New Hampshire
VP Harris cites Biden’s ‘legacy of accomplishment’ as endorsements pile up for her bid • New Hampshire Bulletin
WASHINGTON – Vice President Kamala Harris’ path to the Democratic nomination cleared Monday as she secured endorsements from potential rivals and other high-profile party members the day after President Joe Biden ended his reelection bid.
A swarm of Democratic legislative leaders, governors – including some thought to harbor presidential ambitions of their own – and influential unions as well as key outside groups endorsed her within 24 hours of Biden’s unscheduled Sunday afternoon announcement, while no serious challenger emerged.
In Harris’ first public appearance since Biden’s announcement and endorsement of her, the vice president met with college sports champions at the White House. She opened her brief remarks with a tribute to Biden, who, while recovering from COVID-19, was “feeling much better” Monday, she said.
“Joe Biden’s legacy of accomplishment over the past three years is unmatched in modern history,” she said. “In one term, he has already surpassed the legacy of most presidents who have served two terms in office.”
Harris was also scheduled to travel to the campaign headquarters in Wilmington, Delaware, late Monday to meet with campaign staff, according to the White House.
Several key Democrats had not publicly backed her by Monday afternoon. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York, and former President Barack Obama had not offered endorsements.
Jeffries told reporters that he and Schumer were planning to meet with Harris “shortly.” While Jeffries did not endorse Harris, he said she has “excited the House Democratic Caucus and she’s exciting the country.”
Congressional Dems line up behind Harris
But endorsements rolled in from Capitol Hill.
Top congressional Democrats like the No. 2 Senate Democrat, Dick Durbin of Illinois, and the No. 2 House Democrat, Rep. Katherine Clark of Massachusetts, also early Monday gave Harris their support.
And former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California said in a statement that she supported Harris and noted her work advocating for reproductive rights – a topic that Democrats have centered various campaigns on following the end of Roe v. Wade.
“Politically, make no mistake,” Pelosi said. “Kamala Harris as a woman in politics is brilliantly astute – and I have full confidence that she will lead us to victory in November.”
The chair of the campaign arm for House Democrats, Rep. Suzan DelBene of Washington, also gave her support to Harris.
Harris has also earned the backing of all the House Democratic leaders of influential congressional caucuses.
That includes Reps. Steven Horsford of Nevada of the Congressional Black Caucus, Nanette Barragán of California of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Pramila Jayapal of Washington of the Progressive Caucus, and Judy Chu of California of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus.
Obama holds off
Obama did not yet endorse Harris but in a lengthy statement Sunday said he has “extraordinary confidence that the leaders of our party will be able to create a process from which an outstanding nominee emerges.”
Similarly, in 2020 the former two-term president waited until Biden was formally nominated by the Democratic National Committee before he gave an endorsement.
The DNC will move forward with the process to formally nominate a presidential candidate Wednesday when its Rules Committee meets in a public virtual session amid ongoing efforts to set up a virtual roll call vote ahead of the convention next month in Chicago.
No serious challenger to Harris’ nomination had emerged by Monday afternoon, as independent Sen. Joe Manchin III of West Virginia said in a morning MSNBC interview he would not seek the Democratic nomination.
Governors endorse Harris
Following Biden’s endorsement of Harris, several Democratic governors have also offered their support for the vice president, including the governors speculated to be among Harris’ choices for a running mate and would-be rivals for the nomination.
Govs. Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan, Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania, Andy Beshear of Kentucky, Roy Cooper of North Carolina, Wes Moore of Maryland, and J.B. Pritzker of Illinois all offered their endorsements in the day since Biden withdrew from the race.
Beshear announced his support for Harris in a television interview Monday morning. He wouldn’t say if he’d like to join Harris’ ticket, but said in a statement on X that the vice president will “bring our country together and move us past the anger politics we’ve seen in recent years.”
Other governors around the country also offered their support, including Jared Polis of Colorado, Tony Evers of Wisconsin, Phil Murphy of New Jersey, Laura Kelly of Kansas, Michelle Lujan Grisham of New Mexico, Tim Walz of Minnesota, Katie Hobbs of Arizona, Janet Mills of Maine, Jay Inslee of Washington, and Maura Healey of Massachusetts.
Governors from Oregon and Rhode Island, both Democrats, have yet to voice their support for Harris. Both thanked Biden for his service as president on X.
State parties planning next moves
Several state parties endorsed Harris or indicated they would support her.
