Wednesday, August 4, 2021

Wake-Up Call: Cuomo 'Needs to Go'




PROBE FINDS CUOMO SEXUALLY HARASSED 11 WOMEN: New York Attorney General Letitia James yesterday announced the results of a months-long probe that found Governor Andrew Cuomo sexually harassed 11 women, some of them state employees, including by touching them inappropriately, commenting on their appearance or making suggestive comments about their sex lives. Cuomo made a video statement denying the accusations, but there were growing calls, including from Democratic allies, for him to resign. Among those calling for him to step down were President Biden, the Democratic governors of neighboring states New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and New York Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, both Democrats. Speaker Carl Heastie, the leader of the state Assembly and a Democrat, said it's clear Cuomo can't stay in office, and that he would move to begin an impeachment inquiry. A defiant Cuomo released a video response in which he said, quote, "the facts are much different than what has been portrayed" and denied touching anyone inappropriately or making inappropriate sexual advances. He also charged the investigation was fueled by, quote, "politics and bias."




James didn't refer the case for possible criminal charges, but the Albany DA welcomed victims to contact him and said he'd ask James' office for materials from the probe.

➤BIDEN CALLS ON GOP GOVERNORS RESISTING COVID EFFORTS TO 'GET OUT OF THE WAY': President Biden yesterday called on Republican governors who are resisting efforts to fight the coronavirus by blocking resumed mask mandates to, quote, "get out of the way." In some of those states, Florida and Texas in particular, the virus is surging, driven by the delta variant. Biden said from the White House, "If you’re not going to help, at least get out of the way of people trying to do the right thing." Biden also expressed support for the move announced by New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio yesterday that people will be required to show proof of vaccination in the city to eat indoors, go to gyms or entertainment venues.

➤EVICTION BAN BACK FOR MOST OF U.S. UNTIL OCTOBER 3RD: Just days after the eviction moratorium instituted last year because of the pandemic expired, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a new moratorium Tuesday to last until October 3rd. The move came after intense criticism from many Democrats over the administration not extending the ban, and after the White House had said a recent Supreme Court ruling meant they couldn't extend it. The new order blocks evictions in counties with "substantial and high levels" of Covid-19 transmission, which covers areas where 90 percent of the U.S. population lives. President Biden said yesterday that he'd pushed the CDC to again consider its options, but suggested it may not hold up against lawsuits, saying, "The bulk of the constitutional scholarship says that it’s not likely to pass constitutional muster. But there are several key scholars who think that it may and it’s worth the effort."

➤PENTAGON POLICE OFFICER KILLED OUTSIDE THE BUILDING: A Pentagon police officer was fatally stabbed at a transit center outside the headquarters of the U.S. military yesterday morning. The suspect, identified as 27-year-old Austin William Lanz of Georgia, ambushed the officer on a bus platform around 10:30 a.m., running at him and stabbing him in the neck. Lanz was shot and killed by responding officers. Investigators were still trying to determine a motive, as well as looking at any potential history of mental illness.


➤OP-ED SUGGESTS HEALTH COMPANIES PENALIZE NON-VAXXERS: A guest op-ed in the New York Times suggests that health insurers could penalize people who refuse to get vaccinated against Covid-19, saying it would provide an economic incentive. Pointing out that being hospitalized with Covid racks up big medical bills, the authors suggest there is a precedent. They point to some insurers refusing to cover treatment for what they deem to be risky behavior, such as scuba diving and rock climbing, and that insurers can charge smokers up to 50 percent more than nonsmokers for some types of health plans under the Affordable Care Act, and even cite reckless drivers having to pay more for car insurance. They write, "The logic behind the policies is that the offenders’ behavior can hurt others and costs society a lot of money. If people decide not to get vaccinated and contract bad cases of Covid, they are not only exposing others in their workplace or neighborhoods; the tens or hundreds of thousands spent on their care could mean higher premiums for others as well in their insurance plans next year."

➤MISSOURI GOV. PARDONS COUPLE THAT POINTED GUNS AT PROTESTERS: Missouri Republican Governor Mike Parson announced yesterday that he'd pardoned Mark and Patricia McCloskey, who drew national attention in June of last year after pointing guns at social justice protesters marching past their home in an exclusive area of St. Louis. Parson said he pardoned the couple Friday, after they pled guilty in June to misdemeanor fourth-degree assault and misdemeanor harassment. The McCloskeys, who've been unapologetic, have said they felt threatened by the protesters, who were going by on the way to demonstrate in front of the mayor's house, and also charged they were trespassing on a private street. A special prosecutor's investigation had determined the protesters were peaceful. Several Republican leaders spoke in defense of the McCloskeys, including then-President Donald Trump, and they spoke at the Republican National Convention. Parson had previously said he would pardon them.

