Inslee order opens state recovery funds for bomb-cyclone victims

  

January 07, 2025

Gov. Jay Inslee today signed Proclamation 25-01 declaring a state of emergency following November’s bomb cyclone storm, which caused catastrophic power outages and extensive damage to hundreds of homes. The proclamation unlocks $1 million in state funding, provided to the state’s Emergency Management Division from the Department of Commerce, to support ongoing recovery efforts. The proclamation also prepares Washington to seek a federal major disaster declaration to aid in repairing damaged public infrastructure.

"We just finalized the details of the state Individual Assistance program last year, and I’m thankful we are able to use it to provide much-needed relief to those still recovering from November’s storm,” Inslee said. “This funding will help with short-term housing, some home repairs and other critical needs as we work together to rebuild and recover."

Inslee pursued the state Individual Assistance program after a thorough review of damages revealed the state would not qualify for FEMA’s Individual Assistance program.

Under state law, some aspects of the state’s Individual Assistance program are now available to residents of King, Snohomish, and Whatcom counties who suffered damage from the storm. To qualify for state individual assistance, individuals must:

Be a resident of one of these three counties counties;

Have a household income at or below 80 percent of the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) area median income based on the number of people in the household. For those in King and Snohomish counties, a family of four would be eligible if the household earns $111,000 or less. In Whatcom County, the threshold for a family of four is $84,450;

Provide proof that the November storm either destroyed their home or caused major damage that makes the residence uninhabitable; and

Have uninsured losses, and provide any claim settlement information related to the disaster.  

Some programs also require individuals to first apply for assistance from the Small Business Administration (SBA), if available. In late December, the SBA announced it would make low-interest loans available for those who suffered damage from the storm in Chelan, King, Kitsap, Kittitas, Pierce, Snohomish and Yakima counties.

For more information and to apply for state assistance, residents who suffered damage from the storm are encouraged to reach out to their county emergency management department:

King County: https://kcemergency.com

Snohomish County: https://www.snohomishcountywa.gov/6586/Report-Damage

Whatcom County: https://www.whatcomcounty.us/4566/November-2024-Bomb-Cyclone-Individual-As

Currently, the state’s Emergency Management Division is working with local emergency management officials and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to conduct a Joint Preliminary Damage Assessment for Public Assistance. This process will verify damages and confirm whether the state has met various indicators required for FEMA’s Public Assistance program. If it’s determined that indicators have been met, the governor would then request a federal Major Disaster Declaration to support recovery efforts for public infrastructure. FEMA’s PA program provides reimbursement for things like repairing or rebuilding some damaged public buildings and facilities.

ref. https://governor.wa.gov/news/2025/inslee-order-opens-state-recovery-funds-bomb-cyclone-victims

IN OTHER HEADLINES FROM THE STATE:

AG Ferguson files lawsuit against T-Mobile for massive data breach.

SEATTLE — Attorney General Bob Ferguson filed a consumer protection lawsuit today against T-Mobile for failing to adequately secure sensitive personal information of more than 2 million Washingtonians. That failure resulted in a massive data breach that exposed the personal information of those consumers and made them vulnerable to fraud and identity theft. / WAAG

https://www.atg.wa.gov/news/news-releases/ag-ferguson-files-lawsuit-against-t-mobile-massive-data-breach

Report on state-funded affordable housing identifies continuing challenges, draft strategies to mitigate growing rent-burdened population/Commerce dept. of WA.

New study examines green hydrogen fuel production in Washington

Review our report and share comments by Feb. 6/DOE

https://ecology.wa.gov/blog/january-2025/new-study-examines-green-hydrogen-fuel-production-in-washington

Property owner fined $71,800 penalty for damage to wetlands, failure to abide by restoration agreement/DOE

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2025-news-stories/jan-7-williams-wetland-penalty

Washington State DFI Joins 52 Regulators in Levying $20 Million Penalty Against Nation’s Largest Nonbank Mortgage Servicing Company/DFI

https://dfi.wa.gov/news/press/washington-state-dfi-joins-52-regulators-levying-20-million-penalty-against-nation%E2%80%99s

NEWS FROM OUR CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION:

Biden Signs EXPLORE Act Including Cantwell Provisions to Boost WA’s $22.5B Outdoor Recreation Economy

ICYMI: National Park Service cancels proposal to limit the use of fixed anchors, necessary for rock climbing safety; Cantwell also announces park upgrades in Kent, Snohomish Cty., Pierce Cty., Othello, and Spokane Valley thanks to grant program she fought to save/from a press release issued 1/9/25

https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/biden-signs-explore-act-including-cantwell-provisions-to-boost-was-225b-outdoor-recreation-economy

Senator Murray Announces $44 Million in Disaster Recovery Funds for Spokane County, from End-of-Year Disaster Aid Bill She Negotiated as Appropriations Chair, for Ongoing Recovery from Gray and Oregon Road Fires/press release issued 1/8/25

Senator Murray Reintroduces Bipartisan Sunshine Protection Act Alongside Rick Scott to Make Daylight Saving Time Permanent and Lock the Clock/press release issued 1/8/25

WORLD, NATIONAL, BUSINESS

WORLD:

2024 Hottest Year on Record, Secretary-General Warns, Urging Trailblazing Climate Action in 2025 to Limit Global Temperature Rise to 1.5°C, Support Most Vulnerable/UN PRESS RELEASE

https://press.un.org/en/2025/sgsm22517.doc.htm

Security Council Delegates Trade Barbs over Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s Hypersonic-Missile Launch, Military Ambitions

Many Condemn Violations of Council Resolutions while Pyongyang Says Acquiring New Capabilities Is for Deterrence/PRESS RELEASE

https://press.un.org/en/2025/sc15962.doc.htm

‘Shocked and Saddened’ by Wildfire Devastation in United States, Secretary-General Says United Nations Stands Ready to Provide Assistance if Needed/PRESS RELEASE

https://press.un.org/en/2025/sgsm22515.doc.htm

Remarks at a UN Security Council Briefing on Nonproliferation and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea/USUN

Sanctions to Degrade Russia’s Energy Sector/US STATE DEPT.

