thehuffingtonpost--2020-09-06--This Governor’s Race Gives Bernie Sanders’ Movement One More Shot At A Big Win

Volinsky and Feltes Campaigns/Facebook Andru Volinsky ( left ) , an attorney and education activist , is running to the left of state Senate Majority Leader Dan Feltes ( right ) , in New Hampshire 's Democratic gubernatorial primary .
But New Hampshire ’ s Democratic primary for governor on Tuesday is one of the last chances this year for an activist in the mold of independent Sen. Bernie Sanders of neighboring Vermont to nab a win .
“ My vision for New Hampshire is one where children can have a quality education no matter where they live , where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ homes because they can not pay their property taxes , where we can build affordable housing and we can welcome young families and working families and a vision that allows small businesses to create jobs and grow broadly across the state , ” Volinsky told HuffPost .
Feltes , a former legal aid attorney , believes he is best equipped to take on Sununu thanks to the battles he has waged against the governor as a leader in the state legislature .
Sununu has vetoed a number of progressive bills passed by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the minimum wage to $ 12 by 2023 and provide paid family and medical leave .
“ We need to get out of this mess in a way that works for working people and working families , not just corporate special interests and those at the top , ” Feltes , who has emphasized his working-class upbringing in campaign material , told HuffPost .
“ That ’ s who Chris Sununu has looked out for .
My entire life has been much different.
” Volinsky , who is also endorsed by the youth-led @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , has sought to distinguish himself from Feltes by highlighting what he says are three key differences .
Volinsky has ruled out accepting corporate political action committee money , opposed plans for a natural gas pipeline that a utility company tried to build , and refused to sign a pledge not to raise broad-based taxes of the kind that New Hampshire currently lacks .
New Hampshire has neither a personal income tax nor a sales tax , forcing it to rely heavily on property taxes to fund public services .
It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ critics consider unsustainable .
He wants to legalize marijuana in the state and tax its sale to fund public education .
“ The No .
1 problem in this state is our over-reliance on the property tax , ” Volinsky said .
“ I ’ m the only candidate talking about it and willing to challenge it.
” The fight for more adequate and equitable school funding is something of a career-long crusade for Volinsky , who was the lead attorney in a 1990s lawsuit that the Claremont school district brought against New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to meet its constitutional obligation to the school district ’ s students .
The state responded by increasing aid to school districts , but deep inequities between property-rich and property-poor districts persist .
In a bid to undercut Volinsky ’ s progressive credentials , Feltes has focused on Volinsky ’ s work as a corporate attorney in recent years .
“ If you ’ re going to go up against corporate-funded Chris Sununu , you ’ d probably rather have a legal aid lawyer than a corporate attorney in that fight , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ charge that he has accepted any funding from corporate PACs or limited liability corporations that Granite State donors use to circumvent individual contribution limits .
He has received the endorsement of the Democratic anti-corruption group End Citizens United and introduced legislation to close the state ’ s LLC loophole .
But before Feltes formally began running for governor , his political action committee did accept a $ 500 contribution from Liberty Utilities , the company whose pipeline he supported building , as well as a host of LLCs .
Regardless of who wins @ @ @ @ @ @ @ liable to have an uphill battle against Sununu , the son of former New Hampshire governor John Sununu .
A University of New Hampshire poll that showed Volinsky with a 2-point lead over Feltes also found that state residents continue to view Sununu positively .
The governor has a net favorability rating of 33 percentage points and soundly trounces both men in a hypothetical matchup , according to the survey .
In New Hampshire , where gubernatorial terms last two years , voters have already signaled their approval of Sununu ’ s performance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2016 , Sununu was reelected to a second term in 2018 .

Andru Volinsky (left), an attorney and education activist, is running to the left of state Senate Majority Leader Dan Feltes (right), in New Hampshire's Democratic gubernatorial primary. Volinsky and Feltes Campaigns/Facebook
In an election cycle filled with competitive Democratic congressional primaries, intraparty gubernatorial races have received less attention.
But New Hampshire’s Democratic primary for governor on Tuesday is one of the last chances this year for an activist in the mold of independent Sen. Bernie Sanders of neighboring Vermont to nab a win.
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Sanders has endorsed Andru Volinsky, an attorney, environmentalist and education activist, in his race against Dan Feltes, New Hampshire’s state Senate majority leader, for the party’s gubernatorial nomination.
The winner of Tuesday’s contest will go on to face Republican Gov. Chris Sununu in November.
“My vision for New Hampshire is one where children can have a quality education no matter where they live, where seniors are not forced out of their homes because they cannot pay their property taxes, where we can build affordable housing and we can welcome young families and working families and a vision that allows small businesses to create jobs and grow broadly across the state,” Volinsky told HuffPost.
Feltes, a former legal aid attorney, believes he is best equipped to take on Sununu thanks to the battles he has waged against the governor as a leader in the state legislature. Sununu has vetoed a number of progressive bills passed by the Democratic-controlled legislature, including proposals to raise the minimum wage to $12 by 2023 and provide paid family and medical leave.
“We need to get out of this mess in a way that works for working people and working families, not just corporate special interests and those at the top,” Feltes, who has emphasized his working-class upbringing in campaign material, told HuffPost. “That’s who Chris Sununu has looked out for. My entire life has been much different.”
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Volinsky, who is also endorsed by the youth-led climate action group, the Sunrise Movement, has sought to distinguish himself from Feltes by highlighting what he says are three key differences. Volinsky has ruled out accepting corporate political action committee money, opposed plans for a natural gas pipeline that a utility company tried to build, and refused to sign a pledge not to raise broad-based taxes of the kind that New Hampshire currently lacks.
New Hampshire has neither a personal income tax nor a sales tax, forcing it to rely heavily on property taxes to fund public services. It’s a situation that Volinsky and other progressive critics consider unsustainable. He wants to legalize marijuana in the state and tax its sale to fund public education.
“The No. 1 problem in this state is our over-reliance on the property tax,” Volinsky said. “I’m the only candidate talking about it and willing to challenge it.”
The fight for more adequate and equitable school funding is something of a career-long crusade for Volinsky, who was the lead attorney in a 1990s lawsuit that the Claremont school district brought against New Hampshire arguing that the state had failed to meet its constitutional obligation to the school district’s students. The state responded by increasing aid to school districts, but deep inequities between property-rich and property-poor districts persist.
In a bid to undercut Volinsky’s progressive credentials, Feltes has focused on Volinsky’s work as a corporate attorney in recent years. “If you’re going to go up against corporate-funded Chris Sununu, you’d probably rather have a legal aid lawyer than a corporate attorney in that fight,” Feltes said.
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Feltes, who also supports legalizing marijuana, prefers to tackle the state’s revenue problems by closing tax loopholes.
He also disputes the charge that he has accepted any funding from corporate PACs or limited liability corporations that Granite State donors use to circumvent individual contribution limits. He has received the endorsement of the Democratic anti-corruption group End Citizens United and introduced legislation to close the state’s LLC loophole.
But before Feltes formally began running for governor, his political action committee did accept a $500 contribution from Liberty Utilities, the company whose pipeline he supported building, as well as a host of LLCs.
Asked about his support for a pipeline, Feltes said, “There is no proposed pipeline.” (Liberty Utilities indeed withdrew its proposal in August.)
Regardless of who wins on Tuesday, the Democratic nominee is liable to have an uphill battle against Sununu, the son of former New Hampshire governor John Sununu.
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A University of New Hampshire poll that showed Volinsky with a 2-point lead over Feltes also found that state residents continue to view Sununu positively. The governor has a net favorability rating of 33 percentage points and soundly trounces both men in a hypothetical matchup, according to the survey.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-09-06--Jacob Blake Speaks Out From Hospital Bed: ‘It Hurts To Breathe. It Hurts To Sleep.'

Jacob Blake said he ’ s experiencing unrelenting pain in a newly released video recorded from the hospital bed where he ’ s recovering after being shot in the back multiple times by a Wisconsin police officer last month .
In the 57-second clip posted to social media Saturday by his attorney , Blake warned his supporters that life can change in an instant .
The 29-year-old remains paralyzed from the waist down after Officer Rusten Sheskey of the Kenosha Police Department shot Blake seven times on Aug. 23 , Blake ’ s father said Friday .
“ Your life @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your legs ― something that you need to move around and move forward in life ― could be taken from you like this , ” Blake said in the video as he snaps his fingers .
Blake said he has staples in his back and stomach , and that he feels “ nothing but pain ” all day long .
“ You do not want to have to deal with this shit , man , ” Blake said in the video , adding : “ It ’ s nothing but pain .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sleep .
It hurts to move from side to side .
It hurts to eat.
” “ Please , I ’ m telling you : Change y ’ all lives out there , ” he continued .
“ We can stick together , make some money , make everything easier for our people out here , man .
Because so much time has been wasted.
” Blake ’ s shooting sparked protests in Kenosha and across cities nationwide , including in Minneapolis , where George Floyd was killed by police in May .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ repeatedly that he couldn ’ t breathe as three officers pinned him to the ground , including one who knelt on his neck .
Bystander video of the Kenosha shooting showed at least two police officers pointing their guns at Blake as he walked around a parked SUV toward the driver ’ s side door .
As Blake opened the door , Sheskey grabbed the back of Blake ’ s shirt and proceeded to shoot him seven times in the back .
Three of Blake ’ s sons ― ages 3 , 5 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back of the SUV when Blake was shot .
In a statement following the shooting , police said officers had been responding to a “ reported domestic incident.
” Some witnesses told The Chicago Sun-Times that Blake had been trying to break up a fight when police approached him .
During a virtual court proceeding on Friday , Blake pleaded not guilty to three criminal charges ― criminal trespass , sexual assault and disorderly conduct ― that were filed in July .
According to a criminal complaint filed by the Kenosha County District @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accused of having broken into his ex-girlfriend ’ s home in Kenosha on May 3 before sexually assaulting her , stealing her car and debit card , and using it to withdraw $ 1,000 in two separate ATM transactions .

