In this March 12, 2019, file photo, Cowboys for Trump leader and Otero County Commissioner Couy Griffin, center, talks with Republican New Mexico state Rep. Candy Ezzell of Roswell, NM. Griffin was arrested on charges of illegally entering the US Capitol.
AP Photo/Morgan Lee
Couy Griffin will remain behind bars until his trial, a judge ruled Monday.
Griffin founded the group "Cowboys for Trump."
He's charged with entering a restricted area at the US Capitol.
The leader of the far-right group "Cowboys for Trump," charged with entering restricted grounds at the US Capitol and held in solitary confinement after refusing to be tested for COVID-19, will not be released before he stands trial, a US judge ruled Monday.
Couy Griffin, an elected Republican county commissioner in New Mexico, was arrested on January 17 in Washington, DC, where he was taken into custody by the FBI.
Griffin had days earlier pledged to bring guns to the capital on the day of President Joe Biden's inauguration. He was arrested, however, over his role in the January 6 insurrection aimed at overturning the 2020 election, prosecutors charging him with entering restricted grounds at the US Capitol.
On Monday, prosecutors argued that Griffin is a flight risk and cited concern about his vow to bring arms to DC, as BuzzFeed's Zoe Tillman reported. Griffin's lawyer, David B. Smith, in turn, argued that his client is not a "crazy person" but rather someone who has just made "unfortunate statements" (said Griffin of the US Capitol: "There will be blood running from that building").
In a court filing, the attorney also maintained that the government had not proved that Griffin poses a "serious" flight risk; he also insisted that Griffin only intended to bring firearms to the capital for personal protection. He has also now taken a coronavirus test, releasing him from 14 days of isolation.
But US Magistrate Judge Zia M. Faruqui sided with the state, ruling that Griffin should remain subject to pretrial detention. His reasoning, per Albuquerque's The Paper: "He seems competent, but those statements, and the fact that he clearly does not believe in the rule of law and that I as a judge am part of a machine, and [he] is in denial of the fact that he participated in a riot that tried to disrupt the democratic process."
Monday's hearing was originally scheduled for last month, but the defendant refused to participate.
If convicted, Griffin faces up to 10 years in prison.
Exxon Mobil, the largest US oil company, announced on Monday that it was forming a new business focused on low-emissions technologies including carbon capture. The announcement follows reports that investors with more than $2 trillion in assets are pressing the company to move more quickly to address climate change.
The Irving, Texas-based company said it plans to spend $3 billion through 2025 on what it calls "lower-emission technologies." That's $600 million a year, or 3% to 4% of the firm's project budget for 2021.
Part of that will go toward 20 new carbon-capture projects that Exxon also announced Monday.
"With our demonstrated leadership in carbon capture and emissions reduction technologies, ExxonMobil is committed to meeting the demand for affordable energy while reducing emissions and managing the risks of climate change," Exxon CEO Darren Woods said in a statement.
Carbon capture involves sucking greenhouse gas emissions out of ambient air or from point sources, such as steelmaking factories. It's among a suite of technologies researchers say we'll need to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement, an international accord aimed at keeping global warming in check.
The technology is attractive to oil companies in part because it doesn't require that they rewrite their business models and pump less crude from the ground. As Exxon advances its carbon capture projects it will be able to lower the carbon emissions associated with each barrel of oil - something known as "carbon intensity."
In December, the company committed to reducing the carbon intensity of emissions stemming from oil exploration and production by as much as 20% by 2025.
Other major oil companies including BP and Shell have taken more aggressive approaches to lower their emissions over the last year, such as by investing in clean energy sources like wind and solar. BP, for one, said it will spend $4 billion to $5 billion a year by 2025 on low-carbon energy.
Exxon is scheduled to report financial results on Tuesday morning.
Carlos Jasso/Reuters
Investors call on Exxon to address its climate impact
The pressure on Exxon to do more to address climate change has been building over the past few months.