NATION:

Biden-⁠Harris Administration Continues to Support Life-Saving Wildfire Response Efforts in California/WH

Biden Administration Announces Additional Security Assistance for Ukraine/DOD

https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/4025039/biden-administration-announces-additional-security-assistance-for-ukraine/

Justice Department Sues Six Large Landlords for Algorithmic Pricing Scheme that Harms Millions of American Renters/DOJ

https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-sues-six-large-landlords-algorithmic-pricing-scheme-harms-millions

U.S. Department of Education Announces First-Ever Postsecondary Success Recognition Program Winners/DEPT. of Education

https://www.ed.gov/about/news/press-release/us-department-of-education-announces-first-ever-postsecondary-success-recognition-program-winners

HUD Increases Financing Flexibility for Multifamily Affordable Housing Development

Updates to Federal Housing Administration (FHA) Multifamily Mortgage Insurance helps lenders and developers increase the supply of affordable rental housing in America./HUD

https://www.hud.gov/press/press_releases_media_advisories/HUD_No_25_006

BUSINESS:

 

Operators of Cryptocurrency Mixers Charged with Money Laundering/DOJ

https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/operators-cryptocurrency-mixers-charged-money-laundering

U.S. Department of the Treasury and IRS Announce $6 Billion in Tax Credit Allocations for the Second Round of the § 48C Qualifying Advanced Energy Project Tax Credit/US TREASURY DEPT.

https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy2779

Reflections on 2024: Monetary Policy, Economic Performance, and Lessons for Banking Regulation Governor Michelle W. Bowman/THE FED

https://www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/speech/bowman20250109a.htm

USDA Announces Grants and Technical Assistance Funding for Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production/USDA

US Department of Labor, Office of the Trade Representative seek review of alleged denial of labor rights at tire manufacturing facilities in Mexico/DEPT. of LABOR

https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/ilab/ilab20250108

IN FOCUS & LOCAL MEETINGS

IN FOCUS: New study will help biologists learn more about Washington black-tailed deer populations.

OLYMPIA – Starting this month, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) biologists will kick off a research study in southwest Washington that will help the Department develop a new method for monitoring black-tailed deer in the state.

“Black-tailed deer are hard to survey because of the densely vegetated habitat they live in,” said Kyle Garrison, WDFW ungulate section manager. “You can’t count each individual deer over a large area, so we have to rely on other sources of information to monitor their populations. With this study, we will gather the data we need to develop and test new surveying and monitoring methods.”

WDFW will use a variety of technologies to test the best ways to monitor Washington’s black-tailed deer. GPS collars will provide researchers with real-time locations of collared deer, while trail cameras can take photos and videos showing which deer were in the area. Proximity sensors deployed in the study area will let researchers know when a collared deer approaches within a certain distance of a trail camera, even if the camera doesn’t capture footage of the deer.

“Improving our understanding of these populations and their characteristics will help us better manage this species into the future, including during hunting season setting,” said Brendan Oates, WDFW ungulate specialist. “All of this information will help us create a model that uses multiple sources of information to estimate black-tailed deer populations in Washington more accurately.”

This study will take place in southwest Washington on state and private industrial forestlands east of Longview, within the boundaries of Game Management Units 520, 550, and 556. This month, biologists will capture black-tailed deer, fit them with GPS collars, and then release them. Later, efforts shift to deploying trail cameras and proximity sensors throughout black-tailed deer habitat in the study area.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife works to preserve, protect, and perpetuate fish, wildlife and ecosystems while providing sustainable fish and wildlife recreational and commercial opportunities.

ref. https://wdfw.wa.gov/newsroom/news-release/new-study-will-help-biologists-learn-more-about-washington-black-tailed-deer-populations

CLALLAM COUNTY MEETINGS:

Clallam County Work session for 1/13/25

https://www.clallamcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01132025-1396

Clallam County Commission meeting for 1/14/25

https://www.clallamcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01142025-1397

Housing Authority Commission meeting for 1/15/25

https://www.clallamcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01152025-1393

Port of Port Angeles Commission meeting for 1/14/25

https://portofpa.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Commission-Packet-1-14-2025.pdf

Clallam PUD meeting for 1/13/25

https://go.boarddocs.com/wa/clallampud/Board.nsf/Public

City of Sequim Council meeting for 1/13/25

https://sequimwa.civicweb.net/Portal/MeetingInformation.aspx?Org=Cal&Id=173

City of Forks Council meeting for 1/13/25

https://forkswashington.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Agenda_20250113.pdf

OMC MEETING FOR 1/15/25

https://res.cloudinary.com/dpmykpsih/image/upload/olympic-medical-site-460/media/911ab3c9fd1f4fe58b7dd42a0ba9bb95/agenda-january-15-2025-business-meeting.pdf

JEFFERSON COUNTY MEETINGS:

Jefferson County Commission meeting for 1/13/25

https://media.avcaptureall.cloud/meeting/9fb0f0eb-2753-4978-9103-ed35f436f9e2

City of Port Townsend Council meeting for 1/13/25

https://cityofpt.granicus.com/GeneratedAgendaViewer.php?view_id=4&event_id=4519

Weekly devotional

Psalm 118:5-6 (New International Version)

 When hard pressed, I cried to the Lord; he brought me into a spacious place. The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?

Weekly Bible Lesson:   

 Who Is Without Sin Among You?

“He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her” ( John 8:7). This is a verse of Scripture that is used entirely out of its context by many brethren to excuse sin. Their contention is that since none are without sin, none may point out the sins of another. This, of course, is absurd. The Lord does not refer to one who was absolutely sinless in every respect in this verse. That requirement would have made it entirely impossible for anyone to be punished under the Old Law. Ecclesiastes 7:20 clearly states, “Surely there is not a righteous man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.” What, then, did the Lord mean here?---TFTW

https://truthfortheworld.org/who-is-without-sin-among-you

Free bible studies (WBS)

https://www.worldbibleschool.org/

Learn English using the bible as text (WEI)

http://www.worldenglishinstitute.org/

(Join us in worship every Sunday starting at 10:30AM Church of Christ)

 1233 E Front St, Port Angeles, WA 98362

http://pachurchofchrist.com/

Come and See

https://www.comeandseefoundation.org/

THIS WEEKS VIDEOS:

  Glenn's 10 Most INSANE 2025 Predictions: AI Takeover, China War & Diddy Downfall

On this episode of Glenn TV, Glenn Beck reveals his boldest predictions for 2025: from the death and rebirth of the internet and rapid acceleration of AI, to a ceasefire in the Ukraine-Russia War, to a second anti-Trump “summer of rage." Plus, Glenn explains why he predicts China will invade another nation, the stock market will collapse, how the Diddy and Epstein allies could finally be revealed, and why Trump may have the opportunity to make massive changes to the Supreme Court. Plus, why we need to keep a watchful eye on the largest anti-Western caliphate to form in the Middle East and why North Korea may finally move against its neighbor to the south. Jason Buttrill, Glenn’s head researcher and writer, joins to reveal how ChatGPT rates the probability of each of Glenn’s predictions. Plus, some bonus predictions on the odds of Greenland becoming a U.S. territory and future ownership of the Panama Canal.--Glenn Beck

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-hZas9mNCY

Mark Levin Audio Rewind - 1/10/25

On Friday’s Mark Levin Show, as time goes by more and more information comes out about the wildfires in California and what these ideologues have done to the State. It turns out a key reservoir was empty when the Pacific Palisades fire started. Gov Gavin Newsom also cut the fire budget by $100 million last year while giving more water to tiny tribal fish. Newsom isn't Presidential material, he’s not even Gubernatorial material. Where did the trillions of dollars go from the Inflation Reduction Act, which caused massive inflation? What was it used for? 

