Month: May 2022

Authorities confirmed that two people were killed and at least 20 others were injured after a serious car crash in Lincoln, Nebraska during the Americruise event on Sunday. Lincoln police said that two vehicles collided at an intersection and the force from the crash sent both vehicles into a crowd of bystanders who’d gathered to watch the annual Memorial Day event. The Americruise event attracts motorists to Lincoln each Memorial Day weekend to show off their cars and cruise the streets.

Those killed in the accident included two young women in their early 20s, who were both riding in one of the vehicles during the crash. Lincoln Police Capt. Max Hubka said their vehicle was struck by another, and added that one of the injured is in critical condition.

The Lincoln Police Department said in a statement that they “offer their condolences to the family and friends of those that were killed as a result of this incident. The department will work tirelessly to determine what occurred and hold those responsible for this tragedy accountable. This is an ongoing investigation. We do not believe, nor is there any evidence, this was an intentional act.”  Police are asking for help from eyewitnesses or video or photo evidence of the crash.

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Paul Pelosi, the husband of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, was arrested in California over the weekend and charged with drunken driving. The Napa County Detention Center indicate that the 82-year-old Pelosi was arrested late Saturday on misdemeanor charges of driving under the influence and driving with a blood alcohol content level of 0.08 or higher, and was booked on $5,000 bond.

The arrest report also cited a collision report indicating Paul Pelosi was arrested after his 2021 Porsche was involved a two-car crash with a Jeep. No one was injured in the crash, according to the report. The California Highway Patrol told The San Francisco Chronicle that Pelosi’s vehicle was hit by the driver of the Jeep as Pelosi was attempting to cross a state highway in Napa.

Nancy Pelosi’s spokesperson Drew Hammill told CNN:  “The speaker will not be commenting on this private matter which occurred while she was on the East Coast.”  On Sunday, Nancy Pelosi received an honorary degree from Brown University in Providence, R.I., and delivered the commencement address to its graduating class. Monday, she gave remarks during a Memorial Day service at the San Francisco National Cemetery.

Paul and Nancy Pelosi have been married since 1963; he is the founder of San Francisco-based Financial Leasing Services.

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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) confirmed on Thursday that nine cases of monkeypox has been identified across seven states. CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said in a news briefing that the nine cases have been identified in Massachusetts, Florida, Utah, Washington, California, Virginia and New York.

Walensky said that while the nine cases “are within gay, bisexual men and other men who have sex with men,” she emphasized that “risk of exposure is not limited to any one particular group.” The United States also has two antiviral treatments that can be used for orthopox, the family of viruses that includes monkeypox. One of the vaccines, with the trade name of Jynneos, is approved for the prevention of monkeypox disease in adults 18 years of age and older.   The CDC has mobilized vaccine for monkeypox to states that have reported cases and plans to move the vaccine where it may be needed.  CDC officials have recommended the vaccination for people at highest risk due to direct contact with someone who has monkeypox. Said Walensky: “The US has the resources we need to help us respond to monkeypox in this country right now. We’ve been preparing for this type of outbreak for decades.”

Officials expect more monkeypox cases to pop up in the future.  Dr. Raj Panjabi, White House senior director for health security and biodefense, said at the press briefing that Americans “shouldn’t be surprised to see more cases reported in the U.S. in the upcoming days. It’s actually a sign that Americans are remaining vigilant, and healthcare providers and public health workers are doing their job.”

Monkeypox got its name from laboratory monkeys who scientists first discovered developed the pox-like disease in 1958. The first human case was reported in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, but other cases of the disease spread through infection outside of Africa, linked to international travel. The CDC notes that the virus spreads in humans from “large respiratory droplets,” or lesions on the skin, and signs and symptoms include a rash of lesions on the body, fever, headache, and muscle aches. Unlike smallpox, monkeypox also causes swollen lymph nodes. Illness from monkeypox typically lasts for 2-4 weeks.

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Shortly ahead of bipartisan talks on possible gun legislation, Democratic members of Congress joined anti-gun violence activists at a press conference and rally on Thursday at the Capitol in Washington D.C.

Students Demand Action activist Addie Hernandez said students “from California to Texas to Vermont” are walking out of classes Thursday to demand action on anti-gun violence legislation.

Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., said Democrats are talking with Republicans in Congress in an effort to find common ground on gun legislation, saying: “Today we will be engaged in bipartisan conversations to try to find a path forward.”   Murphy said the talks will be facilitated by citizens who support action to curb gun violence.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn said to his GOP colleagues, “How is this acceptable? How are you not outraged? We’re outraged!”  Blumenthal added: “We know what can save lives. Universal background checks can save lives. Red flag statutes – taking away a firearm from someone who shows they are dangerous to others or themselves.”  Blumenthal said what the American people want is for NRA to stand for ‘Not Relevant Anymore’ in American politics, while Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass. added:  “The Republican Party is in a vise-like grip of the NRA. They do whatever the NRA tells them to do.”

Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., said Republicans need to have a change of heart on the issue of possible gun legislation. Said Klobuchar:  “If there isn’t a change in their heart we will vote in Congress and we will march all the way to the ballot box and vote.”

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Texas Gov. Greg Abbott revealed in a Wednesday news conference that the 18-year-old gunman who shot and killed 19 children and two teachers at a South Texas elementary school shared his plans on Facebook. The gunman, Salvador Ramos, posted a series of Facebook messages about 30 minutes before the shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde. Ramos was killed by police after barricading himself inside one of the school’s classrooms.

According to Abbott, the first post read: “I’m going to shoot my grandmother.”  He followed the post up with, “I shot my grandmother,” and, “I’m going to shoot an elementary school.” Abbott said that Ramos gave “no meaningful forewarning” of the violence he intended to unleash except for the Facebook messages.  Andy Stone, a spokesman for Meta — the parent company of Facebook –  said in a tweet that the warnings were sent in private one-to-one text messages that were found after the shooting. Facebook is cooperating with law enforcement.

Texas Department of Public Safety Director Steven McCraw said after shooting his grandmother, Ramos used her vehicle to drive to the school. The 66-year-old woman “reported him to the police department, when she was able to run across the street to a neighbor and get help. She was medevaced to San Antonio in critical condition at this point, but she’s still alive.” McCraw said Ramos didn’t have a criminal history before the shooting, and purchased the semiautomatic rifle at a local sporting goods store March 17, shortly after his 18th birthday. He purchased 375 rounds of ammunition for the rifle the next day, and on March 20 bought another semiautomatic rifle at the same store.

During the news conference, Abbott blamed the shooting on mental health issues, though he earlier said Ramos had no known mental health issues. However as Abbott was concluding his remarks at the news conference, his Democratic challenger for the governor’s race, former Rep. Beto O’Rourke, interrupted to accuse the assembled leaders and law enforcement of not doing enough to stop gun violence.

Officials said grief counselors would be made available to all members of the small community, which is located about 80 miles west of San Antonio and 130 miles north of the U.S.-Mexico border. The Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District announced that classes have been canceled for the rest of the school year and graduations have been placed on hold until a future date. The school district wrote on Facebook:  “Our community has experienced a terrible tragedy. We must come together to console one another and respect the privacy of the families. Please keep all families in your prayers. This is a difficult time for everyone, however the gentle support all school community members give to each other during this time is the first step in healing.”

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Former reality TV star Josh Duggar, who appeared in TLC’s “19 Kids and Counting,” was sentenced Wednesday to more than 12 years in federal prison for downloading and possessing child pornography. Duggar was sentenced to 151 months in prison and fined $10,000, according to legal documents. Josh’s father, Jim Bob, his wife Anna, and siblings Joy-Anna (Duggar) Forsyth and Jason Duggar were present in court to support him.

In December, a Fayetteville, Arkansas, jury found the 34-year-old Duggar guilty on one count each of receiving and possessing child pornography. Duggar faced up to 20 years in prison and fines of up to $250,000 for each count. Prosecutors had asked U.S. District Judge Timothy Brooks to give the maximum term of 20 years to Duggar, arguing in a pre-sentencing court filing that Duggar has a “deep-seated, pervasive and violent sexual interest in children.”

Duggar, whose lawyers sought a five-year sentence, maintains his innocence and has said he will appeal. Duggar’s lawyer Justin K. Gelfand said: “We’re grateful the judge dismissed Count 2 and rejected the Government’s request for a 240-month sentence. We look forward to continuing the fight on appeal.”

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