Letter to Census Bureau, Commerce Department urges Trump administration to reverse decision to end census collection period earlier than previously announced
EDMONDS, WA – U.S. Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA), a senior member of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs; Tom Udall (D-NM), the vice chair of the committee; and 18 of their colleagues sent a letter urging the U.S. Department of Commerce and U.S. Census Bureau to honor their previously announced 2020 census completion date of October 31, 2020, to ensure an accurate count for Indian Country and the Native Hawaiian community.
On April 13, 2020, the Commerce Department and Census Bureau announced a modified timeline for 2020 census operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which extended the deadline for field data collection to October 31, 2020. On August 3, the Bureau reneged on that extension and indicated instead that it will cease all collection by September 30, 2020. The decision comes despite previous calls from census officials to extend the deadline to ensure a more accurate count.
Census response rates have been and remain low in Tribal communities in part because Tribal governments have taken necessary measures to keep their communities safe during the COVID-19 pandemic, as Tribal communities have experienced some of the highest mortality rates in the nation from the virus. The Bureau’s newly accelerated timeline threatens to result in another severe undercount of American Indians, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian communities.
“American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian leaders have spent months coordinating with the Census Bureau to prepare their communities for the 2020 count and to meet the Bureau’s October 31st deadline. Their herculean efforts to get out the count even during a pandemic should not be discounted or cut short,” the senators wrote. “Failure to get a complete and accurate count of these community populations will have long term and devastating impacts – from redistricting data, to federal funding, to congressional representation. A fair and accurate census is critical to Native communities’ continued and future prosperity.”
“We strongly urge you to honor the previously announced 2020 census completion date of October 31, 2020 and to continue operations under the modified timeline as detailed in the Bureau’s April 13th announcement,” the senators continued. “We look forward to working with you to uphold the federal government’s constitutional obligation to ensure a fair and accurate count for Indian Country and all Native populations within the United States.”
Cantwell Statement on USPS Delaying Drastic Changes to Mail Service
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) released the following statement after Postmaster General Louis DeJoy announced he will delay implementation of a number of drastic changes to mail service until after the November election:
"The voices of millions of outraged Americans forced Postmaster General DeJoy to delay further proposed mail service changes until after the election. However, questions remain about whether DeJoy will remedy the massive disruptions that have already been put into effect, and the administration must provide a full public overview of how USPS will ensure timely delivery of mail moving forward. Millions of Washingtonians rely on the USPS to not only vote, but to receive medication, veterans’ benefits, social security checks, and other essential goods and services – especially in the midst of our current health crisis. They deserve answers from the administration.”---press release issued 8/18/20
WORLD NEWS HEADLINES:
How can the UN help prevent another Beirut disaster?
The devastation caused by the Beirut explosions on 4 August has focused attention on the risks involved in the transportation and storage of dangerous goods around the world. The UN is at the forefront of international efforts to reduce these risks and save lives.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2020/08/1070582
‘Urgent need’ to scale up search and rescue in the Mediterranean.
UN agencies have called for search and rescue to be stepped up in the central Mediterranean, in the wake of a tragic shipwreck that claimed the lives of 45 migrants and refugees, including five children.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2020/08/1070642
Use COVID lessons to ‘do things right’ for the future, urges UN chief.
Lessons learnt from efforts to address the global pandemic must be used to “do things right for the future”, UN Secretary-General António Guterres has said, addressing a gathering of leading parliamentarians.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2020/08/1070652
Mali coup: UN peacekeeping mission ‘must and will continue’ operations.
The United Nations continues to monitor the ongoing situation in Mali, where soldiers arrested the President and several members of his cabinet in a military coup on Tuesday.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2020/08/1070622
Jordan: Closing teachers’ union, detaining officials, ‘serious’ rights violations.
Jordan must reverse the decision to close a 140,000-strong teachers’ union and detain its leaders, independent UN human rights experts said on Wednesday, while also urging the authorities to lift gag orders prohibiting public discussion of the case.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2020/08/1070632
Syria constitutional reform talks, hold promise for new social contract.
