thedenverpost--2020-08-10--Astros, A’s clear benches, empty seats as Oakland wins 9th in row

OAKLAND , Calif. — The Oakland Athletics and Houston Astros apparently were tired of playing nice .
So following two quiet games at the Coliseum , true feelings seemed to come out and tempers flared Sunday , months after Houston ’ s sign-stealing scandal was brought to light by Oakland pitcher Mike Fiers .
Things got so angry the benches cleared — and the stands emptied , too , during Oakland ’ s 7-2 victory over the AL West rival Astros .
The Athletics ’ ninth straight win was far overshadowed by what erupted in the seventh inning .
Oakland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a pitch — for the third time in the three-game series — this one by Humberto Castellanos with one out in the seventh , and pointed at the pitcher .
Laureano then began exchanging words with animated Astros hitting coach Álex Cintrón , left first base , threw down his batting helmet and began charging toward him in the first base dugout .
Astros catcher Dustin Garneau left the bench to tackle Laureano before the A ’ s outfielder reached Cintrón , and a wild scene ensued .
“ I was just trying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ really thrown and stuff got out of hand , ” Garneau said .
“ That ’ s really what my whole goal was for that incident.
” Players rushed out of both dugouts to join the fray .
Players who were sitting in the seats , observing COVID-19 social-distancing protocols , also rushed onto the field .
Several Astros streamed out from their tunnel area .
Laureano was ejected by plate ump Ted Barrett , and the umpiring crew could easily be heard yelling at the players to “ get back to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no fans .
“ Ramon ’ s not going over there for no reason , ” A ’ s manager Bob Melvin said , adding of Cintrón : “ I think the league will know who that is and that person will get suspended .
Hopefully that ’ s the case .
Nowadays without fans in the stands and mikes everywhere my guess is they know who it is.
” Oakland batters were hit five times during the series , no Houston hitters were plunked .
A ’ s catcher Austin Allen was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was tossed a half-inning earlier for arguing balls and strikes .
Houston lost its fifth in a row overall .
“ Look , we understand and you do the best you can with these things , ” Melvin said .
“ Obviously we don ’ t want to get into a brawl like that and we understand the protocol .
Unfortunately , it happened.
” Baker said he didn ’ t see what happened because , having been ejected , he couldn ’ t get the game feed on his clubhouse TV .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ line with his behavior , Baker reserved judgment .
“ Who chirped first ?
Did Alex say something to him first or did Laureano say something ?
” Baker asked .
“ I don ’ t know what happened .
I ’ ve chirped at players before myself .
Guys always say , well , is it inappropriate for a coach to chirp at a guy , but are you supposed to just sit there and take it ?
” “ It ’ s in the heat in the moment , we ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ high pride and anxiety and everything else .
These things happen when you ’ re on the baseball field , ” he said .
Ex-Astros player Fiers didn ’ t pitch this series .
He went public to The Athletic in November about Houston ’ s detailed sign-stealing scam .
The Astros have won the past three division crowns , a World Series in 2017 and AL pennant last year .
The A ’ s won 97 each in 2018 and ’ 19 only to lose the AL wild-card game .
Matt Olson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Matt Chapman connected the very next pitch , taking the score from 1-0 to 5-0 on consecutive offerings from Astros starter Cristian Javier ( 1-1 ) .
Robbie Grossman also homered and Mark Canha contributed an RBI single .
The A ’ s ( 12-4 ) matched the 2013 club for the best record after 16 games over the last 30 years .
A ’ s rookie left-hander Jesus Luzardo ( 1-0 ) earned his first major league win in his second career start .
His day was done after allowing back-to-back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 22-year-old Luzardo outdid 23-year-old Javier in a matchup of two top pitching prospects .
Astros : CF George Springer resumed hitting work in the batting cage but was still listed as day to day by Baker .
The outfielder missed his third straight game after suffering a sprained right wrist diving for a ball during Thursday ’ s loss at Arizona .
Athletics : RHP Jordan Weems , on the injured list with a lat strain , will throw to hitters soon at the club ’ s San Jose alternate site .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Melvin said .
… LHP A.J .
Puk ( strained throwing shoulder ) is playing catch out to about 90 feet but Melvin said , “ It ’ s going to be a while before he gets on a mound.
” LHP Sean Manaea ( 0-2 , 8.03 ERA ) tries again for his first victory of 2020 when the A ’ s open a three-game road series vs. the Angels .
RHP Lance McCullers Jr. ( 1-1 , 9.22 ) pitches as the Astros return home to face the San @ @ @

OAKLAND, Calif. — The Oakland Athletics and Houston Astros apparently were tired of playing nice.
So following two quiet games at the Coliseum, true feelings seemed to come out and tempers flared Sunday, months after Houston’s sign-stealing scandal was brought to light by Oakland pitcher Mike Fiers.
Things got so angry the benches cleared — and the stands emptied, too, during Oakland’s 7-2 victory over the AL West rival Astros.
The Athletics’ ninth straight win was far overshadowed by what erupted in the seventh inning.
Oakland’s Ramon Laureano got hit by a pitch — for the third time in the three-game series — this one by Humberto Castellanos with one out in the seventh, and pointed at the pitcher.
Laureano then began exchanging words with animated Astros hitting coach Álex Cintrón, left first base, threw down his batting helmet and began charging toward him in the first base dugout.
Astros catcher Dustin Garneau left the bench to tackle Laureano before the A’s outfielder reached Cintrón, and a wild scene ensued.
“I was just trying to stop the situation before punches were really thrown and stuff got out of hand,” Garneau said. “That’s really what my whole goal was for that incident.”
Players rushed out of both dugouts to join the fray. Players who were sitting in the seats, observing COVID-19 social-distancing protocols, also rushed onto the field. Several Astros streamed out from their tunnel area.
Laureano was ejected by plate ump Ted Barrett, and the umpiring crew could easily be heard yelling at the players to “get back to the dugout!” through a ballpark with no fans.
“Ramon’s not going over there for no reason,” A’s manager Bob Melvin said, adding of Cintrón: “I think the league will know who that is and that person will get suspended. Hopefully that’s the case. Nowadays without fans in the stands and mikes everywhere my guess is they know who it is.”
Oakland batters were hit five times during the series, no Houston hitters were plunked.
A’s catcher Austin Allen was also ejected and Astros manager Dusty Baker was tossed a half-inning earlier for arguing balls and strikes. Houston lost its fifth in a row overall.
Oakland realized Laureano likely faces discipline.
“Look, we understand and you do the best you can with these things,” Melvin said. “Obviously we don’t want to get into a brawl like that and we understand the protocol. Unfortunately, it happened.”
Baker said he didn’t see what happened because, having been ejected, he couldn’t get the game feed on his clubhouse TV.
When asked whether Cintrón had crossed the line with his behavior, Baker reserved judgment.
“Who chirped first? Did Alex say something to him first or did Laureano say something?” Baker asked. “I don’t know what happened. I’ve chirped at players before myself. Guys always say, well, is it inappropriate for a coach to chirp at a guy, but are you supposed to just sit there and take it?”
“It’s in the heat in the moment, we’re all men out there, with high pride and anxiety and everything else. These things happen when you’re on the baseball field,” he said.
Ex-Astros player Fiers didn’t pitch this series. He went public to The Athletic in November about Houston’s detailed sign-stealing scam. The Astros have won the past three division crowns, a World Series in 2017 and AL pennant last year. The A’s won 97 each in 2018 and ’19 only to lose the AL wild-card game.
Matt Olson hit a three-run homer in the third and Matt Chapman connected the very next pitch, taking the score from 1-0 to 5-0 on consecutive offerings from Astros starter Cristian Javier (1-1).
Robbie Grossman also homered and Mark Canha contributed an RBI single.
The A’s (12-4) matched the 2013 club for the best record after 16 games over the last 30 years.
A’s rookie left-hander Jesus Luzardo (1-0) earned his first major league win in his second career start. His day was done after allowing back-to-back two-out walks in the sixth.
The 22-year-old Luzardo outdid 23-year-old Javier in a matchup of two top pitching prospects.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Astros: CF George Springer resumed hitting work in the batting cage but was still listed as day to day by Baker. The outfielder missed his third straight game after suffering a sprained right wrist diving for a ball during Thursday’s loss at Arizona.
Athletics: RHP Jordan Weems, on the injured list with a lat strain, will throw to hitters soon at the club’s San Jose alternate site. “I know everything’s progressing well,” Melvin said. … LHP A.J. Puk (strained throwing shoulder) is playing catch out to about 90 feet but Melvin said, “It’s going to be a while before he gets on a mound.”
UP NEXT
LHP Sean Manaea (0-2, 8.03 ERA) tries again for his first victory of 2020 when the A’s open a three-game road series vs. the Angels. RHP Lance McCullers Jr. (1-1, 9.22) pitches as the Astros return home to face the San Francisco Giants.


thedenverpost--2020-08-10--Point guard battle between CU Buffs’ McKinley Wright IV, ASU’s Remy Martin to continue for one last

Point guard battle between CU Buffs’ McKinley Wright IV, ASU’s Remy Martin to continue for one last season

