Renewal of FISA Section 702 with ‘abouts’ collection slated for Thursday

"The powers in question allow the government to target foreigners overseas, collecting their communications. But Americans’ communications — even those in the U.S. — can be snared if they are part of conversations that the targets are having. The bill allows 'abouts' collection, which is when the government scoops up communications that mention a target, even if he or she isn’t the sender or receiver."

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Pakistan ditches dollar for yuan in trade with China after Trump tweet

"A day after the U.S. leader slammed Islamabad for harboring terrorists in a New Year's Day tweet, Pakistan's central bank announced that it will be replacing the dollar with the yuan for bilateral trade and investment with Beijing. With a steady stream of Chinese capital under its belt, Pakistan may no longer be receptive to American threats, the most recent of which involves Washington cutting off security assistance."

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An Ex-Cop Talks About Police Shootings

"The graphic video from the killing of Daniel Shiver was released after the jury decided to acquit ex-Mesa police officer Philip Brailsford of second-degree murder and reckless manslaughter. The Mesa police department and Mesa police union both supported Brailsford, but it’s important to receive feedback from police sources who don’t have a vested interest in the case."

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Today in History: President Washington Delivers the First Annual Address to Congress

On January 8, 1790, George Washington delivered the first regular annual message before a joint session of Congress. He did so in the Senate chamber of Federal Hall in New York City, the provisional U.S. capitol at that time. From Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate: Washington was acutely aware that as the nation’s first president, he…

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Virginia Bill Would Decriminalize Marijuana Possession, Take Step Toward Nullifying Federal Prohibition

RICHMOND, Va. (Jan. 8, 2017) – A bill introduced in the Virginia Senate would decriminalize marijuana possession. Passage into law would take a step toward nullifying federal cannabis prohibition in effect in the state. Introduced by Sen. Adam Ebbin (D-Alexandria), Senate Bill 111 (SB111) would make marijuana possession “subject to a civil penalty of no…

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Now in Effect: New Hampshire Law Bans Warrantless Stingray Spying

CONCORD, N.H. (Jan. 7, 2018) – A New Hampshire law that bans the use of “stingrays” to track the location of phones and sweep up electronic communications without a warrant in most situations went into effect this week. The new statute not only protects privacy in New Hampshire, it will also hinder one aspect of…

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Now in Effect: Virginia Law Takes First Step to Support Sound Money

RICHMOND, Va. (Jan. 7, 2018) –  On Jan. 1, a Virginia law that repeals sales taxes from some purchases of gold and silver went into effect. It represents an important first step toward encouraging its regular use as currency and breaking the Federal Reserve’s monopoly on money. A bipartisan coalition of delegates and senators sponsored House…

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Press Release: Jeff Sessions Pot Policy Won’t Change Anything

LOS ANGELES. — The new federal marijuana policy announced by Attorney General Jeff Sessions Thursday will do little to maintain the federal government’s unconstitutional cannabis prohibition. In a one-page memo, Sessions rescinded the Obama-era Cole Memo and directed federal prosecutors in states with legal marijuana to decide how aggressively they want to prosecute federal law based on their own…

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