July 5, 2021

Suez Canal says deal reached to free seized vessel

Source: Washington Post

CAIRO — The Suez Canal Authority on Sunday said it has reached an agreement to settle a financial dispute with the owners of a hulking container ship that blocked the crucial waterway for nearly a week earlier this year.

The authority did not reveal details on the settlement deal with the Shoei Kisen Kaisha Ltd., the Japanese owner of the Ever Given. It said the deal will be singed in a ceremony in the Suez Canal city of Ismailia on Wednesday.

The vessel would be also freed Wednesday, it said.

The head of Egypt’s Suez Canal Authority, Lt. Gen. Osama Rabie, said last month the parties had agreed on a compensation amount. But he said it would not be made public as they had signed a non-disclosure agreement until the signing of the final contract.

Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/suez-canal-says-deal-reached-to-free-seized-vessel/2021/07/04/3243ac50-dceb-11eb-a27f-8b294930e95b_story.html

July 5, 2021

Liquor board refers Nellie's case to D.C. attorney general

The D.C. Alcoholic Beverage Control Board on Wednesday asked the Office of the D.C. Attorney General to continue an investigation into allegations that a security officer at Nellie’s Sport Bar dragged a Black woman down a flight of stairs during a fight between security officers and other customers during the early morning hours of June 13.

The ABC Board made its referral to the office headed by D.C. Attorney General Karl Racine after it received a lengthy report about the Nellie’s incident from the city’s Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration (ABRA), which conducted its own investigation into the incident.

The 24-page ABRA report, which includes 19 pages of addendums, including D.C. police reports and summaries of witness interviews, accuses Nellie’s of being in violation of the D.C. Code pertaining to its liquor license by failing to follow proper procedures during an outbreak of violence on its premises.

ABRA spokesperson Aaron King told the Washington Blade the Office of the Attorney General will make the final determination on whether Nellie’s and its staff violated D.C. law or regulations pertaining to the Nellie’s incident. King said that if the OAG finds that violations did occur the ABC Board could then hold a Show Cause Hearing to determine whether to impose a monetary fine and/or suspend or revoke Nellie’s liquor license.

Read more: https://www.washingtonblade.com/2021/07/02/liquor-board-refers-nellies-case-to-d-c-attorney-general/

July 5, 2021

Gubernatorial candidate Perez quits law job after learning firm is defending Maryland in

Gubernatorial candidate Perez quits law job after learning firm is defending Maryland in unemployment benefits lawsuits


Maryland gubernatorial candidate Tom Perez resigned Friday from the Venable law firm after learning it is representing the state in its attempt to cut benefits for unemployed workers.

Perez, a Democrat, joined the firm earlier this year as a partner. He described his role there as “part-time.”

Perez has been among many critics of Republican Gov. Larry Hogan’s decision to end enhanced unemployment benefits offered during the coronavirus pandemic, such as payments to contract workers and those who exhausted regular benefits, two months before the federal funding runs out.

Two lawsuits are pending against the governor, who is being represented by a team of attorneys from Venable, which has hundreds of employees spread over 10 offices.

Read more: https://www.baltimoresun.com/politics/bs-md-pol-perez-resigns-20210702-py2gdx7ktncxbp7x6bbl2ort3m-story.html

July 4, 2021

Defense In Capital Gazette Trial Portrays Gunman As Obsessive Loner, Using Sister's Testimony

Defense counsel attempted to paint a picture of the gunman who murdered Capital Gazette staffers Gerald Fischman, Robert Hiaasen, John McNamara, Rebecca Smith and Wendi Winters as an obsessed, socially awkward loner Thursday.

Their main witness: Jarrod Ramos’ younger sister, Michelle Jeans.

Her last contact with her brother, now an admitted murderer, was around the end of 2014. She started crying as soon as she sat in the witness box.

“Is today the first time you’ve seen him in person?” Public Defender Elizabeth Palan asked.

“Yes,” Jeans tearfully responded.

Read more: https://www.marylandmatters.org/2021/07/01/defense-in-capital-gazette-trial-portrays-gunman-as-obsessive-loner-using-sisters-testimony/

July 4, 2021

Senator Will Smith says Maryland's halt on evictions should extend beyond August 15

Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee Chair Will Smith Thursday called for an extension of the state’s eviction pause deadline for residents and tenants that are unable to pay rent due to the pandemic.

Smith’s remarks come the very day the state of emergency that Gov. Larry Hogan declared in March 2020 is set to end. However, Maryland’s eviction protections, which some have classified as a moratorium, are not set to expire until Aug. 15.

They require that defendants prove that their inability to pay rent is the direct result of the pandemic.

The federal moratorium on evictions, which was recently upheld by the Supreme Court, is set to expire on July 31. It had previously been scheduled to expire on June 30.

