MONDAY'S BUSINESS & FINANCE REPORT

US CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: Looking Toward the Future of Air Cargo
Blog posted on 8/ 21/ 17

Not many would refute that e-commerce is transforming global supply chains. Consumers are expecting more product choices and faster delivery and, therefore, air cargo is becoming more important for shippers to meet these evolving consumer demands. Global air traffic is expected to grow an average 4.2 % annually over the next 20 years.
While air cargo represents less than 1% of global trade in terms of volume, it accounts for 35% in value. Thus, when it comes to the future of air cargo, a lot is at stake. A variety of factors will determine the ability of air cargo providers to facilitate the global demand for fast, reliable shipping.

Cargo Network Services (CNS), a company of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), is partnering with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and other organizations to host the 2nd annual U.S. Air Cargo Industry Affairs (USACIA) Summit on September 6 in Washington, D.C. The Summit will cover air cargo security, regulations, infrastructure, and countless other issues. It is imperative that the government and private sector collaborate on issues impacting air cargo to find real-world solutions that ensure our national and economic security.

The timing of this summit could not be better. So much is happening around the globe in this industry. A recent IATA report found that a 1% increase in air cargo connectivity is associated with a 6.3% increase in total exports and imports. Air cargo is clearly an investment worth making. One example is the cargo hub Amazon is building in Northern Kentucky, which is expected to create over 2,000 jobs.

As market forces change, air cargo is changing too. We invite you to join us at the USACIA summit.


 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AWARDS $80M IN PRE-APPRENTICESHIP GRANTS
PRESS RELEASE ISSUED 8/ 18/ 17

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor announced $80 million in grants will be awarded to YouthBuild, a pre-apprenticeship program for at-risk individuals ages 16-to-24.
“There are pathways to successful careers outside of traditional education models,” said U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta. “There are 6.2 million open jobs in the U.S., including 228,000 in construction, and 388,000 in manufacturing. By partnering with local community colleges and nonprofits, we can empower America’s young people with the skills to succeed in the good-paying jobs of today and of the future.”
YouthBuild is a recognized pre-apprenticeship program that helps at-risk youth complete high school or state equivalency degree programs, earn industry-recognized certifications for in-demand occupations, and undergo training to build housing for low-income or homeless individuals and families in their communities.
The grants announced today range from approximately $650,000 to $1.1 million each, and will help fund 77 YouthBuild programs.
YouthBuild has a network of 260 urban and rural YouthBuild programs in 46 states. It partners with the Department of Labor and is sponsored and managed by local nonprofits, community colleges, and public agencies.


 US TREASURY DEPT: Statement by U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin
PRESS RELEASE ISSUED 8/ 19/ 17

Washington – U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin issued the following statement today in response to comments he has received from his Yale Classmates and others.

“I am writing in response to my Yale Classmates and many other comments I have received urging me to “speak out”. I believe that your letter and these comments raise several important issues and misconceptions that I am prepared to address.

“First, I am proud to serve my country as the 77th Treasury Secretary at this critical time in our history, and I do so with a goal of taking actions to improve the economy for the benefit of all of our citizens.  I believe that there is a great opportunity to simplify regulations, reform taxes, and generate millions of jobs through higher growth. Additionally I will use all the powers and resources of the Department of the Treasury’s Terrorism and Financial Intelligence units to combat and stop terrorist financing domestically and internationally. These are my most important priorities as Treasury Secretary. I was honored to travel to all parts of the country with the President during his campaign, be chosen by the President to be Treasury Secretary, and will continue to pursue his agenda.

“Second, with regard to the recent, horrible events in Charlottesville, I strongly condemn the actions of those filled with hate and with the intent to harm others. They have no defense from me nor do they have any defense from the President or this administration. As the President said in his very first comment on the events that were unfolding in Charlottesville, “[w]e all must be united and condemn all that hate stands for. There is no place for this kind of violence in America. Let’s come together as one.”

“Third, as someone who is Jewish, I believe I understand the long history of violence and hatred against the Jews (and other minorities) and circumstances that give rise to these sentiments and actions. While I find it hard to believe I should have to defend myself on this, or the President, I feel compelled to let you know that the President in no way, shape or form, believes that neo-Nazi and other hate groups who endorse violence are equivalent to groups that demonstrate in peaceful and lawful ways.

“Finally, as a Yale graduate and a member of what used to be known as Calhoun College (prior to its name change), I am familiar with the culture wars being fought in our country and the impact it is having on many people, with different views of how history should be remembered. Some of these issues are far more complicated than we are led to believe by the mass media, and if it were so simple, such actions would have been taken by other presidents, governors, and mayors, long before President Trump was elected by the American people.

“Our President deserves the opportunity to propose his agenda and to do so without the attempts by those who opposed him in the primaries, in the general election and beyond to distract the administration and the American people from these most important policy issues – jobs, economic growth, and national security.

“I hope you have a better perspective on my feelings on these issues.  I don’t believe the allegations against the President are accurate, and I believe that having highly talented men and women in our country surrounding the President in his administration should be reassuring to you and all the American people. As long as I am Treasury Secretary I will do the best job I can for the American people and provide the best advice I can to the President.”



IRS Seeks Applications for Advisory Committee for the Tax Exempt and Government Entities Division
PRESS RELEASE ISSUED 8/ 18/ 19

WASHINGTON – The Internal Revenue Service is seeking applications for vacancies on the Advisory Committee on Tax Exempt and Government Entities (ACT). The committee provides a venue for public input on relevant areas of tax administration.
Vacancies exist in the following customer segments:
Employee Plans – two vacancies (with additional experience in federal, state and local governments preferred),
Exempt Organizations – one vacancy (with additional experience in tax-exempt bonds preferred),
Tax Exempt Bonds – one vacancy (with additional experience in exempt organizations preferred).
Members are appointed by the Department of the Treasury and serve three-year terms, beginning in June 2018. Applications will be accepted through September 18, 2017.
The ACT is an organized public forum for the IRS and representatives who deal with employee plans, exempt organizations, tax-exempt bonds, and federal, state, local and Indian tribal governments. The ACT allows the IRS to receive regular input on administrative policy and procedures of the Tax Exempt and Government Entities Division (TE/GE).
Applications can be made by completing the ACT Application Form (Form 12399-C). Applications should reflect the proposed member’s qualifications. Members of the ACT may not be federally registered lobbyists. A notice published in the Federal Register, dated August 17, 2017, contains more details about the ACT and the application process. Incomplete applications will not be processed.

BUSINESS AND FINANCE FROM OLYMPIA

LABOR AND INDUSTRIES: Badly burned on the job? New Center of Excellence at Harborview and L&I join forces to offer expanded help with recovery
PRESS RELEASE ISSUED 8/ 18/ 17

Tumwater – Burns are among the most painful on-the-job injuries. Each year, hundreds of workers in Washington are burned on the job so severely that they require specialized medical care. The care and support these injured workers receive are key to their recovery and return to work.
The Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) and Harborview Medical Center today announced a new Center of Excellence for medical care for burns. The new agreement expands workers’ access to a range of specialists who will collaborate throughout the worker’s recovery.
“Getting the right care at the right time is crucial for these catastrophically injured workers,” said Joel Sacks, director of L&I. “We hope to make their recovery better and a little easier by improving access to specialists.”
“The new Center of Excellence for Burns will help us streamline multi-disciplinary care to Washington’s workers who sustain devastating burns,” said Dr. Nicole Gibran, director of the Regional Burn Center at Harborview Medical Center, part of University of Washington (UW) Medicine. “By coordinating care with providers who understand burn injuries, we facilitate physical and psychological recovery.”
National data has shown that nearly 50 percent of adult burn patients do not return to work two years after injury and 28 percent never return to work. In contrast, a recent study in the Journal of Burn Care & Research showed that 93 percent of workers with work-related burns who were treated at the UW Medicine Regional Burn Center at Harborview returned to work on average 24 days after injury. The research attributes these dramatically improved outcomes to the broad support the worker receives from employers and workers’ compensation claims staff, and to the specialized and comprehensive burn care at Harborview.
To streamline care for burned workers insured by L&I, a group of highly-trained staff from the agency manages catastrophic claims. They will coordinate closely with UW Medicine and with staff wherever workers continue treatment.
The new center is part of an L&I project to improve care for catastrophically injured workers. This is the second center of excellence; the first, for amputations, was established in early 2016.

Governor Inslee: It’s time to pass the capital budget.
PRESS RELEASE ISSUED 8/ 16/ 18

While legislators successfully approved new operating and transportation budgets during their recent session, schools, cities and counties across the state of Washington are feeling the consequences of legislators’ failure to pass a capital budget. The capital budget funds hundreds of construction projects and supports more than 19,000 jobs.

Senate Republicans are openly leveraging the capital budget until legislators reach agreement on how to address an unrelated Supreme Court decision related to water rights. Gov. Jay Inslee has repeatedly called on the Senate to de-link the two issues to ensure much-needed construction projects aren’t unnecessarily delayed.

Failure to pass a capital budget affects a wide range of programs and all of the state’s 39 counties. The budget includes projects to build new schools, update water treatment systems, expand capacity at health clinics, preserve historic places, reduce pollution, improve state parks, protect against flooding and wildfires, modernize mental health facilities, and more.

The budget has over $1 billion in school construction funds, including $20 million to improve distressed schools in Seattle, $15 million to replace North Pines Middle School in Spokane Valley, and $620,000 for upgrades to the Washington State School for the Blind in Vancouver. In some cases, a delay in state funding is expected to result in increased construction costs.
Read more of story here

UTC: Washington electric companies on track to meet 2017 renewable targets (In cased you missed it)
PRESS RELEASE ISSUED 8/ 17/ 17

OLYMPIA, Wash. – The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission found all three of the state’s investor-owned electric companies are in compliance with state renewable energy requirements.

The Energy Independence Act requires qualifying electric utilities to obtain a certain percentage of their electricity from eligible renewable resources, including wind, solar, and hydro power.

As part of the EIA requirements, Avista, Pacific Power, and Puget Sound Energy filed reports detailing their renewable portfolios and how each utility will supply at least 9 percent of its electric load for 2017 through renewable sources.