Constitutional reform talks between Syria’s Government and opposition leaders next week in Geneva, offer an opportunity to reconcile differences and establish a social contract with people across the country, who are desperate for progress after more than nine years of war, the Special Envoy told the Security Council on Wednesday.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2020/08/1070592
UN PRESS RELEASES:
Secretary-General Takes Note of Special Tribunal for Lebanon’s Verdict in relation to Former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri’s Assassination.
https://www.un.org/press/en/2020/sgsm20209.doc.htm
Aligning Legislative, Spending Decisions with Climate Action Key to Recovering from COVID-19 Pandemic, Secretary-General Tells Speakers of Parliament
Following are UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ remarks at the opening of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) World Conference of Speakers of Parliament on the theme: “Parliamentary leadership for more effective multilateralism that delivers peace and sustainable development for the people and planet”,
https://www.un.org/press/en/2020/sgsm20213.doc.htm
US MISSION TO THE UN Press releases:
Remarks at a UN Security Council Briefing on the Situation in Somalia.
" The challenges Somalia faces require concerted and unified efforts by its leaders. Unfortunately, the President and Lower House of Parliament’s withdrawal of confidence in the former Prime Minister and his government in July has only heightened political tensions. We are concerned such action has undermined the ongoing process of dialogue and negotiation between the Federal Government of Somalia, Federal Member States, and other key stakeholders."
https://usun.usmission.gov/remarks-at-a-un-security-council-briefing-on-the-situation-in-somalia-7/
Remarks at a UN Security Council Briefing on the Political Situation in Syria (via VTC).
" Also, before I begin today, I want to take a moment to note the irony in discussing this issue after the results of last Friday’s vote on renewing an arms embargo on Iran. Iran continues to engage in activity in Syria that is counter to the interests of the Syrian people, and yet many members of this Council voted on Friday to enable Iran to buy and sell even more deadly weapons."
Supporting the Aspirations of the Belarusian People
The United States has been inspired by the display of peaceful expression of the Belarusian people seeking to determine their own future. We stand by our long-term commitment to support Belarus’ sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as the aspirations of the Belarusian people to choose their leaders and to choose their own path, free from external intervention.---US State Dept.
https://www.state.gov/supporting-the-aspirations-of-the-belarusian-people/
Defense Personnel Among First to Deliver Aid to Lebanon.
When almost 3,000 tons of ammonium nitrate exploded in Beirut, it caused a humanitarian catastrophe that killed more than 200 people and wounded tens of thousands. ---DOD press release
NATIONAL HEADLINE NEWS:
Remarks by President Trump in a Signing of a Proclamation on the 100th Anniversary of the Ratification of the 19th Amendment.---WH press release
Statement from the Press Secretary Regarding the Pardon of Susan B. Anthony.
Today, President Donald J. Trump issued an Executive Grant of Clemency (Full Pardon) posthumously to Susan B. Anthony, a peerless advocate for women’s suffrage, for a wrongful and unjust conviction stemming from the only vote she ever cast in an election. As we commemorate the centennial of the ratification of the 19th Amendment—known as the Susan B. Anthony Amendment—this grant of full clemency recognizes and pays tribute to the advocacy, perseverance, and leadership of a truly remarkable woman and an American hero.---WH press release
Attorney General Barr Delivers Opening Remarks at Press Conference Announcing Updates to Operation Legend.
" We launched Operation Legend six weeks ago here in Kansas City. Three weeks ago we rolled it out in several additional cities, so now Operation Legend in underway in nine cities."---DOJ Press release
Secretary DeVos Launches Grant Program to Promote Institutional Resiliency and Expand Educational Opportunity for Students.
