Day: February 5, 2017

Ryan: Rhetoric surrounding Trump’s immigration ban is ‘overblown’

House Speaker Paul Ryan on Sunday defended President Trump ‘s controversial executive order on immigration while recognizing that its rollout could have gone more smoothly. The Wisconsin Republican, who has been in near constant contact with the new administration since Trump’s swearing-in last month, pushed back on continuing claims that the executive order is a ban on Muslims seeking to enter the United States.

Milwaukee sheriff’s star rises, but he remains polarizing

With a brash, unapologetic personality reminiscent of President Donald Trump, Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke is positioning himself as an in-your-face conservative firebrand who has some Republicans swooning over his prospects for higher office. The tough-talking, cowboy-hat wearing lawman is also one of the most polarizing figures in Wisconsin politics, frequently dishing out eyebrow-raising comments that make even his one-time supporters blanch.

In Trump era, Bay Area churches offer sanctuary to undocumented immigrants

When Julissa Oliva and Jose Manuel Flores first arrived at the Primera Iglesia Presbiteriana Hispana church last May, they had nothing to their names. Fleeing what they described as months of extortion from gang members in Tegucigalpa – the capital of Honduras and one of the most violent cities in the world – the undocumented couple left with their two young children and $300 in their pockets, making a treacherous 30-day journey through Mexico.

Sanders to speak at Kansas Democratic Party event in Topeka

Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, whose grassroots 2016 run for the presidency energized millions of liberal and millennial voters, is scheduled to speak at the Kansas Democratic Party’s Washington Days convention in Topeka in late February, according to sources within the party. An official announcement is expected as early as Monday, according to a high-ranking party official with knowledge of the discussions.

Abrams: Travel ban threatens Main Street small businesses

Abrams: Travel ban threatens Main Street small businesses Risks include fewer foreign visitors and U.S. business people becoming less welcome abroad. Check out this story on USATODAY.com: http://usat.ly/2katnhO President Trump speaks before signing an executive order surrounded by small business leaders in the Oval Office of the White House January 30, 2017 in Washington, DC.

Nation-Now 33 mins ago 11:54 a.m.New documents show Pres. Trump retains direct tie to businesses

New documents confirm that President Donald Trump retains a direct tie to his business interests through a revocable trust now being overseen by one of his adult sons and a longtime executive of the Trump Organization. Trump is the sole beneficiary of the Donald J. Trump Revocable Trust, which is tied to his Social Security number as the taxpayer identification number, according to documents published online by the investigative nonprofit ProPublica.

Mike Pence: Future Of Russia Sanctions Remains Uncertain

Vice President Mike Pence said the Trump administration is “very troubled by the increased hostilities over the past week in eastern Ukraine,” but suggested the future of sanctions against Russia would ultimately hinge “on how the Russians respond in the days ahead.” At least 33 people were killed last week in a surge of violence between Russia-backed rebels and government forces in eastern Ukraine.

Trump Cabinet pick paid by controversial Iranian exile group

An official in U.S. President Donald Trump’s Cabinet and at least one of his advisers gave paid speeches to organizations linked to an Iranian exile group that killed Americans before the 1979 Islamic Revolution, ran donation scams and saw its members set themselves on fire over the arrest of their leader. Elaine Chao, confirmed this week as Trump’s transportation secretary, received $50,000 in 2015 for a five-minute speech to the political wing of the Mujahedeen-e-Khalq, previously called a “cult-like” terrorist group by the State Department.

E Pluribus Unum vs. Trump

A ground of women from Iowa City take part in the Women’s March on Washington. Just a couple of weeks ago, critics of post-inaugural protesters argued the anti-President Trump movement lacked coherence.

Michigan leads effort to shift workers away from pensions

A Chicago woman imprisoned in Indonesia for the 2014 killing of her mother says in videos posted on YouTube that she acted alone and her boyfriend at the time only helped her cover it up because she threatened him A Chicago woman imprisoned in Indonesia for the 2014 killing of her mother says in videos posted on YouTube that she acted alone and her boyfriend at the time only helped her cover it up because she threatened him The travel ban on refugees and citizens of seven countries has rattled many immigrant families, but its effects are perhaps most widespread among the Iranian-American community The travel ban on refugees and citizens of seven countries has rattled many immigrant families, but its effects are perhaps most widespread among the Iranian-American community Visa holders from seven majority-Muslim countries affected by President Donald Trump’s travel ban are hurrying to … (more)

Thousands protest in US, Europe over Trump travel ban

From London and Paris to New York and Washington, thousands of people took to the streets Saturday in American and European cities to protest US President Donald Trump’s travel ban amid a fierce legal battle over the order. The biggest demonstration by far took place in the British capital, where an estimated 10,000 people turned out, chanting “Theresa May: Shame on You” to denounce the British prime minister’s support for the new US leader.

U.S. court turns down request to reinstate Trump’s travel ban

A U.S. court denied early Sunday a request by the government to overturn a ruling that has suspended a controversial travel ban targeting refugees and nationals of seven Muslim-majority countries. Consisting of three judges, the motions panel of the U.S. Courts of Appeals for the 9th Circuit, based in San Francisco, Northern California, made the move hours after the U.S. Department of Justice filed an appeal with the court, arguing that President Donald Trump has constitutional authority to limit entry of foreign nationals.

Indiana seeks to continue Medicaid expansion program

Gov. Eric Holcomb has requested the renewal of a federal waiver that allows Indiana’s Healthy Indiana Plan 2.0 to serve hundreds of thousands of low-income Hoosiers. The request begins an eight-month process with the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services that is expected to go smoothly under President Donald Trump’s administration.