McKinley Wright IV isn ’ t the only big-time point guard returning to the Pac-12 Conference for his senior season .
As Wright was making his expected decision to return to Colorado for his senior season official last week , so was Arizona State point guard Remy Martin , whose return for his own senior season gives the Sun Devils a battle-tested point guard to lead a roster welcoming one of the top freshman classes in the country .
The deadline for remaining in the NBA draft pool passed on Aug. 3 , and Wright and Martin were not the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to school .
UCLA senior Chris Smith passed on the draft as well , perhaps cementing the Bruins as the league ’ s preseason favorite .
With the return of Wright and Martin , the Pac-12 boasts two of the top point guards in all of college basketball .
Wright and Martin also are hoping to emulate the path forged last season by Oregon ’ s Payton Pritchard , who returned for his senior season and earned the Pac-12 Conference Player of the Year honor .
Wright and Martin have authored several memorable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the league , with Wright ’ s Buffs winning five of their seven matchups .
In those contests , Wright has produced a solid advantage in overall field goal percentage ( .451 to .376 ) , though Martin has fared much better from 3-point range ( .394 to .200 ) .
Oddly , both guards have gotten to the free throw line exactly 26 times in their head-to-head matchups , with Wright owning a slight edge at 19-for-26 ( Martin has gone 16-for-26 ) .
Wright has recorded an assist-to-turnover rate well above @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his matchups against Martin , but ASU ’ s point guard nonetheless has edged Wright in that category ( 2.19 ) .
Wright and Martin are scheduled to square off just once during the 2020-21 season , with the Buffs slated to host ASU without a return trip to Tempe .
“ McKinley is a big-shot maker .
We know how good he is in the clutch , ” CU head coach Tad Boyle said .
“ He ’ s a guy that I feel very , very comfortable when the ball is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s shooting it or passing it or whatever .
The other thing I think gets lost when you ’ re talking about him is the fact that he ’ s a very , very , good teammate .
Guys like playing with him and he ’ s a guy who really makes others around him better.
” Smith , a first team All-Pac-12 selection , led the Bruins in scoring ( 13.1 ) and averaged 5.4 rebounds per game .
The league is set to welcome back four first team All-Pac-12 selections from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eight years , and six all-conference players overall , the league ’ s most in seven years .
One prominent player who isn ’ t on that list is Washington State ’ s CJ Elleby .
Elleby , who had the potential to be the Pac-12 ’ s top all-around player in 2020-21 , was one league standout who opted to remain in the draft pool .
Elleby torched CU in what proved to be his final collegiate game , going 6-for-10 on 3-pointers before finishing with 30 points , 10 rebounds , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ WSU ’ s win against the Buffs in the first round of the Pac-12 tournament .

McKinley Wright IV isn’t the only big-time point guard returning to the Pac-12 Conference for his senior season.
As Wright was making his expected decision to return to Colorado for his senior season official last week, so was Arizona State point guard Remy Martin, whose return for his own senior season gives the Sun Devils a battle-tested point guard to lead a roster welcoming one of the top freshman classes in the country.
The deadline for remaining in the NBA draft pool passed on Aug. 3, and Wright and Martin were not the only Pac-12 standouts who opted to return to school. UCLA senior Chris Smith passed on the draft as well, perhaps cementing the Bruins as the league’s preseason favorite.
With the return of Wright and Martin, the Pac-12 boasts two of the top point guards in all of college basketball. Wright and Martin also are hoping to emulate the path forged last season by Oregon’s Payton Pritchard, who returned for his senior season and earned the Pac-12 Conference Player of the Year honor.
Wright and Martin have authored several memorable battles through their first three seasons in the league, with Wright’s Buffs winning five of their seven matchups. In those contests, Wright has produced a solid advantage in overall field goal percentage (.451 to .376), though Martin has fared much better from 3-point range (.394 to .200).
Oddly, both guards have gotten to the free throw line exactly 26 times in their head-to-head matchups, with Wright owning a slight edge at 19-for-26 (Martin has gone 16-for-26). Wright has recorded an assist-to-turnover rate well above his career average (2.05) during his matchups against Martin, but ASU’s point guard nonetheless has edged Wright in that category (2.19).
Wright and Martin are scheduled to square off just once during the 2020-21 season, with the Buffs slated to host ASU without a return trip to Tempe.
“McKinley is a big-shot maker. We know how good he is in the clutch,” CU head coach Tad Boyle said. “He’s a guy that I feel very, very comfortable when the ball is in his hands, whether he’s shooting it or passing it or whatever. The other thing I think gets lost when you’re talking about him is the fact that he’s a very, very, good teammate. Guys like playing with him and he’s a guy who really makes others around him better.”
Smith, a first team All-Pac-12 selection, led the Bruins in scoring (13.1) and averaged 5.4 rebounds per game. The league is set to welcome back four first team All-Pac-12 selections from last year, the highest total in eight years, and six all-conference players overall, the league’s most in seven years.
One prominent player who isn’t on that list is Washington State’s CJ Elleby. Elleby, who had the potential to be the Pac-12’s top all-around player in 2020-21, was one league standout who opted to remain in the draft pool. Elleby torched CU in what proved to be his final collegiate game, going 6-for-10 on 3-pointers before finishing with 30 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, and three steals in WSU’s win against the Buffs in the first round of the Pac-12 tournament.


thedenverpost--2020-08-10--Free-agent right tackle Demar Dotson visits Broncos

The Broncos announced Sunday they hosted free-agent right tackle Demar Dotson for a visit .
The 34-year-old Dotson ( 6-foot-9 and 315 pounds ) has 106 regular season starts .
The Broncos are exploring back-up tackle options after Ja ’ Wuan James opted out of the season last week , moving Elijah Wilkinson from a left tackle competition/versatile reserve option to starting right tackle .
Dotson ’ s timeline for signing with the Broncos is unclear because of the COVID-19 test requirements .
If his first test was Sunday , it ’ s possible he could take his physical away @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sign later this week once he had three negative tests .
The Broncos ’ first full-squad training camp practice is Friday ( no pads ) .
James ’ decision left the Broncos without an experienced swing tackle and although nearly all of Dotson ’ s experience comes on the right side , he would be viewed as a key insurance player for Wilkinson and left tackle Garett Bolles .
The only back-up tackles currently under contract are Jake Rodgers ( one career start ) and Calvin Anderson , Quinn Bailey and Hunter Watts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ became a free agent in March and the Buccaneers moved on after drafting Iowa right tackle Tristan Wirfs in April ’ s first round .
Dotson was undrafted out of Southern Miss , but spent 11 years with Buccaneers , starting at least 13 games in six years from 2012-19 .
In 130 games , he has been called for 62 penalties ( 51 enforced ) .
Last year , he had five holding and false start penalties apiece .

The Broncos announced Sunday they hosted free-agent right tackle Demar Dotson for a visit.
The 34-year-old Dotson (6-foot-9 and 315 pounds) has 106 regular season starts.
The Broncos are exploring back-up tackle options after Ja’Wuan James opted out of the season last week, moving Elijah Wilkinson from a left tackle competition/versatile reserve option to starting right tackle.
Dotson’s timeline for signing with the Broncos is unclear because of the COVID-19 test requirements. If his first test was Sunday, it’s possible he could take his physical away from the Broncos’ facility and then sign later this week once he had three negative tests.
The Broncos’ first full-squad training camp practice is Friday (no pads).
James’ decision left the Broncos without an experienced swing tackle and although nearly all of Dotson’s experience comes on the right side, he would be viewed as a key insurance player for Wilkinson and left tackle Garett Bolles.
The only back-up tackles currently under contract are Jake Rodgers (one career start) and Calvin Anderson, Quinn Bailey and Hunter Watts (combined zero starts).
Dotson became a free agent in March and the Buccaneers moved on after drafting Iowa right tackle Tristan Wirfs in April’s first round.
Dotson was undrafted out of Southern Miss, but spent 11 years with Buccaneers, starting at least 13 games in six years from 2012-19.
In 130 games, he has been called for 62 penalties (51 enforced). Last year, he had five holding and false start penalties apiece.


thedenverpost--2020-08-09--States on hook for billions under Trump’s unemployment plan

FALLS CHURCH , Va. — Whether President Donald Trump has the constitutional authority to extend federal unemployment benefits by executive order remains unclear .
Equally up in the air is whether states , which are necessary partners in Trump ’ s plan to bypass Congress , will sign on .
Trump announced an executive order Saturday that extends additional unemployment payments of $ 400 a week to help cushion the economic fallout of the pandemic .
Congress had approved payments of $ 600 a week at the outset of the coronavirus outbreak , but those benefits expired Aug. 1 and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an extension .
Many Republicans have expressed concern that a $ 600 weekly benefit , on top of existing state benefits , gives people an incentive to stay unemployed .
But under Trump ’ s plan , the $ 400 a week requires a state to commit to providing $ 100 .
Many states are already facing budget crunches caused by the pandemic .
Asked at a news conference how many governors had signed on to participate , Trump answered : “ If they don ’ t , they don ’ t .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Aubrey Layne , secretary of finance for Virginia Gov .
Ralph Northam , a Democrat , said in a phone interview Sunday he believes it would be feasible for Virginia to participate in such a program if states are allowed to use money that ’ s been allocated to them under the already passed CARES Act .
He said his preliminary understanding is that states can do so , but he and others are waiting to see the rules published .
The better solution , Layne said , would be for Congress to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ludicrous to me that Congress can ’ t get together on this , ” he said .
“ I think it would have been better for the president to use his influence in those negotiations , rather than standing on the sideline and then riding in like a shining knight.
” Indeed , details about the program became confused on Sunday .
On CNN ’ s “ State of the Nation ” White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow said conflicting things about whether the federal money was contingent on an additional contribution from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ for an extra $ 100 , we will lever it up .
We will pay three-quarters , and the states will pay 25 percent.
” In the same interview , though , he later said that “ at a minimum , we will put in 300 bucks … but I think all they ( the states ) have to do is put up an extra dollar , and we will be able to throw in the extra $ 100.
” A clarifying statement from the White House said the “ funds will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , among other things , receiving $ 100/week of existing assistance and certify that they have lost their jobs due to COVID-19.
” Several advocacy groups that follow the issue , though , said it ’ s clear the way the executive order is structured that the federal money will be contingent on states making a 25 percent contribution .
“ I don ’ t know if the president is genuine in thinking the executive order is a resolution or if this is just a tactic in the negotiation , ” Cuomo said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state .
And I expect this is just a chapter in the book of Washington COVID mismanagement.
” In Connecticut , Democratic Gov .
Ned Lamont said on CBS ’ “ Face the Nation ” that the plan would cost his state $ 500 million to provide that benefit for the rest of the year , and called Trump ’ s plan “ not a good idea.
” “ I could take that money from testing — I don ’ t think that ’ s a good idea , ” Lamont said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Mike DeWine praised Trump for issuing the order .
“ He ’ s trying to do something .
He ’ s trying to move the ball forward , ” DeWine said .
Still , he was noncommittal about whether Ohio would participate .
“ We ’ re looking at it right now to see whether we can do this , ” he said .
Christina Stephens , a spokeswoman for Democratic Louisiana Gov .
John Bel Edwards said : “ Right now we are reviewing the President ’ s order to determine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be.
” In Maryland , Michael Ricci , spokesman for Republican Gov .
Larry Hogan , said in an email that “ we will wait on new guidance from US Department of Labor before looking at any ( unemployment insurance ) changes.
” In Minnesota , Department of Employment and Economic Development Commissioner Steve Grove said his agency is “ awaiting further guidance from the U.S. Department of Labor.
” And in Michigan , Democratic Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer said in a press release that Trump “ cut federal funding for unemployed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ facing severe holes in our budgets to provide 25 % of the funding.
” “ Most states will take months to implement it , because it ’ s brand new .
It ’ s sort of put together with spit and paste .
And many states , because they have to chip in $ 100 , and they don ’ t have money , won ’ t do it , ” Schumer said .
Many states struggled to adjust outdated computer systems to accommodate the $ 600 payment , which along with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long delays in providing benefits .
Reprogramming the computers again to accommodate the new amount could result in similar glitches .
On ABC , Kudlow said that many of those outdated systems have since been upgraded .
“ I don ’ t think there will be a huge delay .
Labor Department has been working with the states .
The states are the ones that process the federal benefits before .
So , I don ’ t see any reason why it would be all that difficult , ” he said .
Associated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Maryland ; Larry Neumeister in New York ; Melinda Deslatte in Baton Rouge , Louisiana ; Susan Haigh in Hartford , Connecticut ; Stephen Groves in Sioux Falls , South Dakota ; Thomas Strong in Washington ; and Jonathan Lemire in Bedminster , New Jersey , contributed to this report .

