Bomb found at Ansleigha pro-immigration rally

Crown Police say 'sophisticated' device was defused, no injuries reported

KOEURN, ANSLEIGHA -- No one was injured but residents of Koeurn, Ansleigha are on edge after a bomb was discovered at a pro-immigration rally in the heart of the city this weekend.

The bomb was discovered early Saturday morning outside the federal courthouse in downtown Koeurn in Vicar Square.

Organizers were setting up a stage and sound system for the planned protest when a volunteer discovered a homemade bomb inside an audio speaker. The speaker had been hollowed out in order to hide the device.

The concerned volunteer alerted police immediately, who evacuated the area and closed down streets while an explosives team and robot defused the device.

Koeurn Police, assisted by Crown Police (CP) and Federal Counter-Terrorism agents, swept through downtown Koeurn looking for other suspicious devices.

Koeurn Police Chief Bill Mundlin said authorities were concerned about a coordinated, multi-explosive terrorist attack.

"Our concern was that this could be a potential terrorist attack with multiple explosive devices located in various places around the CBD," (central business district), said Mundlin.

No other devices were found and the bomb was defused without incident.

The protest was cancelled and downtown Koeurn was largely shut down and brought to a standstill for most of the day.

Police cleared the scene and gave an all-clear around 4:00 PM.

Officials say the bomb was sophisticated and expertly made.

"Whoever did this knew what they were doing," Kevin Yost, director of the Crown Police's Ansleigha division, told the media in a joint agency press conference.

Yost added that the bomb had the potential to cause "substantial loss of life" and "wide-scale carnage."

"There's no question in my mind this would have been a mass casualty event" had the bomb gone off, Yost said.

Police have no leads on a suspect, but they are reviewing security camera footage from nearby buildings.

Due to the location of the bomb, in the heart of Koeurn's city center, there is ample security camera footage for police to examine, Chief Mundlin said.

The bomb itself yielded few clues It was inconspicuously placed inside a hollowed out 28-inch Sanyo speaker. It was inside a plastic bag and crumpled paper was packed inside to hold the device in place.

The bomb was only noticed because a wire was sticking out of the speaker, Mundlin said.

There were no other identifying markers on the bomb.

Experts from the Crown Police's evidence laboratory in Taqqaraun, Marchenay just outside Mavocke showed he bomb was made with high quality aluminum, industrial strength glue, metal nails and a peroxide-based ingredient.

The CP declined to get more specific about the bomb's contents.

Meanwhile, authorities are trying to determine a motive.

It is believed the bomb was intentionally placed at the pro-refugee rally to target protesters, and whoever placed the bomb may have been motivated by political or anti-immigrant sentiments.

The protest was staged to show support for Syrian refugees, and to pressure the Menuhaeo Administration to allow more asylum-seekers into Grassadellia.

"It's very disturbing that someone would target a group of people, innocent, peaceful protesters who are advocating for diversity and inclusion," said protest organizer Samantha Beamer. "Racism and white supremacy are alive and well. This was very clearly a racially or religiously [or] culturally- motivated attack."

Crown Police would not confirm the bomb was motivated by racial or cultural bias, but they admitted that appears to be the motive.

"There are still too many questions we don't have answers to right now, so we can't definitively say what the motive was. But it certainly appears that this was an anti-immigrant, anti-minority type thing," said Mr. Yost.

The Department of National Security (DNS) confirmed an uptick in anti-Muslim and anti-Arab hate crimes since the refugee crisis in Syria escalated in 2015.

But DNS said an increase in related hate crimes in Ansleigha was commensurate with increases in other states.

"We have no reason to believe that the situation is any worse in Ansleigha than any of the other states," Crown Police Assistant Commissioner Peter Frederickson, speaking about anti-Muslim and anti-Arab hate crimes, told the NPF.

Grassadellian leaders were quick to react to the attempted attack.

Ansleigha Gov. Dale Lindstrom called an emergency press conference Saturday in Koeurn. He was joined by Koeurn Mayor Martin Hannah.

