Press release issued 8/11/20
(Washington, D.C.) - Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced nearly $5 million in federal funding awards for Washington state housing authorities from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, And Economic Security (CARES) Act. The funds will be administered through the Housing Choice Voucher program to help public housing authorities from across the state with the increased costs they’ve incurred working to prevent, prepare for, and respond to COVID-19.
“Our public housing authorities are critical to keeping individuals and families safe, secure and housed, as well as protecting public health and stopping the spread of COVID-19, so I won’t stop fighting for the federal assistance they need to continue their vital work during this pandemic,” said Senator Murray.
This additional funding comes from the $850 million in administrative assistance for public housing authorities and $7 billion in total assistance for affordable housing and homelessness assistance programs that Senator Murray fought to include in the CARES Act. Senator Murray has also announced more than $90 million in CARES Act relief funding for cities and counties across Washington state to help people and families facing homelessness, and more than $4.2 million in federal assistance for Washington State Tribes and Tribal housing authorities. Additionally, Senator Murray has introduced legislation to establish an emergency rental assistance program to help people and families struggling to pay their rent due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
'Port Angeles Peninsula Housing Authority Clallam $ 118,310'
Related press release from HUD: HUD AWARDS $472 MILLION TO PUBLIC HOUSING AUTHORITIES TO HELP KEEP RESIDENTS HOUSED
CARES Act Funding provides additional funding to public housing authorities.
https://www.hud.gov/press/press_releases_media_advisories/HUD_No_20_120
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Ben Carson today announced $472 million in CARES Act funding to help low income families during the coronavirus pandemic. This funding can be used by Public Housing Authorities to help families assisted by Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV) and Mainstream vouchers prevent, prepare for and respond to the coronavirus. The funding, made available by the CARES Act legislation President Trump signed into law on March 27, 2020, will be awarded to Public Housing Authorities across the Nation. See the local impact of the housing assistance announced today.
"This funding will provide additional resources to public housing authorities to make sure people have a decent, safe, and affordable place to call home," said HUD Secretary Ben Carson. "HUD continues to work with our public housing authorities to protect American families from this invisible enemy, including vulnerable residents in the Housing Choice Voucher Program."
"These new funds are important and will go a long way to help low-income residents secure and retain affordable housing during this unprecedented time," said Hunter Kurtz, Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian Housing.
The Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCV) includes the Mainstream Program which provides tenant-based vouchers that serve low-income households.
The eligible coronavirus-related activities include, but are not limited to, the following:
Procuring cleaning supplies and/or services to maintain safe and sanitary HCV units, including common areas of PHA-owned Project Based Voucher (PBV) projects.
Relocation of participating families to health units or other designated units for testing, hospitalization, or quarantine, or transportation to these locations to limit the exposure that could be caused by using mass transportation.
Additional costs to supportive services vendors incurred due to coronavirus.
Costs to retain or increase owner participation in the HCV Program, such as incentive or retention costs (e.g. the PHA offers owner an incentive payment to participate in recognition of added difficulties of making units available for HCV families to rent while stay-at-home orders or social distancing practices are in effect).
Costs for providing childcare for the children of PHA staff that would not have otherwise been incurred (e.g. children are at home due to school closings, PHA staff are working outside of regular work schedules, etc).
For more information on HUD's response to the novel coronavirus pandemic and the actions the Department has taken, please visit HUD.gov/coronavirus. Public Housing Authorities across the Nation have jumped into action to help assist their tenants and their communities during this unprecedented time.
WORLD NEWS HEADLINES:
Coronavirus and schools: Access to handwashing facilities key for safe reopening.
Nearly 820 million children worldwide do not have basic handwashing facilities at school, putting them at increased risk of COVID-19 and other transmittable diseases, according to a report published on Thursday by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the UN Children’s Fund, UNICEF.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2020/08/1070072
Real Life Heroes: on a journey towards quality healthcare.
In the remote Lamu region, on the northeast coast of Kenya, quality healthcare is hard to come by. Every month, medical staff from Safari Doctors, an NGO founded by Umra Omar, set sail on a boat filled with medicines, to provide free basic medicines to hundreds of marginalized inhabitants in several coastal villages.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2020/08/1069892
Deaths of children in northeast Syria ‘could have been averted’: UNICEF.
