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☆ Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley targeted in swatting incident
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-27 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

"It was determined to be a hoax ... Nikki Haley is not on the island and her son is with her." Law enforcement agencies have not publicly identified a suspect in the Haley case or in other high-profile swatting cases. Reuters has documented at least 27 swatting incidents of politicians, prosecutors, election officials and judges since November 2023, ranging from Georgia Republican state officials to hoaxes this month against Democrat Joe Biden's residence at the White House. Senator Rick Scott on Dec. 27, weeks after he endorsed Trump, according to records from the Naples Police Department. A caller identifying himself as "Jamal" also targeted Georgia Republican state senator John Albers on Dec. 26, according to an incident report from the Roswell Police Department.

Persons: Nikki Haley, Donald Trump, Trump, State Shenna Bellows, Marjorie Taylor Greene, swatting, Haley, Craig Harris, Kiawah, Harris, Joe Biden's, Jamal, Rick Scott, Scott wasn't, John Albers, State Jay Ashcroft, Ashcroft, Scott, Albers, Gabriel Sterling, Sterling Organizations: Grappone, Authorities, South, Republican, Reuters, State, Trump, Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI, Georgia Republican, White, Republican U.S, Naples Police Department, Police Department, Roswell Police Department, Missouri, Jefferson City Police Department, Atlanta Locations: Concord , New Hampshire, South Carolina, U.S, Maine, Kiawah, South Carolina's, Iowa, New Hampshire, Georgia, Florida, Naples, Missouri

WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal prosecutors urged a judge on Tuesday to reject Hunter Biden’s efforts to dismiss the gun charges against him, revealing that investigators last year found cocaine residue on the pouch the president’s son used to hold his gun. “To be clear, investigators literally found drugs on the pouch where the defendant had kept his gun,” prosecutors said. Hunter Biden has since said that he’s stopped using drugs and has worked to turn his life around. Hunter Biden’s criminal proceedings are also happening in parallel to so far unsuccessful efforts by congressional Republicans to link his business dealings to his father. Republicans are pursuing an impeachment inquiry into President Biden, claiming he was engaged in an influence-peddling scheme with his son.

Persons: Hunter, Joe Biden’s, Hunter Biden's, ” Hunter Biden, “, Hunter Biden, he’s, didn't, David Weiss —, Donald Trump, Biden, Trump, ____ Richer Organizations: WASHINGTON, —, FBI, Trump, Prosecutors, Justice Department, U.S . Attorney, Republicans, Biden family’s Locations: Delaware, Boston

☆ American Dream mall evacuated on Black Friday after a bomb threat
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-24 | by ( Kylie Kirschner | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

The American Dream mall was evacuated on Black Friday due to a bomb threat. AdvertisementThe American Dream mall in East Rutherford, New Jersey, was evacuated on Black Friday due to a bomb threat. The American Dream mall is the second largest mall in the US at 3 million square feet. The American Dream mall opened in 2019 after being in the works for decades. The American Dream mall did not immediately respond to BI's request for comment.

Persons: —, she's Organizations: New Jersey State Police, Service, Bloomberg Locations: East Rutherford , New Jersey, East Rutherford, Bergen County, Israel, American

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — Authorities say the gunman who was killed after shooting to death a security guard at a New Hampshire psychiatric hospital has been identified. He said CPR was performed on the victim, who later died at Concord Hospital. Authorities identified the victim Friday night as Bradley Haas, 63, a state Department of Safety security officer who was working at the front lobby entrance. All patients at the psychiatric hospital were safe, and the state trooper who killed the shooter was not wounded, according to authorities. “Investigators with the New Hampshire State Police have searched and cleared a suspicious box truck near the scene.

Persons: John Formella, John Madore, Bradley Haas, Madore, Formella, Mark Hall, Haas, “, Annie Kuster, ” Kuster, Holly Ramer, Patrick Whittle, David Sharp Organizations: CONCORD, — Authorities, New Hampshire, New Hampshire Hospital, of, State Police, Concord Hospital, Authorities, New Hampshire State Police, Franklin Police Department, Hospital, Department, Safety, Democratic U.S . Rep, AP Locations: N.H, New Hampshire, New, Concord, Franklin, U.S, Maine, Concord , New Hampshire, Portland , Maine

☆ Circus lion captured after hours on the loose near Rome
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-12 | by ( Sharon Braithwaite | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —A lion that escaped from a circus in the Italian town of Ladispoli, near Rome, on Saturday has been recaptured after several hours on the loose, the local mayor has announced. ET) on Saturday, Ladispoli mayor Alessandro Grando announced on his Facebook page that the lion had been caught. The animal had been on the loose for at least 5 hours, causing concern and confusion among local residents. ET) when it was announced the lion had escaped from the circus and that the animal was immediately tracked down within the adjacent waterway. Residents of Ladispoli, a seaside town near Rome, were told to stay home yesterday after Kimba the lion escaped from the circus before the animal was sedated and captured.

