Today's news round-up

Good News

• Electoral Map Is a Reality Check to Trump’s Bid I've kept the presidential election out of these round-ups, because there's been more than enough coverage elsewhere. However, this pretty much sums up my feelings about where things stand now. I do not think Trump stands a chance to win the presidency. However, I do hope he gets the Republican nomination. I think it would give the Democrats a good chance to take back the Senate, and an outside chance of taking back the House also.
• PepsiCo CEO asks North Carolina governor to repeal law, also Stephen Schwartz Writes About Discrimination in North Carolina; Will Deny Local Show Rights
• Judge won’t let widely known conservative lawyer defend Cliven Bundy
• The Associated Press style guide will no longer capitalize 'internet'

Living with wild turkeys XXI

Ohio: Turkey smashes through Summit County home's window

Recent news round-up, Part 2

Good News

• Sikh U.S. Army captain allowed to wear beard, turban in uniform
• Film to help families prevent LGBT youth suicides
• Job-seekers return at fastest pace since before recession
• Florida Just Made It Harder For Police To Take People’s Stuff
• Woman Accused Of Murdering Her Abusive Ex Goes Free After Almost 3 Years Behind Bars

Bad News

• Arizona governor signs 3 bills targeting abortion providers

Recent news round-up, Part 1

Good News

• Judge blocks Mississippi ban on adoption by same-sex couples
• FCC Vote Kicks Off Debate Over Consumers’ Internet Privacy Rights
• Police Officer in Mail Carrier’s Arrest Is Stripped of His Badge
• Pittsburgh station fires newswoman over black-on-black crime Facebook post

Bad News

• Miffed Maine governor refuses to swear in new senator

Headline of the day

Earnhardt Jr. says donating brain to science a 'no-brainer'

Yesterday's news round-up

Good News

• Obama shortens prison sentences for 61 drug offenders 
• Virginia governor vetoes 'religious exemption' bill 
• U.S. states to dissolve cancer charities accused of misusing funds
• New abortion drug label could undo several state laws

Bad News

• Boko Haram kill six soldiers in southeast Niger: ministry

Cartoon of the day

From xkcd, of course

Recent news round-up

Good News

• Georgia governor to veto religious protection seen as anti-gay
• Louisiana Drafting Order To Rescind Anti-Gay Measure In Wake Of Georgia Veto
• Tied 4-4 after Scalia's death, high court gives unions a win It's a nice victory, but there is no precedent set, except in the circuit where this came from. This just kicks the issue down the road to a future Supreme Court.
• Judge Awards $2 Million in Fees in Same-Sex Marriage Case
• Virginia Governor Vetoes Bill Targeting Planned Parenthood
• Dominicans see LGBT rights advancing with gay US diplomat
• Paul Ryan's hometown passes anti-discrimination ordinance

Bad News

• Utah governor signs bill requiring abortion anesthesia

Animal headline of the day

Giant tortoise gets his first bath in 184 years

Yesterday's news round-up

Good News

• Robert De Niro Pulls Anti-Vaccine Documentary From Tribeca Film Festival There's no place for junk science in a reputable film festival.
• Salt Lake City Lyft Driver Fired Over Anti-Muslim Comments

Bad News

• New York's stringent paperless-prescribing law takes effect This is really bad for the patients. It gives them, I should say us, no opportunity to shop around for a better price. Even worse is when the pharmacy you specify is out of stock. I don't know what you'd do. And I have heard that doctors can only prescribe via specific computers--which they will not have access to if they are out of the office. 
• Pakistan suicide attack kills 65 celebrating Easter in Lahore
• Suicide bombers kill three soldiers in attack on Iraq base
• Turkish soldier killed in Iraq by IS rockets fired at base

Micro movie review

Eye in the Sky Helen Mirren and the late Alan Rickman in his last film: An international mission to capture a terrorist in Kenya escalates when it uncovers suicide bombers about to go into action. The mission is portrayed in real time, and it is gripping from start to finish.

Recent news round-up, Part 3

Good News

• Wisconsin Man Sentenced to 3 Years for Threatening Obama
• US indicts seven Iranians over hacking banks, dam
• Woman convicted of working for decade as unlicensed attorney
• Virginia Governor Vetoes Gun Bill Undoing Executive Order

Bad News

• Threats continue following Oregon wildlife refuge takeover I really hope some of these people making threats are caught. They belong in jail.

