Month: December 2016

Small plane crash in Fla. kills Minnesota mother active in public education

A small airplane crashed while trying to land in central Florida, killing both people aboard, one of them a central Minnesota woman being remembered for her tireless dedication to public education in her community. Deb Solsrud, 51, of New London, died when the single-engine plane she was in crashed early Tuesday evening in the front yard of a home in Port Orange, according to the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office.

APNewsBreak: US considers mining limits to save sage grouse

The Obama administration will release five possible plans Thursday for limiting mining on federal land in the West to protect the vulnerable greater sage grouse, but it isn’t saying which it prefers. The options range from banning new mining activity on about 15,000 square miles for up to 20 years to imposing no additional restrictions on mine locations.

Trump writing own ‘short’ inaugural speech

President-elect Donald Trump is turning his attention Thursday to crafting a “short” but impactful inaugural address designed not to overly burden the thousands of supporters expected to attend next month’s ceremony. “He wants to write the inaugural himself,” said presidential historian Douglas Brinkley, who met with Trump Wednesday to discuss, among other things, the upcoming speech on January 20th.

Progress and struggles reflect in top race headlines of 2016

Of the many events marking the closing year of Barack Obama’s time as the nation’s first black president, none had deeper resonance than his opening of the National Museum of African-American History and Culture on the National Mall. Tracing the history of black America from its dark beginnings in human bondage to Obama’s historic election, the museum has already welcomed more than 600,000 visitors.

Progress and struggles reflect in top race headlines of 2016

Of the many events marking the closing year of Barack Obama’s time as the nation’s first black president, none had deeper resonance than his opening of the National Museum of African-American History and Culture on the National Mall. Tracing the history of black America from its dark beginnings in human bondage to Obama’s historic election, the museum has already welcomed more than 600,000 visitors.

What the UNSC resolution means for the US and Israel

The United Nations Security Council on Friday passed a resolution condemning Israel’s settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. The United States abstained on the resolution, allowing it to pass, rather than vetoing it — as it usually does with resolutions it sees as overly critical of Israel.

What the UNSC resolution means for the US and Israel

The United Nations Security Council on Friday passed a resolution condemning Israel’s settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. The United States abstained on the resolution, allowing it to pass, rather than vetoing it — as it usually does with resolutions it sees as overly critical of Israel.

2 Guardsmen dead after Apache crash in Texas

Two Army National Guardsmen were killed Wednesday afternoon when the AH-64 Apache helicopter that they were flying crashed into Galveston Bay in Texas, the state’s National Guard said. The soldiers were conducting a “routine training flight” when the helicopter crashed into the water just off the shore of the Bayport Cruise Terminal, about 25 miles southeast of Houston, about 4 p.m. local time, according to a Texas Military Department statement.

2 Guardsmen dead after Apache crash in Texas

Two Army National Guardsmen were killed Wednesday afternoon when the AH-64 Apache helicopter that they were flying crashed into Galveston Bay in Texas, the state’s National Guard said. The soldiers were conducting a “routine training flight” when the helicopter crashed into the water just off the shore of the Bayport Cruise Terminal, about 25 miles southeast of Houston, about 4 p.m. local time, according to a Texas Military Department statement.

US senators: Russia should be sanctioned for election hacks

U.S. senators visiting eastern European allies to discuss security issues called for sanctions against Russia for interfering in the presidential election by hacking American political sites and email accounts. Their demands came amid ongoing discussions among U.S. officials on an imminent response to alleged Russian meddling that would ensure the U.S. takes action before President-elect Donald Trump takes office.

Relations between Obama, Netanyahu camps hit rock bottom

It took eight years of backbiting and pretending they got along for relations between President Barack Obama’s administration and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government to finally hit rock bottom. Though they’ve clashed bitterly before, mostly notably over Iran, the two governments seemed farther apart than ever after a speech Wednesday by Secretary of State John Kerry and last week’s United Nations resolution.

