News - National News RSS Feed

"AUTISM SPEAKS DAY AT THE RACES" TO OFFER FIRST-EVER AUTISM-FRIENDLY NASCAR RACE EXPERIENCE FOR FAMILIES

No Author — Wed, 16 May 2012 15:16:00 EST

A Special Opportunity to Enjoy the FedEx 400 Benefiting Autism Speaks NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Race at Dover International Speedway on June 3

NEW YORK, NY - Autism Speaks, the world's leading autism science and advocacy organization, Dover International Speedway, NASCAR and FedEx have teamed up to create �Autism Speaks Day at the Races,� an unprecedented opportunity for children with autism and their families to enjoy a NASCAR race � the June 3 FedEx 400 Benefiting Autism Speaks � in-person in a sensory-friendly environment.

The day-long event marks the first-ever autism-friendly NASCAR race, and will give families a chance to experience a NASCAR race in an environment specifically designed for the enjoyment of children with autism. �Autism Speaks Day at the Races� will be held in Dover�s air-conditioned grandstand, providing a great view of the Monster Mile from the backstretch, and will feature brief presentations by educational speakers and special appearances by NASCAR personalities prior to the race.

THOUSANDS OF BOY SCOUTS, SCOUT LEADERS AND SCOUT ALUMS JOIN LESBIAN DEN LEADER�S CAMPAIGN ON CHANGE.ORG TO END SCOUTS� ANTI-GAY POLICIES

No Author — Wed, 16 May 2012 12:06:00 EST

Jennifer Tyrrell draws support from thousands of scouts and scout leaders after Boy Scouts remove her as den leader from 7-year-old son's Cub Scout troop because she�s gay;
Major celebrities including Julianne Moore, Ricky Martin, Fran Drescher, Kelly Osbourne and more join in support of campaign to end anti-gay policies at the Boy Scouts of America

NEW YORK, NY � Thousands of current Boy Scouts, scout leaders and former scouts have joined an explosive campaign on Change.org calling for the Boy Scouts of America to end their long-held policy prohibiting gay youth and leaders from participating in scouting.

The campaign, started by Ohio mom Jennifer Tyrrell, has drawn more than 275,000 supporters in the weeks since Tyrrell was removed as den leader for her 7-year-old son's Cub Scout troop because of her sexual orientation.

EPA ADMINISTRATOR LISA JACKSON'S TESTIMONY BEFORE THE U.S. SENATE, APPROPRIATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE ON DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES

No Author — Wed, 16 May 2012 11:04:00 EST

Thank you for inviting me to testify on the President�s Fiscal Year 2013 budget for the Environmental Protection Agency. I�m joined by the Agency�s Chief Financial Officer, Barbara Bennett.

EPA�s budget request of $8.344 billion focuses on fulfilling EPA�s core mission of protecting public health and the environment, while making the sacrifices and tough decisions that Americans across the country are making every day.

EPA�s budget request fully reflects the President�s commitment to reducing government spending and finding cost savings in a responsible manner while supporting clean air, clean water and the innovative safe guards that are essential to an America that�s built to last.

In some cases we have had to take a step back from programs - this budget reflects a savings of $50 million through the elimination of several EPA programs and activities that have either met their goals, or can be achieved at the State or local level or by other Federal agencies.

OVER 25,000 AIRPORT SECURITY BREACHES REPORTED TO CONGRESS

Jim Kouri — Wed, 16 May 2012 10:08:00 EST

The security breach at Newark Liberty International Airport reported on Tuesday, although troubling to many, was not the first serious lapse in aviation security and it probably won't be the last to occur in a multi-billion dollar government enterprise, according to security experts. They point to a government report that documents upwards of 25,000 breaches of airport security checkpoints since November 2001.

The Homeland Security Department had completed an initial study to validate the scientific basis of the Transportation Security Administration's Screening of Passengers by Observation Techniques (SPOT) program; however, additional work remains to fully validate the program, according to a report released by the Government Accountability Office in July.

The House Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee on National Security, Homeland Defense and Foreign Operations called a subsequent hearing to investigate airport security after reports showed there had been 25,000 breaches of security checkpoints since November 2001.