FALLS CHURCH, Va. — Whether President Donald Trump has the constitutional authority to extend federal unemployment benefits by executive order remains unclear. Equally up in the air is whether states, which are necessary partners in Trump’s plan to bypass Congress, will sign on.
Trump announced an executive order Saturday that extends additional unemployment payments of $400 a week to help cushion the economic fallout of the pandemic. Congress had approved payments of $600 a week at the outset of the coronavirus outbreak, but those benefits expired Aug. 1 and Congress has been unable to agree on an extension. Many Republicans have expressed concern that a $600 weekly benefit, on top of existing state benefits, gives people an incentive to stay unemployed.
But under Trump’s plan, the $400 a week requires a state to commit to providing $100.
Many states are already facing budget crunches caused by the pandemic. Asked at a news conference how many governors had signed on to participate, Trump answered: “If they don’t, they don’t. That’s up to them.”
Aubrey Layne, secretary of finance for Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam, a Democrat, said in a phone interview Sunday he believes it would be feasible for Virginia to participate in such a program if states are allowed to use money that’s been allocated to them under the already passed CARES Act. He said his preliminary understanding is that states can do so, but he and others are waiting to see the rules published.
The better solution, Layne said, would be for Congress to pass legislation.
“It’s ludicrous to me that Congress can’t get together on this,” he said. “I think it would have been better for the president to use his influence in those negotiations, rather than standing on the sideline and then riding in like a shining knight.”
Indeed, details about the program became confused on Sunday. On CNN’s “State of the Nation” White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow said conflicting things about whether the federal money was contingent on an additional contribution from the states. Initially Kudlow said that “for an extra $100, we will lever it up. We will pay three-quarters, and the states will pay 25 percent.” In the same interview, though, he later said that “at a minimum, we will put in 300 bucks … but I think all they (the states) have to do is put up an extra dollar, and we will be able to throw in the extra $100.”
A clarifying statement from the White House said the “funds will be available for those who qualify by, among other things, receiving $100/week of existing assistance and certify that they have lost their jobs due to COVID-19.”
Several advocacy groups that follow the issue, though, said it’s clear the way the executive order is structured that the federal money will be contingent on states making a 25 percent contribution.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat, called the plan “an impossibility.”
“I don’t know if the president is genuine in thinking the executive order is a resolution or if this is just a tactic in the negotiation,” Cuomo said. “But this is irreconcilable for the state. And I expect this is just a chapter in the book of Washington COVID mismanagement.”
In Connecticut, Democratic Gov. Ned Lamont said on CBS’ “Face the Nation” that the plan would cost his state $500 million to provide that benefit for the rest of the year, and called Trump’s plan “not a good idea.”
“I could take that money from testing — I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Lamont said.
On CNN, Republican Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine praised Trump for issuing the order.
“He’s trying to do something. He’s trying to move the ball forward,” DeWine said.
Still, he was noncommittal about whether Ohio would participate.
“We’re looking at it right now to see whether we can do this,” he said.
Christina Stephens, a spokeswoman for Democratic Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards said: “Right now we are reviewing the President’s order to determine exactly what the impact to the state would be.”
In Maryland, Michael Ricci, spokesman for Republican Gov. Larry Hogan, said in an email that “we will wait on new guidance from US Department of Labor before looking at any (unemployment insurance) changes.”
In Minnesota, Department of Employment and Economic Development Commissioner Steve Grove said his agency is “awaiting further guidance from the U.S. Department of Labor.”
And in Michigan, Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said in a press release that Trump “cut federal funding for unemployed workers and is requiring states that are facing severe holes in our budgets to provide 25% of the funding.”
On ABC”s “This Week,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., called it “an unworkable plan.
“Most states will take months to implement it, because it’s brand new. It’s sort of put together with spit and paste. And many states, because they have to chip in $100, and they don’t have money, won’t do it,” Schumer said.
Many states struggled to adjust outdated computer systems to accommodate the $600 payment, which along with the massive influx of new claims resulted in long delays in providing benefits. Reprogramming the computers again to accommodate the new amount could result in similar glitches.
On ABC, Kudlow said that many of those outdated systems have since been upgraded.
“I don’t think there will be a huge delay. Labor Department has been working with the states. The states are the ones that process the federal benefits before. So, I don’t see any reason why it would be all that difficult,” he said.
Associated Press Writers Brian Witte in Annapolis, Maryland; Larry Neumeister in New York; Melinda Deslatte in Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Susan Haigh in Hartford, Connecticut; Stephen Groves in Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Thomas Strong in Washington; and Jonathan Lemire in Bedminster, New Jersey, contributed to this report.


thedenverpost--2020-08-09--Rockies lose to Mariners as three-game winning streak ends

With 25 % of this strange 60-game season in the scorebook , what do we know about the 2020 Rockies ?
Start with the fact that , despite their messy 5-3 loss to the Mariners Sunday afternoon at Seattle ’ s T-Mobile Park , the Rockies are 7-2 over their last 9 games and 11-4 overall .
The team ’ s strength has clearly been a pitching staff that has posted a 2.84 ERA , featuring a starting rotation with a 2.65 ERA as it enters a three-game series against Arizona beginning Monday night at Coors Field .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I really do , ” manager Bud Black said after Sunday ’ s loss .
“ Our defense got a little shaky there in seventh today , but that ’ s uncharacteristic of how we ’ ve played defense .
I like , overall , how we are playing and I still think the offense is going to come around.
” Right-hander German Marquez , so good in his first three starts this season , was not nearly as sharp Sunday , giving up five runs ( two earned ) over seven innings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two-run homer in the first , putting the Rockies in an early hole .
“ The first inning was a little bit rough with my mechanics , then I had to make adjustments to keep ( myself ) in the game longer , ” said Marquez , who struggled to command his slider early on but then got better as the game progressed .
Colorado ’ s offense has been hit and miss .
Charlie Blackmon went hit 2-for-3 Sunday , extended his hitting streak to 13 games and boosted his average to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Arenado , batting just .185 with a .614 OPS , got the day off as he attempts to rediscover his swing .
The last four starters in Colorado ’ s lineup Sunday — Elias Díaz , Ryan McMahon , Chris Owings and Sam Hilliard — were a combined 0-for-15 and struck out six times Sunday .
In total , the Rockies struck out 13 times .
McMahon , in particular , is fanning at a high rate .
He struck out three more times Sunday and has now struck out 22 times in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with only one home run and .633 OPS .
“ There are a couple things with ‘ Mac , ’ ” Black said .
“ Maybe the swing is a little bit long , and I think there is a little bit of an expansion of the strike zone .
I think ‘ Mac ’ will be the first to tell you that ’ s he ’ s got a good eye , a selective eye .
“ But we have talked about the chase rate and maybe on the breaking ball down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down and out of the strike zone more than he normally does .
And on certain fastballs that are in the zone , he ’ s just missing them .
He ’ s fouling them off or swinging through them .
So , we need to get ‘ Mac ’ going.
” Sunday , the Rockies were not only derailed by Mariners left-hander Justus Sheffield , they were uncharacteristically undone by their own mistakes .
Seattle ’ s game-clinching three-run seventh was fueled by a double error by Chris Owings , who started @ @ @ @ @ @ @ After Kyle Lewis led by getting an infield hit off Marquez in which Owings ’ throw couldn ’ t quite beat Lewis to the bag .
Kyle Seager chopped a ball to Owings for a potential double play , but Owings bobbled the ball for his first error and then made a hasty , wild throw to first for his second error .
That miscue opened the door for a sacrifice fly by Evan White and back-to-back RBIs singles by Tim Lopes and Dee Gordon .
Sheffield entered the game 0-2 with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Rockies , shutting them out for six innings , allowing four hits , striking out seven and walking none .
Sheffield ’ s slider flummoxed Rockies hitters and he was never in trouble .
Colorado ’ s offense showed up tardy and a little bit short .
It scored three runs in the eighth on a two-out rally that included RBIs singles by Trevor Story , Matt Kemp and David Dahl .

