A cluster of late-winter prairie fires in the Texas Panhandle has killed four people, including three ranch hands racing to herd livestock to safety, while scorching hundreds of thousands of acres of grasslands, officials said on Tuesday. Wildfires stoked by high winds and tinder-dry vegetation also raged across Colorado, Oklahoma and Kansas, prompting thousands of evacuations and destroying numerous structures.
Day: March 7, 2017
Texas delays execution of man paid $2,000 to murder woman
Texas delayed the execution on Tuesday of a man convicted of murdering a woman in exchange for $2,000 from her relatives while the U.S. Supreme Court considers a last-minute appeal. Roland Ruiz, 44, was scheduled to be put to death by lethal injection at the state’s death chamber in Huntsville at 6 p.m. for the murder of Theresa Rodriguez, 29, in 1992 in the San Antonio area.
Facing test of resolve, Trump pushes ahead with North Korea review
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un supervises a ballistic rocket launching drill of Hwasong artillery units of the Strategic Force of the KPA in an undated photo. KCNA/via A view of the test-fire of Pukguksong-2 guided by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, February 2017.
Hillary Clinton opens up about setbacks and optimism for the future
Hillary Clinton, speaking at an event Tuesday afternoon where she received an award in recognition for her work on behalf of girls, spoke about her optimism and reflected on her November loss to Donald Trump. “Now, the truth is, life hands all of us setbacks,” Clinton said to laughs and then cheers from the audience.
10 Things to Know for Wednesday
An alleged CIA surveillance program disclosed by WikiLeaks on Tuesday, March 7, 2017, purporte… . Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., center, joined by, from left, Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, Rep. Mark Sanford, R-S.C., Rep. Louie Gohmert, R-Texas, and Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, speaks about health care during a news conference on Capitol Hill i… .
Gardner: Congress will make progress
FORT MORGAN U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner’s brief address to Morgan County Republicans during the Lincoln Day Dinner discussed appointments, health care, taxes and praised the achievements of the GOP. “Doesn’t it feel good to have a Republican Senate, a Republican House and a Republican in the White House?” Gardner asked.
‘Disingenuous and absurd’: White House slams resurfaced reports of…
The White House on Tuesday shot down resurfaced reports suggesting President Donald Trump met with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak in April, calling the accounts “disingenuous and absurd.” As revisited Tuesday by the liberal-leaning AmericaBlog , a report in the Wall Street Journal last May said Trump and Kislyak interacted at a reception that preceded a foreign-policy speech the then-Republican frontrunner gave at a Washington, DC, hotel.
Trump needs to go back, grab the horse
Last week I poked a little fun at President Donald Trump. Quite frankly, he’s such a fun target I simply can’t resist.
Drugmakers fall as investors see pricing threat from Trump
Just before the stock market opened on Tuesday, President Donald Trump tweeted that he is working on “a new system” to reduce prices, adding that he’ll bring “competition” to the drug industry. It’s not the first time comments from Trump have had a big effect on pharmaceutical stocks, but he hasn’t gotten into specifics and investors aren’t sure how committed he is to doing something.
House intel chair: Media take Trump tweets too literally
The top Republican on the House intelligence committee said he has not seen any evidence to back President Donald Trump’s claim that the Obama administration wiretapped him during the 2016 campaign and suggested the news media were taking the president’s weekend tweets too literally. “The president is a neophyte to politics – he’s been doing this a little over a year,” Rep. Devin Nunes, R-Calif., told reporters Tuesday.
Valley congressman leads the charge for more funding to fight drug abuse
Congressman Tim Ryan is leading a bipartisan coalition of 23 members of Congress calling on President Donald Trump to include full funding of $9.3 billion to fight the opioid and prescription drug epidemic in the United States. “This epidemic is costing our nation $700 billion nationally in health, crime and lost productivity costs, but that is nothing compared to the toll it is taking on our families and friends.
WikiLeaks reveals CIA files describing hacking tools
WikiLeaks published thousands of documents Tuesday described as secret files about CIA hacking tools the government employs to break into users’ computers, mobile phones and even smart TVs from companies like Apple, Google, Microsoft and Samsung. The documents describe clandestine methods for bypassing or defeating encryption, antivirus tools and other protective security features intended to keep the private information of citizens and corporations safe from prying eyes.
Columbus reacts to potential healthcare changes as GOP promises to replace ACA
As Congress prepares to debate over this potential health care replacement, we talked to concerned citizens, getting their thoughts on what should stay or go on their health insurance. The question on their minds is how and when will the new bill affect them, considering this new bill could potentially affect 20 million people nationwide who now have health insurance with aid from the Affordable Care Act.
