Latest news with #Muckey
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Divided reaction to passing of reconciliation bill
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) – South Dakota lawmakers have mixed reactions of the passing of the 'One Big, Beautiful Bill,' some calling it the 'Big, Beautiful Disaster.' On May 22, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson voted in favor of the reconciliation bill on the U.S. House floor. The bill passed by a vote of 215 to 214, with every Democratic legislator in attendance voting 'nay.' Now, the bill will make its way to the U.S. Senate for a vote. Rep. Johnson passes Trump's 'big, beautiful bill' On X, Johnson posted a video listing the three reasons why he voted yes, citing tax cuts, spending decreases, and investments into the country's safety, like border security. Democratic State Representative Erik Muckey called the reconciliation bill a 'Big, Beautiful Disaster' on a social media post. On May 22, Muckey's post said he's angry that the bill passed, and said, 'there is nothing South Dakotan or fiscally responsible about what Representative Johnson just did.' In the post, Muckey listed examples of the billions of dollars cut from programs, like Medicaid and SNAP. But Johnson created his own list of examples that make the bill a win. On X, Johnson listed 32 examples of common-sense, conservative wins within the reconciliation bill. From May 18-22, Johnson faced pressure by South Dakotans and President Donald Trump over the passing of the reconciliation bill. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
12-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Fired NY Philharmonic trumpeter sues for $25M, says romantic fling from 16 years ago was consensual
A New York Philharmonic trumpeter who claims he was wrongly canned is suing the famed orchestra for $25 million, court papers show. Matthew Muckey, third trumpet with the Philharmonic, sued in March claiming he was wrongly fired over a romantic fling he'd had 16 years prior in which his ex-lover confirmed her consent in writing and even complimented him on his performance in the sack. Now Muckey, 40, is seeking a big payout from the Philharmonic and the law firm whose investigation allegedly led to his termination, according to newly-filed legal papers. The firm, Levy Employment Law, allegedly failed to let Muckey see any accusations from the woman he slept with in 2008, and apparently ignored written messages she'd sent to Muckey after their dalliance, he alleged in the litigation. 'Awwww you're really the best thanks for everything, yes, even the sex,' she allegedly wrote to him via Facebook Messenger after their 2008 encounter. 'It was pretty good.' The pair had sex twice, according to messages included in the lawsuit. 'I did consent,' she wrote, according to court docs. Muckey was fired in October, after the Philharmonic, which apparently had no current complaints against him, surveyed its musicians asking about Muckey by name. 'It did not matter to the Philharmonic that none of the musicians surveyed alleged that Mr. Muckey had engaged in any acts of sexual harassment, violence and/or abuse,' he said in court papers. The Philharmonic 'attempted to justify the disciplinary actions it took against Mr. Muckey as being based upon a supposed significant number of orchestra members not wanting to work with him and, therefore, supporting both the Suspension and the Dismissal.' The Philharmonic declined comment. The Levy firm did not respond to a message seeking comment.
