January 1, Pres. Trump to Sign Funding Bill, Declare Emergency

AP – Hard-fought legislation that gives President Donald Trump 55 additional miles of fencing along the U.S.-Mexico border – well short of what he requested – is on the way to his desk after a bipartisan House vote. 

The bill also closes a chapter by preventing a second government shutdown at midnight Friday and by providing $333 billion to finance several Cabinet agencies through September. Trump has indicated he’ll sign the measure though he is not happy with it, and for a few hours Thursday he was reportedly having second thoughts.

The White House has announced Trump will declare a national emergency that would enable him to transfer funding from other accounts for additional miles of border fencing.

Parkland: One Year Later

AP – Students at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High and other schools across the U.S. bowed their heads in a moment of silence and took part in volunteer projects Thursday to mark the anniversary of the shooting rampage that claimed 17 lives. But for many Parkland students, the tragedy was still so raw they couldn’t bring themselves to set foot in the building.

On The Border

Fox News “Rep. Adam Kinzinger deployed to U.S.-Mexico border,” by Brent Griffiths: “Kinzinger was deployed to the U.S.-Mexico border earlier this week with his Air National Guard unit, his office announced on Wednesday evening.

‘The Congressman is humbled to serve his IL-16 community here in the People’s House and equally proud to serve as a reconnaissance pilot in the Air National Guard,’ Kinzinger’s communications director, Maura Gillespie, said in a statement.”

Dems Decide on 2020

CBS –  Democratic party leaders will gather in Washington this week.  Among the numerous items on the agenda for the Democratic National Committee Winter Meeting, which begins Thursday, are choosing a site for the 2020 national convention — Houston, Miami and Milwaukee are finalists. DNC Chair Tom Perez says first debate will be this June or July

Avenatti Gives Up Control of Firm After Alleged ‘Brazen Acts of Bankruptcy Fraud’

Law and Crime – Attorney Michael Avenatti is no longer in financial control of his old law firm, as part of an agreement with a former partner who accused him hiding funds from the court.

That same partner Jason Frank, had previously sued Avenatti, settled for millions, only to have to sue to collect the money when Avenatti didn’t pay up on time.

Back when Frank was first taking action against Avenatti and his Eagan Avenatti law firm, the firm declared bankruptcy, which Avenatti used as an excuse to avoid a deposition and arbitration. Now, Frank is accusing the firm of using that time to hide their cash

‘Hot Prowl Rapist’ Killed In Police Shootout

WRAL – Greg Alyn Carlson – listed on the FBI’s 10 Most Wanted list, 47, died on Wednesday morning after police and FBI agents acting on a tip closed in on the Woodspring Suites in Apex, on the southwestern outskirts of Raleigh.

Officials said that when authorities closed in, an armed Carlson resisted, and officers were forced to open fire, shooting and killing him.

Store is forced to close after owner’s Nike-Colin Kaepernick protest backfires

KOAA –  Nike’s 2018 “Just Do It” campaign, which featured Colin Kaepernick, drew competing reactions from both sides of the political spectrum when it debuted last fall.For Colorado Springs’ Prime Time Sports owner Stephen Martin, it meant dropping all Nike gear. Now, his store is closing.