National Roundup

Wisconsin
Republican wants to require national anthem at sporting events
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The national anthem would have to be played before all sporting events at Lambeau Field, the Fiserv Forum and all other Wisconsin venues that have received taxpayer money under a bill introduced Thursday in the state Legislature by a Republican lawmaker.

The proposal from Sen. Patrick Testin, of Stevens Point, comes after the Dallas Mavericks did not play “The Star-Spangled Banner” before home games earlier this season. Mavericks owner Mark Cuban agreed to play the national anthem after the NBA reiterated its policy to include the song.

“Hearing ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ at a sporting event reminds us that despite our differences, we have something in common – we are Americans,” Testin said in a statement announcing his bill. “This tradition traces its roots back more than a century – even pre-dating the song’s adoption as the national anthem. It’s a practice that unites us, and I believe it’s worth preserving.”

The bill simply says that no sporting event may be held in a venue constructed at least in part with public money unless the national anthem is played or sung. There are no penalties for violating the requirement.

Testin said veterans groups the Wisconsin American Legion and VFW Department of Wisconsin support the measure, which would have to pass the GOP-controlled Legislature and be signed by Democratic Gov. Tony Evers before becoming law.

Evers’ spokeswoman did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the measure.

Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has said that requiring the national anthem at all Texas venues that receive public funding will be among his top legislative priorities this session.

The pregame national anthem is a staple of American sports at both the professional and collegiate level, but is far less commonplace at pro sporting events in other countries. Athlete protests of social and racial injustice during the “The Star-Spangled Banner” became a flashpoint between then-President Donald Trump and various leagues during his administration.

Kentucky
Man sentenced to 36 years for sex trafficking, other charges
LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — A federal judge has sentenced a Kentucky man to 36 years in prison on charges that included the sex trafficking of three victims, authorities said.

Prince Bixler, 41, of Lexington also was ordered on Wednesday to have 10 years of supervised release and to pay $333,100 in restitution, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said in a statement.

Bixler was convicted last year of 15 felonies related to an extensive and violent sex and drug trafficking operation, the statement said. He forced young, drug-addicted women to prostitute and sell crack cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamines throughout the Lexington area, according to the statement.

Along with sex trafficking, Bixler was convicted of tampering with a witness, operating an unlawful prostitution business enterprise, distributing controlled substances and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

“Mr. Bixler was simply a predator in our community. This sentencing is a success in the fight against those who exploit the vulnerable and illustrates our dedication to bring these criminals to justice,” said FBI Louisville Special Agent in Charge James “Robert” Brown Jr.


Maine
Cable companies win lawsuit over a la carte law
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — A federal appeals court has rejected Maine’s law requiring cable companies to give subscribers the option of purchasing access to individual cable channels rather than bundled packages.

A federal judge already delayed the law from going into effect in 2019, and the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston agreed that the law raises constitutional concerns.

Comcast, joined by Disney, Fox Cable and NBC/Universal, Fox Cable and others, sued the state over the law.

The appeals court noted that state acknowledged there’s an insufficient record to justify that the law could withstand muster when it came to First Amendment arguments raised by the cable companies. Cable companies contended they were unfairly singled out, among other things.

Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey had no immediate comment on the ruling, which was issued Wednesday.

Comcast contended the law would mean limited choices and higher prices than the current packages it offers to consumers.

It argued it would’ve been forced to overhaul ordering, distribution and billing systems along with providing new digital cable boxes to many customers. It also contended it would have had to renegotiate contracts with programmers and content providers.

The law was adopted in response to consumer frustration over the growing cost of cable TV packages.

Independent Rep. Jeff Evangelos, the bill’s sponsor, said TV viewers complain about paying for unwanted channels. The Democratic-controlled Legislature passed the law largely on party lines.

Oregon
Man ID’d as suspect through DNA analysis indicted in attack
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — A man has been indicted on charges related to the attack and kidnapping of a person in downtown Portland, Oregon, after the man was identified as the suspect by DNA analysis, prosecutors said.

The Oregonian/OregonLive reported Timothy Harris, 27, was indicted this week on charges of sodomy, attempted rape, kidnapping, unlawful use of a weapon and two counts of assault, according to Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt.

The district attorney’s office said the attack happened July 5, 2016. Investigators responded to the scene and tried to locate the assailant soon after the attack but were unable to do so, prosecutors said.

Last month, Harris was identified as the suspect by DNA analysis.

He is currently in custody in King County, Washington, but prosecutors said they would seek his extradition to Oregon and he would be arraigned once he returned to the state.

It wasn’t immediately known if Harris has a lawyer to comment on the case.