Month: August 2020

New York Attorney General Letitia James filed a lawsuit on Tuesday against the Trump administration aimed at stopping the disruption of operations at the U.S. Postal Service.  The lawsuit names President Donald Trump, the postal service and Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, and asks to vacate recent changes made to the U.S. Postal Service and to stop it from implementing additional service reductions. A planned overhaul of the post office has worried Democrats concerned that voters will be prevented from casting ballots by mail because of potential delays in receiving voting materials or returning them.

U.S. Postmaster Louis DeJoy said in a statement: “This USPS slowdown is nothing more than a voter suppression tactic. These authoritarian actions are not only jeopardizing our democracy and fundamental right to vote, but the immediate health and financial well-being of Americans across the nation.”

The lawsuit was filed by New York, New Jersey, Hawaii, New York City and San Francisco. Six states, led by Pennsylvania, sued the U.S. Postal Service and the new postmaster general on Aug. 21, saying service changes in recent weeks have harmed the ability of states to conduct free and fair elections.

New York AG files lawsuit to block USPS changes

Via www.upi.com

New York’s attorney general filed a lawsuit alongside Hawaii, New Jersey, New York City and the…

08/25/2020 6:25 PM

 

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The second day of the Republican National Convention featured Melania Trump, who delivered the final speech of the night from the historic and freshly-renovated White House Rose Garden. Tuesday’s theme was “Land of Opportunity,” and in addition to Melania Trump, his children, Tiffany Trump and Eric Trump, as well as daughter-in-law Lara Trump, all spoke.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo made an appearance from the Middle East, and defended President Donald Trump’s foreign policy. “Delivering on this duty to keep us safe and our freedoms intact, this president has led bold initiatives in nearly every corner of the world,” Pompeo said. The four-minute address was taped Monday in Jerusalem, Pompeo’s first stop on a four-day tour of the region.

Trump also pardoned Jon Ponder, a convicted bank robber who founded a non-profit organization that helps former inmates. In a video, the President said “Jon’s life is a beautiful testament to the power of redemption.” Ponder said, “Today, praise God, I am filled with hope. A proud American citizen who has been given a second chance.”

Watch live: Republican National Convention — Night 2

Via www.cbsnews.com

Melania Trump, two of Donald Trump’s children and his daughter-in-law, and Secretary of State…

08/25/2020 10:11 PM

 

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On Monday, the California Supreme Court overturned the death sentence of Scott Peterson, who was convicted in 2004 of killing his wife, Laci, and their unborn son on Christmas Eve 2002. Peterson, now 47, has been held on Death Row in San Quentin prison since his sentencing in 2005.  A California jury convicted Peterson of killing Laci, a 27-year-old substitute teacher, and the fetus of their son Connor in December 2002, at their Modesto home and dumping their bodies from a boat in San Francisco Bay, where they washed ashore months later.

The court on Monday found errors in the trial judge’s jury selection process, including removing potential jurors from the pool because they did not support the death penalty. The court ruled prosecutors may retry the case if they wish, asking again for the death penalty. In 2012, Peterson’s lawyers appealed his death sentence.

Supreme Court judges Monday upheld Peterson’s guilty conviction of first degree murder for the death of Laci and second-degree murder for the death of their unborn son. The trial received widespread publicity for years and was the subject of multiple documentaries and true-crime television shows.

Scott Peterson’s death sentence overturned in murder of pregnant wife

Via abcnews.go.com

The California Supreme Court overturned the death penalty sentence for Scott Peterson, who was…

08/24/2020 9:15 PM

 

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A scaled-back Republican National Convention kicked-off on Monday night in in Charlotte, N.C., with a roll call vote to formally renominate President Donald Trump to the Republican ticket this November. Vice President Mike Pence made brief comments at the convention after he was also renominated.

The overall theme of the convention is “Honoring the Great American Story.  A Trump campaign official said they will be highlighting “the promise and greatness of America” and the President’s “leadership and what he has planned for the future. Each night will also have a sub-theme; on Monday, it was “Land of Promise.”

In-person events, including Monday’s roll call of delegates, took place at the Charlotte Convention Center. Other events will mostly be virtual, including Trump’s acceptance speech from the South Lawn of the White House on Thursday.  Speakers on Day 1 of the RNC included Mark and Patricia McCloskey, the St. Louis couple who were charged after waving guns at Black Lives Matter protesters near their property; Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina; Rep. Steve Scalise of Louisiana; former South Carolina Gov. and Trump’s Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley; and Donald Trump Jr.

Watch live: 2020 Republican National Convention — night 1

Via www.cbsnews.com

President Trump is set to speak every night and Vice President Mike Pence is expected to speak…

08/24/2020 10:08 PM

 

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