Month: April 2021

Two sheriff’s deputies were among the five people killed after a lengthy standoff in northwestern North Carolina. Officials said the standoff began on Wednesday when deputies performed a welfare check at a Boone, N.C., home after the owner and family members failed to show up for work and didn’t answer phone calls.

The Watauga County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement: “Deputies entered the residence after discovering all vehicles belonging to the residents were on the property. Upon entering the home, two Watauga County Sheriff’s deputies received gunshot wounds from an unknown individual within the residence.”

The standoff continued for 13 hours until the gunfire eventually stopped and deputies found the shooter and his parents dead inside the home. Authorities didn’t immediately identify the shooter or his parents or say how they died.

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper tweeted:  “These horrific shootings that claimed the lives of loved ones show the ever-present danger law enforcement can encounter in the line of duty. I have talked with Sheriff Len Hagaman to offer condolences and additional assistance.”

4 killed, including 2 deputies, during 13-hour standoff

Via abcnews.go.com

Two North Carolina sheriff’s deputies were shot and killed, as well as two civilians, during a…

04/29/2021 5:52 PM

 

Prosecutors announced Thursday that eight people were indicted by an Ohio grand jury in connection with the death of a Bowling Green State University student who died from alcohol poisoning after attending a fraternity party.

Wood County Prosecuting Attorney Paul Dobson said the eight men attended a Pi Kappa Alpha party March 4 at an off-campus house where Stone Foltz, 20, was required to attend as a new member. Foltz’s roommate found him unresponsive at their apartment that evening, and later died March 7 at Toledo Hospital from a fatal level of alcohol intoxication during a “hazing incident,” according to the Lucas County Coroner.

The eight men indicted face charges including involuntary manslaughter, reckless homicide, felony assault, obstructing justice, hazing and underage drinking. The most serious charges, first-degree manslaughter, carries a sentence up to 11 years in prison.

8 indicted in Bowling Green State University sophomore’s alleged hazing death

Via abcnews.go.com

Eight people have been indicted in the alleged fraternity hazing death of Bowling Green…

04/29/2021 6:18 PM

 

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A North Carolina judge ruled Wednesday against publicly releasing the body-worn camera footage of the police shooting of Andrew Brown Jr., Pasquotank County Superior Court Judge Jeff Foster said immediate family members, including Brown’s son, Khalil Ferebee, and a family attorney, can view the videos within 10 days. Foster denied a media request for the footage to be publicly released, saying he’ll determine in 30 days to 45 days whether a copy of videos will be given to the family, who could then decide whether to release it to the public

There are four body cam videos and one dashboard camera video in question. The judge said the faces and name tags of the officers involved will be blurred out before the videos are shown to the family. The family said they’ve already seen one 20-second video clip of the shooting, and said it showed Brown had his hands on his steering wheel when officers opened fire on him April 21. Family attorney Chantel Cherry-Lassiter said Brown posed no threat to officers at the time he was shot, and his vehicle only stopped moving after the initial gunfire. A private autopsy released Tuesday determined that Brown was shot five times, including once in the back of the head.

N.C. judge rejects bid for public release of bodycam videos in Andrew Brown Jr. shooting

Via www.nbcnews.com

But Superior Court Judge Jeff Foster will allow for the man’s immediate family and lawyer to…

04/28/2021 1:48 PM

 

FBI agents executed search warrants at Rudy Giuliani’s Manhattan apartment and his office to seize electronic devices Wednesday. The New York Times first reported the on the search warrants.

Federal investigators have been looking into Giuliani’s dealings with Ukrainian officials. Last December, federal prosecutors discussed whether to make a legal request for Giuliani’s electronic communications. Prosecutors for the Southern District of New York were in contact with Justice Department officials in Washington about gaining access to his emails.

Giuliani was a key figure in the events that led to former President Trump’s first impeachment, relying on Ukrainian officials and members of their parliament to try to dig up dirt about Joe Biden as he ran for president. Democrats said that there was overwhelming evidence that Trump had abused his power by pressuring Ukraine to announce investigations into Biden and his son, Hunter, while withholding almost $400 million in aid. 

This story is developing….

Giuliani’s home, office searched by federal agents as part of lobbying probe: Sources

Via abcnews.go.com

Federal agents carried out a search warrant at the home and office of former New York CIty Mayor…

04/28/2021 2:00 PM

 

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President Joe Biden signed an executive order Tuesday requiring federal agencies to pay contract workers a minimum wage of $15 per hour.  The order will affect hundreds of thousands of contractors, and comes weeks after Biden and Democrats in Congress attempted to raise the national hourly minimum wage to $15 as part of the American Rescue Plan. “

The White House said in a statement: “These workers are critical to the functioning of the federal government. This executive order will promote economy and efficiency in federal contracting … by enhancing worker productivity and generating higher-quality work by boosting workers’ health, morale and effort. It will reduce turnover, allowing employers to retain top talent and lower the costs associated with recruitment and training.”

Under the order, all federal agencies must pay contractors at least $15 per hour in new contracts by next April. The current minimum wage for federal contractors is $10.95 per hour and the tipped minimum wage is $7.65 per hour. The new executive order will also eliminate the tipped minimum wage for contractors by 2024; automatically adjust the minimum wage yearly due to rises in inflation, beginning in 2022; ensure a $15 minimum wage for federal contract workers with disabilities; and restore minimum wage protections to outfitters and guides on federal lands by revoking an order from former President Donald Trump.

Joe Biden Increasing Minimum Wage to $15 for ‘Hundreds of Thousands’ of Federal Workers

Via news.yahoo.com

The executive action underscores the president’s continued push for a $15 minimum wage, which…

04/27/2021 1:40 PM

 

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On Tuesday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released new guidelines on outdoor mask-wearing, saying that those fully-vaccinated may engage in outdoor activities, including running, hiking, and walking—without a mask—if they are alone or with members of their household. Attending small outdoor gatherings and dining outdoors without a mask are also considered safe, federal officials said. It’s been long established that outdoor contact poses significantly less risk in the spread of COVID-19 than indoors. 

The guidelines also state, however, that in situations where crowds are likely and social distancing presents a challenge, masking, even if fully vaccinated, is still recommended. 

The updated guidance comes as nearly half of the country reports being vaccinated with at least the first dose. However public health experts also ask for caution, as vaccination rates have slowed, and some areas of the country continue to see surges of the virus and its new variants.  

Fully vaccinated people can attend small-group outdoor activities without masks, CDC says

Via www.nbcnews.com

It’s unclear how much the new guidance will change people’s behavior, experts say.

04/27/2021 12:54 PM

 

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