Ibica Today Newsfeed

[The United States of Ibica]

Through its unique visual storytelling, IBICA TODAY delivers high-quality and engaging content across print, digital, social and video platforms. An innovator of news and information, we reflect the pulse of the nation and serve as the host of the Ibican conversation — today, tomorrow and for decades to follow. We reach nearly ten million readers daily, and our mobile applications attest to more than 24 million downloads on mobile devices. Founded in 1954, IBICA TODAY has been the foremost publication in the nation, while also circulating internationally. Headquartered in Willmington, West Monroe, we are a proud member of the Johnson Company family of news publications

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[The United States of Ibica]

Flooding in Calahan

Madison County, Calahan woke up Thursday to many traffic delays and unpassable roads due to flash flooding and heavy rains in the overnight and early morning hours. Several Highways, including National Route 1, have areas underwater along the Cuyoga River. The weather service said 5 to 6 inches of rain fell overnight in central Calahan. The rain is still coming though.

Areas along the Cuyoga River in the foothills of the Madison Mountain Range are no strangers to flooding, however the storms moving in from the Bay of Albion have hit the area harder than anticipated. The city of Madison, Calahan's 5th largest city with a population of over 50,000 residents, is nearly cut off from the outside world, with only one highway passable at the moment. Local officials have ordered the evacuation of people in lower areas of a six county area in Central Calahan in response, due to the National Weather Service now anticipating around another 15-20 inches of rainfall over the weekend.

Central Calahan's geography makes flooding in the area particularly dangerous. As storm systems move into the area, they hit the faces of the Madison Mountains moisture in the clouds is forced to rise, which causes it to freeze and then fall as precipitation. The problem for Western Central Calahan is that it is primarily made up of the Calahan Valley, surrounded by mountains with nearly all rainfall only flowing out through one river. This fact has state officials on edge.

While the situation in cities like Madison and Centerville can become dangerous, the focus is shifting to the Cuyoga Metro Area, which has yet to see abnormal amounts of rain. two major tributaries of the Cuyoga River, which will see much of the run off, join the Cuyoga River before it flows through the city though. Because of this, the city and state are now bracing for the river to rise. This could large portions of central Cuyoga, a city of around a million people, to flood, as much of the city proper lies on flat land along the riverside.

Lake Martin, an artificial reservoir 20 miles south of downtown, has preemptively started releasing water, in efforts to minimize flooding in the coming days. This has already cause minor flooding along the Cuyoga River, but may save the area Millions of dollars in damages, if it isn't already too late for the area to head off the flooding.

[The United States of Ibica]

Centerville Island

The situation in Calahan has continued to deteriorate. The last link into Centerville, the Route 1 freeway pictured above, is now several feet underwater in places. North of Centerville, some of the only patches of dry land are the freeway overpasses. The Calahan National Guard and the Coast Guard have both send helicopters to the area to assist with rescues as volunteers flood into the area with boats to assist local authorities. Ibica Today managed to get a hold of the Centerville Fire Chief for a phone interview. He says that at the moment, responding to medical calls presents a tough challenge, as Highway 1 and any other roads leading to hospitals resemble lakes.

"We're an island right now," said Chief Rex Bell of Centerville Fire and EMS. Bell is one of 10 paid staffers at the Centerville fire department, which has 40 volunteers. Most of them have lost their homes and had to evacuate their families. Lana Mull, a paramedic, lost her home to flooding. "I stay so busy, I try not to think about it," she said, sipping water between rescue missions. Civilians have brought boats and trucks to help the department's rescue efforts, and firefighters from the Boston, Panamor area have also arrived with boats and supplies to do what they can. It's perilous work, as the fast-moving water is filled with downed electrical lines and floating trees and porches.

But the isolation is more than just physical. The rising waters are disabling electrical substations, leading to all of Center County to be without power. Flooding downstream in Madison has also led to limited power outages there. So far, medical evacuations have been brought to the West Slope Medical Center in Madison, but authorities are afraid that flooding will soon impact the hospital. Hospitals in Cuyoga and Meridan are already preparing to handle the influx of patients if they need to be evacuated.

