Saralo Elected Assistant Majority Leader

Wellington senator will serve with Majority Leader John Morandi

MAVOCKE--Senate Nationalists elected Wellington Sen. Nadan Saralo (pronounced "Na-dawn Sa-rall-o) to be Assistant Majority Leader.

The first-term senator beat out Trinton Sen. Tim Blakewell for the number two post, and will serve with newly-elected Majority Leader Sen. John Morandi of Lial.

Saralo, who is of Jordanian descent, is the first non-white person to serve in a senate leadership position.

Speaking of his election, Morandi said he is "honored" to serve with Saralo.

"Nadan is someone I know I can trust and count on, and he will be a great deputy," Morandi told the NPF.

A statement from Saralo's Mavocke office said the senator is "prepared to join with John Morandi over the next two years to bring real change to the Senate."

The Wellington first-termer brings a more moderate tone to the leadership compared to Morandi's decidedly more liberal tilt. Saralo's selection will also bring a western perspective to NAT Senate leadership.

Harvannah To Switch To Two-Year Gubernatorial Terms

Measure needed 60 per cent to pass


CLEVEY SPRINGS, Harvannah--The voters of Harvannah have voted to reduce the governor's term from four years to two.

Harvannah Secretary of State Jennifer Giorchani told the NPF Wednesday evening the elections data for State Measure 67 has been finalized.

The vote was held back during the December 2010 election, but the count was never publicized or certified due to litigation over the validity of the elections process.

But on Wednesday, the lawsuit against the state was thrown out, and the numbers were released by Giorchani's office. Those numbers show Harvannans narrowly approved Measure 67, which called for a reduction in a governor's term from the current four years to two.

"Approving Measure 67 means voters will elect a new governor every two years, as opposed to the current four year system we have now," Todd Garrett, spokesman for Greater Democracy, the main group behind the measure, said. "We are thrilled this passed, finally."

Proponents of the measure, namely Greater Democracy and the state Conservative Party, said it would allow voters to elect a governor more often, giving average citizens a stronger voice in state politics and lessening the power of the governorship.

Opponents, including Nationalist incumbent Gov. Mark Andres, said the measure would complicate Harvannah elections, cost more money, and reduce the effectiveness of government.

"If a governor has to face election every two years, then it's going to be very difficult for he or she to get a decent agenda passed through the legislature in that amount of time. Two years is just not enough time," Andres told the Harlyne Sun newspaper back in August 2010.

This wasn't the first time the idea was proposed. Back in 2008, backers of the two-year term idea got the measure on the ballot. It passed, but did not earn the necessary 60 per cent needed to amend the state's constitution.

This time around, however, just over 60 per cent of voters approved the measure. That means the state's constitution will now be amended, and Gov. Mark Andres will be running for a two-year term in 2012 when he's up for re-election.

While the measure calls for two-year terms, it does not provide for any term limits, so candidates can serve as many terms as they'd like, so long as they're elected.

Under the measure, the lieutenant governor also will be elected to two-year terms, while the positions of Attorney General and Secretary of State will remain four-year terms, something critics say is unfair.

"How is it that the governor and lieutenant governor will only be elected for two years but the AG and secretary of state will keep serving four?" state Sen. Jim McGibbons (N-Henotia) told the Sun.

Supporters of Measure 67 say the answer is simple: the governorship and lieutenant governorship are decidedly political positions, while attorney general and secretary of state are more non-partisan, in nature.

"The governor and lieutenant governor positions are much more ideologically-driven, much more political than the attorney general or secretary of state, who have no real interest in a political agenda but in protecting the people of Harvannah," state Rep. Gerry Edmundson (C-Ashfords Landing) said on WCVS 1050 am radio.

Opponents of Measure 67 have 90 days to appeal the voters' decision.

If Measure 67 survives a potential legal challenge, Harvannah will become the second state in the country to elect a governor every two years rather than four. New Portsmouth is the only state to currently employ the two-year term.

Chloe Dornsby Donates $500K To Japan Disaster Relief

Actress says images of destruction are 'moving'

TREETON--Actress Chloe Dornsby has donated $500,000 (US) to the disaster relief effort in Japan, following the 9.0 magnitude earthquake that struck last week.

Dornsby, who is best known for playing "Judland Hall" in the hit TV series "Time of Our Lives," said she wanted to make the donation because "the hurt, the suffering are so unimaginable."

"How can you look at those pictures and not be moved by the damage and devastation?" Dornsby told Glamour magazine.

This isn't the first natural disaster Dornsby has donated to. Following the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, she donated the same amount, $500,000.

