thehuffingtonpost--2020-09-18--Michigan Judge Extends Mailed Ballot Receipt Deadline In Another Big Win For Democrats

Mailed ballots in the key swing state of Michigan will now have up to 14 days after the election to arrive at their destination to be counted so long as they are postmarked one day before the Nov. 3 Election Day , according to a Michigan state court judge ’ s ruling on Friday .
The ruling by Judge Cynthia Diane Stephens approved preliminary injunctive relief for two out of three challenges to Michigan election law that were brought by Marc Elias , the Democratic Party ’ s top elections lawyer , on behalf of a retirees group .
President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which have been waging a false propaganda campaign to undermine faith in mailed absentee ballots , oppose these changes to Michigan election law .
Those legal challenges aimed to extend the ballot receipt deadline , allow third parties to collect and return absentee ballots on behalf of voters and require the state to provide prepaid postage for all mailed absentee ballots .
Stephens ’ order approved the extension of the ballot receipt deadline and allowed third-party collection of ballots during a limited period while striking down the effort to mandate prepaid postage .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that thousands , if not tens of thousands , of ballots that would otherwise have been invalidated through no fault of the voter will now be counted so long as the voter sends their ballot by Nov. 2 .
This is one of the most important changes sought by Democrats and voting rights advocates challenging voting restrictions across the country .
The ruling comes on the heels of another crucial decision in Pennsylvania extending that state ’ s ballot receipt deadline .
In Michigan ’ s Aug. 4 primary election , 6,400 mailed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arrived after the state ’ s Election Day receipt deadline .
Most of those ballots were mailed prior to Election Day or postmarked on Election Day , but did not arrive on time due to postal delays .
The post office ’ s general counsel sent a letter in August to 46 states , including Michigan , warning that they could not guarantee that mail ballots would be delivered on time to count .
So far , more than 2.3 million Michigan voters have requested absentee ballots .
In one instance , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ballot to the election clerk ’ s office in Wyandotte , Michigan , but the mail was routed to Illinois before being delivered after the ballot receipt deadline .
That ballot was invalidated solely due to an oddity in the postal service ’ s processing of mail .
The extension of the ballot receipt deadline is a blow to Trump ’ s efforts to reduce the number of ballots counted and people voting , particularly among groups that predominantly support Democratic candidates .
Evidence shows that late-returned ballots tend to come from Democratic-leaning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by slightly more than 10,000 votes .
The order also overrules the state ’ s previous limitation on which third parties can help a voter return their absentee ballot and the timeframe in which they can do so .
Stephens states that in normal circumstances these limitations would not reach a threshold of impermissible restrictions on the right to vote , but , “ These are not , however , ordinary times , ” she writes .
Current Michigan law restricts those who may assist a voter in returning their absentee ballots to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the voter .
The only exception to this restriction is that election clerks may assist voters , but only up until 5 p.m. on the Friday before Election Day , which falls on Oct. 30 this year .
This means that voters who may live alone with no family nearby , perhaps in an assisted living facility , and who could be immunocompromised would have no ability to obtain assistance in returning their ballot after Oct. 30 .
“ [ T ] he Court is convinced that the time deadline imposed on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the clerk risks leaving too many voters without the opportunity of receiving assistance in returning their ballots , ” the order states .
“ The documentary evidence in this case reveals that the incidences of voter fraud and absentee ballot fraud are minimal and that the fears of the same are largely exaggerated , ” she writes .
“ Moreover , there is little evidence to suggest that fraud would increase with a larger pool of persons eligible to assist absentee voters .
”

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Mailed ballots in the key swing state of Michigan will now have up to 14 days after the election to arrive at their destination to be counted so long as they are postmarked one day before the Nov. 3 Election Day, according to a Michigan state court judge’s ruling on Friday.
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Those legal challenges aimed to extend the ballot receipt deadline, allow third parties to collect and return absentee ballots on behalf of voters and require the state to provide prepaid postage for all mailed absentee ballots. Stephens’ order approved the extension of the ballot receipt deadline and allowed third-party collection of ballots during a limited period while striking down the effort to mandate prepaid postage.
Absent an appeal, this ruling means that thousands, if not tens of thousands, of ballots that would otherwise have been invalidated through no fault of the voter will now be counted so long as the voter sends their ballot by Nov. 2. This is one of the most important changes sought by Democrats and voting rights advocates challenging voting restrictions across the country. The ruling comes on the heels of another crucial decision in Pennsylvania extending that state’s ballot receipt deadline.
In Michigan’s Aug. 4 primary election, 6,400 mailed absentee ballots were rejected solely because they arrived after the state’s Election Day receipt deadline. Most of those ballots were mailed prior to Election Day or postmarked on Election Day, but did not arrive on time due to postal delays. The post office’s general counsel sent a letter in August to 46 states, including Michigan, warning that they could not guarantee that mail ballots would be delivered on time to count. So far, more than 2.3 million Michigan voters have requested absentee ballots.
These were the key reasons Judge Stephens used to rule that Michigan’s ballot receipt deadline should be extended.
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“Plaintiffs presented unrefuted evidence that thousands of voters’ absentee ballots were not counted due to having been received after Election Day in the most recent August 2020 primary election,” Stephens wrote in her order.
In one instance, according to Stephens, a voter sent their ballot to the election clerk’s office in Wyandotte, Michigan, but the mail was routed to Illinois before being delivered after the ballot receipt deadline. That ballot was invalidated solely due to an oddity in the postal service’s processing of mail.
Michigan voters won't have to worry about their mailed absentee ballots (pictured above) being returned late after a judge extended the ballot receipt deadline by 14 days. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya) ASSOCIATED PRESS
Additionally, “The general counsel for the United States Postal Service acknowledged that the law in this state, namely the ballot receipt deadline, posed a significant risk of disenfranchisement because of current mail processing,” the order states.
Part of that is self-inflicted, as Louis DeJoy, a major Republican Party donor appointed as postmaster general in June, implemented efficiency reforms this summer that crippled the Post Office’s delivery schedule.
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“[U]nder the current circumstances, enforcement of the deadline for ballot receipt has led, and is likely to lead, to significant instances of failure to count absent ballots,” the order states.
The extension of the ballot receipt deadline is a blow to Trump’s efforts to reduce the number of ballots counted and people voting, particularly among groups that predominantly support Democratic candidates. Evidence shows that late-returned ballots tend to come from Democratic-leaning communities. Trump won Michigan in 2016 by slightly more than 10,000 votes.
The order also overrules the state’s previous limitation on which third parties can help a voter return their absentee ballot and the timeframe in which they can do so. Stephens states that in normal circumstances these limitations would not reach a threshold of impermissible restrictions on the right to vote, but, “These are not, however, ordinary times,” she writes.
Current Michigan law restricts those who may assist a voter in returning their absentee ballots to immediate family members or someone who lives with the voter. The only exception to this restriction is that election clerks may assist voters, but only up until 5 p.m. on the Friday before Election Day, which falls on Oct. 30 this year.
This means that voters who may live alone with no family nearby, perhaps in an assisted living facility, and who could be immunocompromised would have no ability to obtain assistance in returning their ballot after Oct. 30.
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“[T]he Court is convinced that the time deadline imposed on the fail-safe option of seeking assistance from the clerk risks leaving too many voters without the opportunity of receiving assistance in returning their ballots,” the order states.
The order eliminates the time limitation on election clerks helping to assist voters return their absentee ballots.
Stephens does address concerns that either of these changes could lead to an increase in so-called voter fraud.
“The documentary evidence in this case reveals that the incidences of voter fraud and absentee ballot fraud are minimal and that the fears of the same are largely exaggerated,” she writes. “Moreover, there is little evidence to suggest that fraud would increase with a larger pool of persons eligible to assist absentee voters.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-09-18--Twitter Expands QAnon Ban To Political Candidates, Elected Officials

Political candidates and elected officials who share QAnon content on Twitter will have their visibility on the platform restricted , thanks to a new batch of rules against “ coordinated harmful activity ” Twitter implemented on Thursday .
The action is an expansion of a QAnon crackdown the social platform began in July , when it banned more than 7,000 accounts and limited the activity of tens of thousands more in response to the far-right conspiracy movement and its groundless , dangerous theories .
While Instagram and its parent company Facebook have also cracked down on QAnon , the platforms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lie and distribute misinformation , hypothetically including QAnon content .
Facebook told HuffPost it plans to prohibit politicians and candidates from running ads praising , supporting or representing QAnon , but that policy has yet to be introduced .
A Twitter spokesperson told HuffPost the new framework “ has no exceptions ” and will apply to all candidates and elected officials , including President Donald Trump .
Asked last month about QAnon and its litany of baseless claims , Trump insisted he didn ’ t know much about the movement , but said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adherents .
The Twitter spokesperson said , “ We apply the same approach to candidates/elected officials as we do to every other account : Accounts which engage in promoting QAnon on Twitter will no longer be actively recommended by Twitter .
Furthermore , if these verified accounts were to engage in swarming activity , those tweets will be downranked.
” QAnon followers take their cues from what they believe is an anonymous high-ranking government official ― or perhaps a team of officials ― who they dubbed “ Q ” and who , since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been sprinkling obscure , often inscrutable clues online .
QAnon followers then interpret these messages .
Adherents of the ever-changing and wide-ranging digital cult say they believe a secret “ deep state ” cabal of Satan-worshipping liberals and Hollywood elites are engaged in a cannibalistic cult that also engages in trafficking children and pedophilia .
Trump is idolized as the lone figure who can thwart the cabal and save America .
The outlandish assertions embraced by some of the adherents include the claim John F. Kennedy Jr. faked his 1999 death in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the scenes .
Discouraging politicians from piggybacking on the QAnon movement as a means to realize their ambitions is a logical next step ― and an urgent one .
The non-profit media watchdog Media Matters has identified 81 current or former congressional candidates ― 75 of whom are Republicans ― who embrace the theory to varying degrees .
These include Lauren Boebert , who defeated Rep. Scott Tipton in Colorado ’ s GOP primary earlier this year to win the party ’ s nomination for the state ’ s 3rd Congressional District .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ familiar with ” the QAnon conspiracy theory and hopes it ’ s real because “ it can be really great for our country.
” Earlier this week in Delaware , QAnon supporter Lauren Witzke won the Republican primary to will challenge Democratic Sen. Chris Coons .
In addition to having touted QAnon in tweets , a Daily Beast profile reported that she ’ s also supported the idea of enthroning Trump as king of America for life , and said she believes the earth is flat .
Coons is heavily favored to prevail @ @ @

