Washington Archives

Politics

Washington Governor Inslee Appoints Camara Banfield

Olympia, WA (STL.News) Gov. Jay Inslee appointed Camara Banfield to the Clark County Superior Court. She replaces Judge Bernard Veljacic, who was recently appointed to the Washington State Court of Appeals, Division II. Since 2004, Banfield has served as a deputy criminal prosecutor with the Clark County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, most recently serving as the office’s chief criminal deputy prosecutor. In this role she supervises the criminal division, manages its budget, and shapes the office’s policies and procedures around criminal prosecutions. In 2020, Banfield co-founded the Action Reform Committee to review and reform practices and procedures within the prosecutor’s office, in an effort to confront longstanding racial inequities in the criminal justice system. Banfield ...

Politics

Washington Governor Inslee: Plan of Vaccine Distribution & Administration

Olympia, WA (STL.News) Gov. Jay Inslee announced an updated statewide vaccine distribution and administration plan to increase the number of Washingtonians vaccinated and establish infrastructure capable of mass vaccinations in the coming months. With the expanded vaccine distribution system, the state set a goal of vaccinating 45,000 Washingtonians per day. Included in the plan is the Washington State Vaccine Command and Coordination Center, a new statewide public-private partnership to boost vaccine distribution efforts. The collaboration includes Washington corporations, labor unions, health care groups and government entities. “This is a massive effort, and as noble as any cause will be in 2021: Because this is the year we choose to get vaccinated, Washington,” Inslee said duri...

General

Seven Charged in Federal Court Following Events At the United Capitol

Seven Charged in Federal Court Following Events At the United Capitol WASHINGTON, D.C (STL.News) Seven individuals have been charged in federal court in the District of Columbia in connection with crimes committed at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, January 6, 2021. The defendants and charges are outlined below: Robert Keith Packer was charged with knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority and violent entry or disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds. Packer was arrested today in Virginia. Nicholas Rodean was charged with one count of knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without law authority; one count of knowingly, with intent to impede government business or official function...

Business

Boeing Awarded Contract for 12 More KC-46 Tankers

New tanker contract brings the number of U.S. Air Force orders to 79 EVERETT, WA (STL.News) This week the U.S. Air Force awarded Boeing [NYSE: BA] a $1.7 billion contract for 12 KC-46A tanker aircraft. With this sixth production lot, Boeing is now on contract for 79 KC-46A tankers. The company delivered the first KC-46A to the Air Force in January 2019. Since then, Boeing has delivered 42 tankers to four different bases. The next-generation KC-46 brings new capabilities and operational flexibility to the U.S. Air Force and international customers. “The investments Boeing is making in the KC-46 today will benefit generations of service members,” said Jamie Burgess, Boeing KC-46 tanker vice president and program manager. “I believe the partnership between Boeing and the Air Force ...

General

Statement Of U.S. Attorney Kennedy

Statement Of U.S. Attorney Kennedy (STL.News) “Since late Wednesday, my Office has been working around the clock with both the Buffalo and Washington Field Offices of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, to pursue all leads, to gather evidence, and to bring to justice those who committed crimes at the Capitol Building in Washington, DC. Any suggestion, direct or implied, that there is undue delay, a political purpose, or race-based reason why charges have not yet been filed against any Western New York resident is incorrect, unfounded, and frankly, offensive. I think most people recognize the danger inherent in advocating for a criminal justice system that is more concerned with getting things done quickly than getting them done correctly. As U.S. Attorney, I have refused—and will con...

Politics

Pompeo’s Meeting with Slovenian Foreign Minister Logar

Secretary Pompeo’s Meeting with Slovenian Foreign Minister Logar The following is attributable to Principal Deputy Spokesperson Cale Brown: (STL.News) Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo met with Slovenian Foreign Minister Anže Logar today in Washington, D.C. Secretary Pompeo and Foreign Minister Logar discussed the importance of energy security and how civil nuclear cooperation can strengthen the strategic bilateral relationship. Both leaders noted the anticipated signature of the U.S.-Slovenia Nuclear Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding scheduled for December 8. They also welcomed establishment of a U.S.-Slovenian Strategic Dialogue to further strengthen our foreign and security policy cooperation, advance economic prosperity for our two nations, and enhance our longstanding p...