Recent new round-up, Part 2

Good News

• Tennessee anti-trans “bathroom bill” will not move forward
• Ohio museum apologizes after woman is told not to breastfeed
• A Top ISIS Leader Is Killed in an Airstrike, the Pentagon Says

Bad News

• Officer Harasses Woman For Wearing Hijab At Shaw Library, Eyewitnesses Say
• Controversial new handgun design looks exactly like a smartphone
• IS claims suicide bombing on stadium in Iraq that killed 29
• Boko Haram kidnaps 16 women in NE Nigeria: police
• Suicide bombers kill three soldiers in attack on Iraq base

At the book store

Posted by Tim Hankel on Wednesday, March 23, 2016

He's really got a lot of funny stuff on his Facebook timeline.

Recent news round-up, Part 1

Good News

• For Transgender New Yorkers, a Center of Their Own in the Bronx
• XKCD’s Randall Munroe is providing illustrations for science textbooks I love XKCD (as seen below)--though I don't always understand it.

Bad News

• Employers fight rule that could broaden transgender rights
• NC lawmakers heading for special session Wednesday to discuss LGBT ordinance
• The End of Research in Wisconsin I'm sad for my alma mater, despite the victory of the men's basketball game on Sunday. I don't think I'd recommend it to anyone to attend or to work for. 
• Tennis tourney director: Women 'ride on coattails of men' However: WTA Tour CEO assails 'alarming' criticism of female players Moore did apologize. I am guessing it was after he sobered up. UPDATE: Tennis tourney director quits after criticizing women pros

Today's news round-up

Good News

• At Site of Gay Man’s Murder, a Street Corner Acknowledges Its Past

Bad News

• Istanbul on edge after suicide attack blamed on IS
• 13 Egypt policemen killed in Sinai attack claimed by IS

Animal headline of the day

Offended duck attacks quacking motorist in Britain

Recent news round-up, Part 2

Good News

• ‘Religious liberty’ bill jeopardizes Atlanta Super Bowl bid and Tech Company Ditches Georgia Because of Bill That Undermines LGBT Rights
• Business leaders oppose Missouri religious objections bill
• Pizzeria owner who recruited for IS group gets 22 1/2 years

Bad News

• Experts: IS expanding its global reach through social media

Recent news round-up, Part 1

Good News

• First GOP senator calls for vote on Garland court nomination
• U.S. general Lori Robinson to become first woman to lead combatant command
• Oregon refuge protester arrested after threats against U.S. officers
• Norway set to allow gender change without medical intervention
• Iraq forces in major push against IS in Anbar

I Suppose This Is Good News

• Costs May Scuttle Oklahoma Anti-Abortion Curriculum Bill

Bad News

• Police: Atlanta man pours boiling water on gay couple in bed
• Lufthansa reports near miss with drone over Los Angeles
• How Chicago racked up a $662 million police misconduct bill

Cartoon of the day

From Xkcd:

Animal headline of the day

Florida woman fights to keep potty-trained pet alligator

Today's news round-up, Part 2

Good News

• Five North Carolina Sheriff's deputies disciplined over Trump rally
• Botswana's top court rejects gov't bid to ban gay rights group
• Justice Department probing town's denial to build mosque
• Man charged with supporting Islamic State pleads guilty
• ‘Gotham’ Renewed For Season 3 By Fox This is one of the two non-PBS series I've been watching the last couple years. I started watching only because I know someone who had a tiny recurring part in it during the first season. 

Bad News

• Two suicide bombers kill 22 in Maiduguri, NE Nigeria

Today's news round-up, Part 1

Good News

• Guilty plea in nude photo hack reveals 'phishing' scam
• Ohio prosecutor in Tamir Rice shooting case loses re-election bid
• French historians unveil WWII secret services' archives
• New York details major ferry expansion for 2017
• For New York hospital's patients, miniature horses are a strong Rx

Bad News

• Instagram to ditch chronological user feed for 'interest' based one I've never gotten an Instagram account, but this is just one more reason not to.
• Cyber criminals snap up expired domains to serve malicious ads
• Agency told to 'stand down' in assault inquiry

Happy birthday, James Madison!