The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has expressed “deep alarm” over reports that eight children – all under the age of five – have died in Syria’s Al Hol camp, where several thousand children are languishing in dire conditions.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2020/08/1070122
Belarus: UN rights chief condemns violence against protesters, calls for grievances to be heard.
The flow of free information is “crucial” in a democratic society, the UN human rights chief said on Wednesday, spotlighting the landlocked eastern European nation of Belarus, “especially in a context of crisis and social unrest”.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2020/08/1070112
Amid COVID-19, UN commitment to peace ‘more urgent than ever’
COVID-19 threatens not only hard-won development and peace building gains, but also “risks exacerbating conflicts or fomenting new ones”, the UN chief reminded the Security Council on Wednesday, during a briefing on the challenges to achieving sustainable peace, while pandemics ravage communities worldwide.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2020/08/1070082
Lebanon: WFP racing to help vulnerable, prevent food shortages.
The World Food Programme (WFP) is racing to prevent food shortages in Lebanon as the country continues to reel from the triple shock of the devastating blast in Beirut, economic meltdown and the COVID-19 pandemic.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2020/08/1070062
UN PRESS RELEASES:
Inequalities, Global Poverty Could Grow for Years, Secretary-General Warns at Security Council Teleconference on ‘Pandemics and Sustaining Peace’
Following are UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ remarks to the Security Council open videoconference on “Peacebuilding and Sustaining Peace: Pandemics and the Challenges of Sustaining Peace”
https://www.un.org/press/en/2020/sgsm20204.doc.htm
Office for Disarmament Affairs Department Launches United Nations ‘75 Words for Disarmament Youth Challenge’
NEW YORK, 12 August (Office for Disarmament Affairs) — Disarmament is at the heart of the collective security system set out in the United Nations Charter, with its goal to “save succeeding generations from the scourge of war”. In commemoration of the seventy-fifth anniversaries of the establishment of the United Nations and the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the Office for Disarmament Affairs is launching the “75 Words for Disarmament Youth Challenge”.
https://www.un.org/press/en/2020/dc3828.doc.htm
Secretary-General Calls on Protest Organizers in Bolivia to Allow Aid Delivery, Welcoming Readiness of Government, Political Parties for Dialogue.
The Secretary-General is following with concern recent developments in Bolivia. He calls on the organizers of the protests to ensure the safe passage of ambulances, oxygen and medicines and allow the delivery of goods and services essential to the population.
https://www.un.org/press/en/2020/sgsm20203.doc.htm
From the US Mission to the UN:
Remarks at a Briefing on the Humanitarian Situation in Lebanon (via VTC).
" The Lebanese people are among the most generous in the world. Over the last decade they have welcomed over 1 million refugees from Syria. And now, we are committed to do all we can to help the Lebanese people in their hour of need. We recognize the urgent requirements for emergency medical support, shelter materials, psychosocial support, food assistance and much more in the coming days."
https://usun.usmission.gov/remarks-at-a-briefing-on-the-humanitarian-situation-in-lebanon-via-vtc/
Remarks at a UN Security Council Open Debate on Pandemics and Security (via VTC).
" We adopted Resolution 2532 a little over a month ago, supporting the Secretary-General’s call for a global ceasefire to secure a respite for countries and regions that, weakened by violence and conflict, are especially vulnerable to the virus. We should now reflect on how the pandemic has affected particularly sensitive areas."
Statement by Ambassador Kelly Craft on the Introduction of a U.S. Resolution Extending the Iran Arms Embargo.
" Iran’s actions fuel conflict, chaos, and human suffering on a broad scale. It continues to endanger the lives and livelihoods of millions of innocent men, women, and children by actively supporting proxy groups and terrorist organizations in countries like Syria, Yemen, Lebanon, and Iraq."
NATIONAL HEADLINES:
WH Press release: Joint Statement of the United States, the State of Israel, and the United Arab Emirates.
WH Fact sheet: President Donald J. Trump Has Secured a Historic Deal Between Israel and the United Arab Emirates to Advance Peace and Prosperity In the Region.
US STATE DEPT: The United States Imposes Visa Restrictions on Multiple Individuals Undermining Sudan’s Civilian-Led Transitional Government.
DOD: National Defense Strategy Key to Force Restructuring.
As the Defense Department looked at restructuring its forces in Europe, officials had to decide how a restructure would deal with today's threats as defined in the National Defense Strategy, the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff told the Hudson Institute today.