MCCONNELL: REPUBLICANS WILL CONTINUE TO ADDRESS CONSTITUENTS' CONCERNS

No Author — Wed, 16 May 2012 09:28:00 EST

WASHINGTON, D.C.� U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor Tuesday regarding the need to allow for debate and amendments in order to move legislation through the Senate:

�There�s a lot of talk on the Left these days about the Senate being a dysfunctional institution � and they�re right. For the past several years, the Senate hasn�t functioned as it should.

�The question is why. And, in my view, the answer is clear: a Majority Party that believes it should be able to dictate from above the shape of every single piece of legislation we take up.

�The common complaint from the other side, as I understand it, is that because Republicans insist on playing a role in the legislative process around here, we�re somehow violating some unspoken rule that says Democrats should always get their own way; that we�re somehow disturbing the legislative harmony by suggesting we do the kinds of things our constituents want.

DEA SUSPENDS FOR TWO YEARS PHARMACEUTICAL WHOLESALE DISTRIBUTOR'S ABILITY TO SELL CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES FROM FLORIDA FACILITY

No Author — Wed, 16 May 2012 08:18:00 EST

ARLINGTON, VA - The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) announced Tuesday a settlement agreement with Cardinal Health, a pharmaceutical wholesale distributor headquartered in Dublin, Ohio, that suspends for two years its ability to sell controlled-substance (CS) medications from its Lakeland, Florida, distribution facility. The settlement also includes a signed Administrative Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), the terms of which will apply to all of Cardinal�s 28 registered distribution facilities.

In the agreement, Cardinal admits that its due diligence efforts for some pharmacy customers and its compliance with an earlier MOA signed in 2008 for similar violations at the same facility were, in certain respects, inadequate. The terms of the agreement of this settlement represent a complete resolution of this administrative matter; however, the MOA expressly reserves the right for DEA to pursue civil penalties. The obligations in this MOA remain in full force and effect for a period of five years unless DEA agrees in writing to an earlier termination.

NATIONAL MOOD A DRAG ON OBAMA'S RE-ELECTION PROSPECTS

No Author — Wed, 16 May 2012 07:29:00 EST

U.S. satisfaction and economic ratings low compared with years incumbents won

NEWARK AIRPORT SECURITY DEFICIENCIES IGNORED BY OBAMA, CONGRESS?

Jim Kouri — Wed, 16 May 2012 06:01:00 EST

The discovery on Monday that an illegal alien -- Nigerian national Bimbo Olumuyiwa Oyewole --held the position of security supervisor at an airport from which United Flight 93 ('Let's Roll!') departed on September 11, 2001 and crashed in a Pennsylvania field when terrorists commandeered the plane, has created a firestorm throughout the nation.

One fact that needs to be addressed immediately is that background checks on airport workers and other employees assigned to sensitive areas are not as in depth as originally believed, according to several security experts who spoke with the Law Enforcement Examiner.

Sadly, since the creation of the Department of Homeland Security, the Government Accountability Office has analyzed airport security deficiencies in a number of reports. The results of these studies, which are routinely distributed to the executive and legislative branches of government, were given scant attention by the Obama White House, the U.S. Congress, and the news media, said the Law Enforcement Examiner sources.

OBAMA VS. OBAMA ON FREE ENTERPRISE

No Author — Tue, 15 May 2012 12:05:00 EST

�After three-and-a-half years of pushing liberal policies that have grown the size of government, President Obama has tried to rewrite history by claiming he has respect for America�s free enterprise system. But no amount of campaign rhetoric and empty promises can hide the fact that President Obama�s time in office hasn�t lived up to the promises he�s made over the last four years.� �Andrea Saul, Romney Campaign Spokesperson

While President Obama�s Campaign And Allies Launched Attacks On The Free Market, President Obama Was Appearing At Wall Street Fundraisers And Lauding Free Enterprise:

Over The Last Two Days, President Obama�s Campaign And His Allies Have Launched Attacks Against The Free Enterprise System And Governor Romney�s Business Career. �The pro-Obama super PAC Priorities USA Action is sharply ramping up the Democratic offensive against Mitt Romney�s business record, launching a $4 million ad campaign today in a group of 2012 swing states, a strategist for the group tells POLITICO.