Yesterday's news round-up

Good News

• Americans increasingly approve of gay and lesbian adults adopting kids
• 'Indiana Jones' to return with Ford and Spielberg Even if it isn't close to the early ones, it still should be fun.

Bad News

• Apple fight could escalate with demand for 'source code'

Living with moose XIV

Mellow moose takes a leisurely stroll through traffic in Massachusetts

Today's news round-up

Good News

• California man sentenced for lying about Islamic State
• Judge won't reduce jail term for woman's role in gay attack
• DOJ to state judges: time to end 'pay or stay' imprisonment
• Marines Alter Women's Uniform Policy to Cover More Tattoos
• White ex-trooper guilty in shooting of unarmed black man

Bad News

• GOP prepares to fight Obama nominee, no matter whom he picks The people did have a say in the next Supreme Court justice. We voted for the president that will nominate him/her, as well as the senators who will vote on whether to confirm him/her--assuming the Senate actually does its job. 
• Bahrain jails female opposition figure with child
• IS returns to Iraqi town, 24 hours after vacating it

Happy Pi Day!

From KQED Science

Recent news round-up, Part 2

Good News

• Fairborn officer fired after earlier Facebook comments

Recent news round-up, Part 1

Good News

• California Gives Terminally Ill Residents The Right To Die On Their Own Terms
• Online harassment must be met head-on: tech summit panel
• IS jihadists pull out of several Iraq towns: officers
• U.S., allies launch 18 air strikes against Islamic State in Syria, Iraq: statement

Bad News

• CBS News Reporter Tossed To Ground At Trump Melee, Charged With Resisting Arrest The Chicago police have been out of control since probably forever.
• Egypt court sentences blogger to 3 years for insulting women
• At least 16 dead as gunmen storm Ivory Coast beach resort

Animal headline of the day

Rampant roosters rounded up in Australian city

Recent news round-up, Part 2

Good News

• Two Louisiana sheriff officials charged in federal court with jail assaults
• Ethiopian girl wins $150,000 for rape, abduction and marriage at 13

Bad News

• South Dakota governor signs 20-week abortion ban into law
• Uganda moves to tighten control of social media

Recent news round-up, Part 1

Good News

• Oregon protesters face new charges over occupation of refuge
• Senate panel confirms 1st openly gay military service leader
• Man charged with assaulting protester at Trump rally in North Carolina: report I hope the officers who failed to arrest the man who hit the protester are disciplined. UPDATE: Five North Carolina Sheriff's deputies disciplined over Trump rally
• Islamic State defector brings 'goldmine' of details on 22,000 supporters
• Judge: 17-year-olds can vote in Ohio presidential primary
• How a hacker's typo helped stop a billion dollar bank heist
• Ivy League adds basketball tournaments for 2017
• U.S. spy agencies to celebrate LGBT employees
• US gives tentative OK to testing genetically modified mosquitoes
• Thousands evacuated as Iraqi forces advance against IS

Living with wild turkeys XX

Too many turkeys: Staten Island calls foul over bird woes

Today's news round-up

Good News

• Kansas: Planned Parenthood still gets Medicaid funds despite threats
• 2 Baltimore officers charged in recorded assault on teen
• Iraqi officials: US captured top IS chemical arms engineer
• 2 Muslims settle lawsuits over church services in Ohio jail
• After Trump endorsement, NASCAR leader faces the fallout

Bad News

• Missouri religious exemption measure advances

Animal headline of the day

Bird poop apparently caused NY nuclear reactor outage

Recent news round-up, Part 2

Good News

• Supreme Court sides with lesbian over parental rights
• Kentucky: Democrats win 3 House races, a blow to GOP takeover attempts
• Judge Lets Planning, Funding Proceed for Bullet Train

Bad News

• Police say 15-year-old raped, set on fire outside New Delhi

Recent news round-up, Part 1

Good News

• NYC's WiFi-equipped buses will debut in Queens this year
• Second Wachowski sibling comes out as transgender
• Missouri Democrats filibuster religious objections measure
• IS commander 'likely killed' in Syria air strike: US official

Bad News

• Under attack, Indonesian LGBT groups set up safehouses, live in fear
• DIY Abortions Are on the Rise, According to These Chilling Google Searches

Living with bobcats LXI

New York: Sighting Of Bobcats In Northern Westchester Gets Attention On Social Media

I haven't done a bobcat report in a long time, because they just got so repetitive. But this is getting close to me--only about 40 miles away. And if coyotes can make it into Manhattan, I don't see why bobcats can't.

