Homeland Security To Compile Database Of Journalists
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The Department of Homeland Security wants to track the comings and goings of bloggers, journalists and media influencers through a database.
The DHS’s “Media Monitoring” plan, which was first reported by FedBizOpps.gov, would give the contracting company “24/7 access to a password protected, media influencer database, including journalists, editors, correspondents, social media influencers, bloggers etc.” in order to “identify any and all media coverage related to the Department of Homeland Security or a particular event.”
Bill Cosby’s Retrial Returns To Court
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Today Bill Cosby’s retrial began in Norristown, Pennsylvania — the first time the comedian’s case returns to court since the #MeToo movement began in late 2017.
Cosby now 80-years-old, faces three counts of aggravated indecent assault, pleading not guilty to those charges.
The accuser, Andrea Constand is a former Temple University employee who says that Cosby drugged her and then assaulted her at his home in 2004. The center of the trial is the dueling “he said, she said” dynamic between Cosby and Constand.
Attorney’s of Cosby have argued that he and Constand had a consensual relationship.
Philly’s New Property Assessments Are Out – And Your Tax Bill Is Likely Climbing
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Curbed Philly– A property assessment released by the city last week showed a rise in home values across Philadelphia, with sections around Fairmount Park and South Philly most affected.
The 2019 assessment, which was analyzed in a report by Philly.com, showed an overall 10.5 increase in the median market value for single-family homes, from $112,800 to $124,600, according to the site’s analysis. While the most of the city—48 out of 57 neighborhoods, to be exact—saw a spike in property values, some neighborhoods actually saw their home values decrease. Values in Fairhill, for instance, went down by 21.8 percent, according to Philly.com.
Others, like the increasingly popular Brewerytown, saw massive jumps. Values in Brewerytown and its neighbor, Strawberry Mansion, increased just over 47 percent since the 2018 assessment.
Residents can check their property’s 2019 market value on the city’s website.
The new assessments will mean increased tax bills for property owners in Philadelphia, especially in the areas northwest of the city—around Chestnut Hill— and south of Center City—like Point Breeze and Lower Moyamessing—, all of which could see increases between $500 and $1,712, according to Philly.com.
The assessments come on the heels of a 4.1 percent proposed property tax hike, which Mayor Jim Kenney requested from city council last month in order to cover school funding, according to NBC. Kenney referenced the new property assessments in his request, though the details of the assessment were not available at the time.