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Jacob Blake said he’s experiencing unrelenting pain in a newly released video recorded from the hospital bed where he’s recovering after being shot in the back multiple times by a Wisconsin police officer last month.
In the 57-second clip posted to social media Saturday by his attorney, Blake warned his supporters that life can change in an instant. The 29-year-old remains paralyzed from the waist down after Officer Rusten Sheskey of the Kenosha Police Department shot Blake seven times on Aug. 23, Blake’s father said Friday.
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“Your life and not only just your life, your legs ― something that you need to move around and move forward in life ― could be taken from you like this,” Blake said in the video as he snaps his fingers.
Blake said he has staples in his back and stomach, and that he feels “nothing but pain” all day long.
“You do not want to have to deal with this shit, man,” Blake said in the video, adding: “It’s nothing but pain. It hurts to breathe. It hurts to sleep. It hurts to move from side to side. It hurts to eat.”
“Please, I’m telling you: Change y’all lives out there,” he continued. “We can stick together, make some money, make everything easier for our people out here, man. Because so much time has been wasted.”
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#JacobBlake released this powerful video message from his hospital bed today, reminding everyone just how precious life is. #JusticeForJacobBlake pic.twitter.com/87CYlgPDBj — Ben Crump (@AttorneyCrump) September 6, 2020
Blake’s shooting sparked protests in Kenosha and across cities nationwide, including in Minneapolis, where George Floyd was killed by police in May. Moments before he died, Floyd stated repeatedly that he couldn’t breathe as three officers pinned him to the ground, including one who knelt on his neck.
Bystander video of the Kenosha shooting showed at least two police officers pointing their guns at Blake as he walked around a parked SUV toward the driver’s side door. As Blake opened the door, Sheskey grabbed the back of Blake’s shirt and proceeded to shoot him seven times in the back.
In the video, onlookers can be heard screaming as Sheskey opens fire.
Three of Blake’s sons ― ages 3, 5 and 8 ― were sitting in the back of the SUV when Blake was shot.
In a statement following the shooting, police said officers had been responding to a “reported domestic incident.” Some witnesses told The Chicago Sun-Times that Blake had been trying to break up a fight when police approached him.
During a virtual court proceeding on Friday, Blake pleaded not guilty to three criminal charges ― criminal trespass, sexual assault and disorderly conduct ― that were filed in July.
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According to a criminal complaint filed by the Kenosha County District Attorney’s office, Blake is accused of having broken into his ex-girlfriend’s home in Kenosha on May 3 before sexually assaulting her, stealing her car and debit card, and using it to withdraw $1,000 in two separate ATM transactions.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-09-06--Michigan’s Secretary Of State: We Should Prepare For Election Results To Take Days

Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson ( D ) on Sunday said Americans should prepare for election results to take days to be tabulated this year given the surge in mail-in ballot requests and early voting interest .
Benson , the state ’ s top election official , told NBC ’ s “ Meet the Press ” that full election results for every race in Michigan ― including the presidential election ― will not be available on election night .
When asked if it could take as many as three weeks for election results to be processed , Benson said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take that long .
“ But we should be prepared for this to be closer to an election week , as opposed to an election day , ” Benson said .
She said the delay will be caused in part by the state ’ s legislature so far refusing to make changes that would allow the votes to be processed in a more efficient manner .
For instance , some states can begin tabulating mail-in ballots ahead of the election , but Michigan election officials can ’ t do so until Election Day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re increasing tabulators , ” Benson told NBC .
“ We ’ re increasing capacity to more efficiently and securely count those ballots .
But I ’ m also laser-focused on accuracy .
And if it takes a few extra days to ensure we have a full and accurate counting of the results of every race , that ’ s what it ’ s going to take.
” Michigan saw a record turnout during its primary last month with roughly 2.5 million votes cast .
An unprecedented two-thirds of voters used an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be delayed a day or so .
Though presidential election results are often declared on election night , many election officials and experts have said this likely will not be the case this year .
Joe Lenski , co-founder and executive vice president of Edison Research , a company used by many news outlets to declare election winners , said the tabulation will “ take a much longer period of time ” this November .
“ We ’ re not going to be able to call every race on election night , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re not even going to have votes for every race in some states on election night.
” The increased demand for absentee ballots , driven by the coronavirus pandemic , has Democratic strategists worried that President Donald Trump and other Republicans could declare themselves the winners of their races before the votes are even counted .
Polls suggest that far more Democrats than Republicans are planning to vote by mail , reported The New York Times , prompting concerns that swing states could appear to go red on election night before early @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Benson responded .
“ But to me , that ’ s just going to be another example of the type of misinformation and disinformation that we ’ re seeing multiple ways from multiple platforms and voices in this election cycle .
So we ’ re going to counter that misinformation with truth and accuracy.
” “ This mythical idea that ballots can materialize out of anywhere or that in any way ballots will be counted if they weren ’ t verified as coming from an actual voter is not true , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the truth are on our side here.
” Michigan may not have full election results until the Friday after Election Day , says the secretary of State Jocelyn Benson , as the state prepares for record mail-in voting .
`` Until every vote is counted , we will not be able to say who won any race , '' she said .
pic.twitter.com/i4ygwjt5ba — CNN Newsroom ( @ CNNnewsroom ) September 6 , 2020

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Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson (D) on Sunday said Americans should prepare for election results to take days to be tabulated this year given the surge in mail-in ballot requests and early voting interest.
Benson, the state’s top election official, told NBC’s “Meet the Press” that full election results for every race in Michigan ― including the presidential election ― will not be available on election night.
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When asked if it could take as many as three weeks for election results to be processed, Benson said she doesn’t believe it will take that long.
“But we should be prepared for this to be closer to an election week, as opposed to an election day,” Benson said.
She said the delay will be caused in part by the state’s legislature so far refusing to make changes that would allow the votes to be processed in a more efficient manner. For instance, some states can begin tabulating mail-in ballots ahead of the election, but Michigan election officials can’t do so until Election Day.
“But that said, we’re increasing tabulators,” Benson told NBC. “We’re increasing capacity to more efficiently and securely count those ballots. But I’m also laser-focused on accuracy. And if it takes a few extra days to ensure we have a full and accurate counting of the results of every race, that’s what it’s going to take.”
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Michigan saw a record turnout during its primary last month with roughly 2.5 million votes cast. An unprecedented two-thirds of voters used an absentee ballot, causing some race results to be delayed a day or so.
Though presidential election results are often declared on election night, many election officials and experts have said this likely will not be the case this year.
Joe Lenski, co-founder and executive vice president of Edison Research, a company used by many news outlets to declare election winners, said the tabulation will “take a much longer period of time” this November.
“We’re not going to be able to call every race on election night,” Lenski told Newsy. “We’re not even going to have votes for every race in some states on election night.”
The increased demand for absentee ballots, driven by the coronavirus pandemic, has Democratic strategists worried that President Donald Trump and other Republicans could declare themselves the winners of their races before the votes are even counted. Polls suggest that far more Democrats than Republicans are planning to vote by mail, reported The New York Times, prompting concerns that swing states could appear to go red on election night before early votes are fully counted.
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On Sunday, NBC’s Chuck Todd asked Benson whether she’s concerned people may use the delay in election results in Michigan, a swing state, to “declare a phony winner” on election night.
“Yes,” Benson responded. “But to me, that’s just going to be another example of the type of misinformation and disinformation that we’re seeing multiple ways from multiple platforms and voices in this election cycle. So we’re going to counter that misinformation with truth and accuracy.”
During a subsequent appearance Sunday on CNN’s “State of the Union,” Benson pushed back against mail-in voter fraud claims peddled by Trump and Attorney General Bill Barr, including that foreign adversaries can simply fabricate ballots.
“This mythical idea that ballots can materialize out of anywhere or that in any way ballots will be counted if they weren’t verified as coming from an actual voter is not true,” Benson said. “The facts and the truth are on our side here.”
Michigan may not have full election results until the Friday after Election Day, says the secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, as the state prepares for record mail-in voting.
"Until every vote is counted, we will not be able to say who won any race," she said. pic.twitter.com/i4ygwjt5ba — CNN Newsroom (@CNNnewsroom) September 6, 2020


thehuffingtonpost--2020-09-06--Federal Judge Blocks Trump Administration's Move To Cut Off Census Count

U.S. District Judge Lucy Koh in the Northern District of California issued the order in response to a challenge by a coalition of civil rights , local government and Native American groups , which filed an emergency request as part of a federal lawsuit .
Koh ruled that the order is needed because the challengers are likely to suffer “ irreparable harm ” from a truncated census count .
The census results are used to determine the distribution of political representation and federal funding among states and local communities for the next decade .
“ Because the decennial census is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would not be remedied for another decade , which would affect the distribution of federal and state funding , the deployment of services , and the allocation of local resources for a decade , ” the judge wrote .
The order is expected to remain in effect until a court hearing on Sept. 17 when the coalition will argue for census counting to continue through the end of October , as the Census Bureau initially planned , NPR reported Saturday .
“ To cease census operations earlier than set out in the Bureau @ @ @ @ @ @ @ full awareness that tribal nations , the most undercounted population in the 2010 census , are also the most impacted coronavirus demographic , is a breach of the governmental relationship that exists between the federal government and tribal nations , ” said a statement earlier this week by Stephen Roe Lewis , the governor of the Gila River Indian Community in Arizona .
“ This federal government would knowingly be ensuring that much-needed tribal programs would be significantly cut because of the conditions created by the pandemic and the interruption of census operations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bureau originally had planned to extend the count through October to make up for delays caused by COVID-19 .
After publicly supporting the timeline extension , the Trump administration in August suddenly moved up the date to the end of September .
“ Today ’ s ruling buys the census some precious and indispensable time by barring the administration from shutting down the count while the federal courts are still considering our request for relief , ” Thomas Wolf , a senior counsel at the Brennan Center for Justice who is helping to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement .

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U.S. District Judge Lucy Koh in the Northern District of California issued the order in response to a challenge by a coalition of civil rights, local government and Native American groups, which filed an emergency request as part of a federal lawsuit.
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Koh ruled that the order is needed because the challengers are likely to suffer “irreparable harm” from a truncated census count. The census results are used to determine the distribution of political representation and federal funding among states and local communities for the next decade.
“Because the decennial census is at issue here, an inaccurate count would not be remedied for another decade, which would affect the distribution of federal and state funding, the deployment of services, and the allocation of local resources for a decade,” the judge wrote.
The order is expected to remain in effect until a court hearing on Sept. 17 when the coalition will argue for census counting to continue through the end of October, as the Census Bureau initially planned, NPR reported Saturday.
“To cease census operations earlier than set out in the Bureau’s own COVID-19 census plan with full awareness that tribal nations, the most undercounted population in the 2010 census, are also the most impacted coronavirus demographic, is a breach of the governmental relationship that exists between the federal government and tribal nations,” said a statement earlier this week by Stephen Roe Lewis, the governor of the Gila River Indian Community in Arizona.
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“This federal government would knowingly be ensuring that much-needed tribal programs would be significantly cut because of the conditions created by the pandemic and the interruption of census operations,” he added.
The Census Bureau originally had planned to extend the count through October to make up for delays caused by COVID-19. After publicly supporting the timeline extension, the Trump administration in August suddenly moved up the date to the end of September.
“Today’s ruling buys the census some precious and indispensable time by barring the administration from shutting down the count while the federal courts are still considering our request for relief,” Thomas Wolf, a senior counsel at the Brennan Center for Justice who is helping to represent the plaintiffs, said in a statement.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-09-05--Fox News Reporter Snaps Back As Trump Demands Her Firing For Confirming War Dead Story

A Fox News reporter staunchly defended her work Saturday after President Donald Trump demanded she be fired for confirming parts of The Atlantic ’ s bombshell story revealing the president ’ s insults about military service members .
“ I can tell you that my sources are unimpeachable , ” Fox News ’ national security correspondent Jennifer Griffin said on-air ( in the video above ) .
“ I feel very confident with what we have reported at Fox.
” She didn ’ t confirm “ every line ” of the report , but did confirm “ most of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ article ... so I feel very confident in my reporting , ” Griffin said .
She also discovered as part of her reporting that Trump had once said that including “ wounded guys ” would not be a “ good look ” at a Fourth of July parade honoring the military , according to a source .
The Atlantic article cited multiple accounts of shocking incidents when Trump denigrated military service members , including referring to fallen war heroes as “ losers ” and “ suckers.
” It also revealed details of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ graves of America ’ s war dead at Aisne-Marne Cemetery while he was in France in 2018 .
Trump has denied everything .
Griffin said she wasn ’ t able to confirm the “ suckers ” and “ losers ” portion of the Atlantic report about dead military heroes .
But a source did confirm that Trump once said that anyone who served in the Vietnam War was a “ sucker.
” While reporters at other news operations confirmed the Atlantic report , Trump singled out Griffin because a hit from Fox News @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president , is particularly damaging for him .
Trump cited a Breitbart article pointing out that Griffin had failed to confirm the “ most salacious ” ( “ suckers ” and “ losers ” ) details of the Atlantic story , written by editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg , whom Trump called a “ slimeball.
” The president also declared that Fox News was “ gone.
” Jennifer Griffin of Fox News Did Not Confirm ‘ Most Salacious ‘ Part of Atlantic Story https : //t.co/rUpbSWhHac via @ BreitbartNews All refuted by many witnesses .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ kind of reporting .
Never even called us for comment .
@ FoxNews is gone !
— Donald J. Trump ( @ realDonaldTrump ) September 5 , 2020 Fox News was confused about where it stood on the story Friday .
News hosts bashed the story before it was confirmed ( by Griffin ) , then it was bashed again , then reconfirmed .
News hosts also attacked the use of anonymous sources by The Atlantic , but then used anonymous sources to attack — and confirm — the story .
At least @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a Republican congressman — supported her after the president ’ s tweet and after being bashed by Fox contributor Mollie Hemingway for using anonymous sources .
I 'll forever stand by @ JenGriffinFNC .
Very accomplished journalist and distinguished colleague , who is always very careful with reporting stories like this .
Also stand by our fine polling unit , which the president has targeted numerous times .
These attacks are unwarranted .
https : //t.co/OuoNiemrpF — Rocco Aloe ( @ Rocco_FNC ) September 5 , 2020 Twitter critics are calling on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Defense Secretary James Mattis and ex-White House chief of staff John Kelly — to speak out about the Atlantic article .
I want to our cemeteries as supreme Allied Commander of NATO sacred shrines to those who have given everything .
The phrase : “ shocking if true ” is getting worn out .
Lack of denial from my friends Generals Kelly and Mattis suggest the shock is well placed .
https : //t.co/WaYJNejOQd — stavridisj ( @ stavridisj ) September 4 , 2020

A Fox News reporter staunchly defended her work Saturday after President Donald Trump demanded she be fired for confirming parts of The Atlantic’s bombshell story revealing the president’s insults about military service members.
“I can tell you that my sources are unimpeachable,” Fox News’ national security correspondent Jennifer Griffin said on-air (in the video above). “I feel very confident with what we have reported at Fox.”
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She didn’t confirm “every line” of the report, but did confirm “most of the descriptions and the quotes in that Atlantic article ... so I feel very confident in my reporting,” Griffin said. She also discovered as part of her reporting that Trump had once said that including “wounded guys” would not be a “good look” at a Fourth of July parade honoring the military, according to a source.
The Atlantic article cited multiple accounts of shocking incidents when Trump denigrated military service members, including referring to fallen war heroes as “losers” and “suckers.” It also revealed details of the president’s refusal to visit the graves of America’s war dead at Aisne-Marne Cemetery while he was in France in 2018. Trump has denied everything.
Griffin said she wasn’t able to confirm the “suckers” and “losers” portion of the Atlantic report about dead military heroes. But a source did confirm that Trump once said that anyone who served in the Vietnam War was a “sucker.”
While reporters at other news operations confirmed the Atlantic report, Trump singled out Griffin because a hit from Fox News, which is usually supportive of the president, is particularly damaging for him.
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Trump cited a Breitbart article pointing out that Griffin had failed to confirm the “most salacious” (“suckers” and “losers”) details of the Atlantic story, written by editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg, whom Trump called a “slimeball.” The president also declared that Fox News was “gone.”
Jennifer Griffin of Fox News Did Not Confirm ‘Most Salacious‘ Part of Atlantic Story https://t.co/rUpbSWhHac via @BreitbartNews All refuted by many witnesses. Jennifer Griffin should be fired for this kind of reporting. Never even called us for comment. @FoxNews is gone! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 5, 2020
Fox News was confused about where it stood on the story Friday. News hosts bashed the story before it was confirmed (by Griffin), then it was bashed again, then reconfirmed. News hosts also attacked the use of anonymous sources by The Atlantic, but then used anonymous sources to attack — and confirm — the story.
At least seven of Griffin’s colleagues — and a Republican congressman — supported her after the president’s tweet and after being bashed by Fox contributor Mollie Hemingway for using anonymous sources.
Jennifer @JenGriffinFNC is a great reporter and a total class act. https://t.co/se0k6I2oLa — Bret Baier (@BretBaier) September 5, 2020
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Jennifer Griffin is the kind of reporter we all strive to be like. She’s courageous, smart, ethical, fair and a class act. She’s earned the trust of viewers throughout a distinguished career and is credibile. https://t.co/yVkXMFqXPx — Bryan Llenas (@BryanLlenas) September 5, 2020
I'll forever stand by @JenGriffinFNC. Very accomplished journalist and distinguished colleague, who is always very careful with reporting stories like this. Also stand by our fine polling unit, which the president has targeted numerous times. These attacks are unwarranted. https://t.co/OuoNiemrpF — Rocco Aloe (@Rocco_FNC) September 5, 2020
Illinois GOP Rep. Adam Kinzinger also spoke up for Griffin on Saturday, calling her “fair and unafraid.”
She’s one of my favorite reporters. Fair and unafraid. https://t.co/dfieE7HqL4 — Adam Kinzinger (@RepKinzinger) September 5, 2020
Twitter critics are calling on two retired Marine Corps generals — former Defense Secretary James Mattis and ex-White House chief of staff John Kelly — to speak out about the Atlantic article.
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Former NATO supreme commander and Navy Admiral James Stavridis tweeted Friday that the men’s “lack of denial” speaks volumes.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-09-07--California Wildfire Started During A Gender Reveal Party, Officials Say