Persons: Ladispoli, Alessandro Grando, ” Grando, Grando, Sonia Logre Organizations: CNN, State Police, Fire Department, Health Authority, Circus, “, Law Enforcement, Italian, RAI, Residents, Getty, Organization Locations: Italian, Ladispoli, Rome, “, AFP

☆ Brazil Cracks Down on Surprising New Threat: Neo-Nazis
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-07 | by ( Julia Vargas Jones | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

In southern Brazil in July, Laureano Toscani and João Guilherme Correa were smoking cigarettes along a busy road in their prison-issued garb, shorts and sandals, waiting for a ride after seven months in jail. Mr. Toscani was once convicted of stabbing a group of Jewish men, and Mr. Correa has been accused of murdering a couple leaving a party. But this time, they were behind bars for attending what they said was a harmless barbecue. The Brazilian authorities, however, say it was something far more sinister: a meeting of the Hammerskins, a neo-Nazi group founded in Dallas in 1988 that they say has recently found its way thousands of miles south, to Brazil’s most starkly conservative region, reflecting a surge in far-right extremists in Latin America’s largest nation. In September 2022, the state police in Santa Catarina began trailing the Hammerskins as members strategized on how to attract new recruits.

Persons: Laureano, João Guilherme Correa, Toscani, Correa, strategized Organizations: Nazi, Santa Catarina Locations: Brazil, Dallas, Santa

☆ Gov. Hochul Announces $75 Million to Combat Hate Crimes in New York
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-31 | by ( Luis Ferré-Sadurní | More About Luis Ferré-Sadurní | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +3 min

Kathy Hochul of New York announced on Tuesday up to $75 million in grants for local police departments and houses of worship in response to an uptick in reported antisemitic attacks and hate crimes against Palestinians in the wake of the Israel-Hamas war. The New York Police Department unveiled statistics last week that showed a spike in hate crimes in the city, especially against Jews, after the Hamas attacks on Israel earlier this month, despite an overall decrease in hate crimes this year. There were 51 hate crimes in the third week of October, compared with just seven in the same week last year; 30 were antisemitic, the police said. as a potential hate crime and prompted the school and the State Police to increase security at the school’s Jewish center. Ms. Hochul announced $50 million in grants to help local law enforcement agencies prevent and solve hate crimes.

Persons: Kathy Hochul, Ms, Hochul, —, ”, Eric Adams, Jonathan Lippman Organizations: New York, State Police, New York Police Department, Jewish, Cornell University, Israel, New, City University of New Locations: New, Israel, New York, Yorker, Ithaca, N.Y, Gaza, City University of New York

Sagadahoc County, Maine CNN —The US Army asked local police to check on the reservist who killed 18 people after a soldier became concerned he would “snap and commit a mass shooting,” according to information shared with CNN. The welfare report detailed to CNN repeatedly cited the Maine National Guard as the source of the concerns and the troubling information about the shooter’s actions. It should also be noted that no bulletins or assistance was requested from MSP’s Maine information and analysis center. Thirty-eight days later, the Army reservist walked into a bowling alley and started shooting. He was a US Army reservist.

Persons: Robert Card, “, ”, Ruth Castro, Mike Sauschuck, Joel Merry, Rick LaChapelle, Joseph Prezioso, Jack Clements, WMTW, Sagadahoc County Sheriff Merry, Merry, Brother, Robert Card's Organizations: Maine CNN, US Army, CNN, Army, Maine National Guard, US Army Reserve, State Public, Sunday, of Public Safety, Maine State Police, DPS, Coastal Defense Firearms, New York Times, Office, National Guard, Sheriff’s, Saco Police, Sagadahoc County Sheriff, Associated Press, Army Reserve, Kennebec Locations: Sagadahoc County, Maine, Kennebec County, Sagadahoc, ”, Lewiston , Maine, ” Maine, MSP’s Maine, Auburn , Maine, AFP, New York, West Point, “, Saco, WMTW Maine

The search for Robert Card, 40, of Bowdoin, involved both old-fashioned footwork and advanced technology, but for almost two days after the shooting there was still no sign of Card by air, water or land. Maine's wildlife game wardens were among the officers taking part in the water search. “That AI technology can be used to search the video faster," Carter said. SEARCHING BY AIRColder temperatures expected this weekend would have made it easier to use thermal search equipment, Sauschuck said during the afternoon press conference. “Helicopters and drones, given how wooded it is there, using infrared technology can help you look through the canopy,” Carter said.