Trump holds Q&A, discussing jobs, Russia, Israel

President-elect Donald Trump applauded the return of 8,000 jobs to the U.S. and hailed his transition discussions with President Barack Obama in a series of comments that amounted to the most detailed interaction he’s had with journalists since before the election. In one of his cameos Wednesday on the front steps of his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida, Trump touted plans by a Japanese mogul to bring jobs to the United States.

Trump holds Q&A, discussing jobs, Russia, Israel

President-elect Donald Trump applauded the return of 8,000 jobs to the U.S. and hailed his transition discussions with President Barack Obama in a series of comments that amounted to the most detailed interaction he’s had with journalists since before the election. In one of his cameos Wednesday on the front steps of his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida, Trump touted plans by a Japanese mogul to bring jobs to the United States.

Netanyahu Obama and the UN

By Gwynne Dyer Israel’s Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu is very, very cross about last Friday’s United Nations Security Council resolution condemning the creation of illegal Jewish settlements all over the occupied West Bank and in East Jerusalem. He called in the ambassadors of all the Western countries that voted for the resolution to tell them off: Britain, France, Spain, even New Zealand.

Watch: Drugs baron jailed after using Burton house as cannabis factory

A Vietnamese man who controlled a work force of illegal immigrants as ‘gardeners’ to cultivate cannabis at a house in Burton has been jailed. Toi Van Le was described as a ‘valued and trusted’ member of a team producing skunk cannabis on a commercial and industrial scale worth several million pounds in premises across the country, including a house in Burton.

Watch: Drugs baron jailed after using Burton house as cannabis factory

A Vietnamese man who controlled a work force of illegal immigrants as ‘gardeners’ to cultivate cannabis at a house in Burton has been jailed. Toi Van Le was described as a ‘valued and trusted’ member of a team producing skunk cannabis on a commercial and industrial scale worth several million pounds in premises across the country, including a house in Burton.

Republicans ready to take full command in Washington, D.C.

When the new Congress convenes next Tuesday on January 3, 2017, Republicans will still be in control of both the House and Senate, but with their party ready to take over the White House later in the month, it presents a whole new opportunity for GOP lawmakers to push ahead with a raft of policy ideas. “We’re beside ourselves, I really don’t know how else to say it,” said Rep. Markwayne Mullin , who told me it will make a big difference for the GOP Congress to pass legislation, knowing they have an ally in the White House who will sign their bills, not stand in the way.

Republicans ready to take full command in Washington, D.C.

When the new Congress convenes next Tuesday on January 3, 2017, Republicans will still be in control of both the House and Senate, but with their party ready to take over the White House later in the month, it presents a whole new opportunity for GOP lawmakers to push ahead with a raft of policy ideas. “We’re beside ourselves, I really don’t know how else to say it,” said Rep. Markwayne Mullin , who told me it will make a big difference for the GOP Congress to pass legislation, knowing they have an ally in the White House who will sign their bills, not stand in the way.

Trump says get over election hacks as Obama prepares response to Russia for them

Amid an expectation the Obama administration will announce a series of actions to get back at Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, President-elect Donald Trump suggested he’d rather move on and forget about it. President Barack Obama is expected to announce on Thursday public elements of a retaliation at Russia for its role in hacks during the election, and make vague reference to covert action of some sort, but Trump said late Wednesday he thinks a response is unnecessary and the focus should be on better security to prevent hacks in the first place.

Trump says get over election hacks as Obama prepares response to Russia for them

Amid an expectation the Obama administration will announce a series of actions to get back at Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, President-elect Donald Trump suggested he’d rather move on and forget about it. President Barack Obama is expected to announce on Thursday public elements of a retaliation at Russia for its role in hacks during the election, and make vague reference to covert action of some sort, but Trump said late Wednesday he thinks a response is unnecessary and the focus should be on better security to prevent hacks in the first place.