The three-member commission determined that all three utilities complied with the state renewable resource standard. Each company will file a final compliance report by 2019 showing exactly which resources were used to meet its target, and request a determination from the commission that the utility complied with its target.

The EIA, approved by Washington voters in 2006, also directs the companies obtain fifteen percent of their electricity from new renewable resources by 2020 and undertake cost-effective energy conservation

The UTC approves the targets and reviews the implementation plans for each investor-owned utility. The Washington State Department of Commerce oversees the targets and plans for the state’s consumer-owned utilities.

Avista is based in Spokane and provides electric service to about 246,000 customers in nine Eastern Washington counties: Adams, Asotin, Ferry, Franklin, Garfield, Lincoln, Spokane, Stevens and Whitman.

Pacific Power is a division of Portland, Ore.-based PacifiCorp which is owned by Berkshire Hathaway Energy of Des Moines, Iowa. The company provides electric service to about 130,000 customers in five Eastern Washington counties: Kittitas, Columbia, Garfield, Walla Walla and Yakima.

Bellevue-based PSE provides electricity service to more than 1.1 million electric customers in eight Washington counties: King, Pierce, Island, Kitsap, Kittitas, Skagit, Whatcom, and Thurston.

The UTC is the state agency that regulates private, investor-owned electric and natural gas utilities in Washington. It is the commission’s responsibility to ensure regulated companies provide safe and reliable service to customers at reasonable rates, while allowing them the opportunity to earn a fair profit.

WORLD AND NATIONAL NEWS BRIEFS

UN NEWS CENTER:
Following El Salvador visit, UN right expert urges authorities to protect people from gangs
21 August 2017 – El Salvador is suffering a 'hidden tragedy' due to gang-related violence, an independent United Nations human rights expert today said, urging national authorities to intensify efforts to help and protect people affected by gangs.

'UN stands in solidarity with Finland in its fight against terrorism,' says Guterres
19 August 2017 – United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres today condemned the terrorist attack in south-western Finland which killed at least two people.

NATIONAL

WASHINGTON TIMES: Speaker Ryan denounces ‘moral relativism’ on neo-Nazis
House Speaker Paul D. Ryan said Monday that the white supremacists who have gained such a high profile in recent weeks remain “only on the fringes” of American life, but said the country cannot tolerate any attempts to show moral relativism.

NYT: The Solar Eclipse: First Contact in Oregon
Closer to Oregon’s coast at Depoe Bay, a small town near where the total eclipse will first touch American soil, eclipse chasers woke to thick fog, which was beginning to clear. The National Weather Service in Portland, Ore., reported that some coastal areas “are looking perfect” for viewing.

Daily Bible Verse:  The Lord will command His lovingkindness in the daytime, And in the night His song shall be with me— A prayer to the God of my life.

Psalm 42:8 NKJV

 

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https://www.worldbibleschool.org/

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http://www.worldenglishinstitute.org/

OUR HEALTH & WORLD POVERTY

 FDA: FDA provides new tools for the development and proper evaluation of tests for detecting Zika virus infection
PRESS RELEASE ISSUED 8/ 17/ 17
As an additional measure in the fight against Zika virus, today the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced that it has made available a panel of human plasma samples to aid in the regulatory evaluation of serological tests to detect recent Zika virus infection.
“At the onset of the Zika virus outbreak, when little was known about the disease or how to diagnose it, the FDA worked quickly with manufacturers to encourage the development of diagnostic tests and ensure they were available using its Emergency Use Authorization authorities,” said FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, M.D. “By providing manufacturers of these tests with standardized patient samples to use in properly validating these diagnostics, we will be able to better assess how well their tests perform. This is part of our effort to ultimately bring these tests through the FDA’s formal review process to better ensure their reliability, and to enable broader access to Zika diagnostic testing.”

There are two primary blood diagnostic tests: nucleic acid tests that identify infection by confirming the presence of a virus’ genetic material (RNA) and serological tests that identify proteins (antibodies) produced by the body's immune system when it detects harmful organisms, such as Zika virus, in the blood. Serological tests are especially important because there is often a small window when the virus’ genetic material is detectable. However, development of these types of tests has been particularly challenging because antibodies produced by the body to fight Zika virus are difficult to differentiate from antibodies produced to fight related viruses, such as dengue and West Nile viruses.

The FDA’s sample panel consists of plasma samples from anonymous individuals infected with Zika, West Nile, or dengue viruses. Although the panel is not for research purposes, diagnostic developers can use these samples to assess whether their tests can help distinguish recent Zika virus infection from infection with West Nile or dengue viruses. Using the same serological panel to evaluate different devices available under Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) will help public health professionals compare the performance of different Zika virus tests.

The FDA panel is available to developers who have interacted with the FDA through the pre-EUA process and have devices that are in the final stages of validation. To date, the FDA has granted EUAs to three serological tests for detection of recent Zika virus infection (in chronological order): Zika MAC-ELISA, ZIKV Detect IgM Capture ELISA, and LIAISON XL Zika Capture IgM Assay. Other developers interested in requesting a panel may contact the agency.

The panel was prepared using samples from Zika virus-infected individuals provided by Blood Systems Research Institute (BSRI) from a study supported by Contract No. HHSN268201100001I from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), National Institutes of Health (NIH). The content of this press release is solely the FDA’s responsibility and does not necessarily represent the official views of BSRI, the NHLBI, or the NIH. The samples from individuals infected with dengue and West Nile virus were obtained separately by the FDA.


 FDA approves new treatment for adults with relapsed or refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia

PRESS RELEASE ISSUED 8/ 17/ 17
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Besponsa (inotuzumab ozogamicin) for the treatment of adults with relapsed or refractory B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).
“For adult patients with B-cell ALL whose cancer has not responded to initial treatment or has returned after treatment, life expectancy is typically low,” said Richard Pazdur, M.D., director of the FDA’s Oncology Center of Excellence and acting director of the Office of Hematology and Oncology Products in the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. “These patients have few treatments available and today’s approval provides a new, targeted treatment option.”

B-cell precursor ALL is a rapidly progressing type of cancer in which the bone marrow makes too many B-cell lymphocytes, an immature type of white blood cell. The National Cancer Institute estimates that approximately 5,970 people in the United States will be diagnosed with ALL this year and approximately 1,440 will die from the disease.

Besponsa is a targeted therapy that is thought to work by binding to B-cell ALL cancer cells that express the CD22 antigen, blocking the growth of cancerous cells.

The safety and efficacy of Besponsa were studied in a randomized trial of 326 patients with relapsed or refractory B-cell ALL who had received one or two prior treatments. Patients were randomized to receive treatment with Besponsa or an alternative chemotherapy regimen. The trial measured the percentage of patients with no evidence of disease and full recovery of blood counts after treatment (complete remission or CR). Of the 218 evaluated patients, 35.8 percent who received Besponsa experienced CR for a median 8.0 months; of the patients who received alternative chemotherapy, 17.4 percent experienced CR for a median 4.9 months.

Common side effects of Besponsa include low levels of platelets (thrombocytopenia), low levels of certain white blood cells (neutropenia, leukopenia), infection, low levels of red blood cells (anemia), fatigue, severe bleeding (hemorrhage), fever (pyrexia), nausea, headache, low levels of white blood cells with fever (febrile neutropenia), liver damage (transaminases and/or gamma-glutamyltransferase increased), abdominal pain and high levels of bilirubin in the blood (hyperbilirubinemia).

The prescribing information for Besponsa includes a boxed warning that severe liver damage (hepatotoxicity), including blockage of veins in the liver (veno-occlusive disease [VOD] or sinusoidal obstruction syndrome), occurred in some patients who took Besponsa. If hepatotoxicity occurs, doctors should pause treatment or reduce the dose of Besponsa. If VOD occurs, patients should stop taking Besponsa and be given standard VOD treatment, if severe.The boxed warning also includes an increased risk of death for patients who take Besponsa after receiving a certain type of stem cell transplant.

Other serious side effects of Besponsa include a decrease in blood cell and platelet production (myelosuppression), infusion-related reactions and problems with the heart’s electrical pulses (QT interval prolongation). Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not take Besponsa because it may cause harm to a developing fetus or a newborn baby.

The FDA granted this application Priority Review and Breakthrough Therapy designations. Besponsa also received Orphan Drug designation, which provides incentives to assist and encourage the development of drugs for rare diseases.




USDA BLOG: Packed Lunches: Cutting Corners, But Not Food Safety
POSTED 8/ 15/ 17
As a working mom of four boys, ages 8 and under, I’m asked on a near-daily basis: “how do you DO it?!” It’s a carefully orchestrated dance: keeping my family fed, healthy, dropped off at school and daycare at the appropriate times, with their respective accompaniments, whether homework, snacks or lunches. And then in the evening, allowing opportunity to focus on homework and dinner, without sacrificing quality family time. Making this happen on a daily basis takes a keen attention to detail, a little luck and some advanced planning.

I’m game to try anything to help our daily routine run smoothly, and will cut any corners I can. However, one corner I won’t cut is safe food handling and preparation. Because let’s face it—a houseful of children in the throes of foodborne illness is no one’s idea of a good time.

Advanced Planning

To keep our household running as efficiently as possible, I prep the boys’ lunches a few days in advance. I pre-portion snack size bags of baby carrots for two to three meals and place those in the fridge with the other vegetables. On a clean and separate cutting board, I make enough ham sandwiches for two to three lunches. The prepped sandwiches go back into the fridge in a designated spot.

The Morning Of

In the morning, I pack each soft-sided cooler lunch bag with a napkin, cold sandwich, cold baggie of carrots, any other non-perishable sides and either a frozen water bottle or a frozen tube of yogurt. I also slide an ice pack on top of the lunch contents so each bag has two cold sources that keep the contents out of the Danger Zone (temperatures between 40°F and 140°F at which bacteria grows most rapidly) until lunch time. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has great resources on safe food handling, particularly for bag lunches.

After Lunch

We’ve taught our boys to throw out their leftovers and not eat anything from their lunches later in the day. When they arrive home from school, they promptly discard anything that didn’t make it into the trash can in the cafeteria. I wipe out their lunch bags with a disinfectant wipe and leave to air dry overnight.