WASHINGTON — U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos announced today a new grant program designed to help institutions of higher education emerge from the coronavirus pandemic more resilient and better able to expand educational opportunities for students. ---US DEPT. of Education
HUD Issues Guidance for Coronavirus Relief Funds
Department working with states and local units of governments to aid vulnerable populations amid outbreak
WASHINGTON - U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Ben Carson today provided guidance and additional flexibility to states and units of local government who are utilizing their existing federal disaster recovery funds to support low- and moderate-income persons and vulnerable populations for disasters occurring in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019 during the coronavirus outbreak. The Federal Register notice published on August 17, 2020 grants extensions and clarifies submission deadlines for Community Development Block Grant disaster recovery (CDBG-DR) grantees.---HUD press release
https://www.hud.gov/press/press_releases_media_advisories/HUD_No_20_128
FHA LAUNCHES TECHNOLOGY MODULE FOR SINGLE FAMILY APPRAISALS
New electronic appraisal delivery technology uses cloud-based platform for forward mortgage appraisal submissions
WASHINGTON - The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) today announced the upcoming release of its FHA Catalyst: Electronic Appraisal Delivery module on the FHA Catalyst platform. FHA Catalyst: Electronic Appraisal Delivery will allow lenders to electronically submit, track, and manage single family property appraisals.---HUD press release
https://www.hud.gov/press/press_releases_media_advisories/HUD_No_20_127
HUD AND CENSUS BUREAU REPORT RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY IN JULY 2020
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 2020.
https://www.hud.gov/press/press_releases_media_advisories/HUD_No_20_126
CDC data show disproportionate COVID-19 impact in American Indian/Alaska Native populations
CDC provides more than $200 million to address COVID-19 health disparities in Indian Country---CDC press release
https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2020/p0819-covid-19-impact-american-indian-alaska-native.html
FDA Approves Treatment for Rare Disease Affecting Optic Nerves, Spinal Cord
Third FDA-Approved Therapy in Just Over a Year for Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder Gives Patients Another Treatment Option.
EPA Awards $3.2 Million to Purdue and Indiana Universities for Research on Managing PFAS in Agriculture and Rural Communities.
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (August 20, 2020) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that two Indiana universities will receive research grants to better understand the potential impacts of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) on water quality and availability in rural communities and agricultural operations across the United States.
BUSINESS & FINANCE HEADLINES:
Facebook Reduced Its Operational Greenhouse Gas Emissions Footprint by 59% in 2019---US CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Facebook has established a science-based target to reduce its operational emissions by 75% by the end of 2020 compared with 2017 levels and has already reduced its greenhouse gas footprint significantly. In 2019, the company reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by 59% compared with 2017 levels.
Treasury Sanctions Senior Syrian Government Officials.
Washington – Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury continued the U.S. government’s campaign of pressure to compel the Bashar Al-Assad (Assad) regime to end its attacks against the Syrian people.---US Treasury Dept.
https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sm1100
Hope One Mobile Unit on the Frontlines of COVID-19 Fight with Rural Development’s Support--USDA Blog
ICYMI: Harnessing Arctic energy for a secure, prosperous future--Dept. of Interior
https://www.doi.gov/pressreleases/icymi-harnessing-arctic-energy-secure-prosperous-future
IRS urges employers to choose carefully when selecting a payroll service provider.
Using a reputable firm or group can protect employers from fraud; options include PSPs, RAs and CPEOs.
Governor Michelle W. Bowman
At the Outstanding Women of Kansas Awards Ceremony, Topeka, Kansas--THE FED
https://www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/speech/bowman20200819a.htm
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND FDA DEVELOP CHECKLIST TO PROTECT FOOD INDUSTRY EMPLOYEES AMID THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC
WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have developed a checklist for human and animal food manufacturers to consider when continuing, resuming or reevaluating operations due to the coronavirus pandemic.---US DEPT. of Labor
https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/osha/osha20200819
FTC Sends Refund Checks Totaling More Than $700,000 to Small Business Owners Defrauded by Deceptive Robocalls.
According to the FTC, the defendants, operating as Pointbreak Media, Modern Spotlight, National Business Listings, and Modern Source Media, called small business owners, claimed to be acting on Google’s behalf, and threatened that Google would label their businesses “permanently closed” unless they spoke with a “Google specialist.”
STATE NEWS HEADLINES:
Inslee issues guidance for museums, bowling and agritourism; updates guidance for outdoor recreation.
We have worked with stakeholders for weeks and sometimes months to arrive at these guidelines. We continue to balance the need for activities that contribute to physical, mental, and emotional well-being with the steps needed to control the virus. Our ability to reopen depends on every Washingtonian doing their part to ensure fewer, shorter and safer interactions.” said Inslee.
