Former Dallas police chief to head Chicago police force

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot on Thursday named former Dallas police Chief David Brown to head the police force in the nation's third largest city, touting his humility and calling him “a leader who commands respect.”

Lightfoot introduced Brown as the next superintendent of the Chicago Police Department during a news conference, saying he's the right man for the job.

"We are Chicago and we deserve the best. And in this time, this moment, David Brown is the absolute best."

Brown, who was one of two African Americans named as a finalist, has more than 30 years of experience in law enforcement. The 59-year-old, who retired from the Dallas force in 2016, drew widespread attention that year after five of his officers were killed in an ambush-style rifle attack and he directed officers to kill the suspect using a remote-controlled robot fixed with explosives.

Brown's experience made him the logical choice for Lightfoot. The mayor said one of the things that most impressed her about Brown was that he implemented many reforms in Dallas that the Chicago department is now trying to introduce.

Brown said his experience and devotion to his job, along with the officers in his command, would help him as a leader.

“My life and career has taken place in the city of Dallas but the call to service ... is one that is heard across the nation, and it is that call that has driven everything that I have done in my career as an officer and as a public servant,” he said.

Lightfoot said she hopes the City Council will approve Brown's appointment and that he will be on the job by the end of the month.

[SOURCE: YAHOO]

Rep. Jim Clyburn to lead US House select committee on coronavirus pandemic

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has tapped South Carolina Rep. Jim Clyburn to lead a select committee overseeing the response to the coronavirus pandemic.

On a conference call with reporters Thursday, Pelosi said the bipartisan committee would be tasked with ensuring the recovery funds approved by Congress are “wisely and efficiently spent” and preventing profiteering or waste.

“We face a deadly virus and a battered economy with millions of Americans suddenly out of work,” said Pelosi, D-Calif. “Congress has taken an important step in meeting this crisis by passing three bills with over $2 trillion in emergency relief. We need to make sure those dollars are spent carefully and effectively.”

In a statement, Clyburn said he was “deeply humbled by the Speaker’s confidence in me to lead this Select Committee” and is “ready to take on the challenge.”

“I believe very strongly that we cannot let the assistance directed toward addressing this crisis accrue in an unequitable fashion,” Clyburn said.

“In the recovery from previous crises like the Great Depression and various recessions, parts of our great country were left behind, having not been treated equitably,” he added. “We cannot allow that to happen in this pandemic.”

[SOURCE: POST AND COURIER]

Oprah donating $10 million to coronavirus relief efforts

Oprah Winfrey announced via Twitter that she will be donating $10 million to help Americans during the Coronavirus pandemic.

The OWN founder and former talk show titan said Thursday that $1 million of her donation would go to America's Food Fund.

I am donating $10 million overall to help Americans during this pandemic in cities across the country and in areas where I grew up. For more on this Fund and how everyone can be of service, watch this free AppleTV+ conversation here: https://t.co/n7L6drnpcV

— Oprah Winfrey (@Oprah) April 2, 2020

Rep. Maxine Waters slams Pres. Trump on handling of Covid-19 outbreak

Rep. Maxine Waters (California 43rd District) took to Twitter to slam President Trump for his handling of the Covid-19 outbreak, especially for the lack of PPE (personal protective equipment) for healthcare professionals.

Rep. Maxine Waters:

Trump, you incompetent idiot! You sent 18 tons of PPE to China early but ignored warnings & called COVID19 concerns a hoax. You've endangered doctors, nurses, aids, orderlies, & janitors - all risking their lives to save ours. Pray 4 forgiveness for the harm that you're causing!

Washington, DC mayor issues stay-at-home order

Today, due to an increasing number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in Washington, DC and across the region and the nation, Mayor Muriel Bowser issued a stay-at-home order for the District of Columbia. This order reinforces the Mayor’s direction to residents to stay at home except to perform essential activities.

“Our message remains the same: stay home,” said Mayor Bowser. “Staying at home is the best way to flatten the curve and protect yourself, your family, and our entire community from COVID-19. Many people want to know how they can help right now, and for most people this is how – by staying home.”

The Mayor’s Order specifies that residents may only leave their residences to:

• engage in essential activities, including obtaining medical care that cannot be provided through telehealth and obtaining food and essential household goods;
• perform or access essential governmental functions;
• work at essential businesses;
• engage in essential travel; or
• engage in allowable recreational activities, as defined by the Mayor’s Order.

Any individual who willfully violates the stay-at-home order may be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, subject to a fine not exceeding $5,000, imprisonment for not more than 90 days, or both.

The stay-at-home order goes into effect on April 1, 2020 at 12:01 am.