thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-05--A New Billboard For Lawmakers: The Mask

A New Billboard For Lawmakers: The Mask

Alex Wong via Getty Images U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer ( D-N.Y. ) arrives to speak to the media with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ( D-Calif. ) at the U.S. Capitol on Aug. 4 in Washington , D.C. As face coverings become a new normal , lawmakers have figured out that it ’ s prime real estate to make a political statement .
If you hung around House votes for a few hours last week and catalogued all the different types of masks ― as HuffPost did ― you would have seen masks with American flags , sports team @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statements .
And then there were the more personal masks .
Earl Blumenauer ( D-Ore. ) , known for always wearing a bow tie and a bicycle pin , had a mask adorned with small bow ties all over it .
Rosa DeLauro ( D-Conn. ) , never one to miss an opportunity to stand out with her fashion , had a brightly colored mask with flowers that seemed to match the fuchsia clothing she was wearing .
Rep. Tony Cardenas ( D-Calif. ) actually had a professionally printed mask with his name @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to campaign !
Republicans seemed to go the more traditional route .
Rep. Dan Crenshaw ( R-Texas ) , seeming to summon some tea party vibes , wore a mask with the “ Don ’ t Tread On Me ” Gadsden Flag symbol .
And plenty of other GOP members ― nay , patriots ― had American flags on their masks , including Minority Whip Steve Scalise ( R-La . )
, Warren Davidson ( R-Ohio ) , and Fred Upton ( R-Mich. ) , while Rep. Jim McGovern ( D-Mass . )
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ England Patriots .
Sports teams were a common theme , even as the return of sports has been a controversial subject .
Budget Chairman John Yarmuth ( D-Ky. ) had a Cleveland Indians mask , and Rep. Conor Lamb ( D-Pa. ) , who usually does his best to avoid controversy , couldn ’ t help himself when it came to supporting the Pittsburgh Steelers .
Lamb admitted to HuffPost , in one of the more revealing conversations we ’ ve ever had with the cautious Democrat , that he ’ s a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are the members who seem to just be rooting for the concept of sports .
Rep. Chip Roy ( R-Texas ) had a mask with cartoon baseballs on it , like a child ’ s bedspread picked out by an aunt who said , “ Chip likes sports , right ?
” By far the most common face covering is still the light blue surgical mask , which the House actually supplies to members should they need one .
When Rep. Juan Vargas ( D-Calif. ) saw the supply outside the House chamber @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to one of the doormen guarding the PPE that the straps break because of his big head .
Other members seem to be having the opposite problem .
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ( D-N.Y. ) adjusts her all-black mask approximately every 10 seconds as it creeps slightly down her nose ― a consideration that is exactly opposite from Rep. Ralph Norman ( R-S.C. ) , who removed his mask with a palmetto tree on it when HuffPost asked him some questions about unemployment benefits .
There are still some members who seem to prefer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a mask .
Reps. Ted Yoho ( R-Fla. ) , Glenn Grothman ( R-Wis. ) , Cathy McMorris Rodgers ( R-Wash. ) , and Louie Gohmert ( R-Texas ) were all seen in the Capitol last week without a face covering at times .
Probably just under half of the members in the House are still wearing the disposable surgical mask , but the next most common mask is a variation of the plain black mask .
Like President Donald Trump himself ― who said he thinks he looks like the Lone Ranger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ members are proving that black never goes out of style .
But one mask that ’ s never in style is the face shield .
Rep. Bill Huizenga ( R-Mich. ) and Majority Whip Jim Clyburn ( D-S.C. ) have both been spotted in the shield , which is more appropriate for conducting a teeth cleaning than for protecting anyone from your viral load .
But it ’ s at least something .
Of the members spotted last week without a mask , Gohmert tested positive for coronavirus as he tried to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ returned to the Capitol , called an in-person meeting with his staff , recorded a video ( maskless ) about him contracting coronavirus in his office , and later went on “ Hannity ” to discuss how he might have caught coronavirus from wearing a mask .