SECRETARY NAPOLITANO'S UPCOMING VISIT TO GERMANY, ISRAEL AND JORDAN

No Author — Tue, 15 May 2012 11:48:00 EST

Statement by Press Secretary Matt Chandler

�Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano will travel to Germany, Israel and Jordan on May 18-23. In Munich, Secretary Napolitano will join her counterparts and Attorney General Eric Holder at the G6+1 Conference of Home Affairs Ministers to discuss international efforts to combat terrorism and international piracy, and ensure a more safe, secure and resilient global supply chain. The G6+1 includes representatives from France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, and the United Kingdom (G6) as well as the United States. Secretary Napolitano will also participate in a cybersecurity roundtable with Attorney General Holder, Bavarian Justice Minister Beate Merk, and Bavarian Interior Minister Joachim Hermann.

Secretary Napolitano will travel to Israel and Jordan on May 19-23. In Israel, Secretary Napolitano will deliver remarks on the Department�s collaboration with international partners to combat terrorism and facilitate trade and travel at the International Institute for Counter-Terrorism, and meet with Israeli President Shimon Peres, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and her counterparts.

TREASURY INTERNATIONAL CAPITAL DATA FOR MARCH

No Author — Tue, 15 May 2012 10:45:00 EST

WASHINGTON � The U.S. Department of the Treasury today released Treasury International Capital (TIC) data for March 2012. The next release, which will report on data for April 2012, is scheduled for June 15, 2012.

The sum total in March of all net foreign acquisitions of long-term securities, short-term U.S. securities, and banking flows was a monthly net TIC outflow of $49.9 billion. Of this, net foreign private outflows were $57.7 billion, and net foreign official inflows were $7.8 billion.

Foreign residents increased their holdings of long-term U.S. securities in March � net purchases were $22.3 billion. Net sales by private foreign investors were $4.0 billion, and net purchases by foreign official institutions were $26.3 billion.

At the same time, U.S. residents decreased their holdings of long-term foreign securities, with net sales of $13.9 billion.

OBAMA AND CLINTON IGNORE REQUESTS TO NAME HAQQANI AS TERRORIST GROUP

Jim Kouri — Tue, 15 May 2012 07:18:00 EST

The chairmen and ranking members of the U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee and the House Intelligence Committee are awaiting an Obama administration response to their request last week to name the Pakistani-based Haqqani Network a terrorist organization as quickly as possible, according to a U.S. counterterrorism source in Washington, D.C.

The lawmakers wrote a letter to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton as well as to President Barack Obama, the source told the Law Enforcement Examiner.

'It [is] clear that the Haqqani Network [based in Pakistan] continues to launch sensational and indiscriminate attacks against U.S. interests in Afghanistan and the group poses a continuing threat to innocent men, women, and children in the region,' the members wrote in a letter to the President and Secretary Clinton.

ILLEGAL ALIEN CAUGHT WORKING AS AIRPORT SECURITY SUPERVISOR WITH STOLEN ID

Jim Kouri — Tue, 15 May 2012 06:42:00 EST

Department of Homeland Security officials are shocked to discover that an illegal alien held the position of security supervisor at an airport from which United Flight 93 departed on September 11, 2001 and crashed in a field in Pennsylvania when passengers rose up and attacked their terrorist captors.

In a shocking revelation, a Post Authority of New York and New Jersey police source told the Law Enforcement Examiner that a veteran security supervisor at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey -- one of three major airports in the New York City metropolitan area -- has been using the identity of a murder victim for about 20 years.

The police source stated that the illegal alien -- whose real name is believed to be Bimbo Olumuyiwa Oyewole -- was arrested Monday in his home in Elizabeth, New Jersey. The 54-year old Nigerian had assumed the identity of American citizen Jerry Thomas, who was a murder victim in 1992 in an unsolved homicide in New York City.

