January 08, 2021--press release
http://www.courts.wa.gov/newsinfo/?fa=newsinfo.internetdetail&newsid=44885
Washington Supreme Court Justice G. Helen Whitener has been named Judge of the Year by the Western Region of the National Black Law Student Association (WRBLSA). She will be recognized for the honor and speak during Western Regional Convention’s 53rd Annual Awards Gala, being held virtually on Saturday, January 9, 2021.
“I am deeply honored to receive this award from an organization that has done such important work for decades in encouraging and supporting Black law students across the country and beyond,” Justice Whitener said about the recognition.
The National Black Law Student Association (NBLSA) represents over 6,000 minority law students from more than 200 chapters across the United States, and in six other countries. The Western Region is comprised of Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington, encompassing 40 law schools and more than 350 members.
The NBLSA was founded in 1968 by Algernon Johnson (“AJ”) Cooper at the New York University Law School to fill a need for the educational encouragement, professional development and community enrichment of Black law students. The organization’s mission is to “increase the number of culturally responsible Black and minority attorneys who excel academically, succeed professionally, and positively impact the community.”
“Mentoring and supporting law students and young people is one of the most positive things we can do as legal professionals,” said Justice Whitener, who has been active and recognized for her work in other mentoring programs. “I encourage professionals of any field to support organizations and programs such as the NBLSA, and their important work with young people.”
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(2) Applications sought for WDFW’s Puget Sound Recreational Crab and Shrimp Advisory Committee.
OLYMPIA - The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is seeking applications for a volunteer citizen committee that advises the department on Puget Sound recreational crab and shrimp fishing issues.
The Recreational Crab and Shrimp Advisory Committee (RCSAC) provides a communication link between WDFW staff and recreational crab and shrimp harvesters.
Committee members provide insight, recommendations and advice to the Puget Sound crustacean program staff regarding potential management actions, harvest seasons, regulations, education and outreach opportunities and stakeholder communication.
Advisors will be chosen based on experience in the recreational crab and shrimp fishery, ability to address issues in a thoughtful and productive manner, willingness to engage, their ability to communicate with fishery managers and others, and for their ability to contribute diverse perspectives. Applicants need not be affiliated with an organized group. Anyone can apply, including those who may require reasonable accommodations to participate as an advisory committee member.
Those interested should review the WDFW Recreational Crab and Shrimp Advisory Committee webpage and the advisory group handbook.
Applications are due by 5 p.m., Jan. 20, 2021. An online application form with requested information is located on the Crab and Shrimp advisory webpage. Applications may also be submitted by email to Don Velasquez at don.velasquez@dfw.wa.gov or by mail Attn: Crustacean Manager, 375 Hudson St., Port Townsend, WA 98368
Applicants should be available for advisory committee meetings twice per year. Additional conference call meetings may also be held to discuss in-season management issues. Advisors will be expected to become or remain informed on the issues and to provide objective assessments, based on experience and first-hand information about the fisheries, harvest-allocation and conservation issues. Virtual meetings via Microsoft Teams will be used at least through June 2021 and may continue to be an option for future meetings.
The group will be comprised of 10-12 individuals. New advisory appointments will be for two-year terms to begin on Feb. 15, 2021. Applicants will be notified of appointments by Feb. 1, 2021.
For more information, please contact Katelyn Bosley (360) 302-3030, ext. 319.
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is the primary state agency tasked with preserving, protecting and perpetuating fish and wildlife and ecosystems, while providing sustainable fishing and hunting opportunities.
Individuals who need to receive this information in an alternative format, language, or who need reasonable accommodations to participate in WDFW-sponsored public meetings or other activities may contact the Title VI/ADA Compliance Coordinator by phone at 360-902-2349, TTY (711), or email (Title6@dfw.wa.gov). For more information, see https://wdfw.wa.gov/accessibility/requests-accommodation.
In other state news headlines:
Conservative group gathers in Olympia to protest Gov. Inslee’s directives--The Olympian
https://www.theolympian.com/news/politics-government/article248412855.html#storylink=mainstage_lead
Three housing bills scheduled to get hearings in Washington state Senate this week--THE Olympian
How Washington residents can weigh in during the mostly remote legislative session--THE OLYMPIAN
Hard justice gives way to compassion as federal courts move to release Western Washington inmates vulnerable to COVID-19--Seattle Times
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(3) TODAY'S TOP HEADLINE NEWS
WORLD NEWS HEADLINES:
COVID-19 recovery offers ‘chance to change course’, Guterres tells One Planet Summit.
