West
New federal rule moves to protect military bases from nearby land sales to foreign actors
In the wake of several controversies involving foreign actors attempting land purchases near sensitive U.S. bases, a new federal rule will expand a Treasury committee’s ability to control the transactions.
Lawmakers in Florida, North Dakota and elsewhere have long sounded the alarm over Chinese companies in particular, and now the Biden administration is taking steps to potentially make it more difficult for such purchases to go through.
The rule utilizes a 2018 law that gives the Treasury’s Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) broader authority to study the implications of foreign investment in real estate transactions and asset transfers.
Nearly 60 military installations or related properties will be provided further protections under the new rule.
IN THE ONLY STATE BORDERING RUSSIA, GOVERNOR SAYS DEFENSES ARE STRONG
Aerial view of Barter Island, Kaktovik, AK, where one base is located (Getty)
Some of the major installations cited include Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall (formerly Fort Myer) in Arlington, Va., Letterkenny Army Depot in Chambersburg, Pa., Cold Bay Regional Radar Site and Naval Support Facility Ketchikan in Alaska, Pueblo Chemical Depot in Colorado, Camp Blaz in Dededo, Guam and the Naval Logistics Support Annex in Okahumpka, Fla.
The latter was likely a concern of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, R-Fla., prior to the passage of three landmark state laws aimed at curbing Chinese influence in the state.
One of those laws prohibits Chinese citizens “domiciled” in that country from purchasing Florida land. As of April, however, that law has been embroiled in a court challenge.
ALASKA SUES FEDS OVER ‘KNOWINGLY’ POLLUTED NATIVE LANDS
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, testifies during the House Financial Services Committee hearing. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
DeSantis’ office did not respond to a request for comment, but said at the time the laws “make it very clear we don’t want CCP influence in the Sunshine State.”
In another case out of North Dakota, a land purchase for a Chinese company’s corn mill near Grand Forks Air Force Base was halted amid outcry from the state’s two Republican senators.
Sens. John Hoeven and Kevin Cramer had warned the transaction could be a “significant threat to national security.”
The Treasury previously stipulated in a May 2023 rule that foreign purchasers need federal approval to buy land near eight military sites, in the wake of the Grand Forks controversy.
China leader Xi Jinping (Xinhua/Shen Hong via Getty Images)
Fox News Digital also reached out to Alaska officials, as nearly a dozen of the newly-qualified installations are in the Last Frontier.
While the Treasury and CFIUS did not respond to requests for comment, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen heralded the new rule in comments to the Associated Press.
The Biden administration is “committed to using our strong investment screening tool to defend America’s national security, including actions that protect military installations from external threats,” Yellen said.
The Treasury’s move comes one week after the White House released an order that halted a Chinese cryptocurrency firm’s planned purchase near Francis E. Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne, Wyoming.
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San Francisco, CA
George Kittle used bottle of tequila to deal with devastating Achilles injury
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle finished a bottle of top-shelf tequila after tearing his Achilles in the 49ers’ eventual 23-19 wild-card victory in Philadelphia Sunday night, according to The Athletic.
Kittle, who popped his Achilles in the second quarter, requested it after the injury, and a San Francisco employee was seen delivering a bottle of Patron to the 49ers’ locker room.
The bottle reportedly was sent from the owners’ suite at Lincoln Financial Field.
49ers owner Jed York personally visited Kittle in the locker room and asked if he could get him anything — and that’s when the bottle of tequila was delivered a few minutes later, according to The San Francisco Standard.
Kittle was pushed out of bounds on a 6-yard reception and immediately grabbed his leg.
The All-Pro tight end was carted off the field and hobbled on one leg into the locker room, as seen in videos online.
He was ruled out for the rest of the game.
York and Kittle’s wife, Claire Kittle, both appeared visibly somber as they entered the locker room, according to The Athletic.
The Niners were the underdogs heading into the wild-card clash with the reigning Super Bowl champion Eagles.
San Francisco was already down two key players in defensive end Nick Bosa (knee) and linebacker Fred Warner (ankle).
The Eagles’ offense was a mess.
They committed four drops on third down, the most in a playoff game since 2006, per ESPN stats.
The 49ers visit the top-seeded Seattle Seahawks in an NFC divisional playoff game on Saturday.
Denver, CO
Broncos healthy compared to Bills
With the Wild Card round of the playoffs officially in the books, the Broncos are looking to welcome the Buffalo Bills to Mile High this Sunday. Things are different this year than they were last year. The Broncos are no longer a team just happy to be there. They’re a 1-seed juggernaut of football awesome, a real force to be reckoned with.
Truth be told, I think playing the Bills was the most ideal outcome for this weekend. After losing to each during the regular season, Denver wanted nothing to do with the Jaguars or the Chargers. While I’m confident the Broncos would have found a way to come out on top against either team, I’m glad this Sunday’s opponent is one Denver didn’t play during the regular season.
Most importantly, the Broncos are not facing the Bills team from last year, they’re facing thes year’s team who featured no fewer than 16-players on the injury report going into their Wild Card tilt. Versus the Jaguars, the Bills suffered further injury to QB Josh Allen (he was one of the 16 listed), RB James Cook, WR Gabe Davis, S Jordan Poyer, and WR Tyrell Shavers.
By the time the Denver Broncos take the field on Sunday, they will have had 14-days rest and has the opportunity to return guys, like Drew Sanders who may come off IR this week, that needed time to heal up to return to the field. The benefit to rest and health can’t be underestimated when you see teams like the Bills staggering into Sunday bandaged and bruised.
By contrast, the Broncos featured just 6 players on IR before their regular season finale against the Chargers. Sure, the injuries to S PJ Locke, T Garett Bolles, and CAlex Forsyth were less than ideal. We’ll get an idea soon how recovery has gone with the extra week rest, but we all know they’re better off for having the time off.
The playoff bye week is over. It’s time to get to work, Denver. You’ve got the Bills coming into town and it’s your task to show them their way out of town and into the postseason. It’s a tall order, but there’s no better time than the present to show the world exactly who you are.
Seattle, WA
UPDATE: Another incident reported near ‘the curve’ toward southwest end of westbound West Seattle Bridge
9:38 PM: SPD is arriving at the scene of another incident repoorted near “the curve” by the Walking On Logs/Welcome to West Seattle pullout, on this rainy night. We haven’t seen a visual but emergency radio describes a 1996 Ford Crown Victoria “in the grass” off the road. Apparently no injuries, as SFD has been canceled. No pole or other damage this time, police told dispatch.
10:23 PM: Officers just told dispatch they’ll be blocking both westbound lanes for a bit while the tow truck driver does their work.
10:50 PM: Both westbound lanes have reopened.
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