By prepping a few days of lunches in a session, I save quite a bit of time. Mornings run smoother because there’s no shuffling and rummaging for something to eat. Knowing that the food was safely prepared, stored and packed in their lunch boxes gives me the peace of mind that I’ve reduced the risk of foodborne illness in my kids, while carving out a little more quality time to spend with them in the evenings.


 ON THE STATE LEVEL OUR HEALTH

DOH: Pierce Co. paramedic suspended on allegations of diverting controlled substances
PRESS RELEASE ISSUED 8/ 16/ 17

OLYMPIA -- The Washington State Secretary of Health, Emergency Medical Services and Trauma Systems program immediately suspended the credential of Pierce County paramedic Jeremy Aaron Johansen (ES.60016043) pending further legal action.

Charges say Johansen diverted fentanyl and morphine for his own use. He has 20 days to respond to the charges and request a hearing.

The legal documents on this case can be seen online by clicking the link on Provider Credential Search on the Department of Health website; copies can be requested by calling 360-236-4700. Anyone who believes a health care provider acted unprofessionally is encouraged to call the number above to report their complaint.

The Emergency Medical Services and Trauma System protects and promotes public health, safety, and welfare in Washington by regulating the competency and quality of licensed Emergency Medical personnel. The Secretary of health establishes, monitors, and enforces qualifications for licensing, consistent standards of practice, continuing competency mechanisms, and discipline. Rules, policies, and procedures promote the delivery of quality healthcare to people in Washington.






 WORLD POVERTY THE REAL CRISIS

 HUD AND CENSUS BUREAU REPORT
RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY IN JULY 2017
PRESS RELEASE ISSUED 8/ 16/ 17
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S. Census Bureau jointly announced the following new residential construction statistics for July 2017.
Building Permits:  Privately owned housing units authorized by building permits in July were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,223,000. This is 4.1 percent (±0.9 percent) below the revised June rate of 1,275,000 and is 4.1 percent (±1.8 percent) above the July 2016 rate of 1,175,000. Single-family authorizations in July were at a rate of 811,000; this is unchanged from the revised June figure of 811,000. Authorizations of units in buildings with five units or more were at a rate of 377,000 in July.

Housing Starts:  Privately owned housing starts in July were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,155,000. This is 4.8 percent (±10.2 percent)* below the revised June estimate of 1,213,000 and is 5.6 percent (±8.5 percent)* below the July 2016 rate of 1,223,000. Single-family housing starts in July were at a rate of 856,000; this is 0.5 percent (±8.5 percent)* below the revised June figure of 860,000. The July rate for units in buildings with five units or more was 287,000.

Housing Completions:  Privately owned housing completions in July were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,175,000. This is 6.2 percent (±14.3 percent)* below the revised June estimate of 1,252,000 and is 8.2 percent (±12.6 percent)* above the July 2016 rate of 1,086,000. Single-family housing completions in July were at a rate of 814,000; this is 1.6 percent (±11.9 percent)* below the revised June rate of 827,000. The July rate for units in buildings with five units or more was 354,000.

The August report is scheduled for release on September 19, 2017.

Read more about today's release of housing construction activity.

EXPLANATORY NOTES

In interpreting changes in the statistics in this release, note that month-to-month changes in seasonally adjusted statistics often show movements which may be irregular. It may take three months to establish an underlying trend for building permit authorizations, six months for total starts, and six months for total completions. The statistics in this release are estimated from sample surveys and are subject to sampling variability as well as nonsampling error including bias and variance from response, nonreporting, and undercoverage. Estimated relative standard errors of the most recent data are shown in the tables. Whenever a statement such as “2.5 percent (±3.2 percent) above” appears in the text, this indicates the range (-0.7 to +5.7 percent) in which the actual percentage change is likely to have occurred. All ranges given for percentage changes are 90 percent confidence intervals and account only for sampling variability. If a range does not contain zero, the change is statistically significant. If it does contain zero, the change is not statistically significant; that is, it is uncertain whether there was an increase or decrease. The same policies apply to the confidence intervals for percentage changes shown in the tables. On average, the preliminary seasonally adjusted estimates of total building permits, housing starts and housing completions are revised 3 percent or less. Explanations of confidence intervals and sampling variability can be found at the Census Bureau’s website.

* The 90 percent confidence interval includes zero. In such cases, there is insufficient statistical evidence to conclude that the actual change is different from zero.

 
UN NEWS CENTER: Emergency food distributions launched to assist thousands displaced in DR Congo – UN agency
16 August 2017 – Food assistance will be provided to food insecure people displaced by conflict in the Kasai region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), says the United Nations food agency.

UN NEWS CENTER: Protecting aid workers ‘paramount,’ UN relief chief says ahead of World Humanitarian Day
17 August 2017 – As conflicts around the world continue to take a massive toll on people’s lives, the top United Nations relief official stressed the importance of ensuring that the brave men and women who risk their lives to help those in need are not themselves a target.










WORLD & NATIONAL NEWS BRIEFS, and NEWS STORY COMMENTARY

UN NEWS CENTER:
Marking World Humanitarian Day, UN urges protection for civilians in armed conflict
18 August 2017 – Civilians in conflict are not a target, top United Nations officials today stressed at a special event marking World Humanitarian Day, which honours aid workers and pays homage to those killed in service, while also drawing attention to the millions of people today living in war zones.


More than 350,000 children vaccinated against polio in hard to reach areas of Syria – UN
18 August 2017 – A United Nations polio vaccination campaign in Syria has provided protection to more than 355,000 children under age five in two governorates, where violence has made access especially difficult.

NATION

REU: Thousands take to streets in Boston protest against hate speech
BOSTON, Aug 19 (Reuters) - Thousands of people in Boston protested a "Free Speech" rally featuring right-wing speakers on Saturday, with hundreds of police mobilized to prevent a recurrence of violence that left a woman dead at a Virginia white-supremacist protest last week.

AP: Duke University removes statue of Confederate general
DURHAM, N.C. — Duke University has removed a statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee days after it was vandalized.



NEWS STORY COMMENTARY:
From the Patroit Post: Historical Revisionism
Posted 8/ 18/ 17
Quote:" Of course, the focus of today’s hysteria are Southerners who led the Confederate States of America. Given the centrality of slavery to the Civil War, history has rightly judged the Confederacy harshly. Yet even its leading figures were complex. Robert E. Lee opposed slavery and secession before the Civil War and promoted reconciliation afterwards."




WE ARE ALL SLAVES...MOSTLY SLAVERY OF SIN
By, Peter Ripley
Readers, this week was bounty of reflection, not only on a personal level, since Friday happened to be my birthday, as I mention it was a day which how my life personally been going. But, this week we as a nation have been doing a lot of reflection of our checkerd past. Which was the act of ensalvement of others, on account of the color of skin. Earlier this week while I was at the local swimming pool, after I did me usual routine, and in the shower room, I was apporched by a elderly man, asking me about the events of Charlottesville. He mention the Rush Limbuagh radio show, saying on the show Limbaugh all of the viloence had to do with slavery, which ended in America after the civil war, over 150 years ago.
I answered we all are slaves in some way, slave to our jobs, slaves mostly to sins we hold on to. There were other guys in the room listening to my little speech I was giving to the elderly gent. I said it is only through faith in Christ we are freed from sin, and we have true liberty only through God. I thought it was very apt considering the topic of slavery was mentioned. Something to ponder folks, what is more important? Some bad habit, job, sexual sins? Or taking time to know God? Which is more important? Now as for the monuments,  Do these vandals really think tearing down statues, or desiccating graves of confederate soldiers going to change history? What I've been seeing that two groups who are slaves of hatred, one group of haters on racial grounds, the other group haters of this country.


BIBLE STUDY FOR THIS WEEK
GOSPEL WAY: Are Schools Destroying Young People's Faith?
One of the most popular philosophies of education is called "Humanism." The Humanist Manifestos inform us what Humanists generally believe.

WEEKLY AGRICULTURAL REPORT

 USDA:  For Wyoming 4-H’ers, it’s Time to Head Back to High School and College
USA BLOG POST DATED 8/ 16/ 17

Most teenagers across the country are preparing to start a new year of school, but in Wyoming many will pull double duty by earning college credit after they close their high school books.

Wyoming 4-H is continuing its Pathways to Higher Education program, an advanced placement partnership with the University of Wyoming that gives high school students the chance to earn college credits based on their 4-H livestock programs. Now entering its second year, the program already has 20 students enrolled in the university’s College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

Pathways to Higher Education is a three-year program that provides one to four college credits, one credit per year, with the fourth credit coming from a capstone laboratory project. The program integrates the students’ own 4-H projects in beef, poultry, rabbits, sheep, horses, goats, and swine with the university’s animal science education. Lesson objectives include nutrition, care and disease prevention, reproduction and genetics, and meat science.

4-H is the flagship youth outreach program of the federal land-grant universities’ Cooperative Extension Service, administered by USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). 4-H provides youth hands-on learning experiences and encourages learning about the world through science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) opportunities.

The course corresponds with the university’s traditional Introduction to Animal Science offering, except that it is geared toward high school undergraduates.

Flexibility is one of the hallmarks of the program. “Course lectures are delivered remotely via Zoom to members across the state, and laboratory experiences include hands-on educational events and activities that members can participate in with or without their animal,” said Robin Schamber, 4-H and youth development specialist with University of Wyoming Extension.

In addition to the recorded lectures on the internet, students have a wide range of options when it comes to the laboratory requirements, including studying their own animals. “If an animal gets ill, they can follow the process of diagnosis, treatment, and recovery (or not) with their vet and write it up as a lab,” Schamber said.

Pathways to Higher Education was funded in part by the Ellbogen Foundation, which also provides some scholarships to students.

NIFA invests in and advances agricultural research, education, and extension and seeks to make transformative discoveries that solve societal challenges.



 USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue and USTR Robert Lighthizer Announce Expanded Access for U.S. Rice Exports to Colombia
PRESS RELEASE ISSUED 8/ 17/ 17

(WASHINGTON, D.C., Aug. 17, 2017) – U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue and the U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer today announced an agreement reached with the government of Colombia to allow for expanded market access for U.S. exports of paddy rice.

