Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird led writing a joint letter warning 4 information organizations about considerations that freelance journalists who equipped images of the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel might have had ties to the terrorist organization.
In the letter, Bird and 14 different Republican state attorneys basic argue that the information organizations might have supplied “material support to terrorists” by paying for pictures from journalists with alleged ties to Hamas.
The letter is addressed to officers on the New York Times, Associated Press, CNN and Reuters. A November report from HonestReporting, a pro-Israel media watchdog, questioned whether or not freelance photojournalists for the organizations had advance information of the Oct. 7 attack. The information organizations have denied they’d any information of the attack.
One of these reporters, Hassan Eslaiah, posed for a portrait with Yahya Sinwar, a Hamas chief, in a resurfaced social media put up. CNN and the AP, who ran Eslaiah’s images however mentioned he was not working for them on the day of the attack, have since mentioned they’re now not working with him.
According to the New York Times, photojournalist Yousef Masoud, one other reporter named by HonestReporting, mentioned he was awoken by rocket fireplace on the day of the attack. His first images had been taken 90 minutes after the attack started, and the Times denied he had any prior information.
The letter cites federal legislation that bars offering “material support” to terrorist organizations, and notes that it’s unlawful beneath state legislation in Iowa as properly. The letter says the information organizations are “on notice.”
“You should ensure that you are taking all necessary steps to prevent your organizations’ from contracting with members of terror organizations,” the letter says. “We urge you in the strongest terms to take care that your hiring practices conform to the laws forbidding material support for terror organizations.”
Gov. Reynolds joins letter to restrict land purchases by China
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds joined 16 different Republican governors in a letter calling for Democratic President Joe Biden’s administration to dam purchases of U.S. land by the Chinese authorities.
The letter factors to plans for a 270-acre buy in Michigan by Gotion, a subsidiary of Gotion High-Tech, a Chinese firm. The web site of the power, which is deliberate to fabricate electrical car batteries, is about 100 miles from a Michigan National Guard facility.
Several of the governors who signed the letter, led by Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, have moved to restrict international possession of land. Iowa legislation already prohibits international entities from proudly owning agricultural land except it’s lower than 320 acres and used for non-farming functions.
“For too long, we have allowed dangerous and adversarial governments to infiltrate our country,” the letter says. “Our states will tolerate such allowances no longer. The Biden Administration must reckon with the fact that such entities are plain threats to our national security, our farmers, and our citizenry.”
The letter calls on administration officers to make use of “all available tools” to stop acquisition of U.S. land by international governments and entities.
Ann Mincks named trainer of the yr
The Iowa Department of Education named Ann Mincks Iowa Teacher of the Year for 2024. The English Language Learner trainer at Hoover High School in Des Moines joined Gov. Kim Reynolds on Monday for a ceremony.
“Ann is an exceptional teacher. By providing her students the skills necessary to achieve literacy, she is creating a foundation for them to thrive in school, work, and life,” Reynolds mentioned in an announcement.
Governor, first gentleman to host Christmas occasion at Terrace Hill
Gov. Kim Reynolds and first gentleman Kevin Reynolds will host “Christmas at Terrace Hill” on Dec. 17.
The annual occasion, scheduled from 1 to three p.m., contains images with Santa Claus and the primary household, decoration adorning and a station to ship letters to deployed National Guard members. Organizers additionally will acquire donations for deployed service members.
At the occasion, Reynolds will learn “No Company for Christmas,” a narrative concerning the historic Terrace Hill residence.
Tickets are $25 per person or $50 per family. Proceeds will go to the Terrace Hill Partnership, which helps historic conservation on the residence.
Gazette-Lee Des Moines Bureau
