Latest news with #Randazzo
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
‘Red cards' that give advice for ICE encounters seen locally
When unconfirmed rumors of immigration enforcement activity in Scranton's Hill Section and elsewhere spread online last week, some social media feeds popped with red. 'Red cards,' or 'tarjetas rojas' in Spanish — business-card-size images named for the color — give advice on constitutional legal rights when approached by immigration officials, for noncitizens as well as citizens. The standard red version is put out by the Immigrant Legal Resource Center, a national nonprofit. The American Civil Liberties Union offers the same basic advice, and its logo often shows up in posts. Supplies of red cards, or their equivalent, have been available at some branches of the Luzerne County library system, the University of Scranton Weinberg Memorial Library and the Needle Law Firm in Scranton. Rose Randazzo of Scranton posted the Immigrant Legal Resource Center red card on her Facebook page Tuesday after hearing the Hill Section rumors. She's an attorney, mostly retired, so she stresses that she's not offering legal advice. She's not in favor of open borders. But many people here illegally are long-term good neighbors, Randazzo said. * A Spanish language red card on the website of the Partnerships to Uplift Communities charter school network in the Los Angeles area. (PUC Schools) * Advice for interactions with ICE on 'red cards.' (Immigrant Legal Resource Center) * Advice for interactions with ICE on 'red cards.' (Immigrant Legal Resource Center) * Advice for interactions with ICE on 'red cards.' (Immigrant Legal Resource Center) * Rose Randazzo of Scranton is one of many who have posted red card advice on social media as ICE enforcement increases. (Rose Randazzo) Show Caption 1 of 5 A Spanish language red card on the website of the Partnerships to Uplift Communities charter school network in the Los Angeles area. (PUC Schools) Expand 'Irrespective of legal status, they do have a right to due process and certain rights under the fourth and fifth amendments, and a lot of these individuals do not understand that,' Randazzo said. The Hazleton Integration Project printed about 100 of its own version of advice for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement encounters a few months ago. They were gone within a day or so, said Franchesca Aquino, education director at the community center. HIP will print it on request. About 75% of Hazleton residents are Latino, many with roots in the Dominican Republic. It is estimated that a lot are in the country illegally, Aquino said. 'They are a little afraid,' she said. Aquino advises people in the country illegally to stay away from parties, stick close to family and not answer the door if ICE knocks. Generally, the red cards and their equivalent recommend not opening a door to ICE, not answering questions, not consenting to searches and avoiding signing anything without a lawyer. Detentions by ICE are spiking nationwide under the administration of President Donald Trump. With that in mind, Michele Kushmeder, executive director of the Hazleton Public Library, added stacks of a bookmark to the North Church Street library's display of immigration materials a few months ago. It has a QR code that leads to a long list of resources, including red cards. In Lackawanna County, no public libraries currently have red cards on their information tables, said Sandy Longo, executive director of the county library system. Two member libraries have plans. The Carbondale Public Library and the Valley Community Library, in Blakely, will be adding them to the various community resources on their information tables. The Scranton Public Library does not have any plans to have them available, she said. Action Together NEPA, a regional progressive group, is considering ways to assist people who may be approached by ICE, said Communications Director Jessica Brittain. Nationally, ICE does not always announce all detentions, and its officers do not always wear uniforms. Social media rumors of ICE activity in the Hill Section and other areas could not be confirmed. ICE did not respond to a request for comment. Social media posts often use puns, such as 'icy in the Hill Section tonight.' Also on social media have been a few calls for ICE to visit specific Northeast Pennsylvania stores and posts celebrating local ICE enforcement actions. The Immigrant Legal Resource Center gives instructions for printing and ordering red cards at They can be printed, or ordered in bulk, with English on one side and any of more than 30 other languages on the other. This week, the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce website posted a guide to ICE interactions for businesses in its member news section. It includes an overview of different documents ICE might use. Stevens & Lee, a large East Coast law firm that has offices in Northeast Pennsylvania, offered the materials, said Bob Durkin, president and CEO of the Chamber. The Chamber of Commerce wants businesses to be well informed on issues but has no policy or comment on immigration, Durkin said. The link to the fact sheet is
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Ohio regulators begin House bill 6 hearings as lawmakers mull anti-corruption legislation
Aerial photograph of the OVEC-operated Kyger Creek Power Plant in Cheshire. (Getty Images.) The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio on Tuesday kicked off several weeks of hearings related the House Bill 6 scandal. The proceedings braid together three different cases tied to FirstEnergy's scheme to bribe lawmakers and regulators to bail out nuclear and coal plants. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Meanwhile in Washington, D.C., an Ohio Congresswoman wants to expand the definition of an 'official act' to ensure corrupt politicians can't wriggle out of accountability. At the same time, state lawmakers in Ohio are mulling campaign finance changes that would allow corporations and unions to make unlimited contributions to dark money groups like the ones at the center of the HB 6 scandal. The HB 6 hearings bring together almost two dozen attorneys representing utilities, consumers, and several interested parties from the energy and manufacturing industry. As part of the proceedings, each party gets a chance to cross examine witnesses. Several FirstEnergy officials who previously refused to testify citing their Fifth Amendment rights will take the stand in coming hearings. State utility regulators preparing for Ohio House Bill 6 hearing But after years in the works, the proceedings didn't exactly burst out of the gate. Attorneys sparred before starting about what evidence was admissible and the correct order of cross examination. Once the show got on the road, an auditor from Blue Ridge Consulting named Donna Mullinax took the stand to discuss a 2021 report on FirstEnergy's capital recovery rider. Utility companies in Ohio can get approval to state regulators to charge customers for investments in improving their infrastructure. The company recoups that investment by tacking a surcharge on consumers' bills known as a rider. The Blue Ridge audit dug into FirstEnergy's books to determine whether the company's expenditures were reasonable. Auditors determined that the company's 'revenue requirements calculation is not unreasonable,' but state regulators later asked for a closer look. In that expanded scope audit, Blue Ridge found more than 20 payments to organizations related to former PUCO Chairman Sam Randazzo. 'I didn't know who he was,' Mullinax told attorneys for the Ohio Consumers' Counsel. In all, the report indicated FirstEnergy funneled roughly $14.4 million to the Randazzo-connected entities, and many of those payments lacked supporting documents like a contract or purchase order. DeWine says Randazzo's ties to First Energy were well known, but the evidence of this is lacking As part of a 2021 deferred prosecution agreement, FirstEnergy acknowledged paying a $4.3 million bribe to Randazzo, identified as 'public official B,' for 'performing official action in his capacity as PUCO Chairman to further FirstEnergy Corp.'s interests.' This Friday, FirstEnergy's former Senior Vice President, Dennis Chack will testify. He's the first of six high ranking officials who used to worked at FirstEnergy who will take the stand. Chack previously pled the Fifth, but has been granted immunity from prosecution to share information relevant to the case. Last week, U.S. Rep. Emilia Sykes, D-OH, joined six other lawmakers last week introducing what they're calling their 'End Corruption Now' agenda. The proposals include a lifetime ban on members of congress lobbying and requiring members put investments in a blind trust, among others. Sykes' Closing Bribery Loopholes Act zeroes in on the definition of an 'official act.' She pointed to charges against former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell, who accepted lavish gifts from a political donor. A federal district court convicted him of wire fraud among other charges and the appeals court affirmed the ruling. But in 2016, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned his conviction. 'The court ruled that those favors did not meet the very narrow definition of an official act under federal law,' Sykes argued. 'That decision blew a hole in anti-corruption safeguards and set precedent that made it easier for public officials to sell access, influence and prestige without facing any consequences.' She explained the issue is important to her in light of Ohio's recent history; Sykes was serving in the Ohio House at the time of HB 6's passage and voted against the bill. She argued Ohio 'had a lot of work to do' in the wake of the scandal that landed former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder behind bars. Attorneys for Householder, Borges 'hopeful' following pardon for Cincinnati politician 'Unfortunately, that work has not started in the state house of Ohio,' Sykes argued, and so she's attempting to address the problem at the national level. Just two months ago, state lawmakers finally approved legislation eliminating the HB 6 rider propping up aging coal plants. More recently, the Senate's version of the state budget includes provisions allowing corporations and labor unions to make independent expenditures in political campaigns — like running ads for or against a given candidate. Unlike donating directly to a candidate's campaign, which is capped, independent expenditures have no upper limit. With the Senate's changes in place, the money FirstEnergy funneled to dark money groups controlled by Householder would be perfectly legal, so long as the expenditures were properly reported. 'Let me clear, when we allow public officials to use their power for personal gain and shield them from accountability, it undermines democracy itself,' Sykes insisted. 'This bill and the broader end corruption now agenda is about restoring public trust and ensuring that no one — no one — is above a law,' she said. 'Not a governor, not a president, not a Speaker of the House.' Follow Ohio Capital Journal Reporter Nick Evans on X or on Bluesky. 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Yahoo
08-06-2025
- Yahoo
Seven people shot, 19-year-old killed in LaGrange, police say
The Brief A 19-year-old was killed, and multiple others were sent to the hospital after a shooting on Seminary Street in LaGrange. While some victims have already been treated and released, it's not clear how many remain in the hospital. The LaGrange Police Department is conducting an investigation and is hoping someone comes forward with new information. LAGRANGE, Ga. - A teenager was killed during a shooting in LaGrange that put several other people in the hospital. What we know Police say at around 1 a.m. on Sunday, shots were fired on Seminary Street in LaGrange. Seven people had to be rushed to WellStar West Georgia Medical Center, but one of them didn't make it. Javeon Dukes, 19, was pronounced dead shortly after arriving. So far, police have confirmed some of the victims have already been treated and released. It's not clear how many more remain in the hospital or the severity of their injuries. This is an ongoing criminal investigation. What we don't know We still don't have any information on potential suspects or a motive for the shooting. What you can do The LaGrange Police Department is urging anyone who may have information related to this case to contact Det. Randazzo at 706-883-2684. Tips may also be submitted anonymously via the Tip411 system by using the mobile app, accessing the online portal, or texting the keyword "LAGRANGE" to 847411. The Source The LaGrange Police Department has provided the details included in this article.