Today's news round-up

Good News

• Hundreds expected at gay wedding expo in Utah
• Libyan forces target Islamic State in Sirte with air strikes
• West Africa's Sahel nations to set up anti-Islamist units

Bad News

• A New York Public School Is Being Threatened and Harassed Over This Art Project
• Growing attacks on Polish gay rights groups: commissioner
• Pakistani lawyers' group behind spike in blasphemy cases
• Suicide attack kills at least 47 south of Iraqi capital

Animal headline of the day

Dog pops up in driver's seat when semi crashes in Minnesota

Recent news round-up, Part 3

Good News

• Spanish police seize 20,000 military uniforms bound for jihadists

Bad News

• Kentucky Lawmaker Joseph Fischer Is Trying to Stop Marriage Equality
• Airlines slow to adopt safety technologies after MH370

Recent news round-up, Part 2

Good News

• Supreme Court temporarily blocks Louisiana abortion law
• Judge denies pretrial release for last Oregon refuge holdout
• Arizona police officer charged in fatal shooting of unarmed man
• Nigeria frees 63 after dislodging Boko Haram Islamists: army
• U.S. top court denies bid to block mercury air pollution rule

Bad News

• Mount Saint Charles Academy in Rhode Island to Reject Transgender Applicants
• Indianapolis man won't go to prison for molesting daughter with cancer I rather doubt he will be able to contribute very much. He belongs in jail.
• Citigroup executives avoid U.S. charges over mortgage bonds - document This type of thing won't stop until some of the people doing it go to jail.

Recent news round-up, Part 1

Good News 
No, wait. This is Great News.

• South Dakota Governor Vetoes Law on Transgender Bathrooms I didn't expect this. UPDATE: Lawmakers fail to override transgender bill veto

Good News

• Alabama high court rejects challenge to gay marriage
• San Antonio officer who shot unarmed [man] to be fired
• Hate crime charge filed in assault of Sikh bus driver I'm glad they filed the charges.

Bad News

• Turkish police raids opposition paper hours after take over

Happy Grammar Day!

Living with wild turkeys XIX

'Love struck' turkey lays claim to parked Honda Civic in New Jersey

Today's news round-up

Good News

• Air strike targets suspected Islamic State convoy in Libya - town official

Bad News

• Virginia Woman Claims KFC Fired Her for Being Transgender  UPDATE: KFC fires manager who hired then fired woman after he found out she was trans
• French cleaners scrub off street art
• At least 33 killed in IS-claimed Baghdad bombings

Animal headline of the day

Oregon city fires its grounds-keeping goats with 'barnyard aroma'

Today's news round-up

Good News

• Female Pilot Unit Gains Support in Congress for Right to Arlington Burials
• Utah bills would allow law enforcement to shoot down drones
• Hundreds of Boko Haram hostages freed; 100 militants killed
• Army reopens Boko Haram-hit roads in NE Nigerian state

Animal headline of the day

Sea lion takes a booth at San Diego restaurant on the beach

Recent news round-up

Good News

• Washington to launch its first streetcar line since 1962
• Nigeria army foils Boko Haram attack: military

Bad News

• CNN: Cables “Tampered With” At Donald Trump’s Chris Christie Endorsement Event
• Court orders abortion waiting period to be enforced in Florida
• Group: Ruling may leave Louisiana with 1 abortion clinic Also: Louisiana abortion clinics ask high court help to stay open
• Muslim-majority Indonesia's gay community under attack, Mayor Blames Instant Noodles for Rise in LGBT Indonesians

Animal headline of the day

Pony leads California police on a wild unicorn chase

Recent news round-up, part 2

Bad News

• Oklahoma Supreme Court upholds state law on limiting abortion drugs
• Federal judge: Citizens can't always record the police I don't think this decision will be upheld.
• Mississippi lawmakers not erasing Confederate emblem on flag
• Nissan Leaf’s app could let hackers run down batteries and see trip logs

