Judge Joseph K. Williams won't recuse himself from the retrial of a man accused of starting a fire in 1995 that killed three firefighters, saying prosecutors who sought a new judge failed to back up claims Williams harbored a grudge against the ATF or a potential expert witness. Williams granted the retrial for Gregory Brown, 38, after a 2012 Post-Conviction Relief Act hearing, on the grounds that the prosecution did not tell jurors that two key witnesses were promised thousands of dollars in exchange for their testimony.
- PUB DATE: 11/19/2015 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

In a significant step forward for the renewal of the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, Republicans on the House Energy and Commerce Committee on Wednesday agreed to back a permanent extension of its expired health program, according to Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y. But King said “there is still a long way to go” because the Zadroga reauthorization bill must pass out of four key committees.
- PUB DATE: 11/19/2015 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: firerescue1

Cory Hohs' idea was inspired by a close call with a Chicago fire truck on his motorcycle, but his new app, which warns drivers to the presence of emergency vehicle traffic, is being tested first in Grand Rapids. That's because the city's fire department was not only willing to take part in a pilot, but the agency also let Hohs and his two partners gather research as they rode on fire trucks during emergency calls.
- PUB DATE: 11/19/2015 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Mlive.com

Three people whose homes and acres of property were destroyed during the worst wildfire in Washington state history are blaming the Department of Natural Resources for their losses. They all live near Carlton, and filed a lawsuit in Okanogan Superior Court this week naming the State of Washington DNR as defendant.
- PUB DATE: 11/19/2015 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KIRO-TV CBS 7

Permanently renewing legislation to benefit Ground Zero first responders could be financed by closing a tax loophole, Democratic Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand of New York said Tuesday. That loophole allows foreign insurance companies to issue reinsurance in the United States without paying the same taxes as their U.
- PUB DATE: 11/19/2015 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Poughkeepsie Journal