On January 24, President Donald Trump signed an executive order allowing TransCanada to reapply for a permit to build Keystone XL By approving Keystone XL, President Donald Trump may have salvaged the $2.9-billion writedown TransCanada Corp. took after former President Barack Obama rejected the company’s application in 2015, but that doesn’t mean he fixed the system. The method by which pipelines are reviewed and regulated remains dysfunctional, subject to the same forces of environmental obstructionism and political whim that led to Keystone’s rejection in the first place, to the same forces that led Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to reject Enbridge’s Northern Gateway pipeline.
Author: Editor
Visit to new aircraft carrier hones president’s pro-military bona fides
Did you happen to see the video of President Donald Trump’s visit to the Navy’s newest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford? It will be the fastest, most capable aircraft carrier in our fleet. In fact, it will be the most muscular ship in the world, and the most expensive, coming in at a cost of $12.9 billion.
Celebrate revolt of state attorneys general
Among the many unintended legacies of Barack Obama, one has gone largely unnoticed: the emergence of a novel form of resistance to executive overreach, a check-and-balance improvised in reaction to his various presidential power grabs. It’s the revolt of the state attorneys general, banding together to sue and curb the executive.
GOP health bill: Less government; but what about coverage?
Health insurance tax credits, mandates, taxation of employer coverage, essential benefits. Mind-numbing health care jargon is flying around again as Republicans move to repeal and replace the Obama-era Affordable Care Act.
President Trump Defends Sessions, Accuses Democrats of a Witch…
The White House was dismayed on Thursday morning that President Trump wouldn’t get another day of good press from his speech to Congress, but according to Politico , they managed to hunker down and focus on their response to reports that Attorney General Jeff Sessions didn’t disclose his meetings with the Russian ambassador during his confirmation hearing. White House press secretary Sean Spicer was sent to do damage control on Fox News, insisting on Tuesday morning that Sessions had been “100 percent straight” during his Senate confirmation hearing and “there’s nothing to recuse himself from.”
Mike Pence
Vice President Mike Pence used a private email account to conduct public business as Indiana’s governor, according to public records obtained by the Indianapolis Star. The newspaper reported Thursday that emails provided through a public records request show that Pence communicated with advisers through his personal AOL account on homeland security matters and security at the governor’s residence during his four years as governor.
Mexico Invests $50M in Legal Aid for Citizens in the US Illegally
Mexico is responding to President Trump’s crackdown on illegal immigration by providing legal aid to its citizens living on the U.S. illegally. The country will spend $50 million to start legal assistance centers at all 50 of their consulates, including the ones located in Brownsville and McAllen.
Pilot dead following Cherokee County plane crash
The twin engine Cessna 421 brought down power lines before crashing into a retention pond near the runway. About 50 Georgia Power customers are offline as a result.
Killer farmer Ian Turnbull, 82, suffers a stroke in jail
Hollywood actress looks unrecognizable as she transforms into an elderly man for her latest film role.
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Vice President Mike Pence used a private email account to conduct public business as Indiana’s governor, according to public records obtained by the Indianapolis Star. The newspaper reported Thursday that emails provided through a public records request show that Pence communicated with advisers through his personal AOL account on homeland security matters and security at the governor’s residence during his four years as governor.
Ohio 29 mins ago 10:17 p.m.Great Lakes restoration would be gutted in early White House plan
With reports swirling that President Donald Trump intends sharp cutbacks at the Environmental Protection Agency, the Free Press has learned that a drastic reduction may be under consideration for Great Lakes restoration efforts, which in the past have received bipartisan support. The National Association of Clean Air Agencies confirmed for the Free Press late Thursday that an initial proposal from the White House Office of Management and Budget calls for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative to be cut from $300 million a year to about $10 million.
America First’ will be good for Americans
Today, threats seemingly abound, from China’s rise to Russia’s return; from the growing number of bumptious regional powers, such as Iran and North Korea; and from a range of insurgent and terrorist networks. How will the Pole Star of Donald Trump’s foreign policy, “America First,” fare? Will such a policy court disaster as did its isolationist predecessor 80 years ago in the run-up to World War II? Consider first military intervention.
Vice President Mike Pence pauses while speaking before administering…
Vice President Mike Pence pauses while speaking before administering the oath of office to Energy Secretary Rick Perry, left, Thursday, March 2, 2017, in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on the White House complex in Washington. less Vice President Mike Pence pauses while speaking before administering the oath of office to Energy Secretary Rick Perry, left, Thursday, March 2, 2017, in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on the White … more WASHINGTON – Vice President Mike Pence used a private email account to conduct public business as Indiana’s governor, according to public records obtained by the Indianapolis Star .
Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak at the center of the political moment
WASHINGTON Sergey Kislyak, Russia’s long-serving ambassador to the United States, has a habit noticed by many U.S. officials who have known the envoy. “He doesn’t get as much credit as he should, in my view, for being savvy about developing relationships with people all over the city,” said Michael McFaul, who knew the diplomat well while serving in the Obama administration as senior adviser on Russia and then as U.S. ambassador to Russia.
Ex-VP Al Gore drives resurgent climate activism in Denver as Trump…
Former vice president and climate change specialist Al Gore speaks to an audience of almost 1,000 people during his Climate Reality Leadership Corps training at the Colorado Convention Center March 2, 2017 in Denver. T A pushback against President Donald Trump’s attacks on rules to protect the environment gained momentum in Denver Thursday as former vice president and climate-change sentinel Al Gore launched a three-day mobilization of activists.
Indonesians shocked by Trump, but still admire US values
In this Thursday, Feb. 23, 2017, Rudy Madanir, an English teacher, poses for a photo during an interview with The Associated Press in Jakarta, Indonesia, Thursday, Feb. 23, 2017. Indonesians are by turns shocked and bemused by Donald Trump’s volatile presidency, but many in the world’s most populous Muslim nation say his personality and actions _ including his controversial travel ban _ haven’t changed their positive view of the United States.
Sessions recuses himself from Russia investigations
Attorney General Jeff Sessions says he will recuse himself from a federal investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 White House election. Facing growing criticism following revelations that he did not disclose speaking with on two occasions Russia’s ambassador to the United States, U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions said Thursday that he would recuse himself from any investigations related to the 2016 campaign.
Conspire With Russia to Swing Presidential Election? It’s Been Done
The Democrats’ allegations against Jeff Sessions, one of the most upright men in Washington, are ludicrous. I don’t understand how anyone can think they amount to anything.
The Latest: Trump calls criticism of Sessions a a witch hunta
President Donald Trump is praising his attorney general, Jeff Sessions, and accusing Democrats of conducting a “witch hunt” in their criticism of Sessions’ testimony about his contact with the Russian ambassador during the presidential campaign. Sessions on Thursday recused himself from any investigation into Russian meddling in America’s 2016 presidential election.
BRIEF-With Investment buys 13.7 pct stake in Shinhan 3rd Special Purpose Acquisition
A full list rating action is at the end of this commentary. KEY RATING DRIVERS IDRS AND VIABILITY RATING The affirmation of Christian Savings’ IDRs and Positive Outloo WASHINGTON, March 2 The Financial Stability Oversight Council, made up of all major U.S. financial regulators, met late on Thursday afternoon and reviewed its designation of a nonbank firm as “too big to fail,” according to a statement from the Treasury Department.
Jeff Sessions Slams Russia Storm: ‘A Big Brouhaha’
Attorney General Jeff Sessions Thursday slammed the controversy over his two meetings with the Russian ambassador last year as “a big brouhaha” and said that he recused himself of any possible investigations involving the Trump administration in order to “clear the air.” “It was a sad thing to be attacked like that – but I think we’ve explained it and we intend to move forward,” the former Alabama senator told Tucker Carlson on Fox News.
Pols More Focused on Election Hack Than Cyber Defense
The Pentagon is pushing for a cyber “tiger team” to help the military arm itself for cyberwar but Congress is more interested in how to respond to foreign interference in the nation’s political structure, Defense One reported. The competing interests were in full view Thursday when the Senate’s Armed Services Committee held a hearing with members of the Defense Science Board a group of civilian experts who advise the Department of Defense on technical matters, the outlet reported.
Gizzi: House Conservatives Split Over Sessions
The major news Thursday from Washington, D.C., was U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ late afternoon announcement he would recuse himself from oversight of the FBI’s investigation into Russian influence in the 2016 election. But there was also a little-reported side to the Sessions saga: How many Republicans in the House – who are considered decidedly more conservative than their GOP counterparts in the Senate – were critical of the then-senator from Alabama meeting twice with the Russian ambassador last year and then failing to acknowledge the meetings at his confirmation hearings to be attorney general.
Andrew Packer: The Old Idea Behind Trump’s New Infrastructure Boom
It was the original great American road trip. In 1919, a 28-year old U.S. army colonel volunteered to travel with an 81-vehicle convoy from Washington D.C. to San Francisco.