Yahoo
22-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
NY Philharmonic trumpeter fired for sexual misconduct says he has proof that accuser lied
A woman who had fling with a New York Philharmonic trumpet player allegedly changed her tune about their tryst — and got him booted from the prestigious orchestra, he claimed in a lawsuit. Matthew Muckey, third trumpet with the Philharmonic, was fired in October after his unnamed ex-lover apparently claimed they had sex when she was too drunk to consent. But Muckey, 40, insists in a Manhattan Supreme Court lawsuit that she knew what she was doing during their relationship and even raved about his performance. 'Awwww you're really the best thanks for everything, yes, even the sex,' she allegedly wrote to him via Facebook Messenger after their 2008 encounter. 'It was pretty good.' But 16 years later questions arose about Muckey's relationship with the woman, identified in court papers only as C.S. The Philharmonic hired Levy Employment Law to investigate the claim and question Muckey, a California native who joined the famed orchestra in 2006 and who'd previously faced accusations of rape and sexual misconduct. He provided proof — her messages to him — that their encounter was consensual. 'Not only did C.S. explicitly recall having sex . . . she both complimented and thanked [Muckey] for the sex and asked for his telephone number,' according to court papers. The pair had sex twice, according to messages included in the lawsuit, in which C.S. begged Muckey not to tell her boyfriend. 'I did consent,' she wrote, according to court docs. Muckey ended the affair after finding out C.S. had a boyfriend and the two had no more contact until she sent him a 2011 Facebook friend request, he claimed. He wasn't allowed to see the evidence which led to his October termination, prompting the trumpet man to file his lawsuit against Levy and the Philharmonic so he can bring C.S. to court for defamation. Muckey has not worked since he was told to pack up his trumpet. 'His career has been destroyed and that's not an understatement,' said Muckey's lawyer, Steven Hyman. 'He's unable to get a job anyplace else and he has tried.' It's not the first time Muckey, who was set to earn $205,000 base pay as part of the Philharmonic, has been accused of misconduct. He and another musician with the Philharmonic were fired twice in four years after facing allegations of rape and sexual misconduct in 2018. The two, who denied wrongdoing, were reinstated by an arbitrator in 2020 after their union took up the case. Those previous allegations did not involve C.S., Muckey's lawyer said. Muckey, who is now married with two kids, was 'fully exonerated' of any wrongdoing by an arbitrator in 2020, Hyman said, adding, 'We have no idea really when or where this new claim arose.' The Philharmonic declined comment on the litigation. Levy Employment Law didn't respond to a message seeking comment.
Yahoo
03-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Iowa Air National Guard Holds Inactivation Ceremony for 133rd Test Squadron in Fort Dodge
FORT DODGE, Iowa — On Sunday, the Iowa Air National Guard held an in-activation ceremony for the 133rd Test Squadron in Fort Dodge. The 133rd Test Squadron was in service for more than 75 years and its main mission was to test equipment before use in the battlefield. The Iowa National Guard said in a statement that the reason for the 133rd's in-activation is due to the US Airforce restructuring. Exclusive: 2025 Drake Road Races medals unveiled 'In 2023 the U.S. Air Force initiated divestment of certain mission sets as part ofrestructuring for what they call the 'Great Power Competition.' The mission of the133d Test Squadron was removed from the Iowa Air National Guard as a result ofthese realignment actions,' a press release stated. The 133rd leaves behind a long legacy of testing experimental equipment for the military, something Brigadier General Mark Muckey, the Deputy Adjutant General of the Iowa National Guard attests to. 'They absolutely had a dramatic impact on bringing new weapon systems to the battlefield with dramatic effect. And that happened here, a one of a kind facility, only one in the Air National Guard here at the 133rd.' Muckey said. The air men and women of the 133rd will be reassigned to units in Sioux City and Des Moines. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
School lunch bill fails in House appropriations
SIOUX FALLS S.D. (KELO) — A bill that would allow the state to reimburse schools to pay for students reduced lunch failed to make it through the House Committee on Appropriations Monday. The bill was sent to the 41st legislative day, effectively killing it, by a vote of 5-4. House Bill 1089 would cover meal copays for reduced-price eligible students. The bill targets students from families that are already eligible for the reduced lunch program, earning between 130% and 185% of the federal poverty level. The bill if passed would cover their 40-cent lunch and 30-cent breakfast copays. The bill states the Department of Education shall, with monies appropriated in the General Appropriations Act, reimburse each school district for costs incurred by the district in providing meals to students who are eligible for free or reduced-price meals pursuant to this section, less any amount reimbursed through the National School Lunch Program or the School Breakfast Program. The Bureau of Finance and Management estimates show a $616,000 annual cost. Democrat Rep. Erik Muckey said while he understands that this is a budget year for the legislature, the Democratic caucus has made this a top priority. Muckey was the only lawmaker to speak on Tuesday. 'We are talking about challenges in our schools as far as covering costs and making sure we are taking care of our students, this is a really effective way taking care of some of our poorer students,' Muckey said. 'This is an important priority for our kids, especially in a year where we are talking about making reductions teacher pay.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