EXPEDITION 31 TRIO BLASTS OFF FOR INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION

No Author — Tue, 15 May 2012 06:10:00 EST

Station HOUSTON -- NASA Flight Engineer Joseph Acaba, Russian Soyuz Commander Gennady Padalka and Flight Engineer Sergei Revin blasted off for the International Space Station at 10:01 p.m. CDT Monday, May 14 (9:01 a.m. Baikonur time on May 15), from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

Acaba, Padalka and Revin are scheduled to dock their Soyuz TMA-04M spacecraft to the Poisk module of the station at 11:39 p.m. Wednesday, May 16. They will join Expedition 31 Commander Oleg Kononenko of the Russian Federal Space Agency and Flight Engineers Don Pettit of NASA and André Kuipers of the European Space Agency, who have been aboard the orbiting laboratory since Dec. 23, 2011. The six astronauts and cosmonauts will work together for about two months.

NASA Television will provide live docking coverage beginning at 11 p.m. on May 16. Hatch opening and welcoming ceremonies will occur about three hours later on May 17. 

FORMER TERRORIST RECEIVES DOJ GRANT MONEY, CLAIMS WATCHDOG GROUP

Jim Kouri — Tue, 15 May 2012 06:05:00 EST

The Obama Justice Department awarded a group headed by a domestic terrorist, -- and one-time FBI fugitive with close ties to President Barack Obama -- hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars 'to reduce racial disparities in the juvenile justice system,' according to a leading Inside the Beltway watchdog group.

'This is a story you likely won�t see in the mainstream media, but a reputable political magazine exposed it this week,' according to officials at Judicial Watch, an organization that investigates and exposes government corruption and abuse.

According to Judicial Watch's Corruption Chronicles, the Department of Justice has already given $400,000 in grants to an organization that blames disproportionately high criminal behavior among minority juvenile delinquents on discrimination. The San Francisco-based nonprofit describes itself as a leading organization in the field of juvenile justice and ethnic and racial disparities reduction.

ENERGY DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES MILESTONE IN FUEL CELL USE

No Author — Mon, 14 May 2012 17:15:00 EST

Nearly 1,200 fuel cells have been deployed through the Recovery Act

The Energy Department today announced that more than one thousand fuel cells were deployed through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Over the last three years, nearly 1,200 fuel cells have been deployed in emergency backup power units and material handling equipment, such as forklift trucks. This investment is a part of the Department's commitment to U.S. leadership in innovative fuel cell technologies to give American businesses more options to cut energy costs and reduce petroleum use.

'Supported in part by the Recovery Act, these projects underscore the President's commitment to American-made energy and increasing energy security,' said Dr. David Danielson, the Department of Energy's Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION RELEASES NEW "FACES OF DISTRACTED DRIVING" VIDEO

No Author — Mon, 14 May 2012 16:10:00 EST

Al Andres of Hartly, Delaware, Remembers His 2-Year-Old Granddaughter Calli

WASHINGTON � U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today released the latest video in the U.S. Department of Transportation�s �Faces of Distracted Driving� series, featuring the story of Calli Ann Murray from Rohnert Park, California.

On December 1, 2010, 2-year-old Calli Ann Murray and her mother Ling were walking home from a park just blocks from their home. As they crossed the street, a young driver texting on her cell phone struck Calli and Ling with her car. Calli was killed instantly, and Ling was critically injured. Al Andres, Calli�s grandfather, is now an advocate against distracted driving.

�At just 2 years old, Calli Ann Murray was a joy to her family and had her entire future ahead of her � a future that was cut tragically short because of a text message,� said Secretary LaHood.

RON PAUL ENDS PRESIDENTIAL BID, BASICALLY

Ethan Edwards — Mon, 14 May 2012 15:05:00 EST

On Monday Texas Rep. Ron Paul said that his campaign will no longer be spending money to pursue the presidential nomination. Paul did not end or even officially suspend his campaign, he just basically said the campaign is broke.

Paul wrote an open letter to supporters:

�Our campaign will continue to work in the state convention process. We will continue to take leadership positions, win delegates, and carry a strong message to the Republican National Convention that Liberty is the way of the future. Moving forward, however, we will no longer spend resources campaigning in primaries in states that have not yet voted. Doing so with any hope of success would take many tens of millions of dollars we simply do not have.�

AIRLINES POST RECORD FIRST-QUARTER ON-TIME PERFORMANCE FOR FIRST THREE MONTHS OF 2012

No Author — Mon, 14 May 2012 12:33:00 EST

Between January and March this year, the nation�s largest airlines posted their best on-time arrival rate for the first quarter of any year since the Department began collecting comparable flight delay data in 1995, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation�s Air Travel Consumer Report released today.

