Activating your credit card? Don’t skip the mobile wallet stepOttawa mayor Mark Sutcliffe says he's disappointed in the amount of "misinformation" surrounding a plan to erect tent-like structures to accommodate hundreds of migrants in the city, a proposal that has been suggested to alleviate the city's overburdened shelter system. Sutcliffe spoke on a variety of issues in a year-end interview with CTV News, including the migrant crisis affecting municipalities across the country. Ottawa continues to face significant challenges in accommodating newcomers and refugees in the city, with a lack of temporary and permanent housing adding pressure to immigration support services and shelters. The city has proposed building at least one modular structure to be used as a newcomer reception centre at 1645 Woodroffe Ave. by the end of 2025 that could sleep up to 150 people inside. A second site in Kanata, at the Eagleson Park and Ride, would be used if the Woodroffe site proves insufficient to meet demand. The issue has proven to be polarizing, with some residents organizing large protests in opposition to the structures, raising concerns over crime and a lack of support services available in their neighbourhoods. An information session held last month to describe the project erupted into chaos after a man rushed the stage during the presentation. When asked if he regretted the way the city handled the communication with residents on the structures, Sutcliffe reiterated his support of the proposal, calling the current migrant situation "untenable" with local community centres being closed to temporarily support migrants and shelters that are at capacity. "I'm not happy about the amount of misinformation that's out there about what's going on. This is not a municipal responsibility. It's not municipal dollars that are going towards this solution. It's a federal issue and we're simply the people who are providing the solution because somebody has to," he said. "We can't have people sleeping outside, we can't have people sleeping in community centres. We need to return those community centres to those neighbourhoods and have a proper welcome centre for new arrivals to the country." He said there are several solutions in place for newcomers in many different parts of the city. "We are here simply to provide support and services to whatever new arrivals come into Ottawa so we're in a challenging position. We don't get to make the decisions about immigration, but we are here to respond to what is a migrant crisis around the world," he said. The City of Ottawa says there are 600 asylum seekers currently using Ottawa's shelter spaces. City staff say the newcomer reception centre is "intended to provide a more dignified option for newcomers who are currently sleeping on bunk beds in recreational facilities that have not been designed for human habitation." The planned structure is expected to have on-site services such as translation and asylum claim assistance. Residents would be able to stay inside the structures for up to 90 days, where they will be offered services to effectively transition into the community. If permanent housing has not been secured after 90 days, clients will move to other transitional housing facilities. Sutcliffe says city staff continue to work on a plan to open the first structure in early 2025 but says federal dollars will be needed to pay for it. He says only a small amount of municipal funds will be used for infrastructure needs. 'A long way to go' for ByWard Market revitalization, housing starts The mayor also spoke on plans to revitalize the ByWard Market ahead of its 200th birthday in 2027. The city is undertaking a $129 million plan to guide the market's evolution as business owners and residents continue to express concerns over homelessness and public safety in the area. Sutcliffe says he has heard positive feedback from business owners but said there is still work to be done. "We're making progress, but we still have a long way to go. We all want the ByWard Market to be what it was in the past — a real gathering place for the city, a real source of pride," he said. The provincial government announced earlier this month that it would be investing $20 million into the market, which includes funds to transform William Street into a pedestrian-only corridor and developing a "cultural and entertainment district." The Ottawa Police Service unveiled its new CORE strategy this year, which included the opening of a new police hub in the Rideau Centre and increased foot-patrols in certain crime "hot spots." The ByWard Market District Authority unveiled a new synthetic skating rink and winter market this year to attract residents to the area during the holiday season. Housing a priority for the city When asked what other issues he will be focused on this year, Sutcliffe said housing was top of mind for him and a big priority for the city while adding that more work needs to be done to build more. While the latest statistics have shown a boost in housing starts this year, the number of new homes