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Politics
Trump Swearing-In Ceremony, Inaugural Address Moved Indoors Trump Swearing-In Ceremony, Inaugural Address Moved Indoors
Trump Swearing-In Ceremony, Inaugural Address Moved Indoors For the first time in 40 years, a presidential inauguration will be held indoors. Extremely cold temperatures forecast for Monday, Jan. 20 in Washington, DC have resulted in the change. President-elect Donald Trump announced the move in a social media post at noon Friday, Jan. 17, saying, "There is an Arctic blast sweeping the Country. I don’t want to see people hurt, or injured, in any way.  "It is dangerous conditions for the tens of thousands of Law Enforcement, First Responders, Police K9s and even horses, and hundreds of thousands of supporters that will be outside for many hours…

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by Joe Lombardi
Politics
Trump Inauguration: NY Native To Perform National Anthem At Swearing-In Ceremony Trump Inauguration: NY Native To Perform National Anthem At Swearing-In Ceremony
Trump Inauguration: NY Native To Perform National Anthem At Swearing-In Ceremony New York’s Christopher Macchio is gearing up for the biggest performance of his life. The internationally renowned opera tenor and Holbrook native was chosen to perform the National Anthem at President-elect Donald Trump’s second inauguration on Monday, Jan. 20. “It is with deep humility and gratitude that I have accepted President Donald J. Trump’s gracious invitation,” Macchio said on X. Known for his powerful performances, Macchio – dubbed “America’s Tenor” on his social accounts – is no stranger to high-profile events. In addition to his solo career and work with the New York Tenors, h…

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by Michael Mashburn
Politics
Michelle Obama Won't Attend President-Elect Donald Trump's Inauguration Michelle Obama Won't Attend President-Elect Donald Trump's Inauguration
Michelle Obama Won't Attend President-Elect Donald Trump's Inauguration Former first lady Michelle Obama will not attend President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration on Monday, Jan. 20. “Former President Barack Obama is confirmed to attend the 60th Inaugural Ceremonies,"  said a statement from the Office of Barack and Michelle Obama. "Former first lady Michelle Obama will not attend the upcoming inauguration." No explanation was given and Michelle Obama has not commented. Former Presidents Obama, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush will attend the inauguration, along with former first ladies Laura Bush and Hillary Clinton, the former Secret…

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by Joe Lombardi
Politics
Biden Extends Deportation Protections Ahead Of Trump Inauguration Biden Extends Deportation Protections Ahead Of Trump Inauguration
Biden Extends Deportation Protections Ahead Of Trump Inauguration In a last-minute move, President Joe Biden extended deportation protections on  for approximately 900,000 immigrants from countries facing conflict or instability, including Venezuela, Ukraine, El Salvador, and Sudan.  The decision, announced on Friday, Jan. 10, shields these individuals from deportation and allows them to work legally in the US for the first 18 months of the incoming Trump administration. Biden’s action utilizes Temporary Protected Status (TPS), a program granting renewable 18-month protections for individuals from countries deemed unsafe due to armed c…

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by Joe Lombardi
Politics
Trump Sentenced On 34 Felony Counts In Historic NY Hush Money Case Trump Sentenced On 34 Felony Counts In Historic NY Hush Money Case
Trump Sentenced On 34 Felony Counts In Historic NY Hush Money Case In a landmark case, President-elect Donald Trump was sentenced in New York on 34 felony counts tied to hush money payments and falsified business records. On Friday morning, Jan. 10, Judge Juan Merchan issued an unconditional discharge — a rare sentencing option in New York law that imposes no jail time, fines, or probation.  The judge referenced the “unique and remarkable set of circumstances” surrounding the trial and emphasized that US presidents are considered “ordinary citizens in the eyes of the court.” This decision follows a unanimous jury verdict in May that found Trump guilt…

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by Joe Lombardi
Politics
Bill To Deport Unauthorized Immigrants Charged With Minor Crimes Passes House Bill To Deport Unauthorized Immigrants Charged With Minor Crimes Passes House
Bill To Deport Unauthorized Immigrants Charged With Minor Crimes Passes House The House of Representatives passed its first bill of the year on Tuesday, Jan. 7, a border security measure requiring the detention and deportation of unauthorized immigrants charged with theft-related crimes, including shoplifting and burglary. Named the Laken Riley Act in honor of a 22-year-old Georgia college student killed in February, 2024 by a Venezuelan migrant, the legislation received bipartisan support, in a 264-159 vote.  All Republicans and 48 Democrats backed the measure. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) stated that the Senate will consider the bill as early as Fr…