U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) arrives to speak to the media with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) at the U.S. Capitol on Aug. 4 in Washington, D.C. Alex Wong via Getty Images
WASHINGTON ― Wearing a mask ― or not wearing a mask ― has already become a passionate political decision. But in Congress, the real politics of the mask are playing out on the mask.
As face coverings become a new normal, lawmakers have figured out that it’s prime real estate to make a political statement. If you hung around House votes for a few hours last week and catalogued all the different types of masks ― as HuffPost did ― you would have seen masks with American flags, sports team logos, state monikers and overtly political statements.
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Just days after Rep. John Lewis’ death, there were a number of Congressional Black Caucus members, like Alma Adams (D-N.C.) and Lucy McBath (D-Ga.), wearing black masks with Lewis’ personal catchphrase in white lettering: “Good Trouble.”
Another popular political message, championed by members like Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) and Gerry Connolly (D-Va.), was a mask with a picture of the District of Columbia that said “51st State.”
And then there were the more personal masks. Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.), known for always wearing a bow tie and a bicycle pin, had a mask adorned with small bow ties all over it. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.), never one to miss an opportunity to stand out with her fashion, had a brightly colored mask with flowers that seemed to match the fuchsia clothing she was wearing. Rep. Tony Cardenas (D-Calif.) actually had a professionally printed mask with his name on it. Never miss an opportunity to campaign!
Republicans seemed to go the more traditional route. Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-Texas), seeming to summon some tea party vibes, wore a mask with the “Don’t Tread On Me” Gadsden Flag symbol. And plenty of other GOP members ― nay, patriots ― had American flags on their masks, including Minority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.), Warren Davidson (R-Ohio), and Fred Upton (R-Mich.), while Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Mass.) actually wore a mask supporting the New England Patriots.
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Rep. Steve Scalise (R-La.), left, elbow-bumps Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases, after a House Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on July 31. KEVIN DIETSCH via Getty Images
Sports teams were a common theme, even as the return of sports has been a controversial subject. Budget Chairman John Yarmuth (D-Ky.) had a Cleveland Indians mask, and Rep. Conor Lamb (D-Pa.), who usually does his best to avoid controversy, couldn’t help himself when it came to supporting the Pittsburgh Steelers. Lamb admitted to HuffPost, in one of the more revealing conversations we’ve ever had with the cautious Democrat, that he’s a huge sports fan.
Perhaps more controversially, Rep. Kevin Brady (R-Texas) was spotted donning a Houston Astros mask, though supporting the home team ― even in the midst of a damning cheating scandal ― is never a bad political move.
Even Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has taken to wearing a sports-related mask for his, um, home team: the Washington Nationals.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) leaves a news conference after the Senate Republican Policy luncheon in Hart Building on July 28. Tom Williams via Getty Images
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And then there are the members who seem to just be rooting for the concept of sports. Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) had a mask with cartoon baseballs on it, like a child’s bedspread picked out by an aunt who said, “Chip likes sports, right?”
By far the most common face covering is still the light blue surgical mask, which the House actually supplies to members should they need one. When Rep. Juan Vargas (D-Calif.) saw the supply outside the House chamber, he grabbed a handful, explaining to one of the doormen guarding the PPE that the straps break because of his big head.
Other members seem to be having the opposite problem. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) adjusts her all-black mask approximately every 10 seconds as it creeps slightly down her nose ― a consideration that is exactly opposite from Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.), who removed his mask with a palmetto tree on it when HuffPost asked him some questions about unemployment benefits.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) campaigns on June 23 in the Bronx borough of New York City. Stephanie Keith via Getty Images
There are still some members who seem to prefer to walk the halls of Congress without a mask. Reps. Ted Yoho (R-Fla.), Glenn Grothman (R-Wis.), Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.), and Louie Gohmert (R-Texas) were all seen in the Capitol last week without a face covering at times.
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Probably just under half of the members in the House are still wearing the disposable surgical mask, but the next most common mask is a variation of the plain black mask. Like President Donald Trump himself ― who said he thinks he looks like the Lone Ranger when wearing his face covering ― these members are proving that black never goes out of style.
But one mask that’s never in style is the face shield. Rep. Bill Huizenga (R-Mich.) and Majority Whip Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.) have both been spotted in the shield, which is more appropriate for conducting a teeth cleaning than for protecting anyone from your viral load.
But it’s at least something. Of the members spotted last week without a mask, Gohmert tested positive for coronavirus as he tried to get into the White House. He then returned to the Capitol, called an in-person meeting with his staff, recorded a video (maskless) about him contracting coronavirus in his office, and later went on “Hannity” to discuss how he might have caught coronavirus from wearing a mask.
Gohmert’s carelessness led Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) to declare last week that face coverings on the House floor would not be optional. But the change might have been too late for Natural Resources Chairman Raul Grijalva (D-Ariz.).
Grijalva tested positive for coronavirus shortly after Gohmert, just days after the Arizona Democrat was seated near an unmasked Gohmert in a committee hearing.
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As Rep. Jared Huffman (D-Calif.), who sat next to Grijalva in that hearing, told HuffPost on Wednesday, “It’s tempting to joke about Gohmert spewing more than his usual hot air, but this is really serious.”
“When someone in office behaves so recklessly, and then goes on ‘Hannity’ to double down on his idiocy, you can see why we’re losing the fight against coronavirus,” he said.
Huffman, for the record, was the only Democrat we saw in a mask supporting Joe Biden.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-05--Lebanese Confront Scenes Of Devastation After Beirut Explosion

Smoke still rose from the port , where a towering building of silos was half destroyed , spilling out grain .
Hangars around it were completely toppled .
The blast knocked out a crater some 200 meters ( yards ) across that filled with seawater — it was as if the sea had taken a bite out of the port , swallowing buildings with it .
The blast appeared to have been triggered by a fire that touched off a cargo of ammonium nitrate that had been stored at the port for years , though it was unclear what sparked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of an earthquake , it was the most powerful explosion ever seen in the city , which was split in half by the 1975-1990 civil war and has endured conflicts with neighboring Israel and periodic bombings and terror attacks .
Scores of people were missing , with relatives pleading on social media for help locating loved ones .
An Instagram page called “ Locating Victims Beirut ” sprang up with photos of missing , and radio presenters read names of missing or wounded people throughout the night .
Many residents moved in with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ damaged and treated their own injuries because hospitals were overwhelmed .
Lebanon was already on the brink of collapse amid a severe economic crisis , and its capacity to deal with the disaster is crippled .
With buildings severely damaged , potentially large numbers are now homeless at a time when many have lost their jobs and seen their savings evaporate because of a currency crisis .
Food security is a worry , since Lebanon imports nearly all its vital goods and its main port is devastated .
There was no evidence the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many Lebanese blamed it on decades of corruption and poor governance by the entrenched political class that has ruled the tiny Mediterranean country since the civil war .
Saint George University Hospital , one of the major private hospitals in Beirut which had been receiving COVID-19 patients , was out of commission Wednesday after suffering major damage .
Patients were evacuated to a nearby field for primary care while staff worked on sending them to other facilities , Dr. Kamal Haddad said .
Another doctor , Emile , said 16 staff and patients @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the blast .
He declined to give his last name out of privacy concerns .
Ammonium nitrate is a common ingredient in fertilizer as well as explosives .
It was used in the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995 , when a truck bomb containing 2,180 kilograms ( 4,800 pounds ) of fertilizer and fuel oil ripped through a federal building , killing 168 people and wounding hundreds more .
Security forces cordoned off the port area Wednesday as a bulldozer helped clear away debris .
A young man begged troops to allow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ missing father .
He was directed to a port official who wrote down his details .
In Beirut ’ s hard-hit Achrafieh district , civil defense workers and soldiers worked on locating missing people and clearing rubble .
At least one man was still pinned under stones from an old building that had collapsed .
Volunteers hooked him up to an oxygen tank to help him breathe while others tried to free his leg .
Drone footage shot Wednesday by The Associated Press showed the blast tore open the silo building , dumping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thrown up by the blast .
Estimates suggest some 85 % of the country ’ s grain was stored at the now-wrecked silos .
Economy and Trade Minister Raoul Nehme said all the wheat stored there was contaminated and unusable .
But he insisted Lebanon had enough wheat for its immediate needs and would import more , according to the state news agency .