"I want to thank our alert citizens, our dedicated law enforcement with the Koeurn PD (police department), the Gowlinson County Sheriff's Department, all of the CP officers and counter-terrorism officials for reacting quickly and decisively," said Lindstrom. "That quick thinking saved lives."

Mr. Lindstrom repeatedly denounced terrorism and exhorted Koeurnians to not be fearful.

"We want to say in the strongest of terms: terrorism is not tolerated in this state, in  this country. Whether it's terrorism perpetrated by foreign agents or by Grassadellian citizens, we will not tolerate it, we do not condone it, we will remain steadfast in our efforts to prevent it and stop it before it happens. We will never stop trying to stay one step ahead of the bad guys. And we strongly condemn any kind of violence directed at any group of people, but especially minority communities. We are a state that values diversity and inclusion and celebrates other cultures, and we will not let the scourge of racism or Islamophobia stain our state's reputation," said Lindstrom.

Lindstrom added that he has instructed his cabinet and the Ansleigha State Police to engage all resources to prevent terrorist attacks.

"We are using everything at our disposal, and we are working closely with our partners at the federal level to ensure Ansleigha remains a safe place where all people are welcome and protected."

Mayor Hannah said panic was the first thought he had when he was told of the incident.
"You immediately start preparing for the worst," said Hannah. "Thankfully, this was an act of evil that was halted because of observant citizens and valorous law enforcement."

President Brenton Menuhaeo was overseas for a state visit in Egypt but said in a press conference from Cairo that he was "angry" but relieved.

"Like everyone else, I am gravely concerned about what happened in Koeurn and I am monitoring the situation very closely, along with Vice President James and [DHS] Secretary [Michelle] Gates."

Menuhaeo continued, saying he was "angry that someone would endeavor to commit such a heinous crime targeting innocent civilians."

"It enrages me that this is something we have to deal with in our modern era," Menuhaeo said. "But this is the reality of the 21st century, and we have to accept that and not live in fear. We need to remain vigilant, but we cannot let the terrorists win by living in fear," said the president.

He added that the attempted attack emboldens Grassadellians and law enforcement to more vigorously oppose terrorism.

"This only strengthens our resolve."

In a joint statement, Ansleigha's four federal senators, Carol DelLorean (N), Jon Schauman (N), Jon Ralston (C) and Luke Gymbal (C) condemned the act of terrorism and applauded police and alert citizens.

"We are stunned and saddened at what happened in Koeurn, but relieved a horrific act of evil was prevented thanks to the heroic efforts of brave citizens and law enforcement officers," the statement read.

"This was not only an attempted attack on a minority community, but an attack on all Ansleighans and an assault on freedom and peace. This attack will not go unmet. Whomever is responsible for this act of evil will be found and brought to justice."

Crown Police are calling it an act of 'domestic terrorism.'

A $100,000 reward is being offered by Crown Police for information leading to the arrest of the suspect(s) responsible for this crime.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Koeurn Police Department, the Gowlinson County Sheriff's Departmemt, Ansleigha State Police, Crown Police, or any local law enforcement agency immediately.

Beamer pushes transgender bathroom bill

Deschire governor says transgender bathroom controversy a human rights issue

NORTHBRIDGE, Des. -- Calling it a "necessary protection of civil rights," Deschire Governor Jan Beamer threw her support behind a bill that would require the state's public schools to allow students to use the bathroom of their choice.

Under the proposed law, students at any public K-12 school or university would be allowed to use the  bathroom or locker room that matches their self-perceived gender instead of their physical anatomy.

Officially titled the "Make Schools a Safe Place Law," Senate Bill 77 would permit students to use the bathroom facility they feel most comfortable in, regardless of their physical appearance or sex.

The proposed law is meant to protect transgender students who may not feel comfortable using restrooms that match the sex they were born with. Under the proposed rules, a male student who identifies as female would be able to use a girls bathroom, and vice versa, regardless of outward appearance or physical characteristics.

But critics say the law puts other non-transgender students at risk of voyeurism. A male student, for example, could pretend to a transgender woman in order to gain access to female students undressing in a locker room, say opponents.