Last year, the activist firm Engine No. 1, with the support of CalSTRS, began a campaign to elect four new board members, push the company to invest in cleaner sources of energy, and preserve its dividend. Other investors including BNP Paribas, through its asset management division, are pressing Exxon to be more transparent about its lobbying efforts as they pertain to climate change.
These efforts are snowballing: Reuters reported last month that more than 135 investors who manage more than $2 trillion altogether are forming a coalition to force the company to make similar changes.
It's not clear whether those investors will be satisfied by Monday's announcement.
Occidental Petroleum is partnering with the carbon-capture startup Carbon Engineering. The startup's pilot plant is pictured here.
Carbon Engineering
Exxon's new business will focus on carbon capture
Exxon has been developing and using carbon-capture technologies for years.
The new business, dubbed Low Carbon Solutions, marks a major expansion of that effort and it includes new carbon capture projects located in the US, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. Exxon also suggested it may expand its work with hydrogen.
"ExxonMobil Low Carbon Solutions will also leverage ExxonMobil's significant experience in the production of hydrogen which, when coupled with CCS, is likely to play a critical role in a lower-carbon energy system," Exxon said in the press release.
The Low Carbon Solutions business will be spearheaded by Joe Blommaert, who was formerly the SVP for global operations in Exxon's chemical business. The company also elected him as VP, a coveted title shared by just 12 other executives.
The Venetian Resort Las Vegas is one of the most instantly-recognizable resorts on the Las Vegas Strip. Drawing inspiration from Italy, it's best known for its indoor canals and gondola rides, modeled off its namesake city. However, its vast interiors show off an array of architectural styles and swathes of Renaissance-era aesthetics, and the hotel is one of the most visually impressive in a city of decadent hotels.
The massive complex it's part of also includes sister property, The Palazzo, and together, they form the world's second-largest hotel. The Venetian and Palazzo together have just over 7,000 rooms and suites. The resort also houses The Grand Canal Shoppes, four theaters, numerous nightclubs, a day club, dozens of restaurants, the Guggenheim Hermitage Museum, and convention facilities.
Since The Venetian is a high-end, all-suite property, prices for entry-level rooms often tend to be slightly higher than many of its resort rivals. Typically, even low season prices tend to be in the region of $150 per night. However, due to the pandemic, rates have dropped recently at luxury hotels across the country, and The Venetian has seen a small dip in starting rates.
I recently came across a standard room for $127 per night (before taxes and fees), offering strong value considering a Luxury King Suite is the entry-level accomodation. I had visited the hotel some years previously, so had a level of familiarity, but I was especially curious to see how the resort was operating given the new COVID-19 restrictions.
The state of Nevada had imposed strict COVID protocols across all Vegas hotels and resorts, but each property has some room to interpret and implement these rules. I was keen to see how The Venetian would live up to the extensive policies outlined on its website, as well as how its procedures would stack up to other popular, high-end options like The Wynn, which I had also recently stayed at.
I visited over a relatively busy holiday period and even dined out in one of the restaurants to get a feel for the safety levels. Overall, I had a very positive experience. Most of the amenities outside of the theaters were open and were operating with reassuring levels of COVID safety. Even at less than full steam, The Venetian has its opulent interior design to marvel at and was a comfortable, fun stay that I would definitely recommend.
Keep reading to see why I was so impressed by the Venetian Las Vegas.
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A large water feature welcomed guests at the main entrance.
Paul Oswell/Business Insider
The visual spectacle that The Venetian aims to provide began as soon as I walked through the doors of the main entrance. Grandiose architecture loomed above me at every turn, with elaborate flourishes and painted ceiling murals as far as I could see. Gleaming marble floors were framed with works of classical art and a huge golden water feature included classical musicians playing opera arias around it.
Security was checking the temperature of everyone coming into the complex, and the staff, who were all masked, were making sure that everyone was complying with the state's COVID-19 protocols, including social distancing and mask-wearing. Safely inside, the front desk was a short walk through corridors that looked like a recreation of St. Mark's Cathedral — though the designer shopfronts mixed in were a firm reminder I was in Vegas.
