkley II, the owner of a mortgage company then based in California. Leonard Leo, then a leader of the conservative legal group The Federalist Society, helped make arrangements for the...

Amazon accused of enrolling consumers into Prime without consent

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:07:51 GMT

Amazon was sued Wednesday by the Federal Trade Commission for allegedly engaging in a yearslong effort to enroll consumers without consent into Amazon Prime and making it difficult for them to cancel their subscriptions. In a complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington, the agency accused Amazon of using deceptive designs, known as “dark patterns,” to deceive consumers into enrolling in Prime, which provides subscribers with perks such as faster shipping for a fee of $139 annually, or $14.99 a month. The FTC said Amazon made it difficult for customers to purchase an item without also subscribing to Prime. In some cases, consumers were presented with a button to complete their transactions — which didn’t clearly state it would also enroll them in Prime.Getting out of a subscription was often too complicated, and Amazon leadership slowed or rejected changes that would have made canceling easier, the complaint said. Internally, Amazon called the pr...

Clippers poised to acquire reigning NBA Sixth Man of the Year: reports

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:07:51 GMT

The Los Angeles Clippers are starting their offseason with a bang, nearing a deal to acquire reigning NBA Sixth Man of the Year Malcolm Brogdon, according to reports from multiple league insiders.Brogdon, 30, played last season with the Boston Celtics and was named Sixth Man of the Year following a stellar season off the Celtics bench, in which he averaged 14.9 points, 3.7 assists and 4.2 rebounds per game.The Clippers are acquiring the 2016-17 NBA Rookie of the Year as part of a larger three-team trade that also involves the Washington Wizards.According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, the Clippers are working on a trade to send forwards Marcus Morris and Amir Coffey, as well as the 30th pick in Thursday's NBA Draft, to Washington. The Celtics are receiving Latvian big man Kristaps Porzingis from the Wizards and sending forward Danilo Gallinari to Washington, in addition to Brogdon being sent to Los Angeles.The finer details of the trade are still being hammer out, Wojnarowski said, b...

Universal Studios Hollywood announces Independence Day festivities

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:07:51 GMT

Universal Studios Hollywood is inviting guests to celebrate the Fourth of July with all-day festivities, including a nighttime fireworks show. The event is included in theme park admission, theme park officials announced.Universal’s Independence Day celebration will feature live music, themed décor, a fireworks show and more. Throughout the day, fan-favorite rides and attractions at Universal will also be open. ‘The Last of Us’ haunted house coming to Universal Studios, Hollywood The fireworks show is scheduled to start at 9 p.m. and includes familiar Universal-themed and patriotic music, theme park officials said.More information about the event and ticket purchasing options are available on the theme park website.