Persons: outdoorsman, Robert Card, Bowdoin, Mike Sauschuck, Sauschuck, Ryan Smith, David Carter, ‘ I’ve, ’, ’ ”, Carter, “ It’s, ” Carter, “ It's, “, ”, Michael Balsamo Organizations: Maine Public, U.S . Coast Guard, Maine's Department of Public, Michigan State University, FBI, “ Helicopters, Maine Department of Inland Fisheries, Wildlife, Canada Border Services Agency, Lewiston Police Department, Analysis, Associated Press Locations: Maine, Androscoggin, Lisbon Falls , Maine, Kennebec, U.S, State, New York

☆ Louisiana 'super fog' kills 7 in massive car pile-up
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

At least one vehicle went over the edge and lay sideways in the water, pictures posted by the Louisiana State Police showed. The search for victims from the chain-reaction accident continued for hours after the crash, the state police said on Facebook. The accident closed Interstate 55 in St. John the Baptist Parish. The massive crash was one of several accidents in the area due to heavy fog, police said. He also urged drivers to take care from the "dangerous combination of wildfire smoke and dense fog."

Persons: John, Baptist, John Bel Edwards, Daniel Trotta, Sonali Paul Organizations: Reuters . Louisiana State Police, Handout, REUTERS Acquire, Louisiana State Police, Facebook, National Weather Service, Thomson Locations: St, Baptist Parish , Louisiana, U.S, Louisiana, New Orleans, Maurepas, Baptist Parish

The man, whose name was redacted in the document, said he worked as a “political tracker” for America Rising. The police report links to two websites as potential employers, one at an America Rising corporation and one for an America Rising political action committee. The mansion on Mackinac Island is a summer residence for any Michigan governor in office. The governor's team would not confirm whether she was at the Mackinac Island residence on Aug. 26, citing security concerns. Her chief of staff said the August incident on Mackinac Island was considered “extremely serious,” in light of the previous criminal cases.

Persons: Gretchen Whitmer’s, ‘, It's, Whitmer, ”, ” Det, Aaron Sitko, Lori Dougovito, James Grady II, ” Whitmer, ” JoAnne Huls, “, Elissa Slotkin, Xavier Becerra, Slotkin Organizations: Michigan Gov, The Associated Press, America, America Rising, Michigan, Police, AP . State, Democratic U.S . Rep, Health Locations: LANSING, Mich, Michigan, Mackinac, ”, Brighton , Michigan

A dense “super fog” hovered over New Orleans on Monday, shrouding the area in an impenetrable mist that led to traffic pileups involving dozens of vehicles and leaving at least seven people dead, the authorities said. At least 158 vehicles were involved in a series of crashes, which began just before 9 a.m. on Interstate 55 northwest of New Orleans, the Louisiana State Police said, noting that fog had been a “contributing factor.” An additional 25 people were injured, some of them critically, the police said. After the accidents, which involved vehicles in both the north- and southbound lanes, some of the vehicles caught fire, according to the police. A tanker truck carrying “hazardous liquid” was being removed, the police said, adding that it was possible that “additional fatalities could be located.” The State Police urged anyone with a missing family member to contact the agency. Aerial images posted to the State Police’s Facebook page show several pileups on Interstate 55, including some cars and trucks that appeared to be charred.

Organizations: Louisiana State Police, State Police, State, Facebook Locations: New Orleans

His identification makes Livingston the ninth presumed victim of Baumeister to be identified by investigators from among roughly 10,000 charred bones and bone fragments that were found at Baumeister’s sprawling property, Jellison said. He said investigators believe the bones and fragments could represent the remains of at least 25 people. During the original investigation in the 1990s, 11 human DNA samples were extracted from bones and bone fragments. Eight of those people, all young men, were identified and matched to DNA samples, with Livingston now the ninth to be identified, Jellison said. So far, more than 30 families have provided DNA samples, and Jellison hopes other families will submit additional samples.

