THE TEXAS TRIBUNE – A plan, Joaquin Garcia told a crowd of immigrants last week, they must have a plan. “Who’s going to pick up the kids from school?” Garcia asked. "Payments on the house, car payments, house bills, the property title –– all of that has to be in your plan." For the estimated thousands of undocumented immigrants living in Texas’ Rio Grande Valley, deportation is a risk they live with every day. That risk has exceptionally increased after Donald Trump won a second term in the White House after spending nearly two years campaigning on the promise of mass deportation. Garcia is the director of community organizing for La Union del Pueblo Entero, or LUPE, a group that has supported immigrants, farm workers and Hispanic Texans for decades. The meeting last week was part of a "Know Your Rights" campaign that the organization is leading and that echoes similar information sessions that immigrant rights groups across Texas are hosting ahead of Trump’s inauguration. "We know that President-elect Donald Trump doesn't take office until January 20," Garcia said. "Right now is the best time to prepare." Asking the crowd to think about those scenarios was not meant to cause fear or panic, Garcia said, but encourage them to create a plan for themselves and their loved ones if they’re ever detained. "Who is going to be in charge of carrying out your life, so to speak, when you're facing deportation and you're stuck in detention?" Garcia asked again. Texas is home to about 1.6 million undocumented persons — the second-highest number in the United States behind California –– and the state’s Republican leaders strongly signaled they would readily work with the Trump administration in its deportation efforts. It was a rainy Friday evening when the group held their first training session. Nonetheless, a crowd of about 50 people showed up to attend the meeting. Demonstrating what rights they had in certain situations, Garcia and LUPE staff member Marcela Alejandre performed skits depicting different scenarios that undocumented residents could find themselves in such as a traffic stop and being detained for possible deportation. As those scenarios played out, LUPE staff asked those in the audience to think about what they could do in those situations or how they could avoid them altogether. Questions lingered among the audience, many of which they raised during the meeting. People raised their hands to ask what information they are required to disclose if they're detained, what legal trouble a citizen could face if they lived with undocumented residents, and whether there were any benefits to self-deportation. The LUPE staff admittedly didn't have all the answers and urged them to consult with an attorney for guidance. They also reminded them they would have more training sessions with the intention of providing more detailed information. One undocumented woman in attendance said she's attended LUPE meetings for years and was well aware of her rights. However, she seemed skeptical that the knowledge would save her from deportation. "The problem is that there are officials that don't care if you're paying insurance or paying taxes, that you have property –– they don't care," she said in Spanish. "They grab you and they take you, even if you know your rights. It just depends on the official you get when they arrest you." For now, she said, it's a waiting game. "We really don't know what's going to happen because some people say one thing, other people say another," she said. Reporting in the Rio Grande Valley is supported in part by the Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. This article originally appeared in The Texas Tribune . The Texas Tribune is a nonprofit, nonpartisan media organization that informs Texans — and engages with them — about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues.