There needs to be a full criminal investigation into what happened to the Inflation Reduction Act money and a criminal investigation into what happened in California. Also, Supreme Court Justices, John Robert and Amy Coney Barrett have caused significant damage to our constitutional system, particularly concerning the supremacy clause. The supremacy clause was intended to address situations where State judges and local prosecutors use federal law against the intended purpose. President Trump is now left with appealing in the NY appellate system. If he wins, this ruling would be specific to NY only and would leave other states to act as Alvin Bragg and Judge Juan Merchan did.---Mark Levin show

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8EcPl38Ujg

Sunday morning worship at the Concord Street Church of Christ on January 5, 2025. David Pharr preached a sermon titled “Abundant”.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zE8uDJT5es

Other News Sources:

 Exclusive: Trump Sentencing Came From ‘Machinations of Hypocrisy’--PJ MEDIA

https://pjmedia.com/catherinesalgado/2025/01/10/exclusive-trump-sentencing-came-from-machinations-of-hypocrisy-n4935871

A Progressive Hellscape Los Angeles set itself up for failure.--Patriot Post

https://patriotpost.us/opinion/113435-a-progressive-hellscape-2025-01-10

Carter: A Man of Little Consequence, Spoils His Farewell--American Spectator

https://spectator.org/carter-man-of-little-consequence-spoils-his-farewell/

Donald Trump’s Worldwide Election--News Busters

https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/daniel-mccarthy/2025/01/10/donald-trumps-worldwide-election

 

NIGHT OWL COMICS

https://pjrnightowlcomics.blogspot.com/

The Port Angeles Globe is published weekly by, Peter Ripley

Former Douglas County physician’s assistant sentenced for sexually assaulting patients.

  

Eldon Leinweber assaulted female patients, provided narcotic medications in exchange for sexual favors

WENATCHEE — Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced today that a Douglas County Superior Court judge sentenced a former physician’s assistant from Waterville to the maximum sentence of 364 days confinement, with one year of community custody. Eldon Leinweber will serve six months in jail, followed by six months of electronic home monitoring.

The sentence was a result of a prosecution by the Attorney General’s Office against Leinweber for sexually assaulting multiple female patients.

According to charging documents, Leinweber engaged in sexual contact with some female patients who saw him at a local medical clinic in exchange for prescribing them narcotic pills and medications. Prior to the assaults, all of the women told Leinweber they needed narcotic pills and all of them also admitted to being addicted to narcotics. Women told investigators that Leinweber touched them inappropriately and he invited some of them to locations away from the clinic, where he would sexually assault them.

One woman told investigators, “If that’s the only way he’s going to give me the prescriptions, then I guess I gotta do it.”

Additional detail is available in charging documents.

Ferguson filed three criminal charges against Leinweber in February: second-degree rape, third-degree rape and indecent liberties. Prior to a trial, Leinweber pleaded guilty on Sept. 23 to two gross misdemeanor counts of fourth-degree assault with sexual motivation and solicitation to commit unlawful possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver. All of the survivors in communication with the Attorney General’s Office supported the plea.

The Attorney General’s Office Medicaid Fraud Control Division’s criminal prosecutors argued that Leinweber serve a jail sentence of one year and serve one additional year in community custody. Leinweber surrendered his medical license.

“We expect medical professionals to take care of us, not take advantage of us,” Ferguson said. “I’m proud of my team for working to deliver accountability for these offenses and justice for the survivors.”

Case background

Leinweber was a licensed physician’s assistant who provided medical services at a clinic in Soap Lake. In 2019, prosecutors learned of allegations Leinweber provided narcotic pills and medications to patients in exchange for allowing him to commit sexual assaults on them.

The Attorney General’s Office prosecuted the case with the concurrence of the Douglas County Prosecutor. Under state law and the Washington State Constitution, the Medicaid Fraud Control Division of the Attorney General’s Office has concurrent authority and power with the prosecuting attorneys to investigate and prosecute crimes with the concurrence of the county prosecuting attorney.

Assistant Attorneys General Nick Carter and Rachel Sterett handled the case for the Attorney General’s Office.

The Washington Medicaid Fraud Control Division receives 75 percent of its funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under a grant award totaling $10,873,316 for federal fiscal year 2025. The remaining 25 percent, totaling $3,624,436, is funded by Washington state Medicaid fraud recoveries.

ref. https://www.atg.wa.gov/news/news-releases/former-douglas-county-physician-s-assistant-sentenced-sexually-assaulting

IN OTHER STATE NEWS HEADLINES:

A better tomorrow: Washington sets the standard for safer products.

Have you ever thought about what is in the products you use every day—your cookware, cleaning supplies, or even your shampoo? Some products can contain toxic chemicals, and the gradual build-up of exposures and releases from all these products can eventually harm human health and the environment./DOE

https://ecology.wa.gov/blog/january-2025/a-better-tomorrow-washington-sets-the-standard-for-safer-products

Balancing wildlife conservation and wastewater infrastructure in Pasco

The City of Pasco’s Process Water Reuse Facility expansion is essential for meeting the growing wastewater treatment needs of local industries. This facility takes wastewater from food processing companies and treats the water (using algae) so it can be used in other ways. Recycling water reduces the burden on the city's public wastewater treatment plant and helps protect water quality in the Columbia River. The expansion began in 2023 and is still in progress.  /DOE

https://ecology.wa.gov/blog/january-2025/balancing-wildlife-conservation-and-wastewater-infrastructure-at-the-pasco-process-water-reuse-facil

DFI Urges Licensees to Prepare for Outage of NASAA Electronic Filing Depository Jan. 1 to Jan. 6/DFI

System will be offline for five days for migration to the cloud with a new URL and updated system support contact information

Olympia – The Washington State Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) Securities Division advises filers who use the North American Securities Administrators Association Electronic Filing Depository™ (“EFD”) that the system will be offline and unavailable to all filers and regulators Jan. 1 through Jan. 5. If your filing is due during those dates, DFI advises you to file before midnight, Dec. 31, 2024./DFI

https://dfi.wa.gov/news/press/dfi-urges-licensees-prepare-outage-nasaa-electronic-filing-depository-jan-1-jan-6