With 25% of this strange 60-game season in the scorebook, what do we know about the 2020 Rockies?
Start with the fact that, despite their messy 5-3 loss to the Mariners Sunday afternoon at Seattle’s T-Mobile Park, the Rockies are 7-2 over their last 9 games and 11-4 overall.
The team’s strength has clearly been a pitching staff that has posted a 2.84 ERA, featuring a starting rotation with a 2.65 ERA as it enters a three-game series against Arizona beginning Monday night at Coors Field.
“I really like the way we pitched, I really do,” manager Bud Black said after Sunday’s loss. “Our defense got a little shaky there in seventh today, but that’s uncharacteristic of how we’ve played defense. I like, overall, how we are playing and I still think the offense is going to come around.”
Right-hander German Marquez, so good in his first three starts this season, was not nearly as sharp Sunday, giving up five runs (two earned) over seven innings. Dylan Moore tagged him for a two-run homer in the first, putting the Rockies in an early hole.
“The first inning was a little bit rough with my mechanics, then I had to make adjustments to keep (myself) in the game longer,” said Marquez, who struggled to command his slider early on but then got better as the game progressed.
Colorado’s offense has been hit and miss. Charlie Blackmon went hit 2-for-3 Sunday, extended his hitting streak to 13 games and boosted his average to .458. But star third baseman Nolan Arenado, batting just .185 with a .614 OPS, got the day off as he attempts to rediscover his swing.
The last four starters in Colorado’s lineup Sunday — Elias Díaz, Ryan McMahon, Chris Owings and Sam Hilliard — were a combined 0-for-15 and struck out six times Sunday. In total, the Rockies struck out 13 times.
McMahon, in particular, is fanning at a high rate. He struck out three more times Sunday and has now struck out 22 times in 50 at-bats and his batting .200, with only one home run and .633 OPS.
“There are a couple things with ‘Mac,’ ” Black said. “Maybe the swing is a little bit long, and I think there is a little bit of an expansion of the strike zone. I think ‘Mac’ will be the first to tell you that’s he’s got a good eye, a selective eye.
“But we have talked about the chase rate and maybe on the breaking ball down, he’s chasing that pitch down and out of the strike zone more than he normally does. And on certain fastballs that are in the zone, he’s just missing them. He’s fouling them off or swinging through them. So, we need to get ‘Mac’ going.”
Sunday, the Rockies were not only derailed by Mariners left-hander Justus Sheffield, they were uncharacteristically undone by their own mistakes. Seattle’s game-clinching three-run seventh was fueled by a double error by Chris Owings, who started at third in place of Arenado.
After Kyle Lewis led by getting an infield hit off Marquez in which Owings’ throw couldn’t quite beat Lewis to the bag. Kyle Seager chopped a ball to Owings for a potential double play, but Owings bobbled the ball for his first error and then made a hasty, wild throw to first for his second error. That miscue opened the door for a sacrifice fly by Evan White and back-to-back RBIs singles by Tim Lopes and Dee Gordon.
Sheffield entered the game 0-2 with a 9.39 ERA, but the left-hander dominated the Rockies, shutting them out for six innings, allowing four hits, striking out seven and walking none. Sheffield’s slider flummoxed Rockies hitters and he was never in trouble.
Colorado’s offense showed up tardy and a little bit short. It scored three runs in the eighth on a two-out rally that included RBIs singles by Trevor Story, Matt Kemp and David Dahl.


thedenverpost--2020-08-09--Nine people shot during family gathering in Denver’s Valverde neighborhood

Nine people were shot during a family gathering in a Denver park Sunday .
The shooting , which appeared to be a drive-by attack , happened at about 4:28 p.m. in the Byers and Pecos park in the 1400 block of West Byers Place , according to Denver police spokesman Tyrone Campbell .
All of the wounded are expected to survive , he said .
Six victims were taken to hospitals in ambulances and another three victims arrived at hospitals on their own after the shooting , Campbell said .
The victims include “ young ” people , he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ give specific ages or say how many young people were hurt Sunday .
He also did not know if the victims were related .
In the park , lawn chairs sat overturned and picnic tables full of food and drinks stood abandoned .
An evidence marker sat in the street .
Witnesses nearby said they heard gunfire and then saw people running from the area .
Campbell said police had partial suspect information but did not release any details on a suspect or a motive Sunday evening .
“ It sounds like it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Campbell said .
“ The parties in the park , based on our information , have absolutely no culpability in this at all .
They are considered victims.
” The attack comes during an uptick of violence in Denver this summer , with the city on track to see its deadliest year in a decade .
Campbell asked for witnesses or anyone with information on the shooting to come forward and work with police .
“ The bottom line is , from a Denver Police Department standpoint and from a community standpoint , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Nine people were shot during a family gathering in a Denver park Sunday.
The shooting, which appeared to be a drive-by attack, happened at about 4:28 p.m. in the Byers and Pecos park in the 1400 block of West Byers Place, according to Denver police spokesman Tyrone Campbell.
All of the wounded are expected to survive, he said. Six victims were taken to hospitals in ambulances and another three victims arrived at hospitals on their own after the shooting, Campbell said.
The victims include “young” people, he said, although he was not able to give specific ages or say how many young people were hurt Sunday. He also did not know if the victims were related.
In the park, lawn chairs sat overturned and picnic tables full of food and drinks stood abandoned. An evidence marker sat in the street. Witnesses nearby said they heard gunfire and then saw people running from the area.
Campbell said police had partial suspect information but did not release any details on a suspect or a motive Sunday evening.
“It sounds like it was just a family gathering,” Campbell said. “The parties in the park, based on our information, have absolutely no culpability in this at all. They are considered victims.”
The attack comes during an uptick of violence in Denver this summer, with the city on track to see its deadliest year in a decade. Campbell asked for witnesses or anyone with information on the shooting to come forward and work with police.
“The bottom line is, from a Denver Police Department standpoint and from a community standpoint, this is unacceptable,” Campbell said.
Late Sunday night, Denver police said on Twitter that one person also suffered minor injures after being struck by a vehicle while attempting to flee the scene.


thedenverpost--2020-08-09--Avalanche’s third-line, J.T. Compher thriving with Coyotes playoff series ahead

Avalanche forward J.T .
Compher skates to an opposing goaltender ’ s crease on a mission to create havoc on the forecheck , and even if it ’ s ugly , to put in the puck .
“ That ’ s how you score goals , ” Compher said .
“ Getting to the net.
” Colorado ’ s third-line center is more than just talk .
Remember Saturday ?
In the Avs ’ 4-3 overtime defeat against Vegas , Compher scored the third-period equalizer when he bullied Golden Knights defenseman Nate Schmidt by knocking him off-balance with a two-gloved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ required to rebound a Nazem Kadri shot attempt back into the net .
“ A big goal from the Compher line getting it in on the forecheck and bringing us back to even , ” Avs coach Jared Bednar said postgame .
“ Going into the playoffs , you have to expect that teams are going to check you hard .
That ’ s the goal of every team.
” Lately , Colorado ’ s third “ Compher line ” hasn ’ t been afraid to bring the pain .
In three games @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the trio of Compher , Andre Burakovsky , and Jonas Donskoi combined for eight points ( four goals ) with a net-aggressive brand of hockey .
On Wednesday , in the Avs ’ 4-0 blowout win over the Dallas Stars , Donskoi ’ s net focus led to a power-play scoring opportunity when he drifted near the crease just as a Sam Girard fired a slapshot from the point .
When the puck bounced off Stars goalie Anton Khudobin ’ s leg pads , it led to an easy backhand putback for Donskoi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dallas when he rifled a puck from the top of the right circle , off the crossbar and into the goal .
But Colorado knows those pucks won ’ t always find the net .
Compher is happy to post up for the dirty work .
“ Both of those players are great puck possession guys and play with a lot of speed , ” Compher said .
“ As long as we keep finishing to the net , I think we ’ re going to be successful.
” Bednar and players have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its road to securing the No .
2 seed , and Colorado needs its third-line to maintain excellence as the Avs await the Arizona Coyotes in the first round of the Western Conference Stanley Cup Playoffs in Edmonton .
NHL MVP finalist Nathan MacKinnon told reporters after Saturday ’ s game that “ it ’ s going to be a tough series.
” Can the Avs match the Coyotes ’ physicality ?
Compher and company are ready to answer the call .
“ Arizona has an identity and they play to it every @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They ’ re very consistent in what they do .
They ’ re going to make it difficult for our guys .
We ’ re going to have to be ready to deal with their checking .
It ’ s nothing that we haven ’ t seen before .
It ’ s just an important time of the year .
They ’ re a really good hockey team and they ’ ve proved that already here in the bubble .
”

Avalanche forward J.T. Compher skates to an opposing goaltender’s crease on a mission to create havoc on the forecheck, and even if it’s ugly, to put in the puck.
“That’s how you score goals,” Compher said. “Getting to the net.”
Colorado’s third-line center is more than just talk. Remember Saturday?
In the Avs’ 4-3 overtime defeat against Vegas, Compher scored the third-period equalizer when he bullied Golden Knights defenseman Nate Schmidt by knocking him off-balance with a two-gloved shove — and creating the small space required to rebound a Nazem Kadri shot attempt back into the net.
“A big goal from the Compher line getting it in on the forecheck and bringing us back to even,” Avs coach Jared Bednar said postgame. “Going into the playoffs, you have to expect that teams are going to check you hard. That’s the goal of every team.”
Lately, Colorado’s third “Compher line” hasn’t been afraid to bring the pain. In three games of Western Conference round-robin seeding play, the trio of Compher, Andre Burakovsky, and Joonas Donskoi combined for eight points (four goals) with a net-aggressive brand of hockey.
On Wednesday, in the Avs’ 4-0 blowout win over the Dallas Stars, Donskoi’s net focus led to a power-play scoring opportunity when he drifted near the crease just as a Sam Girard fired a slapshot from the point. When the puck bounced off Stars goalie Anton Khudobin’s leg pads, it led to an easy backhand putback for Donskoi.
Burakovsky was more poetic in attacking Dallas when he rifled a puck from the top of the right circle, off the crossbar and into the goal. But Colorado knows those pucks won’t always find the net.
Compher is happy to post up for the dirty work.
“Both of those players are great puck possession guys and play with a lot of speed,” Compher said. “As long as we keep finishing to the net, I think we’re going to be successful.”
Bednar and players have lauded the team’s depth on its road to securing the No. 2 seed, and Colorado needs its third-line to maintain excellence as the Avs await the Arizona Coyotes in the first round of the Western Conference Stanley Cup Playoffs in Edmonton. NHL MVP finalist Nathan MacKinnon told reporters after Saturday’s game that “it’s going to be a tough series.”
Can the Avs match the Coyotes’ physicality? Compher and company are ready to answer the call.
“Arizona has an identity and they play to it every night,” Bednar said. “They’re very consistent in what they do. They’re going to make it difficult for our guys. We’re going to have to be ready to deal with their checking. It’s nothing that we haven’t seen before. It’s just an important time of the year. They’re a really good hockey team and they’ve proved that already here in the bubble.”


thedenverpost--2020-08-09--Referees group has agreement with NFL on coronavirus protections

WASHINGTON — The NFL Referees Association has reached an agreement with the NFL for health protections along with a program allowing game and replay officials to opt out of the season .
The association announced Sunday that the NFLRA ’ s board of directors unanimously endorsed the plan .
Members will review the details Monday in a video conference call .
“ There is nothing more important than the health and safety of our members , ” NFLRA executive director Scott Green said in a statement .
“ Although there will undoubtedly be some risk for our officials , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the League that provides additional benefits and protections during this unprecedented season.
” The deal gives officials until Thursday to tell the NFL if they plan to opt out of the 2020 season .
Under the agreement , any game or replay official can voluntarily take a leave of absence for the upcoming season and be paid $ 30,000 with their job guaranteed for 2021 .
A game official who tests positive during the season will be treated as an injury during a league-sanctioned event , entitling the official to injury pay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ An official testing positive or with symptoms at a game site will have medical expenses , lodging and travel costs covered by the NFL .

