Police reform and abortion measures return to Gov Baker

The Boston Globe has the following:

"The Massachusetts House on Tuesday approved a revised version of a sweeping policing bill, making it all but certain the state will soon enact legislation that emerged after protests over police misconduct and the death of George Floyd gripped Massachusetts and beyond.

The legislation would create for the first time a system for certifying police officers in Massachusetts and give a new civilian-led panel the ability to revoke their licenses for a range of misconduct.

A raft of revisions sought by Governor Charlie Baker, and ultimately accepted by lawmakers in both the House and Senate, included loosening proposed limits on the use of facial recognition and eliminating language that underpinned new standards on officers’ use of force. Baker also successfully pushed to keep oversight of training under his administration and police-dominated committee."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required) https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/12/22/metro/house-accepts-revised-police-accountability-bill-putting-it-verge-becoming-law/

From CommonWealth Magazine:

THE LEGISLATURE sent bills dealing with police reform and abortion back to Gov. Charlie Baker on Tuesday and began work on compromise health care legislation that requires insurers to permanently reimburse for behavioral telehealth at the rates they’d pay for the same care in-person.

The House joined the Senate in passing police reform legislation that includes amendments sought by Baker on police training and the use of facial recognition software. Baker, who had threatened a veto if the Legislature declined to compromise on those two issues, has indicated he will sign the bill containing the modified language into law.

On abortion, however, both branches rejected amendments sought by the governor and sent the bill back to him as originally drafted. Baker can sign the abortion measure into law, allow it to become law without his signature, or veto the bill and challenge the Legislature to override him. An override would require a two-thirds vote, which was the margin on earlier abortion votes in the House but just barely.

Continue reading the article online  https://commonwealthmagazine.org/health-care/lawmakers-send-police-reform-abortion-measures-to-governor/

 

Inside the deal: "There was still one important person to persuade: the president"

From the New York Times:

"A week before Thanksgiving, a small group of moderate senators gathered in the spacious living room of Senator Lisa Murkowski’s home on Capitol Hill to embark on what they considered an urgent assignment.

They were there — eating Tuscan takeout as they sat socially distanced, with the windows open to let the cold air circulate as a coronavirus precaution — to talk about how to get the Senate, polarized and paralyzed on nearly every issue, working again.

They were also determined to find a way to deliver a more immediate kind of relief, brainstorming how to break a monthslong partisan stalemate over providing a new round of federal aid to millions of Americans and businesses buckling under the economic weight of the coronavirus pandemic."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/21/us/politics/stimulus-deal-congress.html

And given the late news that the President is signaling that he would not to sign the bill as drafted after saying he would, we wait. That doesn't take away from the story. The story on how to broker a deal via compromise and collaboration still is a good message on what works for rational folks.

 

The ECDC December Newsletter is now posted

The ECDC December Newsletter is now posted!
You can view it here: https://t.co/30K2YTYarx

@FranklinPSNews @FranklinMatters @TOFranklinMA @FrkPublicLib @MassEarlyEdCare @MASchoolsK12
https://twitter.com/FranklinECDC/status/1341407351602089984?s=03

The ECDC December Newsletter is now posted

FHS Panther Hockey: Schedule for Winter Season 2020-2021

"Not the normal amount of games but so grateful to have what we have.  Our 2020-2021 Varsity hockey schedule! @PanthersJvPuck @FHSSports @MassHSHockey @HNIBonline"

Schedule image: https://t.co/czU8DRZBdw
 

Shared from Twitter:https://twitter.com/FHSPantherHocke/status/1341389101036154880?s=03

FHS Panther Hockey: Schedule for Winter Season 2020-2021

Franklin, MA: 1880 to 1889 (video)

Joe Landry provides this video about the history of Franklin, MA from 1880 to 1889. 

Direct video link: https://youtu.be/KHNGUCBBDjU 

Spear Phishing hits authors with books about to be published

From The New York Times:

"Earlier this month, the book industry website Publishers Marketplace announced that Little, Brown would be publishing “Re-Entry,” a novel by James Hannaham about a transgender woman paroled from a men’s prison. The book would be edited by Ben George.

