News You Ought to Know
Judge dismisses Trump lawsuit against NY over tax returns
By MICHAEL BALSAMO
WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal judge on Monday dismissed President Donald Trump’s lawsuit against New York officials that was aimed at preventing the release of his tax returns.
Judge Carl Nichols handed down a 19-page ruling, finding the U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., does not have jurisdiction to hear the case.
Trump sued New York’s attorney general, tax commissioner and the House and Ways Means Committee in July, seeking an injunction to block the application of a New York state law known as the TRUST Act that could allow the Democratic-controlled House to obtain the tax returns.
The House committee and its chairman, Rep. Richard Neal, D-Mass., have not requested Trump’s New York state tax returns. But the lawsuit was filed preemptively, citing concerns that the panel could use the TRUST Act to try to procure Trump’s state returns.
Trump has refused to release his tax returns since he was a presidential candidate and is the only modern president who hasn’t made that financial information public.
The TRUST Act, which was signed into law in July 2019, allows state officials to access the tax returns of certain government officials, including the president, if the tax returns are requested by a congressional tax committee and have been requested for a legitimate legislative purpose.
New York officials had argued that the court in Washington did not have appropriate jurisdiction in the case but agreed to delay acting on any congressional request for Trump’s tax returns until there was a ruling on the jurisdictional issue.
“Based on the current allegations, Mr. Trump has not met his burden of establishing personal jurisdiction over either of the New York Defendants,” Nichols, a Trump appointee, said in his ruling.
Trump’s attorney, Jay Sekulow, said he was reviewing the ruling.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas to Host Open Enrollment and Community Events
Representatives will be onsite to answer questions and provide bilingual enrollment assistance
RICHARDSON, Texas, November 12, 2019 – It’s open enrollment season, and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) is actively working to help Texans learn more about health insurance and enrollment opportunities.
In the coming weeks, BCBSTX will be holding a number of open enrollment events throughout the Dallas region at Sanitas Medical Centers. Representatives will be onsite to provide guidance in English and Spanish to assist individuals and families learn what health insurance options are available.
“Buying health insurance can be a confusing and daunting process,” said Dr. Dan McCoy, president BCBSTX. “That’s why we’ve deployed teams of representatives to open enrollment events throughout the community, including Sanitas Medical Centers, to provide face-to-face support during this process.
“I encourage everyone to research and understand what health insurance coverage options are available. But I want to also assure them that we will be there each step of their enrollment journey to answer any of their questions so they can make the right decision for them and their family.”
In addition to information about selecting the right health plan, other planned activities include:
- Free wellness checks
- Healthy food giveaways
- Community resources
Open enrollment and community events will be held in the Dallas region at the following Sanitas Medical Centers:
- November 16 – Sanitas Medical Center, 2021 N Town East Blvd, Ste 500, Mesquite, 75150
- November 23 – Sanitas Medical Center 3917 W Airport Fwy, Irving, 75062
- December 7 – Sanitas Medical Center, 350 S Plano Rd, Richardson, 75081
- December 14 – Sanitas Medical Center, 2021 N Town East Blvd, Ste 500, Mesquite, 75150
For more information or to sign up for these events call 866-427-7497 or visit WeAreHereForYouTexas.com.
Pet safety tips for winter weather
Dallas, Texas – As temperatures plummet to near freezing and North Texas begins to face winter weather advisories, it is critical that pet owners prioritize the safety of their pets. The City requires that all pets have access to warm and dry shelter once the actual or effective temperature reaches 32 degrees.
“What is adequate during our typical 50-degree winter days is not adequate during the freezing weather we are beginning to face now,” said Ed Jamison, director of Dallas Animal Services. “The safest option is to bring your pets indoors when the temperatures drop like this.”
Dallas Animal Services (DAS) suggests that if it’s too cold for you, it’s probably too cold for your pet. All pets are at risk during this weather, regardless of size or breed.
“Don’t be fooled by your pet’s fur coat,” continues Jamison, “even winter breeds with thick coats are at risk when temperatures reach freezing, particularly here in Texas where pets are not used to this type of weather.”
If you see a pet that you believe is in distress or is left outdoors in temperatures 32 degrees or below without shelter, please call 3-1-1 to make a report.
“We take the safety of pets in Dallas very seriously,” said Ann Barnes, DAS manger III – field & medical. However, don’t assume that any pet outside is in danger or without shelter. We ask that residents do their best to determine whether other pet owners have set up adequate outdoor shelter prior to calling to 3-1-1, because it allows officers to focus their attention on pets in dire need.”
Shelter isn’t the only important consideration during cold spells. To keep your pets healthy and happy during cold weather, the ASPCA recommends:
- Towel dry your pet as soon as you come inside on cold and wet days to keep pets comfortable and to avoid skin issues.
- Avoid shaving your pet’s fur short in winter months as this decreases their ability to stay warm.
- Keep walks short during wet or icy days and consider massaging petroleum jelly into their paws before leaving the house to provide extra protection. Booties are another great option!
- Pavement and cement are very cold in the winter, so walking on grass may be a more comfortable option.
- Remember that antifreeze and many chemicals used to melt ice are toxic to pets and should be avoided when possible or kept out of reach.
- Never leave a pet in a car during cold spells. Cars can act as refrigerators and can cause pets to freeze to death or experience hypothermia.
Grant will provide free mobile hotspots to students from six high schools
DALLAS — A grant from The 1Million Project Foundation will provide mobile internet access for approximately 5,000 Dallas ISD high school students.
Students at six high schools will receive a mobile LTE hotspot that can provide Wi-Fi access. The grant aims to provide free home internet access so that students can complete their school work, conduct research and access online instructional resources without limitations.
“I think it’s a force multiplier,” said Jack Kelanic, Dallas ISD chief technology officer. “Through the 2015 bond program, Dallas ISD will provide all new computers for high school students this year. But with the 1Million Project partnership, we’re now able to extend those benefits beyond the campus. Thousands of students can leverage these resources from home, whereby they might not have had that opportunity before.”
The 1Million Project Foundation’s mission is to help 1 million high school students who do not have reliable internet access at home reach their full potential by providing mobile devices with free high-speed internet access. The organization already supports approximately 340,000 high school students in 250 school districts across 35 states, according to their website.
The participating Dallas ISD campuses are South Oak Cliff High School, Lincoln High School, Franklin D. Roosevelt High School, James Madison High School, Wilmer-Hutchins High School and L. G. Pinkston High School.
All selected schools are FARE grant recipients. Every year, Dallas ISD’s Racial Equity Office provides additional funds to several campuses with the purpose of addressing academic and infrastructure needs.
“We are transitioning from textbooks and paper to digital instructional resources,” Kelanic said. “There is so much educational content available and we want our students to benefit from that. I think this will help student achievement.”
The mobile hotspot is completely free for the entire high school career of all the students at these six high schools. Since The 1Million Project is an education program, the service includes the necessary security and content-filtering to protect the students online.
Dallas ISD plans to apply for support at additional high school campuses in the future.
