State Releases Inmates to Stop ‘Overcrowding’

/0 Comments/in , /by

By Breitbart. California’s coronavirus policy has reached a point of contradiction: the state is releasing inmates from its jails to prevent the spread of coronavirus in close quarters, while at the same time moving homeless people to recreation centers in residential areas.

The Los Angeles Times reports:

More California counties are releasing inmates to protect their jails againstpossible coronavirus outbreaks.

In Alameda County, officials announced 247 people were being released from the Santa Rita Jail in Dublin. San Diego County officials have announced similar moves, as have San Francisco, San Mateo and other counties.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has reduced its inmate population by 6% in the last three weeks and Dist. Atty. Jackie Lacey said her office would consider reducing bail for thousands of nonviolent offenders.

(Read more from “State Releases Inmates to Stop ‘Overcrowding’” HERE)

______________________________________________________

State Prison Inmate in Lancaster, 2 Prison Employees in Chino Test Positive for Coronavirus

By Daily Bulletin. A man incarcerated at a state prison in Lancaster and five employees at corrections facilities in Chino, Sacramento and Folsom had tested positive for the novel coronavirus as of Sunday, March 22, prison officials said.

The Lancaster case is the first to be reported among inmates in California’s prison system.

The first three confirmed cases of the virus in the prison system involved two employees at the California Institution for Men in Chino and another at California State Prison, Sacramento, officials for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation wrote in a statement issued Saturday, March 21.

The agency reported Sunday that an additional employee in Sacramento, one other at Folsom State Prison, and an inmate at California State Prison, Los Angeles County in Lancaster had also contracted COVID-19. (Read more from “State Prison Inmate in Lancaster, 2 Prison Employees in Chino Test Positive for Coronavirus” HERE)

Follow Joe Miller on Twitter HERE and Facebook HERE

Not Forgotten: Devin Nunes Exploring ‘Legal Remedies’ After Adam Schiff Released Phone Records

/0 Comments/in , /by

Rep. Devin Nunes said he is exploring “all” of his legal options in response to House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff subpoenaing and releasing his phone records during the recent Ukraine-related impeachment investigation.

The California Republican, who is the ranking member on the intelligence panel, gave an update to Larry O’Connor on the Examining Politics podcast last week.

“We’re going to look at all the legal remedies that we can take,” Nunes said, adding that the situation is “complicated” because of the “corrupt Democratic Congress” and because “the fake news media make up and build narratives.”

The phone call logs, subpoenaed from AT&T and Verizon, appear in a 658-page December report from House Democrats, including records of some phone calls by Nunes, presidential lawyers Rudy Giuliani and Jay Sekulow, journalist John Solomon, Fox News host Sean Hannity, indicted Giuliani associate Lev Parnas, and others. . .

“I’m in California, so for sure, state law, you cannot release somebody’s phone records,” Nunes said. “So, for sure, that right has been violated. But, we also have to look at the constitutional aspects of this, and do all the members of Congress have a right to privacy, and can just one member, because he doesn’t like someone and he’s a political opponent of someone, can that member just subpoena records and then release just to embarrass or to create a distraction or to build whatever fantasy-land narrative that they continue to build?” (Read more from “Not Forgotten: Devin Nunes Exploring ‘Legal Remedies’ After Adam Schiff Released Phone Records” HERE)

Follow Joe Miller on Twitter HERE and Facebook HERE

Germany’s Low Coronavirus Mortality Rate Intrigues Experts; Germany Bans Gatherings of More Than 2 to Contain Coronavirus Outbreak

/0 Comments/in , /by

By The Guardian. Germany’s relatively low mortality rate continues to intrigue experts as Covid-19 spreads across Europe, with some questioning the methodology behind its data gathering while others argue the country’s high testing rates allow a more accurate approximation of the threat posed by the novel coronavirus.

While the pandemic has hit Germany with full force, with Johns Hopkins University noting 22,364 confirmed infections by Sunday morning, only 84 people are so far reported to have died.