The El Dorado Fire east of Los Angeles that has burned more than 7,000 acres was started by a smoke-generating pyrotechnic device used at a gender reveal party on Saturday morning , according to fire officials .
Law enforcement determined the fire was started by the device ― often used to generate pink or blue smoke to indicate the gender of an expected baby ― just after 10:20 a.m. in the El Dorado Ranch Park in Yucaipa , the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said in a news release .
The wildfire then spread to the north , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than 3,000 residents .
More than 600 firefighters battled the blaze , which remained at 5 percent containment on Sunday night amid extreme weather conditions .
No injuries were reported .
“ CAL Fire reminds the public that with the dry conditions and critical fire weather , it doesn ’ t take much to start a wildfire , ” the news release said .
“ Those responsible for starting fires due to negligence or illegal activity can be held financially and criminally responsible.
” The fire at Yucaipa was one of 22 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ California Gov .
Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in five counties on Sunday , including in San Bernardino County due to the El Dorado blaze .
A wildfire burns at a hillside in Yucaipa , Calif. , Saturday , Sept. 5 , 2020 .
A brutal heat wave pushed temperatures above 100 degrees in many parts of California over the weekend .
It ’ s not the first time a gender-reveal stunt has set off a major wildfire .
In April 2017 , an Arizona man revealing the gender of his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ massive blaze in his state that caused more than $ 8 million worth of damage as it burned across 45,000 acres .
He pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor violation of U.S. Forest Service regulations and was ultimately given five years ’ probation and ordered to pay $ 220,000 in restitution .

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The El Dorado Fire east of Los Angeles that has burned more than 7,000 acres was started by a smoke-generating pyrotechnic device used at a gender reveal party on Saturday morning, according to fire officials.
Law enforcement determined the fire was started by the device ― often used to generate pink or blue smoke to indicate the gender of an expected baby ― just after 10:20 a.m. in the El Dorado Ranch Park in Yucaipa, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said in a news release.
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The wildfire then spread to the north, and has since prompted the evacuation of more than 3,000 residents. More than 600 firefighters battled the blaze, which remained at 5 percent containment on Sunday night amid extreme weather conditions. No injuries were reported.
“CAL Fire reminds the public that with the dry conditions and critical fire weather, it doesn’t take much to start a wildfire,” the news release said. “Those responsible for starting fires due to negligence or illegal activity can be held financially and criminally responsible.”
The fire at Yucaipa was one of 22 major fires burning in the state. California Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in five counties on Sunday, including in San Bernardino County due to the El Dorado blaze.
A wildfire burns at a hillside in Yucaipa, Calif., Saturday, Sept. 5, 2020. A brutal heat wave pushed temperatures above 100 degrees in many parts of California over the weekend. ASSOCIATED PRESS / Ringo H.W. Chiu
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It’s not the first time a gender-reveal stunt has set off a major wildfire. In April 2017, an Arizona man revealing the gender of his baby with an explosive substance ignited a massive blaze in his state that caused more than $8 million worth of damage as it burned across 45,000 acres.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-09-06--Hall Of Fame Outfielder, Cardinals Icon Lou Brock Dies At 81

“ Lou Brock was one of the most revered members of the St. Louis Cardinals organization and one of the very best to ever wear the Birds on the Bat , ” Cardinals chairman Bill DeWitt Jr. said in a release .
Along with starter Bob Gibson and center fielder Curt Flood , Brock was an anchor for St. Louis as its combination of speed , defense and pitching made it a top team in the ’ 60s and a symbol of the National League ’ s more aggressive style at the time in comparison to the American League .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ remember most about Lou , ” former Cardinals teammate Ted Simmons said in a statement .
“ First was his vibrant smile .
Whenever you were in a room with Lou , you couldn ’ t miss it — the biggest , brightest , most vibrant smile on earth .
The other was that he was surely hurt numerous times , but never once in my life did I know he was playing hurt.
” The Cards were World Series champions in 1964 and 1967 and lost to the Detroit Tigers in seven @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warned to keep Brock off base , especially in the low-scoring years of 1967-68 when a single run often could win a game .
But the speedy left fielder with the popup slide was a consistent base-stealing champion and run producer .
Brock was even better in postseason play , batting .391 with four homers , 16 RBIs and 14 steals in 21 World Series games .
He had a record-tying 13 hits in the 1968 World Series , and in Game 4 homered , tripled and doubled as the Cardinals trounced Detroit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He was so synonymous with base stealing that in 1978 he became the first major leaguer to have an award named for him while still active — the Lou Brock Award , for the National League ’ s leader in steals .
For Brock , base stealing was an art form and a kind of warfare .
He was among the first players to study films of opposing pitchers and , once on base , relied on skill and psychology .
In his 1976 memoir “ Lou Brock : Stealing is My Game @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Take a “ modest lead ” and “ stand perfectly still.
” The pitcher was obligated to move , if only “ to deliver the pitch.
” “ Furthermore , he has two things on his mind : the batter and me , ” Brock wrote .
“ I have only one thing in mind — to steal off him .
The very business of disconcerting him is marvelously complex.
” Brock closed out his career in 1979 by batting .304 , making his sixth All-Star Game appearance and winning the Comeback Player @ @ @ @ @ @ @ retired his uniform number , 20 , and he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1985 in his first year of eligibility .
The soft-spoken Brock was determined no matter the score and sometimes angered opponents and teammates by stealing even when the Cards were far ahead .
He also made two damaging mistakes that helped cost St. Louis the ’ 68 World Series .
After his playing career was over , Brock worked as a florist and a commentator for ABC ’ s “ Monday Night Baseball ” and was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ training .
He served as a part-time instructor while remaining an autograph favorite for fans , some of them wearing Brock-a-brellas , a hat with an umbrella top that he designed .
Brock had been a nominal churchgoer since childhood , but his faith deepened after enduring personal struggles in the 1980s and he and his third wife , Jacky , became ordained ministers serving at Abundant Life Fellowship Church in St. Louis .
He would speak of having “ a “ Holy Ghost-Filled Alarm Clock ” whenever tempted to resume his previous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s not going away ; it ’ s going to be around you for a long time .
But you ’ ll find it has no room to enter , ” he once told The Christian Broadcasting Network .
The seventh of nine children , Lou Brock Sr. was born in El Dorado , Arkansas , and grew up in a four-bedroom shack in rural Collinston , Louisiana .
His introduction to baseball came by accident .
Brock had spat on a teacher and for punishment had to write a book report about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ life beyond Collinston .
A star athlete in high school , he was accepted into Southern University on a work-study scholarship , nearly failed , but remained with the college when a baseball tryout led to an athletic scholarship .
Brock signed with the Cubs as an amateur free agent in 1960 , made his major league debut late in the following season and was in the starting lineup by 1962 .
After batting just .251 with Chicago at the time he was traded in 1964 , Brock hit .348 with 33 steals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ St. Louis overtake Philadelphia and win the pennant .
Meanwhile , Broglio was finished by 1966 .
He was an 18-game winner in 1963 but , as the Cubs would discover , had ongoing arm problems and never reached double digits in victories again .
” ( Broadcaster ) Brent Musburger was just out of college when the trade was made , ” Brock told MiLB.com in 2010 .
“ They sent him in to do the story .
It was his first assignment .
The content of the interview led to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pull off greatest steal since the Brink ’ s Robbery .
’