The Sessions Controversyby The EditorsCongressional Democrats,…
Pointing to Sessions’s failure to disclose these contacts during his recent confirmation hearings, House minority leader Nancy Pelosi, among others, is accusing him of lying under oath. The available facts suggest otherwise.
Sessions Had 2 Conversations With Russian Ambassador During 2016 Campaign, DOJ Says
In light of the claims, several congressional Republicans called on Mr Sessions to remove himself from investigations into alleged Russian meddling in the USA presidential election. “I thought those guys [the Ku Klux Klan] were OK until I learned they smoked pot”, he said.
See ‘Grace and Frankie’ Pitch Sex Toys in Funny New Trailer
With Sheen and Waterston as the said husbands, the Emmy- and Golden Globe-nominated series has followed the couples in the sudden new state of their lives at a time when at least Grace and Frankie themselves thought things were going to be smooth sailing – which they have proved to distinctly not be. Unfortunately for them – and fortunately for us – Grace and Frankie weren’t as financially well off: at the end of the second season, Grace and Frankie made a decision to come together and form a company that specializes in sex toys for older women, and if the trailer is any indication, additional hijinx will ensue.
9 ways drones are changing real estate
As the spring homebuying season gets underway, drones may be a more common sight above homes about to go on the market. More and more real estate professionals are turning to drone photography and videos to better market their listings.
‘TUCKER’ EXCLUSIVE: Sessions says meeting with Russian envoy ‘hyped…
Attorney General Jeff Sessions told Fox News’ “Tucker Carlson Tonight” in an exclusive interview Thursday that conversations between him and the Russian ambassador to the U.S. had been “hyped beyond reason” by the media and criticism of them was “unfair.” “I don’t believe anybody that was in that meeting would have seen or believed I said one thing that was improper or unwise,” Sessions told host Tucker Carlson.
Sessions story takes different shape on different outlets
Attorney General Jeff Sessions speaks during a news conference at the Justice Department in Washington, Thursday, March 2, 2017. Sessions said he will recuse himself from a federal investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 White House election.
The bump isn’t just Trump: What’s driving the stock rally
The stock market is hitting new heights, and yes, excitement about President Trump’s policies is part of the reason for it. But it’s not the only one, analysts say.
Jeff Sessions denies allegations of ties to Russia
U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions, said the allegations that he lied about his connections with Russia during his confirmation hearing were false, but still stepped aside from Russia probe. Jeff Sessions denies allegations of ties to Russia U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions, said the allegations that he lied about his connections with Russia during his confirmation hearing were false, but still stepped aside from Russia probe.
Sunday liquor sales bill heads to Dayton’s desk
A bill allowing Minnesota liquor sales to open on Sundays is on its way to Gov. Mark Dayton’s desk. The push to legalize Sunday liquor sales goes back years but it has regularly failed at the Legislature by wide margins.
Former Travis pilot pens book on Kennedy assassination
Roger Purcell, a former Vacaville resident and Travis Air Force Base pilot, recently wrote, “I Shot JFK,” under the pen name Jake Aaron. The plot draws on common knowledge of the Kennedy assassination, with a twist.
Sessions Recuses
A helpful WaPo timeline is here. The second in command, Dana Boente is presumably in charge of deciding whether to appoint a Special Counsel.
Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy asks Health and Human Services…
Secretary of Health and Human Services Tom Price isn’t a month into his new job and House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., is already asking him to take a weed-whacker to President Barack Obama’s abortion legacy. Specifically, the majority leader wants Price to enforce what’s known as the Weldon Amendment to kill an abortion-related government mandate in California.
Sessions faces reporters amid Russia contact accusations
Influential Republicans joined a chorus of Democrats Thursday in calling on Attorney General Jeff Sessions to withdraw from an investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election after revelations he twice met with the Russian ambassador and didn’t say so when pressed by Congress.
Rep. Fred Upton supports Russia probe, Obamacare repeal in phone forum
U.S. Rep. Fred Upton supported investigations into Russia’s alleged influence on the 2016 election, replacing the Affordable Care Act and immigration reform in a conversation with constituents this week. Upton, R-St.
Son of man killed by accused Florida face biter rejects apology, wants ‘truth’
Austin Harrouff is transported by detectives to the Martin County Jail from St. Mary’s Hospital on Monday, Oct. 3, 2016. Harrouff, who allegedly fatally stabbed a Martin County couple.
Kaine, others question immigrations arrests
Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine is joining activists and fellow Democrats in decrying the recent arrests of immigrants outside a church shelter in Virginia. Democratic officials held a news conference Thursday at the Rising Hope Mission Church outside of Alexandria.