Recent news round-up, Part 1

Good News

• Attorneys: Transgender inmate's surgery order will stand
• Feds want proof for ACA exchange special enrollment windows If people cheat then the ACA won't work.
• Oregon refuge protesters to be arraigned over armed occupation
• Polygamous sect leaders facing food stamp fraud charges
• Google's Project Shield helps any news site beat DDoS attacks
• 'Wow': Facebook launches 'Reactions' worldwide

Bad News

• IS briefly takes center of strategic Libyan city

Animal headline of the day

Hungry mice thwart fix for Brussels' traffic chaos

Today's news round-up

Bad News

• Across Europe, gay migrants face abuse in asylum shelters However: Shelter for 120 gay refugees to open in Berlin
• Collier girl hit by stray bullet from neighbor's property
• IS gets millions in ransom for abducted Christians

Animal headline of the day

Otter rescued by police turns out to be faux-fur collar

Today's news round-up

Bad News

• Officer fired for threatening tweets back on force
• Gender Bias in the Classroom Is Pushing Women Out of STEM Programs
• Clashes in jihadist-held Iraq city halt after residents seized
• IS bombings kill nearly 120 as US presses Syria truce

Snowy owl spotted soaring by Montreal traffic camera

Source

Yesterday's news round-up

Good News

• Big tech companies are joining Apple in its encryption fight
• Family members sentenced to life in prison in U.S. cyberstalking case
• Iraqi tribesmen battle IS inside Fallujah for second day

Bad News

• How Southern states are now challenging gay marriage, Kentucky Bill Would Give Same-Sex Couples Different Marriage Licenses Many, if not all, of these laws will be held unconstitutional.

Recent news round-up, Part 2

Good News

• FCC approves proposal to boost TV set-top box competition
• Ohio tests 10,000 rape kits to clear backlogs, hundreds indicted

Recent news round-up, Part 1

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

Animal headline of the day

Idaho hiking reopens, with hikers warned not to feed goats

Weather forecasting

Blogging break

As I did in November, this week I am minimizing my time on the computer, so I can continue cleaning up my office. I won't be posting much, if anything.

But I'll be back next week.

Recent news round-up

Good News

• Turkey police recover stolen Picasso in Istanbul: report
• Hollande waives prison for abused woman who shot husband
• Wisconsin activists push student free-press protections
• Officer resigns after uproar over words to black motorist

Bad News

• 4 remaining occupiers of wildlife refuge remain watchful There is no acceptable reason for giving them immunity. Starve them out.
• Tax Scams Are Targeting Uninsured, I.R.S. Warns
• Thai junta pressures Facebook, Line to censor online posts
• Officials: Ohio man made several tries to find child for sex
• Italy protest against same-sex unions gathers thousands
• Islamic State bombings near Syria Shiite shrine kill 71
• 86 Dead as Boko Haram Burns Children Alive in Nigeria

Classical music mashup

Source

Recent news round-up

Good News

• Authorities working to clear remaining protesters in Oregon occupation
• Prosecutors use refuge occupiers' own words against them
• Labor Department moves forward on retirement advice proposal
• 'Affluenza' teen back in Texas, 'docile' in juvenile detention
• Six found guilty of gang rape, murder in India
• Trump Tower to Remove Disputed Kiosks From Public Atrium
• Dutch to join US-led airstrikes against IS in Syria

Bad News

• Oregon occupiers stay holed up after FBI shows shooting video
• This Is the 'New York Times' Front Page Photo Pakistan Didn't Want People to See
• Islamic State claims Aden suicide car bombing that kills six
• NE Nigeria suicide bombing 'kills 10'

Do they teach animal rescue to policemen?