The 15 carriers reporting on-time performance posted an on-time arrival rate of 84.0 percent during the first quarter of 2012. The previous first-quarter record was the 81.3 percent on-time arrival mark set during January-March 2002.

The carriers posted an on-time arrival rate of 82.2 percent in March, an improvement over March 2011�s on-time rate of 79.2 percent rate but down from February 2012�s 86.2 percent mark.

SIX IN 10 SAY OBAMA SAME-SEX MARRIAGE VIEW WON'T SWAY VOTE

No Author — Mon, 14 May 2012 11:25:00 EST

More say it makes them less likely rather than more likely to vote for Obama

EPA AND DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE ANNOUNCE NEW EFFORT TO BOOST U.S. JOBS, ENVIRONMENTAL TECH EXPORTS

No Author — Mon, 14 May 2012 10:23:00 EST

New effort is part of President Obama�s initiative to double U.S. exports, support American jobs

WASHINGTON � Today U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lisa P. Jackson and Department of Commerce Secretary John E. Bryson announced efforts to launch an environmental technology initiative to help create American jobs in the growing environmental industry. Announced at EPA�s first Technology Market Summit, this initiative, which will include a comprehensive web based portal, will promote American environmental technology, products and services in the global marketplace.

The Environmental Technologies Export Initiative builds on President Obama�s National Export Initiative, which aims to double U.S. exports by the end of 2014 and support millions of American jobs.

49 DISMEMBERED BODIES FOUND ON ROAD FROM MONTERREY, MEXICO TO TEXAS

Ethan Edwards — Mon, 14 May 2012 09:56:00 EST

SAN JUAN, MEXICO - On Sunday officials in Mexico reported that forty-nine dismembered bodies were found along a highway that leads from Monterrey, Mexico to Texas. The bodies had been mutilated and hacked apart. The heads, hands and feet were gone. The dead included 43 men and 6 women.

The AP describes the bodies as being �scattered in a pool of blood� near Cadereyta Jimenez and the town of San Juan. The body dump was located just 105 miles west-southwest of McAllen, Texas, or 75 miles southwest of the Roma, Texas border crossing

A welcome sign near what is being described as the killing field was covered with a graffiti message, �100% Zeta.� The Zetas are one of the two largest, and most violent, drug cartels in Mexico.

FBI RELEASES 2011 PRELIMINARY STATISTICS FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY

No Author — Mon, 14 May 2012 09:00:00 EST

According to preliminary statistics released today by the FBI, 72 of our nation�s law enforcement officers were feloniously killed in the line of duty in during 2011. By region, 29 victims were killed in the South, 21 in the Midwest, 10 each were killed in the West and the Northeast, and two were killed in Puerto Rico. The total number of officers feloniously killed in 2011 was 16 more than the 56 officers slain in 2010.

Of these 72 felonious deaths, 19 officers were killed during ambushes (14 during unprovoked attacks and five due to entrapment/premeditation situations); five were slain while investigating suspicious persons or circumstances; 11 were killed during traffic pursuits/stops; five of the fallen officers interrupted robberies in progress or were pursuing robbery suspects; and four died while responding to disturbance calls (one being a domestic disturbance).

ATTORNEY GENERAL ERIC HOLDER SPEAKS AT THE NATIONAL POLICE WEEK 24TH ANNUAL CANDLELIGHT VIGIL

No Author — Mon, 14 May 2012 06:48:00 EST

WASHINGTON, D.C. ~ Sunday, May 13, 2012

Thank you, Craig [Floyd], for that kind introduction, and for your work in bringing so many distinguished public servants and proud members � and supporters � of our law enforcement family together this evening. I�m grateful for the opportunity to join with you all once again this year in honoring the service � and the profound sacrifice � of America�s finest.

For over thirty years, I�ve had the great privilege of working alongside members of the �thin blue line� � a line defined by honor, heroism, and valor. Each day I am inspired � and deeply humbled � by their unwavering commitment to protecting the American people; to ensuring the integrity of our justice system; and to serving on the front lines of our nation�s fight against crime, violence, and terrorism.