WASHINGTON — The NFL Referees Association has reached an agreement with the NFL for health protections along with a program allowing game and replay officials to opt out of the season.
The association announced Sunday that the NFLRA’s board of directors unanimously endorsed the plan. Members will review the details Monday in a video conference call.
“There is nothing more important than the health and safety of our members,” NFLRA executive director Scott Green said in a statement. “Although there will undoubtedly be some risk for our officials, we are pleased to have finalized a plan with the League that provides additional benefits and protections during this unprecedented season.”
The deal gives officials until Thursday to tell the NFL if they plan to opt out of the 2020 season.
Under the agreement, any game or replay official can voluntarily take a leave of absence for the upcoming season and be paid $30,000 with their job guaranteed for 2021.
A game official who tests positive during the season will be treated as an injury during a league-sanctioned event, entitling the official to injury pay, medical expenses and other benefits. An official testing positive or with symptoms at a game site will have medical expenses, lodging and travel costs covered by the NFL.
___
More AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL


thedenverpost--2020-08-10--Why choice of running mate matters more than usual this year

NEW YORK — For all the secrecy and speculation that typically surrounds the search for a vice presidential candidate , the decision rarely sways an election .
But ahead of Joe Biden ’ s imminent announcement , this year could be different .
At a minimum , the decision will shift the force of the campaign — at least temporarily — away from Donald Trump ’ s turbulent presidency onto Biden himself .
That ’ s not a place many Democrats are comfortable given Biden ’ s proclivity for gaffes and the persistent lack of excitement behind his candidacy .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ an unusual opportunity to unify a party still reeling from Trump ’ s 2016 win and solidify its future .
He ’ s already committed to selecting a woman and is considering several Black women .
And since the 77-year-old Biden has not committed to seeking a second term , his running mate could be strongly positioned to become the Democratic Party ’ s presidential nominee in 2024 and shape national politics for the next decade .
Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia , who served as Hillary Clinton ’ s vice presidential nominee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decision “ may be the most closely held and personally driven vice presidential pick ever.
” “ Nobody knows this job better than Joe Biden and nobody did the job better than Biden , so he ’ s gon na really control this one on his own , ” Kaine said in an interview .
He pushed back against those who discount the impact of running mates , estimating he added about 2 percentage points to Clinton ’ s winning margin of 5 percentage points in Virginia .
While Biden has said a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ step into the presidency on Day One , the politics of the moment have pushed the silver-haired white man to the brink of making history .
He could become the first presidential nominee of a major party to select a woman of color .
While he promised months ago to pick a woman , the nation ’ s reckoning with systemic racism has added pressure to pick a Black woman .
But it ’ s not certain he will do so .
Last weekend , he met privately with Michigan Gov .
Gretchen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden has said publicly she remains on his short list .
Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren , who also is white , has also been a leading contender .
Biden ’ s campaign has refused to comment on his search , but his team has been in recent contact with a small group of finalists that includes at least four women of color : California Sen. Kamala Harris , former national security adviser Susan Rice , California Rep. Karen Bass and Illinois Sen. Tammy Duckworth .
Some were instructed late last week not to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in-person interviews , or an actual announcement , was imminent .
Within the party , there is some tension about how soon before the Democratic National Convention Biden should unveil his decision .
While finalists and their allies believe the process has already gone on too long , experienced Democratic operatives want Biden to wait as long as possible before the convention ’ s Aug. 17 start date to limit the vice presidential nominee ’ s exposure to the attacks expected no matter whom he picks .
Most of the women don ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ battleground state that might offer Democrats a geographic advantage this fall , which would represent a break from precedent to some extent .
But Biden allies hope the historic nature of his pick might help energize two key Democratic constituencies : women and people of color .
Inside the campaign , some are privately skeptical that even a history-making pick would have a significant impact .
There is a strong belief that after only a brief focus on Biden ’ s running mate , the election would quickly return to being a referendum @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may be all the motivation Democrats need to drive massive turnout in November .
Yet Biden risks a real backlash from his base if he doesn ’ t pick a woman of color , according to some activists .
“ It would be a reckless choice to pick a white running mate with a party that ’ s as dependent on black and brown voters as it is , ” said Aimee Allison of She the People , a political advocacy network for women of color .
“ A Black woman as VP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ needs right now to navigate this historic moment.
” Kaine may have given Clinton a modest bump in his home state four years ago , but he did not prevent white men from abandoning Democrats in droves elsewhere .
Republican nominee Mitt Romney picked Wisconsin native Paul Ryan in 2012 but lost Ryan ’ s home state by nearly 7 percentage points .
Trump , a New York native , won Wisconsin four years later running alongside Mike Pence , who was an unpopular governor in Indiana .
Some historians argue that adding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ F. Kennedy win Texas in 1960 and capture the White House .
John McCain ’ s 2008 selection of Alaska Gov .
Sarah Palin might be the most recent example of a running mate swaying an election .
In that case , she had a negative impact when she appeared unfamiliar with world affairs and unprepared for the presidency .
But those involved in the decision argue that larger forces were at work that year and that McCain ’ s loss wasn ’ t just because of Palin .
“ There was a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign that resulted from it , but all of the electoral studies of voting behavior demonstrated there was really no electoral impact with ( Palin ) on the ticket , ” said former McCain campaign adviser Steve Schmidt , who attributed McCain ’ s loss to the collapse of the nation ’ s economy and voters ’ desire for change after the George W. Bush presidency .
“ In retrospect , it was obviously a terrible decision , ” Schmidt said of Palin , “ but people vote for the top of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Walker , a Republican who was deeply involved in Ryan ’ s vice presidential preparations in 2012 , said the main objective of picking a running mate is to find someone who may complement the presidential nominee .
But above all , the person should do no harm .
The Trump campaign is eagerly awaiting Biden ’ s announcement and the attention it will almost certainly divert from the Republican president ’ s struggle to control the coronavirus pandemic , revive the economy and unify the nation .
Given Biden ’ s advanced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ predicted that his pick would be far more significant than those of past nominees .
“ Who he picks as VP could be seen as a sort of a living will for him politically , ” Murtaugh said of Biden , who is three years older than Trump .
He declined to offer any specific criticism of the finalists when asked .
“ It doesn ’ t matter to us who he picks , ” he said , “ because whoever it is will provide opportunities for us.
” Jaffe reported from Washington @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Washington contributed to this report .