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Political candidates and elected officials who share QAnon content on Twitter will have their visibility on the platform restricted, thanks to a new batch of rules against “coordinated harmful activity” Twitter implemented on Thursday.
The action is an expansion of a QAnon crackdown the social platform began in July, when it banned more than 7,000 accounts and limited the activity of tens of thousands more in response to the far-right conspiracy movement and its groundless, dangerous theories.
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Twitter claims impressions of Qanon-related content and accounts have dropped more than 50% since then.
While Instagram and its parent company Facebook have also cracked down on QAnon, the platforms still give politicians a free pass to lie and distribute misinformation, hypothetically including QAnon content. Facebook told HuffPost it plans to prohibit politicians and candidates from running ads praising, supporting or representing QAnon, but that policy has yet to be introduced.
A Twitter spokesperson told HuffPost the new framework “has no exceptions” and will apply to all candidates and elected officials, including President Donald Trump. Asked last month about QAnon and its litany of baseless claims, Trump insisted he didn’t know much about the movement, but said he “appreciates” support from its adherents.
The Twitter spokesperson said, “We apply the same approach to candidates/elected officials as we do to every other account: Accounts which engage in promoting QAnon on Twitter will no longer be actively recommended by Twitter. Furthermore, if these verified accounts were to engage in swarming activity, those tweets will be downranked.”
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QAnon followers take their cues from what they believe is an anonymous high-ranking government official ― or perhaps a team of officials ― who they dubbed “Q” and who, since the fall of 2017, supposedly has been sprinkling obscure, often inscrutable clues online. QAnon followers then interpret these messages.
Adherents of the ever-changing and wide-ranging digital cult say they believe a secret “deep state” cabal of Satan-worshipping liberals and Hollywood elites are engaged in a cannibalistic cult that also engages in trafficking children and pedophilia. Trump is idolized as the lone figure who can thwart the cabal and save America. The outlandish assertions embraced by some of the adherents include the claim John F. Kennedy Jr. faked his 1999 death in a plane crash and is helping Trump behind the scenes.
Discouraging politicians from piggybacking on the QAnon movement as a means to realize their ambitions is a logical next step ― and an urgent one.
The non-profit media watchdog Media Matters has identified 81 current or former congressional candidates ― 75 of whom are Republicans ― who embrace the theory to varying degrees.
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These include Lauren Boebert, who defeated Rep. Scott Tipton in Colorado’s GOP primary earlier this year to win the party’s nomination for the state’s 3rd Congressional District. Boebert has said she is “very familiar with” the QAnon conspiracy theory and hopes it’s real because “it can be really great for our country.”
In Georgia, QAnon supporter Marjorie Taylor Greene is all but assured to represent the state’s heavily Republican 14th Congressional District after winning a primary runoff in August.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-09-18--Twitter Users Point Out Hypocrisy Of Trump's Tweet Honoring POWs

The president marked the day with a tweet acknowledging the many men and women in the military who have “ @ @ @ @ @ our liberty.
” On National POW/MIA Recognition Day , The @ FLOTUS and I honor @ @ @ @ @ our Armed Forces who have selflessly served our Country & made tremendous sacrifices to defend @ @ @ @ @ remains committed to accounting for all missing Americans .
https : //t.co/vyIvM9Tlxb However , many @ @ @ @ @ point out that the president hasn ’ t really seemed to care about soldiers and @ @ @ @ @ like when he sneered at then-Sen. John McCain ( R-Ariz. ) , a former POW @ @ @ @ @ for “ people who weren ’ t captured , ” or when he reportedly dismissed @ @ @ @ @ in World War I as “ losers ” and “ suckers .
”

The president marked the day with a tweet acknowledging the many men and women in the military who have “made tremendous sacrifices to defend our liberty.”
On National POW/MIA Recognition Day, The @FLOTUS and I honor the men & women of our Armed Forces who have selflessly served our Country & made tremendous sacrifices to defend our liberty. Our Nation remains committed to accounting for all missing Americans. https://t.co/vyIvM9Tlxb
However, many on Twitter were quick to point out that the president hasn’t really seemed to care about soldiers and veterans in the past ― like when he sneered at then-Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), a former POW, and expressed a preference for “people who weren’t captured,” or when he reportedly dismissed American service members who died in World War I as “losers” and “suckers.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-09-18--Outpouring Of Grief As Nation Mourns 'Hero' And 'Titan' Ruth Bader Ginsburg

The nation mourned on Friday after news broke of Ruth Bader Ginsburg ’ s death following a decades-long battle with cancer .
Admirers from both sides of the political aisle paid tribute to the 87-year-old Supreme Court justice and women ’ s rights crusader on social media .
They remembered her wisdom , her resilience and her unwavering dedication to fighting for freedom and equality for all .
Former Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg referred to her as a “ titan of justice.
” Veteran journalist Dan Rather said she was an “ American hero , in every sense.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so many women , including me , ” former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said in tweet .
“ There will never be another like her.
” Justice Ginsburg paved the way for so many women , including me .
There will never be another like her .
Thank you RBG .
— Hillary Clinton ( @ HillaryClinton ) September 19 , 2020 '' Laura and I join our fellow Americans in mourning the loss of Ruth Bader Ginsburg .
She dedicated many of her 87 remarkable years to the pursuit of justice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than one generation of women and girls . ''
Read full statement : https : //t.co/qNGbgc1ZMz — George W. Bush Presidential Center ( @ TheBushCenter ) September 19 , 2020 Fmr .
President Carter on the death of Justice Ginsburg : `` A powerful legal mind and a staunch advocate for gender equality , she has been a beacon of justice during her long and remarkable career .
I was proud to have appointed her to the U.S. Court of Appeals in 1980 . ''
pic.twitter.com/n0H3B6k4yT — NBC Politics ( @ NBCPolitics ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flags are flying at half staff over the Capitol to honor the patriotism of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg .
Every woman and girl , and therefore every family , in America has benefitted from her brilliance .
— Nancy Pelosi ( @ SpeakerPelosi ) September 19 , 2020 The passing of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is a tremendous loss to our country .
She was an extraordinary champion of justice and equal rights , and will be remembered as one of the great justices in modern American history .
— Bernie Sanders ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was a trailblazer who served the Supreme Court—and the country—faithfully for 27 years .
My prayers go out to her family during this time .
— Kevin McCarthy ( @ GOPLeader ) September 19 , 2020 America lost a giant .
Ruth Bader Ginsburg was shunned from courtrooms when she began her career because she was a woman .
But she persisted , blazing a trail for millions of women and others who had been excluded or oppressed .
RBG is a lioness of the law .
She is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ RepAdamSchiff ) September 19 , 2020 Ruth Bader Ginsburg was a titan of justice .
Her jurisprudence expanded the rights of all Americans , shaping our lives for the better .
And her example now shines within the history of our country , there to inspire generations .
pic.twitter.com/GffcMQivDx — Pete Buttigieg ( @ PeteButtigieg ) September 18 , 2020 I am so , so saddened by the news that Ruth Bader Ginsburg has passed .
Justice Ginsburg was a trailblazer and an extraordinary jurist who devoted her life to advancing the causes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in her debt .
May her memory be a blessing to us all .
— Cory Booker ( @ CoryBooker ) September 19 , 2020 Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was a credit to the Court .
I disagreed with many of her decisions but they were all well reasoned and well argued .
She was a close friend of her ideological opposite , Justice Scalia .
They both loved opera , law and the U.S.A. May She Rest In Peace — Rudy W. Giuliani ( @ RudyGiuliani ) September 18 , 2020 Ruth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She fought to ensure equal protection in our laws , fearlessly dissented and defended , and was a powerful role model for us all .
I 'm devastated to hear of her passing .
Thank you , Justice Ginsburg .
Rest in power .
pic.twitter.com/QZeSzuIPrX — Kirsten Gillibrand ( @ SenGillibrand ) September 19 , 2020 RBG was a seminal legal figure .
If she never served a day on the Court she would still have been considered a giant .
Ruth Bader Ginsburg shaped the law and in doing so changed this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well led .
We are all in her debt .
— Eric Holder ( @ EricHolder ) September 19 , 2020 So sorry for Ruth Bader Ginsburg ’ s family and for our country .
She was a fighter and she was firmly on the side of justice .
I hope her example and her legacy can inspire us all in the fight of our lives .
RIP RBG .
— Beto O'Rourke ( @ BetoORourke ) September 18 , 2020 My thoughts and prayers are with the family of Ruth Bader Ginsburg @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thoughtful public service , a dedication to the law , and a life of great accomplishment .
May she Rest In Peace .
— Senator Rand Paul ( @ RandPaul ) September 19 , 2020 I 'm at a complete loss .
Before fear sets in ... thank you RBG for your life of fighting for our most vulnerable , for championing true equality for all , for your resiliency , and for inspiring countless women and girls to stand up and take charge.https : //t.co/yflVuuPAX1 — Danica Roem ( @ pwcdanica ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ express my sincere condolences to the family of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg , a titan & legend on the Supreme Court whose undeniably brilliant legal mind & dedication to justice & equality moved our country forward .
We ’ ve lost a champion tonight , but her legacy lives on .
— Maxine Waters ( @ RepMaxineWaters ) September 19 , 2020 A shock .
A sadness .
A great loss .
The passing of Ruth Bader Ginsburg leaves a hole in a nation already reeling .
She is an American hero , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her by joining to carry forth her legacy of equality , empathy , and justice .
May she Rest in Peace .
— Dan Rather ( @ DanRather ) September 18 , 2020 Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was a torch-bearer and a champion of justice and equality .
Her peerless work spanned over half a century , and will always be an inspiration to so many attorneys , activists , and young women who look up to her as their hero , including my own daughters .
— Steve Bullock ( @ GovernorBullock @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s heart breaks with the passing of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg .
During her extraordinary career , this Brooklyn native broke barriers & the letters RBG took on new meaning—as battle cry & inspiration .
Her legal mind & dedication to justice leave an indelible mark on America .
— Andrew Cuomo ( @ NYGovCuomo ) September 19 , 2020 Joining the whole nation tonight in mourning the loss of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg—a trailblazer , a dedicated public servant , and an inspiration to so many .
My prayers are with her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( @ MarkMeadows ) September 19 , 2020 Stunned , devastated , and crushed .
Thank you , RBG , for a lifetime of service to building a better America .
It ’ s impossible to express how much we will miss you .
— Senator Jeff Merkley ( @ SenJeffMerkley ) September 18 , 2020 Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg led a remarkable life of consequence .
She worked with passion & conviction , inspired many women , offered hope to other cancer survivors .
Prayers to her loved ones .
May She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( @ KellyannePolls ) September 19 , 2020 My daughter has a Ruth Bader Ginsburg “ action ” figure in her room and t-shirt in her wardrobe .
RBG was a hero and one of the most important women ever .
I ’ m devastated by the loss of RBG and terrified of the vile , horrible ghouls that will rush to replace her .
Fight like hell .
pic.twitter.com/lXK9e4YZQM — Brian Altano ( @ agentbizzle ) September 19 , 2020 “ So that ’ s the dissenter ’ s hope : that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for tomorrow.
” My Shero , Ruth Bader Ginsburg , has died .
To pay tribute , those who believe in equality & freedom must fight for the ideals she championed .
For her .
For us .
For generations to follow .
pic.twitter.com/oHJOGSVZIy — Billie Jean King ( @ BillieJeanKing ) September 19 , 2020 Just heard the worst news ... so sad !
Ruth Bader Ginsburg you will live in history forever .
May you rest in peace .
😢🙏😢 — Barbra Streisand ( @ BarbraStreisand ) September 19 , 2020 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fairness , rational thought , and progress .
She will be missed more than we can yet imagine .
— Seth MacFarlane ( @ SethMacFarlane ) September 18 , 2020 “ A gender line ... helps to keep women not on a pedestal , but in a cage .
`` - Ruth Bader Ginsburg .
Rest in Justice .
pic.twitter.com/zdneRZGASk — Maya Wiley ( @ mayawiley ) September 18 , 2020 Her legacy on this country 's justice system , unparalleled .
Her tenacity for ensuring this country lived up to its promise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is a giant loss for our country .
May she rest in peace .
— Tom Steyer ( @ TomSteyer ) September 18 , 2020 Ruth Bader Ginsburg , for whom my wife Caroline clerked & who married us 25 years ago , was an extraordinary trailblazer , a fighter and an inspiration Our thoughts are with her family and all those she lifted .
RIP # rbg pic.twitter.com/eQnyi4tC4v — Robert Malley ( @ Rob_Malley ) September 18 , 2020 The saddest news for justice & democracy .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ role model for women and our protector of equal rights .
RIP Ruth Bader Ginsburg .
May her spirit protect us from the unprincipled Senate Republicans reversing their Merrick Garland rule .
Let 's celebrate RBG life .
— Jill Wine-Banks ( @ JillWineBanks ) September 18 , 2020 Rest In Peace , Justice Ginsburg .
You served your country beautifully .
An inspiration for women everywhere , and an example in how to befriend those across the aisle .
Justice Scalia is waiting for you , cuing up the opera orchestra .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ megynkelly ) September 18 , 2020 This is a breaking news story .
Check back for updates .

