House Speaker Ryan: There is No Agreement on DACA

 

House Speaker Paul Ryan tells reporters that there is no agreement on DACA, only that there has been a discussion on general principles and that the issue cannot be fully addressed without also tackling border security and enforcement. He also says that the president has to work with Republicans to get something through the House. 

Click here for video.

Source: C-SPAN 

Minority Leader Pelosi: We Agreed to Move Forward on DACA

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) says President Trump and congressional leaders have agreed to move forward on a DACA bill, with further discussion on border security expected to continue. 

Click here for video.

Source: C-SPAN 

FEMA Nominee Withdraws Over Past Investigation

An NBC News Exclusive

White House Press Briefing

Source: The White House

Shannon Sharpe Praises 'Racism is as American as Baseball' Banner at Fenway

Source: Skip and Shannon: UNDISPUTED

Trailblazers in Black History: RuPaul

This video was published on YouTube on July 14, 2017. 

Source: Alux.com

Trans Model Ousted From L’Oreal Is Face of New Beauty Campaign

 

by John Paul Brammer

Transgender model and DJ Munroe Bergdorf, who was let go from L'Oreal last month after her "all white people" racism post on Facebook spread on social media, is the face of a new beauty campaign.

British cosmetic company Illamasqua announced on Wednesday that Bergdorf will be fronting their new gender fluidity campaign. 

Click here for the full article.

Source: NBC News  

Lawyers for Freddie Gray’s Family Accept DOJ Decision to Not Charge Cops

 

by Jon Schuppe

Lawyers representing Freddie Gray's family said Wednesday that they have accepted the Justice Department's decision not to charge any officers involved in his fatal ride in a Baltimore police van, but dangled a provocative new accusation: that members of the force "sabotaged" local prosecutors' murder investigation.

The lawyers, William H. Murphy and his son, Hassan Murphy, said they were skeptical when they first heard Tuesday that the Justice Department had concluded it could not prove the officers violated Gray's civil rights.

But the family lawyers said they met with DOJ lawyers and left understanding the case's shortcomings: the government's limited jurisdiction over deaths in police custody, and the relatively high burden of proof required to convict officers in such cases. 

Click here for the full article.

Source: NBC News 

Acclaimed Jewish Authors to Appear at the Brooklyn Book Festival

On September 17, authors Joe Dorinson, Kvetching and Shpritzing: Jewish Humor in American Popular Culture, Ellen Levitt, Lost Synagogues of Brooklyn, and Sarina Roffé, Branching Out From Sepharad and Backyard Kitchen: Mediterranean Salads, will appear at the Brooklyn Book Festival. 

The authors are special guests of the Brooklyn Jewish Historical Initiative (BJHI) and will be on hand to answer questions and sign copies of their books at Booth 101. 

The festival will be held at Brooklyn Borough Hall Plaza, Cadman Plaza West and Johnston Street, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Click here for the festival map. 

Source: BJHI

Free Tours of the NY State Capitol and Education Building Offered

State Office of General Services Commissioner RoAnn Destito and State Education Commissioner MaryEllen Elia today announced that visitors to Albany will have the opportunity to take free tours of both the State Education Building and the Capitol on every Saturday, beginning on October 7, due to the overwhelming popularity of Saturday tours that were being offered once a month.

Tours of the Education Building will be offered at 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m., and tours of the Capitol will be given at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Each of the tours can accommodate 25 people and reservations are required. Reservations can be made here. Visitors can choose to register for either the State Education Building tour and/or the New York State Capitol tour.

“The popularity of our combined Capitol and Education Building tours became apparent very quickly when we began offering them earlier this summer,” State Office of General Services Commissioner RoAnn Destito said. “We are very pleased to continue our collaboration with the State Education Department to now offer these tours every Saturday so that that weekend visitors will have even more opportunities to see and learn about these amazing historic buildings.”

“The Education Building is full of impressive art and rich history and we’re honored to now share the building with the public during weekly Saturday tours,” said Board of Regents Chancellor Betty A. Rosa. “I encourage people of all ages – adults, children, families – to register for a tour and learn about this grand, historic building.”

“There’s been such great interest in the State Education Building tours that we’re honored to offer the Saturday tours weekly now,” said State Education Commissioner MaryEllen Elia. “The building is an architectural gem that the public deserves to see and appreciate. We’re pleased to work with the State Office of General Services to offer visitors more opportunities to spend an afternoon exploring both the historic State Capitol and State Education Building.”

The award-winning hour-long State Capitol tours conducted by the State Office of General Services on Saturdays begin at the Empire State Plaza Visitor Center, located underground on the North Concourse level of the Plaza between SEFCU and the tunnel to the Capitol. Highlights of the tour can include the legislative chambers, Hall of Governors, Governor’s Reception Room, Hall of New York, historic staircases and carvings.

Sitting atop Albany’s State Street hill, the New York State Capitol has served as the seat of government for New York since the 1880s. The building is a marvel of late 19th century architectural grandeur, built by hand of solid masonry over a period of 32 years.