DOJ: Statement from Attorney General William P. Barr on the Resignation of Seattle Police Chief Carmen Best
Attorney General William P. Barr issued the following statement in response to the resignation of Seattle Police Chief Carmen Best:
"I was disheartened to learn of the resignation of Seattle Police Chief Carmen Best. Her leadership and demonstrated commitment to her oath of office reflected all that is good about America’s law enforcement. In the face of mob violence, she drew the line in the sand and said, "Enough!", working tirelessly to save lives, protect her officers, and restore stability to Seattle. Her example should be an inspiration to all who respect the rule of law and cherish safety and security in their communities. This experience should be a lesson to state and local leaders about the real costs of irresponsible proposals to defund the police."
DOJ: Defendant Pleads Guilty In Multi-Million Dollar Prize Notification Scam Affecting Elderly Victims
A Las Vegas area resident charged with perpetrating a prize-notification scheme that bilked victims out of more than $10 million pleaded guilty today, the Department of Justice announced.
HUD: SECRETARY CARSON AND SCOTT TURNER HOLD READING SESSION FOR KIDS AS PART OF SUMMER SERIES
WASHINGTON - U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Ben Carson released a new video as part of his virtual summer reading series, Summer Reading with Secretary Carson. In this most recent episode, Secretary Carson reads a story about a young football player along with Scott Turner, who serves as the Executive Director of the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council. Scott Turner is a former NFL player.
https://www.hud.gov/press/press_releases_media_advisories/HUD_No_20_121
Joint Statement from the Census Bureau and Centers for Disease Control on Conducting 2020 Census Non-Response Follow-Up Interviews.
n carrying out our respective missions, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are committed to protecting the health and safety of those we serve and employ. This is particularly important during the current COVID-19 health crisis.
https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2020/s0810-statement-census-bureau-cdc.html
FDA Approves Targeted Treatment for Rare Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Mutation.
For Immediate Release:
August 12, 2020
Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted accelerated approval to Viltepso (viltolarsen) injection for the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) in patients who have a confirmed mutation of the DMD gene that is amenable to exon 53 skipping. This is the second FDA-approved targeted treatment for patients with this type of mutation. Approximately 8% of patients with DMD have a mutation that is amenable to exon 53 skipping.
D.C. Court Denies Attempt by 18 Attorneys General to Block U.S. Department of Education Title IX Rule.
WASHINGTON — U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos released the following statement after the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia denied the motion for a preliminary injunction, filed by 17 state attorneys general and the District of Columbia, against the U.S. Department of Education’s new Title IX Rule slated to take effect this Friday, Aug. 14, 2020:
"Today’s ruling is yet another victory for students and reaffirms that students’ rights under Title IX go hand in hand with basic American principles of fairness and due process. With yet another failed attempt to block our historic Title IX Rule, we can now look forward to it taking effect this Friday, requiring schools to act in meaningful ways to support survivors of sexual misconduct without sacrificing important safeguards to protect free speech and provide all students with a transparent, reliable process. We can and must continue to fight sexual misconduct in our nation's schools, and today’s ruling will help ensure that happens."
BUSINESS & FINANCE HEADLINES:
Treasury Releases Report of the Federal Interagency Task Force on Long-Term Care Insurance.
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of the Treasury today released the report of the Federal Interagency Task Force on Long-Term Care Insurance (Task Force). The report, Long-Term Care Insurance: Recommendations for Improvement of Regulation, describes the work conducted by the Task Force and presents recommendations to reform the regulation of long-term care insurance (LTCI) in the United States.
https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sm1090
At Historic U.S. Chamber Headquarters, Temporary Art Installation Celebrates Black Lives Matter Voices--US CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
Joint Board announces temporary waiver of “physical presence” education requirement for enrolled actuaries---IRS
WASHINGTON — The Joint Board for the Enrollment of Actuaries today provided enrolled actuaries with notice that it is waiving the physical presence requirement for continuing professional education (CPE) credit for any formal programs conducted from January 1, 2020, through December 31, 2022. The Joint Board made this decision due to the hardships that the COVID-19 pandemic has caused, particularly those involving traveling to and participating in gatherings requiring close contact with others.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AWARDS $68 MILLION IN GRANTS TO INDIAN AND NATIVE AMERICAN ORGANIZATIONS AND TRIBES
WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today awarded $68 million in funding to 340 organizations and tribes as part of the Indian and Native American Programs grant that provides training opportunities at the local level. Of the total award amount, approximately $54 million will go towards adult programs and $13 million will go towards youth programs.---US LABOR DEPT.
https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/eta/eta20200812
Trump Administration Invests $371 Million to Improve Rural Electric Infrastructure in 11 States
Investments to Benefit More Than 222,000 Residents and Commercial Customers---USDA.