Dornsby said she also felt a special nudge to donate to Japan because her sister-in-law is a native of the island country.

"Because someone in my family is from that very place, it really hits close to home for me," she said.

Many Grassadellian aid agencies are accepting donations, including the Grassadellian Red Cross and WorldVision Grassadellia.

McCann Wins No. 2 Leadership Post

Kalnier senator 'delighted' to serve alongside Jay Burns

MAVOCKE--Kalnier Sen. Shannon McCann has won the Conservative Party's Assistant Minority Leader post in the Senate.

McCann won in the fifth round of counting, beating out Sen. Jared Lanman of Remmington, who previously held the post, as well as fellow Sens. Dana Glow (Armana), Alyssa Jones (Damoign), Kelsey Frascanio (Trinton), Nadine Pietrasaelis (New Portsmouth) and Independent Sen. Niles Gilcrest (Veroche), who caucuses with the Conservative Party.

She will serve alongside Deschire Sen. Jay Burns, who earlier this week was elected Minority Leader by his Conservative peers.

"I'm delighted to serve with Jay Burns and to serve the people of this country as Assistant Minority Leader," McCann said in a statement given to the NPF. "My desire is to help bring about change in any way I can, and I feel this position will allow me to be a stronger voice in the Senate for all Grassadellians."

The identity of McCann's NAT counterpart, the Assistant Majority Leader, is unknown right now, as the party has not elected its leader. However, on Friday, Lial Sen. John Morandi was elected Majority Leader by Nationalist senators, as well as two Democratic-Reformists and one Independent senator, whom have all formed a coalition.

With the recent formation of the majority NAT-DR-Independent coalition, the balance of power in the Senate now stands at 49 to 46.

Tornado Warning Issued For Midwest

NWB upgrades threat from 'watch' to 'warning'

FAIRFIELD, Ceona--The National Weather Bureau (NWB) has upgraded the threat of tornadoes from a "watch" to a "warning," as of Tuesday night.

The NWB office in Fairfield says tornadoes are possible in areas of southwestern Ceona, northwestern Remmington, and southeastern East Deschire. Wind gusts could reach speeds of 90 miles per hour.

The warning means it's "likely" tornadoes could occur.

The warning is in effect for the following counties: Fairfield County, Ceona; Karamas, Lodwell and Greenhel Counties in Remmington; and Riona, Sherlance and Sauder Counties in East Deschire.

The warning is in effect until 12:00 am Wednesday morning.

Frascanio Unendorses Reedsworth--Again

Senator says her new colleague already broke several promises

WILMINGTON, Trinton--Senator Kelsey Frascanio (C-Trinton) is unendorsing Trinton's new Conservative-turned-Independent Senator-elect George Reedsworth--for the second time.

Earlier this week, Reedsworth--who previously promised to caucus with Conservatives if elected--joined forces with Nationalists, helping the NAT to form a coalition to take control of the Senate.

That move has Conservatives outraged, including fellow Trinton Senator Kelsey Frascanio, who endorsed Reedsworth during a run-off election between he and incumbent Sen. Grace Kemp (N), whom Reedsworth defeated.

"Had I known George Reedsworth was going to jump into the arms of the Nationalist Party as soon as he got elected, I would never have endorsed him," Frascanio said at a press conference outside her Mavocke office. "He used me. And he betrayed my trust and the trust of the people of Trinton, who voted for him because they thought he would be a conservative voice in the Senate. Obviously he is proving to be a dishonest liberal masquerading as a Conservative."

Reedsworth insists his alliance with Senate Nationalists does not mean he has sacrificed his Conservative views.

"This is not a union of ideals or ideology. It's a union of numbers. [The NAT] want me on their side, not because I agree with them but because I can help form a majority," he said at his Mavocke office.

"I've already made it clear to John Morandi and the other Nationalists that I will not vote with them on a number of issues. They know that I will live up to my promise during the campaign, and that is to be an independent voice for Trinton. I promised not to let any political party control me and just because I'm forming a coalition with the Nationalist Party does not mean I will vote liberal or go hand-in-hand with John Morandi. I will vote my conscience, and I will vote what the people of Trinton want," Reedsworth said.

But when asked about his pledge to caucus with Conservatives, Reedsworth was firm.

"I was planning on caucusing with the Conservatives, yes. But the way it ended up was the Nationalists had the first opportunity to form government, and it became increasingly clear to me that the NAT was going to hold power in the Senate, and that I would be guaranteed a lot more influence if I joined them. So I did what was best for Trinton. I joined the majority party. Would I rather be with the Conservative Party? Of course. My views are more in line with their's. But they're in the minority and Trinton needs a majority-party senator."