NEW YORK — For all the secrecy and speculation that typically surrounds the search for a vice presidential candidate, the decision rarely sways an election. But ahead of Joe Biden’s imminent announcement, this year could be different.
At a minimum, the decision will shift the force of the campaign — at least temporarily — away from Donald Trump’s turbulent presidency onto Biden himself. That’s not a place many Democrats are comfortable given Biden’s proclivity for gaffes and the persistent lack of excitement behind his candidacy.
More fundamentally, the choice offers Biden an unusual opportunity to unify a party still reeling from Trump’s 2016 win and solidify its future. He’s already committed to selecting a woman and is considering several Black women. And since the 77-year-old Biden has not committed to seeking a second term, his running mate could be strongly positioned to become the Democratic Party’s presidential nominee in 2024 and shape national politics for the next decade.
Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia, who served as Hillary Clinton’s vice presidential nominee in 2016, said Biden’s decision “may be the most closely held and personally driven vice presidential pick ever.”
“Nobody knows this job better than Joe Biden and nobody did the job better than Biden, so he’s gonna really control this one on his own,” Kaine said in an interview.
He pushed back against those who discount the impact of running mates, estimating he added about 2 percentage points to Clinton’s winning margin of 5 percentage points in Virginia.
While Biden has said a top priority is selecting someone who could step into the presidency on Day One, the politics of the moment have pushed the silver-haired white man to the brink of making history. He could become the first presidential nominee of a major party to select a woman of color. While he promised months ago to pick a woman, the nation’s reckoning with systemic racism has added pressure to pick a Black woman.
But it’s not certain he will do so. Last weekend, he met privately with Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who’s white. Biden has said publicly she remains on his short list. Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who also is white, has also been a leading contender.
Biden’s campaign has refused to comment on his search, but his team has been in recent contact with a small group of finalists that includes at least four women of color: California Sen. Kamala Harris, former national security adviser Susan Rice, California Rep. Karen Bass and Illinois Sen. Tammy Duckworth.
Some were instructed late last week not to leave Washington, an indication that more in-person interviews, or an actual announcement, was imminent.
Within the party, there is some tension about how soon before the Democratic National Convention Biden should unveil his decision. While finalists and their allies believe the process has already gone on too long, experienced Democratic operatives want Biden to wait as long as possible before the convention’s Aug. 17 start date to limit the vice presidential nominee’s exposure to the attacks expected no matter whom he picks.
Most of the women don’t have strong ties to a specific battleground state that might offer Democrats a geographic advantage this fall, which would represent a break from precedent to some extent. But Biden allies hope the historic nature of his pick might help energize two key Democratic constituencies: women and people of color.
Inside the campaign, some are privately skeptical that even a history-making pick would have a significant impact. There is a strong belief that after only a brief focus on Biden’s running mate, the election would quickly return to being a referendum on Trump’s presidency, which may be all the motivation Democrats need to drive massive turnout in November.
Yet Biden risks a real backlash from his base if he doesn’t pick a woman of color, according to some activists.
“It would be a reckless choice to pick a white running mate with a party that’s as dependent on black and brown voters as it is,” said Aimee Allison of She the People, a political advocacy network for women of color. “A Black woman as VP is a healing link that our country needs right now to navigate this historic moment.”
Running mates are rarely a deciding factor in presidential elections.
Kaine may have given Clinton a modest bump in his home state four years ago, but he did not prevent white men from abandoning Democrats in droves elsewhere. Republican nominee Mitt Romney picked Wisconsin native Paul Ryan in 2012 but lost Ryan’s home state by nearly 7 percentage points. Trump, a New York native, won Wisconsin four years later running alongside Mike Pence, who was an unpopular governor in Indiana.
Some historians argue that adding Lyndon Johnson to the ticket helped John F. Kennedy win Texas in 1960 and capture the White House.
John McCain’s 2008 selection of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin might be the most recent example of a running mate swaying an election. In that case, she had a negative impact when she appeared unfamiliar with world affairs and unprepared for the presidency. But those involved in the decision argue that larger forces were at work that year and that McCain’s loss wasn’t just because of Palin.
“There was a lot of fury and chaos inside the campaign that resulted from it, but all of the electoral studies of voting behavior demonstrated there was really no electoral impact with (Palin) on the ticket,” said former McCain campaign adviser Steve Schmidt, who attributed McCain’s loss to the collapse of the nation’s economy and voters’ desire for change after the George W. Bush presidency.
“In retrospect, it was obviously a terrible decision,” Schmidt said of Palin, “but people vote for the top of the ticket.”
Former Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, a Republican who was deeply involved in Ryan’s vice presidential preparations in 2012, said the main objective of picking a running mate is to find someone who may complement the presidential nominee. But above all, the person should do no harm.
The Trump campaign is eagerly awaiting Biden’s announcement and the attention it will almost certainly divert from the Republican president’s struggle to control the coronavirus pandemic, revive the economy and unify the nation. Given Biden’s advanced age, Trump campaign spokesman Tim Murtaugh predicted that his pick would be far more significant than those of past nominees.
“Who he picks as VP could be seen as a sort of a living will for him politically,” Murtaugh said of Biden, who is three years older than Trump.
He declined to offer any specific criticism of the finalists when asked. “It doesn’t matter to us who he picks,” he said, “because whoever it is will provide opportunities for us.”
Jaffe reported from Washington. Associated Press writer Julie Pace in Washington contributed to this report.


thedenverpost--2020-08-10--Lakewood police investigating drive-by shooting that left two in critical condition overnight

Two men were injured Sunday night in an apparent drive-by shooting , Lakewood police said .
Police began receiving calls @ @ @ @ @ p.m. Sunday .
According to police , there were 10-15 people gathered at a house @ @ @ @ @ of 6th Avenue Frontage Road when a dark colored SUV drove by and fired several @ @ @ @ @ people .
Two adult males are in critical condition , police said .
No suspect @ @ @ @ @ Police acknowledge the similarities between this shooting and one in Denver earlier on Sunday that @ @ @ @ @ apparent drive-by shooting at a park gathering in the Valverde neighborhood .
It is too @ @ @ @ @ two incidents are connected .
This is an ongoing investigation and police ask any witnesses @ @ @ @ @ Department .

Two men were injured Sunday night in a drive-by shooting, Lakewood police said.
Police began receiving calls about the incident around 10:37 p.m. Sunday. According to police, there were 10 to 15 people gathered at a house party in the 5400 block of Sixth Avenue Frontage Road when a dark SUV drove by and fired several shots into the group.
Two adult males are in critical condition, police said. No suspect information has been released.
Police acknowledged the similarities between the Lakewood shooting and one in Denver earlier on Sunday that left nine injured in an apparent drive-by shooting at a park gathering in the Valverde neighborhood. It is too soon to tell if they two incidents are connected, police said.
The investigations is ongoing, and police ask any witnesses to contact the Lakewood Police Department.


thedenverpost--2020-08-10--Letters: Some possibilities for a change in policing (8/10/20)

Some possibilities for a change in policing What does “ Defund the Police ” really mean ?
As a community , we need to identify specific criteria for when an armed response is required and develop alternative community resources to work with police for other situations , as firefighters and paramedics do .
We don ’ t expect cops to fight fires or set up an IV ; it ’ s a different skill set .
I think cops would be happy to have domestic disputes , suicides and mental health issues , for example , put into the hands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • Demilitarize the police through philosophy , culture , equipment , and tactical training .
By philosophy , I mean training cops that the mission in police work is not taking down the enemy , it ’ s protecting the public .
It calls for different reflexes and a different kind of commitment .
It ’ s a different job than being a soldier .
• Cease the practice of giving preference to military veterans in hiring police .
A SWAT team with a mission clearly defined in writing , that does NOT @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , could be an exception .
The body armor , assault rifle , and riot helmet are clearly designed to intimidate .
Using police to deter political protest is not acceptable in the United States .
Police intimidation can escalate tensions in peaceful protests .
• End the harassment and intimidation of journalists .
• Raise police salaries and decrease police numbers .
Hire the best , and expect professional behavior .
Get rid of the Rambos and the cowboys .
Hire police that DON ’ T fit our cultural expectations of cops @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clean efforts on the Eastern Plains I read with great joy the reporting of Judith Kohler regarding Colorado ’ s Eastern Plains ’ success in establishing wind energy production and plans to harvest additional clean energy from the wind and the sun soon .
It makes me proud that our rural citizens are such wise stewards of both their own land and the whole earth .
This new and constructive source of income benefits not only individual landowners and their families ; it maintains precious heritage , increases independence , stabilizes the local @ @ @ @ @ @ @ others .
The ability to define and adapt to the needs of this rapidly evolving world is our strength , the free market our tool .
Where we will already need to adjust to a warming , drying , flooding , more chaotic and extreme event- laden climate , it is by far more productive to take steps to avert that change .
This path we need to take could and should be facilitated by applying the appropriate price on carbon excreted by combusting ancient coal oil , and gas .
Taxpayers , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ranchers ; we all pay for the unwelcome consequences of toxins and warming with strains on our health , water supply and productivity .
If the proceeds , a “ carbon dividend , ” are equitably distributed , the free market will be fueled and individuals empowered allowing unbiased competition for consumers ’ energy purchase choices , predictability for business , utility , and civic planning , and support for the less advantaged .
Together we can navigate toward a better future for Colorado , our majestic and inspirational state , and beyond @ @ @ @ @ @ @ editor about this article , submit online or check out our guidelines for how to submit by email or mail .

Some possibilities for a change in policing
What does “Defund the Police” really mean?
As a community, we need to identify specific criteria for when an armed response is required and develop alternative community resources to work with police for other situations, as firefighters and paramedics do.
We don’t expect cops to fight fires or set up an IV; it’s a different skill set.
I think cops would be happy to have domestic disputes, suicides and mental health issues, for example, put into the hands of folks specially trained for that.
• Demilitarize the police through philosophy, culture, equipment, and tactical training. By philosophy, I mean training cops that the mission in police work is not taking down the enemy, it’s protecting the public.
It calls for different reflexes and a different kind of commitment. It’s a different job than being a soldier.
• Cease the practice of giving preference to military veterans in hiring police.
A SWAT team with a mission clearly defined in writing, that does NOT include community policing of political protest events, could be an exception.
The body armor, assault rifle, and riot helmet are clearly designed to intimidate.
Using police to deter political protest is not acceptable in the United States. Police intimidation can escalate tensions in peaceful protests.
• End the harassment and intimidation of journalists.
• Raise police salaries and decrease police numbers. Hire the best, and expect professional behavior. Get rid of the Rambos and the cowboys. Hire police that DON’T fit our cultural expectations of cops from TV and movies.
Peter Gibbs, Estes Park
Proud of clean efforts on the Eastern Plains
Re: “Report: Area set for more renewable energy,” July 30 news story
I read with great joy the reporting of Judith Kohler regarding Colorado’s Eastern Plains’ success in establishing wind energy production and plans to harvest additional clean energy from the wind and the sun soon.
It makes me proud that our rural citizens are such wise stewards of both their own land and the whole earth. This new and constructive source of income benefits not only individual landowners and their families; it maintains precious heritage, increases independence, stabilizes the local community, and provides meaningful work for others. The ability to define and adapt to the needs of this rapidly evolving world is our strength, the free market our tool.
Where we will already need to adjust to a warming, drying, flooding, more chaotic and extreme event- laden climate, it is by far more productive to take steps to avert that change. This path we need to take could and should be facilitated by applying the appropriate price on carbon excreted by combusting ancient coal oil, and gas.
Taxpayers, expectant mothers, businesses, farmers, ranchers; we all pay for the unwelcome consequences of toxins and warming with strains on our health, water supply and productivity.
If the proceeds, a “carbon dividend,” are equitably distributed, the free market will be fueled and individuals empowered allowing unbiased competition for consumers’ energy purchase choices, predictability for business, utility, and civic planning, and support for the less advantaged.
Together we can navigate toward a better future for Colorado, our majestic and inspirational state, and beyond.
Lois McLauchlan, Sedalia
To send a letter to the editor about this article, submit online or check out our guidelines for how to submit by email or mail.


thedenverpost--2020-08-10--Bedrooms, bad advice and the ballot: What the heck is going on in Boulder?