Inslee statement on death of former U.S. Senator Slade Gorton.
https://www.governor.wa.gov/news-media/inslee-statement-death-former-us-senator-slade-gorton
WASHINGTON TRAPS MALE ASIAN GIANT HORNET WEEKS EARLIER THAN ANTICIPATED.
The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) has trapped a male Asian giant hornet – the first male Asian giant hornet to be detected in the United States.
https://agr.wa.gov/about-wsda/news-and-media-relations/news-releases?article=31545
AG FERGUSON SUES IDAHO PROPERTY MANAGEMENT COMPANY FOR THREATENING LOW-INCOME RESIDENTS WITH EVICTION DURING GOVERNOR’S MORATORIUM.
SPOKANE — Attorney General Bob Ferguson filed a lawsuit today against an Idaho property management company, Whitewater Creek, for violating Gov. Jay Inslee’s Emergency Evictions Proclamation. Inslee’s proclamation establishes a temporary moratorium on evictions for the inability to pay rent as Washingtonians deal with the COVID-19 pandemic. The proclamation specifically prohibits landlords from threatening to evict tenants for unpaid rents during the proclamation’s effective period and specifies they have to enter into repayment plans with tenants.
AG FERGUSON CHALLENGES TRUMP ADMINISTRATION RULE ALLOWING POTENT GREENHOUSE GASES TO BE TRANSPORTED BY RAIL.
OLYMPIA — Attorney General Bob Ferguson today issued the following statement after his office filed a lawsuit challenging a new Trump Administration rule that authorizes nationwide transportation of liquefied natural gas in rail tank cars. This unlawful rule jeopardizes public health and safety by increasing the risk of catastrophic rail accidents and increased greenhouse gas emissions.
EPA plan for Washington and Oregon rivers leaves salmon in hot water.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently released their plan to reduce temperatures in the Columbia and Snake rivers. The plan, called a “Total Maximum Daily Load” or TMDL, is like a diet for temperature: it sets reduction targets for each source of temperature pollution — such as dams, businesses, and even climate change. If each of these sources meet its goal, temperatures in the rivers will remain at levels healthy for endangered salmon.--DOE
https://ecology.wa.gov/Blog/Posts/August-2020/EPA-plan-for-Washington-and-Oregon-rivers-leaves-s
Target shooting ban in effect for all WDFW lands statewide.
OLYMPIA – To help prevent wildfires, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is alerting the public of a temporary target shooting ban on all department-managed lands statewide. The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) also announced target shooting restrictions on Aug. 15 for all DNR-managed lands.
https://wdfw.wa.gov/news/target-shooting-ban-effect-all-wdfw-lands-statewide
Emergency closure of Badger Lake public water access site.
SPOKANE – The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) public water access site at Badger Lake in west Spokane County is closed indefinitely due to a wildfire burning out of control in the area.
https://wdfw.wa.gov/news/emergency-closure-badger-lake-public-water-access-site
Initial unemployment insurance claims for week of August 9-15, 2020.
More than 1 million Washingtonians have received almost $10 billion in benefits since the start of the pandemic.
https://esd.wa.gov/newsroom/initial-unemployment-insurance-claims-for-week-of-august-9-15-2020
EDITORIALS/ LOCAL MEETINGS
BIDEN'S SPEECH OFFERED A LOT OF CLICHES...
No condemnation of the acts of Marxist thugs,
destroying cities runned by Democratic mayors, and Democratic run States.
By Peter Ripley
Yes, I watched Joe Biden's speech on C-Span, on their web page. Being a blogger I felt that is my job to hear the other side, as hard it was to do in the first place. What I didn't hear coming from Biden, his lack of addressing the endless riots in some of our major cities, instead condemning the Marxist groups like antifa, and BLM that are doing the riots, and beating up anyone who disagrees with them. Biden blamed Trump for the riots.
So, to be fair, I posted Biden's speech on here, along with Trump's response during his speech at the remarks at the 2020 Council for National Policy meeting.