A previous agreement in 2012 between both countries enabled exports of U.S. paddy rice to Colombia, but under strict and costly requirements related to phytosanitary concerns.  The new agreement lifts these requirements and expands access beyond the single port of Barranquilla, which was the only port previously open to U.S. exporters.

The new agreement reflects the close trade ties between the United States and Colombia, and the high quality and safe rice produced by the U.S. rice industry.  The agreement, combined with preferential access under the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement (CTPA), will further accelerate increased U.S. exports of food and agriculture to Colombia.
USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue said:

“Today’s announcement is another great testament of our determination to expand export opportunities for America’s farmers and ranchers and to ensure fair trade with our international partners. This agreement expands opportunities for U.S. rice producers in the important Colombian market.  It also underscores the value of improved relationships to solve problems, based on a solid trade agreement that benefits both parties and on a commitment to science-based rule-making.”

U.S. Trade Representative, Ambassador Robert Lighthizer, said:

“I welcome this new agreement and the expanded market access and opportunity it will afford to U.S. exporters of paddy rice.

“This outcome is a result of the Administration’s efforts to enforce international trade commitments on behalf of the American people, and to deepen our bilateral ties with key trading partners, particularly allies like Colombia.”

Background:

Colombia is the United States’ 12th largest export market for food and agricultural products, with exports valued at over $2.4 billion in 2016 – a sharp increase over exports prior to completion of the CTPA, when Colombia ranked as the 26th market for U.S. food and agricultural exports in 2011, with an associated value of $1.12 billion.  Exports of milled rice to Colombia have increased dramatically since entry into force of the CTPA in 2012, averaging $79 million per year compared to $3 million in 2011.

Exports of paddy rice since 2012, when the CTPA entered into force and the letter exchange provided for market access, have constituted a small but growing share of total U.S. rice exports to Colombia, reaching $15 million in 2016.  Under the new agreement on paddy rice, costly and unnecessary fumigation and processing requirements are rescinded, and access expanded to all ports of entry in Colombia.

Paddy rice, also known as “rough rice,” is the whole rice grain, along with its hulls.  It is harvested directly from rice fields or paddies and transported or exported to processing facilities.  As part of the processing, the protective hull is removed, leaving only the actual rice kernel for consumption.  By leaving the sturdy hull on, it is possible to store the kernels for several months without incurring product losses due to spoiling or infestation.



 South Korea Lifts U.S. Poultry Ban
PRESS RELEASE ISSUED 8/ 17/ 17

WASHINGTON, D.C., Aug. 17, 2017) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced today that the government of South Korea has lifted its ban on imports of U.S. poultry and poultry products, including fresh eggs. Korea had imposed the ban in response to a recent detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).

On August 11, the United States notified the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) that it is now free of HPAI. This notification removed any justification for U.S. trading partners to restrict imports of U.S. poultry due to HPAI concerns. Currently, Korea imposes a ban on all U.S. poultry in response to any HPAI detection, but USDA continues to work with Korean officials towards limiting any future import restrictions to the affected area, consistent with OIE guidelines.

“The United States has the strongest avian influenza surveillance program in the world and we were at once able to quickly identify, confine, and control this most recent disease outbreak. Our hope is that Korean officials will recognize that our system works and will move towards a regional approach in the event of any future findings of bird flu,” said U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue. “South Korea is one of our best trading partners, and we want to continue being their most dependable supplier of high-quality food and farm products. Korea’s lifting of its most recent ban is an important move for our poultry and egg industries, but it is still just the first step.”

In 2014, the last full year without any HPAI-related trade restrictions in place, South Korea purchased $122 million in U.S. poultry products, including eggs, making it the United States’ tenth-largest market. South Korea’s imports from all sources exceeded $350 million in 2016, but only $39 million came from the United States.

Korea has also announced a temporary measure that will allow U.S. eggs and egg products to enter the country duty free in the face of a shortage of domestic supplies. Earlier this year, USDA worked with Korea’s agriculture ministry to reopen the market for U.S. eggs and egg products, but imports were again restricted after the HPAI detection in Tennessee. Year-to-date exports through June have totaled $12 million, up nearly $10 million compared with the same period last year.

On the state level

 WSDA discovers first-ever live female gypsy moths in Washington
PRESS RELEASE ISSUED 8/ 14/ 17

OLYMPIA — For the first time in its more than 40-year history of trapping for gypsy moths, the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) has discovered actively reproducing female gypsy moths during annual summer trapping.

"This is an extraordinary find for our team," said Jim Marra, WSDA Pest Program Manager. "While we have found evidence of reproducing gypsy moths in the past, we've never found female moths actively laying eggs in our state. To halt the egg-laying activity and remove this infestation before the caterpillars hatched likely saved our state from an extensive, multi-year eradication project that would have cost millions of dollars. It's confirmation that our program is working as intended."
This recent discovery came when trappers, who placed nearly 30,000 traps throughout the state this summer, recorded an unusually high number of catches of gypsy moths in the Puyallup area. When WSDA inspected the location, the team of trappers and entomologists  Removing egg masses from treediscovered the infestation of moths in a residential neighborhood.
WSDA spent several days collecting female moths and removing vegetation at the site. In all, about 100 females were collected — most of which were actively laying eggs. Numerous males were also collected as well as egg masses, pupae casings, shed caterpillar skins, and live pupae which had not yet hatched.

As of August 11, the program had caught 80 male gypsy moths in traps in the Puyallup and Graham vicinity. Last year only 25 male moths were found in the entire state.

This gypsy moth detection has prompted WSDA to request help from local residents and landscapers in limiting the potential spread of this pest. Area residents are being asked to thoroughly check any vegetation or outdoor items for gypsy moth egg masses. The movement of egg masses could result in widespread infestation of gypsy moths throughout the state.
Anyone spotting what they believe to be gypsy moth egg masses should contact WSDA for proper identification and removal. Residents can find pictures of the moths and egg masses at agr.wa.gov/gypsymoth where they will also find updated gypsy moth catch totals and more information about the gypsy moth program. Reports can also be made by calling 1-800-443-6684 or e-mailing gypsymoth@agr.wa.gov.

The high number of catches and discovery of the infestation make it likely that WSDA will propose an eradication project next spring. But finding ‘ground zero’ will allow for a more limited proposal than would be possible if the source had not been found. Eradication proposals are developed in consultation with national experts, are open to stakeholder and public comment and require environmental impact review. WSDA will not begin developing a proposal, however, until trapping and egg mass surveys are completed in this fall.
WSDA first created its gypsy moth trapping and eradication program in 1974. Gypsy moths are an invasive pest that feed on hundreds of different trees and bushes, destroying trees in homes, parks, and forests. In 2016, gypsy moth damage in New England, where the moths are permanently established, could be seen from space. Thousands of acres of trees were entirely defoliated and hundreds of acres of these trees died and had to be removed


DOE: Skagit County farm, Ecology settle irrigation fine
$16,000 toward stream restoration in lieu of penalty
PRESS RELEASE ISSUED 8/ 10/ 17

LYMAN – A blueberry farm on Cockreham Island along the Skagit River will restore habitat on a nearby stream under a settlement agreement with the Washington Department of Ecology.
U.S. Golden Eagle Farms appealed a $16,000 penalty from Ecology in 2016 for irrigating fields without proper authorization. Now the company will spend that same amount on two nearby restoration projects along a Skagit River tributary. U.S. Golden Eagle Farms will place large woody debris for fish habitat and plant native vegetation to improve the stream bank area.
In a separate action, the company last year secured proper authorization from Ecology to irrigate its acreage.
“This restoration work, combined with coming into compliance, brings this case to a positive and productive close,” said Tom Buroker, Ecology’s Northwest Regional Director. “We are encouraged that the farm is committing to protect fish habitat and water resources.”
Ecology oversees Washington’s water rights system to ensure that water is available for people, farms and fish.


NEWS FROM OLYMPIA

ATTORNEY GENERAL’S OFFICE SEEKS US SUPREME COURT REVIEW IN CULVERTS CASE
OLYMPIA — The Attorney General’s Office today filed a petition asking the U.S. Supreme Court to review a decision by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in the “culverts case,” officially referred to as United States of America et al. v. State of Washington. Today was the deadline for filing the petition for Supreme Court review.

 Washington State Court Administrator named to leadership positions in two national court organizations
August 17, 2017
(Williamsburg, VA) – Washington State Court Administrator Callie T. Dietz has been named president of the Conference of State Court Administrators (COSCA), and vice-chair of the National Center for State Courts Board of Directors. Both positions are one-year terms and became effective last week during the annual joint meeting of the Conference of Chief Justices and the Conference of State Court Administrators in Philadelphia.

 DOE: Yakima Basin water-rights case coming to a close
State’s largest stream adjudication will confirm 2,500 water rights
PRESS RELEASE ISSUED 8/ 17/ 17

UNION GAP – The historic Ecology v. James Acquavella, et al adjudication determining and confirming all surface water rights in the Yakima River Basin will soon be final, announces the Washington Department of Ecology.

After 40 years of court proceedings and deliberation, Yakima Superior Court Judge F. James Gavin entered a proposed final decree for the case on Aug. 10, 2017, including a draft schedule of rights set to be confirmed over the next eight months. Information is now being mailed to water right holders, beginning a review process after which the court will enter a final judgment concluding the case.

An open house is scheduled for 5-7 p.m., Sept. 6, 2017, at Ecology’s Central Regional Office, 1250 W. Alder St., Union Gap, where people can ask questions about their water rights and learn more about the process including deadlines for filing objections.

Under the threat of drought in 1977, Ecology filed a petition for an adjudication to determine the legality of all claims for use of surface water in the Yakima River Basin. The resulting court case began a thorough and binding review of all historical facts and evidence associated with each claim for rights to surface water use in the basin, including Kittitas, Yakima, Benton and parts of Klickitat counties.

Nearly 2,500 water rights in 31 subbasins (tributary watersheds) for individuals and about 30 major claimants, including irrigation districts, cities, federal projects (Reclamation and Forest Service) and the Yakama Indian Nation, have been meticulously substantiated.

