Zeke Miller and Catherine Lucey, Associated Press Updated 2:32 am, Thursday, May 24, 2018 window._taboola = window._taboola || []; _taboola.push({ mode: 'thumbnails-c', container: 'taboola-interstitial-gallery-thumbnails-3', placement: 'Interstitial Gallery Thumbnails 3', target_type: 'mix' }); _taboola.push({flush: true}); Photo: Alex Brandon, AP Image 1of/3 CaptionClose Image 1 of 3 FILE - In this May 10, 2018, file photo President Donald Trump, accompanied by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, back, waves at the media and others upon arrival of former North Korean detainees Tony Kim, left, Kim Dong Chul and Kim Hak Song, unseen, at Andrews Air Force Base, Md. less FILE - In this May 10, 2018, file photo President Donald Trump, accompanied by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, back, waves at the media and others upon arrival of former North Korean detainees Tony Kim, left, ... more … [Read more...] about Human rights an afterthought ahead of US-North Korea summit
Politics
Steve King not fazed by primary election in Iowa
SIOUX CITY -- Steve King may never have had so many people lined up to replace him in the U.S. House, but he's still confident he will win re-election to the Iowa 4th congressional district in November.First, King has to win a Republican primary on June 5, where Cyndi Hanson, a college administrator from Sioux City, opposes him from a more moderate position. Beyond that, three Democrats also have their own primary to select the one who will move ahead to the November ballot.There is also a Libertarian Party candidate, Charles Aldrich of Clarion, who the congressman said he presumes may be trying to position himself on some issues to the political right of King.With a laugh, he cited a notable quote from U.S. military icon Chesty Puller about being beset by an enemies on many sides."I am ideologically surrounded," King said.Still, King is not fazed, feeling the strong Republican voter advantage in the 4th District will still work to his advantage in a year when Democrats feel they've … [Read more...] about Steve King not fazed by primary election in Iowa
Sioux City, South Sioux populations drop; Okoboji growth continues
SIOUX CITY -- The Sioux City metro's two largest cities lost population last year while Sergeant Bluff and North Sioux City continued to see steady growth, according to newly released estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau. Two cities in the Iowa Great Lakes region, Arnolds Park and Spirit Lake, were among the fastest-growing in Siouxland last year.Sioux City's population dropped from 82,759 to 82,514 -- a decrease of 245 residents, or about 0.3 percent -- according to the new data, which shows U.S. cities' estimated populations as of July 1, 2017.In South Sioux City, the population fell below 13,000 for the first time this decade, dropping from 13,058 on July 1, 2016 to 12,911 on the same day in 2017 -- a decrease of 147 residents, or 1.13 percent.Meanwhile, Sergeant Bluff's population increased 1.31 percent, or 61, from 4,645 to 4,706, while North Sioux City posted a 0.87 percent increase, growing from 2,760 to 2,784, a gain of 24 residents. Leaders in Sioux City and … [Read more...] about Sioux City, South Sioux populations drop; Okoboji growth continues
Newsom leads governor’s poll, with Cox and Villaraigosa fighting for second
Democratic Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom is maintaining a solid lead in the June 5 primary for governor, with Republican John Cox and Democrat Antonio Villaraigosa in a close fight for the runner-up slot in the top-two primary, according to a new poll by the Public Policy Institute of California. In the five pre-election polls the nonpartisan institute has taken since December, “the one constant has been Newsom,” said Mark Baldassare, the organization’s CEO and the poll’s director. “His numbers have been very consistent,” ranging from 23 percent in December to a high of 28 percent in March. He’s at 25 percent among likely voters in the new survey. But the second place spot is just as important, since that finisher will join the leading vote-getter on the November ballot. Cox, a San Diego-area businessman, now leads Villaraigosa, former mayor of Los Angeles, 19 percent to 15 percent. That’s up a bit from Cox’s 15 percent to 13 percent lead … [Read more...] about Newsom leads governor’s poll, with Cox and Villaraigosa fighting for second
Lujan Grisham criticized for past ties to health care firm
.......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ..........Copyright © 2018 Albuquerque JournalSANTA FE – A health care consulting company that Michelle Lujan Grisham co-founded in 2008 has repeatedly landed contracts to help run a state high-risk insurance pool, which critics have described as redundant, given provisions of the 2010 federal Affordable Care Act. Michelle Lujan GrishamAlthough Lujan Grisham divested herself from Delta Consulting last year, the company is still owned by her campaign treasurer – state Rep. Deborah Armstrong, D-Albuquerque, and has emerged as a thorny issue in the Democratic primary race for governor.ADVERTISEMENTDuring a televised debate Sunday, one of the three Democrats in the race, former media executive Jeff Apodaca, accused Lujan Grisham and Armstrong of enriching themselves off the … [Read more...] about Lujan Grisham criticized for past ties to health care firm
