Karen DeSalle dodges questions on political future, confidantes say she will return to politics

Former Kalnier guv still active in government despite 2014 electoral loss

LAMBERTH, Kaln. -- On a brisk autumn morning, at a small café on Lamberth's south waterfront, donning a casual North Face fleece sweater and jeans, Karen DeSalle sat with reporter John Lerin from the Lamberth Regent.

It was not a secret meeting, but a non-descript one; a far cry from days past, when the two regularly met in the governor's office in Appenbaum.

This time they were not discussing the governor's agenda, political skirmishes or the campaign trail. They chatted about regrets, accomplishments the former governor is proud of, and her political future.

The big question: what will the ousted leader do next?

After her disappointing 47%-53% defeat in 2014 to her ascending Conservative opponent, businessman Tony Ritonio, DeSalle largely went into obscurity. Intentionally, she says.

"After being in public life for a long time and being in the thick of an intense campaign, and after losing, you need a break," said DeSalle.

First thing she did after her electoral defeat? A two week vacation to the British Virgin Islands for some rest and recuperation with her partner, Nick Patton.

But upon her return to Grassadellia, she stayed under the radar. She and Patton quietly bought a house in the leafy, upscale Mavocke suburb of Leightide, Roddenclanshire. Rumors began to swirl.

Would she be appointed to President Brenton Menuhaeo's cabinet? The common speculation was DeSalle, a longtime, loyal ally of Menuhaeo's, be appointed Secretary of Health and Social Services?

At the time, both DeSalle and the Menuhaeo Administration remained tight-lipped and still are.

DeSalle never was appointed to a cabinet position. But she has been serving as an informal adviser to Menuhaeo and to current secretary, Elizabeth Deedrick. Many suspect DeSalle is being groomed to replace Deedrick when she retires at the end of the year.

The former governor wouldn't comment to John Lerin on her specific plans. But she did say she plans to remain active in government, and she skillfully dodged a question about running for public office again.

"I don't know exactly where my path will lead, John. But I do plan to stay active in government life. In what role, I'm not sure. But I want to be active. I have a lot of experience and a lot to contribute, I think. And as far as running again, well, I just don't know what the future holds. I'm not planning on running for anything at the moment. But I will continue to contribute, working in Mavocke, and of course, traveling back to Kalnier regularly, as this is home," said DeSalle.

She praised Elizabeth Deedrick for her leadership of the DHSS. And she said she didn't want to wade into state politics, but she still had plenty to say about her successor in the governor's mansion.

"Look, he won, the people spoke with their vote, and I respect that. He is the governor, and just as I governed the way I wanted to, he has the ability and the right to govern the way he sees fit," said DeSalle, speaking of Tony Ritonio. "But am I worried about the direction Kalnier is headed? Yes, absolutely. Am I concerned about some of the policies he's espousing and implementing? Very much so. Do I think he's taking Kalnier backwards in terms of progress and equality, no doubt in my mind."

But she urged the people of Kalnier to oppose Mr. Ritonio's budget cuts, tax cuts, and legislation that weakens unions.

"He may be governor but he still has to answer to Kalnierans," she said.

While she hasn't joined any of the protest movements against Ritonio's policies, she has lent he support from afar in Mavocke.

And just last week, she penned a stinging critique for the Lamberth Regent denouncing Ritonio's efforts to limit the powers of labor unions.

"Kalnier has always been a state built on blue collar values. The governor himself has a rags-to-riches story, growing up in poverty in inner-city Lamberth, his dad working as a garbage man for the city, his mom working retail jobs to make ends meet. If anyone should understand the importance of labor unions and the vulnerable people they protect, it should be this governor. But sadly, he has been so blinded by his devoted allegiance to big business and the ultra-rich that he has lost sight of his working class roots," DeSalle wrote.

It sounds like she's still in campaign mode, but DeSalle insists she's not.

She also shot down questions she may run for president.

"Not a chance," she said, clearly amused. "That is not even close to being on my radar screen."

Would she run as the Nationalist candidate for vice president, if the NAT nominee offered her the job?

"Maybe. I never say never, but again, that's a long ways in the future and that's just wild speculation right now. I don't even know that I'd make anyone's short list."

For now, she appears content working in Mavocke as an adviser; her partner Nick Patton, whom she's been with for 17 years, working as a chemist for a major pharmaceutical company. Flying back to Kalnier once a month or more, serving as an advocate for liberal causes like combatting climate change, protecting labor, empowering the minorities rights movement, and her signature issue, women's reproductive health.

Friends and confidantes close to the former governor say they are certain she will run for political office again. Whether it be a campaign to regain the governorship, a Senate run, or running for vice president, they don't see Karen DeSalle leaving the political stage anytime soon.

"She loves campaigning, she loves governing. It's her passion. She has a real inner passion for government service and making accomplishments for progressive causes," said a college friend of DeSalle's, who did not want to be named for this story.

Even though she lost in 2014, DeSalle could feasibly mount a comeback. Kalnier leans liberal, with most political observers chocking Ritonio's 2014 win up to DeSalle's unpopularity and a national pro-Conservative tide. Most experts predict the governor's seat will revert to NAT hands in 2018 or 2022. That's plenty of time for DeSalle to redeem her popularity figures with the Kalnieran public.

A strong progressive, DeSalle defeated inaugural Gov. Joe Gramma (C) to serve  just one term from January 2011 to January 2015.

She is Kalnier's first NAT governor elected after the landmark 2007 Electoral Reform Law, and the first female governor elected. She is also the first and only unmarried governor of Kalnier, although she remains in a committed relationship with domestic partner Nick Patton.

DeSalle is from the North Woods region of northern Kalnier, and has a residence in Vitarick, about one hour north of Lamberth.

Almone says refugee ban wouldn't work, far-right doubles down

Refugee ban fails, bill increasing refugee scrutiny passes with bipartisan support; president vows to veto

LANSDALE -- She's not officially a candidate for president yet, but the prominent governor of POG is already weighing in on foreign policy issues.

Donna Almone, who is a leading potential Conservative candidate for president, told the GBC's Rebecca Ingraham in a sit-down interview that a proposed ban on Syrian refugees would not be effective in preventing terrorists from entering Grassadellia.

"If you ban people from one country or region, the terrorists will either sneak in anyway - they're very sneaky - or they will just go to another country and come in through another locale," said Almone. "There are many stepping stones to get here from international destinations, and a refugee ban is removing one stone, but the other stones are still there for terrorists to jump and zigzag across the stream."

Her comments come after many leaders in her own party - and  few in the Nationalist Party - have called for a ban on refugees from Syria and the middle east because of terrorism threats.

Biereland Gov. Ben Jordan, who made controversial anti-Islam comments following the Charlie Hebdo attacks that preceded last month's shooting attack in Paris, issued an executive order banning state agencies from processing immigrants from Syria and neighboring countries.

"I've ordered my cabinet to make it clear to state agencies that we will not accept any refugees from Syria or neighboring countries due to the increased threat of terrorism," he said.

Critics immediately pointed out that Jordan exempted Israel from his order, a move that Muslims and Muslim allies view as anti-Islam.

"So you put a ban on refugees from Syria and neighboring countries, but of course Israel is exempt because you Conservatives kiss the feet of Benjamin Netanyahu," tweeted Keith Camber, who is the director of Grassadellians Stand With Muslims, a pro-Islam advocacy group.

Muslims United, the nation's largest Muslim advocacy group, said Jordan's position is not only "untenable and nonsensical, but explicitly dangerous."

"This kind of policy harkens back to the days of Hitler and the exodus of Jewish people out of Europe. Countries didn't want the Jewish migrants, and rejected them in a time of great genocide. We have the same situation now but xenophobia and racist, bigoted comments by people like Mr. Jordan are giving ISIS (the Islamic State terrorist group) the propaganda they need to strengthen their position," said Mohammad Al-Houdad, the group's executive vice president.

Jordan said his exemption for Israel and the country of Jordan was only because those two countries are "much safer" than Syria, Turkey, Iraq and Lebanon.

He defended himself in a tense interview with GNN's Michael Micardi.

"This isn't a matter of race or religious discrimination. It's just common sense. When you have a large group of people trying to kill you and do you harm, and they all hail from one particular corner of the world, it only makes sense to temporarily halt the acceptance of people from that area."

He added that the ban is only temporary "until things calm down there."

"If the terrorists were coming from Sweden, or Canada, or Thailand, or any country, we would do the same thing. This has nothing to do with race and religion and everything to do with political correctness gone mad in this country," said Jordan.

Jordan acknowledged that not all Muslims are bad people.

"In fact, the great majority of Muslims are wonderful, hard-working people who love peace and freedom. But the problem is, at this point, we can't distinguish who is who when we are bringing in refugees to this country. And as we saw in Paris last month, the attackers had come in through the refugee program. That will happen in this country someday if we don't do something right away."

He continued, "I have an oath to protect the people of Biereland. And that's why I've issued this executive order, because the safety and security of Biereland is my highest priority."

His order, however, likely will be overturned through the courts. Most legal scholars, including Federal Attorney General Joel Oelselbach, agree that a state governor cannot ban refugees from being located in their country.

"That's not his job. That's the federal government's job. No governor has that legal right. He can't refuse anyone into his state," said a clearly annoyed Oelselbach at a press conference last week.

That may be true, but a state governor can make it more difficult for immigrants to come to their state by creating more bureaucracy in state agencies.

"He can't stop them altogether, but he can make it a hassle and make it harder," says Joseph Levin, a law professor at Wilkonshire State University in Jaffling.

Meanwhile, two additional governors - Greg Laskie of South Ceona and Wade Quanson of Wellington - have said they will not accept refugees either.

Another eleven governors - all Conservatives except Onakiah Gov. Paula Tulane - have not called for a ban on refugees, but have called for the federal government to increase scrutiny on Syrian refugees.