“Now water users have clarity about their water rights and stability on what they can expect going forward,” said Ecology’s deputy director Polly Zehm. “This process brought parties to the courtroom to settle claims, and over the long years laid the foundation for a more collaborative approach to meet all our water needs through adoption of the Yakima Integrated Water Management Plan.”

The draft schedule of rights is available for review on Ecology’s website. Anyone may file written objections with the court until Nov. 15, 2017. A schedule for court review and responses to objections will follow as needed until April 14, 2018.

 Record low unemployment continues in Washington
PRESS RELEASE ISSUED 8/ 16/ 17
OLYMPIA – Washington’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate clocked in at 4.5 percent for the third consecutive month in July, according to the state Employment Security Department.

“The good economic news continues in Washington,” said Paul Turek, economist for the department. “Unemployment is at a record low and Washington businesses continue to add jobs. Plus, newly released data shows early-year hiring was much stronger than originally thought.”

Washington employers added 1,600 nonfarm jobs in July. The department released the seasonally adjusted, preliminary job estimates from the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics as part of its July Monthly Employment Report.


LOCAL AND REGIONAL MEETING AGENDA HIGHLIGHTS

CLALLAM COUNTY COMMISSION MEETINGS
Work Session agenda highlight item:
EXECUTIVE SESSION - August 21, 2017 at 3 p.m.
The Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has requested an Executive Session with the Board of County Commissioners, the County Administrator, the Director of Community Development, the Director of Human Resources/Risk Department and outside legal counsel.  

The purpose of this session is to discuss with the Board an application for a 32,000+ square feet structure proposed by applicant Judy Lee and a related lawsuit captioned as "Judy Lee v. Clallam County, Clallam County Board of Appeals."  The lawsuit is filed in Kitsap County Superior Court under #16-2-02354-3.  On July 28, 2017 the Superior Court Judge denied the LUPA Petition, thereby affirming the December 2016 decision of the County Board of Appeals.  Counsel for Judy Lee is now asking that the plans as revised by her be reviewed by Department of Community Development.  Possible county responses, if any, will be discussed.  Judy Lee has until August 28, 2017 to appeal to the Court of Appeals.  

Discussing such matters in executive session is appropriate because public knowledge of the discussion would reveal the County’s legal strategies and likely result in an adverse legal or financial consequence to the agency.  RCW 42.30.110 (1)(i) expressly authorizes a governing body to convene an executive session for the above-described purposes, specifically actual litigation against the County.
See full work session agenda 

2) Department of Natural Resources - 1 p.m. Quarterly income report


CLALLAM COUNTY REGULAR SESSION AGENDA HIGHLIGHT ITEMS
Grant amendment A with Washington State Department of Commerce to extend the grant period and increase the grant amount

See full agenda


OTHER LOCAL AND REGIONAL MEETINGS

CLALLAM PUD MEETING AGENDA HIGHLIGHT
EDC Executive Director Bob Schroeter will provide an update on EDC activities (See full agenda)

JEFFERSON COUNTY COMMISSION AGENDA HIGHLIGHT ITEMS
AGREEMENT re: School Based Mental Health Services; In the Amount of $137,156; Jefferson County Public Health; Discovery Behavioral Healthcare (See full agenda)

PORT TOWNSEND CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS MEETING AGENDA HIGHLIGHT ITEMS
1) Resolution 17-038 Tasking Various City Offices Regarding Affordable Housing
Action: Move to approve Resolution 17-038 Tasking Various City Offices Regarding Affordable Housing. Action: Move to authorize and direct the City Clerk to set a Special Meeting of the [council][ad hoc committee] for August 28, 2017 at 6:30 p.m.

2) Resolution 17-039 Expressing the City Council’s Support for Jefferson County’s Proposition 1, a Bond Measure to Levy an Additional Property Tax to Provide Funding for Very Low-Income and Low-Income Housing

Action: Move to approve Resolution 17-039 Expressing the City Council’s Support for Jefferson County’s Proposition 1, a Bond Measure to Levy an Additional Property Tax to Provide Funding for Very Low-Income and Low-Income Housing. (see full agenda)



WORLD AND NATIONAL NEWS BRIEFS

FROM THE UN NEWS CENTER:
Yemen's 'man-made catastrophe' is ravaging country, senior UN officials tell Security Council
18 August 2017 – Warning about escalating suffering in Yemen's man-made catastrophe, senior United Nations officials today addressed the Security Council, calling on the international community to push for a political solution to the more than two-year-old conflict.

Protecting aid workers ‘paramount,’ UN relief chief says ahead of World Humanitarian Day
17 August 2017 – As conflicts around the world continue to take a massive toll on people’s lives, the top United Nations relief official stressed the importance of ensuring that the brave men and women who risk their lives to help those in need are not themselves a target.

THE NATION

THE HILL: ‘Sheriff Joe’ Arpaio says he’d be honored by Trump pardon
The bombastic former sheriff of Maricopa Country, Ariz., Joe Arpaio, who was found guilty of criminal contempt last month, said he would be honored if President Trump decided to pardon him.

CNBC: Mitt Romney urges Trump to apologize for Charlottesville reaction
Mitt Romney on Friday urged President Donald Trump to take "remedial action in the extreme" following Trump's response to violence at a white nationalist rally in Virginia last weekend.

Daily Bible Verse:  For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

Philippians 1:21 NKJV

 

 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)

http://www.pacofc.org/index.php

CONGRESSIONAL WATCH

Signs of bipartisan progress on climate change
From Congressman Kilmer's webpage
PRESS RELEASE ISSUED 8/ 16/ 17

The House Climate Solutions Caucus was created in 2016 by Republican Rep. Carlos Curbelo and Democratic Rep.Ted Deutch. Both represent Florida. From the beginning, the Congressmen decided that membership in the caucus would come in pairs — one Republican and one Democrat at a time. Their aim is to create a bipartisan group to engage in constructive dialogue to propose climate solutions (“Leading on climate change,” Aug. 14). Recently, Rep. Ed Royce, a Republican from California, and Rep. Derek Kilmer, a Democrat from Washington, joined the caucus. The House Climate Solutions Caucus is now 52 members strong.The caucus recently introduced two legislative proposals: Technologies for Energy Security Act (H.R. 1090) and Climate Solutions Commission Act (H.R. 2326). The Technology Act extends tax credits to small scale wind and geothermal energy initiatives. The Commission Act would create a bipartisan panel to propose “economically viable actions or policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”

Feds award money to boost quake warnings
From Congressman's Kilmer webpage
POSTED 8/ 16/ 17

SEATTLE (AP) — The U.S. Geological Survey has awarded $4.9 million to six universities and a nonprofit to help advance an early warning system for earthquakes along the West Coast. U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell and U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer of Washington state pushed for funding, saying such the early warning system is critical.

 Sen. Murray Applauds New Investment in West Coast Earthquake Early Warning System
PRESS RELEASE ISSUED 8/ 14/ 17

(Washington, D.C.) –  Today, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) applauded an announcement from the U.S. Geological Survey that six universities, including two in Washington state, and one non-profit organization, have been awarded $4.9 million to advance production of an early earthquake warning system currently in development. Sen. Murray, a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, has consistently advocated for investments to complete and operate an earthquake early warning system on the West Coast to help prepare for and mitigate the human and economic impacts of a major seismic event in the Pacific Northwest. The “ShakeAlert” system, in the works for more than a decade, is designed to detect the first tremors of a major earthquake and provide users with anywhere from seconds to minutes of warning before an earthquake hits, which would provide crucial time for safety precautions.

“In the event of ‘the big one’, this alert system could prevent massive economic losses and save countless lives, so the time to get the technology in place is now, not later,” Sen. Murray said. “As a voice for our state in Congress, I will do everything I can at the federal level to make sure disaster preparedness investments come through so our universities can carry out this critical mission.”

 Cantwell: ‘A robust earthquake alert system could provide the needed time to save countless lives and secure property’
PRESS RELEASE ISSUED 8/ 14/ 17

RICHLAND, WA – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) applauded the announcement that the United State Geological Survey has awarded more than $4.9 million to six universities, including the University of Washington (UW) and Central Washington University (CWU), to support transitioning the west coast “ShakeAlert” earthquake early warning system into a full-scale public alert system. Specifically, UW will receive $898,000 and CWU will receive $250,000.

Additionally, the USGS announced the purchase of about $1 million in new sensor equipment to expand and improve the ShakeAlert system.

Senator Cantwell has been a leading voice to expand earthquake preparedness and resiliency as well as tsunami detection. In 2016, Cantwell fought to increase funding to the USGS Earthquake Hazards Program for ShakeAlert.

“With millions of people living along the Cascadia fault, it’s critical we have early detections to help protect Washingtonians from potentially deadly earthquakes. A robust earthquake alert system could provide the needed time to save countless lives and secure property,” said Cantwell. “I applaud the Washington scientists, including those at the University of Washington and Central Washington University, who continue to lead the nation in research on this topic. I’ll continue to work to ensure that Washingtonians have the resources they need to best protect themselves from natural disasters.”

"The University of Washington, together with our university and USGS partners, will enthusiastically use the resources Congress has allocated to continue to build toward a public rollout of the ShakeAlert Earthquake Early Warning system for the U.S. West Coast. We are grateful to the Washington and Oregon senate and congressional delegations who have worked to support an increased funding level. This brings us halfway to the goal needed to operate and maintain the system. Our team is hard at work upgrading seismic instrumentation, data telemetry, and data processing facilities to ensure the highest-quality warning system possible," said Paul Bodin, research professor of seismology at University of Washington and network manager of Pacific Northwest Seismic Network.


An earthquake early warning system can give people a precious few seconds to stop what they are doing and take protective actions before the severe shaking waves from an earthquake arrive.  Under the new cooperative agreements, the USGS and its seven university and non-profit partners will collaborate to improve the ShakeAlert system’s sensor and telemetry infrastructure across the west coast of the United States. ShakeAlert is a new product of the USGS Advanced National Seismic System, a federation of national and regional earthquake monitoring networks throughout the country, including networks in southern California, northern California, Nevada, and the Pacific Northwest.