I will always remember what she said to us the day we met her: “Be the best you.” It was simple yet profound. Thank you RBG for fighting all these years. We will honor you by continuing to fight for equality, empathy and justice for all. 💔 #RIPRBG ✨❤✨


thehuffingtonpost--2020-09-18--Senate Democrats Raised A Record $26 Million In August

BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI via Getty Images The DSCC , led by Nevada Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto , brought in a record fundraising haul in August .
That could help make New York Sen. Chuck Schumer the majority leader of the Senate in 2021 .
The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee now has $ 41 million on hand as the battle for control of the Senate enters its final months .
Republicans have a 53-47 edge in the Senate , and national Democrats have invested money in flipping 10 GOP-held seats that are up for grabs in November .
Republicans have hopes of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hopes of passing their plans to rebuild the economy following the coronavirus pandemic , as well as enacting their longer-term agenda on guns , income inequality , health care and climate change , requires taking control of the Senate in 2020 — and potentially on the size of the party ’ s majority .
The committee said 86 % of the money raised came from grassroots donations online , in the mail or over the phone .
“ The grassroots community continues to show up for our work to flip the Senate , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been possible without their support , ” said Nevada Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto , the chair of the DSCC .
“ The momentum behind Democratic Senate candidates will continue to fuel these races through these final crucial weeks and provide critical resources to ensure we reach voters across these battleground states.
” Democratic fundraising spiked in August amid both parties ’ nominating conventions and former Vice President Joe Biden ’ s selection of California Sen. Kamala Harris as his running mate .
Biden and the Democratic National Committee combined to raise $ 364 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s haul comes as Senate Republicans increasingly argue to donors that keeping control of the Senate is the GOP ’ s only chance to block Democratic policy goals if President Donald Trump loses .
Senate Leadership Fund , a super PAC controlled by allies of McConnell , announced earlier on Friday it raised $ 37.4 million in August , and had $ 126.1 million cash on hand .
As a super PAC , the group can collect donations of any size .
The National Republican Senatorial Committee , the GOP equivalent to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its August fundraising .
Both groups are subject to strict federal fundraising limits .
The major super PAC supporting Senate Democrats , Senate Majority PAC , is also yet to announce its August fundraising totals .
All four groups must file fundraising updates with the Federal Election Commission by Sept. 20 .
The DSCC is spending heavily on television ads attacking Republican incumbents in Arizona , Iowa , Montana and North Carolina and is making smaller investments in South Carolina and Texas .
Other Democratic groups are spending in Maine , Alaska , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nearly every state are raising more than their GOP opponents : South Carolina Democrat Jaime Harrison raised $ 10.6 million in August for his challenge to Sen. Lindsay Graham , for instance .
Both Democratic and Republican strategists agree Republicans are likely to oust Democratic Sen. Doug Jones in Alabama , while Democratic challengers John Hickenlooper and Mark Kelly are favored to beat incumbent Republicans Cory Gardner and Martha McSally in Colorado and Arizona .
That means control of the Senate is likely to come down to four races : a matchup between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Speaker Sara Gideon ; a battle in Iowa between Theresa Greenfield and GOP Sen. Joni Ernst ; Democratic Montana Gov .
Steve Bullock ’ s challenge to Sen. Steve Daines ; and the race between Cal Cunningham and Republican Sen. Thom Tillis in North Carolina .
Democrats will need to win at least two of those races to gain control of the Senate , assuming Biden wins the presidential race .

The DSCC, led by Nevada Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, brought in a record fundraising haul in August. That could help make New York Sen. Chuck Schumer the majority leader of the Senate in 2021. BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI via Getty Images
Senate Democrats’ campaign arm raised a record $26.9 million in August, officials told HuffPost, as small-dollar donors eager to oust Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) poured money into the group’s coffers.
The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee now has $41 million on hand as the battle for control of the Senate enters its final months. Republicans have a 53-47 edge in the Senate, and national Democrats have invested money in flipping 10 GOP-held seats that are up for grabs in November. Republicans have hopes of picking up just two seats.
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Democratic hopes of passing their plans to rebuild the economy following the coronavirus pandemic, as well as enacting their longer-term agenda on guns, income inequality, health care and climate change, requires taking control of the Senate in 2020 — and potentially on the size of the party’s majority.
The committee said 86% of the money raised came from grassroots donations online, in the mail or over the phone.
“The grassroots community continues to show up for our work to flip the Senate, and this record-shattering report would not have been possible without their support,” said Nevada Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, the chair of the DSCC. “The momentum behind Democratic Senate candidates will continue to fuel these races through these final crucial weeks and provide critical resources to ensure we reach voters across these battleground states.”
The August haul is a significant spike in the DSCC’s fundraising. It raised roughly $13 million in both June and July.
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Democratic fundraising spiked in August amid both parties’ nominating conventions and former Vice President Joe Biden’s selection of California Sen. Kamala Harris as his running mate. Biden and the Democratic National Committee combined to raise $364 million in that month.
The DSCC’s haul comes as Senate Republicans increasingly argue to donors that keeping control of the Senate is the GOP’s only chance to block Democratic policy goals if President Donald Trump loses. Senate Leadership Fund, a super PAC controlled by allies of McConnell, announced earlier on Friday it raised $37.4 million in August, and had $126.1 million cash on hand. As a super PAC, the group can collect donations of any size.
The National Republican Senatorial Committee, the GOP equivalent to the DSCC, has not yet announced its August fundraising. Both groups are subject to strict federal fundraising limits.
The major super PAC supporting Senate Democrats, Senate Majority PAC, is also yet to announce its August fundraising totals. All four groups must file fundraising updates with the Federal Election Commission by Sept. 20.
The DSCC is spending heavily on television ads attacking Republican incumbents in Arizona, Iowa, Montana and North Carolina and is making smaller investments in South Carolina and Texas. Other Democratic groups are spending in Maine, Alaska, Colorado and Kansas.
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Democratic candidates in nearly every state are raising more than their GOP opponents: South Carolina Democrat Jaime Harrison raised $10.6 million in August for his challenge to Sen. Lindsay Graham, for instance.
Both Democratic and Republican strategists agree Republicans are likely to oust Democratic Sen. Doug Jones in Alabama, while Democratic challengers John Hickenlooper and Mark Kelly are favored to beat incumbent Republicans Cory Gardner and Martha McSally in Colorado and Arizona.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-09-18--Trump Announces Push For 'Patriotic Education' In American Schools