This means Germany currently has the lowest mortality rate of the 10 countries most severely hit by the pandemic: 0.3% compared with 9% in Italy and 4.6% in the UK.

The contrast with Italy is especially surprising because the two countries have the highest percentage of citizens aged 65 or over in Europe. If anything, the Bloomberg Global Health Index would suggest Italians have a healthier lifestyle than Germans.

German politicians and senior health officials have been reluctant to comment on the low mortality rate while the situation is developing so rapidly. Lothar Wieler, the president of the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), the government’s central public health body, has said he does not expect there to be a significant difference in mortality rates between Italy and Germany in the long run. (Read more from “Germany’s Low Coronavirus Mortality Rate Intrigues Experts” HERE)

_______________________________________________

Germany Bans Gatherings of More Than 2 to Contain Coronavirus Outbreak

By Fox News. Germany took drastic action Sunday to slow the spread of the coronavirus as the European Union country banned public gatherings of more than two people.

Only families and people sharing a home are exempt from the stringent action, Chancellor Angela Merkel said, according to Bloomberg News.

“No one wants to stand before the people and discuss such rules,” Merkel said at a news conference in Berlin after a video conference with regional leaders, according to the news outlet.

Merkel, who after giving her remarks was placed in quarantine after a doctor she came in contact with tested positive for COVID-19, said the public gathering ban will be in effect for two weeks. (Read more from “Germany Bans Gatherings of More Than 2 to Contain Coronavirus Outbreak” HERE)

Follow Joe Miller on Twitter HERE and Facebook HERE

Senate Democrats Block Coronavirus Stimulus Bill

/0 Comments/in , /by

By Daily Caller. The Senate on Sunday night failed to pass a procedural cloture vote on a phase-three coronavirus stimulus bill as there has been continued internal dispute between both parties.

The vote was 47-47. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Sunday that the bill would include $75 billion for hospitals and that two-thirds of all new money in the bill would go to states, however, this vote will likely end consideration of this bill. McConnell also said, “it’s just about time to take yes for an answer.” Democrats have said the coronavirus bill lacks new SNAP funds and were reportedly pushing for expanded emergency leave provisions and more than three months of unemployment insurance.

Treasury Sec. Steve Mnuchin, who has been negotiating with members of Congress on behalf of the White House, was spotted entering Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer’s office, 20 minutes away from the cloture vote.

McConnell voted no, which was not planned. He voted with the Democrats so he would have the option of recalling the vote, as Senate rules state.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Sunday said she will halt negotiations with the Senate and move to pass her own coronavirus package in the House, which could drag things out longer than many expected. Pelosi’s legislation will be a $1.6 trillion emergency package, according to Politico.

The text for a phase-three Senate bill announced Friday would give $1,200 checks to every person, while couples would receive $2,400. That $1,200 check will go to Americans making less than $75,000 annually. Each child will receive $500. The amount is reduced by $5 for every $100 a person earns over $75,000. Those making above $99,000 would not get any money. (Read more from “Senate Democrats Block Coronavirus Stimulus Bill” HERE)

__________________________________________________

Senate Democrats Block Mammoth Coronavirus Stimulus Package

By The Hill. Senate Democrats on Sunday blocked a coronavirus stimulus package from moving forward as talks on several key provisions remain stalled.

Senators voted 47-47 on advancing a “shell” bill, a placeholder that the text of the stimulus legislation would have been swapped into, falling short of the three-fifths threshold needed to advance the proposal. . .

Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) said the bill includes “problematic” provisions and that McConnell should have made the negotiations include both chambers and the White House from the beginning.

“Unfortunately, the legislation has not improved enough in the past three hours,” he said.

McConnell appeared visibly angry as he spoke from the Senate floor after the bill failed, pledging to force the vote again. (Read more from “Senate Democrats Block Mammoth Coronavirus Stimulus Package” HERE)

Follow Joe Miller on Twitter HERE and Facebook HERE

DNC Responds to Carter Page Lawsuit, Claiming Steele Dossier Is ‘Substantially True’

/0 Comments/in , /by

Lawyers for the Democratic National Committee claimed in court filings this week that the Steele dossier’s statements regarding Trump campaign aide Carter Page were “substantially true,” a defense that is at odds with the findings of the Justice Department’s inspector general.