Cantwell has long fought to secure the needed resources to best protect Washingtonians from the natural disasters that impact the Pacific Northwest. In 2005, Cantwell successfully helped secure funding to strengthen the U.S. Tsunami Warning network, including funding to install 10 additional tsunami warning sirens in Washington state. Earlier this year, the President signed her Tsunami Warning, Education and Research Act into law, which made needed investments in State based preparedness programs such as inundation modeling, traffic studies, and improving scientific support for communities planning vertical evacuation infrastructure.

OUR PARKS AND FOREST

US DEPT. of INTERIOR:  Gulf of Mexico Region-Wide Oil and Gas Lease Sale Yields $121 Million in High Bids on 508,096 Acres
PRESS RELEASE ISSUED 8/ 16/ 17

WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke today announced that the region-wide Gulf of Mexico lease sale generated $121,143,055 in high bids for 90 tracts covering 508,096 acres in federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico. A total of 27 companies participated in the sale, submitting 99 bids totaling $137,006,181. The sale offered the largest amount of acreage in the history of the federal offshore program in the Gulf, including parcels offshore Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida.

“The path to American energy dominance starts in the Gulf, and the hard work of rig and platform workers, support staff onshore, and the industries that support them cannot go unnoticed,” said Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke. “Today’s results will help secure their jobs and create more good paying jobs while generating $121 million in revenue to fund everything from conservation to infrastructure.”

Lease Sale 249, livestreamed from New Orleans, is the first offshore sale under the National Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Oil and Gas Leasing Program for 2017-2022. Under this program, nine additional region-wide lease sales that combine all three planning areas are scheduled for the Gulf, where resource potential and industry interest are high, and oil and gas infrastructure is well established.

On June 29, President Donald J. Trump and Secretary Zinke announced a public comment period for a new National OCS Oil and Gas Leasing Program for years 2019-2024. The comment period is the first step in executing the new program. The 2017-2022 Program, which begins with the lease sale held today, will continue to be executed until the new National OCS Oil and Gas Leasing Program is complete.

Lease Sale 249 offered approximately 76 million acres offshore Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida for oil and gas exploration and development. It included 14,220 unleased blocks, located from three to 231 miles offshore, in the Gulf’s Western, Central and Eastern planning areas in water depths ranging from nine to more than 11,115 feet (three to 3,400 meters). Excluded from the lease sale are blocks subject to the Congressional moratorium established by the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006; blocks that are adjacent to or beyond the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone in the area known as the northern portion of the Eastern Gap; and whole blocks and partial blocks within the current boundary of the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary.

"Today's lease sale is another important step in this Administration's strategy of responsible resource development and energy dominance,” said Vincent DeVito, Counselor for Energy Policy at Interior. “Investor response reflects our work making the Department of the Interior a better business partner and highlights the optimism in the results of this Administration."

The lease sale terms include stipulations to protect biologically sensitive resources, mitigate potential adverse effects on protected species, and avoid potential conflicts associated with oil and gas development in the region.

Additionally, BOEM has included appropriate fiscal terms that take into account market conditions and ensure taxpayers receive a fair return for use of the OCS. These terms include a 12.5 percent royalty rate for leases in less than 200 meters of water depth, and a royalty rate of 18.75 percent for all other leases issued pursuant to the sale. The 12.5 percent royalty rate for leases in less than 200 meters is lower than the proposed 18.75 percent royalty rate for shallow water leases that BOEM published in the Proposed Notice of Sale.

"Through regulatory streamlining, expanded offshore and onshore opportunities and great cooperation with our stakeholders, we expect to encourage competition while continuing to receive a fair and equitable return on oil and gas resources,” said Katharine MacGregor, Acting Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management.

The estimated amount of resources projected to be developed as a result of the region-wide lease sale ranges from approximately 0.21 to 1.12 billion barrels of oil and 0.55 to 4.42 trillion cubic feet of gas. Most of the activity (up to 83% of future production) of the proposed lease sale is expected to occur in the Central Planning Area.

As of August 1, 2017, 15.9 million acres on the U.S. OCS are under lease for oil and gas development (2994 active leases) and 4.3 million of those acres (870 leases) are producing oil and natural gas. More than 97 percent of these leases are in the Gulf of Mexico; about 3 percent are on the OCS off California and Alaska.

All terms and conditions for Gulf of Mexico Region-wide Sale 249 were detailed in the Final Notice of Sale (FNOS) information package and available at: http://www.boem.gov/Sale-249/.



US DEPT. of INTERIOR: Secretary Zinke Announces No Changes to Sand to Snow National Monument in California
PRESS RELEASE ISSUED 8/ 16/ 17

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke announced that California’s Sand to Snow National Monument is no longer under review​ ​and that he will recommend no changes be made to the existing monument. The monument was under review in accordance with President Donald J. Trump’s April 26, 2017, executive order.

“Today, I am recommending that no changes be made to the Sand to Snow National Monument and that the Monument is no longer under official Department of the Interior review,” said Secretary Zinke. “The land of​ ​Sand to Snow National Monument is some of the most ​diverse terrain in the West, and the monument ​is home to incredible geographic, biologic, and archaeological history of our nation.”

Sand to Snow National Monument is located just east of Los Angeles in Southern California. The Monument was created by President Barack Obama in February of 2016, and encompasses 154,000 acres of land that is co-managed by the Bureau of Land Management and the United States Forest Service.


US DEPT. OF INTERIOR: Deputy Secretary Bernhardt Announces More Than $52 Million in Federal Funding To Bolster Tribal, State Wildlife Conservation Projects
PRESS RELEASE ISSUED 8/ 15/ 17

WASHINGTON – U.S. Deputy Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt announced more than $52 million in funding to Native American tribes and state wildlife agencies through the Tribal Wildlife Grant (TWG) program and the State Wildlife Grants (SWG) program. The funds, which are provided by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, give support for a diverse array of species and habitats across the country.

Under the SWG program, more than $48 million will support species and habitats listed in approved state wildlife action plans. All 50 state and U.S. territorial wildlife agencies have these plans, which proactively protect species in greatest conservation need. Projects funded through SWG involve research, monitoring, wildlife surveys, species and habitat management and other activities.

More than $4 million in TWG funds to Native American and Alaska Native tribes in 14 states will support fish and wildlife conservation and key partnerships. The awards will benefit 25 projects that encompass a wide range of wildlife and habitats, including species of Native American cultural or traditional importance and species that are not hunted or fished.

“The Trump Administration is working hard with states and local communities to find solutions that are driven at the local level, rather than in Washington, D.C. As a hunter, I know the​ work of state wildlife agencies is absolutely critical to wildlife conservation in the United States,” said Deputy Secretary Bernhardt. “We're thrilled to be able to collaborate with them, their local communities, and other partners to ensure important fish, wildlife, habitat and cultural needs are met. Tribal and state wildlife grants are foundational to protecting our nation’s wildlife legacy, including game and non-game species.”

Examples of state projects funded with SWG grants include:

North Dakota -- Last year, the North Dakota Game and Fish Department completed a project with SWG funding that restored more than 200 acres of grassland habitat within a priority waterfowl production area. The project included seeding of a diverse mix of native grasses on existing croplands for a variety of tall-grass prairie bird species and other birds valued for public recreation. In addition to habitat creation, the state agency also used SWG funds with matching state dollars for monitoring vegetation species composition and structure and for conducting breeding bird surveys.

Georgia -- SWG awards have funded the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ efforts to conserve the sicklefin redhorse sucker, which was listed by the Service as a candidate species for Endangered Species Act protection in 2005. As a result of voluntary conservation efforts carried out by Georgia and North Carolina state agencies and partners—funded in large part through SWG along with other state monies—the Service determined in 2016 that listing the sicklefin redhorse sucker as an endangered or threatened species is not warranted.

Wyoming -- The Wyoming Game and Fish Department used SWG funds to assess the influence of cheat grass, an invasive plant, on small mammals and other species of greatest conservation need. The study, conducted in partnership with researchers at the University of Wyoming, found it is likely the increased risk small mammals perceive in cheat grass habitats reflects actual risk, with negative consequences for these species. This information helps biologists and land managers understand and address the effects of habitat alteration associated with cheat grass on sensitive species.

SWG funds are administered by the Service’s Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration (WSFR) program and are allocated to states and territories according to a congressionally mandated formula based on population and geographic area. Grant funds must be used to address conservation needs, such as research, wildlife surveys, species and habitat management, and monitoring identified within state wildlife action plans. The funds may also be used to update, revise or modify a state’s plan. Click here for the complete list of 2017 SWG apportionments. Learn more about SWG program accomplishments here.

The wide variation in the types of projects funded with TWG dollars is highlighted by this year’s awards: In Oklahoma, the Tonkawa Tribe of Oklahoma will receive $155,000 to support a bat conservation project, while in New Mexico, the Pueblo of Tesuque will receive nearly $200,000 for its Mule Deer Management and Habitat Enhancement Program. In Washington, the Puyallup Tribe of Indians will receive nearly $200,000 for habitat enhancement and population monitoring of the South Rainier elk herd. In North Carolina, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians will receive $200,000 to support implementation of their wildlife action plan. In Maine, the Penobscot Indian Nation will receive $200,000 to support Atlantic salmon and other fisheries management on tribal trust lands. A complete list of the 2017 Tribal Wildlife Grant awards can be found here.

TWG funds are provided exclusively to fund wildlife conservation by federally recognized Native American tribal governments, and are made possible under the Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2002 through the State and Tribal Wildlife Grants Program. Proposals for the 2018 grant cycle are due Sept. 1, 2017.

For additional information about Native American conservation projects and the Tribal Wildlife Grants application process, visit 


ON THE STATE LEVEL OUR PARKS AND FOREST

WDFW: Governor makes appointments to Fish and Wildlife Commission
PRESS RELEASE ISSUED 8/ 15/ 17

OLYMPIA – Gov. Jay Inslee has appointed Don McIsaac, a recently retired director of a West Coast regional fishery management council, and reappointed Larry Carpenter to the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission.

The commission is a nine-member citizen panel that sets policy for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). Members are appointed by the governor to six-year terms and are subject to state Senate confirmation. Three members must reside in eastern Washington, three in western Washington, and three may live anywhere in the state. No two members may live in the same county.

