K2 Radio News: Flash Briefing For September 14th, 2017 – Evening

WASHINGTON (AP) - PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP SAYS THAT, "ULTIMATELY," FUNDING FOR A BORDER WALL WITH MEXICO MUST BE PART OF ANY IMMIGRATION DEAL. BUT HE SAYS THAT FUNDING CAN COME AT A LATER DATE. TRUMP TELLS REPORTERS IN FLORIDA THAT: "WE HAVE TO HAVE AN UNDERSTANDING THAT, WHETHER IT'S IN THE BUDGET OR SOME OTHER VEHICLE, IN A FAIRLY SHORT PERIOD OF TIME, THE WALL WILL BE FUNDED."

WASHINGTON (AP) - INVESTIGATORS STILL CAN'T FIND THE CULPRIT OF BIZARRE "HEALTH ATTACKS" ON U.S. DIPLOMATS IN CUBA. BUT NEW DETAILS INDICATE THE MYSTERIOUS INCIDENTS WERE NARROWLY CONFINED WITHIN SPECIFIC ROOMS OR PARTS OF ROOMS. SOME VICTIMS SUFFERED MILD BRAIN TRAUMA AND NOW HAVE PROBLEMS WITH CONCENTRATION OR RECALLING WORDS, SYMPTOMS THAT CAST DOUBT ON AN INITIAL THEORY THAT IT WAS A SONIC ATTACK. BAFFLED INVESTIGATORS SAY THE FACTS AND THE PHYSICS ARE NOT ADDING UP.

UNDATED (AP) - FLORIDA SEN. BILL NELSON HAS ASKED THE NATION'S LARGEST CABLE, TELEPHONE AND INTERNET PROVIDERS TO GIVE REBATES TO HURRICANE IRMA VICTIMS FOR SERVICE INTERRUPTIONS. THE DEMOCRATIC U.S. SENATOR ALSO ASKED THEM THURSDAY FOR A 60-DAY MORATORIUM ON LATE FEES AND OTHER PENALTIES.

IMMOKALEE, FLA. (AP) - MILLIONS OF THE POOR IN FLORIDA WERE LIVING ON THE EDGE OF RUIN EVEN BEFORE HURRICANE IRMA'S DESTRUCTION. NOW IN PLACES LIKE POVERTY-STRICKEN IMMOKALEE, THE DAY-TO-DAY STRUGGLE TO SURVIVE IS AN HOUR-TO-HOUR FIGHT. MANY OF THE POOR WORK IN RESTAURANTS, GAS STATIONS, HOTELS, STORES AND OTHER BUSINESSES FORCED TO CLOSE AFTER IRMA, DEPRIVING THEM OF PAYCHECKS.

WASHINGTON (AP) - PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP IS MAKING A POLITICAL PITCH FOR REPUBLICAN GOV. RICK SCOTT WHILE IN FLORIDA TO SURVEY HURRICANE DAMAGE FROM IRMA. THE PRESIDENT SAYS IN FORT MYERS, FLORIDA, THAT HE HOPES SCOTT "RUNS FOR THE SENATE." SCOTT HASN'T DECIDED ON A FUTURE SENATE CAMPAIGN. BUT THE WEALTHY TWO-TERM GOVERNOR IS CONSIDERED A LEADING CONTENDER FOR THE REPUBLICAN NOMINATION TO CHALLENGE DEMOCRATIC SEN. BILL NELSON NEXT YEAR.
===========================

AN INCREASINGLY POPULAR SMALL RESTAURANT AND BAR IN MILLS WON A YEAR LEASE ON LIFE AFTER THE MILLS TOWN COUNCIL APPROVED THE RENEWAL OF ITS LIQUOR LICENSE ON WEDNESDAY.
BID'S PLACE OWNER SAID THE DECISION WAS A VICTORY FOR HIM, YET BITTERSWEET.

A YEAR AGO, THE COUNCIL AWARDED BID'S PLACE A FULL LIQUOR LICENSE THAT ALLOWED IT TO HAVE A BAR, SERVE ALCOHOL WITH MEALS, SELL PACKAGE LIQUOR, AND POTENTIALLY EXPAND ITS BUSINESS FOR SPECIAL EVENTS.

AFTER A YEAR, THE COUNCIL WANTED TO REVIEW BUSINESS' PROGRESS TO DETERMINE WHETHER IT SHOULD KEEP THE FULL LIQUOR LICENSE OR INSTEAD BE GIVEN A MORE RESTRICTIVE BAR AND GRILL LICENSE.

HOWVER, THE SMALL SPEAKEASY-STYLE BAR CALLED ARCHIES OPENED FOUR MONTHS AGO.

THE COUNCIL ACTION WAS TABLED IN AUGUST BECASUE COUNCIL WANTED THE NUMBERS ABOUT FOOD SALES COMPARED TO LIQUOR SALES.

WEDNESDAY, AND BID'S PLACE OWNER DAVID FLORENCE WAS CONCERNED THE COUNCIL WOULD DENY THE RENEWAL BECAUSE IT DIDN'T HAVE THE DATA.

MAYOR SETH COLEMAN SAID HE LIKES BID'S PLACE, BUT THE TOWN NEEDS FACTS TO MAKE ITS DECISION.

BUT FLORENCE, HIS ATTORNEY, AND A GROUP OF FRIENDS AND CUSTOMERS TOLD THE COUNCIL DURING THE PUBLIC HEARING THAT BID'S PLACE AND ARCHIES ARE GROWING AND OFFERS A UNIQUE ATMOSPHERE.

AFTER AN HOUR OF TESTIMONY, THE COUNCIL WENT INTO EXECUTIVE DECISION TO CONFER WITH ITS ATTORNEY.

THE COUNCIL RECONVENED AND UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO EXTEND THE LIQUOR LICENSE FOR A YEAR.
=================================

WYOMING LAWMAKERS WILL CONSIDER A BILL TO LEVY A 1 PERCENT TAX ON ALL HOSPITALITY-RELATED BUSINESSES WITH THAT REVENUE EARMARKED TO FUND THE STATE TOURISM OFFICE.

THE JOINT REVENUE COMMITTEE AGREED ON TUESDAY TO CONSIDER THE TAX BILL AT ITS DECEMBER MEETING.

TOURISM OFFICIALS PRESENTED A SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT PLAN TO THE COMMITTEE THAT WOULD LEVY THE TAX ON ONLY THE TWO TAX-CLASSIFICATION GROUPS COVERING HOTELS, BARS, RESTAURANTS AND ARTS AND RECREATION BUSINESSES.

THE TAX REVENUE WOULD MAKE THE WYOMING OFFICE OF TOURISM SELF-SUFFICIENT AS IT WOULD REPLACE ABOUT $13 MILLION THE AGENCY RECEIVES FROM THE LEGISLATURE EACH YEAR.

TOURISM OFFICIALS SAY ANY ADDITIONAL FUNDING THE OFFICE MIGHT RECEIVE FROM THE TAX WOULD BE DIRECTED TOWARD NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL MARKETING.