under construction in the capital is 14 per cent lower than last year, according to a CMHC report. Housing experts have blamed the problem on higher interest rates in recent years and an increase in development fees for builders. "It's a very challenging, complicated file but we need to do more work to streamline our processes at the city of Ottawa and make it easier for homes to be approved," Sutcliffe said. "At the same time, we need the developers to build the homes that have already been approved. We've approved tens of thousands of homes of homes already that are still not being built by the developers that own those properties." When will the skateway open? The top-of-mind question for many residents this year is whether the Rideau Canal will be open for skating this winter. Sutcliffe wouldn't speculate on an opening date but said he hopes there will be more skating this year than the past two seasons. "Theres no question that that's become a big issue," he said. "It's amazing to me when I meet people from all over the world, one of the things they identify with Ottawa is the Rideau Canal and being able to skate on it during the winter. It's a real shame that we have only been able to have it open for a few days the last two winters." Sutcliffe says the city has faced several challenges this year but said he's optimistic about the future. He added he was proud of the amount of collaboration and consensus on city council, noting it has been better than previous terms. "I promised in 2022 that I would work very hard for the people of Ottawa every single day – I've done that. We've faced some big challenges this year, but we've accomplished a lot working together," he said. "At this time of year, I'm reflecting on how lucky I am to be the mayor, how lucky we are to live in Ottawa. It's a wonderful, kind, generous community." Shopping Trends The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us. Editor's Picks 10 Family Calendars And Planners That'll Help You Keep Track Of Everything In The New Year Our Guide To The Best Winter Boots You Can Get In Canada 16 Cozy Home Essentials That Cost Less Than $100 Home Our Guide To The Best Snow Shovels In Canada In 2024 (And Where To Get Them) 14 Of The Best Home Security Devices You Can Find Online Right Now (And They've Got The Reviews To Prove It) 13 Of The Best Fidget Toys For Adults Gifts The Clock Is Ticking — Shop These 25 Last-Minute Amazon Prime Gifts Now If You Have An Amazon Prime Account, These 70+ Crowd-Pleasing Gifts Will Still Arrive Before Christmas If You Have An Amazon Prime Account, These 50 Brilliant Stocking Stuffers Will Still Arrive Before Christmas Beauty 20 Products Your Dry, Dehydrated Skin Will Thank You For Ordering 14 Hydrating Face Masks That’ll Save Your Skin This December 12 Budget-Friendly Products To Add To Your Winter Skincare Routine Deals 50+ Of The Best Amazon Canada Boxing Day Sales, Deals, And Discounts For 2024 The Altitude Sports Boxing Day Sale Has Begun — Here's What We're Shopping For PSA: The Michael Kors Boxing Week Sale Is Happening Right Now Ottawa Top Stories PART 2 | Ottawa mayor speaks on Sprung structures, challenges facing the city in year-end interview OPP and Ottawa firefighters help remove vehicle wedged into Highway 417 overpass Ottawa driver gets double licence suspension after allegedly going 3 times the speed limit Last minute shoppers in Ottawa wrap up Christmas wish lists Shoppers in Brockville, Ont. enjoying stress-free last-minute shopping What's open and closed in Ottawa over the holidays Ottawa welcomes new Team Canada fans with citizenship ceremony ahead of the World Juniors Five vehicles stolen while idling in Gatineau, Que. in recent weeks CTVNews.ca Top Stories What is flagpoling? A new ban on the practice is starting to take effect Immigration measures announced as part of Canada's border response to president-elect Donald Trump's 25 per cent tariff threat are starting to be implemented, beginning with a ban on what's known as 'flagpoling.' Hong Kong police issue arrest warrants and bounties for six activists including two Canadians Hong Kong police on Tuesday announced a fresh round of arrest warrants for six activists based overseas, with bounties set at $1 million Hong Kong dollars for information leading to their arrests. Indigenous family faced discrimination in North Bay, Ont., when they were kicked off transit bus Ontario's Human Rights Tribunal has awarded members of an Indigenous family in North Bay $15,000 each after it ruled they were victims of discrimination. OPP and Ottawa firefighters help remove vehicle wedged into Highway 417 overpass Ottawa firefighters and local Ontario Provincial Police officers were called to a bizarre scene Tuesday morning along Highway 417, where a driver managed to wedge his vehicle under an overpass. On Christmas Eve, Pope Francis appeals for courage to better the world Pope Francis said the story of Jesus' birth as a poor carpenter's son should instill hope that all people can make an impact on the world, as the pontiff on Tuesday led the