The Senate today is taking up competing bills aimed at ending the partial government shutdown, though both are likely to fail, leaving the stalemate that is in its fifth week with no real progress. Both Senate measures would reopen federal agencies and pay 800,000 federal workers who are days from missing yet another paycheck. Republicans would pair ending the 34-day shutdown with $5.7 billion for President Trump's border wall and overhauling immigration laws. Democrats would reopen agency doors for three weeks while a budget accord is sought.Proposals need 60 votes to advance in the Senate, which is under 53-47 Republican control. "It's hard to imagine 60 votes developing for either one," said Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo.Democrats insist on opening the government first rather than reward Mr. Trump's tactics, while Republicans warn that immediately reopening the government would give Democrats too much leverage in any talks. "No shutdown. No hostages," said Rep. Ruben Gallegos, … [Read more...] about Shutdown update: Senate to vote on bills to fund government, though unlikely to pass
Police: Links sought between 4 victims, man in US illegally
This undated photo provided by the Carson City Sheriff's Office in Carson City, Nev., shows suspect Wilbur Martinez-Guzman. Authorities investigating four recent Nevada killings say murder charges are pending against Martinez-Guzman, suspected of being in the U.S. illegally. (Carson City Sheriff's Office via AP) This undated photo provided by the Carson City... GARDNERVILLE RANCHOS, Nev. (AP) — Prosecutors in northern Nevada were preparing to charge a 19-year-old from El Salvador with killing four people as investigators looked for links between the victims and the man in the U.S. illegally, authorities said Wednesday. "They're continuing to look at, 'How were these cases connected?'" Carson City Sheriff Ken Furlong said of the separate shootings carried out in a six-day span this month. Two women were found dead in their homes days apart in a tight-knit community, and the bodies of a couple were discovered in their house about an hour's drive north, in Reno. A motive for … [Read more...] about Police: Links sought between 4 victims, man in US illegally
Serial flasher twice targeted girl, 17, and frightened children during spree
PUBLISHED: 12:51 24 January 2019 | UPDATED: 12:51 24 January 2019 Peter Walsh Lee Davidoff admitted exposing himself near Downham Market Station. Picture: Matthew Usher. Archant © 2011 TEL; (01603) 772434 A serial flasher twice targeted a 17-year-old girl and frightened two young children during a spate of offences in a Norfolk town, a court heard. Lee Davidoff, 49, also sent an intimate photo of himself via Facebook to a woman, asking if she “wanted to go out with him”, Norwich Crown Court was told.The court heard that in one incident, Davidoff was in an alleyway close to a car park at Downham Market train station when he exposed himself in front of the 17-year-old, who was forced to squeeze past him.Jonathan Morgans, prosecuting, said Davidoff then got ahead of her and exposed himself again on September 28 last year.He said it was one of a number offences of exposure in the space of a few days.Davidoff admitted indecent exposure … [Read more...] about Serial flasher twice targeted girl, 17, and frightened children during spree
American Airlines puts up strong profit in 4Q
Updated 4:48 am PST, Thursday, January 24, 2019 FILE- In this Nov. 5, 2018, file photo American Airlines aircraft are serviced at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, in Texas. American Airlines reports financial results Thursday, Jan. 24, 2019. FILE- In this Nov. 5, 2018, file photo American Airlines aircraft are serviced at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, in Texas. American Airlines reports financial results Thursday, Jan. 24, 2019. Photo: Mike Stewart, AP Photo: Mike Stewart, AP Image 1 of / 3 Caption Close Image 1 of 3 FILE- In this Nov. 5, 2018, file photo American Airlines aircraft are serviced at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, in Texas. American Airlines reports financial results Thursday, Jan. 24, 2019. FILE- In this Nov. 5, 2018, file photo … [Read more...] about American Airlines puts up strong profit in 4Q
The Health 202: The Trump administration is working on Medicaid block grants
Paige Winfield Cunningham, The Washington Post Published 4:41 am PST, Thursday, January 24, 2019 WASHINGTON - The Trump administration wants to slash Medicaid spending through block grants - a strategy conservatives in Congress have repeatedly tried to implement without success. Here's the tricky part: It would have to persuade states to accept fewer federal dollars than they're getting now. A small group of people within the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is working on a plan to allow states to ask permission for their federal Medicaid dollars to be provided in a single lump sum instead of the way they are currently awarded as a percentage of states' total costs. If they succeed, it could check off a top Republican priority of lowering spending on the health insurance program for low-income Americans, a dream goal they have frequently sought. The agency hasn't confirmed the effort, which was first reported by Politico, but some Medicaid policy experts told … [Read more...] about The Health 202: The Trump administration is working on Medicaid block grants