By MICHELLE L. PRICE NEW YORK (AP) — Chad Chronister, Donald Trump’s pick to run the Drug Enforcement Administration, said Tuesday he was withdrawing his name from consideration, becoming the second person selected by the president-elect to bow out quickly after being nominated for a position requiring Senate confirmation. Sheriff Chronister, the top law enforcement officer in Hillsborough County, Florida, said in a post on X that he was backing away from the opportunity, which he called “the honor of a lifetime.” “Over the past several days, as the gravity of this very important responsibility set in, I’ve concluded that I must respectfully withdraw from consideration,” Chronister wrote. He did not elaborate, and Trump’s transition team did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment. Chronister follows former Republican congressman Matt Gaetz , Trump’s first pick to serve as attorney general, in withdrawing his name for a post in the administration. Gaetz withdrew following scrutiny over a federal sex trafficking investigation that cast doubt on his ability to be confirmed as the nation’s chief federal law enforcement officer. Trump’s pick of Chronister for the DEA job drew backlash from conservatives, who raised concerns over his actions during the COVID-19 pandemic and his saying that his office “does not engage in federal immigration enforcement activities.” In March 2020, Chronister arrested the pastor of a megachurch who held services with hundreds of people and violated a safer-at-home order in place aimed at limiting the spread of the Covid virus. “Shame on this pastor, their legal staff and the leaders of this staff for forcing us to do our job. That’s not what we wanted to do during a declared state of emergency,” Chronister said at the time. “We are hopeful that this will be a wakeup call.” U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky, was among those airing public complaints, saying Chronister should be “disqualified” for the arrest. Others flagged comments Chronister made in a video about Florida’s immigration laws that he released in 2023 that circulated again online after Trump named him last weekend. Related Articles National Politics | Trump team signs agreement to allow Justice to conduct background checks on nominees, staff National Politics | President-elect Donald Trump’s lawyers urge judge to toss his hush money conviction National Politics | Democrats stick with Schumer as leader, their strategy for countering Trump is far less certain National Politics | Trump vows to block Japanese steelmaker from buying US Steel, pledges tax incentives and tariffs National Politics | Democrats’ outgoing chair says Trump’s win forces party to reassess how it reaches voters In the video, Chronister praised the “rich diversity” of his community and called it “a place where people from all walks of life come together.” He said it was important to note his office “does not engage in federal immigration enforcement activities. We do not target individuals based on their immigration status. That’s the authority of federal agencies.” Trump has made a sweeping crackdown on immigration a central focus of his campaign and his aims for his coming administration. Associated Press writer Adriana Gomez Licon in Fort Lauderdale, Florida contributed to this report.Iowa QB Cade McNamara slams 'ridiculous' rumors2 lakh women will be inducted as LIC agents in 3 years: Nirmala SitharamanWhy Miami’s Pop-Tarts Bowl appearance is important even after missing College Football Playoff
The Miami Hurricanes, who once appeared to be a near-lock for the College Football Playoff, are not playing for a national title. Instead, they will play in the Pop-Tarts Bowl in Orlando. That bowl berth against Iowa State is a let-down for fans with dreams of a sixth national title in their minds, as well as players hoping to compete for a championship. However, Miami’s trip to Orlando and the lead-up to it are still crucial periods for the Hurricanes for multiple reasons. First, it’s a chance for the program to achieve something it has not done in more than two decades: win 11 games. Although the 11th win won’t get them closer to a championship, it is a good sign of the program’s progress over Mario Cristobal’s tenure. It would also end UM’s five-game losing streak in bowls. “We’re not satisfied,” Cristobal said. “We want to win every single game. We won 10. We were close on the other two, but close isn’t good enough. We want progress. We’re hungry and driven to get better, and so that’s what our focus is on: to improving as a football program, to getting better, to moving into the postseason with an opportunity against a great football team like this and putting our best on the field.” There are signs the Hurricanes will show up at close to full strength for the bowl game. Running back Damien Martinez announced he was going to play, and star quarterback Cam Ward said in a video call posted on social media that he intends to play, as well. “We’re trying to win our first bowl game in 20 years,” Ward said in the video, mistaking the length of UM’s long bowl losing streak. “We’re going hard.” Playing in the bowl game also provides the opportunity for the Hurricanes to get in several practices between now and the game. That means Miami can develop its young players and prepare them for next season during both the practices and the bowl game itself. “It’s extremely valuable,” Cristobal said. “You really don’t have many opportunities throughout the course of the year — time is limited more and more each season with your student-athletes. I want to state this and be very clear: it’s very important, it’s ultra-important for the University of Miami to continue to develop and grow and progress by stressing the importance of offseason opportunities ... You learn a lot about your team and learn a lot about your people and your program when you head to the postseason.” Of course, there are potential negatives. Players can get hurt; Mark Fletcher Jr. suffered a foot injury in the Pinstripe Bowl last year that cost him all of spring practice. A poor performance can also potentially set the tone for next season, like how Florida State, fresh off a playoff snub last year, suffered a devastating loss against Georgia in the Orange Bowl and went on to a dismal 2-10 season this year. “This is the ending of ’24 and the beginning of ’25,” Cristobal said. “This is the last opportunity to be on the field and carry some momentum into the offseason. So it is, in essence, it is the most important game because it’s the next game. “There’s a lot of excitement in the form of opportunity for our guys. Our guys love to play football. The chance to play one more time with this special group — this is a special group of guys now. They’ve worked hard to really change the trajectory of the University of Miami, and they want to continue to elevate the status and the culture at the University of Miami. So certainly a ton to play for.” ____ Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!GEORGE TOWN, Cayman Islands (AP) — Javan Buchanan's 28 points off of the bench led Boise State to an 83-82 victory against South Dakota State on Monday. Buchanan went 11 of 17 from the field (4 for 8 from 3-point range) for the Broncos (5-1). Alvaro Cardenas Torre added 16 points while going 6 of 13 (3 for 6 from 3-point range) while they also had seven assists. Julian Bowie went 4 of 4 from the field (3 for 3 from 3-point range) to finish with 13 points. Oscar Cluff finished with 19 points and 14 rebounds for the Jackrabbits (5-2). Joe Sayler added 19 points for South Dakota State. Kalen Garry had 13 points and five assists. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .
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Colts defense picks up the pace as offense continues searching for answers to red zone woesMINNEAPOLIS — Even as UnitedHealth Group workers have been wrongly made to feel unsafe by a barrage of threats and vitriol over the past nine days, CEO Andrew Witty said in a New York Times op-ed Friday that insurers must do better in being transparent with patients when coverage for care is denied. “Health care is both intensely personal and very complicated, and the reasons behind coverage decisions are not well understood,” Witty wrote in the guest column. “We share some of the responsibility for that. Together with employers, governments and others who pay for care, we need to improve how we explain what insurance covers and how decisions are made.” The comments follow a wave of public anger that crashed over the insurance industry online and in social media since the killing of Brian Thompson, the UnitedHealthcare chief executive and Maple Grove resident who was shot repeatedly on a sidewalk in New York City. The outrage was fueled by early media reports on Thompson’s death that quoted his wife as saying the executive had received threats, possibly over denials, and because the words “deny” and “delay” reportedly were found written on bullet casings recovered from the crime scene. UnitedHealth Group confirmed Thursday night that shooting suspect Luigi Mangione did not have health insurance from UnitedHealthcare, contrary to speculation that the 26-year-old might have been motivated by a coverage dispute with the company. Safety concerns amid the animosity prompted two other health insurers in the Twin Cities to temporarily close offices this month. Leaders of Minnetonka-based UnitedHealth Group have appreciated “an enormous outpouring of support” from some, Witty wrote, for Thompson as well as the company’s UnitedHealthcare insurance division. “Yet we also are struggling to make sense of this unconscionable act and the vitriol that has been directed at our colleagues who have been barraged by threats,” he said. “No employees ... should have to fear for their and their loved one’s safety.” UnitedHealth Group employs about 19,000 people at its corporate headquarters as well as the health insurance business and Optum, which runs clinics and manages pharmacy benefits. In the op-ed, Witty echoed themes he started to send during an investor conference that was interrupted by word that Thompson had been killed on his way into the event. The company is well aware of problems with the U.S. health care system, he said, and is focused on driving change. “We know the health system does not work as well as it should, and we understand people’s frustrations with it,” Witty wrote. “No one would design a system like the one we have. And no one did. It’s a patchwork built over decades.” When making decisions on whether to deny coverage or pay for patient services, health insurers rely on clinical evidence to determine whether a treatment is safe and will bring the best patient outcome, Witty wrote. For months before Thompson’s killing, tensions over health insurance denials were on display in Minnesota during contract disputes between UnitedHealthcare and two large health systems in the state. Bloomington-based HealthPartners and Duluth-based Essentia Health threatened to drop out of the insurance company’s Medicare Advantage networks, saying the denial rate was excessive at UnitedHealthcare. The insurance company called the allegations outlandish and untrue, while suggesting hospitals in contract disputes often try using patients as leverage to win higher reimbursement rates. Ultimately, both health systems agreed to contracts so they’ll stay in-network next year for UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans. In October, a report by a U.S. Senate subcommittee found problems at three national health insurers including UnitedHealthcare, which reportedly denied prior authorization requests for post-acute care at three times the rate of other requests. The company said in response it still approves the vast majority of requests for post-acute care for patients after hospitalizations, and that it is federally required to give those claims heightened scrutiny. In July, 11 people were arrested outside its Minnetonka headquarters during an event to spotlight coverage denials. The company responded by stressing the safety of its workers while asserting it had resolved the group’s concerns for individual patients and was