Barack Obama speech in Las Vegas delves into tech, unity
Former President Barack Obama on Wednesday delivered an hourlong keynote address at Oktane18, a three-day customer conference held by Okta, a San Francisco-based security software firm at the Aria Hotel in Las Vegas. Photo by Okta, Inc.Former President Barack Obama on Wednesday delivered an hourlong keynote address at Oktane18, a three-day customer conference held by Okta, a San Francisco-based security software firm at the Aria Hotel in Las Vegas. Photo by Okta, Inc.Former President Barack Obama on Wednesday delivered an hourlong keynote address at Oktane18, a three-day customer conference held by Okta, a San Francisco-based security software firm at the Aria Hotel in Las Vegas. Photo by Okta, Inc.Former President Barack Obama on Wednesday delivered an hourlong keynote address at Oktane18, a three-day customer conference held by Okta, a San Francisco-based security software firm at the Aria Hotel in Las Vegas. Photo by Okta, Inc. On the heels of a contract to create a Netflix … [Read more...] about Barack Obama speech in Las Vegas delves into tech, unity
Snowmass elected officials give their successors a pay raise
Snowmass elected officials are giving their successors — and potentially themselves — a raise. The council on May 14 unanimously directed town staff to prepare an ordinance formalizing the increase in compensation, which would not go into effect until after the November election. “I didn’t know we got paid,” councilman Tom Goode joked during the work session. Snowmass Town Council members are currently paid $12,000 annually, while the mayor earns $20,400, town spokesman Travis Elliot said. The pay hike would give all five elected officials an additional $2,400 per year plus a $500 monthly stipend to be used toward insurance. Even with the pay bump, Snowmass elected officials still would earn less than their Aspen counterparts. To read more of this story go to aspentimes.com … [Read more...] about Snowmass elected officials give their successors a pay raise
Kushner given security clearance after background check
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, has been granted a security clearance after a lengthy background check, a move that ensures the key White House adviser with a broad international portfolio can have access to some of the country's most closely held secrets.Kushner, who serves as a senior adviser on the Middle East and other issues, was among many White House advisers who had been operating without approval for full security clearances. That led to a White House policy overhaul in February that significantly downgraded access to sensitive information for Kushner and other Trump administration officials on interim clearances."With respect to the news about his permanent security clearance, as we stated before, his application was properly submitted, reviewed by career officials, and went through the normal process," Kushner's lawyer, Abbe Lowell, said in a statement. "Having completed these processes, Mr. Kushner is looking forward to continuing … [Read more...] about Kushner given security clearance after background check
Democratic pep rally draws not 50 but 300 in St. Charles
As an unexpected crowd squeezed into the shade at Mount St. Mary Park in St. Charles late in the workday Wednesday, a sense of nostalgia crept over Kane County Democratic Party Chairman Mark Guethle. A pep rally expected to draw about 50 people for 14th Congressional District hopeful Lauren Underwood drew 300 people on the strength of co-appearances by gubernatorial candidate J.B. Pritzker and Democratic National Committee Chairman Tom Perez. related advertisement "We haven't seen this type of excitement out here since Barack Obama was in Kane County," Guethle said. "That means more Democrats are coming out to vote."Underwood will need an Obama-like Democratic wave to unseat incumbent Republican Randy Hultgren of Plano. In 2008, Obama carried Kane County (including Aurora) by more than 24,000 votes on his way to defeating Republican John McCain in the race for president. Down the ticket, Democrat Bill Foster had an unexpected 50,000-vote victory over Jim Oberweis.The … [Read more...] about Democratic pep rally draws not 50 but 300 in St. Charles
Republican Meg Whitman backs a Democrat for California governor
Republican Meg Whitman backs a Democrat for California governor By Joe Garofoli May 23, 2018 Updated: May 23, 2018 6:42pm Photo: Aric Crabb / Associated Press Democratic gubernatorial candidate Antonio Villaraigosa speaks during a debate in San Jose on May 8. Democratic gubernatorial candidate Antonio Villaraigosa speaks... Democratic gubernatorial candidate Antonio Villaraigosa has picked up an unexpected backer: the 2010 Republican nominee for governor, Meg Whitman. Some of his Democratic opponents promptly tried to turn it into a weapon against him. Most Popular 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Whitman, the billionaire former eBay CEO who spent $144 million of her own money on her failed run in 2010, is co-hosting a fundraiser Thursday night for Villaraigosa in Silicon Valley. The Los Angeles Times quoted an unnamed source as saying Whitman believes Villaraigosa is “better on the economy and … [Read more...] about Republican Meg Whitman backs a Democrat for California governor