Almone is among those eleven. She says the government should increase scrutiny and be vigilant. But not panicked and xenophobic.

"That kind of rhetoric from my colleague in Biereland is not helpful. It's divisive, it's hurtful, and that strategy won't work anyway. Instead of sewing discord and division, we should be more vigilant but we should still allow refugees here. These people are fleeing war-torn places. They want to start a new life," she said. "Our country is based on the belief that anyone who works hard can succeed and everyone should have the same opportunity to succeed. This is a national security issue but it's also a human rights issue, and we can't lose sight of that."

Last week, the Senate voted on two measures. The first was a proposal to ban refugees from Syria altogether, sponsored by Sen. Mark Eisinger (C-Remm.) and Sen. Brad Bearns (C-Biere.). It failed overwhelmingly, 21-71 votes. Three Nationalists voted for the bill.

A second measure, this one not banning Syrian refugees but calling for increased scrutiny and an audit of how refugees are processed, narrowly passed 47-45 with bipartisan support. Nine Nationalists joined with all the chamber's 38 Conservatives and one Independent to tip the scale in Conservatives' favor.

President Brenton Menuhaeo opposed both bills and has vowed to veto the second one, if it passes the National Assembly.

"We will not live in fear. This bill does nothing but amplify fear in this country and increase animosity toward Muslim Grassadellians," said Menuhaeo.

If the Assembly does pass the second bill, the Senate will not be able to override Menuhaeo's veto, as two thirds of the Senate are needed to override a presidential veto.

In the meantime, Nationalists took to the press beat to vilify their Conservative colleagues.

"I can't believe in this day and age that we have this kind of fear-mongering going on. I thought those days ended decades ago, " POG Sen. Diane Coke said at a Capitol Hill press conference.

Freshman Sen. Jamie Scousenovy (N-Lial) said the two refugee bills will breed Islamophobia.

"Don't we want to be a welcoming society? A society that isn't paralyzed by irrational fears that are unfounded but a society that values diversity and the belief that all men are created equal and have equal unhindered access to freedom and acceptance?" she said in a town hall meeting in Ansleigha.

The issue is a tense one that has spread throughout the country, but is felt more directly in states with large Muslim populations, such as Marchenay, North Ceona, Ansleigha, Trinton, Armana, Lial, Damoign and Wilkonshire.

As the most populous state by far, Damoign has more Muslims than any other state. But per capita, North Ceona has the most.

The city of Churchtown, Ansleigha has the highest number of Muslims per capita of any city in the country.

That didn't stop North Ceona's and Ansleigha's Conservative senators from supporting the "Syrian Refugee Protection Act (SRPA)," the latter of the two bills voted on last week.

It should be noted Sen. Elizabeth Graham (N-North Ceona) also voted for the SRPA. She voted against the controversially titled "Protect Grassadellia from Syrian Terrorists Act" that failed to pass.

Nationalist governors also took to the airwaves to denounce what they called "Islamophobia."

"This type of behavior is typical of the modern day Conservative Party. Vilify minorities, use fear to scare the white majority. It's really sickening that they would stoop to this level," Lial Gov. Todd Pergich said in his weekly address to the media.

Wilkonshire Gov. Caroline Jepsey, a longtime ally of the Muslim community, said she was disheartened by the rhetoric coming from the far-right.

"This Islamophobia that we are seeing today from Conservative politicians has got to stop. This is not about protecting our country from terrorism. This campaign they're on is about demonizing Muslim Grassadellians and inciting fear and bigotry, and it has no place in this country. We are better than that," the two-term Nationalist governor said.

Sen. Joseph Milhaughly, who chairs the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said his committee will not cooperate with any audit the SRPA mandates.

"We won't do it. We will not participate in any activitiy that is blatantly unGrassadellian, unconstitutional, and inhumane. I will not let the committee take part in such activities, even if it is mandated by law," said the Marchenay senator.

The National Assembly will take up both issues this week.

NAT governors, women governors most popular: poll

BLOMENBURY, Rodden. -- A new study has ranked all the nation's 23 governors in respect to approval ratings, and the results are telling.

The two governors with the highest approval ratings are Nationalist women, and on average, female governors had higher approval ratings than their male colleagues.

The study also found voters approve of NAT governors more than CNS state executives.

Data collected during the study, which was conducted by Nelson University's Political and Sociological Studies Department, showed Roddenclanshire Gov. Mona Rodgers (N) with the highest approval rating, at 68%.

Onakiah Gov. Paula Tulane, also a Nationalist, came in second place, with 64% approval, followed by New Portsmouth Gov. Charles Wornkin at 63%.

Conservative Govs. George Garesby of Harvannah and Dale Fulbright of Armana round out the top five, with 62% and 61%, respectively. Both are moderate Conservatives.

Overall, female governors were more popular, with an average approval rating of 59% compared to 51% for male governors.

And NAT governors enjoy higher approval than CNS governors. On average, NAT state executives received a thumbs up from 59% of voters, while Conservative guvs received a good grade from 54%.

There was no noticeable connection found between the governors' political ideologies and popularity. Voters seem to approve and disapprove of moderate and far-left/far-right leaders at a similar rate.

The professors who led the study say they are a variety of reasons why a governor may enjoy high approval or may lag in popularity, but one common factor is likeability.

"Whether or not it's a good reason to approve of a politician, a number of voters base their approval on the person's personality," says Dr. Ken Thunderson, professor of Sociology at Nelson. "'Does the person come across as a nice person?' 'Are they friendly and amiable?' 'Do they fight with their political opponents or do they seek compromise?' Those seem to be common factors in voters' minds when giving approval to a public servant."

Rodgers, for example, hails from a liberal state. She's not a moderate - she's decisively liberal. But she has worked with Conservatives on a number of legislative issues, and she has a likeable personality.

Unlike Rodgers, Onakiah's Paula Tulane is a moderate, and has been vocal in opposing President Brenton Menuhaeo's agenda on many occasions. Her more conservative stances on the issues plays well in centre-right, blue-collar Onakiah.

Contrast that with Carova Gov. Sam Byelle, who governs a Conservative-leaning state. Despite his views being in line with that of most Carovans, he still holds the worst approval rating - only 45%.

Byelle barely won re-election in 2014, and many dissatisfied voters in his state cited his many years in politics combined with his perceived lack of interest in the job were their reasons for disapproving of his performance.

Marchenay Gov. David Brown's (C) unpopularity can largely attributed to his serious personality. The former businessman and real estate mogul is more introverted and not as charismatic as most politicians. He often seems anti-social and uptight at public events. He won the governorship in 2014 notably based on a campaign of economic recovery, but has been widely criticized for a perceived lack of concern for social justice issues.

And then there are surprises, like Biereland Gov. Ben Jordan (C), whose hardline conservative positions on immigration and Islamic terrorism angered many Bierelanders and alienated minorities.

Even though the former prosecutor remains one of the most controversial figures in Grassadellian politics, his approval rating is still in positive territory, standing at 52%.

Surprisingly, Conservative Govs. Donna Almone (POG) and Tony Ritonio (Kalnier), who are both prominent rising stars in their party, have modest approval ratings, both at 56%.

And curiously, Damoign Gov. Rod Penora (N), who is known for his frequent profanity, derogatory comments and short temper, still has a high approval rating of 59%.

Voters may not like his personality, but they seem satisfied with how he's governing the state.

There are many factors at play, says Dr. Rufus Greenwald, who co-authored the study.

"There is no one issue that determines popularity for elected officials. It's part personality, part public perception, part economic strength or lack of strength, part bipartisanship, part national mood, part party ID. There are a number of factors that influence someone's approval," says Greenwald.

Overall, Grassadellia's governors appear to have positive numbers. Only three had approval ratings under 50%.

Most political analysts agree an incumbent politician who has an approval rating below 50% is at high risk to lose re-election.
 

Hoffbourn quietly consulting Bannich on possible gubernatorial run

FULKHAM, Remmington -- He's not officially running for governor yet, but former Remmington Sen. Matt Hoffbourn is quietly moving to build a campaign.

The centrist senator is reportedly consulting with another moderate Nationalist who successfully ran for governor in a conservative state - Scott Bannich, the former governor of South Ceona.

Despite the Primrose State's conservative tilt, Bannich won a special election in 2012 as an underdog against a favored CNS candidate.

Two years later, he lost to the same opponent by a narrow margin.

But allies of Hoffbourn - who is well-known and well-liked in Remmington - confirmed to the Mavocke Capitol the former senator is privately receiving advice from Bannich.

Hoffbourn has won legislative races in the past, but he's never ran for a managerial position, such as the governorship.

But out of all the potential NAT gubernatorial candidates, Mr. Hoffbourn is polling the best.

Even a poll conducted recently by the conservative-leaning Ace & Watkins firm shows Hoffbourn tied with or leading the top two CNS candidates.

He ties Sen. Jared Lanman (C), with both men earning 50 percent.

He leads Sen. Curt Blaisek (C), the state's senior senator, 55 percent to 45 percent.

But before he goes head-to-head with either Lanman or Blaisek, Mr. Hoffbourn will have to get past his fellow NAT candidates, including Remmington City Mayor Graham Alton, who is expected to make a second run for governor after losing the 2012 race by a sliver of the vote.

Alton lost the 2012 race to Conservative incumbent Jen Stevens Taylor by 531 votes, the closest governor's election in Remmington history.

Lanman crushing Blaisek in hypothetical match up

Senior senator trails sophomore colleague in primary race

REMMINGTON CITY -- He's Remmington's senior senator, but Curt Blaisek (C) is trailing his younger, less experienced colleague Sen. Jared Lanman (C) in a hypothetical primary race for governor.

The two senators are eyeing the governor's race in 2016, when current Gov. Jen Stevens Taylor, also a Conservative, will be term-limited.

Stevens Taylor's lieutenant governor, Heather Scantino, is not expected to seek the governorship.