open to further dialogue. Health policy experts say there’s been a lack of comprehensive data on how frequently denials occur as well as the reasons for them. Surveys have shown public support for making more information available to patients. In his editorial, Witty did not advance any specific proposals but called for greater understanding of how health care is complex and change is difficult. “While the health system is not perfect, every corner of it is filled with people who try to do their best for those they serve,” Witty wrote. “Brian was one of those people. ... The ideas he advocated were aimed at making health care more affordable, more transparent, more intuitive, more compassionate — and more human.” ©2024 The Minnesota Star Tribune. Visit at startribune.com . Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
A judge on Monday granted a request by prosecutors to dismiss the election subversion case against Donald Trump because of a Justice Department policy of not prosecuting a sitting president. Judge Tanya Chutkan agreed to the request by Special Counsel Jack Smith to dismiss the case against the president-elect "without prejudice," meaning it could potentially be revived after Trump leaves the White House four years from now. "Dismissal without prejudice is appropriate here," Chutkan said, adding in the ruling that "the immunity afforded to a sitting President is temporary, expiring when they leave office." Trump, 78, was accused of conspiring to overturn the results of the 2020 election he lost to Joe Biden and removing large quantities of top secret documents after leaving the White House, but the cases never came to trial. Smith also moved on Monday to drop his appeal of the dismissal of the documents case filed against the former president in Florida. That case was tossed out earlier this year by a Trump-appointed judge on the grounds that Smith was unlawfully appointed. The special counsel paused the election interference case and the documents case this month after Trump defeated Vice President Kamala Harris in the November 5 presidential election. Smith cited the long-standing Justice Department policy of not indicting or prosecuting a sitting president in his motions to have the cases dismissed. "The Government's position on the merits of the defendant's prosecution has not changed," Smith said in the filing with Chutkan. "But the circumstances have." "It has long been the position of the Department of Justice that the United States Constitution forbids the federal indictment and subsequent criminal prosecution of a sitting President," Smith said. "As a result this prosecution must be dismissed before the defendant is inaugurated." In a separate filing, Smith said he was withdrawing his appeal of the dismissal of the classified documents case against Trump but pursuing the case against his two co-defendants, Trump valet Walt Nauta and Mar-a-Lago property manager Carlos De Oliveira. - 'Empty and lawless' - Trump, in a post on Truth Social, said the cases were "empty and lawless, and should never have been brought." "Over $100 Million Dollars of Taxpayer Dollars has been wasted in the Democrat Party's fight against their Political Opponent, ME," he said. "Nothing like this has ever happened in our Country before." Trump was accused of conspiracy to defraud the United States and conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding -- the session of Congress called to certify Biden's win, which was violently attacked on January 6, 2021 by a mob of the then-president's supporters. Trump was also accused of seeking to disenfranchise US voters with his false claims that he won the 2020 election. The former and incoming president also faces two state cases -- in New York and Georgia. He was convicted in New York in May of 34 counts of falsifying business records to cover up a hush money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels on the eve of the 2016 election to stop her from revealing an alleged 2006 sexual encounter. However, Judge Juan Merchan has postponed sentencing while he considers a request from Trump's lawyers that the conviction be thrown out in light of the Supreme Court ruling in July that an ex-president has broad immunity from prosecution. In Georgia, Trump faces racketeering charges over his efforts to subvert the 2020 election results in the southern state, but that case will likely be frozen while he is in office. cl/smsMad about the price of eggs? Wait ’til you see coming health coverage cost hikes.