“Here, the ‘gist’ of the complained-of statements — that Page coordinated with Russian government contacts as an adviser to the Trump campaign — aligns with Page’s own description of his conduct,” the DNC lawyers asserted in a court filing on Monday.

The filing was the DNC’s first in response to a defamation lawsuit that Page filed on Jan. 30 accusing the DNC and two lawyers for its outside law firm, Perkins Coie, of providing false information to journalists that came from Christopher Steele, a former British spy.

Perkins Coie, which also represented the Clinton campaign, hired the firm Fusion GPS in April 2016 to investigate Donald Trump. Fusion GPS in turn hired Steele to investigate Trump’s possible ties to Russia. Steele produced 17 memos as part of the project, alleging a “well-developed conspiracy of cooperation” between the Trump campaign and Russian government.

The FBI relied heavily on Steele’s information to obtain four warrants to conduct electronic surveillance on Page. The special counsel and Justice Department inspector general (IG) have since poured cold water on Steele’s allegations of a Trump-Russia conspiracy. (Read more from “DNC Responds to Carter Page Lawsuit, Claiming Steele Dossier Is ‘Substantially True’” HERE)

Follow Joe Miller on Twitter HERE and Facebook HERE

Report: Harvey Weinstein Tests Positive for Coronavirus

/0 Comments/in , /by

Disgraced Hollywood producer turned convicted rapist Harvey Weinstein has tested positive for coronavirus, according to Deadline.

The Hollywood trade publication reported Sunday that “an Empire State law enforcement official” confirmed to them that Weinstein tested positive for the Chinese virus mere days after being transferred to the Wende Correctional Facility from Rikers Island in New York City. . .

Harvey Weinstein was moved to Wende Correction Facility from Riker on March 18. As of this reporting, there are roughly 40 inmates at Rikers who’ve tested positive for coronavirus in the past week, when Weinstein was incarcerated there. On March 6, Weinstein was moved to an infirmary unit at Rikers Island after undergoing a heart procedure at the hospital where he’d been held since his conviction on February 24. He is now in medial isolation. (Read more from “Report: Harvey Weinstein Tests Positive for Coronavirus” HERE)

Follow Joe Miller on Twitter HERE and Facebook HERE

‘Gee That’s Too Bad’– Trump Reacts to News That Mitt Romney Isolated for Possible Coronavirus; Rand Paul Tests Positive

/0 Comments/in , /by

By Breitbart. President Donald Trump reacted to the news on Sunday that Sen. Mitt Romney was currently isolated after spending time with Sen. Rand Paul who tested positive for the virus.

“Romney’s in isolation?” Trump asked. “Gee, that’s too bad.”

(Read more from “‘Gee That’s Too Bad’– Trump Reacts to News That Mitt Romney Isolated for Possible Coronavirus” HERE)

______________________________________________

Rand Paul Tests Positive for Coronavirus

By Buzzfeed News. Republican Sen. Rand Paul has tested positive for the coronavirus, a staff member announced on Sunday.

According to a tweet from the Kentucky Republican’s account, Paul does not have symptoms of COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, though he tested positive.

“He is asymptomatic and was tested out of an abundance of caution due to his extensive travel and events,” the tweet said. “He was not aware of any direct contact with any infected person.”

Paul is the first US senator to test positive for the disease, and two members of the House of Representatives — Reps. Mario Diaz-Balart, a Florida Republican, and Utah Democrat Ben McAdams — tested positive last week.

Paul was present at the US Capitol last week as the Senate has remained in session — in spite of recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that people avoid gathering in groups of 10 or larger. His staff began working remotely 10 days ago, a tweet from Paul’s account said. (Read more from “Rand Paul Tests Positive for Coronavirus” HERE)

Follow Joe Miller on Twitter HERE and Facebook HERE

Man Arrested for Lying About Having Coronavirus

/0 Comments/in , /by

Spartanburg County Sheriff Chuck Wright said Thursday that a man will face multiple charges after lying about testing positive for coronavirus.