➤SHIP THAT GOT STUCK IN SUEZ CANAL ARRIVES IN U.K. FOUR MONTHS LATE: The huge container ship that got stuck in the Suez Canal for nearly a week in March, causing shipping disruptions around the world as it blocked traffic through the waterway, arrived in the U.K. yesterday, four months late. The Ever Given had been held by Egyptian authorities that are in charge of the Suez Canal for months after it was freed, until a deal on compensation was reached with the Japanese company that owns the ship. The ship arrived at Felixstowe, which is Britain's busiest container port.

➤SENATE VOTES TO GIVE CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL TO CAPITOL, METROPOLITAN POLICE: The Senate voted unanimously yesterday to award the Congressional Gold Medal to the officers of the Capitol Police and Washington, D.C.'s Metropolitan Police Department for protecting Congress during the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol. The legislation, which was sent to President Biden for his signature, provides for four medals that would be displayed at Capitol Police headquarters, the Metropolitan Police Department, the U.S. Capitol and the Smithsonian Institution. Democratic Senator Amy Klobucher of Minnesota, who introduced the legislation, said told AP that the medals are, quote, "a recognition that will be on display for people to understand and remember what these officers did."

❤STUDY: MARRIED AMERICANS KEPT EX-PARTNERS ON THE BACK BURNER DURING PANDEMIC:  Married people have been reconnecting with old flames amid the pandemic. University of Oklahoma researchers looked at 397 adults and found that 62 percent said they are keeping someone on the “back burner” just in case, even if they are in a committed relationship. The study also found 54 percent of women, and 44 percent of men admitted to hooking up with a former partner. Study leader Dr. John Banas adds, “If having ex-partner back burners cascades into increased communication, increased sexual activity, and bad feelings for the admirer, then those in committed relationships might wish to exercise caution before forming a back-burner relationship with an ex-partner.” Another researcher adds that as society re-opens there has been a surge in the use of dating apps.

🤑HOCK AN OLYMPIC MEDAL, BANK THIS MUCH:  Just how much are those Olympic medals worth if you were to melt them down? CNN reports the design of the medals shifts with each Olympics, and this time around, based on current precious-metals pricing, the 556-gram gold medal (which is actually pure silver plated in gold that accounts for just 6 grams of that total) would be worth around $800 melted down. The 550-gram pure silver medal would earn you about $450, while the 450-gram bronze medal (which is 95% copper, 5% zinc) would only net you about $5.00. Still, selling a medal in its original form can equate to a lot of cash, as multiple past Olympians have chosen to sell theirs for large sums—either because they’ve hit hard times or want to raise money for charity.

➤TOKYO OLYMPICS Highlights:

  • Biles Returns, Wins Bronze on Balance Beam - After pulling out of the gymnastics team competition and then missing the all-around, vault, uneven bars and floor exercise events with a case of the "twisties," Simone Biles returned for the final event, the balance beam, and she walked away with a bronze medal. She managed that third-place finish even though she did a much simpler dismount than usual that didn't involve twisting -- one she said later she hadn't done since she was 12 years old. Speaking after the event, Biles said of her struggles in Tokyo, "It was something that was so out of my control. But the outcome I had, at end of the day, my mental and physical health is better than any medal." Biles also revealed after the balance beam competition that her aunt had died unexpectedly two days earlier. Biles is going home with the bronze and the silver medal from the team event, and is now tied with Shannon Miller for the most gymnastics Olympic medals by an American.
  • McLaughlin, Muhammad Win Gold and Silver for U.S. in 400-Meter Hurdles - Sydney McLaughlin beat out U.S. teammate and defending Olympic champion Dalilah Muhammad in the women's 400-meter hurdles for the gold, breaking her own world record to finish in 51.46 seconds. Muhammad’s time of 51.58 also beat the world record, but she had to settle for silver. Femke Bol of the Netherlands won bronze.

