The President discusses a new rule announced by his Administration to
make it easier for communities to implement the Fair Housing Act.
Saturday, July 11, 2015
The President Designates Three New National Monuments
President Obama delivers remarks before signing a law designating three
new national monuments: the Waco Mammoth National Monument in Texas, the
Basin and Range National Monument of southeastern Nevada, and the
Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument in California.
Interviews with the 2015 Kids’ “State Dinner” Winners
Deb Eschmeyer, Executive Director of Let’s Move! and Senior Policy
Advisor for Nutrition, interviewed this year’s Kids’ “State Dinner”
winners to talk about healthy eating, cooking at home, and the
inspiration behind their recipes. Find the winning recipes at: http://www.letsmove.gov/kids-state-dinner-winners
Friday, July 10, 2015
Cuomo Announces 17th Annual "Cycling the Erie Canal" Bike Tour
Tour Begins in Buffalo on July 12
Governor Cuomo today announced the seventeenth annual "Cycling the Erie Canal" bike tour, where more than 600 cyclists have already registered for the 400-mile bicycling tour from Buffalo to Albany. This year, the event kicks off on Sunday, July 12 and concludes Sunday, July 19.
“The Erie Canal is truly an engineering marvel and along it are some of the most scenic examples of natural beauty in the entire state,” Governor Cuomo said. “I welcome the cyclists who are coming from far and wide to participate in this world-renown tour and encourage them to enjoy all that New York has to offer.”
The eight-day recreational bicycling tour will help highlight the beauty, history, culture and recreational appeal of the Canal system and the Canalway Trail, popular tourism destinations in New York State. This year’s tour has attracted more than 600 cyclists from 36 states, as well as international participants from as far away as Australia.
Roughly two-thirds of the 400-mile bicycle tour takes place on the completed portion of the Canalway Trail. When complete, the New York State Canalway Trail will span more than 500 miles and connect numerous cities, towns and villages along the Erie, Cayuga-Seneca, Oswego and Champlain Canals, making it one of the longest multi-use recreational trails in the country.
Participants will have the opportunity to partake in guided tours of the Canal, historic sites, museums, and attractions such as the Women’s Rights National Historical Park in Seneca Falls, the Montezuma National Wildlife refuge in Seneca Falls, Fort Stanwix National Monument in Rome, and the Erie Canal Museum in Syracuse.
Canal Corporation Director Brian U. Stratton said, “The New York State Canal Corporation is pleased to sponsor Cycling the Erie Canal. The Erie Canal is a beautiful and historical treasure not only to New York, but the entire country, as demonstrated by more than 600 participants from 36 states. Strong support from Governor Cuomo and Parks & Trails NY has been a key element in the success of Cycling the Erie and I thank them for their continued backing of this annual event.”
Robin Dropkin, Executive Director of Parks & Trails New York, said, “We are proud to partner with Governor Cuomo and the New York State Canal Corporation in promoting the Erie Canal and Canalway Trail. The Cycle the Erie Canal tour provides an opportunity for every age and cycling ability from around the country and the world to enjoy the best of New York State. Summer in New York State isn’t summer without a bike tour along the Erie Canal.”
Participants arrive in Buffalo on Saturday, July 11, to register and participate in optional bike rides and an opening reception. The complete schedule for the 2015 Cycle the Erie Canal tour is as follows (Arrival/departure times are approximate and are subject to change without notice):
Sunday, July 12 – Buffalo to Medina
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Special rate with CTEC wristband |
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Monday, July 13 – Medina to Fairport
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swimming (show wristbands), canoes and kayaks available |
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Tuesday, July 14–Fairport to Seneca Falls
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Town of Galan Historic Society and historic churches open |
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Wednesday, July 15 – Seneca Falls to Syracuse
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and Armory Square |
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Rosamond Gifford Zoo |
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Thursday, July 16 – Syracuse to Rome
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(see local brochure for schedule and other services available), Fort Stanwix tours until 8:00p.m. |
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Friday, July 17 – Rome to Canajoharie
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Saturday, July 18 – Canajoharie to Niskayuna
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Sunday, July 19 – Schenectady to Albany
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Some Cycling the Erie Canal events are open to the public. For more information on Cycle the Erie Canal, contact Parks & Trails New York at 518-434-1583 or visit www.ptny.org.
Four Tax Preparers Charged with Filing Fraudulent Tax Returns
Accused Worked for Mi Gente Multiservice
(Operates Three Locations in the Bronx)
(Operates Three Locations in the Bronx)
The New York State Department of Taxation and Finance today announced the arrest of four individuals charged with preparing and filing fraudulent tax returns from three locations in The Bronx.