[Hundredstar]

(Image)
Centerville Island

The situation in Calahan has continued to deteriorate. The last link into Centerville, the Route 1 freeway pictured above, is now several feet underwater in places. North of Centerville, some of the only patches of dry land are the freeway overpasses. The Calahan National Guard and the Coast Guard have both send helicopters to the area to assist with rescues as volunteers flood into the area with boats to assist local authorities. Ibica Today managed to get a hold of the Centerville Fire Chief for a phone interview. He says that at the moment, responding to medical calls presents a tough challenge, as Highway 1 and any other roads leading to hospitals resemble lakes.

"We're an island right now," said Chief Rex Bell of Centerville Fire and EMS. Bell is one of 10 paid staffers at the Centerville fire department, which has 40 volunteers. Most of them have lost their homes and had to evacuate their families. Lana Mull, a paramedic, lost her home to flooding. "I stay so busy, I try not to think about it," she said, sipping water between rescue missions. Civilians have brought boats and trucks to help the department's rescue efforts, and firefighters from the Boston, Panamor area have also arrived with boats and supplies to do what they can. It's perilous work, as the fast-moving water is filled with downed electrical lines and floating trees and porches.

But the isolation is more than just physical. The rising waters are disabling electrical substations, leading to all of Center County to be without power. Flooding downstream in Madison has also led to limited power outages there. So far, medical evacuations have been brought to the West Slope Medical Center in Madison, but authorities are afraid that flooding will soon impact the hospital. Hospitals in Cuyoga and Meridan are already preparing to handle the influx of patients if they need to be evacuated.

NameDr. Leo T. Millinthos [millinthos_craha@craha_faf.gov.hun]

Comment: If anything that we can help? Center for Relief and Humanitarian Action (CRAHA), is a humanitarian arms of Hundredstar Ministry of Foreign Affair. Together with, Disaster Rescue and Emergency Assistant Management (DREAM) we assist any trouble and disaster location around the globe.

[The United States of Ibica]

Officer Involved Shooting in Albion

Today the Albion Bureau of Investigation took over the investigation of an officer involved shooting in San Marcos. Body camera footage released by the San Marcos Police Department shows officers shooting a man in the back when fleeing after being caught assaulting another individual.

This marks the 7th shooting of a person by police, just in Albion, in this month. Concerns have been raised about training of police in use of force by the Albion State Police Academies.

Not all areas of Albion have issues with use of force though. There are 7 police academies in Albion, with 3 operated by the Albion Law Enforcement Commission, and the other 4 operated by the state's 4 largest cities. San Marcos, where the latest of these shootings have occurred happens to be the largest city using the state system for training rather than a local system. Shootings by police are much more common in areas using the state's academies, while the Troy Metropolitan Area, with its own academy, has only seen 3 police shootings all year, with all of them deemed justified by courts.

Police use of force has become a major point of contention with the State of Albion taking center stage. So much so, that the Ibican Attorney-General has ordered the National Investigative Service to launch an official probe into the training standards of the Albion Law Enforcement Commission.

The San Marcos officer involved with yesterday's shooting has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the ABI's investigation.

[The United States of Ibica]

Elizabeth City - The Elizabeth City Stock Exchange has announced that it will soon go international. Founded in 1675, as the Angola Royal Exchange, The ECSE is older than the Federation itself. For over 350 years, the ECSE has been restricted; first to just male citizens and companies of the Ibican Confederation, then expanded to Albion based companies, and then their citizens following federation in 1701. Today, the Exchange is available to all Ibican legal residents and domestic companies. Soon, international stock trading will be allowed, as well as foreign entities being able to list their stock. This follows many Ibican companies recently expanding internationally, the most recent of which being Western Airlines. Westerns stock rose almost ten percent over the last week because of this expansion. This expansion of the Ibican stock market could prove to further expanding our national economy.

[The United States of Ibica]

Missing Petra State Trooper

Bay City, Petra -
Early this morning, an abandoned Petra Highway Patrol car was found on the side of State Highway 17 just south of Bay City, with Trooper Conor Ward, who was driving, nowhere to be found. Highway Patrol's northeast dispatch center says the trooper driving hadn't made contact for three hours when found.

The Police Package Sedan was found at 5 a.m. by an Ivanhoe County Sheriff's deputy. The deputy immediately called for assistance upon finding a pool of blood in front of the car, and bullet holes in the cars video recorder.

