Deal declares a state of emergency for much of middle Georgia... | www.ajc.com

Deal declares a state of emergency for much of middle Georgia... | www.ajc.com: "Gov. Nathan Deal declared a state of emergency for another 43 counties across a wide swath of middle Georgia on Tuesday as a second wave of brutal winter weather zeroed in on the state."



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Immigration groups turn to anger - POLITICO.com Print View

Immigration groups turn to anger - POLITICO.com Print View: "Immigration reform advocates are done playing nice with House Republicans.

After holding their fire for years at the urging of the Obama administration, several immigration reform groups now plan to unleash their anger at the right.

A new, more aggressive campaign kicks off Tuesday, when these groups say they will begin confronting Republican lawmakers at public appearances, congressional hearings and events back in home districts. The goal: Shame Republicans in swing districts into taking up the issue — or make them pay at the ballot box in November.

(Also on POLITICO: Bill Gates: U.S. immigration ‘incredible’)

It’s unclear if the strategy will truly damage Republicans with their constituents. Or worse, whether it might backfire and oust some of the movement’s best potential allies across the aisle."



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Gift acceptance is an abuse of power - The Creightonian: Opinion

Gift acceptance is an abuse of power - The Creightonian: Opinion: "The former governor of Virginia, Bob McDonnell, is accused of federal corruption while in office. Behind these charges is his wife, Maureen McDonnell. She is the one accused of taking almost $165,000 in loans and luxury goods from Jonnie Williams Sr., who was CEO at the time of Star Scientific.
This scandal brings to light the life of the political spouses. Mrs. McDonnell is not the only spouse to grab the media’s attention with taking bribes or seeking financial help from an individual aiming to gain a favor from her or his husband or wife. Williams received this favor by getting a seat next to the governor at a fundraiser and receiving attention for his newest products."



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Albemarle County Passes Ordinances Limiting Junk Cars

Just Straight Country!

Albemarle County Passes Ordinances Limiting Junk Cars: "The Albemarle County Board of Supervisors passed two ordinances Wednesday evening limiting the number of inoperable vehicles allowed to sit on residents' property. The new rules change the number of inoperable cars allowed outside from two to one in non-rural areas.

An inoperable vehicle is one that either cannot run, does not have a license plate, or has an inspection sticker that has expired by more than 60 days.

Cars must also be screened either a non-see-through fence, wall, or vegetation, or fitted cover -- you can't throw a blue tarp over it."



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AOL.com Article - Chris Christie booed off stage at Super Bowl event

AOL.com Article - Chris Christie booed off stage at Super Bowl event: "It's been a rough couple of weeks for New Jersey Governor Chris Christie.
That's booing you hear in the background. Christie was at an event in Times Square Saturday celebrating next year's Super Bowl which will be held in Arizona. By KYW-TV's count, the embattled governor only spoke for about 30 seconds and rushed off the stage without taking questions.

All that just just one day after news broke that one of Christie's former political appointees at the Port Authority was suggesting the governor knew about purposeful lane closures on the George Washington Bridge.
Allegations that have dogged his administration since they were first reported. Christie has repeatedly denied involvement.
"



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Subpoenaed Christie staffer Christina Renna resigns - Elizabeth Titus - POLITICO.com

Subpoenaed Christie staffer Christina Renna resigns - Elizabeth Titus - POLITICO.com: "A Chris Christie aide who was subpoenaed in a growing New Jersey traffic scandal resigned Friday, the aide’s lawyer confirmed to POLITICO.

Christina Renna becomes the second person to leave the Republican governor’s office since the scandal escalated in January. But she did not say the scandal, which has threatened Christie’s potential presidential ambitions, was the reason for her departure."



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L. O. B.

Legion Of Boom!

Seahawks Win Super Bowl 43-8: Highlights, GIFs - Business Insider: "The Seattle Seahawks destroyed the Denver Broncos 43-8 to win one of the most lopsided Super Bowls in NFL history.
The Seahawks beat the Broncos in every way that one football team can beat another football team.  It was a shockingly comprehensive beating by the Seahawks. Seattle did what they did well all year — pressed receivers, rushed the passer, forced turnovers, got into manageable 3rd downs — only better, and all at once."



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Seattle Seahawks : 43-8 victory

Warm Weather, Cold Manning at Super Bowl - NYTimes.com: " As it turned out, the weather was not nearly as cold as Peyton Manning.

On Sunday, the New York-New Jersey region concluded its big moment hosting the first outdoor Super Bowl in a Northern climate with a dominating 43-8 victory by the Seattle Seahawks over the Denver Broncos before an announced crowd of 82,529 at MetLife Stadium.

The weather could not have been more cooperative for this secular holiday and the nation’s No. 1 sporting event, even if many again probably found the commercials more riveting than the game."



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GOP Debt Ceiling Strategy - Business Insider

GOP Debt Ceiling Strategy - Business Insider:

"House Republicans are rallying around a new plan on their approach to raising the debt ceiling, according to The Washington Post's Robert Costa — a one-year increase tied to a request on the Affordable Care Act: "
[snip]

That means House Republicans could demand a repeal of Obamacare's "risk corridors." Treasury Secretary Jack Lew has said that the debt ceiling will need to be raised by the end of February to avoid a potential default on the country's obligations.

The "risk corridors" in question aim to make it easier for insurance companies to transition to the new health-care system, largely by making it less financially risky for them to sell new insurance plans on the exchanges established by the Affordable Care Act. Republicans have recently begun referring to them as a "bailout." 

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David Wildstein: Christie Knew About Bridge Closures - Business Insider

David Wildstein: Christie Knew About Bridge Closures - Business Insider:

A lawyer for David Wildstein, the Former Port Authority Director of Interstate Capital Projects and an ally of New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, said Friday that there was evidence the Governor knew about the closure of lanes onto the George Washington Bridge from Fort Lee, N.J., as they were happening in September.

Wildstein's lawyer, Alan Zegas, released a letter to The New York Times (and, subsequently, other outlets) in which he said: "Evidence exists as well tying Mr. Christie to having knowledge of the lane closures, during the period when the lanes were closed, contrary to what the governor stated publicly in a two-hour press conference."

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