Direct democracy isn ’ t supposed to be this complicated .
In fact , the playbook is fairly simple : People who want to amend or create a law via a ballot measure write their proposal out and then seek approval to circulate petitions .
If it ’ s a state ballot measure , they need an OK from the secretary of state , otherwise they work with their local clerk .
In order to demonstrate a base of support , they must collect signatures from a small percentage of the relevant electorate , and once they ’ ve done @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ballot for a vote of the people .
This happens across the country every year , and the rules are relatively consistent and straightforward .
But in Boulder this year , the process has been anything but .
What began as a typical ballot effort was threatened first by the pandemic , then by bad advice from city officials , and ultimately by elected representatives who believe they have no obligation to account for the city ’ s inconsistency .
Now , a citizen campaign is suing , and the makeup of Boulder @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hands of a judge .
At stake is a proposal to significantly relax the city ’ s residential occupancy limits , which in most of Boulder state that no more than three unrelated people can share a home , regardless of how big that home is .
The campaign that calls itself Bedrooms Are For People seeks to amend the city charter to say that the number of unrelated people allowed to share a home can equal the number of bedrooms in that home plus one , and to allow four people to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The campaign ’ s leaders felt that they needed to put the proposal to a public vote — specifically , a vote this year , when turnout is expected to be high — instead of trying to effect change by lobbying officials for a new ordinance .
“ The City Council knows exactly who ’ s going to show up during a public process : majority homeowners , people who ’ ve been in Boulder for many years , ” said Eric Budd , a former council candidate who co-leads the Bedrooms campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , are excluded from these processes.
” The idea that , for example , five friends can ’ t live together in a five-bedroom house has long frustrated the city ’ s increasingly potent — but still out of power — “ YIMBY ” ( Yes In My Backyard ) crowd .
“ Boulder has a long history of privileging nuclear , familial , single-family residences , ” said Bedrooms volunteer Charlotte Pitts , who previously lived in an over-occupied home and now chairs the city ’ s Housing Advisory Board .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who are allowed to live together , you ’ re restricting the definition of family .
I consider me and my friends who lived together a family.
” When she lived in a technically illegal group , Pitts said , she altered her life to avoid detection : She didn ’ t register to vote , didn ’ t register her vehicle and didn ’ t become active in city politics despite her aspirations .
Pitts , 24 , said at one point she considered marrying her partner just to meet the city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I drew the line there , ” she said .
“ I was like , no , this is crazy , I ’ m not doing this just to get on a lease.
” This is a heated issue far beyond Boulder , and it ’ s taken on new relevance during the pandemic , as housing insecurity rises .
Boulder resident Jared Polis , the governor , has called on cities in Colorado to temporarily relax occupancy rules to provide more housing options for people who , in many cases , could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week that he ’ d like to command this relaxation by law , but he ’ s not convinced he has the authority .
Like Polis , nearly everyone in Boulder votes Democratic — Hillary Clinton took 80 % of the vote in 2016 — but there are two unofficial sub-parties that , on local policy matters , are frequently just as far apart as national Democrats and Republicans .
One advocates for , among other things , increases in density as a tool to address climate change and slow growth in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ median sales price was nearly $ 1 million in June .
“ There ’ s nothing wrong with people who have money , but it ’ s producing a city without as broad a spectrum of backgrounds and incomes , ” says Councilman Aaron Brockett , a member of this unofficial party .
The other side works to limit population growth in the name of preserving open space and the character of single-family zoning areas , and generally opposes most efforts to diversify the city ’ s housing stock .
“ A lot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they liked that they were relatively low-density , there weren ’ t a lot of cars , it was a stable environment — that kind of thing , ” said former council member Steve Pomerance , an influential longtime figure in city politics .
“ I ’ m not particularly interested in living in a high-density area .
So I ’ m supposed to now go , ‘ Oh , fine , let ’ s turn it into a bunch of dormitories ’ ?
That ’ s not what I bought into.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ versions of it , has been in power for decades , and locals can count on one hand the number of renters who ’ ve served on the nine-member council in modern history .
When Bedrooms organizers met with the city months ago , they were told that to qualify for the ballot , they ’ d need to hand in about 4,000 petition signatures by Aug. 5 .
They were barred from collecting those signatures electronically , so they bought hand sanitizer by the gallon and pens by the hundreds , masked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as their proposed change is , and despite the coronavirus hurdle , they collected more than 7,700 signatures .
Said campaign co-lead Chelsea Castellano , “ We had people who we were telling them for the first time about this law .
There were people who wouldn ’ t even believe us that this law existed .
There were people where we were telling them they were living over-occupied , and they didn ’ t know that .
Then there were people who lived here a long time , who remembered having to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ younger.
” The measure was headed for certification until City Attorney Tom Carr determined in June that the Aug. 5 deadline was wrong , based on what the Daily Camera described as Carr ’ s “ evolved understanding of how municipal charter and state law interact ” in this case .
Bedrooms was given a new signature deadline of June 5 — already past — and a new threshold requiring about 8,000 signatures — twice the original requirement .
Carr ’ s staff , by its own admission , did not change its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ informed largely by Pomerance , who began contacting Carr ’ s office about its interpretation in early spring .
That the city could be made to reverse its position on something so basic in the democratic process , Pomerance said last week , “ says that they ’ re incompetent.
” Carr said at a meeting in July that his office still isn ’ t convinced that one reading is more correct than the other , but the City Council is sticking with the latest guidance .
Carr declined through a spokesperson to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way that Bedrooms could meet the new threshold in time .
It was literally impossible : They weren ’ t informed of the new rules until after the June 5 deadline , at which point , Budd said , they had only about 3,000 signatures .
The organizers shifted their approach , pinning their hopes on the council recognizing that the city had erred , respecting the demonstrated seriousness of the Bedrooms effort and using its power to place the measure on the ballot .
The council majority can refer any measure it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , granting the organizers ’ request is a no-brainer .
“ You ’ ve got to trust the city when the city tells you something .
Otherwise what ’ s the point ?
” said Councilman Adam Swetlik .
“ We didn ’ t give the right guidance to begin with , and council never took it upon themselves to clear up that guidance along the way.
” Councilwoman Mary Young takes a different view , as does the council majority .
“ The 8,000 signatures is not something we can lower , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in an interview .
“ They didn ’ t meet the law requirements .
If guidelines ruled the world , then we could make up guidelines for all manner of things , and chaos would rule.
” The council may yet , in fact , refer a citizen proposal to the ballot — just not the Bedrooms measure .
One proposal it ’ s considering putting before voters , which suffered from the same flip-flop legal advice Bedrooms got , would allow for direct citizen election of the mayor .
Said Mark McIntyre @ @ @ @ @ @ @ co-lead of the Our Mayor Our Choice campaign , “ It ’ s unconscionable what they ’ ve done to Bedrooms .
… The current council majority doesn ’ t like Bedrooms and wants to see it go away , versus doing the right thing , which would be to put it on the ballot.
” Council members who voted against placing Bedrooms say the proposed policy doesn ’ t belong in the city charter , where it could only be amended via another vote .
“ For me , land use and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” said Mayor Sam Weaver in July .
There are some on the council whose voting records indicate they probably wouldn ’ t vote for this policy no matter what .
Bedrooms sued last week and now hopes a judge will compel the city to do what the council would not .
No one seems happy that it ’ s come to this .
The council members are all named as defendants on the lawsuit .
And Bedrooms , despite accomplishing what the city originally asked of it , may miss a prime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voters in a year that could easily set turnout records .
“ It ’ s extremely disappointing that we have to fund a legal battle against our own elected representatives to ensure our constitutional right to direct democracy , ” said Castellano , the campaign co-lead .
“ We don ’ t want to be doing this , but this is our only option .
”