That leaves an open field on the CNS side, and Blaisek is the state's most senior Conservative.

Yet it's Lanman -- who at just 36 years old is less tenured -- that's leading the CNS race for governor.

To be fair, he may have served less time in the Senate and politics and general than Curt Blaisek. But Jared Lanman is no backbencher. He quickly climbed the Senate leadership ladder to briefly become interim Assistant Majority Leader for three months in 2009.

A new poll released Thursday by the Remmington-based conservative firm Ace & Watkins found Lanman leading Blaisek 60%-40% in a hypothetical head-to-head match up.

It's hypothetical because neither candidate has officially announced they are running, though Lanman has all but said he will run and Blaisek has openly mentioned his interest.

The Ace & Watkins survey found Lanman leading among the most conservative members of his party, including Evangelicals. The handsome senator also polled well among whites and younger voters.

Lanman's supporters are more likely to oppose social welfare programs and have a stronger distaste for President Brenton Menuhaeo. They're also more likely to oppose immigration and favor making English the official language of Grassadellia.

Blaisek appears to be drawing strong support from the party establishment, including business leaders. He also polls well with Mormons, as he is a Mormon himself.

But his more moderate voting record is hurting him with primary voters.

Hard-line Conservatives first soured on Blaisek in 2010, when he joined a bipartisan group of senators and voted for President Menuhaeo's economic stimulus bill, something the right-wing of the CNS opposed and deemed unnecessary.

Both Blaisek and Lanman score well among college-educated voters, but Lanman leads among men and women alike.

One advantage for Blaisek: older voters. He has strong support from voters aged 60 and up, as many view Lanman as too young and inexperienced.

There is a caveat, however. The poll only measured a head-to-head match up between the two. It did not factor other possible candidates.

No other major CNS candidates are thought to be considering a run. But Helona County Commissioner Mitch Kalliman, who is a political ally and friend of Gov. Jen Stevens Taylor, confirmed to the Dry Springs Outpost he is weighing a run.

Kalliman lacks the name recognition of Lanman and Blaisek, however, and is not expected to garner much support, especially as many party elites are anxious to get new blood in Jannappa.

The NAT side is wide open as well. Remmington City Mayor Graham Alton, who lost the 2012 election to Stevens Taylor by just 531 votes, is likely to make a comeback. But former centrist Sen. Matt Hoffbourn could be a formidable contender, if he decides to run.

Lawyer and political newcomer Dale Lucie of Shanogowee is also contemplating running.

Jill Lassick, who lost the 2014 Senate race to Curt Blaisek, may also run. She currently serves as CEO of Trans Corp. headquartered in Remmington City and has a strong managerial resume.

However, Remmington has never had a female governor, and female candidates have not historically fared well in the state (with the exception of Lt. Gov. Heather Scantino).

Political observers familiar with Remmington politics say it's still very early in the race, but political maneuvering is already happening behind the scenes.

A lot will depend on the state's kingmakers, including Stevens Taylor and Remmington's other federal senators, Conservatives Pete DeBoor and Mark Eisinger (neither are expected to run).

Former Sen. James Owen-Wilson (N) could play an instrumental role in the NAT race. He has yet to publicly endorse a candidate, but sources close to the aging senator say he likes Graham Alton and Jill Lassick.

Bill would prohibit stores from locking up condoms, pregnancy tests

PROVINCETOWN, Wilkonshire -- Consumers in Wilkonshire may soon be able to purchase condoms without having to awkwardly ask a store clerk to open a locked case.

Across the country, many grocery stores and mini-marts have condoms locked up in protective cases, often behind the counter, to prevent theft.

But a new bill being pushed through the Wilkonshire legislature would require markets to put condoms on the shelf like any other product, with no lock or theft protection devices.

Proponents of the law say locking condoms up deters people from using condoms, because they may be too shy or embarrassed to ask a store employee for access.

"Buying condoms or lubricant or other intimate products related to sex is a very personal, private matter," says Charlotte Gray, deputy media director with the Wilkonshire Sexual Health Project, a non-profit organization that supports the bill.

"When people go into the grocery store or a mini-market and condoms are locked up behind the counter, it's very awkward having to ask an employee to unlock the case for you. And then the employee is standing there watching while you decide what kind of condoms you want. It's very uncomfortable for a lot of people."

Many customers may be reluctant to purchase condoms due to embarrassment, Gray said. Some may not purchase them at all because they feel uncomfortable, and that is a public health problem.

"We want to encourage people to use condoms. They prevent sexually-transmitted infections and prevent unwanted pregnancies. We should be encouraging people, especially young people and teenagers, to practice safe sex. And locking condoms up does the opposite. It discourages people from using them. We should make it as simple and easy as possible to access and obtain condoms," Gray added.

The bill is being co-sponsored by a group of NAT lawmakers in the statehouse.

Gov. Caroline Jepsey (N) strongly supports the bill.

"Absolutely, I support this legislation. We need to encourage safe sexual practices for young people in our state. This is about protection; protecting individuals from sexually-transmitted diseases, protecting women from unplanned pregnancies, and it's about reproductive responsibility, and this bill strengthens that idea," Jepsey told the Provincetown Denizen newspaper.

The bill would require that condoms - including female condoms - be neither locked up, located behind a counter or placed in an "employees only" area. Lubricants and pregnancy tests must also be "openly accessible to all customers, without any devices, designs or methods inhibiting or reducing accessibility," according to the bill's proposed language.

Some retailers, however, are opposing the bill.

Supermarket chain Reynolds is lobbying against passage of the bill, saying it would lead to wide-scale theft.

A spokesman for the National Convenience Store Alliance (NCSA) said his group opposes the legislation as well.

"We believe this proposed law could open the door to shop lifting and a big loss of revenue for our members," spokesman Steve Sears said in a phone interview with the National Press Federation (NPF).

The legislation is officially called the "Open Access to Protection Act," and is expected to be voted on by the end of October.

State of emergency declared in nine states amid raging wildfires

BELSHIAD, Wellington -- Firefighters from at least eight countries are coming to Grassadellia to help battle a growing number of blazes that stretch across the country.

The governors of nine states have declared states of emergency.

Similar declarations could soon be made in four other states.

The Upscotch Mountains region of western Wellington and eastern Biereland has been hardest-hit.
Officials say six civilians and two firefighters have lost their lives, while more than 300 buildings in Wellington and about 30 in Biereland have burned to the ground.

The Grassadellian Emergency Response Agency (GERA) has set up a command post in the city of Henrietta. More than 3,000 people have been evacuated in small communities throughout the region.

Gov. Wade Quanson was on the ground touring the damage this week with Federal Public Lands Secretary Tom Etheridge.

Quanson called it the worst fire season he'd ever seen in his lifetime.

"No doubt about it, this is the worst I've seen. We always get fires each year, but this is the worst in terms of loss of life," Quanson said.

Similarly ruthless fires have killed two homeowners and seriously injured four fire crew members in eastern South Ceona, as thousands of firefighters try to contain the flames in rural mountainous counties.

Buyker Pass, a busy transportation route which carries NR-49 over the Crindall Mountains between northeastern South Ceona and southwestern Marchenay, was closed down Wednesday after a 3,000-acre wildfire bordering the motorway made travel too dangerous.

Greg Laskie, South Ceona's governor, said more than 4,000 people remained evacuated throughout the state.

"This is a very dangerous situation, the hot conditions and wind and steep terrain have made fighting these infernos very difficult and very deadly," Laskie warned at a press conference in Necadia Tuesday afternoon.

The most numerous and largest fires, in terms of acreage, have occurred in the vast rural stretches of Monomi and Onakiah, where seasonally hot temperatures and a lack of rain have fueled the flames.

About 350 buildings have burned across Monomi, which typically sees the most severe fires because of its desert climate throughout much of the state and it's large land area. Most of Monomi's 84 fires, however, are burning in uninhabited, sparsely-populated areas.

An estimated 70 structures have been destroyed by 37 fires in Onakiah, where, like Monomi, the fires are mostly burning on uninhabited federal lands and Indigenous Nations lands.

Last year's fire season was more damaging in Monomi and Onakiah than this year, but Gov. John Densy cautioned the season is not yet over.

"We still have at least a month and a half left, so it's too early to declare victory," Densy said Wednesday.

About 800 people remained evacuated in rural parts of eastern Deschire, as more than 240,000 acres continue to burn there. Gov. Jan Beamer has ordered the state's National Guard to assist.

Approximately 3,000 people were evacuated in southeastern POG, as large, fast-moving fires burned in the dry, arid region near the state capital Andersonville.

Several Indigenous communities have been evacuated in central and eastern Carova due to large fires there.

Fires are also burning in North Ceona, western Lial, the panhandle of East Deschire; rural areas of Remmington, northern Veroche and western Wilkonshire; as well as the western edge of Marchenay.

President Brenton Menuhaeo stressed Wednesday that his administration is responding to the situation forcefully.

"Last year's fire season was devastating, and we learned a lot from it. We are better prepared to handle it this year, and we are responding with a higher level of urgency this time around," he said.

He emphasized that more National Guard units have been deployed, disaster areas have been declared to free up federal funding, and supplies are being coordinated between state and federal agencies to avoid bureaucratic delays.

Amidst the devastation, good things are happening. Hundreds of small communities have come together to support each other.

In the hardest-hit Upscotch region, where hundreds of homes have been lost and people killed, community members have rallied to provide shelter for evacuees, food and supplies for firefighters, and fundraisers to raise cash for victims who lost their homes.

"It's in the times of need, the greatest trials, that each community comes together and shows its strength. That's what makes Wellington so special. Each little town is filled with wonderful people who come to the rescue for their neighbors," Margaret Chase, director of the Wellington Red Cross, told the National Press Federation (NPF).

Gov. Quanson said he too was touched by the sense of community he'd witnessed.