The four defendants were charged with multiple felonies, including Grand Larceny, Criminal Tax Fraud and Offering a False Instrument for Filing. They worked for Mi Gente Multiservice, with offices at 2560 Holland Ave., 185 W. Burnside Ave., and 364 E. 188th St. in The Bronx:
Vincent Wyche, 66, of 2592 Creston Ave., The Bronx, was arrested July 9, following the earlier arrests of Edwin Guerrero, 36, and Yuderquis Guerrero, 40, both of 59 Park Ave., Lodi, New Jersey, (arrested June 18) and Miguel Carrasco, 29, now a resident of Orlando, Florida (arrested June 23).
The
defendants prepared and filed false tax returns on behalf of clients
claiming fictitious expenses and inappropriate deductions, thereby
defrauding New York State and the Internal Revenue Service of taxes
which were owed.
“These arrests are part of our mission to protect taxpayers from criminal activity,” said New York State Commissioner of Taxation and Finance Jerry Boone. “We will continue to work with the IRS, District Attorney Robert Johnson and all levels of law enforcement to aggressively pursue preparers who violate the law and take advantage of innocent consumers.”
”We are grateful to the Tax Department for bringing this case to us,” said Bronx District Attorney Robert Johnson. “We are committed to prosecuting fraudulent preparers because not only do they cheat their clients, they cheat the citizens of The Bronx as well as the City and State of New York, depriving us of funds that can be used for a wide variety of public programs.”
The investigation was led by the Tax Department’s Criminal Investigations Division. The Division was assisted by special agents from the IRS and law enforcement partners in New Jersey, Florida and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
The prosecution will be handled by the Senior Trial Assistant Jeff Glucksman of The Bronx D.A.’s Arson/Auto/Economic Crime Bureau.
A criminal complaint is an accusation and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
If you
suspect that a tax preparer who has engaged in illegal or improper
conduct, contact the New York State Tax Department at (518) 530-HELP or file a tax preparer complaint online.
Source: New York State Department of Taxation and Finance
Source: New York State Department of Taxation and Finance
Development Role of the IMF
Christine Lagarde – IMF Director
(Credit: World Economic Forum)
(Credit: World Economic Forum)
International Monetary Fund Managing Director Christine Lagarde
delivers remarks on her organization’s role in spurring development
around the world. She also takes questions on a variety of topics.
Video link: Development Role of the IMF
The video was posted on the network on July 8, 2015.
Source: C-Span
Washington Journal: Rep. Bobby Scott (The 'No Child Left Behind' Rewrite)
Representative Bobby Scott (D-VA) discusses the passage of a House
bill to rewrite the No Child Left Behind law and other education issues,
as well as President Obama’s planned changes to overtime pay benefits.
Video link: Washington Journal: Rep. Bobby Scott
Source: C-Span
First Lady Michelle Obama: Results of the 2015 Healthy Lunchtime Challenge
First Lady Michelle Obama gives remarks at the winners of the 2015 Healthy Lunchtime Challenge.
Video link: First Lady Michelle Obama
Source: C-Span
Hearing on Space Station Operational Challenges
A House, Science, Space and Technology subcommittee conducts a hearing on addressing the operational challenges associated with the International Space Station.
Video link: Space Station Operational Challenges
Source: C-Span
Trailblazers in Black History: Cab Calloway and the Nicholas Brothers
Here's a clip from the movie "Stormy Weather" (1943) featuring Cab
Calloway and his orchestra performing "Jumpin Jive". After awhile they
let the Nicholas Brothers jump in and lend their feet to the action.
US Women's Soccer Team Parades Down NYC's 'Canyon of Heroes'
The team was feted with a historic ticker-tape parade in New York City following their World Cup victory over Japan.
Confederate Flag Comes Down on South Carolina Capitol Grounds
The flag's removal comes 23 days after the shooting massacre at Charleston's Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church.
First Read: Jeb Bush's Very Good Month
First Read is a morning briefing from Meet the Press and the NBC
Political Unit on the day's most important political stories and why
they matter.
Jeb Bush's strong past month
Exactly a month ago, Jeb Bush was in a rough
spot, especially in the aftermath of how he handled that Iraq war
question. Indeed, we were writing back then that Jeb was clinging to any
kind of frontrunner status. But since that time, he's had a strong last
30 days. It started with his European trip. It carried over to his
presidential announcement in Miami. It was evident in how he handled his
taxes release. And it was hammered home yesterday, when his campaign
and Super PAC reported raising a combined $114 million.