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by Joe Lombardi
Politics
Trump Eyes US Expansion Of Canada, Greenland, Panama Canal, New 'Gulf Of America' Trump Eyes US Expansion Of Canada, Greenland, Panama Canal, New 'Gulf Of America'
Trump Eyes US Expansion Of Canada, Greenland, Panama Canal, New 'Gulf Of America' President-elect Donald Trump unveiled sweeping plans for US territorial expansion in the Western Hemisphere during a news conference at Mar-a-Lago, his private club in Palm Beach, Florida.  He refused to rule out military action to retake the Panama Canal, proposed the acquisition of Greenland, and suggested economic measures to incorporate Canada into the United States. Leaders in all three countries swiftly condemned the remarks. The remarks came during a news conference on Tuesday, Jan. 7, where Trump covered a wide range of topics, including his plans to reshape American energy pol…

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by Joe Lombardi
Politics
Joseph Nocella Named United States Attorney For Eastern District Of New York Joseph Nocella Named United States Attorney For Eastern District Of New York
Joseph Nocella Named United States Attorney For Eastern District Of New York Joseph Nocella, Jr., a veteran prosecutor and judge with an extensive legal background, has been named the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, according to a statement from former President Donald J. Trump. “Judge Nocella has a strong record of bringing Law and Order to the incredible people of New York,” Trump said in the announcement. “Congratulations, Judge Nocella!” Nocella served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District from 1991 to 1995, prosecuting cases involving racketeering, extortion, and fraud. His work earned recognition from the FBI direc…

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by Jillian Pikora
Politics
Justin Trudeau Will Resign As Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Will Resign As Canadian Prime Minister
Justin Trudeau Will Resign As Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced his resignation as head of Canada’s Liberal Party, paving the way for a new prime minister after nearly a decade in office.  Trudeau, who has led the party since 2013, stated, “Despite my best efforts to work through it, Parliament has been paralyzed.”  He made this announcement late Monday morning, Jan. 6, in Ottawa, and will remain in his roles until a replacement is elected during an emergency meeting scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 8. Pressure had been building within the party for months as it began losing popularity in polls. Tensions escalated wh…

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by Joe Lombardi
Politics
Cancelling That Gym Membership Is About To Get Much Easier Under NY Law Cancelling That Gym Membership Is About To Get Much Easier Under NY Law
Cancelling That Gym Membership Is About To Get Much Easier Under NY Law Ready to ditch that New Year’s fitness resolution already? New York is making it easier. A new state law set to take effect on Saturday, Feb. 1 requires gyms and health clubs to process and issue refunds within 10 business days of receiving a membership cancellation request. Gymgoers also cannot be penalized if the request is made within the first three days of signing a gym contract. The new law comes as welcome news for gym-goers who have long faced challenges when trying to cancel memberships. Democratic State Sen. Roxanne Persaud, who sponsored the bill, said it will empower New Yorke…

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by Michael Mashburn
Politics
Majority Of Americans Limit Political News Amid Fatigue, Overload, Poll Finds Majority Of Americans Limit Political News Amid Fatigue, Overload, Poll Finds
Majority Of Americans Limit Political News Amid Fatigue, Overload, Poll Finds In an era of 24/7 news cycles and social media saturation, most Americans are stepping back from political news to combat fatigue and information overload.
 According to a brand-new nationwide poll by the AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, 65 percent of adults feel the need to limit their consumption of government and political news.
 This sentiment crosses party lines, but Democrats are slightly more likely than Republicans to feel overwhelmed (72 percent vs. 59 percent). Additionally, 50 percent of respondents cited the need to cut back on news about overseas conflicts.
 Around…

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by Joe Lombardi
Politics
Polluters Pay Up: NY Law Forces Fossil Fuel Companies To Fund Climate Protections Polluters Pay Up: NY Law Forces Fossil Fuel Companies To Fund Climate Protections
Polluters Pay Up: NY Law Forces Fossil Fuel Companies To Fund Climate Protections New York is making polluters pay up. A landmark law signed by Gov. Kathy Hochul on Thursday, Dec. 26, created a “Climate Superfund” requiring large fossil fuel companies to pay for critical projects aimed at protecting residents from severe weather impacts like flooding and extreme heat. The move is meant to shift the cost of climate resilience projects from New Yorkers to those most responsible for the pollution, Hochul’s office said. “With nearly every record rainfall, heatwave, and coastal storm, New Yorkers are increasingly burdened with billions of dollars in health, safety, and envir…

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by Michael Mashburn