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NEW YORK (AP) — Hall of Famer Lou Brock, one of baseball’s signature leadoff hitters and base stealers who helped the St. Louis Cardinals win three pennants and two World Series titles in the 1960s, has died. He was 81.
Dick Zitzmann, Brock’s longtime agent and friend, confirmed Brock’s death on Sunday, but he said he couldn’t provide any details. The Cardinals and Cubs also observed a moment of silence in the outfielder’s memory before their game at Wrigley Field.
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Brock lost a leg from diabetes in recent years and was diagnosed with cancer in 2017.
“Lou Brock was one of the most revered members of the St. Louis Cardinals organization and one of the very best to ever wear the Birds on the Bat,” Cardinals chairman Bill DeWitt Jr. said in a release.
“He will be deeply missed and forever remembered.”
Former St. Louis Cardinals great and Hall of Famer Lou Brock in 2008. ASSOCIATED PRESS
The man later nicknamed the Running Redbird and the Base Burglar arrived in St. Louis in June 1964, swapped from the Cubs for pitcher Ernie Broglio in what became one of baseball’s most lopsided trades.
Brock stole 938 bases in his career, including 118 in 1974 — both of those were big league records until they were broken by Rickey Henderson.
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“Lou was an outstanding representative of our national pastime and he will be deeply missed,” baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred said in a release.
Brock’s death came after Hall of Fame pitcher Tom Seaver died Monday. Brock and Seaver faced each other 157 times, the most prolific matchup for both of them in their careers.
Along with starter Bob Gibson and center fielder Curt Flood, Brock was an anchor for St. Louis as its combination of speed, defense and pitching made it a top team in the ’60s and a symbol of the National League’s more aggressive style at the time in comparison to the American League.
“There are two things I will remember most about Lou,” former Cardinals teammate Ted Simmons said in a statement. “First was his vibrant smile. Whenever you were in a room with Lou, you couldn’t miss it — the biggest, brightest, most vibrant smile on earth. The other was that he was surely hurt numerous times, but never once in my life did I know he was playing hurt.”
The Cards were World Series champions in 1964 and 1967 and lost to the Detroit Tigers in seven games in 1968. Opposing teams were warned to keep Brock off base, especially in the low-scoring years of 1967-68 when a single run often could win a game. But the speedy left fielder with the popup slide was a consistent base-stealing champion and run producer.
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A lifetime .293 hitter, he led the league in steals eight times, scored 100 or more runs seven times and amassed 3,023 hits.
Brock was even better in postseason play, batting .391 with four homers, 16 RBIs and 14 steals in 21 World Series games. He had a record-tying 13 hits in the 1968 World Series, and in Game 4 homered, tripled and doubled as the Cardinals trounced Detroit and 31-game winner Denny McLain 10-1.
Brock never played in another World Series after 1968, but remained a star for much of the last 11 years of his career.
He was so synonymous with base stealing that in 1978 he became the first major leaguer to have an award named for him while still active — the Lou Brock Award, for the National League’s leader in steals. For Brock, base stealing was an art form and a kind of warfare. He was among the first players to study films of opposing pitchers and, once on base, relied on skill and psychology.
In his 1976 memoir “Lou Brock: Stealing is My Game,” he explained his success. Take a “modest lead” and “stand perfectly still.” The pitcher was obligated to move, if only “to deliver the pitch.” “Furthermore, he has two things on his mind: the batter and me,” Brock wrote. “I have only one thing in mind — to steal off him. The very business of disconcerting him is marvelously complex.”
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Brock closed out his career in 1979 by batting .304, making his sixth All-Star Game appearance and winning the Comeback Player of the Year award. The team retired his uniform number, 20, and he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1985 in his first year of eligibility.
The soft-spoken Brock was determined no matter the score and sometimes angered opponents and teammates by stealing even when the Cards were far ahead. He also made two damaging mistakes that helped cost St. Louis the ’68 World Series.
After his playing career was over, Brock worked as a florist and a commentator for ABC’s “Monday Night Baseball” and was a regular for the Cards at spring training. He served as a part-time instructor while remaining an autograph favorite for fans, some of them wearing Brock-a-brellas, a hat with an umbrella top that he designed.
Brock had been a nominal churchgoer since childhood, but his faith deepened after enduring personal struggles in the 1980s and he and his third wife, Jacky, became ordained ministers serving at Abundant Life Fellowship Church in St. Louis. He would speak of having “a “Holy Ghost-Filled Alarm Clock” whenever tempted to resume his previous ways.
“Your old lifestyle’s not going away; it’s going to be around you for a long time. But you’ll find it has no room to enter,” he once told The Christian Broadcasting Network.
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Brock was married three times and had three children, among them Lou Brock Jr., a former NFL cornerback and safety.
The seventh of nine children, Lou Brock Sr. was born in El Dorado, Arkansas, and grew up in a four-bedroom shack in rural Collinston, Louisiana. His introduction to baseball came by accident. Brock had spat on a teacher and for punishment had to write a book report about baseball, presumably to teach him about life beyond Collinston.
A star athlete in high school, he was accepted into Southern University on a work-study scholarship, nearly failed, but remained with the college when a baseball tryout led to an athletic scholarship. Brock signed with the Cubs as an amateur free agent in 1960, made his major league debut late in the following season and was in the starting lineup by 1962.
After batting just .251 with Chicago at the time he was traded in 1964, Brock hit .348 with 33 steals the rest of the way, helping St. Louis overtake Philadelphia and win the pennant. Meanwhile, Broglio was finished by 1966. He was an 18-game winner in 1963 but, as the Cubs would discover, had ongoing arm problems and never reached double digits in victories again.
”(Broadcaster) Brent Musburger was just out of college when the trade was made,” Brock told MiLB.com in 2010. “They sent him in to do the story. It was his first assignment. The content of the interview led to a headline in the paper, ‘Cubs pull off greatest steal since the Brink’s Robbery.’
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“So every time I see Brent, that’s our connection. He wrote that, so every time I see him I say, “You still think that was the greatest steal since the Brink’s Robbery?’”
___


thehuffingtonpost--2020-09-06--Novak Djokovic Out Of US Open After Hitting Line Judge With Tennis Ball

ASSOCIATED PRESS Novak Djokovic , of Serbia , reacts after inadvertently hitting a line judge with a ball after hitting it in reaction to losing a point during the fourth round of the US Open tennis championships on Sunday .
NEW YORK ( AP ) — Top-seeded Novak Djokovic was defaulted from his fourth-round match at the U.S. Open after he accidentally hit a line judge with a tennis ball Sunday .
It was a stunning end to Djokovic ’ s bid for an 18th Grand Slam title and his 26-0 start to this season .
Djokovic had just lost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Carreno Busta , to fall behind 6-5 in the first set .
Djokovic checks a the linesman after hitting her with a ball in reaction to losing a point to Pablo Carreno Busta .
As he walked to the sideline for the changeover , Djokovic smacked a ball behind him .
The ball hit a female line judge , who dropped to her knees at the back of the court and reached for her neck .
After a discussion of several minutes with officials on court , including tournament referee Soeren Friemel , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Carreno Busta .
Chair umpire Aurelie Tourte then announced the default .
It seemed clear Djokovic did not intend to hit the line judge ; there was concern written on his face as soon as he realized what happened .
But players who hit a ball out of anger and make contact with an on-court official have been defaulted in the past .
Djokovic ’ s mood had soured over the preceding few minutes .
In the prior game , he wasted three consecutive break points and after the last , which Carreno @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Djokovic whacked a ball off a courtside advertising sign .
Then , on the second point of what would become the last game at this year ’ s U.S. Open for Djokovic , he stumbled while chasing a shot and fell to the ground , clutching his left shoulder .
On the second point after they resumed , Carreno Busta hit a passing winner to break Djokovic ’ s serve .
That ’ s when Djokovic got himself into trouble .
His departure means there is no man remaining in the field who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ title .
Whoever emerges as champion will be the first first-time major trophy winner in men ’ s tennis since 2014 , when Marin Cilic won the U.S. Open .

Novak Djokovic, of Serbia, reacts after inadvertently hitting a line judge with a ball after hitting it in reaction to losing a point during the fourth round of the US Open tennis championships on Sunday. ASSOCIATED PRESS
NEW YORK (AP) — Top-seeded Novak Djokovic was defaulted from his fourth-round match at the U.S. Open after he accidentally hit a line judge with a tennis ball Sunday.
It was a stunning end to Djokovic’s bid for an 18th Grand Slam title and his 26-0 start to this season.
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Djokovic had just lost a game to his opponent, Pablo Carreno Busta, to fall behind 6-5 in the first set.
Djokovic checks a the linesman after hitting her with a ball in reaction to losing a point to Pablo Carreno Busta. ASSOCIATED PRESS
As he walked to the sideline for the changeover, Djokovic smacked a ball behind him. The ball hit a female line judge, who dropped to her knees at the back of the court and reached for her neck.
After a discussion of several minutes with officials on court, including tournament referee Soeren Friemel, Djokovic walked over to shake hands with Carreno Busta. Chair umpire Aurelie Tourte then announced the default.
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It seemed clear Djokovic did not intend to hit the line judge; there was concern written on his face as soon as he realized what happened. But players who hit a ball out of anger and make contact with an on-court official have been defaulted in the past.
Djokovic’s mood had soured over the preceding few minutes. In the prior game, he wasted three consecutive break points and after the last, which Carreno Busta won with a drop shot, Djokovic whacked a ball off a courtside advertising sign.
Djokovic shakes hands with Pablo Carreno Busta after defaulting the match. ASSOCIATED PRESS
Then, on the second point of what would become the last game at this year’s U.S. Open for Djokovic, he stumbled while chasing a shot and fell to the ground, clutching his left shoulder.
Play was delayed for a few minutes while a trainer checked that shoulder.
On the second point after they resumed, Carreno Busta hit a passing winner to break Djokovic’s serve. That’s when Djokovic got himself into trouble.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-09-07--Trump Wishes Americans 'Happy Labor Day' With Angry Words, Calls Biden 'Stupid'

MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images President Donald Trump speaks during a Labor Day press conference at the White House on Sept. 7 .
With Americans across the country celebrating yet another holiday amid the coronavirus pandemic , President Donald Trump held a Labor Day press conference to pitch his reelection talking points and declare that things aren ’ t , in his view , all that bad .
“ We have a lot to be thankful for , including this really beautiful day , ” said Trump , speaking from the steps of the White House ’ s north portico @ @ @ @ @ @ @ earlier on Monday with unnamed Americans who are “ very happy with the way things are going.
” From the outset , Trump ’ s remarks were blatantly political and meandered as wildly and conspiratorially as his Twitter feed .
He was at various times uselessly vague , sharply vindictive and absurdly self-aggrandizing .
He called former vice president and Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden “ stupid.
” On the question of when a coronavirus vaccine may be developed and distributed , Trump said Americans “ could have a very big surprise coming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ask if the president ’ s recent suggestions that a vaccine might ready in October are politically motivated , Trump interrupted to say the vaccine would arrive “ very soon.
” He added , “ Maybe even before a very special date .
You know what date I ’ m talking about.
” President Trump : `` We 're going to have a vaccine very soon .
Maybe even before a very special day .
You know what date I 'm talking about '' Facts First : It 's possible the FDA approves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there 's no firm timeline or guarantee https : //t.co/PfE924DgKK pic.twitter.com/0gu2gCl6dl — CNN Politics ( @ CNNPolitics ) September 7 , 2020 Biden running mate Kamala Harris said on Sunday that she would not take a vaccine Trump recommended without public health officials confirming it was safe .
Earlier this month , a chief scientific adviser to the Trump administration ’ s vaccine effort said that having one ready to distribute by the end of October is “ possible but very unlikely.
” While some health officials are hopeful that a vaccine could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year , they ’ ve warned that distributing that vaccine will likely take many months .
In response to public concern that Trump could pressure pharmaceutical companies to seek federal approval to distribute a vaccine before it ’ s proven safe and effective , several companies in the vaccine race are planning a joint statement promising not to seek approval prematurely .
His Labor Day remarks also included his usual laundry list of swipes at his political opponents , including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ( D-Calif. ) and the late Sen. John McCain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asked if his comments mocking McCain ’ s service supported recent reports that Trump speaks negatively of fallen veterans , the president restated his dislike for a man who was widely considered a war hero .
Trump , who demanded that the reporter asking the question remove his mask first , said , “ I was never a fan of John McCain .
You know that.
” With Democrats and Republicans currently deadlocked over the size of another coronavirus relief package , one reporter asked Trump why he hasn ’ t “ taken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democratic leaders , including Pelosi , to come to terms on an agreement for the sake of the country .
“ These are people that I don ’ t have a lot of respect [ for ] , ” he said , adding that his refusal to meet with them is because he doesn ’ t want to “ bail out all of their Democrat-run cities.
” The president ’ s comments , delivered at a time when polls show him trailing in critical swing states , seemed aimed at moving the needle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the troubles gripping the nation .
He touted his support for Confederate monuments multiple times and even brought up his push for a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border .