Gov. Inslee appoints Susan E. Llorens to the King County Superior Court

Today Gov. Jay Inslee announced the appointment of Susan E. Llorens to the King County Superior Court. She is appointed to one of the two new seats approved by the King County Council, effective January 1, 2025. /Governor's office

https://governor.wa.gov/news/2025/gov-inslee-appoints-susan-e-llorens-king-county-superior-court

Boaters must stay 1,000 yards away from Southern Resident killer whales under expanded rules in Washington waters/WDFW

https://wdfw.wa.gov/newsroom/news-release/boaters-must-stay-1000-yards-away-southern-resident-killer-whales-under-expanded-rules-washington

NEWS FROM OUR CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION:

As $2,000 Annual Cap on Prescription Drug Costs for Medicare Patients Takes Effect, Senator Murray, Rep. Schrier Highlight Savings at Northaven Senior Living in Seattle

70,000+ seniors in Washington state, 4.5 million seniors nationwide will save hundreds or thousands of dollars each year thanks to the new annual cap on out-of-pocket prescription drug costs for folks on Medicare Part D/From a press release issued 1/2/25

WORLD, NATION,BUSINESS:

World Headlines:

Secretary-General Appoints Jaap van Hierden of Netherlands United Nations Resident Coordinator in Mongolia/UN PRESS RELEASE

https://press.un.org/en/2025/sga2336.doc.htm

Pointing to ‘Escalatory Turn’ in Israeli-Houthi Conflict, Top Political, Peacebuilding Official Urges Action to Reverse Dangerous Trajectory, briefing Security Council/ UN PRESS RELEASE

https://press.un.org/en/2024/sc15958.doc.htm

United Nations Calls for Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela Prize Nominations

The United Nations is now accepting nominations for the 2025 United Nations Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela Prize./UN PRESS RELEASE

https://press.un.org/en/2025/pi2320.doc.htm

Remarks at a UN Security Council Meeting on the Situation in the Middle East/USUN

https://usun.usmission.gov/remarks-at-a-un-security-council-meeting-on-the-situation-in-the-middle-east-2/

U.S. Recognizes Child Soldiering as Human Trafficking/DOD

https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/4003191/us-recognizes-child-soldiering-as-human-trafficking/

NATION:

Attorney General Merrick B. Garland Statement on New Orleans Attack/DOJ

https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/attorney-general-merrick-b-garland-statement-new-orleans-attack

President Biden Announces Recipients of the Medal of Valor/WH

https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2025/01/03/president-biden-announces-recipients-of-the-medal-of-valor/

U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights Announces Resolution of Complaints Against Rutgers University Alleging Shared Ancestry Discrimination/ Dept. of Education

HUD Awards $40 Million to Prevent Evictions and Homelessness

The funding will deliver legal assistance to tenants facing eviction./HUD

https://www.hud.gov/press/press_releases_media_advisories/HUD_No_25_002

U.S. Surgeon General Issues New Advisory on Link Between Alcohol and Cancer Risk/HHS

https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2025/01/03/us-surgeon-general-issues-new-advisory-link-alcohol-cancer-risk.html

BUSINESS: 

Government Contractor Agrees to Pay $1M to Resolve False Claims Act Allegations for Submitting Fraudulent Bids on Prime Vendor Contracts/DOJ

https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/government-contractor-agrees-pay-1m-resolve-false-claims-act-allegations-submitting

Treasury Sanctions Technology Company for Support to Malicious Cyber Group/Treasury Dept.

https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy2769

Biden-Harris Administration Proposes Protections for Ruby Mountains

Withdrawal would protect wildlife habitat, cultural heritage and the thriving local outdoor recreation economy/USDA

https://www.usda.gov/article/biden-harris-administration-proposes-protections-ruby-mountains

Treasury and IRS propose regulations to update rules for tax professionals who can practice before the IRS/IRS

https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/treasury-and-irs-propose-regulations-to-update-rules-for-tax-professionals-who-can-practice-before-the-irs

US Department of Labor awards over $600K in grant funding for continued jobs, training services in Washington communities affected by opioid crisis/US LABOR DEPT.

https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/eta/eta20250102-0

IN FOCUS & LOCAL MEETINGS:

IN FOCUS:  Interior Department Announces Permanent Protections for Critical Land and Wildlife Migration Corridor in Grand Teton National Park.

JACKSON HOLE, WY — The Department of the Interior today announced the purchase from the State of Wyoming and permanent protection of the 640-acre Kelly parcel, a picturesque landscape known for mountain views and world-class wildlife habitat within Grand Teton National Park.  

The parcel, which was state school trust land, had been the largest remaining piece of unprotected land within the boundaries of Grand Teton National Park. The permanent conservation of this square mile maintains essential connectivity for wildlife in the southern Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem—one of the last remaining, nearly intact temperate ecosystems on the planet.  

“Today marks an incredible milestone, decades in the making, to permanently protect an essential wildlife migration corridor and treasured landscape within Grand Teton National Park,” said Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland. “This will benefit our public lands and Wyoming’s public school students for generations to come.” 

In 2023, more than 10,000 people from across Wyoming and the United States participated in a public comment process related to the potential sale of the Kelly parcel, overwhelmingly supporting its conservation for wildlife, public enjoyment, and strengthening Wyoming’s economy. In 2023, visitors to Grand Teton National Park contributed $936 million and supported 9,370 jobs in gateway economies. 

“People from every state come to Grand Teton National Park each year to enjoy the stunning landscapes and iconic wildlife protected in the park. We are grateful for the support of countless stewards in the park’s local community, Wyoming and across the nation who contributed their voices leading to this incredible conservation achievement that will benefit generations to come,” said National Park Service Director Chuck Sams. 

The $100 million sale to preserve the Kelly parcel was made possible through an Interior Department and National Park Service (NPS) public-private partnership with the Grand Teton National Park Foundation and additional support from the National Park Foundation. The Department invested $62.4 million from the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) paired with $37.6 million in private donations raised by Grand Teton National Park Foundation. All $100 million from the sale will directly benefit Wyoming’s public education system.  

At no cost to taxpayers, the LWCF, which was created by Congress in 1964 and is administered by the NPS, supports increased public access to and protection for federal public lands and waters, and provides grants to state governments for the acquisition and development of public parks and other outdoor recreation sites. LWCF was fully funded by the Great American Outdoors Act.   