The governor appointed McIsaac, who lives in rural Clark County, to a term ending Dec. 31, 2022. McIsaac served as the executive director of the Pacific Fishery Management Council from 2000 to 2016. The council oversees fisheries management in ocean waters three to 200 miles off the Pacific coast. He previously worked for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and the then-Washington Department of Fisheries.

Inslee re-appointed Carpenter, of Mount Vernon, to a term ending Dec. 31, 2018. Carpenter, who was initially appointed to the commission in December of 2011, currently serves as vice-chair of the commission.

Special day celebrates the National Park System’s 101st birthday
PRESS RELEASE FROM WASH. PARKS dated 8/ 16/ 17

OLYMPIA – Aug. 16, 2017 – To celebrate the National Park System’s 101st birthday, the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission is offering free entrance to state parks on Friday, Aug. 25. Day-use visitors will not need a Discover Pass to visit state parks by vehicle.

State Parks free days are in keeping with 2011 legislation that created the Discover Pass, which costs $30 annually or $10 for a one-day permit. The pass is required for vehicle access to state recreation lands managed by Washington State Parks, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The Discover Pass legislation provided that State Parks could designate up to 12 “free days” when the pass would not be required to visit state parks. The free days apply only at state parks; the Discover Pass is still required on WDFW and DNR lands.



WORLD & NATIONAL NEWS BRIEFS

UN NEWS CENTER:
South Sudan refugees in Uganda exceed one million; UN renews appeal for help
17 August 2017 – As the number of refugees from South Sudan in Uganda passes one million – the vast majority of whom are women and children – the United Nations refugee agency today reiterated its call for urgent additional support.

Racism, xenophobia, anti-Semitism or Islamophobia are poisoning our societies' – UN chief
16 August 2017 – Urging people everywhere to speak out against hate speech and hate crimes, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres today reiterated his call for tolerance, respect for the other and the importance of recognizing diversity.

NATIONAL

WP: Trump calls efforts to remove statues of Civil War generals ‘foolish’
In three tweets, the president said the history and culture of the country was being "ripped apart" and said efforts to remove statues of Confederate generals Stonewall Jackson and Robert E. Lee could escalate to taking down monuments to George Washington and Thomas Jefferson

WP: President’s lawyer jumps into racial controversy by forwarding inflammatory email
John Dowd forwarded an email advocating protection of some Confederate monuments and claiming that the protest group Black Lives Matter had been infiltrated by terrorists.



Daily Bible Verse: But “he who glories, let him glory in the Lord.” For not he who commends himself is approved, but whom the Lord commends.
2 Corinthians 10:17-18 NKJV


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Editorial Note: Guess whose birthday!? Yes, readers yours truly, just turn 57 today, now I can safely say I'm rolling around like a 57 Chevy!

Birthdays is a good time to reflect on one's life. Where they are from, Where they are in life, and Where they are heading. I've been doing a lot of reflecting on my life to date. The mistakes, the triumphs, and things denied me because of my disability. Like never finding true love from a woman.
I know I shouldn't make mention these things on here, but then again this is my blog! Despite my misfortunes in life, it's my faith in the all mighty God that sees me through.

NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT

CONFLICT IN CHARLOTTESVILLE, ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF A NATION DIVIDED.

WH: Statements regarding tax reform, and the events in Charlottesville.
PRESS RELEASE ISSUED

THE PRESIDENT:  Thank you.  I’m in Washington today to meet with my economic team about trade policy and major tax cuts and reform.  We are renegotiating trade deals and making them good for the American worker.  And it's about time.

Our economy is now strong.  The stock market continues to hit record highs, unemployment is at a 16-year low, and businesses are more optimistic than ever before.  Companies are moving back to the United States and bringing many thousands of jobs with them.  We have already created over one million jobs since I took office.

We will be discussing economic issues in greater detail later this afternoon, but, based on the events that took place over the weekend in Charlottesville, Virginia, I would like to provide the nation with an update on the ongoing federal response to the horrific attack and violence that was witnessed by everyone.

I just met with FBI Director Christopher Wray and Attorney General Jeff Sessions.  The Department of Justice has opened a civil rights investigation into the deadly car attack that killed one innocent American and wounded 20 others.  To anyone who acted criminally in this weekend’s racist violence, you will be held fully accountable.  Justice will be delivered.
   
As I said on Saturday, we condemn in the strongest possible terms this egregious display of hatred, bigotry, and violence.  It has no place in America.

And as I have said many times before:  No matter the color of our skin, we all live under the same laws, we all salute the same great flag, and we are all made by the same almighty God.  We must love each other, show affection for each other, and unite together in condemnation of hatred, bigotry, and violence.  We must rediscover the bonds of love and loyalty that bring us together as Americans.

Racism is evil.  And those who cause violence in its name are criminals and thugs, including the KKK, neo-Nazis, white supremacists, and other hate groups that are repugnant to everything we hold dear as Americans.

We are a nation founded on the truth that all of us are created equal.  We are equal in the eyes of our Creator.  We are equal under the law.  And we are equal under our Constitution.  Those who spread violence in the name of bigotry strike at the very core of America.
   
Two days ago, a young American woman, Heather Heyer, was tragically killed.  Her death fills us with grief, and we send her family our thoughts, our prayers, and our love.

We also mourn the two Virginia state troopers who died in service to their community, their commonwealth, and their country.  Troopers Jay Cullen and Burke Bates exemplify the very best of America, and our hearts go out to their families, their friends, and every member of American law enforcement.
These three fallen Americans embody the goodness and decency of our nation.  In times such as these, America has always shown its true character:  responding to hate with love, division with unity, and violence with an unwavering resolve for justice.
As a candidate, I promised to restore law and order to our country, and our federal law enforcement agencies are following through on that pledge.  We will spare no resource in fighting so that every American child can grow up free from violence and fear.  We will defend and protect the sacred rights of all Americans, and we will work together so that every citizen in this blessed land is free to follow their dreams in their hearts, and to express the love and joy in their souls.
 Thank you.  God bless you.  And God bless America.  Thank you very much.

RESPONSE FROM OUR CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION TO WASHINGTON DC

Following Events in Charlottesville, Cantwell and 11 Senators Renew Call for Federal Response to Hate Crimes
PRESS RELEASE ISSUED 8/ 15/ 17

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), joined by 11 of her Senate colleagues, sent a letter to Attorney General Jeff Sessions urging him to create an inter-agency task force to halt and reverse the tragic increase in hate crimes that has stricken the United States. The senators’ call for action is made all the more urgent by the recent outburst of violent racism and domestic terrorist activity by white supremacist organizations and individuals in Charlottesville, Virginia.

In April, Senator Cantwell led a similar group of her colleagues to send a letter to President Trump asking for the task force. The letter has not been answered by the Administration. The Department of Justice has created a subcommittee on hate crimes in response to the April letter, but that subcommittee’s scope has never been defined and lacks the power sufficient to address the rise of hate crime in the United States.

The letter notes that hate crime incidents had increased from 5,479 in 2014 to 5,850 in 2015, an rise of seven percent.  The Southern Poverty Law Center found that the number of hate groups operating in the U.S. rose to 917 in 2016, an increase of 25 from 2015. In particular, anti-Muslim hate groups almost tripled in 2016.

“President Trump’s reluctance to quickly and directly condemn the hate, bigotry, and racism of the white supremacists and members of the Ku Klux Klan that gathered at Charlottesville was deeply alarming to us and to millions of Americans,” wrote the senators. “In light of the horrific attack and hatred demonstrated this weekend in Charlottesville, we urge you to act quickly to address the alarming rise of hate in our country.”

In addition to the formation of the task force, the senators’ letter urged the Attorney General to devote more resources from his department to supporting states and local communities in addressing the root causes of hate through education, community development, and cross-cultural exchanges.

Senators joining Cantwell in signing the letter are: Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Edward Markey (D-MA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Bob Casey (D-PA), and Mark Warner (D-VA).


Sen. Murray Issues Statement Regarding President’s Comments on Charlottesville Violence
PRESS RELEASE ISSUED 8/ 15/ 17
“There is only one side. White supremacists, KKK, neo-Nazis, & hate groups have no place in our country. The President needs to say that.”



COMMENTS ON THE STATE LEVEL

Inslee statement on violence in Charlottesville, Va. (In case you missed it)
PRESS RELEASE ISSUED 8/ 12/ 17

"No American can ignore the disgusting hate and violence we’ve seen in Charlottesville over the last two days.
"Trudi and I hold the victims of today’s attack in our thoughts, and we know that all Washingtonians who believe in freedom, peace, and justice for all will do the same.
"It is on all of us, from me, to you, and all the way to the President, to denounce and decry the horror we’ve seen today in Virginia.
"But speaking out against this hate is not enough. Our actions as a nation in response to racist, nationalist bigotry will speak louder.
"We can not let anyone stoke racism for political gain. We can’t ignore an attack on our people. And we will not tolerate hate in any form, anywhere, in the United States of America."

MILKING THE SYSTEM

DOJ: Owner of Home Health Agency Sentenced to 75 Years in Prison for Involvement in $13 Million Medicare Fraud Conspiracy
PRESS RELEASE ISSUED 8/ 11/ 17

The owner and director of nursing of a Houston home health agency was sentenced today to 75 years in prison for her role in a $13 million Medicare fraud scheme.

Acting Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Blanco of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Acting U.S. Attorney Abe Martinez of the Southern District of Texas, Special Agent in Charge Perrye K. Turner of the FBI’s Houston Field Office, Special Agent in Charge C.J. Porter of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services-Office of Inspector General’s (HHS-OIG) Dallas Region and Special Agent in Charge D. Richard Goss of the Houston Field Office of IRS-Criminal Investigation Division (IRS-CI) made the announcement.

Marie Neba, 53, of Sugarland, Texas, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Melinda Harmon of the Southern District of Texas.  In November 2016, Neba was convicted after a two-week jury trial of one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud, three counts of health care fraud, one count of conspiracy to pay and receive health care kickbacks, one count of payment and receipt of health care kickbacks, one count of conspiracy to launder monetary instruments and one count of making health care false statements.