USA Today
28-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Mics picked up Giants manager Bob Melvin's entire NSFW tirade towards the umpire
Mics picked up Giants manager Bob Melvin's entire NSFW tirade towards the umpire Who needs Jomboy Media's lip-reading skills when you have the microphones on the Tigers' FanDuel Sports Network broadcast? The mics understood the assignment — that's for sure. With Logan Webb on the mount in the fifth inning for the Giants on Tuesday night, home plate umpire Tony Randazzo accurately called a low sinker for a ball. Yet, he turned to the Giants dugout to tell manager Bob Melvin to stop barking about balls and strikes. Randazzo then said, "That's it!" And he ejected Melvin. That was when the chaos broke loose, and the microphones picked up almost every word. (Warning: The video contains strong language) Melvin got right in Randazzo's face and demanded that the umpire call a consistent zone. "You're killing us," Melvin said. He went on to tell Randazzo that he was "(expletive) better than that." Again, the call that set Melvin off there was correct. But the Giants manager was still fuming over a missed strikeout call on Patrick Bailey. And despite those fireworks from Melvin, Randazzo had a solid performance behind the plate. According to Ump Scorecards, he accurately called 143 of 149 taken pitches (96 percent accuracy). And he was perfect on called ball accuracy. Melvin might have been a bit harsh there.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Mics picked up Giants manager Bob Melvin's entire NSFW tirade towards the umpire
Who needs Jomboy Media's lip-reading skills when you have the microphones on the Tigers' FanDuel Sports Network broadcast? The mics understood the assignment — that's for sure. With Logan Webb on the mount in the fifth inning for the Giants on Tuesday night, home plate umpire Tony Randazzo accurately called a low sinker for a ball. Yet, he turned to the Giants dugout to tell manager Bob Melvin to stop barking about balls and strikes. Randazzo then said, "That's it!" And he ejected Melvin. That was when the chaos broke loose, and the microphones picked up almost every word. (Warning: The video contains strong language) Might be the hottest mic of the yearThanks for the shoutout @jasonbenetti — Jomboy (@Jomboy_) May 28, 2025 Melvin got right in Randazzo's face and demanded that the umpire call a consistent zone. "You're killing us," Melvin said. He went on to tell Randazzo that he was "(expletive) better than that." Again, the call that set Melvin off there was correct. But the Giants manager was still fuming over a missed strikeout call on Patrick Bailey. Patrick Bailey talked to Tony Randazzo between innings after a questionable strike three call 🤨 — SF Giants on NBCS (@NBCSGiants) May 28, 2025 And despite those fireworks from Melvin, Randazzo had a solid performance behind the plate. According to Ump Scorecards, he accurately called 143 of 149 taken pitches (96 percent accuracy). And he was perfect on called ball accuracy. Umpire: Tony RandazzoFinal: Giants 1, Tigers 3#SFGiants // #RepDetroit#SFvsDET // #DETvsSFMore stats for this ump 👇 — Umpire Scorecards (@UmpScorecards) May 28, 2025 Melvin might have been a bit harsh there. This article originally appeared on For The Win: Mics picked up Giants manager Bob Melvin's entire NSFW tirade towards the umpire