From the recent news:

• Ecuador traffic police rescue frightened sloth from highway
• Oregon State Police flip elk stuck on its back in deep snow
• Colorado wildlife officers free moose from backyard swing

Recent news round-up, Part 2

Good News

• Facebook to expand beyond its 'like' button 'pretty soon'

Bad News

• At least 12 killed in suicide blasts in north Nigeria

Recent news round-up, Part 1

Good News

• Anti-abortion activists indicted in Texas for Planned Parenthood video
• Justices won't let North Dakota enforce tough abortion law
• Judge: Louisiana cannot enforce abortion law
• Arrested Oregon protest leader tells holdouts to go home Meanwhile one of the holdouts gets on the internet and says there's no laws in the United States. As I've said before, they're lawless thugs.
• OECD countries agree to share info to combat corporate tax avoidance
• FCC Chief Moves To Break Cable And Satellite Control Of Set-Top Boxes I hope he's successful.

Bad News

• Turkish journalists face life in jail over Syria report
• Kansas lawmaker imposes dress code on female witnesses Idiot. 

Living with coyotes XXXVI

Indiana: Consumerist coyote's Kohl's shopping trip ends prematurely

Yesterday's news round-up

Good News

• Berlin to Open LGBT Refugee Center
• Italians protest to urge govt to grant gay civil unions
• 263-year sentence in Oklahoma City rape case: A wakeup call for police
• US forces setting up airbase in northeast Syria: sources
• Malaysia says arrests 7 Islamic State-linked militants suspected of planning attacks

Bad News

• Islamic State video purports to show Paris attackers, threatens Britain

Animal headline of the day

Suspects no longer on the lamb after sheep end high-speed chase

Recent news round-up

Good News

• Appeals court: Kansas Constitution protects abortion rights
• LGBT Indians to drive taxis in Mumbai, sign of social acceptance
• Former Oklahoma policeman to be sentenced for raping four women
• Russia Postpones Anti-LGBT Legislation
• Thousands return to Nigerian town after Boko Haram ouster

Bad News

• GOP Lawmakers Want Exemptions for Gay Marriage Opponents
• Teen Protesting Her School's Dress Code Was Forced by Her Principal to Get on Her Knees

Yesterday's news round-up

Good News

• New York Implements Statewide Regulations to Protect Trans People While this is welcome news, we still need a law to protect us.
• Oregon governor calls on feds to act against armed group
• Biden urges U.S. business in Davos to lean on anti-gay states
• Scientists ID new genus of tree frogs long thought extinct
• Zimbabwe's Constitutional Court outlaws child marriage
• Obama Relaxes Rules for Striking ISIS in Afghanistan

Animal headline of the day

Dog loses battle of wits to mimicking chipmunk toy

Yesterday's news round-up

Good News

• U.S. justices reject Arkansas bid to revive abortion law
• U.S. top court rejects new challenge to Obamacare
• U.S. Toughens Rules for Latecomers Trying to Enroll in Health Care Act I think a big factor should be whether they had insurance before and now have a legitimate reason they need to switch. If not, they should have to wait until the next open enrollment period.
• Oregon standoff leader attends meeting, hears chants of 'go'
• Conservation groups demand end to refuge occupation
• Exodus Refugee Ship Flag Finds Safe Haven at Holocaust Museum
• IS halves its jihadists' monthly salaries: monitor Excellent news!
• Experts: Willingness claim unlikely to help "affluenza" teen
• IS confirms death of 'Jihadi John' in Syria drone strike

Bad News

• One in 10 college graduates believes Judge Judy sits on Supreme Court
• Bill would require South Carolina journalists to register In this day and age of the internet and blogs, I'd love to see how this law would try to define journalist. In any event, this is totally unconstitutional.

Animation of the day

A video artist made this series of 30 GIFs to commemorate his November visit to NYC.

NYC Gifathon from James Curran on Vimeo.

Explanations of some of the more obscure ones can be found here.

Today's news round-up

Good News

• Montana Gov. Steve Bullock signs executive order protecting LGBT state employees
• Is There Something Unique about the Transgender Brain?  It seems to be a good summary of the current scientific thinking. (I do think that this is yet another misuse of the word "unique," as well as the term "transgender"--it is not a synonym for "transexual.")
• Sorry, grammar nerds. The singular ‘they’ has been declared Word of the Year.
• Tech at the symphony: Boston orchestra loaning patrons iPads I don't know how well the iPads would work, but I'd love to have a view of the conductor's from the front, instead of just the rear. Views of the soloists wouldn't be bad either.