TOP Videos this week: Democratic National Convention, Day 4
Joe Biden accepted the presidential nomination on the final night of the Democratic National Convention. Topics addressed during the evening included: Mr. Biden’s religious faith, the importance of voting, economic issues for working-class Americans, and the legacies of the late Representative John Lewis (D-GA) and Joe Biden’s late son, Beau Biden. Featured speakers included: former 2020 Democratic presidential candidates Andrew Yang, Pete Buttigieg, and Michael Bloomberg; Democratic Senators Tammy Duckworth (IL), Chris Coons (DE), Tammy Baldwin (WI), and others; as well as other officials, entertainers, Biden’s family, and various supporters throughout the U.S. Due to social distancing guidelines amid COVID-19, the convention was held virtually, with pre-recorded and live video presentations, and none of the leading participants speaking from the host city of Milwaukee. The event concluded with a fireworks show in Wilmington, Delaware. Actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus served as the host.
https://www.c-span.org/video/?474671-1/democratic-national-convention-day-4
President Trump delivers remarks at the 2020 Council for National Policy meeting.
https://www.facebook.com/WhiteHouse/videos/227706381917143
Here are some news stories about Biden's speech.
Of course the liberal mainstream media was mooning over it:
Seattle Times: Biden vows to defeat Trump, end US ‘season of darkness’
Joe Biden Accepts Democratic Nomination: ‘I Will Draw on the Best of Us’
Mr. Biden urged Americans to have faith that they could “overcome this season of darkness,” and he pledged to bridge the country’s divisions in ways President Trump had not.---NYT
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/20/us/politics/Joe-Biden-accepts-democratic-nomination.html
Watching Biden accept his nomination at an Oklahoma drive-in.--WP
Biden put ‘character on the ballot’ at the DNC---LA TIMES
What others are saying...
5 Things to Know About Night 4 of the Democratic National Convention---PJ MEDIA
Joe Biden Won't Be the One Running the Country
Those who think he is actually the Democrats' nominee are deluding themselves.---Patriot Post
https://patriotpost.us/articles/72881-joe-biden-wont-be-the-one-running-the-country-2020-08-21
The Inadvertently Revealing Democratic Convention--National Review
https://www.nationalreview.com/2020/08/the-inadvertently-revealing-democratic-convention/
Joe Biden Is for Chaos, Not Law and Order
He fails to confront the violence and anarchy occurring across our country in Democrat-run cities.--American Spectator
https://spectator.org/joe-biden-dnc-law-and-order/
News Story Commentary
With Canadian border closed, Port Angeles businesses worry for the future
Without foreign travelers, the Coho Ferry is closed — and the town around it is holding its breath.---Cross Cut Seattle
Comment: This what happens when a community realize on the tourism dollar.
All it took to shut down tourist from coming to Port Angeles, was the Covid-19 virus. Or some other disaster, like rioting in the streets of Seattle, really who would travel anywhere during this time? PA has to look for other forms of industry, not rely solely on tourism, like so many want to do, not thinking about the what ifs.
CLALLAM COUNTY AGENDAS:
County Commission work session meeting for 8/24/20
https://clallam.granicus.com/GeneratedAgendaViewer.php?view_id=2&event_id=1225
County Commission regular session 8/25/20
https://clallam.granicus.com/GeneratedAgendaViewer.php?view_id=2&event_id=7227
PORT OF PORT ANGELES AGENDA COMMISSION for 8/25/20
https://www.portofpa.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08252020-440
City Of Sequim canceled their meeting for this week.
City of Forks council meeting for 8/24/20
https://forkswashington.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Council-Agenda-20200824.pdf
CLALLAM PUD meeting for 8/24/20
https://clallampud.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/8-24-20-WEB-Packet1.pdf
PASD Board Meeting
When: Thu, August 27, 7pm – 9pm
Where: 905 W 9th St, Port Angeles, WA 98363, USA
Description: Regular Meeting
JEFFERSON COUNTY MEETINGS:
Jefferson County Commission meeting for 8/24/20
PORT OF PORT TOWNSEND meeting for 8/26/20
https://portofpt.com/event/regular-business-meeting-2-2020-04-22-2020-08-26/