"The people of Wellington are tough. We're used to living in the mountains and on the plains where nature is unforgiving," Quanson said.

"I felt the heat from the fires when we were flying around them in the helicopter this morning. But I also felt the love and the generosity of these communities that have been hit the hardest. Some of them have lost so much, and yet they continue to give and give and pour out their hearts and their money to their neighbors who have lost it all," he continued.

"That's why people live in small towns. That's why we live in Wellington. Because when tragedy strikes, people come together and pray and rebuild and support one another."

West Nile Virus found in South Ceona

NECADIA, South Ceona -- The Grassadellian Disease Control Agency (GDCA) has confirmed the West Nile Virus has been found in South Ceona.

A man in his 60s from Pinolt County, in the southeast corner of the state, has been diagnosed with the disease, which is transmitted by infected mosquitoes.

The disease can be fatal in humans and animals if left untreated.

The South Ceona Department of Health and Wellness said the man is receiving treatment and expected to recover.

In neighboring Conklin County, four horses tested positive for the equine strain of the disease, the GDCA reported.

The four animals all belong to the same owner and were located on the same property. They are being treated and expected to make a full recovery.

Blakewell says De Auonne could use 'a bit more humility'

WILMINGTON, Trinton -- He's popular, youthful and charismatic, but being humble is not one of Trinton Gov. Mark De Auonne's distinguishing traits, according to his colleague and friend Sen. Tim Blakewell (N-Trinton).

Both men are handsome 40-something Nationalists and share a moderately centre-left political ideology.

They've been allies on a myriad of issues, from tax hikes on the wealthy, to transportation projects, to agriculture policy for Trinton's cranberry farmers.

But when asked by a reporter if he agreed with a conservative critic that De Auonne was arrogant in his governing style, Blakewell was notably reticent to answer.

After an awkward pause, a half-smiling Blakewell said, "I think we could use a bit more humility in the governor's mansion," referring to Trinton's governor's residence in Cristo Colonado.

Dodging the word 'arrogant,' Mr. Blakewell essentially called the governor arrogant, if not using the actual term.

A spokesperson for Blakewell later dismissed the exchange between the senator and reporter. The same spokesperson then denied the conversation ever took place and hung up when contacted via phone by an NPF correspondent.

Blakewell later posted on his Twitter account @senatorblakewell that he "continues to and always has respected Mark De Auonne."

De Auonne told the Golden Shore Tribune Blakewell's comments were "probably spot on."

"I probably could use more humility, and I think Sen. Blakewell probably meant that in a friendly way not in a condemning way. But I think he's right, most politicians could stand to be more humble, and I'm no exception to that."

De Auonne added the incident is "water under the bridge."

Racist graffiti targets mosque and synagogues in Parkins

PARKINS, North Ceona -- More than eight locations have been hit with racist, anti-Semitic and anti-Muslim graffiti around the Parkins area over the last month.

At least three synagogues and two Jewish community centers have been targeted, as well as a Muslim youth center.

Two other buildings were hit as well.

In each case, the suspects painted offensive, profanity-laced messages, including swastikas, on the buildings.

One painting on the side of the Torah El Gogg synagogue in northeast Parkins said, in part, "Jews steal" and "get out of our country."

A message left on the Assam Akoori Youth Centre, a building where Muslim youth gather in west Parkins, said "Go back to the Middle East hell hole you came from" and depicted a caricature of the prophet Muhammad and a bomb going off in his hands.

Other messages scrawled on the side of buildings said "White power" and "Natzi [sic] pride."

Parkins Police say they are investigating each incident as hate crimes, and believe all are related and likely done by the same suspect(s).

No arrests have been made and no persons of interest have been identified, Parkins Police Chief Barry Lugainis said.

However, police are reviewing security camera footage and asking the public for help.

In the footage police have reviewed thus far, the film shows what appears to be either two or sometimes three young males in their teens or early 20's.

All are wearing dark clothing and donning black masks to hide their faces when they walk up to the buildings and begin spray painting.

Police Chief Lugainis told local media Monday that vandalism and racist graffiti will not be tolerated in his city.

"We take these kinds of hate crimes very seriously, and we will find the perpetrators and make sure they are held to account for this very offensive behavior," said Lugainis.

Parkins Mayor Steve Crum emphatically denounced the graffiti at a joint press conference with Lugainis.

"This kind of hate does not belong in Parkins. Whoever is doing this needs to stop and they need to stop right now. Parkins is a loving, tolerant, diverse city, and we want people of all faiths and religious identities to feel welcomed in our community," Crum said.

North Ceona Gov. Tom Cozier also weighed in.

"The recent vandalism at several Parkins-area synagogues and Islamic places of worship are unacceptable. I strongly condemn these hateful and illegal actions, and I will do everything I can to make sure our Jewish and Muslim neighbors feel safe and secure in their communities," Cozier said in a written statement.

The Jewish Peace Coalition and Muslims United, the country's largest Jewish and Muslim advocacy groups, respectively, both denounced the vandalism spree.

Due to the number of incidents and the nature of the hate crimes, the Crown Police have teamed up with local authorities to investigate the matter.

Citizens with tips or information are asked to call the Crown Police or Parkins Police Department.

Four dead in Carova murder-suicide

BRUCE JUNCTION, Carova -- Police in central Carova are struggling to find a motive in a gruesome murder-suicide that left four people dead.

The Quarry-Wan County Sheriff's Office says it is investigating the crime scene at a home in a rural area about 60 miles east of Carova City.

Officers discovered the four bodies upon conducting a welfare check, after receiving a call from a concerned neighbor.

The names of the deceased have not been released, but police say all four died from gun shot wounds. They believe the suspect was a male in aged 50-60 years old, but have released little additional information.

Neighbors - who did not want to reveal their names - told local news station WBJC-TV the owner of the home is a single divorced man in his 50's, and that his ex-wife and children visit the property regularly.

Quarry-Wan County Sheriff Curt Asgiff would not comment on the owner's identity, and told local media a motive has yet to be established.

The bodies will be taken in for autopsies in Carova City, where the closest medical examiner's office is located.

Quarry-Wan County lies directly east of the Carlingford-Carova City metropolitan area, along the south-central coast of Carova. The largest city in the mostly rural county is Bruce Junction, population 31,000.

Menuhaeo 'cautiously optimistic' about Iran nuclear deal

MAVOCKE -- As U.S. President Barack Obama and other world leaders tout the nuclear deal reached between Iran and the West, the response to the agreement was more muted in Grassadellia.

President Brenton Menuhaeo held a joint press conference with Foreign Affairs Secretary Dawnelle Hunter-Garrett Wednesday afternoon where both expressed tentative approval of the agreement but entreated their international counterparts - including United Nations inspectors - to monitor Iran's nuclear program closely.

Menuhaeo said he was "cautiously optimistic" about the deal, but pointed out the Iranian government has been less than forthcoming in the past about its nuclear ambitions.

Iran's lack of transparency over the years has left many understandably concerned, Menuhaeo said.

"Any agreement that avoids conflict and results in a peaceful resolution is worth supporting," the president said. "But Iran's conduct in the past, its incendiary behavior toward the West and its habitual dishonesty makes many people skeptical," he said.

"I think most of my colleagues in the United Nations, if they were honest, would admit that there are some real concerns about whether Iran will stay true to the parameters of the deal and hold up its end of the bargain," Menuhaeo said.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Dawnelle Hunter-Garrett was pleased by the multi-lateral effort to forge a deal between Iran and cooperating nations.

Hunter-Garrett was herself a participant in the negotiations, which spanned several months. She represented Grassadellia in the negotiations, which included leaders from the U.S., Great Britain, China, Germany, Russia and France.

"This deal, on paper, looks very good. And as long as Iran follows through and cooperates and walks the straight and narrow, this deal will work out very well," said Hunter-Garrett.

The reaction to the deal in the halls of Grassadellia's Congress was mixed.

Nationalist Sen. Nadan Saralo of Wellington, who is of Jordanian descent, told the GBC the deal appears "mutually desirable."

"I wasn't involved in crafting this deal, but from what I've seen, it looks like this deal is a win-win for both Tehran and the West. It allows Iran to continue an innocuous nuclear program, takes the sanctions off of Iran, and reduces the risk of a nuclear-armed Iranian military. I think there's something for both sides to take away," said Saralo.

Lial Sen. Henry Mickeravi, an Israeli-Grassadellian, downplayed concerns raised by his native country Israel.

"Israel has no reason to be concerned. This deal ensures accountability on Iran's part, transparency, inspections. This agreement actually reduces the risk toward Israel by taking a nuclear-armed Iran off the table," Mickeravi told BBC World News in an interview Wednesday evening.

Predictably, Conservatives in Congress were quick to highlight their opposition to the accord.

"I'm all for a deal, and I'm definitely in favor of de-arming Iran. But I'm skeptical, to say the least," Carova Sen. Sawyer Upton told GBC's Jim Gerraghty.

Noting Iran's anti-West rhetoric and support for terrorism, Upton questioned how Western leaders could agree to, what he termed, a "very favorable deal for Iran."

"It's hard for me to understand why they made a deal that's very good for Iran, when Iran is openly, flagrantly defying international law; supporting terrorism and contributing to de-stabilization in the region; and very actively and aggressively spreading hatred for Western countries and Western values. Why is Iran being rewarded with a deal that's disproportionately in their favor while it continues to thumb its nose at the rest of the world. I've yet to hear a good explanation for that," said Upton.

Armana Sen. Chuck Danbury, who is known as a foreign policy hawk, used more colourful language when talking with Chamberlain Network's Carlos Arguita.

"I hate to say it, but Barack Obama and all the others with along with him are pansies. This deal coddles Iran. It gives them everything it wants and gives the rest of the world virtually nothing helpful. And you know the Iranian regime will not abide by the rules of this negotiation. You know they'll cheat and find ways around it. That's what history has shown us and more than likely that's what will happen," said Danbury.

