GA Legislators pass last-minute bill to limit access to police reports
Wednesday, the House Rules Committee passed an altered version of Senate Bill 12, which would reduce the amount of information that is required to be released under the Georgia Open Records Act and create a new exemption for any records or data related to the legislative branch.
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New York Post
13 minutes ago
- New York Post
Controversial Princeton prof with Iran ties steps down amid criticism from dissidents, senators
A controversial Princeton professor with strong ties to the Iranian regime has quietly stepped down from the Ivy League school, following a campaign from dissidents to remove him. Seyed Hossein Mousavian, a Middle East security and nuclear policy specialist, retired from his position after 15 years as the head of the school's Program on Science and Global Security on June 1, according to an announcement listing retiring employees on Princeton's website. The professor is controversial for being heavily involved in Iran's chemical and nuclear programs beginning in 2004, long before the country was known to have been building up its nuclear arsenal, according to Swiss journalist Bruno Schirra. Advertisement 4 Seyed Hossain Mousavian, an Iranian security specialist, quietly stepped down from Princeton University after 15 years and amid a federal crackdown on alleged antisemitism at the school. Getty Images The move comes amid the news Princeton could lose more than $200 million in grants from the Trump administration for not tackling antisemitism on campus, The Post has learned. Iranian opposition activists as well as Texas Republican Senator Ted Cruz, a Princeton alumnus, had long urged the school to fire Mousavian. Advertisement 4 The Trump administration reportedly paused the payment of more than $200 million in grants. to the Ivy League school amid allegations of antisemitism. LightRocket via Getty Images 'It's a victory, but one has to wonder if he's staying behind the scenes somehow,' said Lawdan Bazargan, a former political prisoner in Iran, a human rights activist and member of the US-based Alliance Against Islamic Regime of Iran Apologists. The group has waged a two-year campaign to get the university to ditch Mousavian. 'We exposed the truth,' the group said in a press release last week. 'Mousavian is not a neutral scholar but a former ambassador of the [Islamic Republic of Iran] who defended the fatwas to kill author Salman Rushdie. Advertisement 4 Former Iranian Kurdish leader Sadiq Sharafkindi (left) and Nuri Dehkordi were two of the four opposition politicians killed in the Berlin restaurant Mykonos in 1992, while Mousavian was Iranian ambassador to Germany. Associated Press Shirin Ebadi, a former Iranian judge who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2003, has also previously accused Mousavian of supporting the fatwa. Before being hired by Princeton in 2009, Mousavian had also worked as a diplomat and editor of the Tehran Times, the English-language newspaper which is a mouthpiece for the regime. Mousavian was also Iran's ambassador to Germany in 1992 when four dissidents were murdered in the back of a restaurant in Berlin. Advertisement The group of dissidents which campaigned to get him fired from Princeton has previously alleged when Mousavian was ambassador to Germany, 23 Iranians were killed in Europe for being enemies of the mullahs. In 1997, a German court concluded that the Iranian leadership, including the foreign ministry, masterminded the murders and that the headquarters for plotting them was the Iranian embassy, but did not name Mousavian. During the trial, German newspaper Tagesspiegel reported a former Iranian spy, Abolghasem Mesbahi, said under oath, 'Mousavian was involved in most of the crimes that took place in Europe. 4 Former Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad tours a nuclear facility in 2008. The country's nuclear program is much older than many Western intelligence sources had predicted. AP 'Specifically, in Germany, it concerns the crimes that were committed against Iranian opposition members.' Following the trial Mousavian was called back to Tehran. Mousavian, whose Princeton email address is still active and who is still prominently featured on the school's website, did not return a request for comment Tuesday. He wrote of his retirement on Twitter: 'After 15 years of service at Princeton University, I retired at my own request at the end of May 2025. Advertisement 'I am deeply grateful to the university officials for their support and especially for their commitment to freedom of expression.' The retirement coincides with the imminent publication of a 2004 interview with Mousavian by Schirra. The interview, which is now being published by the Middle East Research Institute, a US-based nonprofit that studies extremism, suggests Iran's nuclear program was secretly active for decades before Western intelligence sources warned of its existence. Advertisement 'After Iraq's attack [in 1980], we announced our defensive chemical and nuclear programs,' said Mousavian in the interview, who was then deputy of Iran's National Security Council. In April, Cruz urged the school to fire Mousavian, saying: 'His presence at Princeton makes students feel justifiably afraid for their safety.'