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BEIRUT (AP) — Residents of Beirut confronted a scene of utter devastation Wednesday, a day after a massive explosion at the port rippled across the Lebanese capital, killing at least 100 people, wounding thousands and leaving entire city blocks blanketed with glass and rubble.
Smoke still rose from the port, where a towering building of silos was half destroyed, spilling out grain. Hangars around it were completely toppled. The blast knocked out a crater some 200 meters (yards) across that filled with seawater — it was as if the sea had taken a bite out of the port, swallowing buildings with it.
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Much of downtown was littered with damaged vehicles and debris that had rained down from the shattered facades of buildings.
An official with the Lebanese Red Cross said at least 100 people were killed and more than 4,000 were wounded. George Kettaneh said the toll could rise further.
The blast appeared to have been triggered by a fire that touched off a cargo of ammonium nitrate that had been stored at the port for years, though it was unclear what sparked the fire. Hitting with the force of an earthquake, it was the most powerful explosion ever seen in the city, which was split in half by the 1975-1990 civil war and has endured conflicts with neighboring Israel and periodic bombings and terror attacks.
Scores of people were missing, with relatives pleading on social media for help locating loved ones. An Instagram page called “Locating Victims Beirut” sprang up with photos of missing, and radio presenters read names of missing or wounded people throughout the night. Many residents moved in with friends or relatives after their apartments were damaged and treated their own injuries because hospitals were overwhelmed.
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Lebanon was already on the brink of collapse amid a severe economic crisis, and its capacity to deal with the disaster is crippled. With buildings severely damaged, potentially large numbers are now homeless at a time when many have lost their jobs and seen their savings evaporate because of a currency crisis. Food security is a worry, since Lebanon imports nearly all its vital goods and its main port is devastated.
The health system is confronting a coronavirus surge, and there were concerns the virus could spread further as people flooded into hospitals.
Even as politicians vowed to help Lebanese recover, the government is strapped for cash, and the disaster threatens to further stoke public fury in a country that saw mass protests in recent months.
There was no evidence the explosion was an attack. Instead, many Lebanese blamed it on decades of corruption and poor governance by the entrenched political class that has ruled the tiny Mediterranean country since the civil war.
Saint George University Hospital, one of the major private hospitals in Beirut which had been receiving COVID-19 patients, was out of commission Wednesday after suffering major damage. Patients were evacuated to a nearby field for primary care while staff worked on sending them to other facilities, Dr. Kamal Haddad said. Another doctor, Emile, said 16 staff and patients, including four nurses, were killed in the blast. He declined to give his last name out of privacy concerns.
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The blast also wounded a number of U.N. peacekeepers at the port, including 21 Bangladeshis and one Italian. Two Egyptians and an Australian citizen were known to be among the dead.
Interior Minister Mohammed Fahmi told a local TV station that it appeared the blast was caused by the detonation of more than 2,700 tons of ammonium nitrate stored in a warehouse ever since it was confiscated from a cargo ship impounded in 2013.
Explosives experts and video footage suggested the ammonium nitrate may have been ignited by a fire at what appeared to be a nearby warehouse containing fireworks.
Ammonium nitrate is a common ingredient in fertilizer as well as explosives. It was used in the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995, when a truck bomb containing 2,180 kilograms (4,800 pounds) of fertilizer and fuel oil ripped through a federal building, killing 168 people and wounding hundreds more.
Security forces cordoned off the port area Wednesday as a bulldozer helped clear away debris. A young man begged troops to allow him to enter and search for his missing father. He was directed to a port official who wrote down his details.
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In Beirut’s hard-hit Achrafieh district, civil defense workers and soldiers worked on locating missing people and clearing rubble. At least one man was still pinned under stones from an old building that had collapsed. Volunteers hooked him up to an oxygen tank to help him breathe while others tried to free his leg.
“There are no words to describe the catastrophe that hit Beirut last night,” President Michel Aoun said at a Cabinet meeting Wednesday. He vowed an investigation and that those responsible will be punished.
Aoun and Prime Minister Hassan Diab said the government will help find shelter for those who lost their homes and compensate others whose property was damaged.
Diab, in a short televised speech, appealed for international aid, saying: “We are witnessing a real catastrophe.”
There were signs of public anger already brewing.
Former Prime Minister Saad Hariri visited the grave of his late father who was killed in a suicide truck bomb in February 2005, telling reporters, “They killed Beirut yesterday.” After he left, protesters chanted slogans against Lebanon’s entire political class, including Hariri, and fistfights broke out between his supporters and protesters. Hariri resigned in October amid nationwide protests.
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The government sought to reassure fears over the food supply, a top concern in a country where some 80% of the wheat is imported and which is also hosting over 1 million Syrians displaced by civil war there.
Drone footage shot Wednesday by The Associated Press showed the blast tore open the silo building, dumping its contents into the debris and earth thrown up by the blast. Estimates suggest some 85% of the country’s grain was stored at the now-wrecked silos.
Economy and Trade Minister Raoul Nehme said all the wheat stored there was contaminated and unusable. But he insisted Lebanon had enough wheat for its immediate needs and would import more, according to the state news agency.
Several countries have pledged aid, with even Israel offering humanitarian assistance. The two countries have been in conflict for decades, and Israel fought a 2006 war with the Hezbollah militant group.
Lebanon’s economic crisis is rooted in decades of systemic corruption by political factions that exploit public institutions for the benefit of their supporters. Decades after the civil war, residents endure frequent power outages and poor public services.
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French President Emmanuel Macron was to traveling to Beirut on Thursday to offer support and meet with Lebanese leaders. Lebanon is a former French protectorate and the countries retain close political and economic ties.
Beirut’s port and the customs authority are notoriously corrupt. Like nearly all public institutions, they are controlled by political factions, including Hezbollah.
___


thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-05--Joe Biden Campaign To Spend $280 Million On Ads In 15 States