President Donald Trump claimed Thursday that American schoolchildren are “ fed lies ” about the country being “ plagued by racism , ” and he plans to sign an executive order intended to encourage schools to give students a “ patriotic education.
” Despite this , Trump ’ s order will establish a commission to promote lessons that “ teach our children about the miracle of American history.
” The announcement comes as a direct response to some school districts ’ decision to teach history in the more honest and evenhanded way outlined by The New York Times ’ 1619 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be called the “ 1776 Commission.
” The Times ’ project is a multimedia collection of reporting and essays that argues the U.S. was truly founded in 1619 ― the year the first group of enslaved Africans arrived on Virginia soil .
Speaking alongside original copies of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence , Trump falsely said the project had been “ totally discredited.
” Contrary to his statement , 1619 Project creator Nikole Hannah-Jones won a Pulitzer prize for her efforts .
In reality , American schools are largely failing to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of slavery , according to a 2018 report from the Southern Poverty Law Center that surveyed teachers , students , textbooks and standards set by the states .
The report found that schools tend to focus on “ feel good ” stories about Black people overcoming obstacles in history , while promoting little understanding of how Black slave labor helped build the country .
Trump went on , claiming that The New York Times project teaches that the U.S. was “ founded on the principle of oppression , not freedom.
” “ Nothing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he said .
“ America ’ s founding set in motion the unstoppable chain of events that abolished slavery , secured civil rights , defeated communism and fascism , and built the most fair , equal and prosperous nation in human history.
” The Founding Fathers allowed slavery in the Constitution ; the practice required a constitutional amendment to end it nearly a century later .
Trump drew a direct line between what he called “ left-wing indoctrination ” in schools and “ left-wing rioting and mayhem , ” a reference to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ place since late May in response to documented incidents of police brutality .
Some theft and property damage has been seen in cities like Kenosha , Wisconsin ; however , the vast majority of demonstrators have been peaceful and much of the violence has come as a result of police clashes with civilians .
The president and other Republicans have previously attacked the 1619 Project as schools around the country decided to incorporate it into their curriculums .
Over Twitter , Trump went so far as to threaten to defund any school that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very limited ability to do so .

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President Donald Trump claimed Thursday that American schoolchildren are “fed lies” about the country being “plagued by racism,” and he plans to sign an executive order intended to encourage schools to give students a “patriotic education.”
The federal government does not control school curriculums on a local level.
Despite this, Trump’s order will establish a commission to promote lessons that “teach our children about the miracle of American history.”
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The announcement comes as a direct response to some school districts’ decision to teach history in the more honest and evenhanded way outlined by The New York Times’ 1619 Project. Trump’s panel will be called the “1776 Commission.”
The Times’ project is a multimedia collection of reporting and essays that argues the U.S. was truly founded in 1619 ― the year the first group of enslaved Africans arrived on Virginia soil.
Speaking alongside original copies of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, Trump falsely said the project had been “totally discredited.” Contrary to his statement, 1619 Project creator Nikole Hannah-Jones won a Pulitzer prize for her efforts.
“Teaching this horrible doctrine to our children is a form of child abuse, the truest sense,” Trump said.
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In reality, American schools are largely failing to teach the complex history and present-day legacy of slavery, according to a 2018 report from the Southern Poverty Law Center that surveyed teachers, students, textbooks and standards set by the states. The report found that schools tend to focus on “feel good” stories about Black people overcoming obstacles in history, while promoting little understanding of how Black slave labor helped build the country.
Trump went on, claiming that The New York Times project teaches that the U.S. was “founded on the principle of oppression, not freedom.”
“Nothing could be further from the truth,” he said. “America’s founding set in motion the unstoppable chain of events that abolished slavery, secured civil rights, defeated communism and fascism, and built the most fair, equal and prosperous nation in human history.”
The Founding Fathers allowed slavery in the Constitution; the practice required a constitutional amendment to end it nearly a century later.
Trump drew a direct line between what he called “left-wing indoctrination” in schools and “left-wing rioting and mayhem,” a reference to the widespread anti-racism protests that have taken place since late May in response to documented incidents of police brutality. Some theft and property damage has been seen in cities like Kenosha, Wisconsin; however, the vast majority of demonstrators have been peaceful and much of the violence has come as a result of police clashes with civilians.
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The president and other Republicans have previously attacked the 1619 Project as schools around the country decided to incorporate it into their curriculums. Over Twitter, Trump went so far as to threaten to defund any school that taught the project, despite having a very limited ability to do so.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-09-18--Poll: Few Americans Back Trump's Decision To 'Play Down' Coronavirus

Alex Wong via Getty Images President Donald Trump holds a White House news conference Friday .
A new HuffPost/YouGov poll indicates 51 % of Americans disapprove of the way the president has handled the coronavirus pandemic .
Roughly half of Americans believe that President Donald Trump misled the American public about the seriousness of the coronavirus , a new HuffPost/YouGov poll finds , with only about a third saying he did not do so .
The poll was taken following the release of conversations between Trump and journalist Bob Woodward that were taped earlier this year for a book Woodward @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these interviews , Trump said in February that the coronavirus was “ more deadly than even your strenuous flus.
” But in March , speaking about the seriousness of the coronavirus , Trump said , “ I wanted to always play it down .
I still like playing it down because I don ’ t want to create a panic.
” Trump defended his comments following the release of the interviews , saying , “ I don ’ t want people to be frightened .
I don ’ t want to create panic.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 28 % , that it was a bad decision for Trump to play down the seriousness of the virus .
Views were strongly polarized , but with Trump ’ s backers less supportive than his detractors were opposed .
Voters who supported Trump in 2016 said by a 44-percentage-point margin that it was a good decision for the president to play down the pandemic , while Hillary Clinton voters said by a much broader margin ― 81 points ― that it was a bad decision for him to do so .
Non-voters and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , by a 26-point margin , that it was a bad decision .
Just shy of half of Americans , 46 % , said that Trump ’ s decision to play down the seriousness of the growing pandemic worsened the U.S. ’ s response , with 27 % saying it didn ’ t have much of an effect and 13 % saying it improved the country ’ s response .
By 51 % to 32 % , Americans said that Trump misled the public in February and March about the seriousness of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Americans said they approved of Trump ’ s handling of the coronavirus , with 51 % disapproving .
Public opinion about Trump ’ s handling of the virus , those results suggest , hasn ’ t changed notably as a result of the latest revelations .
In HuffPost/YouGov polls conducted Aug. 27-29 and Sept. 4-7 , just before the interviews were revealed , Trump ’ s approval on handling the coronavirus outbreak ranged between 36 % and 44 % .
Four in 10 said in the latest poll they were at least @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the coronavirus were reliable and accurate , with half saying they were not very or not at all confident .
A 54 % majority said Trump ’ s messaging on the coronavirus has changed at times , with 30 % saying that it has been consistent .
A plurality , 47 % , said they thought Trump was taking the coronavirus outbreak less seriously than they were , with 27 % saying he was taking it about as seriously as they were and 15 % that he was taking it more seriously @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a margin of error that represents some but not all potential survey errors .
YouGov ’ s reports include a model-based margin of error , which rests on a specific set of statistical assumptions about the selected sample rather than the standard methodology for random probability sampling .
If these assumptions are wrong , the model-based margin of error may also be inaccurate .

President Donald Trump holds a White House news conference Friday. A new HuffPost/YouGov poll indicates 51% of Americans disapprove of the way the president has handled the coronavirus pandemic. Alex Wong via Getty Images
Roughly half of Americans believe that President Donald Trump misled the American public about the seriousness of the coronavirus, a new HuffPost/YouGov poll finds, with only about a third saying he did not do so.
The poll was taken following the release of conversations between Trump and journalist Bob Woodward that were taped earlier this year for a book Woodward was writing. According to recordings of these interviews, Trump said in February that the coronavirus was “more deadly than even your strenuous flus.”
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But in March, speaking about the seriousness of the coronavirus, Trump said, “I wanted to always play it down. I still like playing it down because I don’t want to create a panic.”
Those comments reached a slim majority of the public ― 55% said they’d heard of them prior to taking the survey.
Trump defended his comments following the release of the interviews, saying, “I don’t want people to be frightened. I don’t want to create panic.”
Americans said, 51% to 28%, that it was a bad decision for Trump to play down the seriousness of the virus. Views were strongly polarized, but with Trump’s backers less supportive than his detractors were opposed. Voters who supported Trump in 2016 said by a 44-percentage-point margin that it was a good decision for the president to play down the pandemic, while Hillary Clinton voters said by a much broader margin ― 81 points ― that it was a bad decision for him to do so. Non-voters and those who supported a third-party candidate said, by a 26-point margin, that it was a bad decision.
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Just shy of half of Americans, 46%, said that Trump’s decision to play down the seriousness of the growing pandemic worsened the U.S.’s response, with 27% saying it didn’t have much of an effect and 13% saying it improved the country’s response. By 51% to 32%, Americans said that Trump misled the public in February and March about the seriousness of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Overall, 42% of Americans said they approved of Trump’s handling of the coronavirus, with 51% disapproving. Public opinion about Trump’s handling of the virus, those results suggest, hasn’t changed notably as a result of the latest revelations. In HuffPost/YouGov polls conducted Aug. 27-29 and Sept. 4-7, just before the interviews were revealed, Trump’s approval on handling the coronavirus outbreak ranged between 36% and 44%.
Four in 10 said in the latest poll they were at least somewhat confident that Trump’s statements about the coronavirus were reliable and accurate, with half saying they were not very or not at all confident. A 54% majority said Trump’s messaging on the coronavirus has changed at times, with 30% saying that it has been consistent.
A plurality, 47%, said they thought Trump was taking the coronavirus outbreak less seriously than they were, with 27% saying he was taking it about as seriously as they were and 15% that he was taking it more seriously than they were.
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The HuffPost/YouGov poll consisted of 1,000 completed interviews conducted Sept. 9-12 among U.S. adults, using a sample selected from YouGov’s opt-in online panel to match the demographics and other characteristics of the adult U.S. population.
HuffPost has teamed up with YouGov to conduct daily opinion polls. You can learn more about this project and take part in YouGov’s nationally representative opinion polling. More details on the polls’ methodology are available here.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-09-18--Cartoon ‘Journalist’ Asks Joe Arpaio If People Will S**t On His Grave