Direct democracy isn’t supposed to be this complicated.
In fact, the playbook is fairly simple: People who want to amend or create a law via a ballot measure write their proposal out and then seek approval to circulate petitions. If it’s a state ballot measure, they need an OK from the secretary of state, otherwise they work with their local clerk. In order to demonstrate a base of support, they must collect signatures from a small percentage of the relevant electorate, and once they’ve done that their measure can proceed to the ballot for a vote of the people.
This happens across the country every year, and the rules are relatively consistent and straightforward.
But in Boulder this year, the process has been anything but.
What began as a typical ballot effort was threatened first by the pandemic, then by bad advice from city officials, and ultimately by elected representatives who believe they have no obligation to account for the city’s inconsistency. Now, a citizen campaign is suing, and the makeup of Boulder’s 2020 ballot is in the hands of a judge.
Occupancy rule at issue
At stake is a proposal to significantly relax the city’s residential occupancy limits, which in most of Boulder state that no more than three unrelated people can share a home, regardless of how big that home is. The campaign that calls itself Bedrooms Are For People seeks to amend the city charter to say that the number of unrelated people allowed to share a home can equal the number of bedrooms in that home plus one, and to allow four people to share a house of any size.
The campaign’s leaders felt that they needed to put the proposal to a public vote — specifically, a vote this year, when turnout is expected to be high — instead of trying to effect change by lobbying officials for a new ordinance.
“The City Council knows exactly who’s going to show up during a public process: majority homeowners, people who’ve been in Boulder for many years,” said Eric Budd, a former council candidate who co-leads the Bedrooms campaign. “Often young people, renters, are excluded from these processes.”
The idea that, for example, five friends can’t live together in a five-bedroom house has long frustrated the city’s increasingly potent — but still out of power — “YIMBY” (Yes In My Backyard) crowd.
“Boulder has a long history of privileging nuclear, familial, single-family residences,” said Bedrooms volunteer Charlotte Pitts, who previously lived in an over-occupied home and now chairs the city’s Housing Advisory Board. “By restricting the amount of unrelated people who are allowed to live together, you’re restricting the definition of family. I consider me and my friends who lived together a family.”
When she lived in a technically illegal group, Pitts said, she altered her life to avoid detection: She didn’t register to vote, didn’t register her vehicle and didn’t become active in city politics despite her aspirations.
Pitts, 24, said at one point she considered marrying her partner just to meet the city’s definition of family.
“I drew the line there,” she said. “I was like, no, this is crazy, I’m not doing this just to get on a lease.”
This is a heated issue far beyond Boulder, and it’s taken on new relevance during the pandemic, as housing insecurity rises. Boulder resident Jared Polis, the governor, has called on cities in Colorado to temporarily relax occupancy rules to provide more housing options for people who, in many cases, could face homelessness. He told reporters last week that he’d like to command this relaxation by law, but he’s not convinced he has the authority.
Like Polis, nearly everyone in Boulder votes Democratic — Hillary Clinton took 80% of the vote in 2016 — but there are two unofficial sub-parties that, on local policy matters, are frequently just as far apart as national Democrats and Republicans.
One advocates for, among other things, increases in density as a tool to address climate change and slow growth in the city’s housing costs; the median sales price was nearly $1 million in June.
“There’s nothing wrong with people who have money, but it’s producing a city without as broad a spectrum of backgrounds and incomes,” says Councilman Aaron Brockett, a member of this unofficial party.
The other side works to limit population growth in the name of preserving open space and the character of single-family zoning areas, and generally opposes most efforts to diversify the city’s housing stock.
“A lot of people moved into single-family neighborhoods because they liked that they were relatively low-density, there weren’t a lot of cars, it was a stable environment — that kind of thing,” said former council member Steve Pomerance, an influential longtime figure in city politics. “I’m not particularly interested in living in a high-density area. So I’m supposed to now go, ‘Oh, fine, let’s turn it into a bunch of dormitories’? That’s not what I bought into.”
This vision of city planning, or versions of it, has been in power for decades, and locals can count on one hand the number of renters who’ve served on the nine-member council in modern history.
7,700-plus signatures collected
When Bedrooms organizers met with the city months ago, they were told that to qualify for the ballot, they’d need to hand in about 4,000 petition signatures by Aug. 5. They were barred from collecting those signatures electronically, so they bought hand sanitizer by the gallon and pens by the hundreds, masked up and set out.
As controversial as their proposed change is, and despite the coronavirus hurdle, they collected more than 7,700 signatures.
Said campaign co-lead Chelsea Castellano, “We had people who we were telling them for the first time about this law. There were people who wouldn’t even believe us that this law existed. There were people where we were telling them they were living over-occupied, and they didn’t know that. Then there were people who lived here a long time, who remembered having to deal with this issue when they were younger.”
The measure was headed for certification until City Attorney Tom Carr determined in June that the Aug. 5 deadline was wrong, based on what the Daily Camera described as Carr’s “evolved understanding of how municipal charter and state law interact” in this case. Bedrooms was given a new signature deadline of June 5 — already past — and a new threshold requiring about 8,000 signatures — twice the original requirement.
Carr’s staff, by its own admission, did not change its tune on its own. It was informed largely by Pomerance, who began contacting Carr’s office about its interpretation in early spring. That the city could be made to reverse its position on something so basic in the democratic process, Pomerance said last week, “says that they’re incompetent.”
Carr said at a meeting in July that his office still isn’t convinced that one reading is more correct than the other, but the City Council is sticking with the latest guidance. Carr declined through a spokesperson to comment last week.
Decision put in council’s hands
There was no way that Bedrooms could meet the new threshold in time. It was literally impossible: They weren’t informed of the new rules until after the June 5 deadline, at which point, Budd said, they had only about 3,000 signatures.
The organizers shifted their approach, pinning their hopes on the council recognizing that the city had erred, respecting the demonstrated seriousness of the Bedrooms effort and using its power to place the measure on the ballot. The council majority can refer any measure it wants.
For some on the council, granting the organizers’ request is a no-brainer.
“You’ve got to trust the city when the city tells you something. Otherwise what’s the point?” said Councilman Adam Swetlik. “We didn’t give the right guidance to begin with, and council never took it upon themselves to clear up that guidance along the way.”
Councilwoman Mary Young takes a different view, as does the council majority.
“The 8,000 signatures is not something we can lower, or play with,” she said in an interview. “They didn’t meet the law requirements. If guidelines ruled the world, then we could make up guidelines for all manner of things, and chaos would rule.”
The council may yet, in fact, refer a citizen proposal to the ballot — just not the Bedrooms measure. One proposal it’s considering putting before voters, which suffered from the same flip-flop legal advice Bedrooms got, would allow for direct citizen election of the mayor.
Said Mark McIntyre, a former council candidate and the co-lead of the Our Mayor Our Choice campaign, “It’s unconscionable what they’ve done to Bedrooms. … The current council majority doesn’t like Bedrooms and wants to see it go away, versus doing the right thing, which would be to put it on the ballot.”
Council members who voted against placing Bedrooms say the proposed policy doesn’t belong in the city charter, where it could only be amended via another vote.
“For me, land use and the charter doesn’t work,” said Mayor Sam Weaver in July.
There are some on the council whose voting records indicate they probably wouldn’t vote for this policy no matter what.
Bedrooms sued last week and now hopes a judge will compel the city to do what the council would not.
No one seems happy that it’s come to this. The council members are all named as defendants on the lawsuit. And Bedrooms, despite accomplishing what the city originally asked of it, may miss a prime opportunity to put a transformative proposal to voters in a year that could easily set turnout records.
“It’s extremely disappointing that we have to fund a legal battle against our own elected representatives to ensure our constitutional right to direct democracy,” said Castellano, the campaign co-lead. “We don’t want to be doing this, but this is our only option.”


thedenverpost--2020-08-10--The Rockies are 11-4. Here’s how past Colorado teams fared with at least 10 wins through the season’

The Rockies are 11-4. Here’s how past Colorado teams fared with at least 10 wins through the season’s first 15 games.

The Rockies are off to one the hottest starts in team history after winning 11 of their first 15 games in the 2020 season .
It ’ s the sixth time in the franchise has won at least 10 games at this point .
So does a fast start make for a good season ?
Here ’ s a look at how the other five teams fared : 1995 ( 11-4 ) : In just their third year of existence , Colorado burst out of the gate .
The offense was on fire , averaging 7.3 runs over that span @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in seven of those games .
After 60 games , the Rockies were 32-28 and held a 1/2-game lead over the Dodgers for the National League West lead .
The Rockies would finish the year with 77-67 record and earned their first postseason berth , losing to the Braves in the divisional series .
1997 ( 10-5 ) : Another season in the ’ 90s and another big offensive output .
Colorado averaged 7.5 runs through 15 games , including a 15-run spree against the Expos in Montreal .
Through 60 games , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the West and 1.5 games behind the Giants .
By the end of the year , the Rockies ( 83-79 ) drifted down to third place behind San Francisco and Los Angeles .
2011 ( 12-3 ) : The best start in team history , Colorado held a commanding four-game lead over the Giants for the division lead .
However the team won just 16 of its next 45 games to fall to 28-32 into third place by the 60-game mark .
The Rockies ended the year in fourth place in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ games behind the Diamondbacks .
2013 ( 11-4 ) : In Walt Weiss ’ first year as manager , the Rockies jumped out to a quick start .
They were solid by the 60-game mark , sitting in second place with a 32-28 record .
The wheels came off in the second half of the season .
After achieving a 41-41 record after 82 games , they went just 33-47 the rest of the way and fell down to the bottom of the division .
2017 ( 10-5 ) : In Bud Black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Colorado responded well to its new skipper .
The Rockies built upon their strong start and jumped out to a 37-23 record by the 60th game .
They finished the year in third place in the NL West with an 87-75 mark , but landed a postseason spot .
Colorado would lose to Arizona in the wild card game .
The 2020 Rockies still have 45 games but with an expanded 16-team playoff format this year , their chances at postseason play — and potential success — is greatly improved .
Oddsmakers think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s odds to win the World Series to 40-to-1 ( tied for 17th ) from the season-opening 100/1 odds .
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The Rockies are off to one the hottest starts in team history after winning 11 of their first 15 games in the 2020 season. It’s the sixth time in the franchise has won at least 10 games at this point.
So does a fast start make for a good season? Here’s a look at how the other five teams fared:
1995 (11-4): In just their third year of existence, Colorado burst out of the gate. The offense was on fire, averaging 7.3 runs over that span and driving in at least 10 runs in seven of those games. After 60 games, the Rockies were 32-28 and held a 1/2-game lead over the Dodgers for the National League West lead. The Rockies would finish the year with 77-67 record and earned their first postseason berth, losing to the Braves in the divisional series.
1997 (10-5): Another season in the ’90s and another big offensive output. Colorado averaged 7.5 runs through 15 games, including a 15-run spree against the Expos in Montreal. Through 60 games, they were 33-27 and in second place in the West and 1.5 games behind the Giants. By the end of the year, the Rockies (83-79) drifted down to third place behind San Francisco and Los Angeles.
2011 (12-3): The best start in team history, Colorado held a commanding four-game lead over the Giants for the division lead. However the team won just 16 of its next 45 games to fall to 28-32 into third place by the 60-game mark. The Rockies ended the year in fourth place in the West with a 73-89 record and 21 games behind the Diamondbacks.
2013 (11-4): In Walt Weiss’ first year as manager, the Rockies jumped out to a quick start. They were solid by the 60-game mark, sitting in second place with a 32-28 record. The wheels came off in the second half of the season. After achieving a 41-41 record after 82 games, they went just 33-47 the rest of the way and fell down to the bottom of the division.
2017 (10-5): In Bud Black’s first year as manager, Colorado responded well to its new skipper. The Rockies built upon their strong start and jumped out to a 37-23 record by the 60th game. They finished the year in third place in the NL West with an 87-75 mark, but landed a postseason spot. Colorado would lose to Arizona in the wild card game.
The 2020 Rockies still have 45 games but with an expanded 16-team playoff format this year, their chances at postseason play — and potential success — is greatly improved. Oddsmakers think so, too. BetMGM improved Colorado’s odds to win the World Series to 40-to-1 (tied for 17th) from the season-opening 100/1 odds.
— Joe Nguyen, The Denver Post
If you enjoy the Denver Sports Omelette, tell a friend it’s easy to sign up here for our daily sports roundup
Sports are back. Never miss a story.
Subscribe to The Denver Post.
Get started for 99¢.
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Ask The Experts
+ Broncos Mailbag: Have a question about the team? Ask Ryan O’Halloran here.
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