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With Americans across the country celebrating yet another holiday amid the coronavirus pandemic, President Donald Trump held a Labor Day press conference to pitch his reelection talking points and declare that things aren’t, in his view, all that bad.
“We have a lot to be thankful for, including this really beautiful day,” said Trump, speaking from the steps of the White House’s north portico. The president claimed to have talked earlier on Monday with unnamed Americans who are “very happy with the way things are going.”
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President Donald Trump speaks during a Labor Day press conference at the White House on Sept. 7. MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images
From the outset, Trump’s remarks were blatantly political and meandered as wildly and conspiratorially as his Twitter feed. He was at various times uselessly vague, sharply vindictive and absurdly self-aggrandizing. He called former vice president and Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden “stupid.”
On the question of when a coronavirus vaccine may be developed and distributed, Trump said Americans “could have a very big surprise coming up.” When a reporter began to ask if the president’s recent suggestions that a vaccine might ready in October are politically motivated, Trump interrupted to say the vaccine would arrive “very soon.” He added, “Maybe even before a very special date. You know what date I’m talking about.”
President Trump: "We're going to have a vaccine very soon. Maybe even before a very special day. You know what date I'm talking about"
Facts First: It's possible the FDA approves a coronavirus vaccine in November, but there's no firm timeline or guarantee https://t.co/PfE924DgKK pic.twitter.com/0gu2gCl6dl — CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) September 7, 2020
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Biden running mate Kamala Harris said on Sunday that she would not take a vaccine Trump recommended without public health officials confirming it was safe. Earlier this month, a chief scientific adviser to the Trump administration’s vaccine effort said that having one ready to distribute by the end of October is “possible but very unlikely.” While some health officials are hopeful that a vaccine could be developed by the end of the year, they’ve warned that distributing that vaccine will likely take many months.
In response to public concern that Trump could pressure pharmaceutical companies to seek federal approval to distribute a vaccine before it’s proven safe and effective, several companies in the vaccine race are planning a joint statement promising not to seek approval prematurely.
“With me, it’s the faster the better,” Trump said Monday.
His Labor Day remarks also included his usual laundry list of swipes at his political opponents, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and the late Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.). When a reporter asked if his comments mocking McCain’s service supported recent reports that Trump speaks negatively of fallen veterans, the president restated his dislike for a man who was widely considered a war hero.
Trump, who demanded that the reporter asking the question remove his mask first, said, “I was never a fan of John McCain. You know that.”
Trump demands credit for not ruining John McCain's funeral pic.twitter.com/WXbtU3iH5L — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) September 7, 2020
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With Democrats and Republicans currently deadlocked over the size of another coronavirus relief package, one reporter asked Trump why he hasn’t “taken the high road” and met with Democratic leaders, including Pelosi, to come to terms on an agreement for the sake of the country.
“I’m taking the high road by not seeing them,” Trump replied.
“These are people that I don’t have a lot of respect [for],” he said, adding that his refusal to meet with them is because he doesn’t want to “bail out all of their Democrat-run cities.”
“We’re not gonna pay that kind of price,” Trump said.
The president’s comments, delivered at a time when polls show him trailing in critical swing states, seemed aimed at moving the needle or, at least, diverting attention from the troubles gripping the nation. He touted his support for Confederate monuments multiple times and even brought up his push for a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border.
At the end of the press conference, he offered a view far removed from the reality of nearly 200,000 Americans dead from COVID-19.
“We’re having tremendous success,” Trump said, “whether it’s on the vaccines or on the pandemic.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-09-07--Trump Orders Reporter To Remove His Mask At Press Briefing

President Donald Trump demanded that a reporter remove his face mask in the middle of a question at a White House press briefing on Monday — but the journalist refused .
“ You ’ re going to have to take that off .
Just take it off , ” said Trump as he pointed to the mask worn by Jeff Mason , White House correspondent for Reuters .
“ How many feet are you away ?
” asked the irritable president , referring to social distancing efforts to help stop the spread of COVID-19 .
“ If you don ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re very muffled .
So if you take it off , it would be a lot easier.
” But Mason could easily be understood on a recording of the exchange .
He began his question referring to Trump ’ s decision two years ago not to attend a memorial ceremony for fallen American soldiers at a French cemetery .
The president blew off the ceremony ( which was attended by European leaders ) after referring to deceased war heroes as “ losers , ” according to a bombshell report in The Atlantic last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people are having a difficult time believing his denials of the Atlantic story , given his harsh words about the late Sen. John McCain ( R-Ariz. ) , who served as a Navy pilot in the Vietnam War .
During his last presidential campaign , Trump had said that McCain was not a hero because he had been a prisoner of war for five years and called McCain a “ loser.
” He said at the time , “ I like people that weren ’ t captured.
” Trump responded on Monday : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opposite side of John McCain .
John McCain liked wars .
...
Frankly , I was never a fan of John McCain , you know that.
” Later in the briefing , Trump praised a reporter who wasn ’ t wearing a mask .
“ You sound so clear , as opposed to everybody else where they refuse [ to take off their mask ] , ” he said .
While reporters at press briefings are usually many feet from the president , they may be much closer to other journalists .
Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ patriotic ” to wear a face mask — but he has rarely been seen with one .
We are United in our effort to defeat the Invisible China Virus , and many people say that it is Patriotic to wear a face mask when you can ’ t socially distance .
There is nobody more Patriotic than me , your favorite President !
pic.twitter.com/iQOd1whktN — Donald J. Trump ( @ realDonaldTrump ) July 20 , 2020

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President Donald Trump demanded that a reporter remove his face mask in the middle of a question at a White House press briefing on Monday — but the journalist refused.
“You’re going to have to take that off. Just take it off,” said Trump as he pointed to the mask worn by Jeff Mason, White House correspondent for Reuters.
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“How many feet are you away?” asked the irritable president, referring to social distancing efforts to help stop the spread of COVID-19. “If you don’t take it off, you’re very muffled. So if you take it off, it would be a lot easier.”
But Mason could easily be understood on a recording of the exchange. He began his question referring to Trump’s decision two years ago not to attend a memorial ceremony for fallen American soldiers at a French cemetery. The president blew off the ceremony (which was attended by European leaders) after referring to deceased war heroes as “losers,” according to a bombshell report in The Atlantic last week.
“I’ll just speak a lot louder,” said Mason. “Is that better?”
The visibly exasperated president sighed and responded: “It’s better, yeah. It’s better” — and allowed Mason to continue.
Trump demands that @jeffmason1 take off his mask before he takes a question from him pic.twitter.com/erZxOZX9wX — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) September 7, 2020
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Mason then told Trump that people are having a difficult time believing his denials of the Atlantic story, given his harsh words about the late Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), who served as a Navy pilot in the Vietnam War. During his last presidential campaign, Trump had said that McCain was not a hero because he had been a prisoner of war for five years and called McCain a “loser.” He said at the time, “I like people that weren’t captured.”
Trump responded on Monday: “I have always been on the opposite side of John McCain. John McCain liked wars. ... Frankly, I was never a fan of John McCain, you know that.”
Later in the briefing, Trump praised a reporter who wasn’t wearing a mask. “You sound so clear, as opposed to everybody else where they refuse [to take off their mask],” he said.
"You sound so clear, as opposed to everybody else where they refuse" -- Trump praises a reporter for not wearing a mask pic.twitter.com/AA8pz6v4ob — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) September 7, 2020
While reporters at press briefings are usually many feet from the president, they may be much closer to other journalists.
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Trump said in July that it was “patriotic” to wear a face mask — but he has rarely been seen with one.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-09-07--Navajo Nation Calls For Investigation Into String Of Deaths At Fort Hood Army Base

DALLAS ( AP ) — The Navajo Nation has joined calls for an accounting of the deaths at Fort Hood after one of its members became the latest soldier from the U.S. Army post to die this year .
Pvt .
Corlton L. Chee , a 25-year-old soldier from Pinehill , New Mexico , died Wednesday after he collapsed following a physical fitness training exercise five days earlier , according to officials at the central Texas post .
He was the 28th soldier from Fort Hood to die this year , according to data obtained by The Associated Press .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a statement Friday and urged the Army to thoroughly investigate his and the other soldiers ’ deaths .
“ We are deeply disturbed by the string of deaths at Fort Hood , and if there is any malfeasance or negligence involved , the Navajo Nation calls on our national leaders to pursue every available avenue to protect the lives of our Navajo warriors and those serving in the U.S. Armed Forces , ” Speaker of the Council Seth Damon said .
This undated photo provided by the U.S. Army shows Pvt .
Corlton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ AP ) Army officials have said Chee ’ s death is being investigated and that an autopsy would be performed by the Southwestern Institute of Forensic Sciences in Dallas .
They said he died at hospital near Fort Hood in the company of his family .
Last week , the Army announced changes in the leadership at Fort Hood amid what they said was a widening investigation into the killing of another soldier at the post .
A fellow soldier allegedly bludgeoning Spc .
Vanessa Guillen to death has prompted calls for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sexual abuse and harassment .