New York State Museum staff lead the 45-minute Education Building tour, and visitors will have the opportunity to explore the historic Chancellors Hall, Regents Room and the Rotunda adorned with murals by Albany native Will H. Low. The tours start outdoors on the front steps of the State Education Building, which is located at 89 Washington Avenue, Albany. This year marked the first time the building has been made available for regular public tours since the State Museum and Library were moved from the Education Building to the Cultural Education Center in the 1970s. When the monthly State Education Building tours were announced to the public in July, all available reservations were booked within 24 hours.

The New York State Education Building was designed by renowned New York City architect, Henry Hornbostel, one of 63 architects to submit plans, and was constructed by the Rochester firm R. T. Ford and Company. Construction began in 1908 and the building was dedicated in 1912. At the time, the cost to construct the building amounted to approximately $4 million and covered everything from the purchase of the land to building construction. The Education Building was the first major building constructed in the United States solely as a headquarters for the administration of education. In addition to State Education Department staff, the Education Building housed the State Library and State Museum—now currently in the Cultural Education Center.

More information on the history of the State Education Building is available here.

Photos of the State Education Building are available here.

Visit the Office of General Services website for more information about weekday tours, special exhibits and the history of the Capitol, Empire State Plaza, and the Empire State Plaza Art Collection.

Source: The Office of General Services

DEC to Take Aggressive Actions to Hold Niagara Falls Water Board Accountable and Protect Water Quality

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has been ordered to take a series of actions to hold the Niagara Falls Water Board accountable and protect water quality. DEC is assessing a $50,000 penalty and issuing a consent order that would prohibit the board from making any black water discharges, restrict the board from making any discharges from the sediment basins at the plant without DEC approval, and other provisions to prevent further violations of New York water quality standards.

This comes a result of the investigation ordered by Governor Andrew Cuomo following the July 29 incident, which found that the Niagara Falls Water Board has not properly maintained equipment nor adequately trained workers, and generally failed to follow appropriate protocols. DEC's consent order with the water board will address these deficiencies to prevent further water quality violations.  

"Polluting one of world's greatest wonders is completely intolerable and unacceptable, and this action today will hold the Niagara Falls Water Board accountable, require them to clean up their practices and protect the economically important Niagara River," Governor Cuomo said.  "I am directing DEC to continue to closely monitor operations of the plant to guarantee immediate steps are taken to prevent future violations." 

Source: Press Office, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo

Sen. Sanders Announces 'Medicare For All' Bill as Solution for Health Care

Selena Gomez Reveals Her Secret Kidney Transplant

From The G-Man wishes Miss Gomez a speedy recovery and encourages those battling lupus to keep the faith.

Criminal Investigation Into Florida Nursing Home Deaths

Source: CBS News

Related Story: Owner of Hollywood Nursing Home Where Eight Died Has History of Fraud Charges

Democrats Claim DACA Deal Reached with Trump

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin's Travel Request Raises Red Flags

DL Hughley on ESPN-Jemele Hill Controversy

Tomi Lauren to ESPN's Jemele Hill, 'You'd Better Watch Out'

Source: Fox News

ESPN's Jemele Hill Sparks Outrage, Calls Trump A White Supremacist

Source: Roland Martin

Related story: ESPN Hasn't Learned Its Lesson With Jemele Hill 

Mayor de Blasio Makes Announcement on City Efforts to Curb Climate Change

Source: NYC Mayor's Office

Syracuse's Alarming Poverty Rate Keeps Rising in 2016: 13th Worst in U.S.

By Mark Weiner

WASHINGTON -- Syracuse's desperate poverty rate worsened last year, even while poverty rates improved in most of the country, new Census numbers show.

Syracuse's 2016 poverty rate was 13^th worst in the United States, the Census Bureau reported today.

Syracuse stood out for the wrong reasons. The rest of the nation fell to its lowest poverty rate since 2007, before the arrival of the Great Recession. Most Upstate New York cities saw their rates drop or stay steady.

The nation's poverty rate fell to 12.7 percent in 2016, while the incomes of middle-class Americans increased to the highest level ever recorded by the Census Bureau.

Click here for the full article.

Source: syracuse.com (via The Empire Report)

Upstate Teamsters Hit with 29 Percent Pension Cut

By Rick Karlin

Albany - An estimated 16,000 retired Teamsters across upstate New York will be hit with 29 percent pension cuts on Oct. 1 as the union representing truckers and others in the shipping industry grapples with declining membership and a growing number of retirees.

Another 21,000 active, or currently employed Teamsters will see their pensions drop 18 percent below what they previously counted on for retirement.

The cuts are for members of Teamsters Local 294, also known as the Upstate Teamsters. Many of the members work for UPS, a major freight and delivery service.

The pensions are known as multi-employer plans, which are union-administered programs for workers such as truck drivers who may work for a variety of employers during their careers.

Click here for the full article. 