Located within a key migration corridor for pronghorn, elk, and mule deer, the Kelly parcel provides critical wildlife habitat and extraordinary open space. Grand Teton National Park anchors this unique landscape, connecting Yellowstone National Park with the Bridger-Teton and Caribou-Targhee national forests, including the Upper Green River Valley and the Wind River, Gros Ventre, and Wyoming Range mountains. The parcel is the starting point for the Path of the Pronghorn—the longest land migration in the lower 48 states—and is a critical link to mule deer migration corridors that stretch to public, private and Tribal lands hundreds of miles away.   

This purchase, through a combination of private philanthropy and federal funding, continues the tradition and generosity that helped establish present-day Grand Teton National Park in 1950. It carries on the vision and legacy of John D. Rockefeller, Jr., Laurance S. Rockefeller, and the Rockefeller family, who recognized the role of philanthropy in the permanent protection of critical lands for the public. 

Today’s closing on the Kelly parcel completes an effort that spanned decades to exchange, trade or sell the state-owned school trust land within Grand Teton National Park. A Wyoming constitutional mandate requires that school trust lands, created at statehood in 1890, must generate income for the common school trust. Since the late 1990s, Wyoming’s congressional delegation, governor and state legislature have worked to resolve this inholding challenge. The late U.S. Senator Craig Thomas passed legislation in 2003 to authorize exchanges, sales or trades that would compensate the State of Wyoming for the Grand Teton school section inholdings. The second to last school section in the park, known as Antelope Flats, was purchased by the NPS in 2016 for $46 million, which was made possible by $23 million in philanthropic support raised by Grand Teton National Park Foundation and the National Park Foundation that matched $23 million from the LWCF. 

ref. https://www.doi.gov/pressreleases/interior-department-announces-permanent-protections-critical-land-and-wildlife

CLALLAM COUNTY MEETINGS:

Clallam County work session for 1/6/25

https://www.clallamcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01062025-1385

Clallam County Commission meeting for 1/7/25

https://www.clallamcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01072025-1386

City of Port Angeles Council meeting for 1/7/25

https://www.cityofpa.us/DocumentCenter/View/16288/01072025-CC-Agenda

Port of Port Angeles Commission meeting for 1/7/25

https://portofpa.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Packet-1-7-2025.pdf

JEFFERSON COUNTY MEETINGS:

Jefferson County Commission meeting for 1/6/25

https://media.avcaptureall.cloud/meeting/95ac7a52-a835-43e7-b406-b2e1211ca3a1

Port of Port Townsend Commission meeting for 1/8/25

https://portofpt.com/wp-content/uploads/2025-01-08-CommMtg-Agenda.pdf

Weekly devotional

 Micah 6:8 (New International Version)

 He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

Weekly Bible Lesson:   

 Who Are We?

“Who was at the door?” you may have asked. In case you are wondering who we are and what we represent, I would like to give you a brief explanation. Let me begin by telling you who we are not. We are not Jehovah’s Witnesses or Seventh Day Adventists. We are not Baptists, Roman Catholics, Pentecostals, or Mormons. We are not part of any Catholic or Protestant body nor are we members of any alliance, council, or union of religious bodies. We are not a cult, or part of any denomination.--TFTW

https://truthfortheworld.org/who-are-we

Free bible studies (WBS)

https://www.worldbibleschool.org/

Learn English using the bible as text (WEI)

http://www.worldenglishinstitute.org/

(Join us in worship every Sunday starting at 10:30AM Church of Christ)

 1233 E Front St, Port Angeles, WA 98362

http://pachurchofchrist.com/

Come and See

https://www.comeandseefoundation.org/

THIS WEEKS VIDEOS:

 Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis has been disqualified from the Georgia election interference case against Donald Trump – and BlazeTV host ‪@lizwheeler‬ says Trump supporters should THANK her?! Liz and Glenn discuss how Fani Willis has been a “gift” to Trump, thanks to her scandals. But is her removal from the case enough to end it? Glenn and Liz also discuss another blessing that looked bad at first: Donald Trump’s loss in 2020 …Glenn Beck Show

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3vauEx1D5M

On Friday’s Mark Levin Show, WMAL’s Larry O’Connor fills in for Mark.  Today was the first day of the 119th Congress and Mike Johnson was reelected as Speaker of the House after a dramatic first-round vote.  3 Republicans didn’t vote for Johnson, and it seemed like the vote would go to a second round. But then President Donald Trump got involved and Johnson eventually won it on the first ballot, which most predictions said wouldn’t happen. Also, Rep Hakeem Jeffries lost the Speaker race for the 20th time in just 2 years. Jeffries spoke before he handed the gavel to Johnson, and it sounded like he was about to introduce President Trump at a rally. He complained that costs were too high and that America is too expensive. Jeffries is right – but who was President and Vice President the last four years? Jeffries said he wants to help fix the problems in America, but he has to work with Trump if he wants to get things done. Why would the Democrats want to work with someone they called Hitler and a fascist? Finally, Jake Tapper isn’t a serious newsman, he’s no better than a propagandist. One of his reports on the disastrous Afghanistan withdrawal is the center of a $1 Billion defamation lawsuit against CNN and Tapper. That goes to trial next week.--Mark Levin

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dS-97mxklL8&t=1305s

Sunday morning worship at the Concord Street Church of Christ on December 29, 2024. Ted Thompson preached a sermon titled “God’s Faithfulness Through the Seasons”.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RG_5HemDlU8

Other News Sources:

 The Real Reason Judge Merchan Is Sentencing Trump on January 10--PJ MEDIA

https://pjmedia.com/matt-margolis/2025/01/04/the-real-reason-judge-merchan-is-sentencing-trump-on-january-10-n4935661

Joe Biden Insults Kamala Harris On His Way Out--PJ MEDIA

https://pjmedia.com/matt-margolis/2025/01/04/joe-biden-insults-kamala-harris-on-his-way-out-n4935659

Sorry, Canada — We Don’t Want You

Even if Trump were inclined to dust off War Plan Red, it wouldn’t be worth the effort.--Patriot Post

https://patriotpost.us/opinion/113233-sorry-canada-we-dont-want-you-2025-01-03

 

NIGHT OWL COMICS

https://pjrnightowlcomics.blogspot.com/

The Port Angeles Globe is published weekly by, Peter Ripley

AG Ferguson nets $10M more through his innovative unemployment fraud recovery initiative.

  

SEATTLE — Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced today Metropolitan Commercial Bank will pay $10 million to Washington state as part of his innovative fraud recovery program to return unemployment funds stolen during the COVID pandemic. This initiative has so far brought in more than $52 million from banks across the U.S. that accepted stolen unemployment funds.

