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ALBANY Gov. Kathy Hochul often talks about her self-described humble beginnings that culminated in her accession to be the 57th governor of New York. Along the way, the Erie County native has made many friends, some of whom have coalesced into her inner circle.

Ahead of Hochul's first legislative session as governor, she has generally kept her top priorities close to her. She has emphasized her desire not to negotiate policy in the press. Instead, Hochul looks to speak directly with those involved in the decisions, including state Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Assembly Speaker Carl. E Heastie.

Hochul also has a wide range of people she has met along the way to becoming governor that she can trust and turn to for input. As lieutenant governor, from 2014 until former Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo resigned in August, Hochul often crisscrossed the state, cutting ribbons, touting economic development and cultivating relationships with people at all levels of government and commerce.

Here are a few people who the governor has said she turns to for advice.

Hochul refers to the leader of the New York conference of the NAACP, Hazel Dukes, as her "mom on Earth." Hochul, who lost her mother seven years ago, views Dukes, 89, as someone who has "stood with me through thick and thin" and is a "spiritual advisor.

"She calls me all the time and I pick up the phone and say, 'What do you need, Hazel?'" Hochul said when she introduced then-state Sen. Brian Benjamin as her lieutenant governor in Harlem.

Dukes was one of the first noteworthy people to endorse Hochul for governor. Dukes has significant influence in New York City and is close with the similarly influential Rev. Al Sharpton. The two appeared on stage with Hochul and Benjamin during their press event in August.

An activist, but also representative of an older guard of Democrats, Dukes could be among the influential voices advisingHochul on how far to take criminal justice policies that are set to be among the most contentious issues this session.

This story appears in the Times Union's new quarterly magazine devoted to the major trends driving the Capital Region's economy.

Assembly Majority Leader Crystal D. People-Stokes may not outrank Heastie, but her long relationship with Hochul is likely to play a major factor in the dynamics during session.

While Peoples-Stokes, a Buffalo Democrat, has championed marijuana reforms, she has pushed back against more progressive policies. In the recent divisive race for mayor of Buffalo, she supported incumbent Byron Brown, who ran a successful write-in campaign, over the partys primary nominee, Democratic-Socialist India Walton. Hochul avoided offering an endorsement.

Peoples-Stokes has a long history in elected office. She was a member of the Erie County Legislature from 1993 to 2002, and has since represented the 141st Assembly district, which includes the city of Buffalo.

Peoples-Stokes recalled her close, decades-long relationship with Hochul in the days prior to Hochuls appointment as governor.

When Peoples-Stokes ran for Congress in 1998, Hochul, then on the Hamburg Town Council, was the only Democrat who was willing to walk me through her community as a candidate, Peoples-Stokes told Buffalo TV station WVIB in August.

In 2014, when Cuomo tapped Hochul to be his running mate, Peoples-Stokes was named as co-chair of Cuomos campaign.And when Hochul did take over from Cuomo, Peoples-Stokes swiftly supported her fellow Erie County politician. She was among the first state lawmakers to endorse Hochul for a full term.

Hochul often talks about her time in local government and the importance of supporting the needs of those governments, as opposed to unilaterally placing unfunded and unpopular mandates that have been drawn up out of Albany or New York City.

One person Hochul has often referenced is Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz. When Hochul was county clerk, Poloncarz was comptroller there.

On Nov. 22, prior to the emergence of the omicron variant of COVID-19, Hochul issued a statement specifically thanking Poloncarz for a mask mandate he put in place as that county was dealing with overwhelmed hospitals. This is an example of the leadership we need to see at the local level to combat this deadly virus, Hochul said.

Three weeks later, defending her statewide mask policy, Hochul once again gave a shout out to Poloncarz and then vaguely referenced other, unnamed county executives.

With the state mask policy, which by this news conference already had been receiving substantial political blowback, Hochul said the county leaders are certainly appreciative now that the state will give them air cover in a sense.

The president of the influential Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York has quickly become a frequent attendee at news conferences for the governor. While Hochul looks to advance an agenda of building up the city, in step with President Joe Bidens infrastructure goals, the governor has turned to the labor leader for support.

Although LaBarbera has yet to formally endorse Hochuls bid for a full term for governor, he has appeared alongside Hochul multiple times. In December, the two joined up at events celebrating the multi-billion dollar expansion of the John F. Kennedy Airport in Queens. LaBarbera, in a statement, thanked Hochul for her effective leadership in moving this landmark infrastructure project forward.

Hochul is continuing to look to unions for political and financial support in her run for governor. Many of the trades union leaders, including LaBarbera, were politically close to Cuomo, but have generally signaled that they are moving forward with Hochul, the states top Democrat.