The biggest
takeaway from the last month is that he's the aircraft carrier in the
GOP field; he isn't going to sink by a single strike. He still has his
vulnerabilities (that Iraq war question and even his recent "people need
to work longer hours" line are two examples). Money, as our colleague Perry Bacon writes,
isn't everything. And it's still possible he won't be his party's
nominee -- all that's needed is for a Scott Walker or Marco Rubio to
truly take off. But when you have the durability and resources that Jeb
Bush has, he isn't going away easily.
Full article available here: First Read
Source: NBC News
GOP Scrambles to Address Racial Issues Amid Trump, Flag Debates
Republican National Committee chairman Reince Priebus called Donald
Trump to urge him to stop making controversial comments about Mexicans
and immigrants on Wednesday, hours before legislators in South Carolina
voted to take down the Confederate flag from the state's capitol
grounds.
Those two incidents happening at almost the same
time are not an accident. The establishment of Republican Party is
scrambling to address the perception that the GOP is not sufficiently
diverse and racially-tolerant.
But they are facing resistance. Trump is rising
in polls, with support from Tea Party conservatives who are wary of
immigration reform, even as more moderate Republicans bemoan his
candidacy. South Carolina legislators struggled to develop a plan to
take down the flag, with protesters in the state saying its imagery is a
part of the state's heritage. Leaders in the GOP-led U.S House of
Representatives were forced to pull a bill from consideration after
reports that an attached amendment would have allowed the Confederate
flag to be displayed on federal grounds in some cases.
Al-Quds Day: Iranian Hardliners March in Shadow of Nuke Talks
TEHRAN — Huge crowds chanted anti-Israel and U.S. slogans in Iran's
capital on Friday, an indication of the power that hardliners still hold
even as negotiators struggle to finalize a nuclear deal that would help
normalize the country's relations with the rest of the world.
"Today, I am here to punch Israel in the mouth,"
said Fatemeh Hossieni, a 61-year-old English teacher who was marching
for Al-Quds Day, a holiday held to show support for Palestinians.
"Israel will be destroyed, America will be destroyed — so will ISIS and
England."
Negotiators for Iran and six world powers — the U.S., Britain,
Russia, China, Germany and France — have missed a series of deadlines
trying to craft a deal that would restrict Tehran's nuclear program in
exchange for easing punishing economic sanctions.
On Friday, as talks reportedly became fractious,
Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif dismissed warnings that
the U.S. was ready to leave the talks, saying they were
counterproductive. The negotiations in Vienna were later extended until
Monday afternoon.
But Hassan Khanalizadeh, a 26-year-old
journalist, vowed that even if the negotiators succeeded, Israel would
still be vulnerable.
Full article available here: Al-Quds Day
Job and Revenue Losses Mount From Parched California Farms
While California remains gripped by drought, the
scale of lost agricultural jobs and lowered revenue is emerging. And
the numbers don't look good.
Vast tracts of farmland — mostly in the Central
Valley — have been fallowed, which means idled to accumulate moisture.
An estimated 564,000 acres will be idled this year, according to an economic update on the drought from researchers at the University of California at Davis.
Unused land, of course, triggers lower
agricultural output. Based on estimates of 564,000 idled acres, farm
revenue losses are forecast at $1.8 billion. In addition, the forecast
anticipates 8,550 fewer farm jobs because of the drought.
Full article and accompanying videos available here: Parched California Farms
600 U.S. Churches Call for an End to the 'War on Drugs'
A group of more than 600 churches has joined a
small but growing movement within the religious community to call for an
end to the war on drugs through legalization.
The New England Conference of The United
Methodist Church, representing more than 600 congregations, voted last
month to support efforts to address the nation's drug abuse problem
through "means other than prohibition."
The resolution was passed during an annual
conference in which supporters argued that the war on drugs had
unintentionally left countless dead, overwhelmed courts and prisons,
wasted taxpayer money and destroyed innumerable families — most of them
black and Latino.
"To people of color, the 'War on Drugs' has
arguably been the single most devastating, dysfunctional social policy
since slavery," the resolution says.
Full article available here: War on Drugs
Source: NBC News
The 2015 Women's World Cup Final: On Board with VP Biden
Vice President Biden, Dr. Jill Biden, Mia Hamm, and Cobi Jones travel to
Vancouver to cheer on the U.S. Women's National Team and watch their
historic victory alongside millions watching worldwide.
Obama: 'His Legacy Will be Remembered Around the World'
Statement by the President on the Passing of Prince Saud bin Faisal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud
On
behalf of the American people, I express my deep condolences to the
family of Prince Saud bin Faisal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, to King Salman,
and to the people of Saudi Arabia
on the loss of such a committed and accomplished diplomat.
