Cosby lawyers seek dismissal of case
PHILADELPHIA – Lawyers for Bill Cosby are trying again to have the comedian’s sex assault case in Pennsylvania dismissed.
They say Cosby had an agreement with a former prosecutor that he would never be charged over the 2004 encounter with a Temple University employee.
A judge this month rejected claims that Cosby had a binding promise from the previous district attorney and scheduled a March 8 preliminary hearing.
Cosby’s lawyers filed an appeal Friday to the state Superior Court.
They also appealed the judge’s decision to not disqualify Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele. They say Cosby became a “political football” in Steele’s fall campaign for office.
Michigan governor to discuss water
WASHINGTON – Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder said Friday he has agreed to testify to Congress about the water crisis in Flint, Michigan, bowing to demands by Democrats that the Republican governor explain his role in a cost-cutting move that resulted in a public health emergency caused by lead-contaminated water.
Snyder said he wants to explain how “the local, state and federal governments combined to fail the people of Flint” and actions he is recommending in Michigan and at the federal level to ensure a similar crisis does not happen again.
“The people of Flint have suffered because they were failed by all levels of government, and so it is understandable that there are questions at all levels of government,” he said in a statement.
Flint’s water became tainted when the city switched from the Detroit system and began drawing from the Flint River in April 2014 to save money.
Virginia governor ends presidential bid
WASHINGTON – Former Virginia Gov. Jim Gilmore says he is dropping out of the race for the White House.
The Republican says in a statement he plans to support his party’s nominee and will continue to speak out about what he called the dangers of electing Hillary Clinton or Bernie Sanders, the two candidates for the Democratic nomination.
Gilmore announced his candidacy in July, saying his record as a national security expert and a fiscal conservative would set him apart in a crowded Republican field.
House eases rules on calorie labels
WASHINGTON – The House has approved legislation to give supermarkets, fast-food chains and other food establishments some relief from government calorie labeling rules.
The vote was 266-144. The legislation goes now to the Senate, where its fate is uncertain.
Republicans say the calorie labeling rules set to go into effect this year are too burdensome, and they have sought to ease them and lessen potential financial penalties for businesses that have to comply.
Many restaurants and food retail outlets like grocery stores will have to post the calorie labels by December.
Associated Press