Two days later, Mr. Hannaham got an email from Mr. George, asking him to send the latest draft of his manuscript. The email came to an address on Mr. Hannaham’s website that he rarely uses, so he opened up his usual account, attached the document, typed in Mr. George’s email address and a little note, and hit send.

“Then Ben called me,” Mr. Hannaham said, “to say, ‘That wasn’t me.’”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/21/books/publishing-manuscripts-phishing-scam.html

Cyber security: inside the hack of a journalist; extent of US Government penetration not known

From The Guardian: inside the hack of a journalist

"A series of abusive text messages sent to an Al Jazeera investigative programme were the first crumbs that eventually led to the discovery of an unprecedented hacking operation against dozens of staff from the Qatar-based media network, according to one of the journalists who was targeted.

Researchers at Citizen Lab at the University of Toronto claimed on Sunday that the UAE and Saudi Arabia used spyware sold by an Israeli private intelligence company to access the phones of at least 36 journalists, producers and executives from Al Jazeera, as well as that of a London-based reporter with the Al Araby network.

Traces of the cyber-attack were unearthed in July when a phone used by an Al Jazeera programme, The Tip of the Iceberg, exhibited suspicious network activity that was undetectable to its users."

Continue reading the article online

https://www.theguardian.com/media/2020/dec/22/revealed-how-abusive-texts-led-to-discovery-of-hacking-of-al-jazeera

From the New York Times: extent of US Government penetration not known

"The Russian hackers who penetrated United States government agencies broke into the email system used by the Treasury Department’s most senior leadership, a Democratic member of the Senate Finance Committee said on Monday, the first detail of how deeply Moscow burrowed into the Trump administration’s networks.

In a statement after a briefing for committee staff members, Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon, who has often been among the sharpest critics of the National Security Agency and other intelligence agencies, said that the Treasury Department had acknowledged that “the agency suffered a serious breach, beginning in July, the full depth of which isn’t known.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/21/us/politics/russia-hack-treasury.html

 

From the New York Times:

"President-elect Joseph R. Biden Jr. accused President Trump on Tuesday of “irrational downplaying” of the widespread hack of the federal government and American industries, saying that the current administration was denying him intelligence and warning Russia that he would not allow the intrusion to “go unanswered” after he takes office.

“This assault happened on Donald Trump’s watch when he wasn’t watching,” Mr. Biden said at a news conference in Delaware. “It is still his responsibility as president to defend American interests for the next four weeks, but rest assured that even if he does not take it seriously, I will.”

The direct critique was a remarkable departure from tradition, in which incoming presidents are careful about not second-guessing the actions of the incumbent. But Mr. Trump’s refusal to recognize Mr. Biden’s election victory, and his effort to subvert the results, has clearly poisoned elements of the transition process."

 Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/22/us/politics/biden-trump-russia-hack.html

 

These articles add to the listing of "what we know and don't know" about the cyber attack

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/12/what-we-know-and-still-dont-about-worst.html

 

"Most businesses restricted to 25 percent capacity for at least 2 weeks in ‘critical period’"

The Boston Globe has the following:

"Governor Charlie Baker on Tuesday announced the toughest set of coronavirus-related restrictions since June, clamping down on the number of people allowed inside restaurants, groceries, and other public gathering spots in an attempt to stave off another holiday surge.

Capacity limits for most businesses will be lowered to 25 percent beginning Saturday and will remain restricted for at least two weeks, Baker said, prompting pushback from some who said companies may not survive another hit to their bottom lines."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required) https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/12/22/metro/gov-baker-announces-new-temporary-restrictions-gatherings-businesses/

Gov Baker's press conference video https://youtu.be/2TaRgI-x-z0

Additional info can be found on the COVID-19 page https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-updates-and-information