world's Roman Catholics into Christmas. Read Trudeau's Christmas message Prime Minister Justin Trudeau issued his Christmas message on Tuesday. Here is his message in full. Ontario First Nation challenging selection of underground nuclear waste site in court A First Nation in northern Ontario is challenging the selection of a nearby region as the site of a deep geological repository that will hold Canada's nuclear waste, arguing in a court filing that it should have had a say in the matter as the site falls "squarely" within its territory. Dismiss Trump taunts, expert says after 'churlish' social media posts about Canada U.S. president-elect Donald Trump and those in his corner continue to send out strong messages about Canada. Two arrested in Egypt after attempting to steal hundreds of ancient artifacts from the bottom of the sea Egyptian authorities have arrested two men for attempting to steal hundreds of ancient artifacts from the bottom of the sea, the country’s interior ministry said in a Monday statement. Atlantic Two deaths in Truro ruled homicides: RCMP Police in Nova Scotia are investigating after two deaths in Truro, N.S., over the weekend have been ruled homicides. Snow forecast through Christmas Eve for parts of the Maritimes Parts of the Maritimes that were hit by a weekend snowstorm are in for more of the white stuff this Christmas Eve. 'Can I taste it?': Rare $55,000 bottle of spirits for sale in Moncton, N.B. A rare bottle of Scotch whisky is for sale in downtown Moncton, N.B., with a price tag reading $55,000. Toronto Trudeau could stay or go. Either way, Canadians should brace for a spring election Canada appears to be barrelling toward a spring election now that the NDP is vowing to vote down the government early next year -- whether Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stays on or not. Premiers urge Trudeau to extend deadline for charitable donations after postal strike Canada’s premiers are calling on the federal government to extend the deadline for claiming charitable donations on tax returns through to the end of February. Police seek six suspects after Markham financial institution and customers robbed at gunpoint The York Regional Police (YRP) Hold-Up Unit is on the hunt for six suspects who robbed a financial institution and its customers at gunpoint in Markham on Monday. Montreal Snowfall means a white Christmas, but also traffic woes across southern Quebec roads A heavy snowfall has guaranteed much of Quebec a white Christmas, but it has also sent cars skidding off the province's roads during the busy holiday travel period. As governments try to solve housing crisis, modular homes emerge as potential solution With all three levels of governments looking to find ways to build more housing and faster, one Quebec builder says it has the solution. Quebec doing better job at retaining immigrants, Atlantic Canada still struggling Immigrants are increasingly choosing to stay in Quebec, according to a new report from Statistics Canada, but the same isn't true in the Atlantic region, which continues to lose newcomers to the rest of the country. Northern Ontario Indigenous family faced discrimination in North Bay, Ont., when they were kicked off transit bus Ontario's Human Rights Tribunal has awarded members of an Indigenous family in North Bay $15,000 each after it ruled they were victims of discrimination. Norad crew waiting for Santa to fly over Canada as annual holiday track underway Departing from the North Pole while we were all sleeping, Santa Claus' journey around the world bringing presents and Christmas cheer for all of the good boys and girls who believe is underway. Dismiss Trump taunts, expert says after 'churlish' social media posts about Canada U.S. president-elect Donald Trump and those in his corner continue to send out strong messages about Canada. Windsor Been to Detroit lately? Keep an eye out for these scam parking invoices The City of Detroit has issued a warning to motorists that scam texts are circulating asking for payment for unpaid parking invoices from the city. VIDEO | From a repaired stuffed animal to an ATV, shoppers reveal the best gift they have ever received With Christmas just hours away, the search for the perfect gift is on at stores and malls across the country. Chatham police aware of physical incident between two children going viral on social media The Chatham-Kent Police Service said it is aware of a video going viral on social media, showing a physical incident between two children in the area. London Palace Theatre boarded up over the holidays due to recent damage A break in, theft, and continued property damage has led to the boarding up of the Palace Theatre over the Christmas holidays. Knights stars ready to help Canada chase gold at World Juniors Three London Knights are on the roster, including Easton Cowan, who scored a hat-trick in Canada’s first exhibition game. London fire responds to Wellington Road collision, contains fuel leak London Fire Department was on the scene of a two vehicle collision involving a delivery truck