Joe Biden ’ s presidential campaign unveiled a $ 280-million advertising blitz on Wednesday that it says will keep the presumptive Democratic nominee “ on offense ” in 15 states , including Republican-leaning states where Democrats have not seriously competed in decades .
The advertising effort consists of $ 220 million in television ads and $ 60 million in digital ads .
The campaign would not say how much it is spending in each state , but it is planning to advertise in Pennsylvania , Michigan , Wisconsin , Florida , North Carolina , Arizona , Minnesota , Nevada , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Georgia , Iowa , Ohio and Texas .
In a call with reporters on Tuesday night , Biden campaign manager Jen O ’ Malley Dillon contrasted the investment with President Donald Trump campaign ’ s “ smaller footprint.
” Trump ’ s planned $ 145 million in advertising is both smaller in absolute terms and limited to fewer states .
“ We have been building our campaign to reach and create a diverse and bold coalition , ” she added .
“ We have been also at the same time building multiple pathways @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of states that Biden is targeting is notable for states like Texas and Georgia , which Democrats haven ’ t seriously contested in decades .
But Biden is also not taking for granted states like Minnesota , Colorado and Virginia that have been reliably Democratic for several consecutive presidential elections .
A significant chunk of the Biden campaign ’ s advertising blitz will go toward spots on media outlets that cater specifically to Black , Latino and Asian American voters , according to campaign spokesperson Symone Sanders .
Sanders noted that the campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ constituency-specific outlets since June .
“ Oftentimes we hear so much how campaigns wait until six to eight weeks out from Election Day to start communicating to African American and Latino voters , ” Sanders said .
“ But we have been clear that African American and Latino voters are key parts of our general election strategy and what we ’ re presenting to you today underscores that commitment.
” The ads will promote Biden ’ s qualities as a leader capable of unifying the country and steering it through the novel coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ often feature Biden speaking directly to voters and last for 60 seconds , rather than the more conventional 30 seconds .
“ You have one candidate , Joe Biden , who is speaking clearly and directly in a crisis that people are living through in terms of the public health , in terms of the economy , in terms of the future of the country , ” said Biden adviser Mike Donilon .
“ The Trump campaign is unable to do that.
” Asked whether Biden would consider doing some kind of regular @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Trump press briefings that are expected to grow more frequent as the election approaches , Biden communications director Kate Bedingfield said Biden would not .
“ I don ’ t think that we need to be counter-programming , ” Bedingfield said .
“ I think from the start of the campaign we have run on our message.
” The Trump campaign has booked about $ 145 million worth of television advertising for the fall , with most of that spending focused in Florida , Ohio , North Carolina , Pennsylvania , Minnesota @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Priorities USA , the largest Democratic super PAC , has reserved nearly $ 50 million worth of television time .
Trump ’ s campaign has already aired $ 91 million worth of ads , to seemingly little effect .
Biden has consistent leads in public polling , both nationally and in swing states , as voters revolt against the president ’ s handling of the coronavirus pandemic .
Trump ’ s reelection effort briefly paused its television advertising last week to reevaluate strategy , before launching new ads on Monday aiming to paint @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his party ’ s left .
The new ads are focused on states like Florida and North Carolina with extensive early voting .

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Joe Biden’s presidential campaign unveiled a $280-million advertising blitz on Wednesday that it says will keep the presumptive Democratic nominee “on offense” in 15 states, including Republican-leaning states where Democrats have not seriously competed in decades.
The advertising effort consists of $220 million in television ads and $60 million in digital ads. The campaign would not say how much it is spending in each state, but it is planning to advertise in Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, Florida, North Carolina, Arizona, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, Colorado, Virginia, Georgia, Iowa, Ohio and Texas.
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In a call with reporters on Tuesday night, Biden campaign manager Jen O’Malley Dillon contrasted the investment with President Donald Trump campaign’s “smaller footprint.” Trump’s planned $145 million in advertising is both smaller in absolute terms and limited to fewer states.
“Our approach is to go on offense,” O’Malley Dillon said.
“We have been building our campaign to reach and create a diverse and bold coalition,” she added. “We have been also at the same time building multiple pathways to 270 electoral votes.”
The list of states that Biden is targeting is notable for states like Texas and Georgia, which Democrats haven’t seriously contested in decades.
But Biden is also not taking for granted states like Minnesota, Colorado and Virginia that have been reliably Democratic for several consecutive presidential elections.
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Former Vice President Joe Biden's massive ad blitz aims to present him to voters as a unifying leader equipped to steer the country through crisis. Mark Makela/Getty Images
A significant chunk of the Biden campaign’s advertising blitz will go toward spots on media outlets that cater specifically to Black, Latino and Asian American voters, according to campaign spokesperson Symone Sanders. Sanders noted that the campaign has been advertising on those types of constituency-specific outlets since June.
“Oftentimes we hear so much how campaigns wait until six to eight weeks out from Election Day to start communicating to African American and Latino voters,” Sanders said. “But we have been clear that African American and Latino voters are key parts of our general election strategy and what we’re presenting to you today underscores that commitment.”
The ads will promote Biden’s qualities as a leader capable of unifying the country and steering it through the novel coronavirus pandemic and associated economic fallout. They often feature Biden speaking directly to voters and last for 60 seconds, rather than the more conventional 30 seconds.
“You have one candidate, Joe Biden, who is speaking clearly and directly in a crisis that people are living through in terms of the public health, in terms of the economy, in terms of the future of the country,” said Biden adviser Mike Donilon. “The Trump campaign is unable to do that.”
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Asked whether Biden would consider doing some kind of regular “counter-programming” to offset the effect of Trump press briefings that are expected to grow more frequent as the election approaches, Biden communications director Kate Bedingfield said Biden would not.
“I don’t think that we need to be counter-programming,” Bedingfield said. “I think from the start of the campaign we have run on our message.”
The Trump campaign has booked about $145 million worth of television advertising for the fall, with most of that spending focused in Florida, Ohio, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Minnesota and Michigan, according to Kantar/CMAG. Priorities USA, the largest Democratic super PAC, has reserved nearly $50 million worth of television time.
Trump’s campaign has already aired $91 million worth of ads, to seemingly little effect. Biden has consistent leads in public polling, both nationally and in swing states, as voters revolt against the president’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic.
Trump’s reelection effort briefly paused its television advertising last week to reevaluate strategy, before launching new ads on Monday aiming to paint the moderate Biden as a tool of his party’s left. The new ads are focused on states like Florida and North Carolina with extensive early voting.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-05--Evictions Loom, Economy Teeters As Congress Struggles To Reach Relief Deal