The process of recovery from the coronavirus pandemic offers the chance to change course, and put humanity on a path on which it is not in conflict with nature, the United Nations Secretary-General said on Monday, urging greater efforts by everyone to protect biodiversity and step up climate action. --UN News Center
https://news.un.org/en/story/2021/01/1081772
UN chief highlights need for climate action, pandemic response, in commemorating 75th anniversary of the General Assembly.
In his first major speech of the year, the UN Secretary-General underlined the need for global cooperation to address today’s challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change.---UN News Center
https://news.un.org/en/story/2021/01/1081752
South Sudan: Timely action by Ghanaian peacekeepers proves ‘every second counts’
Ghanaian peacekeepers at the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) have been commended for their lifesaving support to a man who was severely wounded during recent violent inter-communal clashes in the north of the country.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2021/01/1081762
Remarks at a UN Security Council Briefing on the Situation in West Africa and the Sahel (via VTC)--USUN
NATIONAL NEWS:
December Job Losses Driven by Leisure and Hospitality Industry--WH
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released its monthly Employment Situation Report for December 2020 last week. Employment fell by 140,000 from November to December according to the establishment survey, ending 7 consecutive months of job gains as States once again engaged in partial economic lockdowns even while COVID-19 cases proliferate amidst these shutdowns. While employment in many industries increased by 358,000, the leisure and hospitality industry—an industry which represents some of the lowest wage earners on average—experienced a loss of 498,000 jobs.
https://www.whitehouse.gov/articles/december-job-losses-driven-leisure-hospitality-industry/
Sanctioning Russia-linked Disinformation Network for its Involvement in Attempts to Influence U.S. Election---STATE DEPT.
Man Arrested for Illegally Entering Office of Speaker of the House
Richard Barnett, 60, of Gravette, Arkansas was arrested today in Bentonville, Arkansas on multiple criminal charges related to his alleged unlawful activities earlier this week at the U.S. Capitol Building where he was photographed with his feet up on a desk in the Speaker of the House of Representatives’ office.--DOJ
https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/man-arrested-illegally-entering-office-speaker-house
HHS to Lead Federal Grants Management Innovations and Efficiencies
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) today formally designated the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as a Quality Service Management Office (QSMO) for grants to lead efforts to transform the Federal grants management process end-to-end. With this designation, the Grants QSMO will drive standardization and modernization of systems to increase efficiency and reduce burden for grant applicants and recipients and for the federal workforce government-wide.---HHS
BUSINESS & FINANCE
Treasury Takes Further Action Against Russian-linked Actors.
WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) took additional action against seven individuals and four entities that are part of a Russia-linked foreign influence network associated with Andrii Derkach. Russian agent Derkach was designated on September 10, 2020, pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13848, for his attempt to influence the 2020 U.S. presidential election.---US TREASURY
https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sm1232
Federal Reserve Board announces Reserve Bank income and expense data and transfers to the Treasury for 2020--THE FED
https://www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/pressreleases/other20210111a.htm
California Company Settles FTC Allegations It Deceived Consumers about use of Facial Recognition in Photo Storage App--FTC
COMMENTARIES AND OTHER NEWS STORIES
The Morning Briefing: Democrats Are OK With Billionaires If They Censor You--PJ MEDIA
Big Tech's Free Speech Purge Begins
Silicon Valley tycoons acted in concert to remove social media startup Parler as conservatives flocked to the platform.---Patriot Post
https://patriotpost.us/articles/76933-big-techs-free-speech-purge-begins-2021-01-11
Trump's son says social media blackout of President Trump is 'sick and sad'---Washington Times
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2021/jan/9/trump-son-don-jr-social-media-blackout-president/
Facebook suspends political spending after Capitol riot--Washington Examiner
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/facebook-suspending-political-spending-capitol-riot
Free bible studies (WBS)
https://www.worldbibleschool.org/