Because of the damage to the recorder, video of the troopers final stop could not be pulled. The Ivanhoe Sheriff's Office released that the troopers final stop that was called in was on Albion resident, Samuel Roscoe, who has since been reported missing by his wife when he never came home from work the previous night.

It is unknown if the missing person has anything to do with the missing trooper, but if either individual is encountered, the public is urged to immediately call 911.

(OOC: Curious what lead here? Check out the Lies Within story unfolding here

[The United States of Ibica]

Federal Official Shakeups

Willmington, West Monroe -
This morning, the resignation of several high level federal officials were delivered en mass. At least 30 officials ranging from the Vice President, high ranking officials in intelligence agencies, have given resignation notices over the last 12 hours.

Most of them cite either diverging politics, burning out of public office, or not specific health issues. None of these now former officials are responding to requests for comments.

President Buckley has informed Congress she will be nominated replacements over the next few weeks.

The lack of advance notice, and the extent of the resignations has led to lots of speculation as to the cause for the resignations, with many believing there must be some larger conspiracy that led to suck a large schism within the administration. Though we here at Ibica Today feel the need to stress that everything floating around on the internet is just speculation, and nothing, and we mean nothing, has been confirmed.

[The United States of Ibica]

A Private City?

A Durrant County Constable and two Private Security Officers watch the main entrance

Magnolia, Calahan -
Last week, the Commissioners of Durrant County, Calahan approved the most ambitious development plat ever filed in the states history. Located 30 miles east of Cuyoga, the state's capital and largest city, Durrant County is largely rural and home to only around 3300 residents. Encompassing over 40 square miles, the developers have suggested the gated community could see up to 20,000 residents.

This community, known as Cuyoga Ranch, will have all the amenities of a medium sized city. Plans call for 4 large shopping centers, a private school system, its own fire department, along with many parks and recreation areas. The community will also have its own Public Safety Department employing armed security officers that will patrol the community in marked vehicles.

The community will largely consist of expensive homes and high end apartments and condos, and it is meant to cater both to people commuting to Cuyoga, as well as those looking to own a second home near Calahan's famed ski slopes, just 20 miles south of the community.

Durrant County Residents though are divided on the development. Many believe that the community will bring more jobs to the area, while others are concerned the County isn't prepared to provide services to 20 times the current population. Developers are hopeful that the proposed private water and sewer utilities and fire and public safety departments will quell those fears.

Either way, many eyes are watching the Cuyoga Ranch project, to see if such a large scale private community is possible, especially in such predominantly rural area.

[The United States of Ibica]

Supreme Court to take on Albion State Government

North Face of the Supreme Court Building in Willmington

Troy, Albion -
Tomorrow morning, the Ibican Supreme Court is set to hear opening arguments in the case of Ibican Civil Liberties Union v. State of Albion, in which the ICLU has alleged that Albion's system of state government violates provision of the federal constitution. This comes on the heels of the Albion Parliament confirming Charles X as the new Crown Prince of the state.

Crown Prince in Albion is a purely ceremonial position in the state's government, but it is still an appointed position nonetheless, and the ICLU has filed suit over the restriction of eligibility to descendents of Henry VI, who was the King of Albion when the state joined the Ibican Federation, which has long been considered a legal loophole to maintain the state's monarchy.

But the complaint goes farther, claiming that the states chief executive, the Prime Minister of Albion (as well as the department secretaries), being a member of the legislature violates the separation of powers doctrine. Political commentators have long suggested this to be the case, but no one has ever argued such before the supreme court, and lesser courts have refused to address the topic.

Some political commentators are suggesting that the court, now having a conservative majority thanks to two recent appointments by President Buckley, may be more likely to side with the ICLU over the separation of powers issue, and may rule against keeping the state's monarchy due to political differences, as the royal family are prominent members of the Progressive Party.

This ruling will be make or break for Albion's system of government, and will either dismantle it, or protect permanently from federal legal challenges.

[The United States of Ibica]

2020 General Election Underway

Unofficial partial outcomes by state.

Its that time once again. Every four years we ponder about who we want leading this nation, and this year is one of those years. With President Buckley being term-limited, her successor Todd Hunter, and challenger Ronny Tanner are squaring off for the Presidency. Also on up for grabs are 7 Senate seats, 238 House seats, over 2,000 state legislative seats, 5 governors, and too many local elections to count. Follow along as votes come in at Ibica Today's Election 2020 Center.