I arrived around noon. While the official check-in time is 3 p.m., I correctly assumed that due to the presumably low, pandemic-era occupancy rate my room would be ready early. There was a short line, with just one or two groups being checked in before me, and I was attended to almost immediately.
The front desk staff, as you might expect from one of the largest hotels in the world, were a blur of polite efficiency. They were obviously used to checking in large volumes of incoming guests while trying to keep lines as short as possible. I had my keys in my hand with a primer on the openings and closures of the resort within minutes.
The stunning interiors evoke the famous sights of Venice.
Paul Oswell/Business Insider
The staff efficiently explained that, as with other big resort hotels, the theaters and live entertainment venues would be closed, with restaurants open for indoor dining at 25% capacity to leave room for social distancing. The casino floor had been modified with plastic screens (as had the front desk), and masks were required in all public spaces when guests were not eating or drinking.
I was also handed a map of the resort complex, which turned out to be a real boon given the sheer size of The Venetian and its attached sister property. It was a short walk across the casino floor to the guest elevators.
Before being allowed into the elevator banks, security was having all guests swipe their key at a remote keycard sensor. They ensured that all guests were wearing masks, and there was a PPE station with free hand sanitizer and spare surgical masks. Signage reminding people not to take the elevator with people not in their party was prevalent.
The elevators were handily organized by floor groupings, which made things feel even safer. It also meant that the wait for an elevator, another potential bottleneck in these large Vegas resorts, was very short. The efficiency and diligence of the entire staff was impressive.
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The bedroom space was elevated above the living area.
Paul Oswell/Business Insider
I notice right away that my suite did not have a seal on the door like many hotel companies are doing right now, but it nonetheless felt and smelled very clean as I entered. My entry-level Luxury King Suite was located on the 32nd floor which gave me slightly better views than some of the rooms on lower floors.
The size of the suite was immediately impressive. At 650 square feet, its dimensions were as big, if not bigger, than many junior suites in other city center hotels. Another pleasing feature was the split-level design of the room. The bathroom and bedroom were on the level I entered on, while two steps led to a separate living room area below. This is quite a rarity in hotel room design, and it significantly elevated the look and feel of the room.
The sunken living area of the suite elevated the space
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There was a regal appeal to the room, thanks to its gold color palette with purple accents. It had a more traditional look than many Vegas hotels, though it still included appreciated modern design touches. Most of the furniture was dark wood and wrought ironwork separated the sleeping and living areas.
Two armchairs, a sofa, and a desk made up the living room, along with a large, period-effect oil painting. The thick gold and purple curtains on decorative rods were classy, and the fact that they were electric and remote-controlled brought them up to date. The windows let in a good amount of natural daylight and featured nice views across the valley.
Although the room came without any robes or slippers, it did have its own PPE in the form of complimentary hand sanitizer and a mask.
The bed was a luxurious, oversized, pillow-topped King that made for an excellent night's sleep. I did not hear any ambient noise either from outside or from the hotel itself, and the clamor of the casino below did not infiltrate, though I can't say for sure what rooms on lower floors would be like. The bed was framed by a large, padded headboard and a footstool, along with bedside lights that came down from the ceiling.
The room's minibar was fully stocked with items that would be automatically charged to the room if moved. However, there was no fridge space for guest use, which could be unfortunate for those trying to save leftovers from in-room dining.
The dappled marble of the bathroom was luxurious without being over done.
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The bathroom was easily one of the most impressive of any entry-level room I have booked. A deep and decadent Roman-style bathtub was complemented by a glass-walled, walk-in shower. The twin sinks boasted dappled, black marble countertops with the resort's branded products as toiletries.
This was an incredibly comfortable, well-appointed suite, especially for an entry-level room, and even more so for the lower price I was able to snag. The design and aesthetic is more traditional than some of the newer Las Vegas hotels, but it's hard to imagine it offending anyone's tastes. Most of the fittings feel high end but are visually fairly neutral.