on Tuesday morning. Kitchener Why holiday shopping may feel a little different this year At around 11 a.m. Tuesday at Kitchener’s Fairview Park Mall, there were plenty of parking spots available. It’s a sign that maybe this year, the rush for last minute gifts is no more. What’s open and what’s closed over the holidays A detailed guide to what’s open and closed between Dec. 24 and New Year's Day. Police investigating after vandalization of Pride crosswalk in Waterloo Waterloo Regional Police are investigating after a Pride crosswalk was vandalized in Waterloo on Sunday. Barrie Here's when Santa is coming down your chimney, live tracking underway in Simcoe County The spirit of Christmas is in the air as Santa Claus begins his lasting journey to deliver presents to children around the region. Help this missing pup make it home for Christmas The Ontario SPCA in Barrie needs your help bringing this handsome pup home to his family before Christmas. Here's where you can retire your spruce after the holiday season If you got a retired spruce that you’d like to put to rest after the holidays, here are a few options you may want to consider. Winnipeg One person dead, another injured following Monday night house fire One person has died and another is in unstable condition following a house fire Monday evening. Winnipeg police investigating string of packages being stolen The Winnipeg Police Service is investigating a string of package thefts in the Transcona area. ‘Choosing your own adventure’: Winnipeg’s Select Start readies Exchange District for brand new ‘barcade’ experience A new ‘barcade’ in the heart of the Exchange District is hoping to be a successful launch title for a new generation of players. Calgary Three sent to hospital after Glenmore Trail crash Calgary police shut down Glenmore Trail overnight following a crash between a car and a crane truck. Person in critical condition after downtown Calgary fire A person was sent to hospital in life-threatening condition after a fire in downtown Calgary on Tuesday morning. Skier seriously injured in avalanche near Revelstoke, B.C. A skier was seriously injured after an avalanche near Revelstoke, B.C., over the weekend. Edmonton Edmonton apartment building boarded up after evacuation order from the city An Edmonton apartment building that was evacuated for safety reasons on Monday now sits boarded up. 1 charged after van stolen from Edmonton's Food Bank on Monday One person has been arrested after a van was stolen from Edmonton's Food Bank on Monday. Homelessness, rising property taxes major matters for Edmonton's mayor in 2024 Amarjeet Sohi looked back on the calendar year that's soon coming to a close with CTV News Edmonton, detailing recent challenges he and city council faced – typical year-end matters such as property taxes and finances – plus ongoing questions and efforts surrounding homelessness. Regina Sask. RCMP still searching for man suspected of small-town break-ins spanning years A man suspected of breaking into offices and small businesses across Saskatchewan over the past number of years has struck again – according to RCMP. 'A nice way to connect': Christmas card exchange between Sask. friends spans 60 years What started out as a little holiday fun between two Regina friends has turned into a tradition that now spans six decades. A separate Ukrainian Christmas may be a thing of the past There might be more households than usual celebrating this Christmas Eve, as many Ukrainians around the world are opting to abandon the orthodox calendar. Saskatoon 'People prop the doors open': Saskatoon resident concerned as people shelter in her stairwell With the number of homeless people in Saskatoon at an unprecedented high, it’s no surprise people are looking for places to warm up. A separate Ukrainian Christmas may be a thing of the past There might be more households than usual celebrating this Christmas Eve, as many Ukrainians around the world are opting to abandon the orthodox calendar. Saskatoon-born comedian Brendan Flaherty returns to ask, 'what'd I miss?' As a Saskatoon-born comedian pursuing a career in the Six, Brendan Flaherty says he often hears the same question from friends back home. Vancouver Woman struck by vehicle dies in Burnaby, B.C. A 24-year-old woman who was struck by a vehicle last week in Burnaby, B.C., has died. Ripe avalanche conditions for parts of B.C. expected to persist this week A forecaster says ripe avalanche conditions are expected to persist across much of British Columbia for the rest of the week. BREAKING | BC Ferries cancels some Christmas Day sailings, says many others 'at risk' due to weather The stormy weather in the forecast for B.C.'s South Coast could make getting around on Christmas Day challenging for some holiday travellers. Vancouver Island Ripe avalanche conditions for parts of B.C. expected to persist this week A forecaster says ripe avalanche conditions are expected to persist across much of British Columbia for the rest of the week. Woman struck by vehicle dies in Burnaby, B.C. A 24-year-old woman