Metropolitan’s resolution reflects the second phase of the office’s investigation, which will seek out non-bank financial technology, “fintech,” companies that the criminals used to hold and help transfer stolen funds in violation of the Consumer Protection Act.

Ferguson asserts that in 2020, Metropolitan, as the sponsoring bank for the fintech company MovoCash Inc., accepted more than $15 million from criminals who stole from the state unemployment fund. They used stolen identities to get the funds then used Movo accounts to transfer funds through the bank. Ferguson asserts that Metropolitan received the transfers of stolen money without ensuring that proper anti-fraud, anti-money laundering and customer identification screens were in place.

Ferguson is the only state attorney general to pursue this first-of-its-kind consumer protection investigation against fintech companies, and their sponsoring financial institutions, in his continuing effort to recover stolen pandemic unemployment funds. Previously, during the first phase of the investigation, Ferguson was also the first and remains one of the only state attorneys general to exercise state asset forfeiture powers and recover stolen taxpayer dollars. During this first phase, Ferguson recovered $42 million from 26 financial institutions.

“More than four years ago, criminals targeted our state unemployment fund, and my office has not stopped working to recover what they stole,” Ferguson said. “Washington has been a national leader on this effort. We were the first state to use forfeiture laws to recover stolen dollars that were frozen in accounts. Now we’re the first to resolve an investigation into a fintech company that the criminals used to move the money. There is still more work ahead.”

Metropolitan served as the issuing bank for third-party prepaid or debit card programs, called digital banking programs, offered by fintech companies. To gain access to the U.S. financial network, some unregulated fintech companies essentially lease the bank identification numbers of regulated financial institutions to provide digital banking services to their customers.

In early 2020, criminals used a digital banking program marketed by Movo to steal more than $15 million in unemployment benefits paid by the state’s Employment Security Department. Between April and July 2020, Metropolitan accepted more than 3,700 fraudulent money transfers of Washington state unemployment benefit funds through Movo. After financial regulators informed Metropolitan about the illegal scheme, it froze and returned $5.5 million back to the state.

Ferguson subsequently recovered more than $732,000 from Metropolitan’s accounts using his forfeiture power. Ferguson then investigated Metropolitan for violations of the state Consumer Protection Act related to Movo’s program, and the bank cooperated with the investigation.

To avoid a lawsuit, Metropolitan will pay $9 million more to the Employment Security Department as restitution that will go back into the state unemployment trust and federal treasury. The bank will also pay $1 million to the Attorney General’s Office to cover investigation costs and fund future consumer protection activities.

The resolution requires Metropolitan to maintain policies that prevent money laundering of unemployment benefits paid in the name of Washingtonians through third-party digital banking fintechs.

The Attorney General’s Office will also continue to assist in federal investigations seeking to recover stolen funds.

Overall, Washington state agencies recovered a total of more than $432.6 million in stolen funds so far. The Employment Security Department estimates that during the pandemic, fraudulent claims accounted for $647 million, or 3%, of the overall $21.7 billion it paid in unemployment benefits paid to workers. State recoveries so far have returned more than two-thirds of the stolen funds.

This leaves approximately $214.4 million lost to fraud so far, which amounts to 1% of the total benefits paid to workers. Consequently, in Washington state, 99% of the unemployment benefits went, as intended, to support workers.

Other states experienced much larger losses to fraud, like California at $18.7 billion. Arizona lost $4.4 billion and Virginia lost $1.6 billion to fraud, and both have similar-sized populations to Washington state.

Washington among the first states targeted

Beginning in April 2020, Washington's unemployment insurance program was one of the first to suffer an unprecedented and massive nationwide attack of imposter fraud.

Sophisticated fraud rings used identity data harvested from data breaches to steal billions of dollars from 53 government programs that received federal pandemic unemployment benefits, according to a government accountability report. The same report estimated losses to fraud nationally to be as much as $135 billion.

Soon after the thefts, Ferguson initiated an investigation searching for bank accounts where scammers did not withdraw all their stolen funds and launched a legal effort to reclaim these funds for the state. To date, financial institutions across the country cooperated with this first forfeiture phase of the investigation. Essentially, the Attorney General recovered stolen money in accounts at banks and other financial institutions that criminals were unable to withdraw.

According to Employment Security Department data, it caught the fraud within the first two weeks and decided to pause benefit payments, which prevented payment on more than 100,000 fraudulent claims. Its finance team then collected and analyzed fraud data and determined that 95% of fraudulent payments went to 75 banks. From there, the department contacted each bank and attempted to recover funds. This effort included sharing fraud data with the banks and reaching resolutions on the amounts available to return.

Searching for accounts with red flags

During the first phase of its investigation, the Attorney General’s Office used the department’s data and subpoenaed more than 35 banks across the country to identify accounts with balances of $1,000 or more that bore red flags or indicators of fraud.

Red flags included:

Accounts that received unemployment benefit payments from multiple states;

Accounts that received deposits of unemployment benefits to multiple people; or

A mismatch between the personal information of the account holder and the person who supposedly applied for the benefits deposited in the account.

Ferguson filed cases to recover stolen funds remaining in accounts at 26 different financial institutions. In part because of these forfeiture litigation efforts and the assistance provided to the department, Washington was more successful than other states in mitigating, and securing recoveries of, unemployment fraud losses — helping to preserve funds for the benefit of unemployed workers and taxpayers.

Special Assistant Attorney General Jeff Sprung is leading this effort, along with Assistant Attorneys General Spencer Coates, Kendall Scott Cowles, Erica Franklin, John Nelson, Todd Sipe, Jonathan Tebbs and Martha Rodriguez-Lopez; paralegals Kellie Tappan, Victoria Johnson, Kristina Wooster, Jeanine Lantz and Michele Sanchez; and investigator Greg Coleman.