Bad News

• Four dead in suicide attack at Cameroon mosque
• Six Niger soldiers killed by mine near Nigerian border: reports
• Islamic State offensive raises risk for Libya’s oil sector
• Top Chinese university hacked by IS infiltrator: reports

Animal headline of the day

Dog saves stranded sea turtle on New England beach

Yesterday's news round-up

Good News

• Actor, California lawmaker fight bogus memorabilia
• Pakistan police arrest cleric for inciting boy to cut off own hand
• 600 British jihadists stopped from entering Syria: Hammond

Bad News

• Many 'lost' voters say they have found their candidate in Trump However, I doubt he has the infrastructure to actually get enough of these people to actually vote.
• IS abducts over 400 in east Syria after deadly assault
• Detained Malaysian was hours away from suicide attack At least he was arrested.
• Islamic State 'brand' spreading worldwide: experts

Animation of the day

A few of them are otherwise engaged.

Source

Today's news round-up

Good News

• Oregon refuge occupier arrested for taking government vehicle to market They are a bunch of lawless thugs. They all should be arrested.
• Obama pardons Iranians charged with sanctions violations, Five American prisoners released in Iran
• Obama unveils wage insurance plan to spur job seekers
• U.S. charges two Virginia men with trying to join Islamic State

Bad News

• Activists: IS kills at least 75 in attacks in eastern Syria

Animal headline of the day

SWAT Cat is back! Boston police team's mascot returns home

Today's news round-up

Good News

• Lebanese court lets transgender man change legal status to male
• Oregon occupiers ask public for supplies: get glitter, sex toys
• Republican lawmakers worry about running on Trump's coattails
• Pugnacious New Yorkers hit back at presidential candidate Cruz
• Court overturns tobacco company victory over FDA on menthols

Bad News

• Chicago police unions push for destruction of old complaints
• Turkey detains 21 academics over pro-Kurdish petition: media
• Militants' use of human shields in Ramadi slows progress
• Boko Haram killed nearly 1,200 people since 2013: Cameroon

Living with wild hogs XII

Hong Kong police nab wild boar after three hour chase

Recent news round-up, Part 2

Good News

• Kentucky to pay $1.1 million to lawyers in gay marriage case
• Former Police Chief Gets Prison for Using Stun Gun on Inmate
• Day Care Teacher Convicted of Cruelty in 'Baby Fight Club'
• PM says Turkish artillery hit IS positions in Iraq, Syria
• Special U.S. targeting force 'now in place' in Iraq: U.S.

Bad News

• British institutions failing transgender people: parliament But at least they are proposing changes to improve things.
• Kansas governor orders Planned Parenthood funding cut
• Federal judge tosses Alabama officer's excessive force case
• The Islamic State Hits Turkey Where It Hurts
• Islamic State briefly seizes northern Iraqi village behind frontlines
• Police say IS funded activities of Jakarta group

Recent news round-up, Part 1

Good News

• FIFA fines 5 countries for anti-gay chants in games
• Trial set for 5 charged with hazing at University of Alabama But it's bad the maximum penalties are so low.
• Planned Parenthood files U.S. lawsuit against group behind secret videos I do hope Planned Parenthood wins, though I tend to doubt they will actually get very much money. The anti-abortion group probably doesn't have that much, and they can just organize a new group.
• Navy leader seeks new ways to combat sexual assault
• Saudis release human rights activist arrested Tuesday It remains to be seen whether the charges will be dropped.
• Criminal complaint filed in high school basketball rape This was the same hazing incident as the one I posted about last week. 
• Huffington Post Agrees To Unionization With WGA East

Bad News

• Reports of harassment, intimidation on the rise as Oregon occupation enters second week Lawlessness will increase until these thugs are dispersed, arrested, or killed.