According to the evidence presented at trial, from February 2006 through June 2015, Neba and others conspired to defraud Medicare by submitting over $10 million in false and fraudulent claims for home health services to Medicare through Fiango Home Healthcare Inc., owned by Neba and her husband, Ebong Tilong, 53, also of Sugarland, Texas.  The trial evidence showed that using the money that Medicare paid for such fraudulent claims, Neba paid illegal kickbacks to patient recruiters for referring Medicare beneficiaries to Fiango for home health services.  Neba also paid illegal kickbacks to Medicare beneficiaries for allowing Fiango to bill Medicare using beneficiaries’ Medicare information for home health services that were not medically necessary or not provided, the evidence showed.  Neba falsified medical records to make it appear as though the Medicare beneficiaries qualified for and received home health services.  Neba also attempted to suborn perjury from a co-defendant in the federal courthouse, the evidence showed.

According to the evidence presented at trial, from February 2006 to June 2015, Neba received more than $13 million from Medicare for home health services that were not medically necessary or not provided to Medicare beneficiaries.

To date, four others have pleaded guilty based on their roles in the fraudulent scheme at Fiango.  Nirmal Mazumdar, M.D., the former medical director of Fiango, pleaded guilty to a scheme to commit health care fraud for his role at Fiango.  Daisy Carter and Connie Ray Island, two patient recruiters for Fiango, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit health care fraud for their roles at Fiango.  On August 11, Island was sentenced to 33 months in prison.  Mazumdar and Carter are awaiting sentencing.  After the first week of trial, Tilong pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud, three counts of healthcare fraud, one count of conspiracy to pay and receive healthcare kickbacks, three counts of payment and receipt of healthcare kickbacks, and one count of conspiracy to launder monetary instruments.  Tilong is scheduled to be sentenced on October 13.

The case was investigated by the IRS-CI, FBI and HHS-OIG under the supervision of the Fraud Section of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas.  The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney William S.W. Chang and Senior Trial Attorney Jonathan T. Baum of the Fraud Section.

The Fraud Section leads the Medicare Fraud Strike Force, which is part of a joint initiative between the Department of Justice and HHS to focus their efforts to prevent and deter fraud and enforce current anti-fraud laws around the country.  The Medicare Fraud Strike Force operates in nine locations nationwide.  Since its inception in March 2007, the Medicare Fraud Strike Force has charged over 3,500 defendants who collectively have falsely billed the Medicare program for over $12.5 billion.


DOJ: North Carolina Resident Pleads Guilty to Tax and Bankruptcy Fraud Concealed Assets to Evade IRS Collection Efforts
PRESS RELEASE ISSUED 8/ 15/ 17

A Greensboro, North Carolina, resident pleaded guilty to corruptly endeavoring to obstruct and impede the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), filing a fraudulent tax return and bankruptcy fraud, announced Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and Acting U.S. Attorney Sandra J. Hairston for the Middle District of North Carolina.

According to documents and information provided to the court, during 2008 and 2009, Hassie Demond Nowlin, aka Demond Nowlin and Brilliant Knowlin, 44, filed several fraudulent tax returns with the IRS that included fake income and withholding taxes and sought more than $750,000 in fraudulent refunds. Nowlin also filed documents with the Guilford County Register of Deeds purporting to renounce his United States citizenship and proclaiming to be a sovereign citizen. Between 2008 and 2010, the IRS assessed taxes, penalties and interest against Nowlin related to the fraudulent returns. After being notified of the assessments, Nowlin began concealing his assets and placing them in the names of nominee entities.

Nowlin also admitted that between 2011 and 2017, he earned hundreds of thousands of dollars operating a tax preparation business. Nowlin filed hundreds of tax returns for clients that claimed phony business and education expenses, sought refunds to which the clients were not entitled and did not identify him as the paid preparer. Nowlin caused the fees to be deposited into nominee bank accounts that he controlled. Nowlin also admitted that he made false statements to IRS agents, including that he did not prepare tax returns for clients.

In addition to the tax-related charges, Nowlin also admitted to attempting to cheat his creditors by filing fraudulent personal bankruptcy petitions. Along with these petitions, Nowlin also submitted false financial statements on which he did not fully disclose his income and assets.

Nowlin is scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 16, 2017 before U.S. District Court Judge Catherine C. Eagles. He faces a statutory maximum sentence of three years in prison for impeding the IRS and filing a fraudulent return and five years in prison for bankruptcy fraud. In addition, Nowlin faces a period of supervised release, restitution and monetary penalties.

Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg and Acting U.S. Attorney Hairston commended special agents of IRS Criminal Investigation, who conducted the investigation, and Trial Attorney Robert J. Boudreau of the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Anand P. Ramaswamy of the Middle District of North Carolina, who are prosecuting the case.



DOJ: Virginia Business Owners Charged with Tax Evasion
PRESS RELEASE ISSUED 8/ 14/ 17

A federal grand jury in the Western District of Virginia returned an indictment charging two business owners with tax evasion and conspiring to structure currency transactions, announced Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division.

According to the indictment, Jeffrey and Karen Dalton owned Blue Ridge Stainless Inc. (BRS), a subcontracting business that provided labor to renovate large retail department and grocery stores, and operated it out of their home in Hillsville, Virginia. The Daltons allegedly filed their 2009 through 2014 personal tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) reporting the income they earned from BRS, but failed to pay the taxes, penalties and interest owed. The indictment alleges that despite an IRS revenue officer repeatedly contacting the Daltons over a period of years about their delinquent taxes and pending IRS liens, they refused to pay their outstanding tax liability, used nominees to conceal their ownership of property and filed false documents with the IRS. After the IRS levied the Dalton’s personal bank accounts, they allegedly used funds from the BRS business bank account to start a cattle business and pay for their children’s wedding expenses.

The indictment also charges Jeffery and Karen Dalton with conspiring to withdraw cash from the BRS business bank account, in increments less than $10,000, to evade federal bank-reporting requirements. According to the indictment, they withdrew more than $250,000 in this piecemeal fashion.

An indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

If convicted, Jeffery and Karen Dalton each face a statutory maximum sentence of five years in prison on both the tax evasion and conspiracy charge. They also face a period of supervised release, restitution and monetary penalties.
Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Goldberg thanked special agents of IRS Criminal Investigation, who conducted the investigation, and Trial Attorneys Daniel McGraw and Sean Beaty of the Tax Division, who are prosecuting the case.


FROM THE FBI FILES: Financial Fraud, Lengthy Prison Term for Estate Planner Who Betrayed Clients
PRESS RELEASE ISSUED 8/ 15/ 17

Julie Kronhaus was a well-regarded estate planner with impressive training and credentials. She was a licensed attorney, a certified public accountant, and had earned a master’s degree in taxation. Unfortunately, she was also home-schooled in fraud.

Between 2009 and 2015, according to court records, Kronhaus defrauded clients and banks out of approximately $2.7 million. The Florida resident often acted as a trustee for her clients and held their money in bank accounts she controlled. With that access, she diverted money into her law firm’s bank accounts and used it to afford a lavish lifestyle that included clothes-buying sprees and regular trips to New York and Europe.

“She loved to spend money and live extravagantly,” said Special Agent Samantha Medico, who investigated the case from the FBI’s Tampa Division. “At one point she had racked up a $1.5 million balance on her American Express card.”



The scam worked for so long in part because of the faith placed in Kronhaus by her clients. “When people in the Orlando area and even out of state asked about the best people to handle estates,” Medico said, “her name would often come up. She had a good reputation and a good client base.”

Medico, a veteran white-collar crime investigator, explained that clients would typically seek out Kronhaus “at a low point in their lives, often involving a death in the family. They would trust her to handle all the estate matters. She would prepare wills and was supposed to distribute money according to those wills,” Medico said. “She had a fiduciary responsibility to protect her clients’ assets, and she didn’t do that.”

One of her victims was a child who had been awarded a settlement as the result of a medical malpractice suit. The judge in the case ordered a third party—Kronhaus—to act as the child’s financial trustee. “She had complete access and control of the account,” Medico said, “and either failed to pay the child’s mother for mounting medical expenses or stalled making payments.”

One out-of-state victim, himself a lawyer, became suspicious of Kronhaus’ actions regarding his accounts and contacted law enforcement. Investigators eventually subpoenaed bank records in that case, which revealed an extensive fraud that ultimately led to more than a dozen victims. “We kept finding victim after victim,” Medico said. “If Kronhaus was short in one account she took money from another account to cover payments. And she was preparing false statements to cover her tracks.”

In 2016, Kronhaus was arrested and charged federally with wire and bank fraud. In January 2017, the 52-year-old pleaded guilty to the charges, and last month a judge sentenced her to 10 years in prison and ordered her to pay nearly $3 million in restitution to her victims.

“In many ways, this was a typical fraud case,” Medico said. “Except that I have never seen someone so educated and with so much opportunity who committed this type of fraud. Kronhaus already had money,” Medico said. “That was the toughest part to comprehend. She had so much to begin with. Why would she do something like this? It was just greed. She did it because she could.”





WORLD & NATIONAL NEWS BRIEFS

UN NEWS CENTER:
As tensions on Korean Peninsula grow, UN chief urges world to 'dial up' diplomacy
16 August 2017 – Addressing the growing tensions on the Korean Peninsula, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres today said it was important “to dial down rhetoric and dial up diplomacy.”

UN observers conclude FARC-EP arms removal process in Colombia
16 August 2017 – More than 8,000 weapons and over one million burned cartridges were transported to a central warehouse in Colombia as the United Nations political mission in the country concluded the process of the laying down of individual weapons of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC-EP) combatants.

NATIONAL

NY DAILY NEWS: Both Bush Presidents, McConnell horrified by Trump’s Charlottesville response: ‘There are no good neo-Nazis’
The only two living Republican ex-Presidents joined a growing chorus of conservatives criticizing President Trump’s Charlottesville response and denouncing extremism.

WASHINGTON TIMES: Chicago pastor urges mayor to remove George Washington statue, rename park over slavery
President Trump’s question to reporters on Tuesday about the possibility of tearing down historical monuments has been answered by a Chicago pastor: “It’s time.”

Daily Bible Verse: Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

2 Corinthians 7:1 NKJV 

 

 Free bible studies (WBS)

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