Intel chair: No evidence of wiretap
House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes, R-Calif., said Tuesday that he had seen no evidence supporting President Donald Trump’s claim that his phones were tapped by the previous administration. But unlike many other members of Congress, Nunes did not demand that the administration explain the basis of Trump’s accusation, saying that “we were going to look into it anyway.”
Firefighters battle rural blaze, others prepare to head west
A firefighter uses a leaf blower to combat a grass fire turned brush fire Tuesday afternoon in the 1000 block of Labette Road, southeast of Pomona.
10 Things to Know for Wednesday
This April 13, 2016, file photo shows the seal of the Central Intelligence Agency at CIA headquarters in Langley, Va. An alleged CIA surveillance program disclosed by WikiLeaks on Tuesday, March 7, 2017, purportedly targeted security weaknesses in smart TVs, smartphones, personal computers and even cars, and enabled snooping that could circumvent encryption on communications apps such as Facebook’s WhatsApp.
CFPB director Richard Cordray sets his sights on big data at banks
The ability to gather data about consumers’ financial habits comes with risks, Richard Cordray, director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, said Monday at LendIt, an annual conference about financial technology and lending in New York. “One pressing issue is how to satisfy the demands of consumers without exposing the providers that maintain this data to undue costs and risks,” he said.
Senate can’t muster votes to pass constitutional amendment against income tax
OLYMPIA An effort to change the state constitution to make it harder to impose an income tax failed Tuesday when opponents pointed out it’s already very difficult and the Legislature isn’t likely to try. Senate Republicans proposed a constitutional amendment that would prohibit an individual state income tax because voters have repeatedly turned down such a tax.
Ex-US Rep. Betty Sutton is making 2018 bid for Ohio governor
Former U.S. Rep. Betty Sutton jumped into the 2018 governor’s race Tuesday, bringing a solid track record of election wins and fundraising that could position her as the initial Democratic front-runner. The 53-year-old lawyer from Barberton served three terms in Congress and eight years in the state Legislature, where she was the youngest woman ever elected at age 29. She also served on her local city and county councils.
Conservative backlash threatens to sink new GOP health bill
A powerful conservative backlash threatened to sink the new Republican health care bill less than 24 hours after its launch, even as President Donald Trump and congressional leaders began trying to sell the legislation as the long-promised GOP cure for “Obamacare. ” “We’re going to do something that’s great and I’m proud to support the replacement plan released by the House of Representatives,” Trump declared at the White House as he met with the House GOP vote-counting team Tuesday.
News Analysis: Trump’s constant controversy could impact White House agenda
U.S. President Donald Trump is seeing more controversy than any other newly elected president in recent memory, and that might hurt his chances of passing his agenda. Trump, who shocked the world last November when he beat Democratic rival Hillary Clinton to win the presidential race, has careened from one controversy to another since inauguration in January.
ZTE reaches settlement with U.S. authorities over export violation charges
Chinese telecom equipment maker ZTE Corp. said on Tuesday that it has reached settlements with U.S. authorities over U.S. export controls and sanctions charges. The Chinese company has agreed to pay a criminal and civil penalty of about 892 million U.S. dollars and an additional penalty of 300 million dollars which will be suspended during a seven-year probationary period to deter future violations, the ZTE said in a statement posted on its website.
Commission eyes spending by Linda Bean group backing Trump
The Federal Elections Commission is raising questions about last-minute expenditures by a pro-Donald Trump super political action committee that has already acknowledged making mistakes regarding the sources and amounts of its contributions and whose contributors include an L.L. Bean heiress. The FEC contends the Making Maine Great Again PAC may have violated rules that give PACs 24 hours to report expenditures of $1,000 or more in the two to 20 days before an election.
Trump praises health care bill, but conservatives skeptical
President Donald Trump and his top health official praised the new House Republican health care legislation Tuesday, even as surging conservative opposition complicated party leaders’ drive to sell the proposal to rank-and-file lawmakers and the public. Trump’s morning tweet lauding “our wonderful new Healthcare Bill” kicked off the day.
Chorus of conservatives slam the Republican ‘Obamacare’ repeal
A growing list of conservative groups and lawmakers balked on Tuesday at House Republicans’ plan to dismantle the Affordable Care Act, condemning the replacement health care bill “Obamacare 2.0.” , a Republican health care bill that maintains some of the most popular provisions of the 2010 Affordable Care Act and was revealed on Monday. . “The overwhelming response from our activists is, ‘This is not what we meant or expected when we voted for Congress to repeal Obamacare.
Jury selection slogs ahead in doctor’s Medicare fraud trial
Jury selection heads into a third day in the Medicare fraud trial of a prominent Florida eye doctor, Salomon Melgen. Attorneys failed to pick a jury Tuesday, but hope to finish Wednesday and have opening statements Thursday.