Tiffany Allen of Knoxville , Tennessee , said she had never missed rent before she lost her job in March .
Last month she got a note from her landlord saying she owed nearly $ 3,000 and that she ’ d better vacate the apartment within 30 days .
Democrats on Wednesday seemed more pessimistic than usual about the status of talks , which have occurred daily on Capitol Hill for nearly two weeks .
They ’ ve reported offering concessions and said they would keep trying to reach a deal .
Top White House officials who are negotiating with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump might be even more gloomy about chances of reaching an agreement anytime soon .
They said they ’ ve offered even bigger concessions than their counterparts .
“ I ’ ve become extremely doubtful that we ’ ll be able to make a deal if it goes well beyond Friday , ” White House chief of staff Mark Meadows , a former conservative congressman , told reporters on Wednesday .
“ Just because we ’ ve been spending so much time together that if you ’ re not making progress , there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Both sides still don ’ t agree on how and at what level to extend the added $ 600 federal unemployment benefits Congress created in March in response to the coronavirus outbreak .
The benefits expired last month .
Democrats would like to renew them at the same level until the end of the year ; Republicans do not .
Some want to reduce the weekly benefits , while others prefer letting them lapse permanently , claiming that they disincentivize people from working .
Several Republicans have offered proposals that would extend jobless @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the span of several months .
It ’ s unclear how much support they have in the GOP conference , but they at least move the ball closer to Democrats ’ demands for more generous federal assistance to those struggling without jobs or ability to pay rent .
Republican Sens .
Mitt Romney of Utah , Susan Collins of Maine , and Martha McSally of Arizona introduced an amendment on Wednesday that would extend added federal benefits up to $ 500 per week in August followed by $ 400 per week in September @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would provide jobless benefits at 80 % of a worker ’ s previous wages ( or a flat $ 300 per week if states aren ’ t able to implement such a formula in time ) .
But the Senate has yet to vote on either proposal , and it ’ s unclear if it ever will due to tepid support among Republicans .
Both sides are awaiting the results of negotiations that almost certainly will drag into next week , forcing lawmakers to cancel part of their annual August recess .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 25 million unemployed Americans will rattle the economy , which is already vulnerable .
Nearly a third of furloughed workers recalled to their jobs since March have been laid off again , according to a recent survey .
The disappearance of the extra $ 600 represents a sizable hit to consumer spending , which makes up 70 % of the economy .
A major payroll processing firm said its data suggest hiring has already slowed dramatically , after a promising start to the pandemic recovery in May and June .
Allen said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hotel chain as a traveling quality assurance analyst , a job that paid her as an independent contractor .
Independent contractors are not normally eligible for unemployment insurance , but when it added the $ 600 enhancement Congress also created a special pandemic unemployment assistance program to make sure more workers get paid .
It took states a few weeks to get the special benefits up and running , and Allen fell behind on rent while waiting for her first payment , which landed in late April .
Both regular benefits and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 600 .
Now that the supplement is gone , Allen is left with Tennessee ’ s minimum pandemic benefit ― $ 120 per week before taxes .
Allen , 44 , said she takes care of an adult daughter who has disabilities .
Since her layoff , she said she ’ s applied for retail jobs and been told she ’ s overqualified .

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Tiffany Allen of Knoxville, Tennessee, said she had never missed rent before she lost her job in March. Last month she got a note from her landlord saying she owed nearly $3,000 and that she’d better vacate the apartment within 30 days.
“When you have no control over any aspect of your life, it is horrifying,” Allen said in an interview.
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Her unemployment benefit, which had amounted to $648 per week after taxes, has shrunk to just $108 per week thanks to last week’s expiration of a $600 federal supplement that Congress created in March.
Congressional negotiations over another economic stimulus package are inching forward, but lawmakers still remain far apart on numerous issues, including unemployment benefits, aid to states and localities, education funding, liability protections and food assistance.
Democrats on Wednesday seemed more pessimistic than usual about the status of talks, which have occurred daily on Capitol Hill for nearly two weeks. They’ve reported offering concessions and said they would keep trying to reach a deal.
“There is light at the end of the tunnel, but how long that tunnel is remains to be seen,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) told reporters after a two-hour session on Wednesday.
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Congressional leaders are sounding more pessimistic about reaching a deal on another round of coronavirus relief. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images) Alex Wong via Getty Images
Top White House officials who are negotiating with congressional Democrats on behalf of President Donald Trump might be even more gloomy about chances of reaching an agreement anytime soon. They said they’ve offered even bigger concessions than their counterparts.
“I’ve become extremely doubtful that we’ll be able to make a deal if it goes well beyond Friday,” White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, a former conservative congressman, told reporters on Wednesday. “Just because we’ve been spending so much time together that if you’re not making progress, there’s no sense to continue.”
House Democrats passed a $3 trillion relief bill earlier this year that Republicans consider a non-starter. GOP leadership proposed a more narrow $1 trillion package, but they have struggled to get most of their members on board.
Both sides still don’t agree on how and at what level to extend the added $600 federal unemployment benefits Congress created in March in response to the coronavirus outbreak. The benefits expired last month. Democrats would like to renew them at the same level until the end of the year; Republicans do not. Some want to reduce the weekly benefits, while others prefer letting them lapse permanently, claiming that they disincentivize people from working.
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“If you’re looking for a total consensus among Republican senators, you’re not going to find it,” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said Tuesday at a weekly press conference when asked about unemployment benefits.
Several Republicans have offered proposals that would extend jobless benefits but also gradually reduce them across the span of several months. It’s unclear how much support they have in the GOP conference, but they at least move the ball closer to Democrats’ demands for more generous federal assistance to those struggling without jobs or ability to pay rent.
Republican Sens. Mitt Romney of Utah, Susan Collins of Maine, and Martha McSally of Arizona introduced an amendment on Wednesday that would extend added federal benefits up to $500 per week in August followed by $400 per week in September. From October until December, states would provide jobless benefits at 80% of a worker’s previous wages (or a flat $300 per week if states aren’t able to implement such a formula in time).
Democrats generally oppose requiring states to implement complicated wage formulas because they lack the resources to do so quickly. That’s why they want to just extend the $600 payments.
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) also floated a proposal on Tuesday that would extend federal unemployment benefits at $500 per week during both August and September. In October, added federal benefits would be capped at 100% of one’s previous wages.
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But the Senate has yet to vote on either proposal, and it’s unclear if it ever will due to tepid support among Republicans. Both sides are awaiting the results of negotiations that almost certainly will drag into next week, forcing lawmakers to cancel part of their annual August recess.
The lapse of the federal supplement for more than 25 million unemployed Americans will rattle the economy, which is already vulnerable. Nearly a third of furloughed workers recalled to their jobs since March have been laid off again, according to a recent survey. The disappearance of the extra $600 represents a sizable hit to consumer spending, which makes up 70% of the economy. A major payroll processing firm said its data suggest hiring has already slowed dramatically, after a promising start to the pandemic recovery in May and June.
Trump, meanwhile, has threatened to sign executive orders seeking to extend unemployment insurance benefits and the moratorium on evictions on his own. It’s not clear how those would be legal.
Tiffany Allen, for her part, does not live in the kind of federally subsidized property to which the lapsed eviction moratorium had applied, though as many as 19 million households do.
Allen said that until March she worked for a hotel chain as a traveling quality assurance analyst, a job that paid her as an independent contractor. Independent contractors are not normally eligible for unemployment insurance, but when it added the $600 enhancement Congress also created a special pandemic unemployment assistance program to make sure more workers get paid.
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It took states a few weeks to get the special benefits up and running, and Allen fell behind on rent while waiting for her first payment, which landed in late April. Both regular benefits and the pandemic assistance came with the extra $600.
Now that the supplement is gone, Allen is left with Tennessee’s minimum pandemic benefit ― $120 per week before taxes. Allen, 44, said she takes care of an adult daughter who has disabilities. Since her layoff, she said she’s applied for retail jobs and been told she’s overqualified.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-05--How Ammonium Nitrate Might Be To Blame For Beirut's Deadly Blast