Couples and solo travelers alike could easily live in this space for a few days without having to leave, and I felt the standard room type was more than sufficient for most traveler's needs. However, for those who are seeking an upgrade, there are a few other suite types to consider.
If all you need is an extra bed, you can pay the same price as my Luxury King but opt for a Twin Queen room. To really take it up a notch, Premier Suites clock in at around 1,000 square feet and start around $229 per night currently. From there, suites go up incrementally in size and price all the way to the Penthouse and Presidential suites, which come in at $1,500 per night to start for floor-to-ceiling views of the city, multiple bedrooms, and serious perks like access to Prestige Club Lounge, a limo to and from the airport, and VIP concierge services.
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The outdoor gondolier station out on The Strip.
Paul Oswell/Business Insider
The Venetian is one of the world's largest hotels and has a wide range of amenities befitting its status, which makes the $45 daily resort feel more than worth it. Most of these were operational during my stay, although many had reduced capacities in adherence with new COVID-19 protocols.
The resort's interior design is almost an amenity in itself. Many tourists, whether they're staying at the hotel or not, come to do a form of sightseeing to take in the impressive replicas of the Doge Palace façade, the Rialto Bridge, and the Campanile di San Marco tower. The Venetian's famous indoor gondola rides seemed as popular as ever, with visitors lining up to cruise the facsimiles of the world's best-known canals.
Plastic screens had been placed throughout the casino floor.
Paul Oswell/Business Insider
The huge casino floor had been comprehensively fitted with plastic screens between seats and between gamblers and croupiers. Similarly, alternate seats at the slot machines were marked as out of use, in order to maintain social distancing. Guests were allowed to remove their masks to drink and smoke, something to bear in mind when considering spending time on the floor.
Sadly none of the resort's theaters were open and all live entertainment was suspended. The main swimming pool in The Venetian was also closed, but guests could use the heated pool in The Palazzo, which had plenty of room to spread out when I stopped by. The exercise rooms and spas were open, with limited capacity to maintain distancing and hygiene.
Social distancing at Majordomo made for a comfortable dining experience.
Paul Oswell/Business Insider
All of the buffets in the city were closed, but all of the dining outlets in the resort were operating at some level. The food courts were open as usual all day, albeit with reduced seating. For restaurants, a reservation was required and seating was reduced to 25% capacity.
I ate dinner at the wonderful Majordomo, which offers a contemporary Korean menu under the banner of celebrity chef David Chang. As well as great food, the service was impeccable, with masked servers observing the highest standards of hygiene. I was somewhat reticent to eat indoors, but my fears were more than allayed by the well-followed protocols.
I also ate at the on-site Black Tap, famous for its excellent gastropub-style food and elaborate milkshakes. The Venetian also boasts signature restaurants such as Matteo's (Italian), Mott 32 (Chinese), and Bouchon (French).
For those who wish to steer clear of dining out right now, room service was also available, though it was on the expensive side, with an American Breakfast of eggs, a protein, potatoes, and juice or coffee costing $35 before tip and fees.
The Shoppes at Grand Canal opened out into lovely squares
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Almost all of the retail units in The Grand Canal Shoppes were open, featuring storefronts ranging from designer names to small gift shops.
Overall, The Venetian was doing a good job of maintaining health and safety standards across all its amenities while also letting guests relax in ways as close as possible to regular times. The reduced foot traffic helped with distancing and even in the busiest periods throughout the weekend, it didn't feel crowded. There was plenty of PPE available to guests for free and ample signage to remind guests to distance.
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The resort is slightly north of the center of The Strip, but forms a natural center of its own as so many people flock to shop and marvel at the interiors. It's easy to explore most of the Las Vegas Strip on foot from here.
Just across Las Vegas Boulevard is the Caesar's Palace complex, and sights that are also walkable include the Eiffel Tower of the Paris resort and the Bellagio fountains, as well as the High Roller Observation Wheel at The Linq.
If visitors want to take the monorail, it's not too far to walk to the nearest stop at Harrah's/The Linq, and downtown bus services stop just outside The Venetian.
