U.S. News
News about the United States by Reuters.
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Reuters' correspondent Barbara L. Goldberg reports on the community of Fort Lee, and the story of an elderly woman who died waiting for emergency help that was delayed by the George Washington Bridge lane closures:
Back in September, as a result of the lane closures, emergency responders were delayed in attending to four medical situations, including one involving an unconscious 91-year-old woman who later died of cardiac arrest. That woman, Florence Genova, lived in a middle class neighborhood in Fort Lee on a street of nearly identical two story brick houses.
Her home is now empty. Neighbors say her children collected her belongings months ago.
Neighbor Gus Jentile said Genova moved to the neighborhood in 1957. Neighbors say her two children moved out of state and she lived alone.
He said news that a top Christie aide orchestrated the traffic jam was stunning.
"I can't believe a guy of that statue would ever consider doing that," said Jentile, 81, whose kids grew up playing with Genova's children in Fort Lee. "I looked up to the guy, I thought he did great for the state. I just hope it's not so."
The downtown street is lined with mom and pop shops, barbers, and several Korean restaurants. Christmas lights and wreaths still hang from antique lamps.
Once predominantly a community of Greek and Italian immigrants after it was founded in 1904, Fort Lee today is largely a Korean enclave whose picture perfect downtown is filled with boutiques and Korean restaurants. Its proximity to New York City has boosted property values of its single family homes and condominium buildings and a 47-story luxury residential skyscraper currently under construction will be the tallest structure in surrounding Bergen County.
The grey, industrial towers of the George Washington Bridge loom over Main Street in Fort Lee.
The George Washington Bridge, which opened in 1931, looms large over the municipality of 35,000 residents and actually bisects the community. About one-third of Fort Lee is north of the bridge and the remainder is south of the bridge. Three major roadways converge in Fort Lee on their approach to the span over the Hudson River that connects New Jersey to New York City.
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For those of you unfamiliar with the governor's style of holding press conferences, Christie is known for taking most or all questions, and for having an informal manner of responding to questions. It is not the usual approach by governors, especially not those who are also seen as contenders for the White House. This press conference has now gone on for 60 minutes.
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So, Christie fired Bridget Kelly but hasn't talked to her since the emails came out? What?by Katie Pavlich via twitter 1/9/2014 4:44:13 PM -
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Reuters' Edith Honan gives us a bit of background to this scandal: The George Washington Bridge, one of the busiest spans in the world, connects New York City to Fort Lee. The abrupt four-day lane closures in September caused hours-long traffic jams and held up the passage of school buses and ambulances.
The controversy erupted with the public release of incriminating emails showing that a top aide to Christie played a key role in closing some lanes to the bridge, in a ploy to punish the Democratic mayor of Fort Lee, New Jersey.
In the most damning email, Christie aide Bridget Anne Kelly, wrote to a Port Authority executive in August, saying: "Time for some traffic problems in Fort Lee."
The executive, David Wildstein, replied: "Got it."
In another message sent amid the gridlock, an unidentified author wrote: "Is it wrong that I'm smiling," and Wildstein responded: "No." -
A question that comes to this editor's mind: How much delegation has Christie done about his own campaign for support, both within the state and as a possible candidate for the White House, to his aides?
We have just witnessed a rarely-seen explanation of political strategy here by one of the country's most visible politicians: Christie, exposing the process of seeking support from local officials, says that he did not know his aides were targeting a local mayor. However, given his previous statement that he gave his aides "enormous authority" -- I wonder if the governor expected his aides to tell him in the first place?
What are your two cents? -
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Governor Christie notes his delegation of "enormous authority" to his aides, and that he had "no knowledge" of his aides' correspondence regarding bridge lane closures for political retribution purposes, assuming it was a "traffic study" as it had been explained to him.