Lebanese officials are blaming the colossal destruction touched off by a pair of explosions along Beirut ’ s waterfront primarily on a large quantity of ammonium nitrate stored in a warehouse there .
Video of the incident shared widely on social media Tuesday showed glass blown out and shattered on a street near the port and around the capital city .
Structures closest to the blasts were reduced to skeletal framework .
More than 130 people were confirmed dead , and at least 5,000 injured as of Wednesday .
The exact cause of the incident is still being determined , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off in a fire shortly before a massive explosion at a warehouse .
Ammonium nitrate is a solid pale crystalline synthetic chemical that is typically formed into prills , or small beads , and is commonly used in fertilizer as an oxidizing agent .
The prills can also be used in controlled mine explosions .
Lebanese Prime Minister Hassan Diab said that 2,700 tons of ammonium nitrate prills were left unsecured in a warehouse for around six years before the incident .
Why is it dangerous ?
The chemical is not dangerous when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it can be hazardous when large quantities are not handled properly .
Ammonium nitrate doesn ’ t burn on its own .
But it can act as an accelerant because it draws oxygen in to a fire .
It can explode when subjected to high temperatures in a confined space , according to the Environmental Protection Agency .
But conditions need to be extreme for such a reaction to occur , Gabriel da Silva , a chemical engineering lecturer at the University of Melbourne , told The Guardian .
Ammonium nitrate is particularly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other materials that are flammable on their own , which may have been the case in Beirut .
In 2015 , disaster struck a Chinese factory after a highly flammable chemical was improperly stored near other chemicals , including ammonium nitrate .
When it ignited , it set off a chain of explosions that left more than 170 people dead .
Ammonium nitrate has been linked to other disasters .
In 1947 , a ship filled with more than 2,000 tons of the chemical accidentally detonated at a Texas port and killed nearly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 4,500 tons of chemicals , including ammonium nitrate , exploded at a plant in Germany , killing more than 500 .
Why was it being stored improperly in Beirut ?
What about that reddish-orange cloud of gas ?
Videos showed a large plume of reddish-orange gas from the explosion , which settled over the Beirut skyline Tuesday evening .
That gas may be nitrogen oxides , which are produced by ammonium nitrate and are also associated with air pollution .
They can irritate the respiratory system unless dissipated by wind .
Videos also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on social media likened to a nuclear blast .
Such clouds are commonly associated with large blasts of any kind , Jeffrey Lewis , a weapons expert at California ’ s Middlebury Institute of International Studies , told The Washington Post .
The cloud is caused by a shock wave from the blast rapidly condensing moisture in the air .

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Lebanese officials are blaming the colossal destruction touched off by a pair of explosions along Beirut’s waterfront primarily on a large quantity of ammonium nitrate stored in a warehouse there.
Video of the incident shared widely on social media Tuesday showed glass blown out and shattered on a street near the port and around the capital city. Structures closest to the blasts were reduced to skeletal framework. More than 130 people were confirmed dead, and at least 5,000 injured as of Wednesday.
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The exact cause of the incident is still being determined, but videos appear to show fireworks going off in a fire shortly before a massive explosion at a warehouse.
What is ammonium nitrate?
Ammonium nitrate is a solid pale crystalline synthetic chemical that is typically formed into prills, or small beads, and is commonly used in fertilizer as an oxidizing agent. The prills can also be used in controlled mine explosions.
Lebanese Prime Minister Hassan Diab said that 2,700 tons of ammonium nitrate prills were left unsecured in a warehouse for around six years before the incident.
A container of ammonium nitrate fertilizer being used for planting fruit trees. Lex20 via Getty Images
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Why is it dangerous?
The chemical is not dangerous when used in fertilizer as intended, but it can be hazardous when large quantities are not handled properly.
Ammonium nitrate doesn’t burn on its own. But it can act as an accelerant because it draws oxygen in to a fire.
It can explode when subjected to high temperatures in a confined space, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. But conditions need to be extreme for such a reaction to occur, Gabriel da Silva, a chemical engineering lecturer at the University of Melbourne, told The Guardian. Ammonium nitrate is particularly dangerous when it has been contaminated with other materials that are flammable on their own, which may have been the case in Beirut.
In 2015, disaster struck a Chinese factory after a highly flammable chemical was improperly stored near other chemicals, including ammonium nitrate. When it ignited, it set off a chain of explosions that left more than 170 people dead.
Ammonium nitrate has been linked to other disasters. In 1947, a ship filled with more than 2,000 tons of the chemical accidentally detonated at a Texas port and killed nearly 600 people. In 1921, about 4,500 tons of chemicals, including ammonium nitrate, exploded at a plant in Germany, killing more than 500.
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Ammonium nitrate has also been used to make bombs.
Timothy McVeigh used the substance in the 5,000-pound truck bomb he detonated in April 1995 outside the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, killing 168 people.
Why was it being stored improperly in Beirut?
That’s still under investigation.
Lebanon’s government placed an unknown number of port officers under house arrest, The Associated Press reported.
The country saw widespread anti-government demonstrations set off by a worsening economic crisis even before the coronavirus crisis hit.
What about that reddish-orange cloud of gas?
Videos showed a large plume of reddish-orange gas from the explosion, which settled over the Beirut skyline Tuesday evening. That gas may be nitrogen oxides, which are produced by ammonium nitrate and are also associated with air pollution. They can irritate the respiratory system unless dissipated by wind.
Videos also showed a white mushroom cloud that observers on social media likened to a nuclear blast. Such clouds are commonly associated with large blasts of any kind, Jeffrey Lewis, a weapons expert at California’s Middlebury Institute of International Studies, told The Washington Post. The cloud is caused by a shock wave from the blast rapidly condensing moisture in the air.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-05--Trump Campaign Account Barred From Tweeting Until It Deletes False COVID-19 Claim