Leaders in the National Assembly had similar views as their counterparts in the Senate.

Assemblyman Vaughn Laudney, a Conservative from Veroche, called US President Barack Obama a "clown" for "capitulating" to Iranian demands.

"President Obama called ISIS the 'JV team,' but he's demonstrated that he's clearly the naive, inexperienced one" by agreeing to the deal, Laudney said in a press conference in Mavocke Wednesday.

On the other end of the political spectrum, Assemblywoman Gretchen "Gretzy" Ianhou (pronounced "Ian-how") applauded the deal.

The veteran Liberal-Democrat lawmaker from Trinton told the liberal blog Huffington Post she doesn't understand conservatives' opposition to the deal.

"I'll never understand why the Conservatives and the Republicans in the US always feel the need to amp up for war. This historic agreement between Iran and the rest of the world's leading nations means war will be averted. It's a peaceful resolution. And still the conservatives aren't happy. They're only happy when war is the only option on the table. I don't get it," said a cynical Ianhou.

Still, despite the opposition and concern about Iran's commitment to the tenets of the pact, non-governmental observers say the Iranian nuclear agreement is a positive development.

"Whenever a country is willing to sit down at the table and negotiate a peaceful solution, that's always a good thing and never a bad thing," says James Caverhill, Director of the Grassadellian Centre for International Cooperation, a Mavocke-based think-tank.

President Brenton Menuhaeo is expected to sit in on a conference call tomorrow with American State Department officials, Collester said. The call will pertain to the Iranian deal.

Secretary Hunter-Garrett will meet with her German counterpart in a visit later this week to discuss the developments with Iran and the economic deal with Greece, the Foreign Affairs Office confirmed.

Truck spills millions of honey bees onto Wellington highway

HOLLAM, Well. -- There was a hive of activity today on NR-29 in central Wellington.

Make that more than 250 hives.

A large truck carrying millions of honey bees spilled its load in the northbound lanes of NR-29, the main north-south highway in Wellington and one of the busiest motorways in Grassadellia.

The stinging mishap occurred just after 11:00 am western time in the city of Hollam, about three hours south of Starksmin and three hours north of Califor.

The truck was transporting the bees from a farm in southeastern Deschire's Piedmonts-Saints country to a farm on the northern outskirts of Starksmin.

Wellington State Police Captain Russell Moore told Wellington's News Channel 9 the truck did not tip over completely, but the driver somehow lost control of the truck and spilled dozens of hives onto the highway.

"Right now it appears to be an accident, there doesn't appear to have been any negligence on the part of the driver. This just ended up being a big mess because of the amount of bees," Moore said.

The chaos left about nine million angry bees buzzing around the crash site, and shut down two lanes of the freeway for more than four hours.

The driver of the truck was stung multiple times, as were other motorists who stopped to help.

State troopers and reporters who gathered to cover the story also sustained stings.

Firefighters used foam and chemical sprays to contain the bees, but ultimately professional bee keepers had to assist in saving and removing the bees.

Lucian Family Farms, the company that owns the bees, estimated about half of the bees perished in the incident.

Jepsey appoints Meade to secretary of state post

PROVINCETOWN, Wilkonshire -- The state of Wilkonshire officially has a new secretary of state.

Gov. Caroline Jepsey appointed Hannah Meade as interim secretary. Meade, who previously served as deputy secretary of state, will hold the position until December 2016, when the next election for a full four-year term occurs.

At 36, Meade becomes the youngest secretary of state in Wilkonshire history, and is an up-and-coming figure within state government.

She has never held elective office before, but her appointment by Jepsey will only increase her profile in Wilkonshire's political scene.

Meade takes over for Jan Van Ness, who vacated the position after she was elected to the Federal Senate in last December's 2014 general election.

Van Ness is a Nationalist, and her term as secretary of state is scheduled to end in December 2016.

Meade has not said if she will run for the office in 2016, neither has she stated which political party will have her allegiance. However, since she was appointed by Jepsey, a Nationalist, most political observers believe Meade would also run as a Nationalist, if she stands for election.

Senate overwhelmingly confirms DeMont for Agriculture Secretary

MAVOCKE -- Garnering almost unanimous support, Lynn DeMont was confirmed by the Senate as Agriculture Secretary.

Ninety senators voted to confirm the former East Deschire governor - more affirmative votes than any other cabinet secretary nominee has ever received in Grassadellian history.

Only two senators voted against confirming him; Sens. Brad Bearns of Biereland (C) and Mark Eisinger of Remmington (C).

A former rancher and farmer before entering politics, DeMont is a natural fit for the job, President Menuhaeo said.

"Lynn knows agriculture, he knows government, and he knows policy. As a third generation farmer from East Deschire, he understands how to raise a good crop. As the former governor of East Deschire, he knows how to handle the political process, and how to lead. Lynn's resume is impressive, his experience is surpassed by few, and the commitment he brings to the job is tremendous. I look forward to working with him on implementing beneficial and common-sense policy for Grassadellia's farmers," said Menuhaeo.

DeMont's amiable personality and centrist record made his confirmation a cinch.

"Everyone likes Lynn. He's a nice guy, he's a good person, full of integrity. He's one of the few people in Grassadellian politics who garners widespread bipartisan support," said East Deschire Sen. Mike Aventhalle, a Conservative.

DeMont takes over the post from Richard Atbage, who served as the first agriculture secretary under President Menuhaeo.

The 64-year-old former governor is considerably more moderate than President Menuhaeo, but senators from both political parties expressed confidence in DeMont's fairness and ethics.

"Lynn's a stand-up guy. He will do great," said Wellington Sen. Chris DeCarro (N).

Even his successor in the governor's mansion - his one-time opponent who ousted him from office, Conservative Sam Pyatt - had good things to say about him.

"I think this is the perfect position for Lynn. We may have been rivals in the past, but he is a good man, a humble man, a true servant of the people, and he knows agriculture. I may not agree with him on everything but if there's one thing the man knows, it's farming," current East Deschire Gov. Sam Pyatt told the Derosa Mail.

Earlier this year, after defeating him in a close election in December, Pyatt appointed DeMont to chair the state's agriculture commission.

It's unclear if DeMont will continue to hold that position while serving as Federal Secretary of Agriculture.

DeMont himself said little to the media, except to say thank you to the senators who supported him.

"I'd like to express my gratitude to the members that voted for me. Your confidence in me is humbling, and I will work day in and day out to serve the people of this country as their secretary of agriculture with the utmost integrity and dignity this office merits," said DeMont.

The newly-confirmed secretary will officially take office effective Friday, May 25, 2015.

Senate confirms Hunter-Garrett as first woman Foreign Affairs Secretary

MAVOCKE -- In a near party-line vote, the Federal Senate has confirmed interim Foreign Affairs Secretary Dawnelle Hunter-Garrett to the post permanently, making her the first woman secretary in the nation's history.

The Senate voted 50-42 to confirm Hunter-Garrett, who has served as the interim head of the department since last year when Secretary Jim McCaren resigned.

Before working in the Department of Foreign Affairs, Hunter-Garrett worked as the chair of the International Affairs department at Kinn College in Armana.

Prior to her time in academia, she worked in Grassadellian embassies around the world, serving in Bulgaria, Greece, Denmark, Brazil, Morocco, Bangladesh and Nepal.

No Conservative senators voted in favor of Hunter-Garrett, while four centrist Nationalist senators opposed her nomination. They were: Armana Sen. Duke Castlebury, South Ceona Sen. Vic Chambers, and POG Sens. George Mercott and Max Kiesling.

All four NAT senators are foreign policy hawks.

Independent Sen. George Reedsworth of Trinton also voted against Hunter-Garrett's nomination.

But in the Senate, which is dominated by the NAT, Hunter-Garrett had strong support.

Among her most vocal advocates was Lial Sen. Henry Mickeravi, the country's first Israeli-Grassadellian senator.

"Dawnelle has the knowledge, and the diplomatic savvy, this position requires. She is tough and tenacious when needed, and she is diplomatic and compromising when needed. She's a skilled negotiator who will hold this office with dignity and distinction," said Mickeravi.

After sitting down with Hunter-Garrett, Monomi Sen. Brad Fiodora (N) found her foreign policy philosophy to be directly in line with Grassadellian interests.

"Like most Grassadellians, Ms. Hunter-Garrett believes in protecting Grassadellia's security and interests abroad with a strong foreign policy, while also avoiding war and conflict and striving for peace at all times."

Freshman Sen. Jan Van Ness (N-Wilkonshire) praised Hunter-Garrett for her commitment to multi-lateralism on the international stage.

"What I admire most about Dawnelle is her spirit of collaboration. She doesn't believe in the go-it-alone doctrine. She believes in consulting with the international community, consulting with Grassadellia's allies, consulting with all involved parties, and trying to collaborate together to come up with policy and negotiations that benefit all sides. That's what diplomacy is all about," said Van Ness.

President Menuhaeo congratulated Hunter-Garrett on her confirmation, and said he looked forward to working with her to "promote peace in a troubled world."

"This is a dangerous time right now, that we are living in. And the world is looking to Grassadellia to be a beacon of hope, and a trailblazer of peace. Our allies are looking to us, and our enemies are looking to us, wondering, 'will Grassadellia stand for peace? Or will we wage costly wars that have no end in sight?'"

The president continued, "I have watched Dawnelle serve with 110% commitment over the past few years, serving our nation as deputy secretary, and now I look forward to working with her and accepting her counsel on crucial foreign policy issues that impact our nation and the world. She is more than prepared for this job, she has worked her whole life to be where she is. And I thank her for her service."

While women's rights activists hailed her confirmation as a giant step forward for progress, Hunter-Garrett's detractors also took to the microphone.

Deschire Sen. Jim Frasier (C) said in his weekly address that Ms. Hunter-Garrett is a "nice person" but lacks the experience needed for the position.