Reedsworth's complicated relationship with Frascanio goes back a long ways. During the CNS Senate primary campaign, Frascanio initially pledged her support for Reedsworth. But when the then-congressman failed to announce his candidacy in a timely fashion, Frascanio about-faced and endorsed the more hard-line state Sen. Randy Kalamaza, who ended up winning the primary.

Then in the three-way general election, in which Reedsworth ran as an Independent, Kalamaza came in last place, while first-place Sen. Grace Kemp failed to attain the necessary 40 per cent to win. That prompted a run-off election between the top-two candidates, Kemp and Reedsworth. It was then that Frascanio (at the last minute) endorsed Reedsworth, telling reporters he was not an ideal choice but a better alternative to the ultra-liberal Kemp.

For now, it seems Frascanio and Reedsworth will be at odds.

"I really feel betrayed," Frascanio told GNN's James Madine. "George Reedsworth campaigned as a conservative. And now he's on the Nationalists' side. That's essentially a lie. He's broken campaign promises and he has lied to the people of Trinton. I can't stand behind someone like that."

"With all due respect to my colleague, I don't need her endorsement," Reedsworth told the NPF. "The people of Trinton sent me here to be a Senator for the people, not for the Conservative Party or the Nationalist Party. I will continue to advance conservative causes in the Senate, and I will never change my views to fit in with a certain political party's agenda. But I will work with whichever party can best deliver for Trinton, and right now that happens to be the Nationalist Party. Later on down the road it may very well be the Conservative Party. But right now I'm with the NAT.

"Again, it's not a happy marriage, but a marriage of necessity. I don't like them and they don't really like me. But we need each other," Reedsworth said of his relationship with the Nationalist Party.

Grassadellians Having Difficulties Contacting Loved Ones In Japan

Foreign Affairs Dept. working to assist separated loved ones

MAVOCKE--Grassadellians are facing difficulties contacting loved ones in Japan following the record 8.9 magnitude earthquake.

Foreign Affairs Under-Secretary Dawnelle Hunter-Garrett confirmed that over 15,000 calls have been made to the department's headquarters in Mavocke. Hunter-Garrett said the office has been averaging about 555 calls per hour since the quake happened.

"A lot of people are calling in concerned about their family members or loved ones, and we recognize there is a real concern here so we are doing everything we can to assist in the search and verification process," Hunter-Garrett said at a press conference Friday afternoon.

Extra personnel have been brought in to handle phone calls and to help locate and confirm the safety of the more than 30,000 Grassadellians living in Japan.

So far, the agency has confirmed two Grassadellian tourists were killed when a tree fell during the massive tsunami generated by the large quake. Their names have not been identified yet.

Another fifteen Grassadellians have been injured, but none with life-threatening injuries, Hunter-Garrett said.

"Obviously, we are very worried about the many Grassadellian citizens that are currently in Japan. And our hearts go out to the whole nation of Japan in this very difficult, tragic time," she said.

The Foreign Affairs Department is asking citizens for patience, as calls are pouring in and agents follow every inquiry.

"We urge people to call in, but we ask that they be patient, because this is a huge natural disaster and there are quite a few people affected," Hunter-Garrett said. "I promise we are working as fast as we can to account for the safety of every Grassadellian affected by this."

The government has set up a hotline for concerned family to contact. The number is 1-800-325-6700. Online inquiries can also be made at the department's website www.dofa.ga.

Nationalists Form Coalition In Senate

NAT forms coalition with D-R, Independent members

MAVOCKE--The Nationalist Party has successfully formed a coalition in the Senate, after more than a week of negotiations.

Democratic-Reformist Senators Sheila Crouwsky of POG and Julie Wynmyer of Carova, as well as newly-elected Independent Senator George Reedsworth of Trinton, have all agreed to join the NAT coalition.

The NAT currently holds 46 of the Senate's 95 seats. With the addition of Crouwsky, Wynmyer and Reedsworth, that gives the NAT 49 seats, enough to make a majority.

That means for the first time in ten years, the NAT will control the Senate, albeit narrowly. The Conservatives hold 44 seats, and Democratic-Reformist William J. Locke of Monomi and Conservative-turned-Independent Niles Gilcrest of Veroche have agreed to caucus with the CNS, giving the Senate a 49-46 split.