Living with racoons IV

Obese Raccoons Fight To Conquer A Bronx Chinese Restaurant 

Today's news round-up

Good News

• Senate rejects Rand Paul's 'Audit the Fed' legislation The Fed should remain free of direct political control. And this is one of the reasons I'm a bit leery of Bernie Sanders. 
• Global police arrest bitcoin extortion suspect I don't think "global" is accurate. There are no global police.
• Poll: Majority of Americans support next president pushing tighter gun laws
• U.S. aircraft bombs Islamic State cash pile in Iraq: U.S. military

Bad News

• Police: Ohio man mistakes teen son for intruder, kills him Fact: A gun in the home is far more likely to kill or injure someone who lives there than an intruder.
• Qatar Pulls ‘The Danish Girl’ From Cinemas Following Online Protests
• Turkey: 'IS suicide bomber' kills 10 in Istanbul Sultanahmet district

Texts from last night

(704): First he fixed my gutter. Then he flogged me and fucked me. Then he bought me a new vacuum cleaner. I don't understand Daddy Dom stuff but I ain't mad at it.

(716): He told me to be a woman and make him dinner. So I threw a bagel at him and went out to dinner.

(306): do you remember yelling out "insecurity makes my pussy dry!" unnecessarily loud at the bar?

(+44): You left me a message at 3am crying because you just found out there's a Paddington Bear statue in Peru.

(206): You just sat there staring at your apple and saying "I'm so glad you're here" to it every time you took a bite.

(540): I just woke up in the closet wearing nothing but a Santa hat.

(406): I don't know if the puke on my pants is mine or not

(267): For starters i called the cops on myself for trying to destroy the ladys decorations

(618): learned the hard way that breakfast jack daniels is a lot stronger than lunch or dinner jack daniels.

(920): So now I know what having sex while surrounded by chickens feels like.

(940): Do u have any idea how hard it is to masturbate in a CVS bathroom when your name is being called over the speakers to pick up a prescription for painkillers?

(832): just the thought of you slurpin down noodles really rustles my jimmy
(1-832): you suck at sexting

Today's news round-up

Good News

• Ex-Maryland Police Officer Gets Five Years in Jail for Pointing Gun at Unarmed Man's Head
• LAPD chief recommends charges for officer in Venice shooting
• Prison for man over Social Security plot hatched by dead dad
• Dad of Washington school shooter gets 2 years on gun charges
• Turkey arrests Egypt family of 12 on way to join IS in Syria

Bad News

• Teenager says attack on Jewish teacher was for Islamic State: prosecutor
• Islamic State says it carried out 'twin' blasts in eastern Iraq: statement

Animal headline of the day

Barking dog leads police officer to trapped canine companion

Recent news round-up

Good News

• U.S.-led coalition conducts 11 strikes in Syria, 15 in Iraq: U.S. military
• Air strikes reported near Libya's Sirte - resident

Bad News

• India teen gang-raped, shot, dumped in well

SLIGHT STAR WARS SPOILER IN THE COMMENTS

Click on the comments to see it.

Today's news round-up

Good News

• Alabama County Resumes Issuing Gay-Marriage Licenses
• Finland extradites Russian computer fraud suspect to U.S.
• 5 years after Tucson shooting, Gabby Giffords is in action
• Cologne police chief suspended after New Year assaults
• New York police sergeant facing internal charges in chokehold death
• Report: 3 will plead no contest in student bullying attack
• Contractor gets 15 to 30 years in deadly building collapse
• Needle exchange leaders cheer relaxed federal funding ban
• Virginia: Panel of Judges Picks New Congressional District Map
• Turkish troops in Iraq repel IS attack
• Special forces target Islamic State in Hawija, Iraq official says

Bad News

• Police: Gunman said he shot Philadelphia cop in Islam's name
• Syria jihadist 'kills mother' after she asked him to leave IS

Micro movie review

Star Wars: The Force Awakens: A quite worthy sequel.

Today's news round-up, Part 3

Good News

• Obama says won't campaign for any Democrat who doesn't back gun reforms
• Utah judge retires after criticism in gay foster parent case

Bad News

• Bill would make videotaping police a crime if too close
• Maine governor: Drug dealers impregnate 'young white' girls I've read that there will be an attempt to impeach him soon. 

Today's news round-up, Part 2

Good News

• Venezuela Just Swore in Its First Transgender Legislator
• Sandy Hook Truther Fired From Faculty Position at Florida Atlantic University
• In push to reform police work, officers examine their own biases
• High school cancels season for team in assault investigation
• Iraqi military says ISIS spokesman Adnani wounded: state TV

Bad News

• ISIS training videos: Why thermal batteries are a threat