As
the world’s longest serving Foreign Minister, Prince Saud witnessed
some of the most challenging periods in the region. At each turn, he
advanced the goals of peace, whether
negotiating the end to Lebanon’s civil war or helping to launch the
Arab Peace Initiative.
Generations
of American leaders and diplomats benefited from Prince Saud’s
thoughtful perspective, charisma and poise, and diplomatic skill. He
was committed to the importance
of the U.S.-Saudi relationship and the pursuit of stability and
security in the Middle East and beyond, and his legacy will be
remembered around the world. May God grant him peace.
Source: White House Press Office
Source: White House Press Office
Thursday, July 9, 2015
Targeted Underage Drinking and Fake ID Enforcement Nabs 21 at Kenny Chesney Concert
Department of Motor Vehicles Seizes 22 Counterfeit
Driver Licenses from Underage Concertgoers
Driver Licenses from Underage Concertgoers
New York State Department of Motor Vehicles
(DMV) Deputy Commissioner Thomas Higgins today announced that DMV’s
underage drinking enforcement action at the Kenny Chesney concert on
Wednesday, July 8, at CMAC in Canandaigua resulted in the arrest of 21
concertgoers and the seizure of 22 counterfeit licenses.
DMV’s Division of Field Investigation (DFI) and the
Ontario County Sheriff’s Office conducted the action, which supports
the efforts of the New York State Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee
(GTSC) to deter minors from abusing alcohol and driving while
impaired.
The legal drinking age in New York State is 21.
“Drinking and driving is a deadly combination,
particularly for young and inexperienced motorists, so DMV will continue
to conduct these enforcement actions to deter underage drinking and
keep drunk drivers off the road,” said Deputy Commissioner Higgins. “I
commend DMV’s investigators and our law enforcement partners for their
dedication to protecting the lives of our young people and making our
highways safe for everyone.”
“These ID checks are an effective way to deter
alcohol consumption by underage concertgoers,” said Ontario County
Sheriff Philip C. Povero. “This was a big concert for us, a sold out
crowd of 15,000 plus, and we appreciate DMV’s help in this effort. The
enforcement action made a real difference.”
On Wednesday
night, DMV investigators who are familiar with documents both in-state
and out-of-state were stationed at the ID checkpoint set-up by CMAC to
confirm the age of all patrons wishing to buy alcohol at the event.
Using their training, investigators authenticated identification
documents and identified fake ID’s at this event.
Among the 22 counterfeit licenses confiscated Wednesday,
six were from Pennsylvania, six from New Jersey, five from Connecticut,
two from Ohio and one each from Maryland, Florida and South Carolina.
All those arrested were charged with a criminal
violation of Section 509.6 of the NYS Vehicle and Traffic Law and are
subject to administrative action that normally results in a revocation
of their license privilege for a minimum of 90 days and up to one year.
The majority of counterfeit licenses recovered by
DMV’s Division of Field Investigation are purchased over the internet
from foreign companies. DMV, in cooperation with federal and state law
enforcement agencies, seeks to crack down on these counterfeiters by
identifying the source and working to shut down their operations and has
been doing so for more than a decade.
Source: Department of Motor Vehicles
Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair Confirmation Hearing
General Joseph Dunford testifies before the Senate Armed Services
Committee on his nomination to be the chair of the Joint Chiefs of
Staff.
Video link: JCS Confirmation Hearing
Source: C-Span
House Speaker John Boehner: Weekly Briefing
House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) briefs reporters on the agenda of
House Republicans, and takes their questions on a variety of issues,
including the pulling of the fiscal 2016 Interior spending bill over
disagreement on Confederate flag amendments.
Video link: Boehner's Weekly Briefing
Source: C-Span
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi: Weekly Briefing
House Minority Leader Representative Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) briefs
reporters on the agenda of House Democrats, and takes questions on a
variety of legislative issues.
Video link: Pelosi's Weekly Briefing
Source: C-Span
More States Take Action to Protect Kids Left in Hot Cars
Five states recently passed good Samaritan laws that allow people to
remove a child from a hot car without facing legal challenges.
FBI Director Highlights Terror Concerns Surrounding Encrypted Messaging Services
During a Senate Judiciary hearing, James Comey outlines the serious
issues involving Islamic State's use of encrypted messaging services as
part of their recruitment efforts.
Jeb Bush's Comments Cause Controversy
The Republican front-runner is being criticized for saying "people should work longer hours."
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