Joe Arpaio may have just had the crappiest interview in his career , thanks to some animated “ journalists.
” The controversial former Arizona sheriff appeared on “ Tooning Out the News , ” a satirical CBS All Access series that features cartoon “ journalists ” interviewing real-life newsmakers .
Anyone expecting the animated anchors to throw softball questions at Arpaio were in for a shock .
A third of the segment detailed a long list of what the show called Arpaio ’ s “ atrocities , ” and the first question didn ’ t take place until nearly three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But it was a doozy : “ When did you discover your love of bigoted sadism was shared by so many people in America ’ s fourth-most populous county ?
” Arpaio griped that he didn ’ t “ have 50 hours to answer your Mickey Mouse questions that you get from some weekly newspaper.
” He also argued that statistics suggesting that 157 inmates died while imprisoned in his tent city — 39 of whom hanged themselves — were inaccurate .
One of the show ’ s animated hosts , Teddy Hopper @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Arpaio for treating “ confirmed facts as facts.
” Arpaio seemed to be prepared for tough questions , but there was one that he was unprepared for .
That was when anchor Rich Ballard ( voiced by Addison Anderson ) tried to ask a question with a more positive spin .
“ Now I don ’ t want to seem like a hokey idealist , but can we look forward to a day where people will take the biggest shits imaginable on your grave ?
” he asked .
“ You know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , big poops , ” he said .
Hopper then closed things out on a positive note .
Well , positive if you ’ re not Joe Arpaio .
“ Welp , I just remembered that life is fleeting , and it ’ s not worth wasting another second haranguing a monster , no matter how much he deserves to live by himself on salt flats , ” Ballard said .

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Joe Arpaio may have just had the crappiest interview in his career, thanks to some animated “journalists.”
The controversial former Arizona sheriff appeared on “Tooning Out the News,” a satirical CBS All Access series that features cartoon “journalists” interviewing real-life newsmakers.
Advertisement
Anyone expecting the animated anchors to throw softball questions at Arpaio were in for a shock.
A third of the segment detailed a long list of what the show called Arpaio’s “atrocities,” and the first question didn’t take place until nearly three minutes into the nearly 10-minute segment.
But it was a doozy: “When did you discover your love of bigoted sadism was shared by so many people in America’s fourth-most populous county?”
Arpaio griped that he didn’t “have 50 hours to answer your Mickey Mouse questions that you get from some weekly newspaper.” He also argued that statistics suggesting that 157 inmates died while imprisoned in his tent city — 39 of whom hanged themselves — were inaccurate.
One of the show’s animated hosts, Teddy Hopper (voiced byJeremy Bent), apologized to Arpaio for treating “confirmed facts as facts.”
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Arpaio seemed to be prepared for tough questions, but there was one that he was unprepared for.
That was when anchor Rich Ballard (voiced by Addison Anderson) tried to ask a question with a more positive spin.
“Now I don’t want to seem like a hokey idealist, but can we look forward to a day where people will take the biggest shits imaginable on your grave?” he asked.
Arpaio was understandably confused. “Take a what on your grave?” he asked.
After a moment of awkward silence, Ballad clarified.
“You know, just giant dumps. You know, big poops,” he said.
Arpaio said he did not understand the question.
Hopper then closed things out on a positive note. Well, positive if you’re not Joe Arpaio.
“Welp, I just remembered that life is fleeting, and it’s not worth wasting another second haranguing a monster, no matter how much he deserves to live by himself on salt flats,” Ballard said.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-09-18--LGBTQ TikTok Users Fear Losing 'Safe Space' As Trump Bans Downloads

LONDON , Sept 18 ( Thomson Reuters Foundation ) - U.S. LGBT+ TikTok users said on Friday they feared losing a popular community platform and valued “ safe space , ” after the Trump administration announced it would stop Americans from downloading the Chinese-owned video-sharing app .
The order , which takes effect on Sunday , only bans new downloads of the app , but TikTok said another restriction due to kick in on Nov. 12 would amount to an effective ban affecting existing users .
TikTok , which has 100 million U.S. users , is widely used by young @ @ @ @ @ @ @ find a date , and swap advice and stories about traumatic experiences such as being forced into conversion therapy .
“ It ’ s gutting , ” said Rob Anderson a former marketing manager from New York City , with almost a million followers on his account @ heartthrobert , where he posts humorous “ Gay Science ” videos .
“ It ’ s a space where trans and queer and gay people can have fun with their gayness , ” said Anderson , who quit his job to pursue comedy thanks to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first time I ’ ve ever seen anything like that for gay and queer and trans people.
” The 32-year-old said the app ’ s algorithm made it feel as if you were in a room with millions of other people sharing a joke .
Hunter , a transgender 16-year-old from Michigan with more than 23,000 followers on TikTok , told the Thomson ReutersFoundation that LGBT+ TikTok “ genuinely felt like it was a safe space.
” “ My mental health might get a little bit worse , because , even though sometimes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me down , TikTok has become a coping mechanism , especially during lockdown ... it also connects me with people , ” Hunter said .
Dill , a 25-year-old Boston teacher and self-described “ Lesbian step sister , ” who has 131,000 followers at @ dillyonce , said the app had become a second home and family for people who felt like their “ weird and beautiful ” videos were valued .
“ Having to leave this community that has welcomed me so warmly over these last few months would be devastating , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I would never have been so blessed to have met so many amazing people that I consider genuine friends.
” The ban on new U.S. downloads could still be rescinded by President Donald Trump before it takes effect , if TikTok ’ s parent group ByteDance seals a deal with Oracle that addresses concerns about the security of its users ’ data .

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LONDON, Sept 18 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - U.S. LGBT+ TikTok users said on Friday they feared losing a popular community platform and valued “safe space,” after the Trump administration announced it would stop Americans from downloading the Chinese-owned video-sharing app.
The order, which takes effect on Sunday, only bans new downloads of the app, but TikTok said another restriction due to kick in on Nov. 12 would amount to an effective ban affecting existing users.
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TikTok, which has 100 million U.S. users, is widely used by young LGBT+ people to share niche jokes, find a date, and swap advice and stories about traumatic experiences such as being forced into conversion therapy.
“It’s gutting,” said Rob Anderson a former marketing manager from New York City, with almost a million followers on his account @heartthrobert, where he posts humorous “Gay Science” videos.
“It’s a space where trans and queer and gay people can have fun with their gayness,” said Anderson, who quit his job to pursue comedy thanks to TikTok.
“It’s the first time I’ve ever seen anything like that for gay and queer and trans people.”
The 32-year-old said the app’s algorithm made it feel as if you were in a room with millions of other people sharing a joke.
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Hunter, a transgender 16-year-old from Michigan with more than 23,000 followers on TikTok, told the Thomson ReutersFoundation that LGBT+ TikTok “genuinely felt like it was a safe space.”
“My mental health might get a little bit worse, because, even though sometimes social media can really, really bring me down, TikTok has become a coping mechanism, especially during lockdown... it also connects me with people,” Hunter said.
Dill, a 25-year-old Boston teacher and self-described “Lesbian step sister,” who has 131,000 followers at @dillyonce,said the app had become a second home and family for people who felt like their “weird and beautiful” videos were valued.
“Having to leave this community that has welcomed me so warmly over these last few months would be devastating,” she said.
“Without TikTok I would never have been so blessed to have met so many amazing people that I consider genuine friends.”
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The ban on new U.S. downloads could still be rescinded by President Donald Trump before it takes effect, if TikTok’s parent group ByteDance seals a deal with Oracle that addresses concerns about the security of its users’ data.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-09-18--Man Who Made Knife From Frozen Poop Among 2020 Ig Nobel Winners

An anthropologist who tested an urban legend by fashioning a knife out of frozen human feces , and a man who found that spiders oddly give scientists who study insects the heebie-jeebies , are among the 2020 winners .
Because of the coronavirus pandemic , Thursday ’ s 30th annual Ig Nobel ceremony was a 75-minute prerecorded virtual affair instead of the usual live event at Harvard University .
Even so , it managed to maintain some of the event ’ s traditions , including real Nobel Prize laureates handing out the amusing alternatives .
“ It was a nightmare @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but we got it done , ” said Marc Abrahams , editor of the Annals of Improbable Research magazine , the event ’ s primary sponsor .
This year ’ s winners also included a collection of world leaders who think they ’ re smarter than doctors and scientists , and a team of Dutch and Belgian researchers who looked at why chewing and other sounds people make drive us crazy .
Metin Eren has been fascinated since high school by the story of an Inuit man in Canada who made a knife @ @ @ @ @ @ @ story has been told and retold , but is it true ?
The study is a little gross but makes an important point : There are a lot of narratives out there based on phony or unproven science .
Vetter , a retired research associate and spider specialist who worked in the entomology department at the University of California Riverside for 32 years , found during the course of his work that many insect lovers hate spiders .
“ It always struck me as funny that when I talked to entomologists about spiders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lines of , ‘ Oh , I hate spiders !
’ ” he said in a telephone interview .
He found that many bug lovers had had a negative experience with a spider , including bites and nightmares .
The fact that spiders are often hairy , fast , silent and have all those creepy eyes freaks out entomologists , he said .
“ These are all individuals who realized that their judgment is better than the judgment of people who have been studying this their entire lives , and were more insistent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Abrahams made efforts to reach out to the world leaders to accept their awards , with no luck .
“ It would have been fun for them to take part , ” he said .
Denys , a professor at the University of Amsterdam in the Netherlands and a psychiatrist who specializes in patients with anxiety , compulsive and impulsive disorders , was inspired by a former patient who became so enraged by people who sneezed that she felt like killing them .
In order to keep the tradition of real Nobel Prize @ @ @ @ @ @ @ organizers came up with a bit of video wizardry .
Each winner was mailed a document that they could print out that included instructions on how to assemble their own cube-shaped prize .
To make it look as if the real Nobel laureates were handing them out , they handed their prizes off screen , and the winner reached off screen to pull in the one they had self-assembled .