Reopening Update: New Capacity Limits Effective Saturday

Effective Saturday 12/26, most sectors must adhere to new capacity limitations

Reopening Update: New Capacity Limits Effective Saturday Today, the Baker-Polito Administration announced that beginning at 12:01 a.m. on December 26th, 2020, Massachusetts will implement temporary capacity limits to stop the spread of COVID-19 as cases and hospitalizations rise. Businesses must adhere to the following capacity limitations. The revised limits below supersede existing limits in the Phase 3, Step 1 Sector-Specific Protocols. Except for the specified adjustments to capacity limitations, all other terms of the COVID-19 gatherings order (including exceptions) and all sector-specific workplace safety rules remain unchanged. These limits are in effect until January 10th, 2021 unless further extended by the Governor.   Gatherings (adjusting Order No. 57): 10 persons indoors, 25 persons outdoors, applies to both private homes and event venues and public spaces Restaurants: 25% of seating capacity, workers/staff excluded from occupancy count, applies separately to indoor and outdoor capacity Close Contact Personal Services: 25% capacity, workers/staff excluded from occupancy count Indoor and Outdoor Events: 10 persons indoors, 25 persons outdoors, workers/staff excluded from occupancy count Theaters and Performance Venues (Indoor performance venues remain closed): movie theaters at 25% capacity and maximum 50 people, outdoor performance venues at 25% capacity and maximum 25 people Casinos: 25% capacity, with the Massachusetts Gaming Commission to re-issue capacity rules as necessary Office Spaces: 25% capacity Places of Worship: 25%, workers/staff excluded from occupancy count Retail Businesses: 25% capacity, workers/staff excluded from occupancy count Driving and Flight Schools: 25% capacity  Golf Facilities: 25% capacity, applies only to indoor spaces Libraries: 25% capacity  Operators of Lodgings: 25% capacity, applies only to common areas Arcades & Other Indoor & Outdoor Recreation Businesses: 25% capacity Fitness Centers and Health Clubs: 25% capacity  Museums / Cultural & Historical Facilities / Guided Tours by vehicles and vessels: 25% capacity Sectors Not Otherwise Addressed: 25% capacity  Common Areas in facilities subject to EEA-issued COVID-19 safety rules: 25% capacity, applies only to indoor spaces and excludes youth and amateur sports facilities These new limitations do not impact Massachusetts public schools, which operate under separate guidance from the Commonwealth. Where no licensed or permitted capacity allowance is on record and for any enclosed space within a larger facility, occupancy shall be limited to no more than 5 persons per 1,000 square feet. For further information, please visit Mass.Gov/Reopening. As always, please do not hesitate to reach out if the Partnership can be of any assistance to you. You may reach me directly via email at jason@495partnership.org. Sincerely, Jason Palitsch Executive Director The 495/MetroWest Partnership

The 495/MetroWest Partnership | 200 Friberg Parkway, Suite 1003, Westborough, MA 01581 Sent by jason@495partnership.org powered by Try email marketing for free today!

Franklin Residents: Trash Delay This Week & Next ~ Friday Only

Trash Delay This Week & Next ~ Friday Only

For more info and a link to the flyer, visit the Trash and Recycling page

https://www.franklinma.gov/recycling-solid-waste

Franklin Residents: Trash Delay This Week & Next ~ Friday Only

Christmas Masses at St. Mary’s

As a reminder, those who wish to attend Masses in-person this Christmas at St. Mary’s must:

1.    Pre-register online (www.stmarysfranklin.org) prior to arriving at the church. From the home page, click on the “Mass Registration” link. Then choose a Mass, provide your name(s), an email address, and a phone number.
2.    Allow a temperature screening to take place. Everyone with a temperature below 100.4 degrees will be allowed into the church building.

Schedule and Options:

CHRISTMAS EVE: (Thursday)

• Masses (upper church & live-streamed to lower church and online): 1 PM, 3 PM, and 6 PM
• Outdoor Communion only: 1–2:15 PM, 3–4:30 PM, 6–7:30PM 
• Church closes after 6 PM 
• No Midnight Mass

CHRISTMAS DAY (Friday)

• Masses (upper church & live-streamed to lower church and online): 7:30 AM, and 10:30 AM
• Outdoor Communion only: 7:30–9 AM and 10:30–12 AM
• Visits (upper church only): 12–6 PM
  

About us:

The community of St. Mary is a Roman Catholic parish of the Archdiocese of Boston located at 1 Church Square, Franklin MA. Founded as a parish in 1877, it currently serves the spiritual needs of over 4,500 families.