  • American Mu Wins Women's 800-Meters - American middle-distance runner Athing Mu won the gold medal in the women's 800 meters. Keely Hodgkinson of Great Britain won silver and fellow American Raevyn Rogers took bronze.
  • U.S. Wrestler Mensah-Stock Wins Gold - U.S. wrestler Tamyra Mensah-Stock won gold in women's wrestling in the 68 kg. final, beating Blessing Oborududu of Nigeria, who took silver.
  • Jamaica's Thompson-Herah Takes Gold in 200 Meters, American Thomas Wins Bronze - Elaine Thompson-Herah of Jamaica won gold in the women's 200 meters, after having also won the 100 meters. This is the second Olympics in a row that she swept the two sprint races, after also doing it in 2016 in Rio. Christine Mboma of Namibia won silver and American Gabby Thomas took the bronze.
  • U.S. Baseball Team Beats Dominican Republic, Goes to Semis: The U.S. baseball team defeated the Dominican Republic 3-1 to advance to the semifinals.
  • U.S. Women's Basketball Team Makes It to Semifinals: The U.S. women's basketball team has advanced to the semifinals after beating Australia 79-55 in the quarterfinals. The U.S. will play Serbia in the semis, after they beat China in their quarterfinal.
  • U.S. Women Advance to Volleyball Semifinals: The U.S. women's team will play in the volleyball semifinals after beating the Dominican Republic in the quarterfinals. They will play the winner of the Serbia-Italy quarterfinal.
MEDAL COUNT: (As of 3:30 a.m. ET) - The U.S. is in first place with 76 medals, followed by China with 69 and the Russian Olympic Committee with 52. In the gold medal count, China leads with 32, the U.S. is second with 25, and Japan is third with 20. ESPN'S MEDAL TRACKER: https://es.pn/3hZWIw0


OTHER SPORTS:

🏀CURRY REACHES $215 MILLION, FOUR-YEAR EXTENSION WITH WARRIORS: Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry reached a deal on a $215 million, four-year extension with the team yesterday (August 3rd), which will take him through the 2025-26 season. Curry would have been entering the final year of his previous contract.

🏀CARMELO ANTHONY JOINING LAKERS ON ONE-YEAR DEAL: NBA veteran Carmelo Anthony has reached a one-year deal to join the L.A. Lakers on Tuesday. Although free agent deals can't become official until Friday, Anthony posted a video on social media that included his "Melo" nickname and the Lakers logo. The 37-year-old Anthony, who was with Portland last season, will be joining his seventh team in his 19th season.

➤REPORT: PAC-12, BIG 12 CONSIDERING WORKING TOGETHER, MERGING: The commissioners of the Pac-12 and Big 12 met yesterday to discuss how the two conferences might benefit from working together or possibly even merging, The Athletic reported. The Big 12 is trying to pave a way forward after the stunning decision by Texas and Oklahoma to move to the SEC, which is scheduled to take place in 2025. If there were to be a merger of the Big 12 and Pac-12, the conference would have 20 teams.

🏀REPORT SAYS NCAA SHOULD HAVE COMBINED FINAL FOUR: A report released yesterday by a law firm hired by the NCAA said that the organization had fallen short of its commitment to gender equality and recommended that the men's and women's basketball Final Fours be held at the same site. The report also suggested offering financial incentives to schools to improve their basketball programs. In a scathing conclusion, the report said the NCAA had prioritized the Division I men's basketball tournament, quote, "over everything else," finding a glaring lack of equality between women's basketball and the men. The NCAA commissioned the review in March after criticism for not providing similar amenities to the teams in the men’s and women’s Division I basketball tournaments. The NCAA Board of Governors said in response that it's, quote, "wholly committed to an equitable experience among its championships" and called NCAA head Mark Emmert to act.

⚾SECOND YANKEES STARTER, MONTGOMERY, COVID-POSITIVE: The second New York Yankees starting pitcher in two days has tested positive for the coronavirus. Manager Aaron Boone said yesterday (August 3rd) that Jordan Montgomery had tested positive, one day after Gerrit Cole did. Boone said no other players were positive as of yesterday.

🏈VIKINGS RELEASE GLADNEY AFTER ASSAULT INDICTMENT: The Minnesota Vikings released cornerback Jeff Gladney after he was indicted Tuesday (August 3rd) by a Texas grand jury on charges of felony assault of a woman with whom he'd previously been in a relationship. Gladney, who was a first-round draft pick last year, started 15 games as a rookie. He'd been arrested in April.
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