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READER COMMENT: I'm just sick, because I trusted the Governor until now. Now it seems like it's a modified mafia-run state. This is just an inverse "pay-to-play" deal; you didn't endorse, your town & traffic "swims with the fishes".
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Christie turning Q from his leadership/staffing style to how awesome he is. "I am not a focus-group-tested, blow-dried candidate."by Dave Weigel via twitter 1/9/2014 4:26:27 PM -
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Ellen Wulfhorst reports: New Jersey Governor Chris Christie apologized on Thursday for a traffic jam scandal involving his staff, saying he was embarrassed and humiliated, and fired a top aide "because she lied to me." Christie said he was blindsided but ultimately responsible for staff actions "under my watch."
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READER QUESTION: If I can prove that the traffic jam caused my relative's death by delaying an ambulance he was in on its way to the hospital when he was having a heart attack, who could I hold accountable? Is it possible to sue for abuse of power and public trust?
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Aruna Viswanatha reports: The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of New Jersey has opened an inquiry into claims that public officials orchestrated a massive traffic snarl on the busy George Washington Bridge, a spokeswoman for the office said on Thursday.
"The Port Authority Office of Inspector General has referred the matter to us, and our office is reviewing it to determine whether a federal law was implicated," Rebekah Carmichael said in a statement. -
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One character from the Garden State (may he rest in peace) knows all about how to handle allegations of corruption. Read the full story: 10 lessons from 'The Sopranos' for Chris Christie
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Dallas transcends its image to host thousands and honor JFK legacy reut.rs/1bG5pPyby Reuters US News via twitter 11/21/2013 8:40:38 PM -
More Americans believe in taking all measures to save life: poll reut.rs/1ayjLEPby Reuters US News via twitter 11/21/2013 8:40:26 PM
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READER COMMENT: From photos it appears a drill rig is engulfed in flames at the site. See read.bi
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Summary: Shooting at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on Friday:
- One person, a transportation employee, killed in shooting
- Seven people wounded, "multiple" TSA employees short
- At least three of the shot are men; six taken to local hospitals
- A male suspect was shot by police and is believed to be only shooter; taken into custody
- Began approximately around 9:20 AM Pacific Time at, near, or around Terminal 3
- Officials say suspect had a high-powered rifle
- Airport under the process of evacuation and investigation
- Outgoing flights have been halted, arriving flights have not been halted -
by kaceymontoya via twitter 11/1/2013 8:44:19 PM -
President Barack Obama said on Friday that he is concerned about a shooting at the Los Angeles International Airport on Friday that killed one person and wounded at least six other people.
"We're concerned about it, but I'll let law enforcement folks talk about it directly," Obama told reporters in the Oval Office after meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki. (Reporting by Steve Holland and Roberta Rampton; editing by Jackie Frank) -
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Washington Post reporting a TSA statement: "Earlier this morning, a shooting occurred at Terminal 3 at Los Angeles International Airport. Multiple Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) were shot, one fatally. Additional details will be addressed by the FBI and local law enforcement who are investigating the shooting.”
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A police spokeswoman has said that the suspect in the LAX shooting is in custody and is believed to be the only suspect at this time (Reuters Wire). This is an update from Reuters that is similar to previous local media reports of a suspect in custody (see earlier blog posts).
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The White House says President Obama has been briefed on the LAX incident and the White House is in touch with law enforcement officials on the ground. The live press briefing is going on now; you can watch it here.
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"About 9:30 this morning, there were some shots fired on or near Terminal 3, obviously some people were injured, two possibly three .. and we may have a suspect in custody,” LAPD spokesman Gus Villanueva told KTLA television, Reuters Cynthia Johnston reports.
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Readers, I try to steer clear of providing rumors, but I will share with you one piece of information that is not yet confirmed but has been reported by multiple sources. Local media reports are that a TSA employee was shot, and that a suspect is in custody. I will update you when I have a report from a national source on these two points.
We welcome you to submit comments, questions, or news you hear as a comment.
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