who was struck by a vehicle last week in Burnaby, B.C., has died. Homicide victim identified as 36-year-old man from Langley, B.C. Homicide investigators are identifying the victim of a suspected murder last year in Langley, B.C. Kelowna Forfeited Hells Angels clubhouse in Kelowna, B.C., sold to the city A former Hells Angels clubhouse that was seized by the British Columbia government in 2023 after years of fighting in court has been sold to the City of Kelowna. Death of woman found in Kelowna's Waterfront Park in June deemed 'non-criminal in nature': RCMP Police in Kelowna say a death they began investigating back in June has now been confirmed as "non-criminal in nature." B.C. man sentenced for 'execution-style' murder of bystander in drug trade conflict A B.C. man convicted of the "intentional and ruthless killing of a bystander" while acting as an enforcer in the drug trade has been sentenced for a second time in the slaying. Stay Connected
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FORESTVILLE, Calif. (AP) — A major storm moving through Northern California on Thursday toppled trees and dropped heavy snow and record rain after damaging homes, killing two people and knocking out power to hundreds of thousands in the Pacific Northwest. Forecasters warned that the risk of flash flooding and rockslides would continue, and scores of flights were canceled at San Francisco's airport. In Washington, more than 320,000 people — most of them in the Seattle area — were still without power as crews worked to clear streets of electrical lines, fallen branches and debris. Utility officials said the outages, which began Tuesday, could last into Saturday. Meanwhile on the East Coast, where rare wildfires have raged, New York and New Jersey welcomed much-needed rain that could ease the fire danger for the rest of the year. The National Weather Service extended a flood watch into Saturday for areas north of San Francisco as the region was inundated by the strongest atmospheric river — a long plume of moisture that forms over an ocean and flows through the sky over land — this season. The system roared ashore Tuesday as a “bomb cyclone,” unleashing fierce winds . Communities in Washington opened warming centers offering free internet and device charging. A number of medical clinics closed because of power outages. “I’ve been here since the mid-’80s. I haven’t seen anything like this,” said Trish Bloor, who serves on the city of Issaquah’s Human Resources Commission, as she surveyed damaged homes. Up to 16 inches (about 41 centimeters) of rain was forecast in southwestern Oregon and California's northern counties through Friday. The Sonoma County Airport, in the wine country north of San Francisco, received 6.92 inches (17.5 centimeters) Wednesday, breaking a record dating to 1998. In nearby Forestville, one person was hurt when a tree fell on a house. Small landslides were reported across the North Bay region, including one on State Route 281 on Wednesday that caused a car crash, according to Marc Chenard, a weather service meteorologist. Rain slowed somewhat, but “persistent heavy rain will enter the picture again by Friday morning,” the weather service's San Francisco office said on the social platform X. “We are not done!” Dangerous flash flooding, rockslides and debris flows were possible, especially where hillsides were loosened by recent wildfires, officials warned. Scott Rowe, a hydrologist with the weather service in Sacramento, said that so far the ground has been able to absorb the rain in California's Butte and Tehama counties, where the Park Fire burned over the summer. “It’s not necessarily how much rain falls; it’s how fast the rain falls,” Rowe said. Northern Mendocino and southern Humboldt counties received between 4 and 8 inches (10 and 20 centimeters) of rain in the last 48 hours, and similar amounts were expected over the next 48 hours, forecasters said. Wind gusts could top 50 mph (80 kph). The storm system, which first hit the Pacific Northwest on Tuesday, reached the status of “ bomb cyclone ,” which occurs when a cyclone intensifies rapidly. A winter storm watch was in place for the northern Sierra Nevada above 3,500 feet (1,066 meters), with 15 inches (38 centimeters) of snow possible over two days. Wind gusts could top 75 mph (121 kph) in mountain areas, forecasters said. Sugar Bowl Resort, north of Lake Tahoe near Donner Summit, picked up a foot (30 centimeters) of snow overnight, marketing manager Maggie Eshbaugh said Thursday. She said the resort will welcome skiers and boarders on Friday, the earliest opening date in 20 years. “And then we’re going to get another whopping of another foot or so on Saturday, so this is fantastic,” she said. Another popular resort, Palisades Tahoe, is also opening Friday, five days ahead of schedule, according to its website. The storm already dumped more than a foot of snow along the Cascades in Oregon by Wednesday night, according to the weather service. Forecasters warned of blizzard and whiteout conditions and nearly impossible travel at pass