[The United States of Ibica]

Todd Hunter Elected 47th President of Ibica
All states have certified their results, making it official that Conservative Todd Hunter will be the next President. He will assume office on January 10th. More state and local races to be called. Hunter received 50.5% of the vote, or 28,475,763 votes, winning by a margin of 579,187 votes. Progressives put up a good fight, mobilizing enough people to vote that they achieved the closest Ibican Presidential race in over 20 years. Having flipped so far 10 House Seats, a Senate seat, and a governorship at this time, with more races left to call. This election cycle has proven that the Progressive Party is once again competitive nationwide.

See more election results Here

[The United States of Ibica]

Todd Hunter Sworn in as 47th President of Ibica

On the front steps of the Capitol Building, Todd Hunter, and Vice President Charles Cane, took their oaths of office before a crowd of 14,000. Hunter takes office as Ibica's 47th President, taking the reins from departing President Evaline Buckley. The Majority of Buckley's cabinet and appointees have remaining in their posts, as the Senate is scheduled to confirm Hunters new picks through the rest of the week.

[The United States of Ibica]

New Space Station Plan Annouced

President Hunter announced this morning that he would be directing the Ibican Space Agency to move forward with plans to develop permanent space station to orbit around Terra. While his announcement was lacking on details, further announcements can be expected from the ISA soon. The announcement also directed the agency to invite other space agencies to participate. Plans for such a station were originally drawn up during the Buckley administration, but never saw funding. Now however, the space station is on the docket for a hearing with the House budget committee with ISA representatives testifying.

[The United States of Ibica]

Edward Island Governor Candidate Aiming High

Quinten Williams today formally annouced his candicacy for Governor of Edward Island. This has been turning heads though because of a few details. FIrstly, the presumed front runner is not running as under the Sovereignty Party banner. The Soverignty Party has dominated the politics of Ibica's territories for decades, and experts believed that the Romane territory gaining statehood with the last general election would bring extra momentum to the Soverigns. Williams explained his reasoning for running as a Progressive, one of the main parties of Ibica's main two party system, during his annoucement speech today at the University of Edward Island.

"Today I'm proud to annouce my candidicy for Governor of Edward Island. Not the Territory of Edward Island, though. The State of Edward Island. It is time for our Island to leave the kids table, and enter state level politics in Ibica."

Williams went on the call for the territorial legislature to hold a referendum on statehood before the general election. There certainly is some support for statehood amoung the population, with the territories lone non-voting congression commissioner having draft a statehood bill that never made it to the House floor for a vote. With support of a popular vote, however, Congress may be more compelled to take the Island seriously.

Dr. Andrew Tolivar, a constitutional scholar from Willmington University commented, "Originally, territorial status was meant to be temporary. Keflistan was only a territory for 12 years before independence*. Petra became a state after only being a territory for 13 years. As time as gone on, territorial status has become more and more permanent, but I think Romane finally broke the floodgates. It had been 108 years since the last territory became a state, Hamilton in 1912, and I think people are ready for the to change."

*Editors Note: While western Keflistan was only an Ibican possession for 12 years, the Kefli region had been colonized by nations that would go on to form Ibica for 200 years before the foundation of the modern Federation.

[The United States of Ibica]

Opposition Leader Arrested in Calejo

Calejo City - Today, Calejo federal authorities have announced the arrest of opposition party leader Ernesto Echevarría. Authorities claim that the arrest is due to a joint investigation with Ibica's CBP into cross-border drug smuggling. Many commentators have alledged that this arrest being only a week before the nation of Calejo heads to the polls is no coincidence. More damning however, is the arrest of Fabián Iglesias last week here in Ibica. Iglesias is a member of the ruling Frente Calejo party, who was caught in the act during a major drug deal in the Ibican state of Panamor. This is the incident that spawned the crossborder investigation that Calejano authorities are using as justification for Echevarría's arrest.

We reached out to CBP for comment, and they claim their investigation did not involve Echevarría, or any other members of the government or opposition. That it instead focused on the Cartago Cartel that operates in southeastern Calejo, along the border with the Ibican states of Panamor and Calahan. Anonymous sources within the Federal Attorney's office for Northern Panamor said that Calejo had been applying preasure to either drop charges on Iglesias or extraditite him back to Calejo. The Department of Justice has so far not publicly acknowledged these requests.