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Maybe this year’s Ig Nobels, the spoof prizes for dubious but humorous scientific achievement, should have been renamed the Ick Nobels.
An anthropologist who tested an urban legend by fashioning a knife out of frozen human feces, and a man who found that spiders oddly give scientists who study insects the heebie-jeebies, are among the 2020 winners.
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Because of the coronavirus pandemic, Thursday’s 30th annual Ig Nobel ceremony was a 75-minute prerecorded virtual affair instead of the usual live event at Harvard University. Even so, it managed to maintain some of the event’s traditions, including real Nobel Prize laureates handing out the amusing alternatives.
“It was a nightmare, and it took us months, but we got it done,” said Marc Abrahams, editor of the Annals of Improbable Research magazine, the event’s primary sponsor.
This year’s winners also included a collection of world leaders who think they’re smarter than doctors and scientists, and a team of Dutch and Belgian researchers who looked at why chewing and other sounds people make drive us crazy.
Metin Eren has been fascinated since high school by the story of an Inuit man in Canada who made a knife out of his own excrement. The story has been told and retold, but is it true?
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Eren and his colleagues decided to find out.
Eren, an assistant professor of anthropology at Kent State University in Ohio and co-director of the university’s Experimental Archaeology Lab, used real human feces frozen to minus-50 degrees Centigrade and filed to a sharp edge.
He then tried to cut meat with it.
“The poop knives failed miserably,” he said in a telephone interview. “There’s not a lot of basis empirically for this fantastic story.”
The study is a little gross but makes an important point: There are a lot of narratives out there based on phony or unproven science.
“The point of this was to show that evidence and fact checking are vital,” he said.
Richard Vetter won an Ig Nobel for his paper looking at why people who spend their lives studying insects are creeped out by spiders.
His paper, “Arachnophobic Entomologists: Why Two Legs Make all the Difference,” appeared in the the journal American Entomologist in 2013.
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Vetter, a retired research associate and spider specialist who worked in the entomology department at the University of California Riverside for 32 years, found during the course of his work that many insect lovers hate spiders.
“It always struck me as funny that when I talked to entomologists about spiders, they would say something along the lines of, ‘Oh, I hate spiders!’” he said in a telephone interview.
He found that many bug lovers had had a negative experience with a spider, including bites and nightmares. The fact that spiders are often hairy, fast, silent and have all those creepy eyes freaks out entomologists, he said.
This year’s Ig Nobel for Medical Education was shared by a group of world leaders including U.S. President Donald Trump, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Russian President Vladimir Putin for their attitude around the pandemic.
“These are all individuals who realized that their judgment is better than the judgment of people who have been studying this their entire lives, and were more insistent about it,” Abrahams said.
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Abrahams made efforts to reach out to the world leaders to accept their awards, with no luck. “It would have been fun for them to take part,” he said.
Damiaan Denys and his colleagues earned the Ig Nobel in medicine for pioneering a new psychiatric diagnosis — misophonia — getting annoyed by noises others make.
Denys, a professor at the University of Amsterdam in the Netherlands and a psychiatrist who specializes in patients with anxiety, compulsive and impulsive disorders, was inspired by a former patient who became so enraged by people who sneezed that she felt like killing them.
“I had a lot of knowledge about compulsive disorder but these complaints did not meet any existing clinical picture,” he said in an email.
In order to keep the tradition of real Nobel Prize winners handing out the Ig Nobels, organizers came up with a bit of video wizardry. Each winner was mailed a document that they could print out that included instructions on how to assemble their own cube-shaped prize. To make it look as if the real Nobel laureates were handing them out, they handed their prizes off screen, and the winner reached off screen to pull in the one they had self-assembled.
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As usual, most winners welcomed the recognition that comes with the spoof prize — sort of.
Denys said that while the Ig Nobels ridicule legitimate scientific work, they also bring attention and publicity.
Eren attended the Ig Nobel ceremony in 2003 when he was an undergraduate student at Harvard, so he was thrilled to finally win one of his own.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-09-18--Muslim Teen Disqualified From Volleyball Match Because Of Her Hijab

Najah Aqeel , who is a ninth grader at Valor Collegiate Academies , a public charter network based in Nashville , Tennessee , was due to play at an away game for the freshman volleyball team on Tuesday .
Right before the start of the game , the referee told Najah and her assistant coach that her hijab violated the rules set by the National Federation of State High School Associations ( NFHS ) , the national body that writes the rules for numerous sports for most high schools across the country , and that she required special permission to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crying .
She was upset and I am that mom that ’ s like , ‘ No .
You can ’ t make her cry , ’ ” said Aliya .
“ This was an injustice .
It was because of her religion .
It was because of her hijab.
” Najah is not the first Muslim student-athlete to have been disqualified from a high school competition due to the hijab .
In 2018 , Muslim teen Noor Alexandria Abukaram was disqualified from her race in Ohio after completing her personal best time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ uniform and she needed to have a waiver .
Beyond schools , Muslim athletes in professional leagues have also faced similar challenges due to their hijabs , and many said they felt forced to choose between their faith and their passion for sports .
Advocates have since called on both athletic departments and international leagues alike to end singling out Muslims and update what they call antiqued rules that have particularly targeted Muslim women .
“ As an athletic department , we are extremely disappointed that we were not aware of this rule @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our 3 years as a TSSAA [ Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association ] member school .
We are also frustrated that this rule has been selectively enforced as evidenced by the fact that student-athletes have previously competed while wearing hijabs , ” said Cameron Hill , the director of Athletics at Valor Collegiate Academies in a statement .
But those changes came at a cost .
College basketball star Bilqis Abdul-Qaadir was on her way to playing international basketball when her dreams were halted .
The International Basketball Federation or FIBA prohibited her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Muslim woman who played for the University of Memphis was forced to give up her dream .
She ’ s since led the campaign for FIBA to change its policy .
In 2017 , the league finally lifted the ban .
“ The fact this is still going on and young girls have to still make this decision between faith and sport is ridiculous , and it ’ s time to really put an end to it , ” said Abdul-Qaadir .
“ We need to take these rules out of the way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ freely without having to answer to anybody.
” “ I don ’ t think there is any need for this policy .
It just others Muslim women athletes , ” said Ahmed .
“ High school athletic associations really need to revisit and reexamine what they expect athletes to do in order to compete .
These policies don ’ t reflect the communities they are supposed to represent and it ’ s unfair to the athletes and to their teams.
” “ We want the rule changes .
We want the rule thrown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That ’ s our biggest mission as a family and as a team .
So no other girl , not just Muslims , but no other religious groups have to go through what we go through .
”