level. Falling trees struck homes and littered roads across western Washington, killing at least two people. A woman in Lynnwood was killed when a large tree fell on a homeless encampment, and another in Bellevue died when a tree fell on a home. More than a dozen schools closed in the Seattle area Wednesday, and some opted to extend the closures through Thursday. In Enumclaw, east of Seattle, residents were cleaning up after their town clocked the highest winds in the state Tuesday night: 74 mph (119 kph). Resident Sophie Keene said the powerful gusts caused transformers to blow out around town. “Things were exploding, like, everywhere,” Keene told the Seattle Times. “Like the transformers over by the park. One blew big, it looked like fireworks just going off.” Ben Gibbard, lead singer of the indie rock bands Death Cab for Cutie and Postal Service, drove from his Seattle neighborhood Thursday morning to the woods of Tiger Mountain for his regular weekday run, but there were too many trees blocking the trail. “We didn’t get hit that hard in the city,” he said. “I just didn’t assume it would be this kind of situation out here. Obviously you feel the most for people who had their homes partially destroyed by this.” In California, there were reports of more than 20,000 power outages on Thursday. Only 50 vehicles per hour were allowed through part of northbound Interstate 5 from 10 miles (16 kilometers) north of Redding to 21 miles (34 kilometers) south of Yreka due to snow, according to California's Department of Transportation. Transportation officials also shut down a two-mile (3.2 kilometer) stretch of the famed Avenue of the Giants, a scenic drive named for its towering coast redwoods, due to flooding. About 150 flights were delayed and another two dozen were canceled early Thursday at San Francisco International Airport after hundreds of delays and dozens of cancelations the previous day, according to tracking service FlightAware. Parched areas of the Northeast got a much-needed shot of precipitation Thursday, providing a bit of respite in a region plagued by wildfires and dwindling water supplies. More than 2 inches (5 centimeters) of rain was expected by Saturday morning in areas north of New York City, with snow mixed in at higher elevations. “Any rainfall is going to be significant at this point,” said Brian Ciemnecki, a weather service meteorologist in New York City, where the first drought warning in 22 years was issued this week. “Is it going to break the drought? No, we’re going to need more rain than that.” ___ Har reported from San Francisco, and Weber from Los Angeles. Associated Press writers Hallie Golden and Gene Johnson in Seattle; Martha Bellisle in Issaquah, Washington; Sarah Brumfield in Washington, D.C.; and Michael Hill in Albany, New York, contributed. Godofredo A. Vásquez, Janie Har And Christopher Weber, The Associated Press
FALLS CHURCH, Va., Dec. 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) announced today that its board of directors has authorized an additional $3 billion for the repurchase of the company's common stock, increasing the outstanding authorized amount to approximately $4.2 billion. Share repurchases will take place from time to time, subject to market conditions and management's discretion, in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions. Northrop Grumman is a leading global aerospace and defense technology company. Our pioneering solutions equip our customers with the capabilities they need to connect and protect the world, and push the boundaries of human exploration across the universe. Driven by a shared purpose to solve our customers’ toughest problems, our employees define possible every day. Note: Statements in this press release contain or may contain statements that constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “may,” “could,” “should,” “plan,” “project,” “forecast,” “believe,” “estimate,” “guidance,” “outlook,” “trends,” “goals” and similar expressions generally identify these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date when made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements after the date of this release, except as required by applicable law. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and inherently involve a wide range of risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. A discussion of these risks and uncertainties is contained in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Contact: Todd Ernst 703-280-4535 todd.ernst@ngc.com newsbureau@ngc.com This press release was published by a CLEAR® Verified individual.Activating your credit card? Don’t skip the mobile wallet step