Disney…Japanese style: What it’s like to stay at Tokyo Disney

Think YOU had a hard time at the airport? Hilarious images capture weary travellers at the end of their tether Now THAT’S a princely sum! Historic hotel with 74 bedrooms built by the Emperor of Austria could be your renovation project… for A 1million From seriously cool boutique hotels to ancient streets bursting with gastronomic delicacies and the breath-taking St John’s Co Cathedral: Why Valletta is the latest city-break hot spot What IS the etiquette for talking to strangers on public transport? A psychologist reveals all Fly to New York for A 56: Norwegian Air to offer cheapest transatlantic flight yet Is global warming going to cancel the ski season? Popular resorts are completely shut down after no snow falls for a MONTH and temperatures soar leaving 45,000 people out of work A yoke-al brawl! Spanish revellers get VERY messy with flour and eggs as they celebrate town’s … (more)

Disney…Japanese style: What it’s like to stay at Tokyo Disney

Think YOU had a hard time at the airport? Hilarious images capture weary travellers at the end of their tether Now THAT’S a princely sum! Historic hotel with 74 bedrooms built by the Emperor of Austria could be your renovation project… for A 1million From seriously cool boutique hotels to ancient streets bursting with gastronomic delicacies and the breath-taking St John’s Co Cathedral: Why Valletta is the latest city-break hot spot What IS the etiquette for talking to strangers on public transport? A psychologist reveals all Fly to New York for A 56: Norwegian Air to offer cheapest transatlantic flight yet Is global warming going to cancel the ski season? Popular resorts are completely shut down after no snow falls for a MONTH and temperatures soar leaving 45,000 people out of work A yoke-al brawl! Spanish revellers get VERY messy with flour and eggs as they celebrate town’s … (more)

Lackawanna County Prison Board may request jail review after misconduct allegations

The Lackawanna County Prison Board may request another agency perform a top-to-bottom review of the county jail after the latest round of investigations into sexual misconduct allegations at the facility wrap up. Lackawanna County Judge Vito Geroulo, chairman of the prison board, said he plans to recommend the panel ask the state Department of Corrections to study the facility when the “appropriate” time comes – meaning the new review wouldn’t overlap with efforts by prosecutors.

Lackawanna County Prison Board may request jail review after misconduct allegations

The Lackawanna County Prison Board may request another agency perform a top-to-bottom review of the county jail after the latest round of investigations into sexual misconduct allegations at the facility wrap up. Lackawanna County Judge Vito Geroulo, chairman of the prison board, said he plans to recommend the panel ask the state Department of Corrections to study the facility when the “appropriate” time comes – meaning the new review wouldn’t overlap with efforts by prosecutors.

US senators: Russia should be sanctioned for election hacks

President-elect Donald Trump speaks to reporters at Mar-a-Lago, Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2016, in Palm Beach, Fla. WASHINGTON – U.S. senators visiting eastern European allies to discuss security issues called for sanctions against Russia for interfering in the presidential election by hacking American political sites and email accounts.

US senators: Russia should be sanctioned for election hacks

President-elect Donald Trump speaks to reporters at Mar-a-Lago, Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2016, in Palm Beach, Fla. WASHINGTON – U.S. senators visiting eastern European allies to discuss security issues called for sanctions against Russia for interfering in the presidential election by hacking American political sites and email accounts.

Air Guard squadron has new leader

Lt. Col. Jhonny Polanco assumed command of the unit Tuesday, according to a news release from the Air National Guard. The squadron flies KC-135s to refuel aircraft around the world. It’s part of the larger Alaska Air National Guard Unit, the 168th Wing.

What were they thinking?

Related stories this week: The year in review CN&R editors take a look back at the biggest stories of 2016. The top 10 stories of 2016 CN&R looks back at the biggest news events of the year.

What were they thinking?

Related stories this week: The year in review CN&R editors take a look back at the biggest stories of 2016. The top 10 stories of 2016 CN&R looks back at the biggest news events of the year.