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A high school athlete was disqualified from playing at her school’s volleyball game after a referee cited that her hijab violated the rules.
Najah Aqeel, who is a ninth grader at Valor Collegiate Academies, a public charter network based in Nashville, Tennessee, was due to play at an away game for the freshman volleyball team on Tuesday. Right before the start of the game, the referee told Najah and her assistant coach that her hijab violated the rules set by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), the national body that writes the rules for numerous sports for most high schools across the country, and that she required special permission to play.
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Neither Najah nor her coaches knew anything about the requirement. She had already played games wearing the hijab. Angered by the lack of communication and the arbitrary enforcement of the rule, Najah began to cry.
“I was crying, not because I was hurt. I was crying because I was angry. I just thought it was unfair,” Najah told HuffPost. Najah’s mother, Aliya Aqeel, who was present to watch her daughter play, was devastated and tried to get answers.
“My baby’s crying. She was upset and I am that mom that’s like, ‘No. You can’t make her cry,’” said Aliya. “This was an injustice. It was because of her religion. It was because of her hijab.”
Najah is not the first Muslim student-athlete to have been disqualified from a high school competition due to the hijab. In 2018, Muslim teen Noor Alexandria Abukaram was disqualified from her race in Ohio after completing her personal best time because officials said her hijab violated the uniform and she needed to have a waiver.
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Beyond schools, Muslim athletes in professional leagues have also faced similar challenges due to their hijabs, and many said they felt forced to choose between their faith and their passion for sports. Advocates have since called on both athletic departments and international leagues alike to end singling out Muslims and update what they call antiqued rules that have particularly targeted Muslim women.
A spokesperson for Valor Collegiate Academies told HuffPost that it had no idea the policy existed until that game, and that its other hijab-wearing athletes at the school had never had an issue.
“As an athletic department, we are extremely disappointed that we were not aware of this rule or previously informed of this rule in our 3 years as a TSSAA [Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association] member school. We are also frustrated that this rule has been selectively enforced as evidenced by the fact that student-athletes have previously competed while wearing hijabs,” said Cameron Hill, the director of Athletics at Valor Collegiate Academies in a statement.
Although the school was able to get a waiver for Najah and future players, Hill called the rule “discriminatory” and “inequitable.”
When asked about the headwear rule, TSSAA, the state-level member of NFHS, told HuffPost it was just following the rules set by the national organization.
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“TSSAA has always granted exceptions to any student that wishes to participate with headwear, or other articles of clothing, due to religious reasons,” said Bernard Childress, the executive director of the organization.
“The request in this situation was submitted to our office on Wednesday, September 16, and was approved immediately,” he added. But for Najah, it was too late. She was forced to sit out Tuesday’s game.
The NFHS established its rules with the goal of minimizing risk, Karissa Niehoff, executive director of the federation, told HuffPost in an email.
“The NFHS strongly supports the Constitutional rights that our young people have to exercise freedom of religion and has no intent to interfere with those rights,” Niehoff wrote. “We will take a hard look at the language in our rules publications and continue to work with our state associations as they develop policies related to NFHS playing rules in their states.”
The Middle Tennessee Volleyball Association, the administration that supplied the referee, did not respond to HuffPost’s request for comment.
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Najah Aqeel, who is a ninth-grader at Valor Collegiate Academies, a public charter network based in Nashville, Tennessee, was prohibited from playing because of her hijab. The family and advocates say the rule is antiquated and unfair. Photo provided by Aqeel family
Policing Muslim Women’s Dress In Sports
In 2017, the International Basketball Federation overturned its long-criticized ban on religious headwear, including the hijab, after much scrutiny. Following the suit, the International Boxing Association announced last year that Muslim women would also be allowed to compete in a hijab.
Big sports companies are jumping at those changes. That same year, Nike launched its Pro Hijab line. Companies like Adidas and Under Armour followed suit.
But those changes came at a cost. College basketball star Bilqis Abdul-Qaadir was on her way to playing international basketball when her dreams were halted. The International Basketball Federation or FIBA prohibited her from playing with her hijab. The Muslim woman who played for the University of Memphis was forced to give up her dream. She’s since led the campaign for FIBA to change its policy. In 2017, the league finally lifted the ban.
When Abdul-Qaadir heard about Najah’s incident, she was outraged. She said the incident brought back traumatic memories for her when she was confronted and humiliated by sports officials because of her hijab.
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“The fact this is still going on and young girls have to still make this decision between faith and sport is ridiculous, and it’s time to really put an end to it,” said Abdul-Qaadir. “We need to take these rules out of the way so that more of us can play freely without having to answer to anybody.”
Shireen Ahmed, a sportswriter who has extensively covered Muslim women in sports, said “policies that require athletes to provide waivers are extremely outdated” and that there was no significant evidence or research that demonstrates that wearing a hijab while playing sports is dangerous.
Schools and athletic associations need to ultimately support and advocate for their athletes against such policies, said Ahmed, adding that putting the onus on athletes like Najah or Noor in Ohio can be detrimental for the player.
“I don’t think there is any need for this policy. It just others Muslim women athletes,” said Ahmed. “High school athletic associations really need to revisit and reexamine what they expect athletes to do in order to compete. These policies don’t reflect the communities they are supposed to represent and it’s unfair to the athletes and to their teams.”
Fighting For Change
In Ohio, Noor was able to successfully lobby for change. In June, the Ohio Senate passed a bill to allow student religious expression in extracurricular activities. Najah wants the same.
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“We want the rule changes. We want the rule thrown out,” Aliya said. “That’s our biggest mission as a family and as a team. So no other girl, not just Muslims, but no other religious groups have to go through what we go through.”
Najah is among approximately 65,000 Muslims in the state of Tennessee. If the rule doesn’t change, advocates say it could discourage other Muslims from participating in sports.
“This just puts unnecessary barriers for people of all religions but for Muslim girls to participate fully in sports. Our state agency should be servicing all their student-athletes and make sure none of them feel discriminated against and there are no barriers to playing sports,” said Sabina Mohyuddin, the executive director at the American Muslim Advisory Council, an advocacy organization that empowers Muslim Americans in Tennessee.
Najah is back on the court and has played twice since the incident. Still, she and her family feel like this is just the beginning over a larger issue for Muslim women in sports.
“We’re not just fighting for Najah. We’re not just fighting for Muslims. We’re fighting for anyone that this rule impacts,” said Aliya.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-09-18--Pope Francis Seeks To 'Liberate' Virgin Mary From The Mafia

ROME ( AP ) — Pope Francis is giving his blessing to a new Vatican think tank that is seeking to prevent the Mafia and organized crime groups from exploiting the image of the Virgin Mary for their own illicit ends .
The Vatican ’ s Pontifical Marian Academy launched the think tank Friday at a conference titled “ Liberating Mary from the Mafia.
” It was a reference to the historic relationship between the Italian mob and the Catholic Church , and the popular displays of Marian devotion by mobsters in Italy and beyond .
In a message from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the conference , held at Rome ’ s Museum of Civilizations , Francis said the religious and cultural image and patrimony of the Madonna “ must be preserved in its original purity.
” He said any popular displays of devotion to Mary must “ conform to the message of the Gospel and the teachings of the church , ” and that people participating in them must be true Christians who look out for others , and especially the poor .
The Catholic Church in Italy has long been associated with the Mafia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ common cause against communism .
While some Catholic priests have courageously opposed the mob — and paid for it with their lives — others have been called to explain their celebration of funerals , weddings and other sacraments for mafia dons , acceptance of their donations and participation in their religious processions .
St. John Paul II in 1993 famously demanded Mafiosi convert , change their ways or face the wrath of God ’ s final judgment as he made a historic visit to Sicily after the mob slayings of two leading anti-Mafia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tradition , declaring that mobsters were “ excommunicated ” and saying mobsters can ’ t live Christian lives because their lifestyle “ blasphemes ” God .
Marian devotion is particularly important to Francis , history ’ s first pope from Latin America , where displays of such popular piety are common .
Francis ’ message to the new think tank , which includes clergy as well as law enforcement experts involved in the fight against organized crime , was dated Aug. 15 , a major Catholic feast day devoted to Mary .

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ROME (AP) — Pope Francis is giving his blessing to a new Vatican think tank that is seeking to prevent the Mafia and organized crime groups from exploiting the image of the Virgin Mary for their own illicit ends.
The Vatican’s Pontifical Marian Academy launched the think tank Friday at a conference titled “Liberating Mary from the Mafia.” It was a reference to the historic relationship between the Italian mob and the Catholic Church, and the popular displays of Marian devotion by mobsters in Italy and beyond.
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In a message from the pope read out at the start of the conference, held at Rome’s Museum of Civilizations, Francis said the religious and cultural image and patrimony of the Madonna “must be preserved in its original purity.”
He said any popular displays of devotion to Mary must “conform to the message of the Gospel and the teachings of the church,” and that people participating in them must be true Christians who look out for others, and especially the poor.
The Catholic Church in Italy has long been associated with the Mafia, thanks in part to their post-war common cause against communism. While some Catholic priests have courageously opposed the mob — and paid for it with their lives — others have been called to explain their celebration of funerals, weddings and other sacraments for mafia dons, acceptance of their donations and participation in their religious processions.
St. John Paul II in 1993 famously demanded Mafiosi convert, change their ways or face the wrath of God’s final judgment as he made a historic visit to Sicily after the mob slayings of two leading anti-Mafia prosecutors.
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Francis has followed in that tradition, declaring that mobsters were “excommunicated” and saying mobsters can’t live Christian lives because their lifestyle “blasphemes” God. Marian devotion is particularly important to Francis, history’s first pope from Latin America, where displays of such popular piety are common.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-09-18--13 Amazing Photos You Missed This Week

13 Amazing Photos You Missed This Week

We ’ re highlighting exceptional photos from around the world for the week of September 12-18 .
Check them out @ @ @ @ @ melted sign of the Oak Park Motel destroyed by the flames of the Beachie Creek @ @ @ @ @ , east of Salem , Oregon , on Sept. 13. Credit : Shannon Stapleton/Reuters

We’re highlighting exceptional photos from around the world for the week of September 12-18. Check them out below.
Above: The melted sign of the Oak Park Motel destroyed by the flames of the Beachie Creek Fire is seen in Gates, east of Salem, Oregon, on Sept. 13. Credit: Shannon Stapleton/Reuters


thehuffingtonpost--2020-09-18--Forecasters Run Out Of Storm Names In Busy Hurricane Season