In 2018, when Hochul was running against New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams for reelection for lieutenant governor, LaBarbera endorsed Hochul as someone who has stood by our side on every one of our issues, bar none, according to news reports at the time. One of Hochuls potential Democratic primary opponents for governor is Williams.

As much as there are political and business people that may have the ear of Hochul, she perhaps references her faith and family as guiding her more than any other North Star.

Hochul, a Roman Catholic, has peppered her speeches with religious allegories at certain times. She had also made it an early habit to frequent churches for Sunday service and subsequent speeches.

She may not be back home in Erie County for every Sunday, but the governor has shown she is often rooted in her view of her faith, which includes a deep desire to support the homeless. Hochul, though, is a strong supporter of womens rights and their rights to abortion.

When Hochul was sworn in as governor, her immediate family members were alongside. It included her two children, her father and others. Hochul has emphasized the need to protect the elderly during the pandemic.

Hochul has also referenced her familys personal experience with losing a loved one to addiction issues, which is a guiding principle for her views on the opioid epidemic and recovery.

Hochuls husband, William J. Hochul Jr., is general counsel and secretary to Delaware North Companies, a major statewide player that deals in hospitality and gambling. Her spouse is the former U.S. attorney for the Western District of New York, serving under President Barack Obama, a point Hochul likes to discuss.

The two have vouched they would maintain a firm firewall on any potential issues of conflict and her husband has pledged to recuse himself from work that could be viewed as a conflict of interest.

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Allies in the governor's inner circle - Albany Times Union

Kevin Cole 'When Blessing Follows you' (2020) Mixed Media. 43 x84x9 inches. In the Collection of ... [+] John and Barbara Knox, Elgin, Illinois.

Bold colors erupt in an array of painterly strokes, from splatters to precise lines to geometric and organic shapes, applied to a labyrinthine three-dimensional sculptural canvas. The viewers gaze engages in a vibrant visual journey celebrating abstraction and multi-media textures.

The title, When Blessing Follows you (2020), evokes solace and spirituality. But a painful history is told through the vivid colors and interconnected shapes, that upon closer inspection, reveal themselves as neckties. Artist Kevin Coles work elegantly and eloquently shares narratives of Black struggle and Black power, creatively fighting to expose this nations shameful history.

Neckties emerged as a deeply personal and political symbol in Coles work after a formative conversation with his grandfather.

When I graduated high school, I didn't want to register to vote. I kept telling him I didn't think it was going to count, because Im just one person, Cole recalled. He was 91 years old, and he kneeled down and drew me a map and told me to go to a certain area on his property. He took me to a tree where Black people were lynched by their neckties on their way to vote.

His grandfather made a persuasive argument that compelled 18-year-old Cole to begin a lifelong research journey that is woven into the dialogue of decades of artworks spanning themes from powerful Black women to his appreciation of music.

Cole began studying the lynchings of Black people by white mobs in Jefferson County, Arkansas, where his grandfather lived. The area and this nation have long been confronting their racist legacies. The Equal Justice Initiative created of the National Memorial for Peace and Justice, honoring more than 4,400 Black people who were lynched, burned, mutilated, or brutally assaulted in the United States between 1883 and 1940. A necktie is likened to hangman's noose, a symbol long associated with lynching and racism.

Kevin Cole 'Ballot Box Series: Box of Many Colors' (2021) 10x14x8 inches Mixed Media. From the ... [+] collection of Brenda A. and Larry D. Thompson of Atlanta.

Born in Arkansas, Cole, now 60, earned a M.F.A in drawing from Northern Illinois University in Dekalb, a M.A. in art education and painting from the University of Illinois in Champaign, and aB.S. in art education from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, and moved to Georgia where he has a studio in Fairburn, some 17 miles south of Atlanta. His mixed-media work appears in more than 3,600 prominent public, private, and corporate collections throughout the country. Hes won more than 66 art awards, 27 fellowships and grants, and 51 teaching awards. His work has been on view at 22 solo, group, juried, and invitational exhibitions since 1998.

Neckties are prevalent in Coles latest Gerrymandering series, which includes an array of large-scale works that amplify the charge for social justice. The ongoing series depicts the shapes of seven Southern states where Black votes are suppressed, each etched into aluminum with symbols and imagery, including neckties and scars, and dirt from that state adhered to the canvas. Seven works he calls Banners will be suspended from the ceiling to represent the swing states. Each Banner will hang nine-feet long and will be etched with necktie and scarf shapes to symbolize various court cases or information associated with each state. Cole also created life-size Poll Tax Ballot Box works, both monochromatic and brightly colored, as well as a series of smaller ballot boxes.

Some years ago, I introduced the concept of mapping as the foundation for pieces related to certain counties and certain Southern towns that were hotbeds of hate over the last century. This spawned further work on lynching with the series Tied Up in Politics, said Cole.