Politics

Georgia Governor Announce New Governor’s Office Staff

New Governor's Office Staff Announced Atlanta, GA (STL.News) Governor Brian P. Kemp today announced the following changes and additions to Governor's Office staff. Craig Foster is Deputy Director of Policy in the Office of Governor Brian P. Kemp. Most recently, he served as a Senior Policy Advisor to Governor Kemp. Prior to joining the Kemp Administration, Foster worked as a Policy Analyst for the House Budget and Research Office for 15 years. A lifelong Georgian, he is a resident of Dallas, Georgia, and the proud father of his son. Ian Caraway is a Legislative Liaison to the Senate and Senior Policy Advisor in the Office of Governor Brian P. Kemp. In this role, he serves as Governor Brian Kemp’s liaison to Georgia’s 700 local governments and advises the governor on education and ...

Politics

Passing of Nigerian Ambassador to the United States

Passing of Nigerian Ambassador to the United States (STL.News) We are saddened by the passing on December 10 of His Excellency Sylvanus Nsofor, Ambassador of Nigeria to the United States, and offer our sincere condolences to his family and all those who worked with him. Ambassador Nsofor was an important and influential member of the diplomatic community in Washington, D.C. and helped to strengthen our partnerships across the West Africa region. Ambassador Nsofor’s long career in public service, which spanned both the law and diplomacy, was a testament to his dedication to the Nigerian people. In striving to find common ground between the United States and Nigeria, he supported mutually beneficial programs and initiatives across a wide range of sectors including educational exchange,...

General

Passing of Niger’s Ambassador to the United States

Passing of Niger’s Ambassador to the United States (STL.News) We are deeply saddened by the passing on December 16 of His Excellency Abdallah Wafy, Ambassador of Niger to the United States, and offer our sincere condolences to his family and all those who worked with him. Ambassador Wafy was a valued partner and friend who worked tirelessly over the years in Washington, New York, and Niamey, to strengthen the relationship between our two countries. Ambassador Wafy’s long career in law enforcement and diplomacy reflected his strong commitment to public service. During his service with United Nations Peacekeeping missions and as Niger’s Ambassador to the United Nations and later to the United States, Ambassador Wafy advanced peace and security for both Niger and the wider region. Through...

General

Washington, D.C: Ronald Clarence Kearney Pleads Guilty for Illegal Possession of a Firearm

Washington, D.C. Felon, Ronald Clarence Kearney Pleads Guilty in Maryland to Federal Charges for Illegal Possession of a Firearm Led Law Enforcement on a Car Chase from D.C. into Maryland Prior to His Arrest Baltimore, MD (STL.News) Ronald Clarence Kearney, age 32, of Washington, D.C., pleaded guilty on December 10, 2020, to a federal charge for being a felon in possession of a firearm. The guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur and Director Donald W. Washington of the U.S. Marshals Service. According to his guilty plea, on November 27, 2019, deputies of the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) went to Kearney’s residence in Washington, D.C. to arrest Kearney on an outstanding warrant. Kearney fled, getting into a 2011 Ford Crown Vic...

General

Department of Defense Awards $50 Million in University Research Equipment Awards

Washington, DC (STL.News) The Department of Defense (DOD) has announced awards to 150 university researchers totaling $50 million under the Defense University Research Instrumentation Program (DURIP). These grants will be provided to 85 institutions across 33 states in Fiscal Year (FY) 2021. DOD has long championed the country’s scientific ecosystem. Through DURIP, the department supports purchases of major research equipment to augment current and develop new capabilities. This effort enables universities to perform state-of-the-art research that boosts the United States’ technological edge, while ensuring that our future science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) workforce remains second to none. This year, the awards will support equipment and instrumentation to acc...

Politics

Washington Governor Statement of Biden and Harris

Washington Governor Inslee statement on President-elect Biden and Vice President-elect Harris Olympia, WA (STL.News) Washington Governor Jay Inslee made the following statement today congratulating President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris on winning the popular vote and the Electoral College. “The American people have spoken. My heartfelt congratulations go out to Joe Biden and Kamala Harris on receiving more votes than any presidential ticket in history and, with it, a clear majority of votes in the Electoral College. I am extremely optimistic about America’s future under their leadership. “The Biden-Harris administration will restore our nation to its principles, with respect for the rights of each and every American regardless of personal opinion or patronage...