Persons: Herbert Baumeister’s, Allen Livingston, Jeff Jellison, Livingston, Jellison, Baumeister, “, ” Jellison, ”, we’ve, “ that's Organizations: INDIANAPOLIS, —, Indianapolis, Indiana State Police Laboratory Locations: — Indiana, Indianapolis, Herbert Baumeister’s Indianapolis, Hamilton County, Canada, Westfield, Indiana, Ohio, Livingston

The governor has the sole discretion to restore those civil rights, apart from firearm rights, which can be restored by a court. It called on DOJ to look into the matter as a possible violation of the Voting Rights Act or other federal laws. The Virginia Department of Elections said in a statement Tuesday that impacted voters will receive written notification that their registrations have been reinstated. It also offered some pushback against the letter, saying it incorrectly claimed that voters were purged “without notice.”“This is false. Macaulay Porter, a spokeswoman for Youngkin, said in a statement that the effort to determine which voters may have been improperly removed was ongoing.

Persons: Glenn Youngkin's, General Merrick Garland, Macaulay Porter, Youngkin, ” Porter, Aryele Bradford, Corinne Geller, Mark Warner, Tim Kaine, Robert “ Bobby ” Scott, Gerry Connolly, Donald Beyer, Abigail Spanberger, Jennifer Wexton, Jennifer McClellan Organizations: —, Democratic, U.S . Department of Justice, Republican Gov, DOJ, Department of Justice, The Virginia Department, Elections, Virginia State Police, Department, U.S Locations: RICHMOND, Va, Virginia, Sens

CASTLETON, Vt. (AP) — Vermont State Police are asking the public, businesses and hunters near a state university campus to review their surveillance systems after a retired dean and professor who was married to best-selling author Ron Powers was found shot to death on a rail trail this week. Police said Friday night an autopsy showed that Honoree Fleming, 77, of Castleton, died from a gunshot wound to the head on Thursday afternoon. She was found on the Delaware & Hudson Rail Trail about a mile (1.61 kilometers) south of the Castleton campus of Vermont State University, which was closed on Friday because of the investigation. A witness reported a possible suspect was northbound on the trail walking towards the campus after gunshots were heard, police said. Political Cartoons View All 1202 ImagesFleming was a beloved retired dean of education and researcher “with countless papers published," the university said in a statement Friday.

Persons: Ron Powers, Fleming, . Dan Trudeau, hasn't, “ We're, Trudeau, “, Powers, Mark Twain, ”, ” Powers Organizations: — Vermont State Police, Police, Delaware & Hudson Rail, Vermont State University, People, Mental Health, “ Police Locations: CASTLETON, Vt, Castleton, Delaware, Iwo Jima, America

MEXICO CITY (AP) — The roof of a church collapsed in northern Mexico during a Mass on Sunday, and rescue teams rushed to begin searching for about 30 people believed to be trapped in the rubble, authorities said. The Tamaulipas state police said that about 100 people were in the church at the time of the collapse and that about 30 were still inside. Tamaulipas state police said units of the National Guard, the state police and state civil defense office and the Red Cross were at the scene seeking to rescue any victims. Photos published by local media showed what appeared to be a concrete and brick structure, with parts of the roof fallen almost to the ground. Political Cartoons View All 1190 ImagesThe roof appeared to be made of poured concrete, and photos distributed by state authorities showed the massive roof resting on the top of pews in some parts of the church.

Persons: Bishop José Armando Alvarez, ” Alvarez, Ciudad Organizations: MEXICO CITY, Roman Catholic, Ciudad Madero, National Guard, National Seismological Service, Madero Locations: MEXICO, Mexico, Tamaulipas, Tampico, Santa Cruz, Gulf, Ciudad, Brownsville , Texas, Veracruz

☆ Zelle Fraud: I Got Scammed Out of $31,000 and My Bank Didn't Care
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-01 | by ( Devin Friedman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +38 min

Because a lot of bank branches were still closed, and the crew wanted their money, he requested that we transfer the money via Zelle. When I asked Chase to discuss Zelle fraud, I received an email saying, "Unfortunately, we don't have anyone available for an interview." The way the email messages from Gary were subliterate in a completely different way from the way a classic Gary email is subliterate. When Gary Kruglitz told us to Zelle him, he didn't really tell us to Zelle him. It's possible that the government will eventually be moved to safeguard consumers against Zelle fraud.