LOXLEY , Ala. ( AP ) — Forecasters ran out of traditional names for storms Friday , forcing them to begin using the Greek alphabet for only the second time since the 1950s , with more than two months left in the record-shattering hurricane season .
Meanwhile , hundreds of thousands of people were still without power along the Alabama coast and the Florida panhandle in the aftermath of Hurricane Sally .
Officials continued to assess millions of dollars in damage that included a broken bridge in Pensacola and ships thrown onto dry land .
In Loxley , Alabama , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her roof to Sally .
The storm also destroyed three pecan trees in her yard that she used to try to make ends meet .
“ There ’ s no food , no money .
I took my last heart pill today , ” said Williams , who has been laid off twice from her job as a cook because of the economic problems caused by COVID-19 .
She hoped that the Red Cross would soon show up at her home .
Two people in Alabama were reported killed — a drowning and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ County .
In Florida , authorities were looking for a missing kayaker who was feared dead in Escambia County .
The supercharged Atlantic hurricane season has produced so many named storms that scientists ran out of traditional names as Tropical Storm Wilfred developed in the eastern Atlantic .
It was only the second time that has happened since forecasters standardized the naming system in 1953 .
Wilfred was weak and far from land .
Two hours after Wilfred took shape , the National Hurricane Center moved to the Greek alphabet when Subtropical Storm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Portugal .
Next up is Beta and so on .
Forecasters are watching at least two other systems , including one that is a tropical depression in the western Gulf of Mexico .
The only time the hurricane center dipped into the Greek alphabet was the deadly 2005 hurricane season , which included Hurricane Katrina ’ s strike on New Orleans .
The prior record for the earliest 21st named storm was Wilma on Oct. 8 , 2005 , according to Colorado State University hurricane researcher Phil Klotzbach .
Patterson ’ s mother @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to an uncle ’ s home to charge because he had power .
She saw utility trucks all over the city and wondered when power would be restored in her neighborhood , where several inches of water was standing in streets more than 48 hours after the storm .
Elsewhere in the city , Karen Robinson sat on the steps of her first-floor apartment and rattled off a list of belongings ruined by 4 feet ( 120 centimeters ) of water from Sally — clothes , shoes , furniture and food .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flood after a heavy rainstorm sent nearly the same amount of water from a creek into the 200-unit complex .
She was concerned because hurricane season runs until the end of November .
In Louisiana , about 41,000 people remain without power around Lake Charles , where Hurricane Laura made landfall on Aug. 27 .
On Oak Island , North Carolina , which was ground zero for Hurricane Isaias on Aug. 3 , some rental homes finally reopened by Labor Day .
With the dunes that provide some protection to the island gone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the rest of the storm season .

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LOXLEY, Ala. (AP) — Forecasters ran out of traditional names for storms Friday, forcing them to begin using the Greek alphabet for only the second time since the 1950s, with more than two months left in the record-shattering hurricane season.
Meanwhile, hundreds of thousands of people were still without power along the Alabama coast and the Florida panhandle in the aftermath of Hurricane Sally. Officials continued to assess millions of dollars in damage that included a broken bridge in Pensacola and ships thrown onto dry land.
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In Loxley, Alabama, Catherine Williams lost power and some of her roof to Sally. The storm also destroyed three pecan trees in her yard that she used to try to make ends meet.
“There’s no food, no money. I took my last heart pill today,” said Williams, who has been laid off twice from her job as a cook because of the economic problems caused by COVID-19. She hoped that the Red Cross would soon show up at her home.
Hurst Butts looks out at a flooded street in front of his business as Hurricane Sally passes through the area on Sep. 16 in Pensacola, Florida. Joe Raedle via Getty Images
Two people in Alabama were reported killed — a drowning and a death during the cleanup in Baldwin County. In Florida, authorities were looking for a missing kayaker who was feared dead in Escambia County.
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The supercharged Atlantic hurricane season has produced so many named storms that scientists ran out of traditional names as Tropical Storm Wilfred developed in the eastern Atlantic. It was only the second time that has happened since forecasters standardized the naming system in 1953. Wilfred was weak and far from land.
Two hours after Wilfred took shape, the National Hurricane Center moved to the Greek alphabet when Subtropical Storm Alpha formed just off the coast of Portugal. Next up is Beta and so on. Forecasters are watching at least two other systems, including one that is a tropical depression in the western Gulf of Mexico.
The only time the hurricane center dipped into the Greek alphabet was the deadly 2005 hurricane season, which included Hurricane Katrina’s strike on New Orleans. The prior record for the earliest 21st named storm was Wilma on Oct. 8, 2005, according to Colorado State University hurricane researcher Phil Klotzbach.
A person looks at a flooded neighborhood as Hurricane Sally passes through the area on Sep.16 in Pensacola, Florida. Joe Raedle via Getty Images
The onslaught of hurricanes has focused attention on climate change, which scientists say is causing wetter, stronger and more destructive storms.
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In Pensacola, Mamie Patterson was cleaning the yard of her cousin who was recovering from heart surgery after they lost power in a low-income neighborhood in Pensacola.
Patterson’s mother uses an oxygen machine that they took to an uncle’s home to charge because he had power. She saw utility trucks all over the city and wondered when power would be restored in her neighborhood, where several inches of water was standing in streets more than 48 hours after the storm.
“We feel a lot forgotten back here,” she said. “I hate to say it, but it’s the ghetto neighborhoods. We don’t have lights.”
Elsewhere in the city, Karen Robinson sat on the steps of her first-floor apartment and rattled off a list of belongings ruined by 4 feet (120 centimeters) of water from Sally — clothes, shoes, furniture and food.
A boat is seen washed up on shore after Hurricane Sally. Joe Raedle via Getty Images
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It took months to recover from a 2015 flood after a heavy rainstorm sent nearly the same amount of water from a creek into the 200-unit complex. She was concerned because hurricane season runs until the end of November.
“This could happen again. That’s the problem,” Robinson said as men tossed soggy items out of an apartment window nearby.
In Louisiana, about 41,000 people remain without power around Lake Charles, where Hurricane Laura made landfall on Aug. 27. On Oak Island, North Carolina, which was ground zero for Hurricane Isaias on Aug. 3, some rental homes finally reopened by Labor Day.
“It wasn’t pretty. We had piles of sand everywhere, plies of debris everywhere, but the roads were open,” Mayor Ken Thomas said.
With the dunes that provide some protection to the island gone, Thomas said people will be nervous for the rest of the storm season.
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“There’s a hurricane for everyone out there,” he said.
Mark Robinson removes the branch of a tree while cleaning up hurricane debris. CHANDAN KHANNA via Getty Images
Escambia County, which includes Pensacola, estimated that Sally caused at least $21 million in damage to public infrastructure such as roads and drainage. It will likely cost an additional $8 million to restore the sand washed away at Pensacola Beach, officials said.
The year-old Three Mile Bridge that connects Pensacola to the beaches was heavily damaged in at least two places, and authorities do not know how much money or time it will take to fix.
Back in the Atlantic, Hurricane Teddy was a powerful Category 4 storm about 850 miles (1,370 kilometers) southeast of Bermuda. The island was hit directly by Hurricane Paulette on Monday, and forecasters said a hurricane watch for Teddy may be issued soon.
___
Associated Press writers Bobby Caina Calvan in Tallahassee, Florida; Jeff Martin in Marietta, Georgia; and Jeffrey Collins in Columbia, South Carolina, also contributed to this report.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-09-18--1 Killed In Fire Sparked By Gender Reveal Party In California

SAN BERNARDINO , Calif. ( AP ) — A firefighter died battling a wildfire in California that officials said was sparked by a device used to reveal a baby ’ s gender .
The death happened Thursday in the San Bernardino National Forest as crews battled the El Dorado Fire , the U.S. Forest Service said in a statement .
The fire erupted earlier this month from a smoke-generating pyrotechnic device used by a couple to reveal their baby ’ s gender , the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection , or Cal Fire , said .
The name @ @ @ @ @ @ @ family members are notified .
The cause of the death was under investigation .
“ Our deepest sympathies are with the family , friends and fellow firefighters during this time , ” Forest Service spokesperson Zach Behrens said in the statement .
No other information was released about the firefighter , the agency the firefighter worked for or the circumstances of the firefighter ’ s death .
Behrens said in a telephone interview he could not comment beyond details in the statement .
California ’ s Department of Forestry and Fire Protection , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ month that the fire was ignited Sept. 5 when a couple , their young children and someone there to record video staged the baby gender reveal at El Dorado Ranch Park at the foot of the San Bernardino Mountains .
The device was set off in a field and quickly ignited dry grass .
The couple frantically tried to use bottled water to extinguish the flames and called 911 .
Authorities have not released the identities of the couple , who could face criminal charges and be held liable for the cost of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fire began , San Bernardino County District Attorney Jason Anderson issued a statement saying he was aware of the community ’ s concerns about how the fire started .
“ If investigative reports are filed with our office , we will review all facts , evidence , statements , and reports to determine what criminal charges , if any , need to be filed , ” Anderson said .
The wildfire has burned nearly 30 square miles ( 77.7 square kilometers ) and was about 66 % contained , according to Cal Fire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and damaged six others .
More than 17,000 firefighters are battling more than two dozen major wildfires in California .
The blazes are blamed for at least 25 deaths .

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SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. (AP) — A firefighter died battling a wildfire in California that officials said was sparked by a device used to reveal a baby’s gender.
The death happened Thursday in the San Bernardino National Forest as crews battled the El Dorado Fire, the U.S. Forest Service said in a statement.
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The fire erupted earlier this month from a smoke-generating pyrotechnic device used by a couple to reveal their baby’s gender, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, or Cal Fire, said.
The name of the firefighter was being withheld until family members are notified. The cause of the death was under investigation.
“Our deepest sympathies are with the family, friends and fellow firefighters during this time,” Forest Service spokesperson Zach Behrens said in the statement.
No other information was released about the firefighter, the agency the firefighter worked for or the circumstances of the firefighter’s death. Behrens said in a telephone interview he could not comment beyond details in the statement.
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California’s Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, or Cal Fire, said earlier this month that the fire was ignited Sept. 5 when a couple, their young children and someone there to record video staged the baby gender reveal at El Dorado Ranch Park at the foot of the San Bernardino Mountains.
The device was set off in a field and quickly ignited dry grass. The couple frantically tried to use bottled water to extinguish the flames and called 911.
Authorities have not released the identities of the couple, who could face criminal charges and be held liable for the cost of fighting the fire.
Shortly after the fire began, San Bernardino County District Attorney Jason Anderson issued a statement saying he was aware of the community’s concerns about how the fire started.
“If investigative reports are filed with our office, we will review all facts, evidence, statements, and reports to determine what criminal charges, if any, need to be filed,” Anderson said.
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The wildfire has burned nearly 30 square miles (77.7 square kilometers) and was about 66% contained, according to Cal Fire. The fire has destroyed 10 buildings and damaged six others.