Twitter announced Wednesday that President Donald Trump ’ s campaign account Team Trump was barred from tweeting unless it took down a post that violated the platform ’ s policies on misinformation about the coronavirus .
Facebook also removed a post containing the same claim .
The post in question included a clip from a “ Fox & Friends ” interview with the president that aired earlier Wednesday , during which he claimed that children are “ almost immune ” to COVID-19 .
A Twitter spokesperson told HuffPost the tweet “ is in violation of the Twitter Rules on COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ required to remove the Tweet before they can Tweet again.
” In the interim , the post was hidden , per Twitter ’ s enforcement rules .
The Trump campaign did not clarify whether it finally removed the tweet , but did appear to be tweeting again from that account later on .
Trump also appeared to share a link to the tweet from the campaign account on his main page .
Trump campaign spokesperson Courtney Parella told HuffPost in a statement : “ Another day , another display of Silicon Valley ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where the rules are only enforced in one direction .
Social media companies are not the arbiters of truth .
The President was stating a fact that children are less susceptible to the coronavirus.
” In the interview , Trump was pushing for schools to reopen nationwide .
He said : “ If you look at children , children are almost ― and I would almost say definitely ― almost immune from this disease.
” Children can absolutely be infected with the virus , though they are significantly less likely to become severely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still transmit the virus to others .
Earlier , a post on Trump ’ s Facebook account containing the same video was also taken down , marking the first time Facebook has removed a post from Trump ’ s account for violating misinformation policies .
“ This video includes false claims that a group of people is immune from COVID-19 which is a violation of our policies around harmful COVID misinformation , ” Facebook spokesperson Andy Stone told HuffPost in a statement .

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Twitter announced Wednesday that President Donald Trump’s campaign account Team Trump was barred from tweeting unless it took down a post that violated the platform’s policies on misinformation about the coronavirus. Facebook also removed a post containing the same claim.
The post in question included a clip from a “Fox & Friends” interview with the president that aired earlier Wednesday, during which he claimed that children are “almost immune” to COVID-19.
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A Twitter spokesperson told HuffPost the tweet “is in violation of the Twitter Rules on COVID-19 misinformation. The account owner will be required to remove the Tweet before they can Tweet again.”
In the interim, the post was hidden, per Twitter’s enforcement rules. The Trump campaign did not clarify whether it finally removed the tweet, but did appear to be tweeting again from that account later on.
Trump also appeared to share a link to the tweet from the campaign account on his main page.
Trump campaign spokesperson Courtney Parella told HuffPost in a statement: “Another day, another display of Silicon Valley’s flagrant bias against this President, where the rules are only enforced in one direction. Social media companies are not the arbiters of truth. The President was stating a fact that children are less susceptible to the coronavirus.”
In the interview, Trump was pushing for schools to reopen nationwide. He said: “If you look at children, children are almost ― and I would almost say definitely ― almost immune from this disease.”
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Children can absolutely be infected with the virus, though they are significantly less likely to become severely ill from it. They can also still transmit the virus to others.
Earlier, a post on Trump’s Facebook account containing the same video was also taken down, marking the first time Facebook has removed a post from Trump’s account for violating misinformation policies.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-05--Former Girl Scout Accuses Troop Leader's Husband Of Sexual Abuse

NEW YORK ( AP ) — As a Girl Scout growing up in upstate New York , Alice Weiss-Russell says she lived with a dark secret : The husband of her troop leader was sexually abusing her in the bathroom of a church basement where scout meetings were held in the 1980s .
“ For me , it gives me a chance to be heard because I didn ’ t have that chance when I was young and hold the Girl Scouts accountable for what happened to me , ” Weiss-Russell told The Associated Press in a phone interview on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ identify people who say they are victims of sex crimes unless they grant permission .
Another lawsuit , also filed Wednesday , accuses a Manhattan research center of similarly looking the other way as a prominent physician abused dozens of children he was studying and treating for being small for their age .
The window to file had been due to close this month .
But advocates for sex-abuse survivors pushed for the extension , in part by arguing that the coronavirus pandemic made it difficult to put cases together in time to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Archibald “ photographing his child patients in sexually suggestive and lewd positions … and masturbating his male and female child patients , ” says the suit filed by attorneys with the Marsh Law Firm .
It alleges he once took a patient to his cabin in Canada , where he “ where he drugged and penetrated the child.
” Weiss-Russell ’ s suit , also filed by The Marsh Law Firm along with Pfau Cochran Vertetis Amala , stands out because it appears to be one of the first of its kind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawyer , Jennifer Freeman .
Weiss-Russell , 48 , of Syracuse , is accusing the organization of failing to protect her from a man described as a volunteer “ co-troop leader ” when she became a scout at age 11 in the mid-1980s .
Freeman said the Girl Scouts organization violated its own policies at the time by allowing the man , whose wife co-led the troop , to be involved with her troop .
At the time , Weiss-Russell grew motivated to be a top-seller of cookies so she could earn the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get away from her abuser , she said in the interview .
But once back in the church basement , the man would make her touch him sexually , according to the lawsuit , which also accuses him of raping her .
The abuse continued even after the abuser ’ s wife was alerted to her husband ’ s misconduct , Weiss-Russell ’ s lawyers say .
“ I feared him , “ she said .
He threatened to harm her and her family if she reported him and “ he was always @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me anyway , ” she said .
Around the time she was 18 and a few years removed from the scouts , Weiss-Russell finally revealed to her mother what had happened , she said .
She later tried to report the man to prosecutors , but was informed the statute of limitations had run out .
More recently , a counselor encouraged her to take advantage of the Child Victims Act as a way to get closure .
“ Girl Scouts of the USA is aware of a complaint that was filed in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was harmed in the 1980s during Girl Scout activities , ” the organization said in a statement .
“ At Girl Scouts , there is nothing we take more seriously than the safety and wellbeing of our girls , and we maintain rigorous safety protocols .
We are looking into this complaint and will address the matter with the utmost care and concern.
” Weiss-Russell said she still runs into her alleged abuser , who lives near her in Syracuse .
She recalled how he once approached her at a gas station and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saying hello .
“ I froze up like the child , like the child I was when he was victimizing me , like I had no power , ” she said .
“ He still to this day has power over me and I ’ m hoping through all this he won ’ t have power over me .
”