The Venetian receives a rating of 4.5 out of 5 on Trip Advisor and is ranked 32 out of 282 hotels in Las Vegas, with just under 31,000 reviews.
Guests love the size and standards of the suites, as well as the casino itself. Of course, the grand interiors of the hotel are a major draw too. The room rates are generally held to be very reasonable and many people mention the reassuring amount of cleaning that is visible throughout the resort right now. Comments such as this are typical: "The hotel was amazing and a pleasure to stay at. From the moment you step foot on the property everything is clean with beautiful architecture. The room is very spacious with comfortable bedding and a beautiful bathroom."
However, some guests feel that the size of the resort is a little overwhelming and that can especially affect the timings of room service. Additionally, the popularity of this resort and the fact that it draws visitors who aren't even staying at the hotel may make some travelers extra anxious during the pandemic.
Who stays here: Many guests choose this as their first Vegas experience, as it includes everything you want in a typical Vegas hotel, including the spectacle of the decor, the large casino floor, and numerous on-site shops and restaurants.
We like: The re-creation of some of Italy's most beautiful sights is seriously impressive and worth a visit alone.
We love (don't miss this feature!): The split-level suite design with sunken living spaces are unusual and really elevate the feel of entry-level accommodations.
We think you should know: It is a large resort complex, so prepare to do a fair amount of walking.
We'd do this differently next time: Swim in the heated pool at adjoining sister property, The Palazzo.
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The Venetian has property-wide "Venetian Clean" COVID policies in place, which you can find here.
In summary:
The state of Nevada requires face coverings or masks to be worn, indoors and outdoors, at all times. These are required for all visitors, unless they are actively eating, drinking or smoking. This includes all public areas throughout the resort, such as hotel hallways, elevators and the casino floor. Complimentary masks are available at thermal scanning stations at every resort entrance.
Guests are not permitted to have their masks down while walking the resort or casino floor.
At this time, reservations are required to dine-in at all restaurants.
At restaurants and lounges, party size is limited to a maximum of four per table.
Seating throughout the resort, including casinos, bars, lounges, restaurants, and pools, has been arranged to allow for physical distancing and state-mandated capacity limits. Space is limited and availability is not guaranteed.
Thermal scanners are placed at every entrance to The Venetian Resort and Sands Expo, providing non-invasive temperature checks upon arrival.
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have increased the frequency of routine cleaning in public spaces and heart-of-house back areas, and revised our cleaning protocols for guest suites, meeting or exceeding CDC guidelines. Throughout the resort, hundreds of individual sanitization stations that include hand sanitizer or sanitizing wipes have been installed.
We have also adjusted our air conditioning systems to operate at maximum ventilation and maximum exhaust to improve ambient air quality.
I felt very reassured by the public cleaning protocols that I saw around the resort, including high-touch surfaces being cleaned almost constantly. Entry points were staffed, thermal screening was in effect, and all guests were checked. Masks were worn everywhere and there were plenty of stations with complimentary sanitizer and masks available.
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After experiencing it first-hand, I would thoroughly recommend staying at The Venetian. The all-suite set up of the resort meant that even my entry-level, split-level room was impressive, and the accommodations were as comfortable as any I've experienced in Las Vegas. Not to mention the grandeur of the iconic interiors, including the indoor canals, gondolas, and replicas of notable Venetian draws. The current starting room rate of $127 per night only adds to the appeal.
While not every amenity is currently open, most are operating at a level that still makes for an enjoyable stay with plenty to keep you busy. The resort implemented new COVID-19 protocols exceptionally well, with a strong visible cleaning presence, free PPE available to guests throughout the resort, masks required, enforced social distancing, and temperature screenings at all of the entrances.
I felt similarly reassured at the restaurants that I experienced, and they were following new guidelines very strictly, making for an indoor dining environment that was as safe as it could have been. Overall, I had good peace of mind and was able to relax and enjoy my stay.
Rates at The Venetian might be slightly higher than some of its nearby competitors, but given the room sizes and overall impeccable standards, it's well worth the price.