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No one should underestimate the influence of the late, not-great President Richard Nixon. He set a tone for generations of public figures by invoking the defense of victimhood. Nixon lost a close election for president in 1960. His encore in 1962 was losing a race for governor of California. Nixon blamed reporters for his inability to unseat Gov. Pat Brown. "You won't have Nixon to kick around anymore because, gentlemen, this is my last press conference," Nixon said. Consciously or not, two women reeling because of their own poor performances in public life recently mimicked Nixon's approach. Let's begin with Kari Morrissey, whose prosecutorial misconduct prompted a judge in Santa Fe to dismiss the state's involuntary manslaughter case against Alec Baldwin. Working as a special prosecutor, Morrissey announced she would appeal the trial judge's ruling. Morrissey did an about-face this week propelled by prosecutorial spin. A member of District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies' staff sent a windy statement saying the criminal case against Baldwin was finished, this time forever. "The Special Prosecutor intended to pursue an appeal of the dismissal, however, the Office of the Attorney General notified the Special Prosecutor that the Attorney General did not intend to exhaustively pursue the appeal on behalf of the prosecution." By that description, another agency was at lax. Morrissey wanted to soldier on, only to be undercut by Attorney General Raúl Torrez and his New Mexico Department of Justice. Missing from this defense of Morrissey was the truth. Lauren Rodriguez, a spokesperson for the attorney general, said Morrissey's prosecution crumbled because of ineptitude. "An appeal in this matter would have been untenable in light of Judge [Mary] Marlowe Sommer's detailed finding that critical evidence had been withheld from Mr. Baldwin's defense team and her blistering assessment of the special prosecutor's gross mishandling of the case," Rodriguez wrote Tuesday in an email. "Perhaps if the District Attorney had selected someone with more direct experience as a prosecutor this outcome could have been avoided." Morrissey poisoned her own case. Attempts to shift attention to prosecutors who had no part in her misconduct are unpersuasive but Nixonesque. Baldwin was being deprived of a fair trial by Morrissey. That revelation on the third day of testimony led Erlinda Johnson, second chair on the special prosecution team, to withdraw from the case. Johnson wanted the state to join defense lawyers in a motion to dismiss the charge against Baldwin. Morrissey wouldn't do so. The result is Morrissey extended coverage of her misdeeds for another five months. A second public figure, Mary Hotvedt, claims she and her colleagues have been criticized unfairly for a headline-grabbing spending scandal at Western New Mexico University. Hotvedt is chairperson of the institution's five-member board of regents. State Auditor Joseph Maestas recently released a report by his investigative staff criticizing Western President Joseph Shepard and the regents for improper or wasteful expenditures exceeding $360,000. The regents' response was to negotiate a contract with Shepard that pays him a lump sum of more than $1.9 million, plus a professorship with a yearly salary of $200,000. In return, Shepard will resign as Western's president, effective Jan. 15. "Disgusting," said state House Speaker Javier Martínez, D-Albuquerque. "And we wonder why people here and across the country have little faith in their public institutions. Shame on the regents and this man's enablers today and over the years." Hotvedt praised Shepard for "selflessly stepping down for the good of the university in the face of ongoing issues." She swiped at critics and lauded fellow regents for what she described as leadership. "My final comment I really gave at the last meeting, which is the defense of this board for doing the hard work of governorship," Hotvedt said. "And you have done it, and this has been a hard contract to negotiate in the sense that none of us really were excited in any way about having to enter into this agreement." Martínez tops the list of people who aren't enthusiastic about Shepard's new agreement and windfall. "I promise you, we will be looking very closely at WNMU’s budget request this legislative session," he said. Hotvedt announced on Dec. 12 she had participated in her final meeting as a regent. But she returned eight days later and was part of the board's 5-0 vote authorizing Shepard's buyout and professorship. During that special meeting on Shepard's new contract, Hotvedt said she plans to continue as a regent until Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham replaces her. Shepard until last week was under contract to be Western's president until June 30, 2027. His base salary was $365,000, and the regents granted him annual bonuses of $50,000. Under his new agreement, Shepard's balloon payment alone doubles what he would have received in salary and bonuses in the next two and a half years. Contrary to Hotvedt's assessment, that deal might get a few hearts pumping. Ringside Seat is an opinion column about people, politics and news. Contact Milan Simonich at msimonich@sfnewmexican.com or 505-986-3080.AI can now clone your personality in only two hours – and that's a dream for deepfake scammers
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