Source: timesunion.com (via The Empire Report) 

War in Yemen: Are Western Weapons Being Used Against Civilians?

Source: FRANCE 24 English

Russian Military Drills Stir NATO Unease

Source: FRANCE 24 English

Paris Officially Named Host City for the 2024 Olympic Games

Source: FRANCE 24 English

Venezuela: Rivals Edge Closer Towards Crisis Talks

Source: FRANCE 24 English

Aung San Suu Kyi's Fall from Grace

Source: FRANCE 24 English

Rohingya Crisis: UN Chief Guterres Calls on Burma to Halt Military Action

Source: FRANCE 24 English

President Trump and Senator Scott Discuss the Administration's Relationship with the African-American Community

President Trump meets with Senator Tim Scott, R-S.C., Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2017, in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C. (Click on the photo to increase its size.)

President Trump and Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina met today to discuss the Administration’s relationship with the African American community, the bipartisan issue of improving race relations, and creating a more unified country. President Trump remains committed to positive race relations and looks forward to continuing the dialogue with Senator Scott, the African American community, and leaders from diverse communities across the country, all of which have a wealth of perspectives and experiences with respect to this issue. 

Source: The White House, Office of the Press Secretary

Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead 

Cuomo Deploys New Gang Violence Prevention Unit to Top 10 High-Risk Suffolk County Schools

Earlier today, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced the deployment of a new Gang Violence Prevention Unit, consisting of 10 State Troopers, to the top 10 high-risk Suffolk County schools that currently serve as ground zero for gang activity and recruitment. The new unit will work to stop gang violence before it starts and identify early warning signs of gang activity. The Gang Violence Prevention Unit will also coordinate closely with the Suffolk County Police Department to launch an "Educate the Educators" program, which will help teachers and faculty recognize the early warning signs of gang involvement and recruitment. In addition, the State Police will roll out a gang awareness curriculum directly to students to teach them about the dangers of gangs and foster a relationship between students and police.

Governor Cuomo made the announcement on the one year-anniversary of the tragic murders of high-school students Nisa Mickens and Kayla Cuevas by MS-13. The new initiative comes on the heels of the Governor's efforts to expand access to state intelligence and law enforcement assets in the fight against MS-13. In April, the Governor launched expanded patrols in Brentwood and Central Islip, providing an additional 25 State Troopers, and added six investigators to the FBI-led Long Island Gang Task Force.

Source: NYGovCuomo

Statement by President Trump on Efforts by Senators Graham and Cassidy to Repeal and Replace Obamacare

I applaud the Senate for continuing to work toward a solution to relieve the disastrous Obamacare burden on the American people. My Administration has consistently worked to enact legislation that repeals and replaces Obamacare, and that can pass the Senate and make it to my desk. Obamacare has been a complete nightmare for the many Americans who have been devastated by its skyrocketing healthcare premiums and deductibles and canceled or shrinking plans. As I have continued to say, inaction is not an option, and I sincerely hope that Senators Graham and Cassidy have found a way to address the Obamacare crisis.  

Source: The White House, Office of the Press Secretary

Congress Passes Resolution Calling On Trump To Condemn KKK, Nazis

 

Reuters/By Alex Dobuzinskis

The U.S. Congress passed a resolution late on Tuesday calling on President Donald Trump to condemn hate groups after Trump was criticized for his response to the violence at a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, a month ago.

The U.S. House of Representatives unanimously adopted the resolution, U.S. Representative Gerry Connolly, a Democrat from Virginia, said in a statement. The Senate approved the measure on Monday.

“Tonight, the House of Representatives spoke in one unified voice to unequivocally condemn the shameful and hate-filled acts of violence carried out by the KKK (Ku Klux Klan), white nationalists, white supremacists and neo-Nazis in Charlottesville,” Connolly said. 

Click here for the full article.

Source: The Huffington Post

The Equifax Data Breach: An In-Depth Look

Washington Post Technology reporter Brian Fung talked about the recent Equifax data breach. Equifax, a consumer credit reporting agency, reported that in May and July of 2017 hackers were able to access the personal data of approximately 143 million Americans. 

Source: C-SPAN 

The 'I Am Woman' Series: Shannon Lee, Daughter of Bruce Lee

This video was published on YouTube on March 27, 2017.

Source: Annapurna Channel

Trailblazers in Black History: Dr. Patricia Bath

Click here for additional information. 

Sources: Dare to Dream Network and Biography.com 

Trump Urges Congress to 'Move Fast' on Tax Overhaul

Source: CBS News

House Speaker Paul Ryan Interview on Tax Reform and Other Policy Issues

Source: ABC News

Democrats Say General Michael Flynn Committed Criminal Acts by Concealing Information

Seahawks Star Michael Bennett 'Terrified' During Encounter with Police

TLC's Tionne 'T-Boz' Watkins on Her Struggle with Crippling Illness

Source: ABC News

Millions of People Across 5 States Remain Without Power After Irma