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Sept. 15, 2014

CBS News - Attorney General Eric Holder says the Justice Department is launching a broad initiative to have local officials and community leaders play a bigger role in the battle against violent extremists -- such as ISIS.

"Today," Holder said in a video released Monday morning, "few threats are more urgent than the threat posed by violent extremism. And with the emergence of groups like ISIL (the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) (also known as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, or ISIL), and the knowledge that some Americans are attempting to travel to countries like Syria and Iraq to take part in ongoing conflicts, the Justice Department is responding appropriately."

Holder said the department is teaming with the White House, the Department of Homeland Security and the National Counterterrorism Center to launch urban pilot programs designed to bring together community representatives, public safety officials, religious leaders, and United States Attorneys to "improve local engagement ... counter violent extremism ... and - ultimately - to build a broad network of community partnerships to keep our nation safe."

Holder said they'll all try to "develop comprehensive local strategies, to raise awareness about important issues, to share information on best practices, and to expand and improve training in every area of the country."

He also announced that the White House will be hosting a Countering Violent Extremism summit in October.

"Ultimately," Holder said, "the pilot programs will enable us to develop more effective - and more inclusive - ways to help build the more just, secure, and free society that all Americans deserve."

Holder cautioned that, "Our work must continue to be guided by the core democratic values - and the ideals of freedom, openness, and inclusion - that have always set this nation apart on the world stage. We must be both innovative and aggressive in countering violent extremism and combating those who would sow intolerance, division, and hate - not just within our borders, but with our international partners on a global scale.

"And we must never lose sight of what violent extremists fear the most: the strength of our communities; our unwavering respect for equality, civil rights, and civil liberties; and our enduring commitment to justice, democracy, and the rule of law."

Continued here:
AG Eric Holder Upping Local Involvement in Anti-Terror Fight

John Tuohy, Stephanie Wang and Brian Eason, brian.eason@indystar.com 10:04 p.m. EDT September 15, 2014

Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard (Photo: Matt Kryger / The Star)

A City-County Council Democrat and aides to Republican Mayor Greg Ballard are seeking a way to save the mayor's early childhood education plan for low-income children.

The negotiations come as Ballard's funding proposal for the program appears headed for defeat at a council committee meeting Tuesday night.

The Democrat-controlled council is expected to reject paying for pre-kindergarten by eliminating a local property tax credit.

Democratic Councilman John Barth said he is trying to salvage a compromise that mollifies both sides. He has been in talks with the administration to find another way to fund the five-year, $50 million initiative that would provide pre-school for thousands of 4-year-olds.

The battle over the ambitious plan and how it would be paid for has raged since Ballard proposed it in July. Some observers see political gamesmanship at play, with the 2015 mayoral election quickly approaching and Democrats and Republicans eager to assign blame for derailed policies or claim credit for programs that are implemented.

Barth said about four or five funding alternatives have been proposed for the pre-K program, but he declined to give details. Though his party opposes paying for the program with the tax credit, some members think it is a worthy program that should be pursued, if possible, Barth said.

"There is some support on the council floor for a version of the pre-K program," Barth said. "What exactly it will look like is unknown so far, but the goal is to serve the same amount of children."

Mayoral spokesman Marc Lotter confirmed that proposals that don't touch the homestead credit are being discussed.

Excerpt from:
Democrat tries to rescue Ballard's pre-K plan

Rep. Mike Michaud, D-Maine, left, joined by Former President Bill Clinton, right, speaks Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2014 in Portland, Maine at a campaign rally for Michauds campaign for governor. (AP Photo/Joel Page) more >

By - Associated Press - Monday, September 15, 2014

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) Gubernatorial hopeful Mike Michaud says Maine must take advantage of telemedicine and support preventative care services that can reduce health care costs down the road.

The Democrats 10-part health care plan released on Monday also includes expanding Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, which he has pledged to put forward on his first day in office, if elected.

Republican Gov. Paul LePage opposes the expansion because he says it will be too costly for Maine.

Michauds plan also calls for facilitating the use of telehealth services, which allows physicians to interact with patients via video, to prevent costly hospital admissions.

He also proposes improving substance abuse and mental health services, by creating a policy center to recommend evidence-based prevention and treatment plans, among other things.

See the article here:
Democrat Michaud outlines ideas around health care

Im not Barack Obama, she says after demonstrating her prowess with a pump-action skeet gun. I disagree with him on guns, coal and the EPA, she added, referring to the Federal Environmental Protection Agency which is reviled as a regulatory burden in much of rural and conservative America.

Democrats currently control the 100-member senate - with 53 members and two Democrat-leaning independents - but most predictions show they are now likely to lose their majority in November, further emasculating the Obama presidency.

Democrats had hoped Ms Grimes could win an important victory, but she is currently trailing her opponent, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell by 5 points according to the RealClearPolitics aggregate of polls.

Mr McConnell, 72, was first elected in 1984, and in the ad Ms Grimess mocks the ageing senators attempt to curry favour with conservative voters when he brandished a musket at a major conservative conference in Washington earlier this year.

Mitch, thats not how you hold a gun, the youthful Ms Grimes taunted her opponent in closing the 30-second ad.

Mr McConnells campaign shrugged off the insult. An inexperienced Obama liberal with a gun is no less dangerous for Kentucky families than one without, his campaign told Politico.

Read the rest here:
Gun-toting Democrat Senate hopeful: 'I'm not Barack Obama'

Kansas Democrat Chad Taylor, who quit the U.S. Senate race there on Sept. 3, has found his exit blocked by a Republican who wont let him off the ballot.

Republican Secretary of State Kris Kobach rejected Taylors withdrawal letter as deficient, forcing the Democrat to stay in the contest where he could siphon votes from independent Greg Orman, who is running neck-and-neck with Republican incumbent Pat Roberts.

Taylor has sued to be removed from the ballot, which must be finalized by Sept. 19. The Kansas Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments today in Topeka.

The court battle comes as Republicans fight for a net gain of six seats in the Nov. 4 election that would give them control of the U.S. Senate. Democrats now hold 55 seats and are defending 21 of them. Republicans are defending 15 seats.

Roberts, whos held his post since 1997, trailed Orman 37 percent to 36 percent, according to SurveyUSA poll results released Sept. 8, in which voters were asked how they would vote knowing Taylor no longer wants to run yet will remain on the ballot. Ten percent said theyd vote for Taylor.

By keeping my name on the ballot despite my explicit and timely withdrawal, the Secretary of State is conscripting me to run for office, in violation of my First Amendment rights, Taylor said in court papers.

A state prosecutor in Kansass Shawnee County who struggled to raise money in the race, Taylor claims his withdrawal letter was approved by an official in Kobachs office before being rejected by the secretary of state.

Lawyers for Kobach said in court papers that the Democratic nominee failed to declare hes incapable of fulfilling the duties of the office if elected, as required by law, making his withdrawal letter ineffectual.

The letter was delivered to Kobachs office in the late afternoon of Sept. 3, the last day Taylor could legally drop out of the race, according to the secretary of states lawyers. The court said it will hear 20 minutes of argument from each side.

The case is Taylor v. Kobach, 14-112431-S, Kansas Supreme Court (Topeka).

Continue reading here:
Kansas Senate Race Dropout Sues to Get Name Off Ballot