Kevin Cole 'Ballot Boxes Series Where Fate Lies' 2021 3046x24 inches Mixed Media

Cole an educator who serves as an Advanced Placement art consultant for the New York city-based College Board representing more than 6,000 of the world's leading colleges, schools, and other educational organizations extensively researches each state and its people before creating artworks.

I stumbled upon the work of several authors who focused on gerrymandering and how it has become the last firewall for those who would rather continue their indefensible dominance in society rather than abide by the rules they made up which gave power to the idea of one man, one vote, said Cole. Through gerrymandering, even though each man and woman has a vote, districts are so drawn that the balance of power still remains with those who have always been in power. This must continue to be addressed.

Coles wide-reaching academic sources include Freedom Is Not Enough: Black Voters, Black Candidates, and American Presidential Politics, a 2007 book by Ronald W. Walters. The American author, speaker, and scholar of African-American politics who died in 2010, examined the 2000 electoral results and the potential impact of disenfranchised Black voters in Florida. Walters explored the effect that Jesse Jackson had on the Democratic party and the electorate in 1984 and 1988, and the influence that Carol Moseley Braun and Al Sharpton had on voters during the 2004 Democratic debates.

I've tried to get rid of the neckties and just move forward, but its a political statement that stays in there, just like a lot of my titles are positive titles. The reason they're positive titles is because we've come a long way, but we have so far to go. When you listen, when you look at someones work, you find the phases of human experiences. I listen to a lot of sermons, a lot of speeches, and that's where I get my titles from. And from music, because its a universal language.

Cole is particularly inspired by jazz and gospel music. His mother was devoted to the church and his grandmother owned a jazz club.

I've always listened to all types of music, depending on what I'm working on, said Cole, underscoring the complex processes, materials, and themes across his oeuvre.

Every medium I use has to do with the situation, said Cole. I started working with aluminum after September 11 (2001). I was supposed to be in New York with a friend looking at galleries, and (the attacks) happened the day before, so I decided I wouldn't go. An artist by the name of Bill Stevens sent me a picture of a little boy holding a piece of metal and tar paper which was some of the debris from the Twin Towers.

Kevin Cole 'Arkansas: Where Faith Meets Opportunities' (2020) I15x20 inches Mixed Media on paper

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Artist Kevin Cole Depicts Complexities Of The Black Experience Through Large-Scale Multi-Media Works That Re-Examine U.S. History - Forbes

its Presidents prerogative to appoint spy Chief

The National Security Adviser Major General Babagana Monguno (rtd), has said it is the prerogative of the President to appoint the Director General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA).

Monguno, said the appointment of Ambassador Ahmed Rufai Abubakar, as the Director General of NIA met the provisions of the Instrument establishing the Agency under the National Security Agencies Act 1986 (Cap 278 LFN).

The NSA was accused of telling the National Assembly that he was unaware of the appointment of the Spy Chief in 2018.

The Head Strategic Communication Office of the National Security Adviser, Zakari Usman, in a statement, described the allegation as false.

According to the statement, the attention of the Office of the National Security Adviser has been drawn to recent reports in the social media credited to some unnamed former Directors of the National Intelligence Agency over the appointment of the Agencys Director General.

To set the record straight, by the provisions of the Instrument establishing the Agency under the National Security Agencies Act 1986 (Cap 278 LFN), the appointment and tenure of the Director General of the National Intelligence Agency is the exclusive prerogative of the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.

It added that, the appointment of the Director General of the National Intelligence Agency was made in full compliance with the relevant law.Reported speculations by the unnamed former Directors that the National Security Adviser had told the National Assembly that he was unaware of the Director Generals appointment in 2018 is false.

This office wishes to note that a Federal High Court presided over by Justice Okon Abang has already dismissed a suit challenging the appointment of the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency.

The general public and indeed all stakeholders in the Security and Intelligence sector are advised to disregard the unfortunate falsehood being peddled by these shadowy groups.

Furthermore, groups and individuals who use pseudonyms to issue false claims are cautioned against violating the secrecy upon which the Intelligence Community functions. Appropriate action is being taken to unmask them and bring them to justice.

The intelligence Community is pleased with the work of the Director General, Ambassador Ahmed Rufai Abubakar since his appointment.

The National Security Adviser is equally satisfied with the level of consultations between his office and the Director General in achieving the functions of the National Intelligence Agency.

Contrary to these false claims Ambassador Abubakar never failed a promotion exam and has consistently been an outstanding officer.