Wright said Jeffery Travis Long worked at Sitel in Inman. The sheriff said the business was shut down and evacuated after Long provided a forged letter claiming he had the virus.

“He just wanted a two week vacation,” Wright said of the suspect.

Wright said Inman police charged Long with breach of peace and forgery. The sheriff’s office will also file an additional count of forgery, Wright said.

Long was granted a $10,000 bond and fined $200. (Read more from “Man Arrested for Lying About Having Coronavirus” HERE)

Follow Joe Miller on Twitter HERE and Facebook HERE

States Are Ordering Residents to Stay Home or Shelter in Place. What Does That Mean?

/0 Comments/in , /by

By USA Today. States and counties across the nation are cracking down on residents’ movements amid the continued spread of the coronavirus.

While some officials are instituting “shelter-in-place” orders, others are calling their directives “stay-at-home” orders. The directives differ by location but generally require residents to avoid all nonessential outings and stay inside as much as possible.

Don’t panic, the orders are not “lockdowns.” They allow residents to continue performing tasks essential to the health and safety of family and pets. It’s still fine to buy groceries, go for a run, walk the dog, pick up medicine, visit a doctor or get supplies to work from home.

Federal guidelines give state and local authorities leeway in what they consider “essential” businesses during an emergency. But in general, those industries include grocery stores and food production, pharmacies, health care, utilities, shipping, banking, other governmental services, law enforcement, emergency personnel and journalists.

Since each state can designate what is classified as essential, employers must be careful to follow regulations. Civil penalties could result from not following such executive orders. (Read more from “States Are Ordering Residents to Stay Home or Shelter in Place. What Does That Mean?” HERE)

___________________________________________________

Kansas and Missouri Officials Dictate ‘Stay Home’ Order for 30 Days

By Johnson County Kansas. Today the CORE 4 partners of Jackson County, Missouri; Johnson County, Kansas; Kansas City, Missouri, and the Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City, Kansas, based on the urgency of the COVID-19 public health emergency and the imminent rapid progression of the pandemic in our area, announce that beginning Tuesday, March 24, residents will be directed to stay at home except for essential needs. All jurisdictions will issue orders that will stay in effect for 30 days from the effective date of March 24, with consideration after 30 days of whether to prolong these orders beyond that date, based on public health and critical care metrics available at that time.

Examples of essential businesses and services that will remain open during this time period include critical government services, infrastructure projects, childcare, healthcare, grocery stores, pharmacies, and delivery/carry-out/drive-through services from restaurants. Additional details are forthcoming. (Read more from “Kansas and Missouri Officials Dictate ‘Stay Home’ Order for 30 Days” HERE)

Follow Joe Miller on Twitter HERE and Facebook HERE

Biden’s Running Mate? Party Leaders Favor Female Ex-Rivals

/0 Comments/in , /by

With former Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. now holding an all but insurmountable lead over Senator Bernie Sanders in the presidential primary contest, many Democrats have shifted their attention to a favorite quadrennial parlor game: the vice-presidential search.

Mr. Biden has shown his hand in a big and unusual way for a front-runner, saying he would pick a woman as a running mate. That has opened the path for Democratic officials to start picking favorites — from a socially safe distance.

In discussions with The Times since Mr. Biden’s big primary victories on Tuesday, 60 Democratic National Committee members and congressional and party leaders most frequently proposed three former rivals of Mr. Biden as his running mate — Senator Kamala Harris of California, Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota. Next up was Stacey Abrams, a former state House leader whose defeat in 2018 Georgia governor’s race remains disputed by many in the party. (Read more from “Biden’s Running Mate? Party Leaders Favor Female Ex-Rivals” HERE)

Follow Joe Miller on Twitter HERE and Facebook HERE