"This is arguably the most important and visible cabinet position in our country, and the secretary of foreign affairs is right behind the president in terms of visibility and symbolism for our country's foreign policy. And the president chose a professor to take the reins of the Foreign Affairs Department. I find that utterly disconcerting," said Frasier.

Newly-elected Monomi Sen. Rill Stevens (C), who has been openly critical of the Menuhaeo Administration in recent months concerning its policy on the terrorist group ISIS and the Iran nuclear deal, told the STAR Network's Peter Rathbrin that Hunter-Garrett's lack of military service was of "grave concern."

"Ms. Hunter-Garrett has never served in the military, she's never served in any of our intelligence agencies, she's never served in a diplomatic post until she became deputy secretary. She's never been an ambassador, she's never had any high-level positions until now, and the president has now nominated her to lead our country's Foreign Affair Department. It's quite troubling. We have a rookie at the wheel," Stevens said.

It wasn't just the foreign policy hawks of the Conservative Party that had qualms about Hunter-Garrett, however.

Two liberal senators, Paul LeBouse (N-Kalnier) and Grace Kemp (N-Trinton) told the Mavocke Capitol they had misgivings about the secretary-elect's positions.

"I would prefer that she advance a more progressive foreign policy. I think thus far, she has really toed the line and basically supported the same centrist positions held by all of her recent predecessors, under both the Menuhaeo Administration and the Byelle Administration. We need a secretary of foreign affairs who will not bow to the Americans, not bow to the British, not ignore the human rights abuses of the Chinese or the Russians or the Saudis, someone who will advance a real progressive, humanist agenda, and not just cater to the centre-right, liberalist approach that's encouraged by the president," LeBouse told the newspaper.

Kemp said he also had concerns over Hunter-Garrett's seeming conformity.

"I worry that she is too easily influenced and too supportive of the pro-American lobby. Grassadellia is entirely different from the United States, and we need to have our own distinct foreign policy. We should not walk in lockstep with Barack Obama or George Bush. We should make our own decisions and take our own positions that are based on common sense and facts and not just on blind allegiance to our allies," said Kemp.

Both LeBouse and Kemp voted to confirm Hunter-Garrett, despite their concerns about her nomination.

Meanwhile, women's rights groups celebrated Hunter-Garrett's history-making confirmation, but lamented what they called "institutionalized sexism" in the political confirmation process.

"Female nominees for cabinet positions, especially those pertaining to military or foreign policy positions, face an unusually high threshold and unfair litmus test that their male counterparts don't have," said Saundra Warren-Sanders, PhD of Women and Gender Studies at Largent University in Mavocke.

"I think if Mrs. Hunter-Garrett were a man and not a woman, she wouldn't have faced nearly as much scrutiny and questioning of her experience and qualifications as she did. Our society just inherently places women at a disadvantage when it comes to positions of leadership, particularly those related to more traditionally masculine areas, such as military and defense-related subjects."

For her part, Dawnelle Hunter-Garrett was thankful to be approved by the Senate, and is anxious to gain some legitimacy in her position.

"It's been a tough year serving on an interim basis. I'm glad to be confirmed, and to have the full support of the president and Senate behind me, and now I look forward to getting to work on issues that are of pressing concern to our country and the entire international community," she told reporters outside Collester Sunday evening.

Among the issues Hunter-Garrett says she hopes to focus on during her tenure: North Korea, the Iranian nuclear deal, defeating the Islamic State (ISIS) in Iraq and Syria, and promoting human rights, including in China.

"These issues won't be solved overnight, or perhaps over many years. But if I can just contribute a small amount, and make a little difference, make some headway, I will be happy and feel like I mattered."

Three killed after shooting at Remmington mosque

WINSTON, Remm. -- Two worshipers and one suspect are dead after a shooting outside a Remmington mosque Monday night.

The shooting took place around 7:30 pm at the Winston Islamic Centre, located in Winston's east side.

Police say a lone gunman, who has tentatively been identified as 62-year-old Joseph Delaney, entered the building and shot two women inside the meeting area before being tackled by a group of parishioners.

The handgun with which the gunman was armed discharged during the struggle, striking and later killing Delaney.

Winston Police arrived within two minutes of the first 911 call. The Recida County Sheriff's Department and Remmington State Police also responded.

Seven people were injured during the shooting, but had minor injuries, police said.

The two victims have not been identified by name, but police confirmed they are two females, one in her late 40's and the other a teenager.

The attack appears to be a hate crime, Winston Police Chief Devin Haston told the media in a press conference Monday night.

The suspected shooter, Joseph Delaney, was said to have anti-Muslim literature inside his vehicle at the time of the shooting. Police confirmed Delaney had also posted anti-Islam comments on Facebook in recent months.

"This appears to be a religiously-motivated hate crime. It appears the perpetrator of this crime had malevolence toward the Muslim community and [he] carried out this attack as a sort of 'payback' for attacks by Muslims on Westerners," said Chief Haston.

The Winston Islamic Centre was specifically targeted, and police found evidence Delaney had researched the mosque's schedule of events and worship activities before executing the attack.

Officials do not think the suspect knew or had connections with anyone that attended the mosque, which is the city and region's only Islamic house of worship.

Winston Mayor Michael Dugail said the entire city was grieving the tragedy.

"Winston is hurting tonight," said Dugail. "Our heartfelt condolences go out to the families of those that were killed, and to the entire Muslim community. Your loss is our loss," said the mayor.

Three hundred miles northeast, Remmington Gov. Jen Stevens Taylor said he was outraged by the shooting.

"We are a nation built on the freedom to worship peacefully. This attack was not just an assault on one mosque but on the entire principle of free worship," said Stevens Taylor.

A deeply conservative governor who has been openly critical of Islam over recent years and become a hero of the centre-right, Stevens Taylor reiterated his support for law-abiding Muslims.

"Muslims have the same right to worship freely and openly as you and me. These folks were worshiping peacefully. They were exercising their right and doing so without threatening others. They were attacked simply for being Muslim, and that's wrong. I might have my issues with radical Islamist militants and I may disagree with the teachings of the Quran, but I'm a firm believer in the freedom to worship that is guaranteed by this country's Constitution," said an adamant Stevens Taylor.

President Brenton Menuhaeo called the shooting "an attack that hits at the very core of Grassadellian values." The president insisted the shooting does not represent Grassadellia's views toward Muslims.

"This was one estranged, disturbed individual. He does not represent what Grassadellians feel in their hearts and believe. We are a nation of peace, tolerance, and freedom of expression. This tragedy will not deter us from progressing into a more tolerant, accepting society," said Menuhaeo.

Grassadellia's largest Muslim advocacy group, Muslims United, condemned the attack.

"Hatred and violence cannot and will not be tolerated against Muslims in Grassadellia," read a statement from the group. "We demand justice for the victims of this unwarranted hate crime."

The Winston Chronicle reported Crown Police and intelligence services were searching the home of the alleged suspect, Monday evening.

Authorities are calling the shooting a "lone wolf" attack and do not believe any other suspects were involved.

Conservative governors seek to duplicate US-style religious freedom laws

WASHINGTON -- Recent 'culture wars' that have flared up in the USA have gotten widespread media coverage, but those same cultural battles are happening here in Grassadellia too.

The latest battle in America's ugly culture war happened this week in the mid-west state of Indiana, in the heartland of the country.

Conservative Republicans, who dominate the Indiana state legislature, pushed through a law that allows business owners to refuse services or accommodations to customers if the business owner has a serious moral objection due to their religious beliefs.

Supporters say the law is needed to protect business owners, such as florists, bakers, caterers, and photographers who are morally opposed to same-sex marriage and may be asked to provide services for gay weddings or commitment ceremonies.

They point to a 2013 case in Washington State, where a conservative Christian florist was sued by a gay couple and the state's attorney general after refusing to provide flowers for the couple's wedding.

The florist lost that case but is appealing, according to the Alliance Defending Freedom, a Christian legal advocacy group that is representing the floral shop owner.

Lawmakers in Indiana were seeking to protect similar business owners with deeply-held religious beliefs from having to provide services for events and ceremonies they oppose.

"The law is meant to protect people from religious discrimination by a government body," state Sen. Randy Head, a Republican from the town of Logansport who co-sponsored the bill. 

Thanks to large Republican majorities in the state legislature, Indiana's Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) passed easily over dissent from the minority Democrats, and the bill was quietly signed into law by Republican Governor Mike Pence.

But before Pence even signed the legislation, gay rights groups were decrying the law, which they say promotes and condones discrimination against gays and lesbians specifically, even though the statute technically does not mention the term 'gay' or 'lesbian.'
Hundreds of people gathered at the state capital in Indianapolis and other cities around the state to protest the law, many chanting "no hate in our state."

Democratic state Rep. Ed Delaney told the crowd at the state capital, "This law does not openly allow discrimination, no, but what it does is create a road map, a path to discrimination."

And Indianapolis city council member Zach Adamson, a Democrat, likened the law to racially-biased laws in the Deep South before the USA's Civil Rights Movement.

"This isn't 1950 Alabama; it's 2015 Indiana," he said.

Adding to the political firestorm, several major companies denounced the bill, including Apple, drug maker Eli Lilly, hotel chain JW Marriott, online review site Angie's List, the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) and others.

Tech company Salesforce even withdrew employees from Indiana and relocated them out of state in protest.

Facing canceled conventions and concerts, halted business expansions, a drop in tourism, and glaring national media attention, Indiana's business community pleaded with Gov. Pence and state leaders to "fix this now," as the Indianapolis Star newspaper headlined its front page, in big, bold letters.

Under extreme pressure, Pence asked state legislators to "clarify" the law, and asked for amendments to protect gays and lesbians from potential discrimination.