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Appointment of DG of NIA in order, says NSA - Guardian

By Jimmy LaRoue and Titus Mohler

Staff Writers

The varsity football teams from Kings Fork High School and Nansemond-Suffolk Academy earned a variety of state accolades, including top individual honors, along with NSAs varsity volleyball team this past fall.

Five players from the standout Kings Fork football team that finished 11-2 and reached the state semifinals were named to the Virginia High School Leagues Class 4 all-state team, with Kyree Moyston named Defensive Player of the Year.

Senior Bravion Campbell was named first-team all-state at both tight end and linebacker, junior Kaletri Boyd was tabbed as a first-team all-state selection as a kick returner and second-team all-state as a receiver, and Moyston, a senior who recently signed a national letter of intent to play at Virginia Tech, was named first-team all-state at defensive end in addition to his player of the year honor.

Freshman Javon Ford was named second-team all-state at running back. He was one of just two freshmen named to either first or second-team all-state.Junior Antoine Gray received second-team all-state honors at defensive back.

The Bulldogs only losses of the season came against state champions, falling to Class 6 state champion Oscar Smith High School during the regular season and to Class 4 champion Varina High School 35-28 in the state semifinals.

Varinas Marcus Lewis was named Coach of the Year and all-purpose player Anthony Fisher was named Offensive Player of the Year.

Of the Bulldogs 11 wins, two were by shutout, and in seven of them, they allowed fewer than 10 points.

Nansemond-Suffolk was well-represented on the 2021 Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association Division II all-state teams for football, led by senior running back George Pettaway, who was named Co-Offensive Player of the Year.

The Saints, who made a state semifinal appearance and finished 7-4 this past season, drew eight all-state selections, with six coming on the first team. Making the first team on offense on the line was senior Nathan Dowd and at running back was Pettaway, who has committed to play for the University of North Carolina.

Selected to the first team on defense were senior lineman David Russell, senior linebacker Josh Morris, senior defensive back Christian Townsend and sophomore kick returner Preston Groves.

Making the second team on offense were senior wide receiver Jaden Freeman and senior lineman Brendan Livesay.

In volleyball, NSA drew four state honors, including Coach of the Year for Robyn Ross.

On the VISAA Division II all-state first team for the Lady Saints were Marlin Price and Alyssa Waddy. Kyra Bradford was named to the second team.

In field hockey, Nansemond River High School and NSA each drew three all-state selections.

Lady Warriors senior forward Halle Fago made the VHSL Class 5 all-state first team. Named to the second team were junior midfielder Madie Baker and freshman Anyia Woods, the latter receiving an at-large selection.

Page Henry, of the Lady Saints, made the VISAA Division II all-state first team, and Meredith Edwards and Sara Rhodes made the second team.

In girls tennis, NSA was represented on the VISAA Division II all-state first team by Kayla Kosiorek and on the second team by Anne-Perry Harrell.

In boys soccer, the VISAA Division II all-state second team included NSAs Chris Clarke and Bola Orenuga.

VHSL Class 5 all-state honors for football and boys volleyball, which could include Nansemond River honorees, have not yet been announced. VHSL Class 3, 4 and 5 all-state accolades for competition cheer, which could include Lakeland High School, Kings Fork and Nansemond River honorees, respectively, have also yet to be announced, along with Class 3 boys volleyball all-state selections.

Originally posted here:
King's Fork, NSA teams earn top state honors - The Suffolk News-Herald - Suffolk News-Herald

Following on from its success in 2021, the National Sheep Association (NSA)s series of Breakfast Club webinars is returning for the new year with speakers looking forward to sharing useful and up to date information with sheep farmers and other interested parties throughout 2022.

Providing sponsorship to assist in the delivery of the Breakfast Club sessions this year is long-standing NSA supporter Roythornes.

Roythornes is one of the top agricultural law practices in the country, providing practical and targeted advice on wide-ranging agricultural policy and legislative changes. Roythornes also provide free legal advice* to NSA members as one of the benefits of NSA membership subscription.

Mark Dodds, Marketing Manager at Roythornes, commented: Were delighted to be sponsoring the NSA Breakfast Club webinars as they are clearly valued by members of the NSA and provide an invaluable source of information in a sometimes-complicated world.

As a firm, we have always had a very close affinity with farming and agriculture, and the sponsorship enables us to support those who are working hard in challenging times.

The first NSA Breakfast Club of the year will take place next Wednesday, January 12 askingWho will eat UK sheep meat in 2022?

The session, a review of current overseas work to promote UK sheep meat products, will feature speakers Dr. Phil Hadley, AHDB International Market Development Director and David Swales, AHDB Head of Strategic Insight, with Alistair Sneddon, NSA English Committee member and senior partner at Bagshaws, chairing the discussion.

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NSA Breakfast Club webinars to return in 2022 - Agriland.co.uk