"This is just common sense. This [law] will be abused if it's passed. Male students will use it to their advantage to get inside a girls locker room and will use this law as a pretense. It's only common sense that this could be a problematic issue," Conservative state Sen. Jim Lerhbos, who opposes the bill, told the GBC.

But Governor Beamer played down privacy concerns.

"No one wants voyeurism, and we all want to ensure the privacy and protection of our children. That is our primary goal," said Beamer. "But at the same time, this is a civil rights issue. People should be able to use the bathroom that matches the gender they identify with. We have laws in place to deal with voyeurism. Those will remain in tact and strictly enforced. This law does not put students at risk. It's about inclusion."

The National Council for Civil Liberties (NCCL) endorsed the legislation, saying protecting minorities like transgender students is an obligation of the government.

"If we value human rights and we value fairness and equality, then we must protect transgender students. That's the responsibility of the government, to ensure the rights and freedoms of all citizens are protected, minorities especially," Cole Savilla, chairman of the NCCL, told the Berivian Emblem-Herald.

Critics also contend that local school districts and school boards should deal with the issue instead of a state mandate.

"Each school district and community is different. Instead of Northbridge dictating what each school can and can't do, why don't we leave it in the hands of the local school districts. They are more familiar with their community than some politician in Northbridge who has no connection to that community," said state Rep. Ericka Hawthorne (C-Humboldton).
Governor Beamer is not standing down. She said she will sign the bill when it passes the state Semate, which is expected to happen in the next week.

Beamer has gone further, issuing an executive order requiring all state agency buildings to allow transgender clients and citizens to use the bathroom of their choice.

Senator Jay Burns (C), who is running for governor and will likely face Beamer in the general election later this year, said he opposes the measure.

"Of course transgender Deschireans deserve fairness and equal rights. They shouldn't suffer discrimination, but this law is too far reaching and puts students at risk. This law invites sexual predators to take advantage of vulnerable young people," said Burns.

"Ironically, it's called the 'Make Schools a Safe Place' law, but it actually makes schools less safe and sacrifices students' safety in the name of equality," Burns added.

Similar legislation is pending in six other states.

Lindselli would vote for Donald Trump

BIRCH HOLLOW, East Deschire -- He's been assailed for his racist, sexist and xenophobic comments, but outspoken billionaire US presidential candidate Donald Trump has one high profile supporter in Grassadellia.

Former East Deschire senator Nancy Lindselli (C) told a local radio station in Derosa that she would vote for Mr. Trump, the leading Republican candidate.

"Absolutely I would vote for him. Absolutely," she said eagerly when asked by host Chris Hennenberg of Talk109. "Trump is the only candidate in the race who is unafraid of the political class. He rebels against the party leaders of both parties and they can't stand it. But the voters want someone who will speak the truth and not speak with political correctness. He's bold, he's brave and he can't be stopped and that has Democrats and Republicans running scared."

Asked if she was troubled by Mr. Trump's controversial comments regarding Mexicans, Muslims and African-Americans, Lindselli gave an emphatic "no."

"He's not a bigot. He's not racist. The media is twisting his words and there are some people out there who just want to be a victim and find a victim. They choose to be offended. They find offense in everything. People need to grow up, the media need to get a life, and we need to stop being a society that is offended constantly," said Lindselli.

Mrs. Lindselli is no stranger herself to controversy. She's made controversial remarks about immigrants, people on welfare, liberals and feminists.

A hardline conservative figure, even after losing a bitter re-election campaign, she remains a revered, high profile king maker in the Conservative party and the conversative movement.

And like Mr. Trump with the leaders of the US's center-right Republican Party, Mrs. Lindselli too has rankled Conservative party leadership, most notably in 2014, when, against the wishes of top CNS party elders, she challenged fellow Conservative senator Denna Halitz in a heated primary.

Lindselli rebuffed claims that Mr. Trump's inflammatory behavior on the campaign trail is inciting violence and racial tensions.

"The great ones always are controversial. The leaders in history who made the biggest difference were always the ones who caused the most upheaval. We need to turn the government upside down in this country and that's what Donald Trump is doing in the States."