Missouri, Political News

Washington: AG PROSECUTORS SEEKS TO PREVENT RELEASE

Washington: AG PROSECUTORS SEEKS TO PREVENT RELEASE OF GRAYS HARBOR COUNTY SEX OFFENDER INTO COMMUNITY (STL.News) – A Grays Harbor County Superior Court judge found probable cause to civilly commit a sex offender after the Washington Attorney General’s Office filed a petition to prevent his release to the community. Gary Lee Clark, 58, was convicted of second-degree rape with forcible compulsion, first-degree rape, and residential burglary with sexual motivation. Clark was due to be released from confinement on September 7, 2020, after serving his sentence for the first-degree rape and burglary convictions. The Attorney General’s Office petitioned to have him committed, alleging that he is mentally ill and dangerous. A judge found probable cause to believe Clark is a sexually violent ...

Politics

Washington Governor Inslee statement on continued ballot counting

Olympia, WA (STL.News) Gov. Jay Inslee issued a statement today as the country waits for votes to be counted. “There was always a possibility we wouldn’t know who would win the presidency on election night. More Americans this year have voted early and by mail than ever before due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Those votes were legal, duly-cast and must be counted, even if it takes some time. “Local election officials across Washington worked tirelessly to ensure this was a secure election and that every legal vote was counted – and there has been no information to suggest otherwise in our state or nationally. “States control elections, not the federal government. We know that counting continues until every ballot is tallied. This is how elections have always worked and the process must ...

Politics

Washington Governor Inslee Issues Directive for school staff’s benefits

Inslee issues directive to ensure continuity of benefits for school staff Olympia, WA (STL.News) Gov. Jay Inslee today issued a directive to the Department of Retirement Systems (DRS) to issue an emergency rule regarding continuity of pension benefits for school district employees continuing to experience work disruptions as a result of remote learning. Benefit continuity is critical to employees’ eligibility for assistance through Shared Work operated by the Employment Security Department, a tool used to retain employees who are necessary for schools to reopen as students resume in-person education. This order also directs Employment Security to include DRS' forthcoming emergency rule in their evaluation of eligibility for the Shared Work Program. The directive is effective immediately...

Missouri, Political News

Washington: Statement from the Press Secretary on Price Transparency

Washington: Statement from the Press Secretary on Price Transparency for Medical Services and Prescription Drugs (STL.News) – Today, the Trump Administration finalized the most far-reaching price transparency reform in the history of American healthcare – fulfilling a commitment President Donald J. Trump made to the American people. As a result of today’s action, health insurance companies will finally be required to disclose to the public the price they pay for covered services and prescription drugs. Further, insurance companies will be required to disclose the estimated cost a patient will have to pay, prior to that patient receiving care. In June of last year, President Trump signed the healthcare transparency Executive Order and promised the American people he would take on the spec...

Politics

Washington, State Safety Rest Area Workers Honored During Pandemic

State safety rest area workers honored for keeping freight moving and travelers safe during pandemic Olympia, WA (STL.News) The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted nearly every facet of daily life over the past eight months. While this time has been challenging, Washingtonians have met it with resilience and determination to listen to science and keep the virus under control. It has also shined a light on Washington’s frontline heroes, such as state maintenance workers, who have continued working every day to make sure rest areas are clean, open and safe through it all. Rest area crews from the Washington State Department of Transportation kept working in the field as essential workers during the “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” order. They also increased the frequency of their cleaning to help ke...

General

Washington: Press Release by United States Attorney

Washington: Press Release by United States Attorney Relating To November 2020 General Election (STL.News) – Acting United States Attorney Michael R. Sherwin announced today that Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) Liz Aloi will lead the efforts of his Office in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming November 3, 2020, general election. AUSA Aloi has been appointed to serve as the District Election Officer (DEO) for the District of Columbia, and in that capacity is responsible for overseeing the District’s handling of complaints of election fraud and voting rights concerns in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington. Acting United States Attorney Sherwin said, “Every citizen must be able to vote without interfere...