Persons: Madison Ketcham, Gary Kruglitz, Gary, couldn't, he'll, Gary —, —, Cheryl, Sheryl, Sheryl —, we'd, Jeff Allen's, didn't, Jeff, Krystal, we'll, He'd, you've, Karen, I'm, she'd, Yellllow, Zelle, Chase, Sen, Elizabeth Warren, there's, That's, It's, Jesus, who'd, Donald Trump, Gary Kruglitzes, Cheryls —, Yasmine48, Nixon, Evan Kohlmann, cybercrime, we've, I've, Kohlmann, Guess, Let's, that's, Elizabeth Warren's, it's, they're, Warren's, Warren, I'd, they'd, blinked Organizations: Boston Pops, The New York Times, New York Times, Chase, Bank of America, PNC, US Bank, PayPal, Disney, NBC, Warner Bros, Netflix, JPMorgan Chase, Bank —, of, Professionals, Justice Department, Northeast . Contractors, Cloudburst Technologies, Facebook, FBI, Mafia, Massachusetts State Police, Monterey Police Department, Police Locations: Massachusetts, Lyme, Tennessee, Wells Fargo, Truist, Silicon Valley, Amsterdam, Northeast, what's, Paxful, Estonia, Korea, Monterey , Massachusetts, Monterey

☆ The Great Zelle Pool Scam
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-01 | by ( Devin Friedman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +38 min

When I asked Chase to discuss Zelle fraud, I received an email saying, "Unfortunately, we don't have anyone available for an interview." The way the email messages from Gary were subliterate in a completely different way from the way a classic Gary email is subliterate. When Gary Kruglitz told us to Zelle him, he didn't really tell us to Zelle him. Out of all the kinds of money, money to build a pool is probably the very best kind of money for the world to suffer the loss of. It's possible that the government will eventually be moved to safeguard consumers against Zelle fraud.

(AP) — The Mississippi Supreme Court on Thursday struck down part of a state law that would have authorized some circuit court judges to be appointed rather than elected in the capital city of Jackson and the surrounding county, which are both majority-Black. Tate Reeves were usurping local autonomy in Jackson and Hinds County, which are governed by Democrats. Circuit judges hear criminal cases for felonies such as murder and aggravated assault. In May, Hinds County Chancery Judge Dewayne Thomas dismissed the Jackson residents’ lawsuit days after he removed Randolph as a defendant. U.S. District Judge Henry Wingate temporarily put the law on hold, which has blocked Randolph from appointing the four temporary circuit court judges.

Persons: JACKSON, Critics, Jackson, Ann Saunders, Dorothy Triplett, Jackson aren’t, Triplett, Tate Reeves, Hinds, “, Mike Randolph, Dewayne Thomas, Randolph, Thomas, Henry Wingate, Wingate, “ Jackson, ” Organizations: Mississippi Supreme, Capitol Police, Republican, Republican Gov, Democrats, Jackson, NAACP, Mississippi ., District Locations: Miss, Mississippi, Jackson, Hinds, Hinds County, Mississippi . U.S

BAGLEY TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) — A woman was rescued Tuesday from an outhouse toilet in northern Michigan after she climbed in to retrieve her Apple Watch and became trapped. The woman, whose name was not released, lowered herself inside the toilet after dropping the watch at the Department of Natural Resources boat launch at Dixon Lake in Otsego County's Bagley Township, state police said Wednesday in a release. The toilet was removed and a strap was used to haul the woman out. “If you lose an item in an outhouse toilet, do not attempt to venture inside the containment area. The state police did not say Wednesday if the woman was injured or if the watch was recovered.

Persons: — Organizations: Apple Watch, Department of Natural Resources Locations: BAGLEY, Mich, Michigan, Dixon Lake, Otsego County's Bagley Township, Bagley, Detroit

Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed a law Thursday restricting release of her travel and security records after the Legislature wrapped up a special session marked by a fight to more broadly scale back the state Freedom of Information Act. Sanders sought the security exemptions as the State Police was sued by an attorney and blogger who accused the agency of illegally withholding records about the governor’s travel and security. Supporters of the bill said the governor's higher profile has raised the security risk she and her family faces. The broader exemptions originally sought prompted an outcry from media groups, transparency advocates and some conservatives who said it would create massive holes in the state's open records law. Sanders also signed legislation prohibiting state and local governments from requiring someone to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

Persons: Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Sanders, she's, Donald Trump, ” Sanders, Andrew Collins, ” Collins, Matthew Campbell, Campbell, David Ray, We're, David Couch, ” Couch Organizations: —, GOP, State Police, White, Democratic, Republican, COVID, Legislative Locations: — Arkansas

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A group photo of about two dozen law officers in tactical gear posing with escaped murderer Danelo Cavalcante minutes after his capture Wednesday in southeastern Pennsylvania drew criticism from policing reform advocates and some members of the public. Policing experts said the celebratory moment after the grueling 14-day search for the armed suspect was inappropriate and dehumanizing. Photos of Cavalcante immediately after being arrested, with the police dog pinning him down, circulated widely on social media Wednesday in the hours after the arrest was announced. The photos did not include information about who took them, but they were taken inside the secured perimeter where only law enforcement officers were allowed. If I was on the scene as the public affairs officer representing a law enforcement agency, I would have discouraged it.”