 

Christmas Masses at St. Mary’s

FM #419 Talk Franklin - 12/18/20 (audio)

FM #419 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 419 in the series.

This session of the radio show shares my "Talk Franklin" conversation with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen and Marketing and Communications Specialist Anne Marie Tracey. We had our conversation via conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

We talk about:

• Red status – positivity over 14 days = 5.03%
• Town Council
• Community Preservation Committee
• Water treatment plant payment (spear phishing incident)
• Logistics for 2021
• Twice monthly
• Somewhat organized to lead to Council topic calendar
• Likely to include an appropriate guest for an episode
• Always room for ‘current’ events

Links to the key topics covered here are included in the show notes. The recording runs about 32 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Jamie and Anne Marie.  Audio file =>  https://player.captivate.fm/episode/6fde8649-d680-432f-a9b9-4dd0280a3c11

--------------

#ThinkFranklinFirst gift cards  https://franklingiftcard.com/

Town Council meeting 12/18/20 agenda and docs
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/12/franklin-ma-town-council-agenda-dec-16.html

-------------

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial. 

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

• If you don't like something here, please let me know

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

------------------

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

 

FM #419 Talk Franklin - 12/18/20 (audio)

FM #420 Town Council Quarterbacking - 12/17/20 (audio)

FM #420 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 420 in the series. 

This shares my conversation with Town Council Chair Tom Mercer. This is the second of a series of conversations meant to provide a recap of the prior Council meeting. Akin to one of the many sports post-game analysis broadcasts we are familiar with in New England,  this would be a discussion focused on the Franklin Town Council meeting: ok, what just happened? What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?

‘regular business’

• Lot lines clean up changes continue

• Cable fund transfer authorized

• GPS lease/purchase approved

 

‘Important business’

• Community Preservation Committee bylaw approved

• Authorization of emergency funds for Water Treatment plant billing (replaces spear phishing funds)

The show notes include links to the meeting agenda and associated documents.

Our conversation runs about 37 minutes, so let’s listen in.

Audio file =  https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HWw2SfvS

 

--------------

Town Council - meeting agenda and packet

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/12/franklin-ma-town-council-agenda-dec-16.html 

My meeting notes

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/12/town-council-meeting-recap-dec-16-2020.html 

 

 

-------------

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial. 

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

• If you don't like something here, please let me know

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

------------------

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

 

Town Council Chair Tom Mercer opens the meeting 12/16/20

Franklin, MA: 1870 to 1879 (video)

Joe Landry provides this video of the history of Franklin from 1870 to 1879. 

Direct video link: https://youtu.be/Wzo5fKIG4ws 

Senate Advances Police Reform Legislation

  Senate Advances Police Reform Legislation

The Massachusetts State Senate today (12/21/20) made changes to an amendment to An Act relative to justice, equity and accountability in law enforcement in the Commonwealth, sent by Governor Baker, thereby allowing the original bill to advance to the House of Representatives for further consideration. In doing so, the Senate responded to the Governor's concerns and potential veto of the legislation while maintaining the integrity of the original bill, one of the most comprehensive legislative responses in the nation to incidents involving police brutality. 

Governor Baker threatened to veto a bill that included the original language that would have placed drastic limitations on law enforcement's use of facial recognition technology, mandated transparency on its use and created a commission to inform future regulations. In an effort to preserve the totality of the bill, including the first-in-the-nation civilian-led Massachusetts' Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Commission, the Senate adopted changes to the amendment that limits law enforcement's use of facial recognition to appropriate circumstances while maintaining the original bill's requirements on transparency in data collection and the creation of a new commission on facial surveillance. 