CBS News
14 minutes ago
- CBS News
Pennsylvania Senate introduces plan for SEPTA funding, but Gov. Shapiro calls it "not a serious" proposal
On Tuesday, the Pennsylvania Senate returned to session and introduced a new plan to fund SEPTA and avoid major service cuts at the end of this month. Republican state Sen. Joe Picozzi, of Northeast Philadelphia, introduced an amendment that would fund mass transit for the next two years. Picozzi's amendment was approved in the state Senate by a 27 to 22 vote. The funding would be drawn from the Pennsylvania Transit Trust Fund. It also includes safety and accountability provisions. Picozzi called the bill a "bridge" that will fund SEPTA for the next two years. "This proposal is the only viable plan to keep service running past the August deadline," Picozzi said. "By enacting this legislation, we give ourselves the breathing room to design a better, safer, more accountable transit system for the next generation and the 21st century." A spokesperson for Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro slammed Picozzi's proposal. "While Governor Shapiro appreciates Senate Republicans finally acknowledging the need to fund mass transit systems across the Commonwealth, this is clearly not a serious, long-term proposal that can pass both chambers," Shapiro's spokesperson said in a statement. "It's time to get back to the table and keep working at it." Democrats in the state Senate also opposed the plan. "The proposal before us quite simply robs money from urgently needed capital projects to pay for off-rating costs," Democratic state Sen. Nikil Saval, of Philadelphia, said. "This is service cuts by another name." On Monday, Pennsylvania's House of Representatives passed legislation that would provide SEPTA with the funding it needs to avoid the looming "doomsday" service cuts. The Democrat-backed bill had the support of Shapiro and passed the chamber, 108-95, over the objection of nearly every Republican in the chamber. Philadelphia students return to school on Aug. 25 — one day after SEPTA would begin service cuts if it doesn't have state funding. "The cuts are going to impact students a great deal, and they're unfortunately going to be among the first that will be hit with these cuts," Andrew Busch, a spokesperson with SEPTA, said. While SEPTA said students will still have options, they won't be as direct as they are now. "They might have to transfer to two or three different routes now, might have a longer walk," Busch said. Stanley's son takes the T-4 trolley in West Philly – one line slated to see reduced service. He worries fewer trollies will mean overcrowding. "Coming from school, it be packed, so he's missing trolleys, or missing the bus to come home," Stanley said. "He has to find another route to come home." Stanley's son is one of 52,000 School District of Philadelphia students who use SEPTA to get to school. And district leaders said they're concerned about the impact cuts could have on attendance. "A key driver for continuing to improve our school district is we need our kids, our young people, to be in school at least 90% of every month," Dr. Tony Watlington, the superintendent of the School District of Philadelphia, said. Watlington said they're working with parents where they can. But he acknowledged much is out of their control — and the district can't just add more yellow buses to fill routes. "It's inefficient to do two systems, number one," Watlington said. "Number two, there's a shortage of bus drivers and resources to get a lot of additional school buses." School safety officials said with the possibility of more kids walking, they are working with Philadelphia police to increase patrols in high-travel areas. "It's probably going to require a lot more from parents to get their students to and from school safely," said Chief of School Safety Craig Johnson.