Republican Congressman in California Escorted from Town Hall by Police After Protests

Hundreds of protesters in northern California booed and chanted, “Shame!” on Saturday as police escorted Rep. Tom McClintock out of what quickly became a heated town hall. The Republican congressman held the gathering at the Tower Theater in Roseville to defend his party’s agenda and President Trump’s policies, including the controversial executive order on immigration and refugees.

PRO Weekly Digest: Profiting From Company Transformations With Chris Colvin, Breach Inlet Capital

The opportunity in small caps undergoing transformations, how to find them and why he’s looking more at Canadian companies are topics discussed and he shares a long thesis on Great Canadian Gaming. We highlight a PRO call that played out very well , a great short call from a recent PRO Weekly Digest, a PRO call yet to play out and two of our recent favorite ideas.

Court denies Trump request to immediately restore travel ban

Protesters march along Pennsylvania Avenue past the Trump International Hotel during a rally protesting the immigration policies of President Donald Trump, near the White House in Washington, Saturday, Feb. 4, 2017. People chant during a rally protesting the immigration policies of President Donald Trump, near the White House in Washington, Saturday, Feb. 4, 2017.

Tulsa (LCS 16) to be Christened

Austal will host The Honorable Kathy Taylor, ship sponsor, for the christening of the Tulsa at its Mobile, Ala. shipyard, Feb. 11. Taylor was Tulsa’s 38th Mayor and is currently Chief of Economic Development for Tulsa’s sitting Mayor, G.T. Bynum.

Natalie Portman goes naked for flick Planetarium

Stony-faced Trump attends Red Cross gala with Melania as Court of Appeal REJECTS White House bid to overturn judge’s ‘terrible and ridiculous’ halt on his immigration ban DNA breakthrough leads to arrest of man ‘in his twenties’ in murder of Queens jogger Karina Vetrano – six months after she was found raped and strangled ‘So-called’ judge derided by Trump is a known conservative appointed by George W Bush who once declared ‘black lives matter’ during hearing on police reform Trump supporters call for boycott of Budweiser after it unveils Super Bowl ad telling the story of its founder’s journey to the US as an immigrant ‘You think our country is so innocent?’: Trump doubles down on ‘respect’ for Putin and says ‘US has a lot of killers’ when told Russian president is ‘a killer’ for murdering journalists ‘You can have your desk back, President Bannon’: Alec Baldwin returns as President … (more)

Allen Harim hires new director of public relations

Allen Harim, a leading producer and processor of chicken on Delmarva, has named veteran communications expert Catherine M. Bassett as the new director of public relations to help share positive news about the company and oversee community relations. “I’ve worked with Allen Harim for the past two years as a consultant, and I’ve been consistently impressed with the company’s leadership, their dedication to their employees, and their commitment to the community,” Bassett said.

‘Immigration Act of 1917’ Turns 100: America’s Long History of Immigration Prejudice

One hundred years ago today , Congress passed the Immigration Act of 1917, the first legislation to dramatically limit immigration into the U.S. It introduced rulings that singled out specific countries and ethnicities, and included conditions that favored privilege over need. While many people view immigration as a cornerstone of America’s journey and continued success as a country – a position outlined by White House representatives under President Barack Obama – sweeping restrictions such as those put forward in 1917 also shaped the United States’ immigration story.

Betsy DeVos’ Code Words for Creationism Offshoot Raise Concerns About ‘Junk Science’

At a confirmation hearing earlier this month, Betsy DeVos, President Trump’s pick for education secretary, responded to a question about whether she would promote “junk science” by saying she supports science teaching that “allows students to exercise critical thinking.” This seemingly innocuous statement has raised alarms among science education advocates, and buoyed the hopes of conservative Christian groups that, if confirmed, DeVos may use her bully pulpit atop the U.S. Department of Education to undermine the teaching of evolution in public schools.

This day in history, Feb. 5, 2017

On Feb. 5, 1917, Mexico’s present-day constitution was adopted by the Constitutional Convention in Santiago de Queretaro. The U.S. Congress passed, over President Woodrow Wilson’s veto, an act severely curtailing Asian immigration.

Melissa McCarthy Skewers White House’s Sean Spicer on ‘SNL’

White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer has become the latest member of President Donald Trump’s administration to get the “Saturday Night Live” treatment, courtesy of actress and comedian Melissa McCarthy. In a surprise cameo, McCarthy mimicked Spicer’s famously combative first appearance with the White House press corps, where he angrily took issue with reports about the size of the crowd at Trump’s inauguration.

Letter: Eight years worth of Obama’s ‘accomplishments’

I was very pleased and somewhat surprised at the Jan. 29 public forum letter written by Larry Henkels , whose critical analysis of the lack of leadership exhibited by former President Barack Obama was actually printed in this newspaper. Surprised that this left-leaning, biased Tribune would actually print negative comments on the incompetence of the Obama presidency.

Halifax student compiles Trump voters’ regrets for massive Twitter audience

Halifax university student Erica Baguma, shown in a handout photo, has been compiling Trump voters – sAo tweets expressing post-election remorse and sharing them with about 185,000 followers including the likes of celebrities. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Erica Baguma MANDATORY CREDIT Halifax university student Erica Baguma, shown in a handout photo, has been compiling Trump voters – sAo tweets expressing post-election remorse and sharing them with about 185,000 followers including the likes of celebrities.

What you need to know about weed in Maine Posted at

It’s been almost a week since personal possession and consumption of marijuana has been legal in Maine, following the citizen ballot initiative approved last fall. The new state law, which took effect Jan. 30, allows not only the possession and consumption of marijuana for adults, it will allow, in time, purchase and consumption of marijuana at regulated locations.  Maine joins seven other states and the District of Columbia that allow recreational use of marijuana.