Most Grassadellian politicians have expressed dismay at Mr. Trump's vociferous campaign.

President Menuhaeo called him an "arrogant egomaniac."

Senate Majority Leader John Morandi (N-Lial) called him an "ignorant, racist buffoon."

Even Conservative POG Gov. Donna Almone, a leading presidential candidate on the CNS side, admitted she was "concerned" by the rise of Mr. Trump in US politics.

"It's not my pace to get involved in US domestic affairs, but I think there are some people out there who have hijacked the conservative cause and intertwined it with racism and xenophobia and anti-immigrant sentiment. And I think that's not only wrong but it doesn't represent the greater conservative movement. The majority of conservatives do not hold these views that Mr. Trump espouses," said Almone in an interview with the GBC.

Several NAT lawmakers have called for the government to ban Mr. Trump from visiting Grassadellia. A formal request has been made to the National Security Department but it must be approved by a judicial review before a ban could go into effect.

NAT leaders worry as Ansleigha governor's candidate list grows

NAT leaders beginning to worry about front runner's viability

KOEURN, Ans. -- Saying his work in Mavocke is not done, Assemblyman Lane Kearster (pronounced "Ker-ster") dealt a blow to his own party three weeks ago when he announced he would not run against first-term Ansleiga Gov. Dale Lindstrom (C) in the 2016 election.

Kearster's announcement threw cold water on the hopes of many party leaders, who viewed the assemblyman and former mayor of Koeurn - the state's largest city - as the most viable candidate to challenge Lindstrom.

"I came to Mavocke on a mission," Kearster said. "To obtain health care for all Ansleighans, to obtain better education for our children, to protect our environment, to foster equality and fairness for our citizens. That mission is not done. I have more work to do, and while I'm flattered to be considered a candidate for governor, I will not be a contender in 2016."

He will instead run for re-election to the Assembly, where he represents the NAT-leaning seat of Gowlinson, which encompasses much of the Koeurn region.

Kearster's decision leaves Nationalists with no well-known candidates, but a long list of lesser-known hopefuls.

The front-runner in the race so far, albeit narrowly, appears to be lawyer Mark Haller pronounced ("How-ler") who represents southeast Koeurn in the state senate.

Haller was the first to declare his candidacy and is an ideologically acceptable candidate in the eyes of the party leadership. But his fundraising has been mediocre and many Nationalists worry his (at times) aloof, less-than-charismatic personality will be a liability if and when he goes up against Dale Lindstrom, who is much more comfortable in front of the camera and interacting with voters.

Haller has raised about $1 million, far trailing the $3.5 million Lindstrom has in the bank.

Privately, many NAT leaders are fretting that Haller may not be a strong enough candidate to defeat Lindstrom in the fall.

"There is concern among some that [Haller] doesn't have what it takes," one NAT source, who did not want to be named, told GNN.

Haller supporters say the nervousness from party elders is needless.

"Mark Haller will be the nominee," said a determined state Sen. Andrew Kasinell (N-Cordeyon), who  was an early supporter.

But as Haller struggles to stay atop in the race, several other candidates are clamoring to take the front-runner mantle.

Churchtown Mayor Paul Biddington (pronounced "Bide-ing-ton") announced his candidacy last week. A strong liberal, Biddington is a good friend of Haller's and had been reluctant to criticize him. But Biddington argues he is more tenacious and stronger head-to-head with Lindstrom.

Jon Erickson, a 36-year-old state representative and Iraq War veteran from Charlottesville, is also running. With a decidedly more moderate voting record, Erickson plays well with younger voters but has struggled to gain traction with liberals.

Two new candidates emerged last week.

Russ Hawley, CEO of AgriTech, an agricultural technology company in Ambrose County, announced his entry into the race. Hawley is a centrist and his folksy demeanor has played well on the campaign trail.

Koeurn City Councillor Paris Westerman also launched his campaign. He begins the race at a clear disadvantage, lacking the name recognition and funding many of his opponents have. But his progressive views and wonkish, professorsorial personality appeal to the left wing of the party and young people.