The Governor's amendment would give the Municipal Police Training Committee (MPTC) control over promulgating regulations of use-of-force standards. Leaders in communities of color made it clear that it is critical for the civilian-led POST commission to have a say in the development of use of force regulations, so the Senate adopted a change that will give the POST commission and MPTC joint responsibility in approving, promulgating and implementing use of force regulations.

"It is my top priority to ensure that meaningful police reform and racial justice legislation get signed into law this session," stated Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). "The bill that we are advancing today is not a magic bullet to reverse the pain and injustice endured by communities of color and those disproportionately affected by law enforcement in Massachusetts—no one is claiming that it is, nor is it even possible for one bill to do that. But when given the choice of making necessary compromises or letting this bill be vetoed, it was unconscionable to me to not do what was necessary to lay this important foundation of accountability and transparency. I am very proud of the efforts of Senator Brownsberger and Senator Chang-Díaz to get us to this point today, but our fight for justice and equity is not over. I remain committed to listening to communities of color and doing the hard work of advancing legislation that brings us closer to our goal."

"At this point, we are in the homestretch," said Senator Will Brownsberger (D-Belmont), Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on the Judiciary. "I am very hopeful that we will cross the finish line, because I see that all of the key leaders — the Senate President, the Speaker and the Governor feel strongly that this historic bill needs to get done."

"Communities of color pushed through heartbreak, rage, and exhaustion to get meaningful law enforcement reform this far—and made more sacrifices and compromises than they should have been asked for," said MBLLC Member Senator Sonia Chang-Díaz (D-Boston). "There's a lot that remains undone, work that this bill will not finish. And yet this bill is a testament to the fact that, in the face of so many righteous voices calling for justice, the political system does bend to effort. 'Power concedes nothing without a demand,' and over the past several months, gutsy, sustained organizing has wrought landscape-changing reform to reduce police misconduct and strengthen accountability. It's because of advocates, organizers, and community members that this legislation stands so close to becoming law, and it's because of their ongoing efforts that next session we will continue on this path towards necessary, long-overdue justice."

Other changes are administrative or clarifying in nature. The amended language now goes to the House of Representatives for further action.

CommonWealth Magazine also reports on the Senate passage

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/politics/senate-to-compromise-with-baker-on-police-reform-bill/

Tips to avoid COVID-19 vaccine-related fraud

FBI Boston (@FBIBoston) tweeted

"The #FBI, @OIGatHHS, and @CMSGov, are warning the public about several emerging fraud schemes related to #COVID19 vaccines. Learn more about potential indicators of fraudulent activity, and tips to avoid COVID-19 vaccine-related fraud" 

 

Read the full article:  https://t.co/R9jJVINVWM 

Shared from Twitter:  https://t.co/nrWAHlFjiI
 

Download a flyer with the tip summary https://oig.hhs.gov/coronavirus/vaccine-scams2020.pdf

https://oig.hhs.gov/coronavirus/vaccine-scams2020.pdf

CommonWealth Magazine: "Mass., NH, RI, DC sign transportation climate pact"

From CommonWealth Magazine:

"MASSACHUSETTS, CONNECTICUT, Rhode Island, and the District of Columbia signed on to a pact Monday to put a price on the carbon contained in vehicle fuels sold within their borders and leverage the revenues gained and the resulting higher price of gasoline to cut transportation emissions 26 percent by 2032.

The group of initial participants is far smaller than Gov. Charlie Baker had been hoping for, but officials said other states in New England and down the East Coast have committed to staying at the table and possibly joining the so-called Transportation Climate Initiative in the future.

The emission reduction goal released Monday is higher than states had been talking about a year ago, but the forecasted impact on gas prices is expected to be smaller. A year ago the Transportation Climate Initiative looked at carbon dioxide cap reductions ranging from 20 to 25 percent by 2032, with gas prices rising 5 to 17 cents a gallon in 2022 depending on the size of the cap reduction. Now officials are calling for a 30 percent cap reduction (which translates into a 26 percent reduction in actual pollution) but saying gasoline prices will rise only 5 cents a gallon – 9 cents at the most – in 2022.