“We certainly could use more time for those struggling renters to get back on their feet and meet financial obligations ranging from everything from credit cards, car payments, and rent,” Smith, D-Montgomery, told MarylandReporter.com. “It is probably not enough time. We would certainly like to see a little bit more.”

Read more: https://marylandreporter.com/2021/07/01/sen-smith-says-marylands-halt-on-evictions-should-extend-beyond-aug-15/

July 4, 2021

Perez: 'I was proud to support Secretary Clinton in 2016'

Former Democratic National Committee chair and gubernatorial candidate Tom Perez said he has no regrets about having supported the 2016 presidential campaign of fellow Democrat Hillary Clinton.

Though Perez did not become DNC chair until after Clinton’s loss to Republican Donald Trump, he enthusiastically campaigned for Clinton and helped steer critical endorsements her way.

Perez has downplayed Clinton’s controversial decision to send and receive classified emails on a private server, a decision that some analysts say may have cost her the election.

Early in Trump’s tenure in office Perez continued to carry the mantle for Clinton, attributing her loss to “insufficient and substandard tools for success,” from the DNC, and Russian attempts to influence the outcome of the election.

Read more: https://marylandreporter.com/2021/06/29/perez-i-was-proud-to-support-secretary-clinton-in-2016/

July 4, 2021

Wesley Acquisition Draws Near, Student Says DSU Won't Honor Thousands of Dollars in Scholarship

Wesley Acquisition Draws Near, Student Says DSU Won't Honor Thousands of Dollars in Scholarship Money


DOVER, De. - In just two days, Wesley College in Dover will be no more.

The small liberal arts college, which was founded in 1873, is being acquired by Delaware State University on July 1st. The acquisition has been about a year in the making, but a student who spoke with WBOC says that her and her fellow classmates are still in the dark about what comes next.

Abbie Sherman committed to Wesley College when she was just a junior in high school, and was rewarded over $60,000 in scholarship funds for her academics. She told WBOC that while she had toured University of Delaware and Wilmington University, Wesley was where she wanted to continue her education.

"I figured out this was home. It was so nice everybody so kind and I really loved it here," she explained Tuesday while standing outside campus.

After spending her first two years at the college, the special education major found out that Wesley would be acquired by Delaware State University. But during a March 2021 meeting, Sherman was informed that her scholarship would not be honored at DSU.

Read more: https://www.wboc.com/story/44210246/wesley-acquisition-draws-near-student-says-dsu-wont-honor-thousands-of-dollars-in-scholarship-money

July 4, 2021

After fireworks unintentionally set off on beach, Ocean City cancels displays

Ocean City's Fourth of July fireworks displays have been canceled after town fireworks being set up on the beach were unintentionally discharged Sunday morning.

The Ocean City Fire Department responded to a reported vehicle fire at Dorchester Street and the beach. Firefighters arrived to find there was no car on fire, but discovered fireworks for the town display had been unintentionally discharged.

A fireworks company employee suffered minor injuries but refused to be taken to the hospital by paramedics. No beach or Boardwalk patrons were injured.

Both of the town’s fireworks displays have been canceled “due to an abundance of caution.” Seacrest also canceled its display.

Read more: https://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/local/maryland/2021/07/04/ocean-city-fireworks-2021-fire-incident-beach-4th-of-july-fourth/7858468002/

July 4, 2021

Shots fired into state senator's home

Mobile Police are investigating multiple shots being fired into the home of state Sen. Vivian Figures (D).

Figures was not home at the time of the shooting — around 5 a.m. Thursday — and has not commented on the incident. APR attempted to reach her Thursday evening without success.

Mobile Police said the incident did not appear to be random, but a spokesperson told al.com that it’s unclear if it was related to politics.

Police said 23 shots were fired into the home. No one was home at the time and no injuries were reported.

https://www.alreporter.com/2021/07/02/shots-fired-into-state-senators-home/
(Alabama Political Reporter) (no more at link)

July 4, 2021

USW, Allegheny Technologies Inc. reach tentative agreement

Pittsburgh-based Allegheny Technologies Inc. and the United Steelworkers announced late Friday that they had reached a tentative agreement on a contract, ending a strike that began March 30.

After three days of continuous bargaining, the parties resolved outstanding issues, mainly health care, according to an email ATI sent to employees.

USW International Vice President David McCall, who chaired negotiations with ATI, cited the union’s support during bargaining and the three months on the picket lines as sources of pressure put on ATI management.

“The unity of USW members at ATI has proven that we can accomplish great things when we stand together to fight for the respect and dignity of a fair contract,” Mr. McCall said in a written release. “Despite management’s repeated attempts to divide and conquer its workers, we showed once again that our solidarity is a tremendously powerful force.”

Read more: https://www.post-gazette.com/business/pittsburgh-company-news/2021/07/03/USW-Allegheny-Technologies-Inc-reach-tentative-agreement/stories/202107030023