HUDDLED MASSES OF ILLUMINATED PUMPKINS
BLUMENTHAL WANTS FCC TO AFFIRM FREE SPEECH
Connecticut Sen. Richard Blumenthal says he plans to ask members of the Federal Communications Commission to publicly affirm their support for the First Amendment amid the president’s threat to pull NBC’s broadcast license.
The Democrat is expected to release a letter Monday calling on each member to provide a commitment to freedom of the press, which is protected under the First Amendment.
Trump tweeted last week, “With all of the Fake News coming out of NBC and the Networks, at what point is it appropriate to challenge their License?”
CALIF. STATE SENATE LEADER TO CHALLENGE FEINSTEIN
Democrat Kevin de Leon, leader of the California Senate, said Sunday that he will challenge U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein in next year’s election.
The Los Angeles Democrat announced via email that he’s ready to run on his progressive record fighting climate change and pushing for immigration reform, women’s rights and quality education.
His announcement did not mention Feinstein, 84, by name.
TALIBAN DENIES RESCUED HOSTAGE’S ACCUSATIONS
Taliban spokesman Zabihuallah Mujahid has rejected as “false and propaganda” the allegations of rescued Canadian hostage Joshua Boyle that his child was murdered and his wife raped during his captivity in Afghanistan.
Boyle and his wife, Caitlan Coleman, and their three children were rescued Wednesday, five years after being abducted.
ALSO ...
A former South Texas juvenile justice department employee, Gilberto Escaramilla, has been arrested for felony theft after authorities say he acknowledged stealing $1.2 million worth of fajitas over nine years. Escaramilla was arrested after authorities found packages of the food in his refrigerator.
U. S.-backed Syrian fighters launched an operation to retake the last Islamic State-held pocket of the northern city of Raqqa on Sunday after some 275 militants and their families surrendered. The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces said the operation will continue “until all the city is cleansed from terrorists.”
Staff and wire reports