Katie Theoharides, the Massachusetts secretary of energy and environmental affairs, said there are price protections built into the current proposal that didn’t exist with the earlier versions."

Continue reading the article online

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/transportation/mass-nh-ri-dc-sign-transportation-climate-pact/

wbur: "One Challenge To Reopening Schools: Finding Enough Teachers"

Franklin Public Schools has not been able to fulfill all their open positions during this pandemic period. This wbur report confirms that Franklin is not alone in finding qualified teachers.

"Just after Thanksgiving, Falmouth High School Principal Mary Gans got a call: the school had a positive case. Twelve of her staff members were considered “close contacts” and had to quarantine immediately.

"I just [did] not have the ability to cover all of their classes, even for the rest of the day," Gans said. "There just weren’t the bodies that we could pull to satisfy that kind of puzzle."

Substitute teachers are very hard to come by this year, so the school decided to go fully remote for a week. The hybrid model is back up and running at Falmouth High School, but Gans said having enough teachers is an ongoing challenge.

"We’ve been so short that I’ll go and sub in classes when teachers are out," she said. "And I’ve done that in the past, but not like this year.""

Continue reading the article online

https://www.wbur.org/edify/2020/12/21/massachusetts-teacher-shortage

From the Re-opening Report on the School Committee agenda for Dec 22, 2020

Personnel 

1.Staffing.​  As case numbers rise, we continue to have an increase in staff absences.  Coverage continues to be a challenge at all levels. Many are wondering what metrics we are using in terms of numbers of staff absent prior to switching to a remote day. 

a.Actions taken (noted in the last update): Principals and assistant principals are providing coverage as needed. This takes away from their other responsibilities, which at this time include contact tracing (see below) in addition to other customary responsibilities. We are recruiting additional subs and monitors as college students return home for the next several months. We are requiring negative COVID tests for employment. 

b.Additional actions taken: Like many districts, I do not have  definitive quantitative metrics on attendance to determine whether or not to move a school into remote learning for a day. Beyond an overall number of staff out, more needs to go into the decision including looking at which staff are out and their responsibilities within the school setting. We are also taking into consideration the duration for which coverage is a challenge for the school. The building administration and central office team discuss the coverage plan for a particular school and, when coverage can not be adequately provided, we have made the decision to go remote.

Read the full re-opening report here

https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/reopening_schools_status_update_dec_18_2020-2021.pdf

wbur: "One Challenge To Reopening Schools: Finding Enough Teachers"

FTC Consumer Alert: New tools to fight gift card scams

New tools to fight gift card scams by Cristina Miranda Division of Consumer and Business Education, FTC This holiday season (and year-round), gift cards are on scammers' wish lists. Scammers always have a reason for you to pay them immediately with a gift card. And they often tell you which card to buy and which store to visit. That's why the FTC is launching a new Stop Gift Card Scams campaign to work with stores and law enforcement to fight these scams. And it's also why the FTC has taken another look at reporting data to see what's happening lately. Read more >  https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2020/12/new-tools-fight-gift-card-scams?utm_source=govdelivery This is a free service provided by the Federal Trade Commission.

---

New York Times: "The ‘Red Slime’ Lawsuit That Could Sink Right-Wing Media"

From the New York Times, an article of interest for Franklin:

“Of course I was surprised, but at the same time, it was pretty clear that these people were trying to discredit the election and they were throwing out 25 conspiracy theories in parallel,” he told me in an interview last week from Barbados, where his company has an office. “I thought it was so absurd that it was not going to have legs.”

But by Nov. 14, he knew he had a problem. That’s when Rudy Giuliani, serving as the president’s lawyer, suggested that one voting company, Dominion Voting Systems, had a sinister connection to vote counts in “Michigan, Arizona and Georgia and other states.” Mr. Giuliani declared on Twitter that the company “was a front for SMARTMATIC, who was really doing the computing. Look up SMARTMATIC and tweet me what you think?”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/20/business/media/smartmatic-lawsuit-fox-news-newsmax-oan.html