North Carolina Democrats voted to endorse a ticket of Harris and Cooper, their term-limited governor, NC Newsline reported.
At Beshear’s request, Kentucky Democrats voted “overwhelmingly” to back Harris, the Kentucky Lantern reported.
New Hampshire’s state party coalesced behind Harris at a Sunday evening meeting, according to the New Hampshire Bulletin.
Maine Democrats were scheduled to meet Monday night and are likely to consider a proposal to switch the party’s support from Biden to Harris, the Maine Morning Star said.
Advocacy groups
Several influential Democrat-aligned organizations announced their support for Harris.
Emily’s List, which works to elect Democratic women who favor abortion rights, tweeted its endorsement Sunday.
LGBTQ advocacy group Human Rights Campaign also backed Harris, noting her early support for marriage equality and other work on LGBTQ issues.
UnidosUS, a Latino civil rights group, also endorsed Harris.
Gen-Z for Change, formerly called TikTok for Biden, had withheld an endorsement of the president over his handling of the Israel-Hamas war in which more than 39,000 Palestinians have been killed. But quickly following the announcement from Biden to step out of the race, the organization gave an endorsement to Harris.
The political action committees of the Congressional Black Caucus, Congressional Hispanic Caucus and Congressional Progressive Caucus also backed Harris.
Several unions jump in
Harris has also garnered the backing of several labor unions in the day since announcing her bid for office. The Service Employees International Union, which represents 2 million service workers including health care and property and public services, announced its endorsement for Harris Sunday.
In a written statement, SEIU President April Verrett said “SEIU is ALL IN” for Harris and that the vice president “has made sure to use every lever of government to do everything possible to make things better for working people.”
The American Federation of Teachers unanimously endorsed Harris Sunday. AFT represents 1.7 million education professionals across the country, ranging from teachers and paraprofessionals to school health care workers and higher education faculty.
The United Farm Workers also quickly switched its support from Biden to Harris on Sunday afternoon. The union said it “could not be prouder to endorse her for President of the United States,” in a written statement, citing her support of farm workers during her time as an attorney general and senator in California.
SEIU, AFT, and UFW all endorsed Biden for president in 2020 and this year prior to his withdrawal from the race.
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters has not endorsed in the presidential race, but invited Harris to a roundtable with rank-and-file members. Teamsters President Sean O’Brien addressed the Republican National Convention last week. The union endorsed Biden in 2020 but had not voiced its support for his reelection this year.
Notably, the UAW has not announced an endorsement for Harris. Biden walked the picket line in Michigan during the historic autoworker protests last September. The UAW thanked Biden for his service in a statement Sunday.
New Hampshire
6 from Massachusetts, New Hampshire, California charged in alleged Cali to Mass drug trafficking conspiracy after 12 kilos of cocaine, 1 kilo of fentanyl seized
BOSTON – According to a release from the Massachusetts Department of Justice, six individuals have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Boston for their alleged roles in a drug trafficking conspiracy that involved shipments of packages containing kilograms of cocaine and fentanyl from California for further distribution in Massachusetts:
- Edwal Vargas, a/k/a “Max,” 34, of Swampscott, Mass., was indicted on one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances; one count of money laundering conspiracy; and one count of possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and 50 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine;
- Yanivel Gomez, a/k/a “Ashley,” 31, of Peabody, Mass., was indicted on one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and one count of money laundering conspiracy;
- George Salvatore Landingham, 33, of North Andover, Mass., was indicted on one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and one count of possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and 50 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine;
- Stephanie Tejeda, 33, of Hudson, N.H., was indicted on one count of money laundering conspiracy;
- Tyrone Shepherd, 41, of Chestnut Hill, Mass., was indicted on one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances; and
- Gustavo Tavares, 44, of Studio City, Calif., was indicted on one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances; and one count of money laundering conspiracy.
According to the charging documents, more than 260 UPS packages were shipped from California to various addresses in Massachusetts by members of the conspiracy. It is alleged that several of those packages were seized during the investigation and found to contain approximately 12 kilograms of cocaine and a kilogram of fentanyl.
The charge of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances provides for a sentence of at least 10 years in prison, five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $10 million. The charge of money laundering conspiracy provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $500,000. The charge of possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and 50 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine provides for a sentence of at least 10 years in prison, five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $10 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
United States Attorney Leah Foley; Jarod Forget, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; and Jason Buckley, Acting Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Boston Division made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney K. Nathaniel Yeager of the Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.