Those amendments were unveiled Thursday morning, and approved before the end of the day. They prevent the law from superseding anti-discrimination ordinances in Indianapolis and other cities, and prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

"There will be some who think this legislation goes too far and some who think it does not go far enough, but as governor I must always put the interest of our state first and ask myself every day, 'What is best for Indiana?'" Pence said after the amendments were approved. "I believe resolving this controversy and making clear that every person feels welcome and respected in our state is best for Indiana."

Pence said earlier this week he "abhor[s] discrimination," and told reporters, "If I was in a restaurant and saw a business owner deny services to someone because they were gay, I wouldn't eat there anymore."

Gay rights groups and Democratic politicians continued to call for a full repeal of the law, as the firestorm of controversy appeared to have slowly dissipated but remained a top talking point for Democrats and liberals.

Meanwhile, the state of Arkansas passed a comparable bill, and Governor Asa Hutchinson (Republican) signed it into law but only after protections were added for gay and lesbian citizens.

The two states' laws have ignited a deeply divisive issue in the US, where gay rights advocates have won many recent legal battles but continue to face opposition from Republicans and conservatives, especially "social conservatives," who vigorously oppose abortion and homosexuality.

Here in Grassadellia, similar controversies have erupted over the last decade. From gay marriage, to adoptions by gay parents, inheritance and hospital visitation rights for gay couples, and non-discrimination laws to protect gays in housing, employment and military service have become focal points of the Grassadellian culture wars.

Following last week's developments in Indiana, Grassadellian politicians inevitably were forced to confront the issue.

Most condemned the Indiana law, but some Conservatives came out in support of it.

Remmington Gov. Jen Stevens-Taylor, a darling of the right, told STAR-TV's Brian Mackiney he would sign a similar law "in a heart beat."

"If a bakery owner or a photographer or florist does not feel comfortable providing a cake or pictures or flowers for a gay wedding because that violates a very important part of their faith, they should not be forced to participate. If a neo-Nazi group asked a baker to bake a cake celebrating their organization, or a Satanic group asked a business owner to provide services for their event, we would say, 'absolutely, they shouldn't have to do that. These groups support evil and that goes against everything they stand for.' This is the same thing, only instead of a Nazi group or a Satanic group, these latest cases involve homosexuals.

Greg Laskie, the hardline Conservative governor of South Ceona, agreed with his neighbor to the south.

"Religious freedom is being attacked by the left and the media at every turn in this country, and I would sign any bill that protects the right of Grassadellians to morally object to practices they feel violate their sincerely held faith."

Wade Quanson, governor of Wellington, hinted he would support such a bill.

Taking a more moderate approach, Biereland Gov. Ben Jordan, who last month sparked outrage by expressing empathy for anti-Islam protesters, told the GBC he does not condone discrimination, but believes business owners should have the right to decline service to customers if they have a serious moral objection.

"Freedom of speech and freedom of religion do not disappear or diminish when you open a business. Business owners still maintain their Constitutional rights," said Jordan.

He added that it would be in the business owner's best interest economically to embrace non-traditional customers.

"If it was me, personally, I would serve a gay couple. That's just smart business sense. But that should be the owner's prerogative. Ignore that particular customer base at your own peril, financially speaking," said Jordan.

East Deschire Gov. Sam Pyatt (C) said he would support a religious freedom bill if a companion anti-discrimination bill was passed alongside it.

"I'm a Constitutionalist, and I believe in the freedoms that are granted to all Grassadellians by the Constitution. I would favor a religious freedom bill, but I also believe we need to protect against discrimination, and ensure that all East Deschireans are protected from prejudice," said Pyatt.

Monomi Gov. John Densy and North Ceona Gov. Tom Cozier took similar stances when questioned by the media.

The Conservative party's most visible governor, POG's Donna Almone, told the GBC she would not sign a religious freedom bill that discriminated against gays and lesbians.

"That goes against everything Grassadellia stands for. We are a nation that embraces diversity and shares hospitality," she said.

Fellow moderate CNS governors David Brown of Marchenay, Dale Lindstrom of Ansleigha, George Garesby of Harvannah and Tony Ritonio of Kalnier all spoke out against laws that allow discrimination based on religious beliefs.

Governors Dale Fulbright of Armana and Sam Byelle of Carova declined to comment on what they would if faced with legislation similar to Indiana's law.

The nation's NAT governors came out strongly against Indiana's law and proposed laws here in Grassadellia.

"We do not support discrimination or prejudice in any form, even when it's cloaked under the disguise of 'religious freedom,'" Gov. Todd Pergich, of Lial, said in a statement on behalf of the Nationalist Governors Association.

Several CNS senators and assemblymen expressed support for a federal religious freedom statute, while Nationalists assailed the idea.

"That kind of denigrating legislation will not pass as long as the NAT remains in control of the Senate," vowed Damoign Sen. Debbie Madronas.

President Menuhaeo would never approve legislation that discriminates based on gender identity or sexual orientation, his office said.

"President Menuhaeo has consistently stood up for LGBT Grassadellians, and he remains committed to protecting their rights and fighting for all Grassadellians and all minorities," Collester said in a written statement.

In the meantime, the issue has been raised in Monomi, where voters will decide two federal Senate seats in a special election.

Gay rights has already played prominently in the Monomi Senate race, as Conservative candidate Rill Stevens is favored to win. Stevens is the first openly gay member of Congress in Grassadellia's history.

When asked at a town hall meeting in Teedra how he felt about the matter, Stevens criticized Indiana's law and similar proposed laws in Grassadellia, saying he would never vote for them.

"I believe all Grassadellians are created equal, and deserve dignity and respect and fair and equal treatment, from the government, and from our fellow citizens," he said to cheers from the audience.

He added that he also supports religious exemptions for some business owners in certain limited circumstances.

If he wins in Monomi's special Senate election, as expected, Stevens will become the first openly gay senator.

Last December, Jamie Scousenovy (N-Lial) became the first openly bisexual elected to the Senate.

Harvannah governor signs offshore drilling ban

CLEVEY SPRINGS, Harvannah -- Going against many in his own party, Harvannah Gov. George Garesby has signed a bill banning oil drilling off the coast of his state.

Garesby, a moderate Conservative, signed the bill, which had broad bipartisan support but was derided by hard-line Conservatives.

Officially titled the "Protect Harvannah's Coastlines Act," the legislation bans all oil drilling in Harvannah waters up to 3 nautical miles off the coast of all the state's nine major islands and dozens of smaller islands.

Citing the need to protect Harvannah from an oil spill "catastrophe," Garesby downplayed concerns from many of his Conservative colleagues who said the move would hurt the state's economy and prolong the state's dependence on oil from the mainland.

"All it takes is one major oil spill, or even a moderate oil spill, to have lasting and interminable consequences on the environment, the ecosystem and wildlife," said Garesby. "We can't risk harming this beautiful state. We live in a gorgeous part of the country and we need to protect this picturesque place we call home."

Supporters of the bill expressed similar convictions.

State Attorney General Kate Morelda, who is an ardent environmentalist, said in a written statement her office will "aggressively prosecute any energy company that attempts to violate this law and put Harvannah's environmental well-being at risk."

She added, "This legislation is critical to securing the safety of our land and shorelines."

Lex Martin, the Nationalist president of the Western Harvannah Metropolitan Council, lauded the bill's passage and hailed the bipartisanship that allowed it to sail through the state legislature.

"The PHCA (Protect Harvannah's Coastlines Act) is vital to protecting the pristine natural beauty of Harvannah for generations to come, and I applaud the governor and state legislative leaders for shepherding this bill through," said Martin.

Conservative state Sens. Kevin Carr of Hamperden and Jan Scianden of Nevington were key CNS supporters of the PHCA, celebrated the governor's approval of the new law.

"This [the PHCA] proves legislators can come together and unite, regardless of party or political persuasion, to protect the environment," said Carr.

"We pride ourselves here in Harvannah on protecting the environment, and today Gov. Garesby did just that by signing this bill into law. We are protecting the environment for the future. We are leading the nation in environmental protection laws," said Scianden.

Not everyone was jubilant about the bill's passage, however.

Hal Swenson, the Conservative WHMC council member for eastern Bourneham County, told the Ashford Current the bill will stifle economic growth.

"Right now, we have more energy companies looking to invest in our state than any other state has. There's a lot of potential here in Harvannah. But this bill closes the door on that economic growth. We're basically telling the energy industry, stay out of Harvannah, take your jobs and your infrastructure and investment to another state that wants you. That's going to cost us jobs," said Swenson.

State Rep. Brian Maulder (C-Milt Crossing) was more stinging in his criticism, saying Garesby "caved" to pressure from the environmental lobby. Support for the law was based on "fear-mongering" by "elitist liberal environmentalists."

"This bill was nothing more than show. The radical environmentalists won the day with this bill, which is based on fear. The threat of an oil spill is statistically quite low, and the economic benefits would far outweigh any perceived danger to the environment. But fear won the day with this battle," Maulder told a Harlyne talk radio station.

The PHCA does not ban oil exploration in Harvannah waters, something George Garesby pointed out when signing the bill.

"What we're telling the oil companies is, you can't drill for oil off our shores. However, you're still free to explore for oil. And if you can find a safer, less hazardous method of extraction that doesn't harm the environment, then we're open to those discussions in the future," said Garesby.

A spokesman for Sanlis-Corten, Grassadellia's largest oil producer, called the legislation "unfortunate."

"Oil extraction is a very safe process. Despite a few high-profile, highly-publicized incidents over the last century, oil extraction still remains a safe and beneficial method of energy production. Sanlis-Corten urges Gov. Garesby and state legislative leaders to reconsider this legislation and either reform it or create new legislation that is more fair, inclusive, and fact-based than the PHCA," said company spokesman Brian McAdams.

Meanwhile, in Mavocke, Assembly and Senate leaders are considering a national ban on offshore drilling in federal waters.

The legislation is still being drafted, and will likely pass in the Nationalist-dominated Senate, but may face hurdles in the more closely-divided National Assembly.