Former Assistant Attorney General Lia Pernell and paralegal Sara Cearley also worked on the case but have since left the Attorney General’s Office.

ref. https://www.atg.wa.gov/news/news-releases/ag-ferguson-nets-10m-more-through-his-innovative-unemployment-fraud-recovery

IN OTHER STATE NEWS HEADLINES:

From homelessness to hope: How CJK Community Homes is transforming lives through financial literacy./WA COMMERCE DEPT.

https://www.commerce.wa.gov/from-homelessness-to-hope-how-cjk-community-homes-is-transforming-lives-through-financial-literacy/

Samples indicate recent contamination is no longer spreading to groundwater at Pasco Landfill/DOE

https://ecology.wa.gov/blog/december-2024/test-results-indicate-recent-contamination-is-no-longer-spreading-to-groundwater-at-pasco-landfill-s

WDFW approves seven days of coastal razor clam digs starting Dec. 28; more digs planned for early 2025/WDFW

https://wdfw.wa.gov/newsroom/news-release/wdfw-approves-seven-days-coastal-razor-clam-digs-starting-dec-28-more-digs-planned-early-2025

Department of Health issues notice of intent to issue civil fines on licenses of Acute Care Hospitals/DOH

https://doh.wa.gov/newsroom/department-health-issues-notice-intent-issue-civil-fines-licenses-acute-care-hospitals-0

UTC recommends $3,389,000 penalty to DTG Enterprises for operating without a required certificate./UTC

https://www.utc.wa.gov/news/2024/utc-recommends-3389000-penalty-dtg-enterprises-operating-without-required-certificate

NEWS FROM OUR CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION:

U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $4.1 Million for Wastewater Infrastructure Improvements Needed to Support Job Creation in Neah Bay, Washington./From a press release issued 12/23/24

Murray, Cantwell Announce Nearly $40 Million for Climate Resilience in WA – including Disaster Relief Hubs in Okanogan County, Air Pollution Reduction in Yakima Valley/from a press release issued 12/23/24

ICYMI: Senator Murray, Rep. Larsen Secure Key Win for WA Tribes in 2024 Water Resources Development Act—Making it Easier for Tribes to Get Federal Funding for Critical Environmental Restoration Projects/press release issued 12/23/24

WORLD, NATION, BUSINESS

 

WORLD NEWS: 

Fifth Committee Approves $3.72 Billion Budget for 2025, Formula for Determining Member States’ Financial Contributions to United Nations, Concluding Main Part of Session./UN PRESS RELEASE

https://press.un.org/en/2024/gaab4487.doc.htm

General Assembly Adopts Landmark Resolutions, Holds Several Emergency Special Meetings, as Delegates Focus on Crises in Gaza, Sudan during First Trimester of Annual Session

‘Our Future Is in Our Hands,’ Assembly President Says Upon Historic Pact’s Adoption, Secretary-General Urges Using Resources for Opportunity, Hope, Not Death, Destruction./UN PRESS RELEASE

https://press.un.org/en/2024/ga12672.doc.htm

Expressing Alarm Over Israeli Air Strikes in Yemen, Which Affected UN Personnel, Secretary-General Urges All Parties to Respect International Law/ UN PRESS RELEASE

https://press.un.org/en/2024/sgsm22507.doc.htm

Explanation of Vote Following the Adoption of a UN Security Council Resolution Renewing the Mandate of AUSSOM/USUN

https://usun.usmission.gov/explanation-of-vote-following-the-adoption-of-a-un-security-council-resolution-renewing-the-mandate-of-aussom/

Medal of Honor Monday: The Civil War Crew of USS Agawam/DOD

https://www.defense.gov/News/Feature-Stories/Story/Article/4007494/medal-of-honor-monday-the-civil-war-crew-of-uss-agawam/

NATION:

President Biden Takes Action to Protect American Workers and Businesses from China’s Unfair Trade Practices in the Semiconductor Sector--WH

Justice Department Issues Final Rule Addressing Threat Posed by Foreign Adversaries’ Access to Americans’ Sensitive Personal Data/DOJ

https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-issues-final-rule-addressing-threat-posed-foreign-adversaries-access

HUD Releases January 2024 Point-In-Time Count Report

The Annual Homelessness Assessment Report: Part 1 data highlights progress and challenges in Addressing Homelessness Across the Nation/HUD

https://www.hud.gov/press/press_releases_media_advisories/HUD_No_24_327

FDA Proposes Rule to Require Standardized Testing Methods for Detecting and Identifying Asbestos in Talc-Containing Cosmetic Products/FDA

https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-proposes-rule-require-standardized-testing-methods-detecting-and-identifying-asbestos-talc

DHS Strengthens H-1B Program, Allowing U.S. Employers to More Quickly Fill Critical Jobs/DHS

https://www.dhs.gov/news/2024/12/17/dhs-strengthens-h-1b-program-allowing-us-employers-more-quickly-fill-critical-jobs

BUSINESS:

Court Authorizes Service of John Doe Summons for IRS to Seek Identities of U.S. Taxpayers Who Participated in the “Gig Economy” Via a Digital Platform/DOJ

https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/court-authorizes-service-john-doe-summons-irs-seek-identities-us-taxpayers-who-participated

2025 Economic Preview: A Year of Productivity-Driven Growth

The U.S. Chamber’s Chief Economist outlines how productivity will drive growth in 2025 and create new opportunities for American workers and businesses./US CHAMBER OF COMMERCE DATED 12/19/24

https://www.uschamber.com/economy/2025-economic-preview-a-year-of-productivity-driven-growth

U.S. Department of the Treasury Releases Final Regulations Implementing Bipartisan Tax Reporting Requirements for Brokers of Digital Assets/US TREASURY

https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy2762

Due to evolving legal landscape & changes in the framework of administrative law, Federal Reserve Board will soon seek public comment on significant changes to improve transparency of bank stress tests & reduce volatility of resulting capital requirements/THE FED

https://www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/pressreleases/bcreg20241223a.htm

Biden-Harris Administration Finalizes Protections for the Pactola Reservoir—Rapid Creek Watershed/USDA

https://www.usda.gov/article/biden-harris-administration-finalizes-protections-pactola-reservoir-rapid-creek-watershed

IN FOCUS & LOCAL MEETINGS

IN FOCUS: Biden-Harris Administration Finalizes Protections for the Pactola Reservoir—Rapid Creek Watershed.

WASHINGTON — Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland has signed Public Land Order 7956, finalizing protections for the Pactola Reservoir–Rapid Creek Watershed on the Black Hills National Forest from the potential effects of mineral exploration and development. This order follows a request from the U.S. Forest Service to close 20,510 acres of National Forest System land to sale or exchange and mineral entry and leasing, for a 20-year period, subject to valid existing rights. Non-federal lands and minerals are not subject to the withdrawal.  

This action responds to requests from Tribes and the local community to protect important cultural and natural resources in Pennington County, South Dakota as well as the municipal water supplies for Rapid City and Ellsworth Air Force Base. With 14 miles of shoreline and depths of 150 feet, Pactola Reservoir is the largest and deepest reservoir in the Black Hills National Forest.    

"The Pactola Reservoir-Rapid Creek Watershed is a treasured landscape, valued for its clean air and water, abundant recreation and ecological benefits, and sacred to multiple Tribes who call the area home,” said Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland. “I’m proud to take action today to withdraw this area for the next 20 years, to help protect clean drinking water and ensure this special place is protected for future generations.”  

