Michael Bilow

Full SNAP Benefits Must be Paid by Fri, Nov 7, Court Orders: Judge seems incredulous that partial payments resulted in delays; government appeals

Michael Bilow of Motif attended the 3:30pm court hearing and is reporting based on his personal observations. At a hearing in US District Court in Providence on the afternoon of Thu, Nov 6, Judge John J. McConnell Jr seemed incredulous that the option in his Oct 31 order to make partial instead of full Supplemental […]

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SNAP Benefits Must Be Paid, PVD Federal Court Rules: Contingency funds must be used despite government objections

Michael Bilow of Motif attended the 1:00pm court hearing and is reporting based on his personal observations. In a case with national significance and effect, Judge John J. McConnell Jr of the US District Court in Providence today granted a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) requiring the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) to make Supplemental Nutrition […]

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SNAP (Food Stamps) Emergency: RI announces support during federal shutdown

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known by its old name, “food stamps,” is funded primarily by the federal government but run by state governments. The money ordinarily placed on Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards on the first day of every month is expected not to be available on Nov 1 due to the […]

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Skating on ICE with Technology: Is Immigration and Customs Enforcement coming for your smartphone?

US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has been increasingly scary and threatening under the Trump administration. A few days ago, armed and masked agents converged on a Chicago apartment house, some even rappelling onto the roof from military helicopters. They forced men, women, and children outside, even naked, restraining them with zip-tie handcuffs. Most of […]

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Fact Check — Interpreting Kirk’s shooter: Was Charlie Kirk Murdered for the Lulz? Media misses dark nihilism of on-line culture

Political violence is a bad thing from any perspective, but there is a long tradition of it. In the classic 1970 collection of over one hundred primary source documents American Violence, the earliest account is Pilgrims versus Puritans from 1634 and the most recent, two years before the book was published, are the Chicago Riots […]

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Solar Aurora Possible Mon Night: Flares and CME likely to cause G3 (strong) geomagnetic storm

At Providence, solar aurora may be visible overnight Mon into Tue, although fairly unlikely. Aurora is unusual at latitudes this far south, but it typically happens a few times every year. Weather at Providence during the potential aurora will be partly cloudy with about 50% cloud cover, temperature about 60°F and near-zero chance of rain. […]

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Immigration Compliance: US Attorney General Threatens RI

US Attorney General Pamela Bondi sent a letter to RI Governor Daniel McKee and RI Attorney General Peter Neronha, dated Aug 13, stating “You are hereby notified that your jurisdiction has been identified as one that engages in sanctuary policies and practices that thwart federal immigration enforcement… This ends now.” The letter demanded a response […]

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Hurricane Erin Now Category 2: No immediate threat to New England but keep alert and updated

Hurricane Erin is currently at Category 2 on the Saffir-Simpson wind speed scale with maximum sustained winds of 110 MPH, and further increase in strength is likely. H. Erin briefly on Sat reached Category 5 with maximum sustained winds of 160 MPH, a significant rarity. Remember that this scale accounts only for wind speed and […]

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RI International Film Festival, Aug 5 – 10: Oscar qualifying festival celebrates its 43rd year

The RI International Film Festival (RIIFF) will hold its 43rd annual “Flickers” with screenings at six venues in Providence and one at the Misquamicut Drive-In, beginning with their traditional gala opening night at the Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC) on Aug 5. Information is available from film-festival. org and the detailed schedule (searchable by dates, […]

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