President Brenton Menuhaeo has vowed to sign a national offshore drilling ban bill when it comes to his desk.

Defeated governors settle in to private life

They spent years in the spotlight - leading governments, pushing through their respective agendas, and championing liberal causes. But the six state governors who lost re-election in the 2014 campaign - all Nationalists - are now settling into private life after politics.

The 'ousted six,' as the media call them, (or the 'six losers,' as conservative activist and talk radio host Bruce Gollum has dubbed them), are moving on with their professional careers, albeit in different directions.

Some are continuing their work in politics.

San Bartholomew, the former governor of Biereland, now serves as the executive director of GreenBIE, a pro-environment advocacy group based in Brookings.

Former Kalnier Gov. Karen DeSalle quietly moved to Mavocke, where rumors suggest she will be nominated by President Brenton Menuhaeo to serve as secretary of Health and Human Services. Spokespersons for DeSalle and Collester both declined to comment on the matter.

Another potential presidential appointee, former East Deschire Gov. Lynn DeMont, is reportedly in the running to be the next secretary of agriculture, sources close to DeMont and Collester say. But again, neither party would comment on any pending nomination.

For now, DeMont has returned to his vast central East Deschire 40,000-acre ranch, and signed on as a contributor with the conservative-leaning STAR-TV network.

"To me, this is the best place on the planet. Right here in the heart of East Deschire. I can get in my combine and drive for hours, and feed my cattle, manage the farm. It sounds boring, but when you're a farmer, there's no better thing than living off the land," DeMont told the GBC in a recent sit-down interview.

Ousted Gov. Christine Gabler, the former chair of the National Board of Governors, was approached for a job with the Menuhaeo Administration, but has since been retained by the massive energy corporation Sanlis-Corten as a governmental affairs adviser; a move many have noted for its irony, given Gabler's derisive criticism of big oil companies over the years.

Gabler hasn't commented about her new job, despite multiple requests from national media.

Just days after his defeat, Pierre Carten, the once-popular governor of Wellington, accepted a political science teaching position at the University of Wellington in Lunden Plains.

And then there's South Ceona's Scott Bannich, the affable dentist-turned-governor who lost the governor's mansion in hard-fought race in a state that remains hostile territory for Nationalists.

Bannich is not positioning himself for a presidential appointment, or signing on with a political advocacy group or TV news channel.

Instead, the amiable, down-to-earth Bannich returned to a familiar place - his east Fairfield dentistry.

"Maybe dentistry is what I do best," he joked to the Fairfield Integrus newspaper. "It's certainly my first passion."

None of the six former governors have ruled out running for office again. All remain open to public office in the future.

There's speculation that any of the six could run again in three years to reclaim their previous governorships, or perhaps run for a vacant Senate seat.

Also possible but unlikely is a former governor running for a seat in the National Assembly, as former Lial Gov. Gavin Gymbal (C) did after retiring from the governorship in 2010.

However, if there's money to be made, it's in the private sector, not government.

Scott Bannich, for example, will make considerably more money as a dentist than he will as governor of South Ceona, a position which pays a modest $145,000 per year.

Christine Gabler's secret contract with Sanlis-Corten is said to be well over $300,000 per year, though that figure has not been confirmed since the former governor and the energy giant are both remaining tight-lipped on their partnership.

Pierre Carten will be making less money at the University of Wellington than he did as governor. While in office, he made just over $153,000 per year; his position with the UW now pays $125,000 per year. However, sources close to Carten say he is angling for an administrative position within the university, which would result in a significant pay increase.

The terms of Lynn DeMont's contract with the STAR Network have not been publicized, but industry experts say it's likely near or above $100,000 per year. DeMont is also said to be in the beginning stages of writing a book, of which the subject matter has not been disclosed.

Barring a scandal of some sort, any of the 'ousted six' could feasibly stage a political comeback in the future. All lost by close margins, and most enjoyed some popularity at one point during their tenures.

And all four male former NAT governors were able to win in traditionally conservative states - San Bartholomew in Biereland, Pierre Carten in Wellington, Lynn DeMont in East Deschire, and Scott Bannich in South Ceona.

Though they got swept out of office in 2014, the changing political tides might very well usher the 'ousted six' back into office someday. In the meantime, they return to private life, if only temporarily.

Halitz to join East Deschire-based think tank

CHRISTENKERR, East Deschire -- Still licking her wounds after a stunning loss in last fall's election, former Sen. Denna Halitz (C) is set to join an East Deschire-based think tank.

Political gossip website Mud Piety reports Halitz, who lost her seat after finishing in last place in a three-way race in December, has been hired by East Deschire Solutions, a public policy think tank headquartered in Christenkerr.

The firm was founded by another former East Deschire senator, centrist Nationalist Val Hennemott.

Hennemott lost her Senate seat in the Senate Reduction Lottery of 2011, and has since worked as a lobbyist for East Deschire companies, promoting trade and tourism.

A spokeswoman for Halitz would not comment on her boss' future employment plans.

Campanelli, Estall maintain unusual friendship in Senate

PARKINS, North Ceona -- They meet once a week, just the two of them, for breakfast at a Mavocke diner. They work out together in the Senate gym at 5:00 am. They attend each other's birthday parties.

They're a political odd couple whose bipartisan friendship has caused a lot of chatter on Capitol Hill.

They are North Ceona Sens. Anthony Campanelli (N) and Ken Estall (C).

At first glance, their friendship might not seem so unusual. Senators from the same state often forge bonds and overlook partisan differences for the benefit of their respective states.

But Campanelli, a 36-year-old bachelor from North Gallaghan who is an up-and-coming moderate in the NAT, and Estall, a 54-year-old Mormon father of five from Parkins, have a unique friendship.

In recent months, the two have not only hosted joint press conferences and town hall meetings, they've spent a considerable amount of time together outside of work.

Staff for both senators confirmed the pair meet once a week for breakfast at a Mavocke diner, though no one interviewed for this story would confirm which local eatery.

The two senators also work out together two to three times a week at the Senate gym. They reportedly like to lift weights, run on ellipticals, throw around a medicine ball, and when the weather's nice, go for a run through one of the more than dozen parks that surround the capitol campus.

President Brenton Menuhaeo even joined the duo once for a run through the expansive grounds of Collester, although the president had to jog at a slower pace.

"I can't keep up with those guys," joked Menuhaeo, at the time.

And then there are the parties. The pair frequently attend elite fundraisers and functions together. And last fall, Campanelli even invited Estall to his private birthday party at a swank Mavocke night club.

The junior senator's gift from Estall: retro baseball cards, a set of fine crystal beer mugs, and a red Michel DuCaulienne tie.

Estall had previously unsuccessfully lobbied Campanelli to wear a red tie, a color that is favored by CNS politicians (NAT members favor blue).

Earlier last summer, Estall and his wife Lois hosted Campanelli at their Parkins-area home for a barbecue.

Photos of the two senators enjoying a meal together caused a stir among some hard-line Conservatives, who questioned Estall's loyalty to the party and CNS senate candidate Ken Bryceson, who was running against Campanelli at the time.

"In the middle of a campaign, to see pictures of these two hobnobbing and having a ball together really sends the message that Ken Estall is in the Campanelli camp," said Roy Gariman, a member on the board of directors of the North Ceona State Conservative Party.

At the time, Estall dismissed criticism he was backing his Senate colleague. He pointed to his public endorsement and campaigning for Ken Bryceson.

"I support Ken Bryceson one hundred percent," Estall said at the time. "I consider Anthony Campanelli a friend, and I value his friendship. But that doesn't change the fact that I believe Ken Bryceson needs to be in the Senate."

According to sources on both sides, Estall's backing of Bryceson over Campanelli did cause a bit of a rift between the two senators, briefly.

"I think he was a little hurt that they had what seemed like a solid personal friendship and a very bipartisan relationship in the Senate, and then for Senator Estall to turn around and endorse his opponent, I think that did sting a little," a source close to Campanelli told the Mavocke Capitol.

But Estall's endorsement of Bryceson was nothing more than party loyalty, say Estall supporters.

"That's how politics works. Friends are forced to turn on friends. It's often personal, but in this case, it really was just a political obligation. I think he really wanted to endorse Anthony (Campanelli) but the party said 'no, absolutely not,'" said a CNS figure, who works closely with Estall.

Regardless, Estall and Campanelli have since made up and buried the hatchet, sources on both sides say.

And more pressing for Ken Estall than his cross-party friendship with Anthony Campanelli is an issue that was ignited by the photo controversy last summer.

In the controversial pictures that were leaked featuring he and Campanelli, Estall is seen drinking alcoholic beverages at his home, something his Mormon faith teaches against.

Photos from Campanelli's birthday bash in Mavocke also showed Estall consuming alcohol, forcing the senator to acknowledge he drinks alcohol.

"I do have a drink once in a while, in moderation. I think most Grassadellians would agree a drink now and then is not going to kill you," said Estall.

The Mormon religion strictly forbids the consumption of alcohol.

Leaders from the Mormon Church of Grassadellia - officially known as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints - declined to discuss the senator's admission.

But in North Ceona, which has a significant Mormon population, the brouhaha caused a bit of controversy.

Notably though, the drinking scandal had little impact on Estall's electoral fortune. Both he and Campanelli won re-election comfortably in the 2014 general election; they're headed back to the Senate for another six years.

"I think the next six years are going to be great, and I can't wait to partner with Sen. Campanelli and all my Senate colleagues to create legislation that is really going to benefit the people of North Ceona and the people of this country," Estall told the Parkins Journal.

Campanelli declined to be interviewed for this story, but his office released a statement saying "the senator will partner with anyone who shares his vision for a strong and prosperous North Ceona."

Presently, the two members appear to be working on a veterans bill, and a bill that would expand funding for the Arbiter Dam in southwest North Ceona.