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DALLAS (AP) — The Navajo Nation has joined calls for an accounting of the deaths at Fort Hood after one of its members became the latest soldier from the U.S. Army post to die this year.
Pvt. Corlton L. Chee, a 25-year-old soldier from Pinehill, New Mexico, died Wednesday after he collapsed following a physical fitness training exercise five days earlier, according to officials at the central Texas post. He was the 28th soldier from Fort Hood to die this year, according to data obtained by The Associated Press.
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The Navajo Nation Council praised Chee in a statement Friday and urged the Army to thoroughly investigate his and the other soldiers’ deaths.
“We are deeply disturbed by the string of deaths at Fort Hood, and if there is any malfeasance or negligence involved, the Navajo Nation calls on our national leaders to pursue every available avenue to protect the lives of our Navajo warriors and those serving in the U.S. Armed Forces,” Speaker of the Council Seth Damon said.
This undated photo provided by the U.S. Army shows Pvt. Corlton L. Chee. (U.S. Army via AP) ASSOCIATED PRESS
Army officials have said Chee’s death is being investigated and that an autopsy would be performed by the Southwestern Institute of Forensic Sciences in Dallas. They said he died at hospital near Fort Hood in the company of his family.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-09-07--North Carolina Republican Implores Trump To Wear Mask At Upcoming Visit

“ There is no excuse , ” Dave Plyler , the chairman of the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners , told the Winston-Salem Journal .
“ He just needs to do it.
” “ It ’ s been ordered by the governor , ” he said .
“ When in Rome , do as the Romans do .
When in North Carolina , do as the governor says.
” In his third visit to the battleground state in as many weeks , Trump is scheduled to speak at the airport in Winston-Salem on Tuesday night .
In order to register @ @ @ @ @ @ @ release the Trump campaign from any liability related to COVID-19 exposure .
In past visits to other cities battling the spread of the virus , Trump , who is generally seen barefaced in public , has flouted local guidelines and ignored pleas from officials to wear a mask and lead by example .
In an executive order last week , North Carolina Gov .
Roy Cooper ( D ) announced that some coronavirus restrictions would be eased in the state , which he said has seen a stabilization of daily cases and decline @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the mandate for face coverings in most public venues .
“ He is a citizen of the United States , but he is also a guest in our county , ” Plyler said of Trump ’ s upcoming visit .
“ Without a mask , he could get sick , and he could blame the governor.
” Trump was not seen wearing a mask when he stopped in Wilmington , North Carolina , last week , nor were many of his supporters , who stood in a packed crowd at the airport as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remarks at the start of the Republican National Convention in Charlotte a week earlier , he went without .
Organizers had claimed the statewide rule would be enforced at the event .

“There is no excuse,” Dave Plyler, the chairman of the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners, told the Winston-Salem Journal. “He just needs to do it.”
“It’s been ordered by the governor,” he said. “When in Rome, do as the Romans do. When in North Carolina, do as the governor says.”
In his third visit to the battleground state in as many weeks, Trump is scheduled to speak at the airport in Winston-Salem on Tuesday night. In order to register for tickets, people are required to release the Trump campaign from any liability related to COVID-19 exposure.
In past visits to other cities battling the spread of the virus, Trump, who is generally seen barefaced in public, has flouted local guidelines and ignored pleas from officials to wear a mask and lead by example.
In an executive order last week, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper (D) announced that some coronavirus restrictions would be eased in the state, which he said has seen a stabilization of daily cases and decline in hospitalizations. That order also extended the mandate for face coverings in most public venues.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-09-07--A Record 2 Million Acres Have Been Burned By California Wildfires This Year

SHAVER LAKE , Calif. ( AP ) — Wildfires have burned a record 2 million acres in California this year , and the danger for more destruction is so high the U.S. Forest Service announced Monday it was closing all eight national forests in the southern half of the state .
After a typically dry summer , California is parched heading into fall and what normally is the most dangerous time for wildfires .
Two of the three largest fires in state history are burning in the San Francisco Bay Area .
More than 14,000 firefighters are battling those fires @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A three-day heat wave brought triple-digit temperatures to much of the state during Labor Day weekend .
But right behind it was a weather system with dry winds that could fan fires .
The state ’ s largest utility , Pacific Gas & Electric , was preparing to cut power to 158,000 customers in 21 counties in the northern half of the state to reduce the possibility its lines and other equipment could spark new fires .
Randy Moore , regional forester for the Forest Service ’ s Pacific Southwest Region that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ closures and said the decision would be re-evaluated daily .
Campgrounds at all national forests in the state also were closed .
“ The wildfire situation throughout California is dangerous and must be taken seriously.
” Moore said .
“ Existing fires are displaying extreme fire behavior , new fire starts are likely , weather conditions are worsening , and we simply do not have enough resources to fully fight and contain every fire.
” Lynne Tolmachoff , spokeswoman for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection , or Cal Fire , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to have reached a record for acreage burned when September and October usually are the worst for fires because vegetation has dried out and high winds are more common .
The previous high was 1.96 million acres burned in 2018 .
Cal Fire began tracking the numbers in 1987 .
While the two mammoth Bay Area fires were largely contained after burning for three weeks , firefighters struggled to corral several other major blazes ahead of the expected winds .
Evacuation orders were expanded to more mountain communities Monday as the largest blaze @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Sierra National Forest in Central California .
Debra Rios wasn ’ t home when the order came to evacuate her hometown of Auberry , just northeast of Fresno .
Sheriff ’ s deputies went to her ranch property to pick up her 92-year-old mother , Shirley MacLean .
They reunited at an evacuation center .
The Creek Fire had charred more than 114 square miles ( 295 square kilometers ) of timber after breaking out Friday .
The nearly 1,000 firefighters on the scene had yet to get any containment .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Warrant Officer Joseph Rosamond , the pilot of a Chinook helicopter , said visibility was poor and winds increasingly strong during the three flights he made into the fire zone .
His crew relied on night-vision goggles to search for a landing spot near a boat launch where flames came within 50 feet ( 15.24 meters ) of the aircraft .
“ We started getting information about how many people were out there , how many people to expect , and that number kept growing .
So we knew that it was a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Record-breaking temperatures were driving the highest power use of the year , and transmission losses because of wildfires have cut into supplies .
Throughout the holiday weekend , the California Independent System Operator that manages the state ’ s power grid warned of outages if residents didn ’ t reduce their electricity usage .
But none had occurred by late Monday afternoon .