Persons: Danelo, George Bivens, “ They’re, ” Bivens, “ I’m, ”, Adam Scott Wandt, John Jay, “, ” Wandt, Cavalcante, Tyre Nichols, Demetrius Haley, Nichols, Wilson, ” Wilson, that's, ” Leonard Sipes, ” Sipes Organizations: PHILADELPHIA, KYW, Pennsylvania, Police, John, John Jay College of Criminal, Pennsylvania State Police, State Police, Associated Press, U.S . Marshals Service, U.S . Customs, Border Protection, Drug Enforcement Agency, Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, Explosives, Memphis, Niles, Center for Policing Equity, Civil Locations: Pennsylvania, U.S, Newark , New Jersey

(AP) — Arkansas lawmakers voted Wednesday to shield travel and security records for Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ administration, a day after ditching a more far-reaching proposal that critics said would weaken government transparency. Sanders and Republican legislators on Tuesday backed off a broader plan that would have closed off access to other records, including any “reflecting communications” between the governor's office and her cabinet secretaries. I want to be able to see the documents,” Joey McCutchen, a Fort Smith attorney who has specialized in public records cases, told lawmakers. Sanders is seeking the limits as State Police is being sued by an attorney and blogger who has accused the agency of illegally withholding records about the governor’s travel and security.

Persons: Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Sanders, ” Joey McCutchen, “, Scott Gray, she's, Donald Trump's, Sen, Clarke Tucker, It's, ” Tucker, Nicole Clowney, Lawmakers, Bart Hester, he’s, Hester Organizations: —, Gov, Republican Senate, State Police, Tuesday, Fort, The Arkansas Press Association, Saline County Republican, Democratic Locations: — Arkansas, Fort Smith, Saline County, Pulaski County, Arkansans

Republican lawmakers filed legislation exempting release of the travel and security records after an outcry over a proposal to significantly scale back the state's Freedom of Information Act. Sanders is seeking the limits as State Police is being sued by an attorney and blogger who has accused the agency of illegally withholding records about the governor's travel and security. The newest bill also removes proposals facing opposition that would have created an attorney-client privilege exemption for state records and a change in how attorneys' fees are awarded in open records lawsuits. The legislation filed Tuesday would require State Police to file quarterly reports that identifies by month and budget category expenses for the governor’s security. It would also make the exemptions on the governor's security retroactive to June 1, 2022.

Persons: Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Sanders, Bart Hester, Donald Trump’s, Democratic Sen, Clarke Tucker, “, ” Tucker, Robert Steinbuch, William H, ” Steinbuch, ” Organizations: —, GOP, Republican, Senate Republicans, State Police, Democratic, University of Arkansas, Bowen School of, Arkansas Press Association, Society of Professional Journalists, Press Association, Arkansas Broadcasters Association, Republican Party Locations: — Arkansas, Arkansas, Little

The plan to restrict records has prompted an outcry from press groups, transparency advocates, Democrats and some conservatives who said it undermines the state’s 1967 law that protects the public’s access to government records. Opponents have also questioned the need for quickly pushing for the legislation in a special session. The bill would close off access to records that are at the center of a lawsuit an attorney and blogger has filed against the Arkansas State Police. David Couch, an attorney who has authored successful ballot initiatives on medical marijuana and the minimum wage, said earlier Monday he was working on a referendum effort on the FOI changes if they become law. A Senate committee on Monday endorsed the tax cut legislation, which calls for cutting the top individual and corporate income tax rates by .3%.

Persons: Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Sanders, “ We've, Bart Hester, Hester, “, ”, Joey McCutchen, she's, Donald Trump's, “ We’re, Matt Campbell, David Couch, I've, Couch Organizations: —, Senate, Fort, State Police, Republicans, Arkansas State Police, Arkansas Press Association, Society of Professional Journalists, Republican Party, Prosperity Locations: — Arkansas, Fort Smith, Arkansas

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