July 29, 2016

Dallas weatherman resigns after criticizing Democrats for 'parading mothers of slain thugs' at conve

Dallas weatherman resigns after criticizing Democrats for 'parading mothers of slain thugs' at convention

Chief meteorologist Bob Goosmann of Dallas' KRLD 1080 Radio resigned after posting an incendiary comment on Facebook on Wednesday.

The post said, "As many of you have probably noticed, I've stayed away from politics on FB. The DNC parading the mothers of slain thugs around on their stage has me furious."

The comment came after black women who have lost their children to gun violence or after contact with authorities took the stage at the Democratic National Convention.

Paul Mann, KRLD's news director, confirmed that Goosmann had resigned as the station's chief meteorologist, "effective immediately."

Read more: http://www.dallasnews.com/news/local-news/20160729-dallas-weatherman-resigns-after-criticizing-democrats-for-parading-mothers-of-slain-thugs-at-convention.ece

July 29, 2016

Clinton's acceptance speech (transcript)

http://www.towleroad.com/2016/07/hillary-clinton-accepts/

July 29, 2016

Texas AG Ken Paxton sues Austin over gun ban at City Hall

AUSTIN -- Attorney General Ken Paxton sued the city of Austin on Thursday for banning guns in City Hall, the first time he has used a new law that lets him sue local governments over their prohibitions on firearms.

"I will always make sure that governments do not trample on the Second Amendment rights of Texans, and if they do, we will sue," Paxton said in a written statement.

The lawsuit names Austin Mayor Steve Adler and the 10 members of the City Council as plaintiffs. It calls on the city to lift its gun ban at City Hall and threatens fines of up to $1,500 a day if it does not.

The city plans to fight the suit, according to a spokesman: "We are prepared to defend this lawsuit and look forward to having this matter resolved by a court."

Read more: http://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/headlines/20160728-texas-ag-ken-paxton-sues-austin-over-gun-ban-at-city-hall.ece

July 28, 2016

Texas AG’s $100K gift came despite agency rules

Documents show the $100,000 that Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton accepted from the head of a company his office was investigating came despite internal agency rules that prohibit such gifts.

Ethics and legal experts say Paxton’s acceptance of the money to help pay for his criminal defense on felony securities fraud charges wasn’t a clear violation of Texas’ loose ethics laws.

But internal policies in the Texas attorney general’s office, obtained by The Associated Press, say agency employees “shall never” take gifts from an entity “the employee knows is being investigated” by the office. Last year, Paxton accepted the gift from Preferred Imaging founder James Webb, whose company was under investigation at the time for Medicaid fraud.

Webb contributed nearly one third of the $330,000 that Paxton, a Republican, reported raising in 2015 to help pay his personal legal bills. He was indicted six months after taking office last year and has pleaded not guilty.

Read more: http://www.statesman.com/news/news/state-regional-govt-politics/texas-ags-100k-gift-came-despite-agency-rules/nr57G/

July 28, 2016

Brenham police officer refused service at McDonald's

An off-duty Brenham police officer was recently refused service at a McDonald's, police say.

Brenham police said in a Facebook post that the incident occurred at a McDonalds in the 500 block of Highway 290 West, in front of an H-E-B.

The officer had stopped there to eat with his family and was refused service " simply for being a Police Officer," police Chief Craig Goodman said in a Facebook post about the incident.

"We know this was an isolated incident that involved a single employee who is not fond of Law Enforcement," he said. "It is my hopes and prayers that this employee and anyone else who has a negative view of Law Enforcement address the real and/or perceived problem(s) through positive communication with us."

Read more: http://www.dallasnews.com/news/state/headlines/20160727-brenham-police-officer-refused-service-at-mcdonald-s.ece

July 27, 2016

Former Utz executive pleads guilty to $1.4M fraud

A former Utz Quality Foods Inc. executive admitted to defrauding the Hanover-based snack producer out of about $1.4 million in federal court Tuesday.

Kevin Myers, 38, formerly of Abbottstown, pleaded guilty to wire fraud before U.S. Magistrate Judge Susan E. Schwab in Harrisburg.

Myers and Jonathan Haas, 45, the former owner of Bethlehem-based Haas Packaging and Design Inc., were charged with wire fraud last month, according to the U.S. attorney's office.

Haas Packaging and Design was a vendor that produced shelving and packaging products for Utz between January, 2007 and August, 2014.