“We’re grateful to Secretary Haaland for her decision to withdraw these lands to protect their many invaluable resources,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “The Pactola Reservoir–Rapid Creek Watershed provides so many benefits to the people and communities we serve, from clean water to world-class recreation, from livestock grazing to the spaces our Tribal communities consider sacred, this withdrawal will safeguard this space for decades.”    

The scenic Pactola Reservoir–Rapid Creek Watershed is home to world class fishing and hunting opportunities, cross-country skiing, and a broad range of year-round activities like hiking, camping and boating. Local ranchers also rely on the Pactola for summer grazing.  

The area is considered a sacred landscape and traditional spiritual homeland by the Oceti Sakowin, Cheyenne, Arapaho, Arikara, Hidatsa, Mandan and Crow Tribes. The Black Hills, including the lands of the withdrawn area, contain sites sacred to these Tribes as well as areas they consider traditional cultural properties, important landscapes and areas where the Tribes pick medicine, hold spiritual ceremonies, and gather sacred foods.  

The withdrawal is made pursuant to the Federal Land Policy and Management Act, which authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to withdraw federal lands aggregating 5,000 acres or more for a maximum of 20 years, subject to renewal. Only Congress can legislate a permanent withdrawal of this type.   

The U.S. Forest Service initiated the proposal in March 2023, when the Bureau of Land Management published the application for withdrawal, opening a 90-day public comment period and noticing public meetings. The Forest Service and BLM also conducted two Tribal consultations in 2023. 

ref. https://www.doi.gov/pressreleases/biden-harris-administration-finalizes-protections-pactola-reservoir-rapid-creek

CLALLAM COUNTY MEETINGS:

Clallam County work session for 12.30.24

https://www.clallamcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_12302024-1382

Clallam County Commission meeting for 12.31.24

https://www.clallamcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_12312024-1383

JEFFERSON COUNTY MEETINGS: NO MEETINGS this week

Weekly devotional

 Matthew 11:28 (New International Version)

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

Weekly Bible Lesson:   

 What Is the Church?

The word “church” means “a called-out group of people.” It does not mean a building. Saul persecuted “the church” by persecuting “men and women” (Acts 8:1-3). The members make up the church. But not all men and women are the church, only those who are “called-out people.”--TFTW

https://truthfortheworld.org/what-is-the-church

Free bible studies (WBS)

https://www.worldbibleschool.org/

Learn English using the bible as text (WEI)

http://www.worldenglishinstitute.org/

(Join us in worship every Sunday starting at 10:30AM Church of Christ)

 1233 E Front St, Port Angeles, WA 98362

http://pachurchofchrist.com/

Come and See

https://www.comeandseefoundation.org/

THIS WEEKS VIDEOS:

The Gen Z ‘King’ Keeping Georgia Boys Off the Streets

“I hated white people,” says King Randall, founder of the X for Boys in Albany, Georgia. Now, Randall has totally changed his mind and is rejecting victimhood and the mainstream narratives surrounding race in America. After the 2016 election, it seemed to him like the “world was about to end,” but this election season, Randall made waves after Elon Musk shared Randall’s viral video detailing the hate he received from Democrats after posting a video claiming he is voting for Trump. “You may not be worried about politics,” Randall says. “But politics is worried about you.” That is why Randall is on a mission, not to “fix the world” but to “fix Albany, Georgia” — his hometown. Inspired by the book of Genesis, King sees himself as a partner with God in the good work of “making men” out of the boys in his community. He reveals to Glenn what he thinks is “actual white supremacy” and how the Twitter Files exposed how technocrats “effectively control everyone’s minds.” With injustices like slavery and Jim Crow, Randall knows his “ancestors went through hell,” but now it’s his generation's turn to step up, because the civil rights leaders “didn’t train replacements.” The pair discuss faith and the apostle Paul “going gangsta,” before Glenn shares his thoughts that Gen Z just may be the “hero generation.”  ---Glenn Beck show

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAI6xX1-yXA

Mark Levin Audio Rewind - 12/27/24

On Friday’s Mark Levin Show, Rich Valdes, host of America At Night, fills in for Mark. New York City has not changed when it comes to the increase of illegal aliens committing severe crimes, making any part of NYC unsafe. The fact that an illegal alien burned a woman to death while raiding the subway train is out of control. The scariest thing is that Mayor Eric Adams and Gov. Kathy Hochul seem to do nothing about this and now are trying to back pedal on making NYC a sanctuary city. 

Border Czar Tom Homan expresses his frustration towards those who are against ICE and are against making illegal criminals accountable for the crimes they commit, let alone be in our country Illegally.  In addition, President Biden and Kamala Harris have destroyed this country and then you have people like Julian Castro claiming that it is inhumane and immoral to deport illegal aliens. Also, the healthcare industry is coming up with more ways to cheat the responsibility we have to make sure we are healthy mentally and physically active. Instead, the left pushes for more pharma and offer Ozempic or Mounjaro instead of providing healthier options that encourages you to decide for your health not drugs like RFK suggests. This is another plan for the left and big Pharma to keep the American people in a cycle that makes them pay for drugs, making them depend on the government and pharma.--Mark Levin show

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iiqBGHYkS3c&t=1189s

Sunday morning worship at the Concord Street Church of Christ on December 22, 2024. David Pharr preached a sermon titled “The Greatest Gift”.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ekc23zGd51w

Pete Hegseth walks the footsteps of Jesus in original series | Fox Nation

2000 years ago, Jesus Christ walked on earth, fully God and fully man. In “The Life Of Jesus”, host Pete Hegseth and his pastor retrace His steps throughout the Holy Land: where he lived, where he healed, where he died, and where he rose. In Episode 1 "A King is Born", they explore the little town of Bethlehem and into the Judean wilderness. #FoxNation #LifeOfJesus #PeteHegseth #Easter 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o--XAa37Kd4

Other News Sources:

Fiend accused of burning woman to death on NYC subway is illegal migrant from Guatemala who sneaked into US after he was deported--NY Post

https://nypost.com/2024/12/23/us-news/nyc-subway-burn-suspect-is-illegal-migrant-from-guatemala-who-sneaked-into-us-after-being-deported/

Rabbi Potasnik to Newsmax: Christians and Jews 'Are Allies'--NEWS MAX

https://www.newsmax.com/newsmax-tv/rabbi-joe-potasnik-hanukkah-christmas/2024/12/28/id/1193148/

Biden signs last-minute ban on gasoline-powered vehicles--WT

https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2024/dec/26/editorial-biden-signs-last-minute-ban-gasoline-pow/

NIGHT OWL COMICS

https://pjrnightowlcomics.blogspot.com/

The Port Angeles Globe is published weekly by, Peter Ripley