SHAVER LAKE, Calif. (AP) — Wildfires have burned a record 2 million acres in California this year, and the danger for more destruction is so high the U.S. Forest Service announced Monday it was closing all eight national forests in the southern half of the state.
After a typically dry summer, California is parched heading into fall and what normally is the most dangerous time for wildfires. Two of the three largest fires in state history are burning in the San Francisco Bay Area. More than 14,000 firefighters are battling those fires and dozens of others more around California.
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A three-day heat wave brought triple-digit temperatures to much of the state during Labor Day weekend. But right behind it was a weather system with dry winds that could fan fires. The state’s largest utility, Pacific Gas & Electric, was preparing to cut power to 158,000 customers in 21 counties in the northern half of the state to reduce the possibility its lines and other equipment could spark new fires.
A firefighter battles the Creek Fire as it threatens homes in the Cascadel Woods neighborhood of Madera County, California on Monday. ASSOCIATED PRESS
Randy Moore, regional forester for the Forest Service’s Pacific Southwest Region that covers California, announced the national forest closures and said the decision would be re-evaluated daily. Campgrounds at all national forests in the state also were closed.
“The wildfire situation throughout California is dangerous and must be taken seriously.” Moore said. “Existing fires are displaying extreme fire behavior, new fire starts are likely, weather conditions are worsening, and we simply do not have enough resources to fully fight and contain every fire.”
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Lynne Tolmachoff, spokeswoman for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, or Cal Fire, said it’s “unnerving” to have reached a record for acreage burned when September and October usually are the worst for fires because vegetation has dried out and high winds are more common. The previous high was 1.96 million acres burned in 2018. Cal Fire began tracking the numbers in 1987.
While the two mammoth Bay Area fires were largely contained after burning for three weeks, firefighters struggled to corral several other major blazes ahead of the expected winds. Evacuation orders were expanded to more mountain communities Monday as the largest blaze, the Creek Fire, churned through the Sierra National Forest in Central California.
It was one of many recent major fires that has displayed terrifyingly swift movement. The fire moved 15 miles (24 kilometers) in a single day and burned 56 square miles (145.04 square kilometers).
“The wildfire situation throughout California is dangerous and must be taken seriously,” Randy Moore, regional forester for the Forest Service’s Pacific Southwest Region that covers California, said. ASSOCIATED PRESS
Debra Rios wasn’t home when the order came to evacuate her hometown of Auberry, just northeast of Fresno. Sheriff’s deputies went to her ranch property to pick up her 92-year-old mother, Shirley MacLean. They reunited at an evacuation center.
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“I hope like heck the fire doesn’t reach my little ranch,” Rios said. “It’s not looking good right now. It’s an awfully big fire.”
Mountain roads saw a steady stream of cars and trucks leaving the community of about 2,300 on Monday afternoon.
Firefighters working in steep terrain saved the tiny town of Shaver Lake from flames that roared down hillsides toward a marina. About 30 houses were destroyed in the remote hamlet of Big Creek, resident Toby Wait said.
“About half the private homes in town burned down,” he said. “Words cannot even begin to describe the devastation of this community.”
A school, church, library, historic general store and a major hydroelectric plant were spared in the community of about 200 residents, Wait told the Fresno Bee.
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The Creek Fire had charred more than 114 square miles of timber after breaking out Friday. ASSOCIATED PRESS
Sheriff’s deputies went door to door to make sure residents were complying with orders to leave. Officials hoped to keep the fire from pushing west toward Yosemite National Park.
The Creek Fire had charred more than 114 square miles of timber after breaking out Friday. The nearly 1,000 firefighters on the scene had yet to get any containment. The cause had not been determined.
On Saturday, National Guard rescuers in two military helicopters airlifted 214 people to safety after flames trapped them in a wooded camping area near Mammoth Pool Reservoir. Two people were seriously injured and were among 12 hospitalized.
On Monday night, a military helicopter landed near Lake Edison to rescue people trapped by the Creek Fire, the Fresno Fire Department said on Twitter.
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Chief Warrant Officer Joseph Rosamond, the pilot of a Chinook helicopter, said visibility was poor and winds increasingly strong during the three flights he made into the fire zone. His crew relied on night-vision goggles to search for a landing spot near a boat launch where flames came within 50 feet (15.24 meters) of the aircraft.
The injured, along with women and children, took priority on the first airlift, which filled both helicopters to capacity, he said.
“We started getting information about how many people were out there, how many people to expect, and that number kept growing. So we knew that it was a dire situation,” Rosamond said.
Rosamond called the conditions “extreme” and said it was one of the most difficult flying missions in his 25 years as a military pilot.
Jeremy Hedrick holds his son Jeep as smoke from the Creek Fire fills the air on Monday. ASSOCIATED PRESS
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Record-breaking temperatures were driving the highest power use of the year, and transmission losses because of wildfires have cut into supplies. Throughout the holiday weekend, the California Independent System Operator that manages the state’s power grid warned of outages if residents didn’t reduce their electricity usage. But none had occurred by late Monday afternoon.
Pacific Gas & Electric warned it might cut power starting late Monday because of the increased fire danger. Some of the state’s largest and deadliest fires in recent years have been sparked by downed power lines and other utility equipment.
PG&E received criticism for its handling of planned outages last year. The utility said it has learned from past problems, “and this year will be making events smaller in size, shorter in length and smarter for customers.”
Inelva Gonzalez, of Armona, Calif. kisses her dog SayD in a marina where campers were being held due to impassable roads. ASSOCIATED PRESS
In Southern California, crews scrambled to douse several fires that roared to life in searing temperatures, including one that closed mountain roads in Angeles National Forest and forced the evacuation of the historic Mount Wilson Observatory. Late Monday night, the Los Angeles County Fire Department told residents of Duarte, Bradbury and Monrovia near the forest to get ready for the possibility of evacuating.
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Cal Fire said a blaze in San Bernardino County called the El Dorado Fire started Saturday morning and was caused by a smoke-generating pyrotechnic device used by a couple to reveal their baby’s gender. In eastern San Diego County, a fire destroyed at least 10 structures after burning 16 square miles (41.44 square kilometers) and prompting evacuations near the remote community of Alpine in the Cleveland National Forest.
California has seen 900 wildfires since Aug. 15, many of them started by an intense series of thousands of lightning strikes in mid-August. There have been eight fire deaths and more than 3,300 structures destroyed.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-09-07--Wildfires Rage Across California As Historic Heat Wave Continues

( Reuters ) - Three large wildfires continued to burn in California as a record-breaking heat wave was set to linger across large swaths of the western United States on Monday .
The Creek Fire , which has engulfed the Fresno area in central California and caused the emergency evacuation over the weekend of more than 200 people vacationing at a popular reservoir , was still 0 % contained as of early Monday morning , fire officials said .
The blaze continued to grow under “ extreme weather conditions ” to devour nearly 79,000 acres of land while a cause @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Forestry and Fire Protection ( CalFire ) said in a statement .
Officials in Madera County issued evacuation orders and urged residents to leave if they felt unsafe .
Firefighters battle the Creek Fire as it threatens homes in the Cascadel Woods neighborhood of Madera County , Calif. , on Monday , Sept. 7 , 2020 .
( AP Photo/Noah Berger ) A fire in San Bernardino County , southeast of Los Angeles , that officials said was caused by a pyrotechnic device used during a gender reveal party , kept burning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % contained as of Monday morning .
East of San Diego in southern California , nearly 400 firefighters battled the Valley Fire , which burned more than 10,000 acres in Cleveland National Forest .
Video shared on social media showed firefighters dousing the flames , the air thick with ash and fire embers .
The blaze was at only 1 % containment as officials issued more evacuation orders on Monday morning and announced the deployment of military aircraft to help fight the rapidly spreading flames .
Late on Sunday , California Governor Gavin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fresno , Madera , Mariposa , San Bernardino and San Diego counties due to the wildfires .

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(Reuters) - Three large wildfires continued to burn in California as a record-breaking heat wave was set to linger across large swaths of the western United States on Monday.
The Creek Fire, which has engulfed the Fresno area in central California and caused the emergency evacuation over the weekend of more than 200 people vacationing at a popular reservoir, was still 0% contained as of early Monday morning, fire officials said.
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The blaze continued to grow under “extreme weather conditions” to devour nearly 79,000 acres of land while a cause remained under investigation, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CalFire) said in a statement.
Officials in Madera County issued evacuation orders and urged residents to leave if they felt unsafe.
Firefighters battle the Creek Fire as it threatens homes in the Cascadel Woods neighborhood of Madera County, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 7, 2020. (AP Photo/Noah Berger) ASSOCIATED PRESS
A fire in San Bernardino County, southeast of Los Angeles, that officials said was caused by a pyrotechnic device used during a gender reveal party, kept burning through the night, and was 7% contained as of Monday morning.
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East of San Diego in southern California, nearly 400 firefighters battled the Valley Fire, which burned more than 10,000 acres in Cleveland National Forest.
Video shared on social media showed firefighters dousing the flames, the air thick with ash and fire embers.
The blaze was at only 1% containment as officials issued more evacuation orders on Monday morning and announced the deployment of military aircraft to help fight the rapidly spreading flames.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-09-07--Priest Named By Pope Francis To Be Bishop In Minnesota Resigns After Sex Abuse Probe

VATICAN CITY ( AP ) — A priest recently tapped by Pope Francis to be made a bishop for a Minnesota diocese has resigned after an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor surfaced before he could take up his post .
The Vatican announced without giving details on Monday that Francis had accepted the resignation of the Bishop-elect Michel Mulloy , who was named by the pope in June to head the Duluth diocese .
Mulloy was supposed to be elevated to bishop ’ s rank in an Oct. 1 ceremony in Duluth .
At the time of his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ administrator in the Rapid City , South Dakota , diocese , which said it received the allegation last month .
It is highly unusual for a priest to be selected to be made bishop by the pope , then resign before that can happen .
But the development serves to underline the pontiff ’ s oft-stated resolve to crack down on predator priests as well as insist that any allegation of sex abuse be promptly investigated .
The Rapid City diocese said that Bishop Peter Muhich informed law enforcement of the development and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from engaging in ministry.
” “ The diocese then commissioned an independent investigation to determine whether the allegation warranted further investigation under Cannon ( church ) Law , ″ the Rapid City diocese statement said .
It added that that stage led to the finding that ” the accusation met the standard for further investigation and conclusion and the Holy See was informed ” by Muhich .
The Rapid City diocese said Mulloy received a summary of the specific allegation and submitted his resignation as bishop-elect to the pope .

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VATICAN CITY (AP) — A priest recently tapped by Pope Francis to be made a bishop for a Minnesota diocese has resigned after an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor surfaced before he could take up his post.
The Vatican announced without giving details on Monday that Francis had accepted the resignation of the Bishop-elect Michel Mulloy, who was named by the pope in June to head the Duluth diocese. Mulloy was supposed to be elevated to bishop’s rank in an Oct. 1 ceremony in Duluth.
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At the time of his appointment, Mulloy was serving as diocesan administrator in the Rapid City, South Dakota, diocese, which said it received the allegation last month.
It is highly unusual for a priest to be selected to be made bishop by the pope, then resign before that can happen. But the development serves to underline the pontiff’s oft-stated resolve to crack down on predator priests as well as insist that any allegation of sex abuse be promptly investigated.
The Rapid City diocese said that Bishop Peter Muhich informed law enforcement of the development and that Mulloy was “directed to refrain from engaging in ministry.”
“The diocese then commissioned an independent investigation to determine whether the allegation warranted further investigation under Cannon (church) Law,″ the Rapid City diocese statement said. It added that that stage led to the finding that ”the accusation met the standard for further investigation and conclusion and the Holy See was informed” by Muhich.
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