Yahoo
36 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Republican state Sen. John Braun launches bid to unseat U.S. Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez
Republican John Braun, minority leader of the Washington state Senate, formally announced Tuesday that he's running for Congress in 2026. The state lawmaker is looking to oust U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, a second-term Washington Democrat whose district includes Clark, Cowlitz, Lewis, Pacific, Skamania and Wahkiakum counties, plus some of Thurston County. Gluesenkamp Perez has held the 3rd Congressional District seat in southwest Washington since 2023. It should prove a race to watch. Gluesenkamp Perez earned 51.7% of the vote in last November's election while her Republican opponent, Joe Kent, took home 47.9% — although her popularity has reportedly dipped in recent months. Braun, a Centralia Republican, was elected to the state's upper chamber in 2012, serving southwest Washington in the 20th Legislative District. A biography on the Senate Republicans' website notes that he was the chief budget writer and negotiator when he helmed the Senate budget committee in 2017, sponsoring the 2017-19 state operating budget. An Aug. 12 news release from Braun's congressional campaign says that in 2020, his peers picked him to serve as leader of the Senate Republicans. 'I know how to fight bad policy — and how to craft good policy that makes a difference for people here in Southwest Washington,' Braun said in the release. 'I look forward to working with President Trump on a positive agenda that gets America back on the right track.' Throughout the 2025 legislative session, Braun was a leading voice in resisting the Democratic majority's push to pass billions of dollars in new taxes. He has also recently criticized Democrats over their reaction to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, the controversial new tax and policy law endorsed by President Donald Trump, as being overblown. The Republican lawmaker has worked to reform property taxes in Washington and invest in the public education system, his bio states. He serves as president of Braun Northwest, a family-owned firm that manufactures emergency vehicles. Braun is a U.S. Navy veteran who earned his bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from the University of Washington. He also holds masters from the University of Michigan in business administration and manufacturing engineering. 'Whether in the Navy, running a small business, or serving in the state legislature, I've always focused on solving tough problems, clearing roadblocks, and helping others succeed,' Braun said in the release announcing his campaign. 'In Congress, I'll bring that same approach — working to lower costs for families, support American manufacturing, and expand opportunities for family-wage jobs here at home.' Braun's campaign is touting endorsements from U.S. Rep. Michael Baumgartner, a Spokane Republican, and Lynda Wilson, the former Clark County state senator who also previously chaired that county's Republican Party. 'I know John Braun well from our time working together in the state Senate,' Baumgartner said, according to the release. 'He is a highly intelligent, strong conservative who would make an outstanding member of Congress. I'm proud to endorse him.' Wilson lauded Braun as a 'man of unwavering honesty and integrity.' 'He understands the unique character of Southwest Washington and the values we hold dear,' she said in the release. 'I trust him to fight for us and lead with principle. He has my full and enthusiastic endorsement.' Democrats respond to Braun's campaign Democrats have come out swinging against Braun. Lindsay Reilly, spokesperson for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, blasted the Republican lawmaker as a status quo-loving 'swamp creature' in a Tuesday news release. Tim Gowen, manager for Gluesenkamp Perez's congressional campaign, didn't hold back either. He argued in a statement that Braun has accepted significant campaign contributions from corporations and Big Pharma 'while voting to harm families and small businesses.' 'It's no surprise that the D.C. swamp has recruited him to run for Congress,' Gowen continued. 'They know they can count on him to maintain business as usual which is saddling future generations with enormous debt and giving even more handouts to special interests. He will continue the policies that are hollowing out our communities like driving down wages, bankrupting our hospitals, and increasing the cost of living.' The statement highlighted Gluesenkamp Perez's work to restrict government overreach and boost the state's timber economy. Gowen further argued that the Congress member has sought to improve infrastructure and make it easier to build housing, raise a family on a single income and start a small business. Shasti Conrad, chair of the Washington State Democratic Party, warned in a statement that Braun would be 'a disastrous choice' for Congress. She said he's voted against housing affordability, union workers and a clean environment while backing the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which is expected to prompt millions of Americans to lose their health coverage. 'Southwest Washington voters won't be duped into supporting a candidate who would put the interests of his big-pocketed donors over the needs of families who are struggling to afford basic necessities,' Conrad continued. Who else is running for 3rd Congressional District? Other candidates have already thrown their hats into the ring for Gluesenkamp Perez's spot, per Ballotpedia: Democrat Brent Hennrich, Republican Antony Barran, and Eric Vaughan, who's running as an independent. State Rep. Jim Walsh of Aberdeen, who chairs Washington's Republican Party, has also looked at entering the race, the Washington State Standard reported last month. The general election for U.S. House Washington District 3 will take place in 2026.