Among the People of Calejo, rumors are spreading. Rumors that President Isidro Maria's Frente Calejo party are not willing to leave office. WIth polls showing the administration with an all time low approval rating after barely gaining power in 2016. The party has been slowly centralizing power, lowering thresholds needed to pass bills and making it easier for the President to act without the approval of Congress. Many are worried that the upcoming elections will be a sham, and that Echevarría's arrest is just the first domino to fall in arranging that

[The United States of Ibica]

Political Tensions Rise in Calejo

Calejo City - Tentions escalated today when President Elizondo ordered the arrest of more opposition politicans. The Frente Calejo regieme ordered their arrest under the guise of a plot to subvert the upcomming elections. Elizondo's administration has spun a tale trying to link opposition politicans to drug smuggling that seems to actually be carried out by members of his own party, and trying to use the funds from that to fund some undisclosed form of election rigging.

One person that avoided arrest appears to be Raúl Hidalgo, the leader of the Social Democrats. Calejo state media has reported that there is a warrant for his arrest.¹ It is being speculated that Hidalgo has fled the country, with some evidence suggesting he may be in Ibica, and that he may have had help. About 30 minutes before Calejo authorities announced the arrest of lawmakers, an Aviontier AEJ-100 owned by the Ibican Department of State took off from Calejo City International Airport. When this plan made it to Willmington, a motorcade of the Diplomatic Security Service lead their unnammed protectee away towards downtown. So far, neither government has publicly addressed these rumors.

[The United States of Ibica]

Calejo Citizens Blocked From Voting

Miramar, Calejo - Protests have broken out is Espinoza state capital as citizen tried to make it to the polls for the first day of voting in Calejo, only to find state and federal law enforcement blocking entry to many of the polling locations around the city. State media had previously anounced that there would be an increased security presence, but not that police would deny entry. According to some video of the blockaides, there seems to be disagreement between state and federal police about denying entry.

We interviewed Espinoza governor, Clara Navarro. She stated that while she had authorized the state police presence at polling locations, it was supposed to be to protect voters. She had not been informed that federal authorities would effectively suspend voting. When pressed about the growing protests, she said she understood the peoples frustration, and is trying to communicate with federal authorities to end the blockaide of polling locations.

While Miramar is the largest city where this has been reported, many small towns have reported either cartel or other criminal elements disrupting polling stations, with no sight of federal authorities "protecting" these locations. In cities where voting stations are still open, they tend to be gaurded by the Army or Marine Corps, with no presence of civilian authorities.

Here in Willmington, the Ibican Department of State has finally acknowledged that someone from Calejo, possibly Raúl Hidalgo, an opposition party leader, is in fact in Ibica, under government protection. The Diplomatic Security Service released a statement saying "A protectee is under our protection, who is an elected official of a foreign government, and that foreign government is seeking to politically imprison them. This is constitent with our policy to protect democracy abroad, especially with neighboring countries and historical allies. We cannot at this time confirm or deny the identity of this protectee."

The Calejo Embassy in Ibica has also been a buzz with activity. Countless black SUVs with federal government and diplomatic license plates constantly in and out of the complex. Ambassador Jacinto Villar was appointed by Calejo President Felipe Cabrera, before Frente Calejo took power, so it has been speculated that he does not support the current situation unfolding back home, and may be willing to work with Hidalgo to try to infuence the turn of events back home in Calejo. The Embassy has posted that they will be posting a video update by the end of the night, so we will not have to wait much longer to fin out.

[The United States of Ibica]

A New Begining with Calejo

Calejo City, Calejo - Defense Secretary Clark Chamberlain and Secretary of State Darrel Blackbourne have spent the last several days in the Calejo capital meeting with their newly sworn in counterparts negotiating a new free trade deal, defense pact, and a Status of Forces agreement for Ibican troops in Calejo. One notable thing included in these new agreements is a permanent Ibican presence in Calejo, with the Department of Defense buying a large chunk of land on the coast, just across the river from Cuidad Valencia, to establish a base.

It was only seven months ago that Ibican and other coalition troops invaded Calejo to help the populace overthrow a tyranical, abusive government. Before this, Calejo has been a long time ally and trade partner with Ibica. Hopefully these deals with the new government signal a new age of cooperation between our nations.