NEWS OF THE DAY
1 Wynn resigns: Casino mogul Steve Wynn resigned Tuesday as chairman and CEO of Wynn Resorts amid sexual misconduct allegations. “In the last couple of weeks, I have found myself the focus of an avalanche of negative publicity,” Wynn said in a written statement Tuesday. “As I have reflected upon the environment this has created — one in which a rush to judgment takes precedence over everything else, including the facts — I have reached the conclusion I cannot continue to be effective in my current roles.” The Wall Street Journal reported Jan. 26 that a number of women said Wynn harassed or assaulted them and that one case led to a $7.5 million settlement. The Las Vegas billionaire has vehemently denied the allegations.
2 No condemnation: The Republican-led House has blocked a resolution condemning an Arizona Republican congressman who sought to arrest immigrants in the U.S. illegally at the State of the Union address. The vote was 231-187 to kill the resolution. In a tweet, Conservative Rep. Paul Gosar called for the Capitol Police and Justice Department to check the identification of people attending President Donald Trump’s speech and arrest “any illegal aliens.” Gosar’s request was ignored. Several Democrats’ guests were immigrants brought to the U.S. illegally as children. Democratic Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham says Gosar abused his power and attempted to interfere with the U.S. Capitol Police’s efforts to provide a secure environment.
3 Trump’s parade: President Trump has asked the Pentagon to plan a grand parade of the U.S. armed forces in Washington this year to celebrate military strength, officials said Tuesday. The Washington Post said Trump wants an elaborate parade with soldiers marching and tanks rolling, but no date has been selected. White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders confirmed the request, saying Trump wants the Pentagon to “explore a celebration” that will allow Americans to show appreciation for the military. 4 Abortion rulings: A pair of abortion clinics claiming hardships related to Ohio’s escalating restrictions on the procedure lost separate fights in the state’s high court on Tuesday. The Ohio Supreme Court agreed with the state’s decision to close the last abortion clinic in Toledo and end litigation initiated by a clinic in Cleveland challenging the constitutionality of abortionrelated restrictions by the state. In a 5-2 ruling, the court said the Ohio Department of Health was within its rights to revoke the license of Capital Care of Toledo, a decision the clinic is expected to appeal. Justices also concluded that Preterm of Cleveland lacked the legal standing to bring its lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of restrictions included in Ohio’s 2013 state budget. Abortion-rights advocates tie both to Republican-passed restrictions, some 20 signed by Republican Gov. John Kasich since he took office in 2011. Kasich has also vetoed a stringent bill that would have limited abortions at the first detectable fetal heartbeat. Chronicle News Services