Federal banking agencies issue joint statement on enforcement of Bank Secrecy Act/anti-money laundering requirements.
WASHINGTON—The federal banking agencies today issued a joint statement updating their existing enforcement guidance to enhance transparency regarding how they evaluate enforcement actions that are required by statute when financial institutions fail to meet Bank Secrecy Act/anti-money laundering (BSA/AML) obligations.--THE FED
https://www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/pressreleases/bcreg20200813a.htm
FTC Adds Charges Against Auto Marketer For Deceptive “Prize” Mailers.
The Federal Trade Commission has issued an administrative complaint against a marketer, Traffic Jam Events, LLC, and its owner, David J. Jeansonne II, charging multiple counts of deceptive conduct. The administrative complaint mirrors a prior federal court complaint, which the Commission voluntarily dismissed to pursue a broader administrative proceeding.---THE FTC
Trump Administration Outlines Comprehensive Strategy to Tackle $120 Billion Problem
Furthers federal actions to aggressively combat invasive species from Guam to the Everglades.
WASHINGTON – Today, the Trump Administration released a draft strategic plan for combating an estimated $120 billion problem—invasive species.--Dept. of Interior.
From our Congressional Delegation:
Cantwell, Murray, Senate Democratic Caucus Call on USPS to Fix Delays, Avoid Cost Increases for Election Mail
Letter follows reports USPS told Washington Secretary of State, other election officials November ballots could be delayed unless states pay more.
Cantwell, Murray Press White House to Restore Full Funding for the National Guard’s COVID-19 Response
President Trump last week reduced federal reimbursement to states for National Guard units by 25 percent without explanation.
Democratic Lawmakers Call on Trump Administration to Stop Blocking International Students from Entering the Country.
VIDEO: Washington State Mayors Join Senator Murray to Highlight Urgent Need for Additional COVID-19 Relief Funding for State, Local, and Tribal Governments.
https://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsreleases?ID=3E4673E7-14F7-410C-816F-285B21DA156D
STATE NEWS HEADLINES:
Inslee issues guidance for agricultural events, updated guidance for indoor fitness and religious and faith-based services.
Inslee announces relief funds to help immigrants and agricultural workers.
The Immigrant Relief Fund will provide $40 million to assist Washington residents who are unable to access federal stimulus programs due to their immigration status, and the Food Production Paid Leave Program will provide $3 million of financial resources to certain food production workers who remain home when ill.
Boosting seafood exports to Vietnam virtually.
Washington seafood has faced some recent challenges, from trade issues with China to reduced demand from restaurant closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic.--WSDA
https://wastatedeptag.blogspot.com/2020/08/boosting-seafood-exports-to-vietnam.html
AG FERGUSON SUES CALIFORNIA INTERNET VAPING RETAILER FOR ILLEGAL SALES.
SEATTLE — Attorney General Bob Ferguson filed a lawsuit today against an Orange County-based company that marketed vapor products containing nicotine in a way that appealed to youth, then sold the products without verifying the buyers’ ages. The company, E-Juice Vapors, failed to comply with numerous age verification requirements intended to prevent youth from purchasing vapor products online. Moreover, E-Juice Vapors never received a license from the state to deliver vapor products into Washington as required by Washington law.
Commerce awards $12.5 million to preserve affordable housing in rural communities.
Environmental penalties for second quarter of 2020.
OLYMPIA –
The Washington Department of Ecology issued $360,900 in penalties of $1,000 or more from April through June 2020. A detailed list of the violations and resulting penalties appears in the table below.
https://ecology.wa.gov/About-us/Get-to-know-us/News/2020/Aug-13-Second-quarter-penalties-2020
Initial unemployment insurance claims for week of August 2 - 8, 2020.