Also running are Gilliam businessman Bill Seiffert and wealthy mining magnate Rosamond Burkes, who is well-known for her past anti-war activism and ardent defense of abortion.

Burkes has been criticized by some Nationalists, however, for her more conservative views on taxes, climate change and labor.

Regardless of who wins the NAT nomination, picking off Dale Lindstrom in the general election will be difficult. The incumbent remains popular and has not made any serious gaffes or mistakes since taking office in 2011.

It didn't hurt that Lindstrom served as chair of the Conservative Governors Association (CGA), thus giving him connections with prominent donors.

Endorsements have been few and far between, but Haller has received the most, as the party slowly coalesces around him.

Penora seeks to nix term limit rules

Support growing for constitutional amendment to end one-term limit

GRASSADELLIA CITY -- In 2012, Damoign's governor's race was the most expensive and one of the most closely watched races of the season. The 2016 is already shaping up to be similar.

Damoign is the only state in the country where governors are barred from running for re-election consecutively. The rule came about in the 1990's as a way to combat widespread corruption in the state's government.

That means a new governor is elected every four years. A governor can run for re-election but must sit out a term before doing so.

Current (and outgoing) Gov. Rod Penora (N) has spearheaded a citizens initiative to amend the state's constitution to allow governors to seek re-election to a second consecutive term. Penora has openly said he would seek a second term if Damoign's constitution permitted. 

His argument is that four years is not enough time for a governor to adequately enact an agenda. Having an additional four years to implement policy would be beneficial to the governor and the state, he says.

"The polls show the voters like my policies and want more of the same," said the customarily confident and brash Penora, in a recent interview with the Grassadellia City Times. "But because of this outdated rule in the constituion, I can't run for re-election, even though the voters want me for four more years and I want four more years too so I can continue the progress we've started."

The rule is not necessary anymore because there is more transparency in state government, argues Penora.

"Back at that time, in the 70's and the 80's, it was needed. We did have a lot of corruption and we had several administrations that did kick backs and cut back room deals and cheated. It was necessary back then. But now we have more safeguards in place. We have more transparency than ever before, we have a stronger attorney general position, we have oversight from the federal government and a citizens transparency committee. This rule is not needed any longer, it only limits the executive's ability to bring about change and progress," said Penora.

His views are shared by many conservatives, including his predecessor, former Gov. Sid Hoffa. 

"I think the times have changed, and, while there is still corruption in our modern age, we don't have the systemic problems we used to have back in the 1970's and 1980's. We've come a long way and I think allowing a governor to seek re-election is fair. We should trust the voters to make the right determination. If someone is corrupt, they will be found out, they will be investigated, they will be charged accordingly, and the voters will see that corruption and vote them out," Hoffa told the Times.

Not everyone is on board with the proposed change to the law, however.

The Center for Responsible Government (CRG), a Damoign-based government watchdog  organization, says there is good reason for the current rules.

"These rules were put in place because of abuse of power, corruption, and cronyism. It hasn't been that long since this kind of corruption was widespread in this state. It's a good firewall against government mismanagement," says Chris Kay, Vice President of the CRG.

Long-shot political candidates also oppose changing the rules, which they contend will only favor the political parties and party bosses.

"Damoign is notoriously the most corrupt state in the country, we are a state where the political parties have historically and still do to this day have an extraordinary amount of power and influence, much more so than in other states. We desperately need more transparency and fresh blood. We don't need Rod Penora and Sid Hoffa for eight years, we need someone new and fresh. If you can't run for re-election, then there is no incentive, or less incentive, for corruption," says wealthy businessman Rick Tesario, a Conservative from West Lake, who says he would only serve one term if elected. 

Ultimately, the decision will come down to the voters. Penora and other advocates of the constitutional amendment have gathered more than 1.7 million signatures, and the issue is likely to appear before the voters on the 2016 ballot.

If the single four-year term limit is overturned in the 2016 election, the incumbent governor will be able to seek a second consecutive term beginning in 2020. 

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.