Crouwsky's liberal record meant it was a given she would join the NAT, as she has done in the past. But the NAT successfully persuaded Wynmyer, who previously caucused with the Conservatives, to join their ranks. And Reedsworth pledged during his campaign he would stick with the Conservative Party, even after losing out in the CNS primary election. But the veteran assemblyman-turned senator now says he has to "do what's right for the people of Trinton."

"The Nationalists offered me a valuable spot on the Senate Defense Committee. This is a very important position, both for me and for the people of my state. I owe it to the people of Trinton to best serve them, and I can do that by landing an influential seat on an important committee," Reedsworth said.

Wynmyer, whose conservative voting record made her an unlikely partner with the NAT, made clear she openly disagrees with the Nationalist Party on many issues.

"We don't agree on everything. I know that and they know that. We're walking into this with everything on the table. I've already told them that I will not vote with them on everything. In fact, there will be quite a bit that I vote Conservative on, because I am an independent-minded leader. I don't side with one party or the other. I think good ideas come from all parties, and I'm going to work with whichever party is most willing to give me and my state a chance," Wynmyer told the NPF.

The Nationalists also tried to convince Veroche Sen. Niles Gilcrest, an Independent who lost his re-election bid in the CNS primary but won the general election, to come over to their side. But Gilcrest, who has disenchanted many Conservatives, already promised he would caucus with the CNS, and told the GBC he would not go back on his word.

"I am a man of my word, and when I say I'm going to stay with the Conservatives, I mean that. I am a Conservative at heart and I believe their agenda is more in tune with what the people of Grassadellia and my home state of Veroche want," Gilcrest said.

The NAT will now have to elect a new Senate Majority Leader. Current Minority Leader Shay Robertson of Damoign will stand for election. Senators John Morandi of Lial, Paul LeBouse of Kalnier, Paul Leitcher of Wellington, Jean Chaveau of Damoign, and John Yannes of POG are all expected to contend for the position as well.

Police Foil E. Deschire School Shooting

Cops say 17-year-old student was planning a 'bigger Red Fearn'

JIMICUS, East Deschire--Police in central East Deschire say they've foiled a well-planned school shooting.

Authorities in the small town of Jimicus arrested a 17-year-old suspect (who has not been named because he is a minor) on suspicion of planning a massive shooting at his local high school.

Police say they were tipped off by other students and the boy's parents, who found evidence he was planning an attack.

"Today, we avoided another tragedy," Jimicus Police Sgt. Jim Laren said at a press conference.

Police say the student had planned the attack thoroughly, going so far as to draw blueprints of the school's layout. He also had a "hit list" of students and teachers to target, and police believe he had access to guns at his home.

"This could have been a very scary, a very deadly attack of unprecedented nature in this part of the country," Laren said.

School officials were shocked, but relieved the attack didn't happen.

"We are a very tight-knit community and this school is the pride of our town," said John McFarland, principal of Jimicus High School. "If this would have happened, it would have been devastating to our community. We're so thankful students and other concerned individuals came forward. They really did save, potentially, many lives."

The school has about 300 students, according to 2010 records.

A classmate told police the suspect once said he wanted to "shoot up" the school, and promised it would be "bigger and better than Red Fearn," a reference to Grassadellia's worst school shooting in Red Fearn, Monomi back in 1999. That shooting left seven students and three teachers dead, and another 11 wounded.

The sole suspect in that case, then-17-year-old Casey Raymond, was sentenced to 612 years in prison. He's currently being held at the Monomi State Penitentiary and will be eligible for parole in 2061, when he's 79 years old.

For now, the suspect in the shooting plot is being held in a juvenile detention centre in Ridgeview. He will go before a judge Friday morning.

Lamberth City Councilman Attacked With Hammer

Councilman Grover Tershlin recovering in hospital after violent attack

LAMBERTH, Kalnier--A Lamberth city councilman is recovering in hospital after being violently attacked with a hammer.

Grover Tershlin, who represents the northeast part of the city, was attacked Wednesday night in a vacant parking lot in northeast Lamberth's Dugger Hill neighborhood.

The councilman was walking to his car around 9:30 pm when a man confronted him. The suspect demanded he hand over his wallet. Tershlin complied and attempted to run away but the suspect struck him in the back of the head with what police believe was a hammer.

Minutes later, a passerby found the councilman lying in the parking lot in a pool of blood and phoned authorities. Tershlin was taken to St. Anne's Hospital in Lamberth with life-threatening injuries, but a hospital spokeswoman told local media Thursday he is expected to live.

"His injuries are serious but doctors do expect him to survive," the spokeswoman said.