This case was investigated and prosecuted by the Boston Homeland Security Task Force as part of Operation Take Back America.
The details contained in the charging document are allegations. The defendants are presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in the court of law.
New Hampshire
Between Concord And Portsmouth Is A New Hampshire State Park With Mountains, Beaches, And Incredible Views – Islands
For many travelers, the goal of a trip is to enjoy a relaxing, peaceful experience. While getting out in nature can help with that, you also want to consider the safety of the place you’re going. When it comes to safety, New Hampshire is one of your best bets. The pretty East Coast state is known as the safest in America — perfect for a stress-free vacation. There’s one state park, in particular, that promises a great mix of mountains, lake access, and beautiful scenery, all within a short drive of some attraction-filled cities. Pawtuckaway State Park spans over 5,500 acres and features a 700-foot beach, a fire tower, lots of wildlife sightings, and an array of trails. It also has a highly reviewed camping area, plus plenty of winter recreation opportunities. The adult day-use fee is around $5 at the time of writing, and you won’t have to go too far off the beaten path to experience everything the area has to offer.
Pawtuckaway State Park is located almost perfectly between Concord and Portsmouth. Thanks to the park’s relatively easy access to State Route 101, both cities can be reached in under 40 minutes with normal traffic conditions. For travelers located too far away to consider a road trip, Manchester-Boston Regional Airport is one of the most convenient entryways, at half an hour southwest. If you can’t find any good flight options here, try Boston Logan International Airport. It’s over double the distance, but you’ll be far more likely to book a direct line. Either way, public transportation options are virtually non-existent, so a rental is your best bet.
Pawtuckaway State Park’s mountain trails and fantastic scenery
One of the most notable aspects of the park is its access to the Pawtuckaway Mountains, a rocky range estimated to date back over 100 million years. Hiking and biking trails are scattered all over, many of which reward you with beautiful vistas at the top. The pathway through South Mountain and up to the fire tower is one of the most popular picks. You can also climb the tower for the unobstructed, 360-degree view of your surroundings. Just keep an eye out for wasps. The trail itself stretches over 5 miles, and hiking it can take up to three hours. Try to keep this map handy, as it makes it easy to find the paths, boundaries, gates, facilities, and more. Visitors describe the atmosphere as peaceful and colorful, and the trails as well-kept, well-marked, and easy enough to navigate, though they come in an array of difficulty levels.
If you can’t decide on which one to tackle first, see if you can spend a night at the park’s campground and space out your excursions. All sites are equipped with a picnic table, a fireplace, and a parking spot, not to mention you get access to running water, coin-operated showers, a vessel launch, and even a small shop. You can bring a pet along, but be warned that there aren’t any RV hookups and you’ll have to reserve your space beforehand. Campers often compliment the spaces’ size and lakefront scenery, and they also mention a generally private feel. Looking for a more well-rounded day trip option? Concord is an ideal spot. The picturesque New Hampshire city offers the ultimate blend of historic charm and nature.
Beaches, kayaking, and laid-back lake days in Pawtuckaway State Park
Water lovers who already know that New England’s most underrated, charming little coastline belongs to New Hampshire will be happy to learn that Pawtuckaway State Park offers its own version of a waterfront haven. Pawtuckaway Lake is a space where you can boat, kayak, and even sunbathe, thanks to its nearby family-friendly beach. The beach can get a bit busy, but it’s sandy, surrounded by trees, and equipped with a swimming spot. Floating accessories can be used, too, and there’s usually no lifeguard. Another important warning to keep in mind is that Pawtuckaway is one of the multiple New Hampshire lakes teeming with snakes, so it’s worth reading through this guide on what you should know before going swimming.
Kayaking, in particular, is a popular activity around here. You’ve got plenty of rental options nearby, but be prepared for some water traffic. Still, visitors say that it’s easy to make your way through the waters, and the prices are reasonable, not to mention that the overall atmosphere remains safe and relaxing. It’s one of the best ways to explore all the little islands scattered around the lake.
“Laid-back” is a term sometimes used to describe the whole park, and even if you don’t feel up for a kayaking session, you can always make the most out of the area’s lake access by fishing instead. Some common species you might come across include largemouth and smallmouth bass, crappie, and perch. Just keep in mind that the use of lead-weighted hooks has been banned here since 2016. Moreover, anyone 16 years old or older needs to have a valid license, which you can obtain here.
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