Read more: http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2016/07/former_utz_executive_pleads_gu.html

July 27, 2016

Pennsylvania Turnpike's $5.7 billion capital plan under review

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission’s decision last week to review all construction projects came two months after the majority of the five-member board approved a $5.7 billion, 10-year capital plan over the objections of the chairman and vice chairman.

The majority say that they were aware of potential financial shortfalls but the capital plan is a necessary working document that should be passed every two years and that it can adjusted as situations change. PennDOT Secretary Leslie Richards, who is a member of the commission, said in a statement that a capital plan is important to bond-rating agencies.

“Rating agencies want to see that we are properly maintaining our asset,” she said. “… I am not surprised and expected us to take a look at future construction projects to see what may need to be deferred and that is exactly what we plan to do now.”

Board chairman Sean Logan, who with vice chairman William Lieberman voted against the plan, said he “couldn’t in good conscience” vote for the plan knowing the agency likely wouldn’t have the money to pay for all of the projects. The capital budget includes normal maintenance, highway widening work and new construction such as the Lafayette Street exit near Philadelphia and the Scranton beltway.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2016/07/27/Pennsylvania-Turnpike-s-5-7-billion-capital-plan-under-review/stories/201607270034

July 27, 2016

Suit against Univ. of Penn. claims dentist was fired for reporting unneeded treatment

A dentist who was fired by Penn Dental Medicine is suing the University of Pennsylvania, alleging he was wrongfully terminated in retaliation for reporting that a fellow dentist was providing unnecessary treatment to make more money.

In its legal response, Penn claims it fired Steven S. Pesis because he reviewed patients' records without permission, in violation of university policies and the federal law that protects the confidentiality of patients' medical information.

Pesis' lawsuit is also against Peter B. Kauderwood, executive director of administration for Penn's School of Dental Medicine. The suit, filed in March in Philadelphia Common Pleas Court, asks for a jury trial and compensation in excess of $50,000.

A Penn spokesman said the university does not comment on pending litigation.

Read more: http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20160727_Suit_claims_dentist_was_fired_for_reporting_unneeded_treatment.html

July 27, 2016

At LGBT Caucus, Barney Frank criticizes Sanders loyalists who refuse to back Clinton

FORMER MASSACHUSETTS Congressman Barney Frank gave a scathing speech at the Democratic National Convention's LGBT Caucus on Tuesday afternoon, aimed at "Bernie or Bust"-ers who vowed to not vote for Hillary Clinton.

Frank, who was one of the first openly gay people in Congress, said he believed it was his and other Democrats' "special mission" to persuade Sanders supporters to vote for Clinton, adding that Sanders loyalists were willing to do harm to the LGBT community for their own "superior moral political position."

Frank urged Sanders supporters to think about the empty Supreme Court seat after conservative Justice Antonin Scalia died in February. Scalia's replacement will likely be appointed by the next sitting president.

"[Donald Trump] will appoint a justice like Antonin Scalia. And let's be clear about Antonin Scalia. There has never been a more highly placed militant homophobe in the history of the United States," said Frank. "And citing him as a model is as direct a threat to us as can be."

Read more: http://www.philly.com/philly/news/388341731.html

July 27, 2016

For delegate fleeing poverty in Puerto Rico, DNC is a one-way trip

Like thousands of other delegates to the Democratic National Convention this week, Gendy Tchuda made her way to Philadelphia by plane. Unlike most, the 25-year-old from Bayamon, Puerto Rico, bought a one-way ticket.

"There's no jobs in Puerto Rico right now," said Tchuda, who's been searching fruitlessly for work since graduating from the University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras in May 2015. "If I can get an opportunity, I would stay here."

Tchuda is among 23 Bernie Sanders delegates from Puerto Rico, which sent 67 delegates altogether. While many Sanders delegates are speaking out on issues like campaign-finance reform and the role of superdelegates, the Puerto Ricans have more immediate concerns: The island's unemployment rate, 11.2 percent, is more than double the national average, the 45 percent poverty level is the highest in the nation, and about 38 percent of households use food stamps.

Because of the crushing economy, Puerto Ricans have been fleeing the island at a rate of 230 a day.

Read more: http://www.philly.com/philly/news/politics/dnc/20160727_For_delegate_fleeing_poverty_in_Puerto_Rico__DNC_is_a_one-way_trip.html