OLYMPIA – During the week of August 2 through August 8, there were 22,140 initial regular unemployment claims (down 11.4% from the prior week) and 571,410 total claims for all unemployment benefit categories (down 13.0% from the prior week) filed by Washingtonians, according to the Employment Security Department (ESD).
https://esd.wa.gov/newsroom/initial-unemployment-insurance-claims-for-week-of-august-2-8-2020
115 surplus elk multi-season tags awarded; 2,723 over-the-counter deer tags available on Aug. 18.
OLYMPIA — Hunters who bought a multi-season permit application for elk earlier this year, but were not selected in the April drawing, may be one of the additional 115 people who will be selected for surplus elk multi-season tags.
Eastern Washington Increasing Campfire Restrictions and Fire Precaution Levels
Due to the continuous dry, hot weather, the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced today more changes in campfire restrictions and industrial fire precaution levels (IFPL) on DNR-protected lands. Beginning July 28, a statewide burn ban was enacted by Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz that remains in effect through Sept. 30.
EDITORIALS & LOCAL MEETING AGENDA.
HEAR THOSE CRICKETS IN THE BACK GROUND?
THAT'S THE MAINSTREAM RESPONSE AT A FIVE YEAR OLD BOY'S MURDER!
Cannon Hinnant's murder didn't fit the mainstream media's narrative that's why!
related news story: Where's the Media Outrage Over the Murder of 5-Year-Old Cannon Hinnant?
quote: " This is the tragic story of Cannon Hinnant, and it is a story still untold by many major news sources, including CNN, The New York Times and The Washington Post. Online searches using both Cannon’s and Sessoms’ names brought up absolutely nothing from all three of these organizations."
More stories on this senseless murder!
Media Bury Execution-Style Slaughter of Child in Front of Family.---News Busters
Narrative Busted: Media Ignore White Boy Shot By a Black Man, While BLM Calls Looting 'Reparations'---MRC
Media Silent After White 5-Year-Old Shot Dead in Front of Family by Black Neighbor---PJ Media
Black Man Shoots 5-Year-Old In The Head Point-Blank, But The Race-Obsessed Media Don’t Care---The Federalist
OTHER EDITORIALS:
The Media Is Absolutely Wacko for Claiming Kamala Harris Is a 'Moderate’--PJ MEDIA
Will the Real Kamala Harris Please Stand Up?
Joe Biden announced Kamala Harris as his running mate on Tuesday. Despite the freshman senator’s deficiencies exuding personal warmth vis-à-vis the others on his shortlist, the former vice president chose Harris over Nurse Ratched, Almira Gulch, and Alexis Colby.---American Spectator
https://spectator.org/kamala-harris-vice-president-pick/
Video: The Fatal Weakness of Harris as Biden's VP
She brings a track record of pressing to uphold convictions of innocent people and defending prosecutorial misconduct.--Patriot Post
https://patriotpost.us/articles/72713-video-the-fatal-weakness-of-harris-as-bidens-vp-2020-08-14
'I am in this race to win': Kamala Harris responds to GOP attacks--Washington Examiner
Joe Biden sexual assault accuser Tara Reade challenges media to confront Kamala Harris on issue
'Journalists should be asking her pointedly why there was a smear campaign on me'---Washington Times
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2020/aug/12/tara-reade-challenges-media-to-confront-kamala-har/
Hillary Clinton Is Open To Serving In A Harris-Biden Administration---The Federalist
LOCAL MEETING AGENDA'S
CLALLAM COUNTY MEETINGS:
Clallam Commission Work session for 8/17/20
https://clallam.granicus.com/GeneratedAgendaViewer.php?view_id=2&event_id=1224
Clallam County Commission regular meeting for 8/18/20
https://clallam.granicus.com/GeneratedAgendaViewer.php?view_id=2&event_id=7226
Clallam County Board of Health meeting for 8/18/20
City of Port Angeles Council meeting for 8/18/60
https://www.cityofpa.us/DocumentCenter/View/8564/Final-Packet-08182020
OMC BOARD MEETING for 8/ 19/20
https://www.olympicmedical.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/AGENDA-August-19-2020.pdf
JEFFERSON COUNTY MEETINGS:
Jefferson County Commission meeting for 8/ 17/20
JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH August 20, 2020
PORT TOWNSEND CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS MEETING AGENDA
for 8/17/20
https://cityofpt.granicus.com/GeneratedAgendaViewer.php?view_id=4&event_id=1659