Shortly after arriving at the scene, police were able to locate and arrest 39-year-old Allen Stiller, a transient who has previous drug and assault convictions. Police confirm the suspect had a hammer in his possession, as well as a small amount of marijuana, however, it's unclear if he was under the influence of drugs at the time.

Stiller was booked into the Golstad County Jail, and charged with one count of attempted murder and one count of fleeing the scene of a crime. He is expected to go before a magistrate Thursday afternoon.

Meanwhile, local leaders are outraged at Tershlin's attack. Lamberth Mayor Felix Brinada said he was "horrified" at the attack, and told the National Press Federation (NPF) that "violent crime of that nature has no place in this city."

Fellow city councilman Steve Briggs called the assault "unbelievable," and said he hopes his colleague recovers swiftly.

"Certainly, we wish Grover a speedy and sound recovery after such an awful incident," Briggs said.

There is no word on Tershlin's immediate condition. Doctors told local media Thursday morning he was in serious but stable condition.

Oswell Joins Lanakis Law Firm

Former Remmington lieutenant gov to focus on international law

LANAKIS--Former Remmington Lieutenant Governor Shane Oswell has joined the Lanakis law firm of Schoell, Sherman and Millenberg.

Oswell, a Conservative who served under former Remmington Governor Michael Killings, confirmed he will join the firm, although he will continue to keep his main residence in Remmington City.

Allen Lindsay, a spokesman for the firm, verified that Oswell will work part-time in the firm's main office in Lanakis as well as his home office in Remmington City.

In an e-mail to GNN, Oswell's secretary said the former lieutenant governor is "pleased to join an internationally regarded firm" and is "especially excited to helping clients navigate the sometimes difficult waters of international law." Lindsay confirmed Oswell will focus primarily on international law issues.

Oswell served as lieutenant governor of Remmington from 2004 to 2008. Before that he served three terms in the state House of Delegates. Prior to his entry into politics, he worked as an assistant prosecuting attorney for Benham County.

Argouth Rules Out Run For Governor

Former gubernatorial candidate will not seek rematch with Linda Van Auhn

TWIN LAKES, Veroche--Former Conservative gubernatorial candidate Todd Argouth will not run for governor in 2012, he announced today.

Argouth ran against Van Auhn in a special election back in 2007, and has mulled a rematch with incumbent Nationalist Gov. Linda Van Auhn, but ultimately decided against it.

"I've given this a great deal of thought and a lot of people have encouraged me to run. While I am honored, I believe that running for governor at this time would not be in the best interest of myself or my family," he said at a press conference.

Argouth's decision opens the door for other Conservatives who are itching to take on the first-term Van Auhn, who has presided over a difficult economy in the Plains State. Among the top contenders is former candidate and businessman Steve Leona, who ran unsuccessfully against Van Auhn in 2008. Former professional football player Steve Serpino and Pendleton Mayor Ric Renner are also considering a run.

Lieutenant Governor Brad Davidson is also rumored to be considering a challenge to Van Auhn, though his office refused to comment.

Garesby Exploring Run For Governor

Popular mayor is a seasoned moderate

HARRISPORT, Harvannah--The popular Conservative mayor of Harrisport, George Garesby, is considering a run for governor, sources close to the mayor say.

Garesby originally was uninterested in running. But in recent weeks, state Senate President Jim Fribenzi and the party's 2008 December election nominee, businessman Bill Barnes, have both declined to run against incumbent Gov. Mark Andres (NAT), who is up for re-election in 2012.

Without Fribenzi or Barnes, the party has few viable options. The frontrunners so far appear to be Attorney General Julia Giorchani, who ran unsuccessfully against Andres in a special election in the spring of 2008, and businessman Rich Tuller, who serves as CEO of H-Tel, a Harlyne-based telecommunications company.

Many party insiders view Giorchani as too combative and Tuller as too gaffe-prone. Garesby, however, is a veteran politician with middle-of-the-road views and experience, and many party insiders believe his many years as a mayor and community leader would match up well against Andres' years as mayor of Harlyne.

Friends close to Garesby say the mayor, who is a well-respected moderate, is reconsidering his previous decision not to run, and is quietly building a campaign staff.

Those same sources, who asked not to be identified because they're not permitted to talk to the media, told Clevey Springs political reporter Carl Orsbad that Garesby met with Fribenzi to discuss a possible campaign. Neither Garesby nor Fribenzi would confirm that report.

Neither Giorchani or Tuller have formally announced they're running, though most believe they will. Giorchani did not want to comment for this story and Tuller was unavailable for comment.