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House Republicans on March 6, released their long-awaited plan for unraveling former President Barack Obama’s health care law, a… The nation’s passionate debate about the role of government in providing health care for citizens and paying the costs is unlikely to be settled by the legislation House Republicans have unveiled. The nation’s passionate debate about the role of government in providing health care for citizens and paying the costs is unlikely to be settled by the legislation House Republicans have unveiled.
The Latest: Oklahoma woman dies trying to fight wildfire
Grass fires fanned by gusting winds scorched swaths of Kansas grassland Monday, forcing the evacuations of several towns and the closur… . Southern Baptist Disaster Relief Chaplain Jeff Thompson passes bags of chips to, from left to right, Suzanne Morgan, Carol Shaylor and Linda Nimmo Monday, March 6, 2017, inside an evacuation center at the Kansa… .
Austal’s Littoral Combat Ship cost overruns censored from government report
The Austal-built littoral combat ships USS Independence, left, and USS Coronado are underway in the Pacific Ocean in this April 23, 2014, photo. ) The Pentagon blocked the publication of damaging information regarding extensive cost overruns of two Littoral Combat Ships, according to a newly released government report.
USDA’s Outlook Forum Examines How Deere and Rabobank are Planning for the Future
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s 93rd Annual Agricultural Outlook Forum featured speakers from John Deere and Rabobank who presented perspectives on how their companies will meet the challenges and opportunities of the agricultural economy in 2017 and beyond.
The Latest: Trump speaks with Kenyan president on terrorism
The White House says Trump expressed appreciation for Kenya’s contributions to the African Union Mission in Somalia during a telephone call Tuesday with Kenyatta. Trump also recognized the sacrifices made by Kenyan troops in the fight against al-Shabaab, the Islamic extremist group that’s taken hold in neighboring Somalia.
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Interpretation of the news based on evidence, including data, as well as anticipating how events might unfold based on past events Republicans’ new health-care bill is a mass transfer of wealth that cuts taxes for the wealthiest Americans while cutting federal benefits for the middle and working class. Just two provisions in the Republican plan would allow the richest households to pay an average of nearly $200,000 less under the Republican plan, according to the nonpartisan Tax Policy Center.
Ap Fact Check: How Trump’s Keystone XL story fell apart
In this Feb. 1, 2012 file photo, miles of pipe ready to become part of the Keystone Pipeline are stacked in a field near Ripley, Okla. It was a nice story while it lasted.
No Evidence for Trump’s Wiretap Claims, Former CIA, NSA Chief Says
Former CIA and NSA director Gen. Michael Hayden said Tuesday there was “no body of evidence” for President Trump to make the claim that former President Barack Obama ordered wiretaps of his phones during the election.
The Latest: Ex-Rep Sutton to make ’18 bid for Ohio governor
Former U.S. Rep. Betty Sutton has jumped into the 2018 Ohio governor’s race, bringing a solid track record of election wins and fundraising that could position her as the initial Democratic front-runner. The 53-year-old lawyer from Barberton kicked off her bid Tuesday, the second Democrat to announce plans to seek the seat.
Marine commandant condemns nude photo-sharing by his troops
The commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps is condemning the use of a secret Facebook page by some Marines to share nude photos of women, including female Marines. He’s urging victims to come forward if they believe they were harassed or abused, including over social media.
House, Senate Conservative Republicans Plan Own Obamacare Repeal Bill
Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., criticizes the House Republican healthcare reform plan as “Obamacare light” during a television interview on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, March 7, 2017. ( Conservative Republicans in Congress said on Tuesday they oppose aspects of the Republican leadership’s healthcare bill and they plan to introduce their own legislation on Wednesday to repeal Obamacare.
Speaker: Use Massachusetts pot revenue to fight addiction
A top Democratic lawmaker on Tuesday proposed directing tax revenue from legal marijuana sales in Massachusetts toward the state’s battle against opioid addiction. In a speech to the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, House Speaker Robert DeLeo called for creation of a Substance Addiction Fund using proceeds from retail pot sales, which are not expected to begin in Massachusetts until mid-2018 at the earliest.
Trump welcomes first wave of White House tourists
Trump emerged from behind a French screen to a throng of cheering tourists – many of them fifth graders from Birmingham, Ala. – who had packed into the East Wing of the White House for a chance to catch a glimpse of the 45th president.
Democratic lawmaker Cummings, Trump to meet over drug prices
U.S. Representative Elijah Cummings and President Donald Trump will meet to discuss efforts to lower prescription drug prices on Wednesday, Cummings, the House of Representatives Committee on Oversight and Government Reform’s top Democrat, said in a statement on Tuesday. Trump earlier on Tuesday said he is developing a plan that will encourage competition in the drug industry and bring down prices for medicines.