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NEW YORK (AP) — As a Girl Scout growing up in upstate New York, Alice Weiss-Russell says she lived with a dark secret: The husband of her troop leader was sexually abusing her in the bathroom of a church basement where scout meetings were held in the 1980s.
Weiss-Russell has detailed her alleged ordeal in a new lawsuit filed against Girl Scouts of the USA, part of a flurry of child sex-abuse cases in New York using a “look back window” for making civil claims against abusers.
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“For me, it gives me a chance to be heard because I didn’t have that chance when I was young and hold the Girl Scouts accountable for what happened to me,” Weiss-Russell told The Associated Press in a phone interview on Tuesday. The AP does not typically identify people who say they are victims of sex crimes unless they grant permission.
Another lawsuit, also filed Wednesday, accuses a Manhattan research center of similarly looking the other way as a prominent physician abused dozens of children he was studying and treating for being small for their age.
The two lawsuits come after Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo signed a bill earlier this week granting a one-year extension to the state’s Child Victims Act. The law temporarily lifts the usual time limits on filing lawsuits for anyone suing over childhood sexual abuse.
The window to file had been due to close this month. But advocates for sex-abuse survivors pushed for the extension, in part by arguing that the coronavirus pandemic made it difficult to put cases together in time to meet the deadline.
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Hundreds of lawsuits have already been filed statewide under the act that name defendants including disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, the Roman Catholic Church and the Boy Scouts of America.
The lawsuit against The Rockefeller University centers on allegations against a researcher at its hospital, Dr. Reginald Archibald, that began surfacing a decade after his 2007 death.
The abuse consisted of Archibald “photographing his child patients in sexually suggestive and lewd positions … and masturbating his male and female child patients,” says the suit filed by attorneys with the Marsh Law Firm. It alleges he once took a patient to his cabin in Canada, where he “where he drugged and penetrated the child.”
A message was left Thursday with The Rockefeller University and its hospital.
Weiss-Russell’s suit, also filed by The Marsh Law Firm along with Pfau Cochran Vertetis Amala, stands out because it appears to be one of the first of its kind against the Girl Scouts, said her lawyer, Jennifer Freeman.
Weiss-Russell, 48, of Syracuse, is accusing the organization of failing to protect her from a man described as a volunteer “co-troop leader” when she became a scout at age 11 in the mid-1980s. Freeman said the Girl Scouts organization violated its own policies at the time by allowing the man, whose wife co-led the troop, to be involved with her troop.
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At the time, Weiss-Russell grew motivated to be a top-seller of cookies so she could earn the right to attend Girl Scout camps and get away from her abuser, she said in the interview.
But once back in the church basement, the man would make her touch him sexually, according to the lawsuit, which also accuses him of raping her. The abuse continued even after the abuser’s wife was alerted to her husband’s misconduct, Weiss-Russell’s lawyers say.
“I feared him,“ she said. He threatened to harm her and her family if she reported him and “he was always telling me that no one would believe me anyway,” she said.
Around the time she was 18 and a few years removed from the scouts, Weiss-Russell finally revealed to her mother what had happened, she said. She later tried to report the man to prosecutors, but was informed the statute of limitations had run out. More recently, a counselor encouraged her to take advantage of the Child Victims Act as a way to get closure.
“Girl Scouts of the USA is aware of a complaint that was filed in New York alleging that a Girl Scout was harmed in the 1980s during Girl Scout activities,” the organization said in a statement. “At Girl Scouts, there is nothing we take more seriously than the safety and wellbeing of our girls, and we maintain rigorous safety protocols. We are looking into this complaint and will address the matter with the utmost care and concern.”
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Weiss-Russell said she still runs into her alleged abuser, who lives near her in Syracuse. She recalled how he once approached her at a gas station and put his hand on her shoulder while saying hello.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-05--The Election Could Ultimately Decide The Dakota Access Pipeline’s Fate

First , a federal judge ruled that the Army Corps of Engineers failed to carry out proper environmental reviews of the project before building the oil route under a vital waterway .
Then , the same judge ordered the pipeline to shut down while the monthslong reviews take place .
Last month , the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit staved off the latter order .
On Wednesday , the appeals court handed the pipeline and its Texas-based owner , Energy Transfer , another win , ruling that the Trump administration should decide whether it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ project undergoes review .
The Army Corps of Engineers , which is expected to greenlight the pipeline to keep pumping oil , must submit its reasoning for continued operation to the lower court that originally ordered the shutdown .
A demonstrator at the encampment opposing the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline in February 2017 as federal officials ordered activists to leave .
“ This is something that kicks the can down the road three months , maybe four months , or however long the Army Corps can drag this out , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ analyst at the research firm Bloomberg Intelligence , said by phone .
The Army Corps isn ’ t expected to complete its review of the pipeline until the middle of next year .
If Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden defeats President Donald Trump in November , the new administration could dramatically reverse the pipeline ’ s fortunes , particularly if Democrats retake control of the Senate .
Once in office , Biden could slow the review process by probing the Trump administration ’ s decisions on the pipeline .
He could also direct @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the oil route .
The Obama administration , in which Biden served as vice president , blocked construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline in December 2016 after months of protests at which heavily militarized security forces attacked peaceful demonstrators .
Energy Transfer ’ s stock climbed nearly 5 % on Wednesday afternoon following the ruling .
But the price remains well below the nearly $ 26-per-share it hit before the first environmental review order was handed down in March .
The attorneys litigating the pipeline ’ s case , however , are almost @ @ @ @

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It’s been a fitful few months for the Dakota Access Pipeline.
First, a federal judge ruled that the Army Corps of Engineers failed to carry out proper environmental reviews of the project before building the oil route under a vital waterway. Then, the same judge ordered the pipeline to shut down while the monthslong reviews take place. Last month, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit staved off the latter order.
On Wednesday, the appeals court handed the pipeline and its Texas-based owner, Energy Transfer, another win, ruling that the Trump administration should decide whether it’s safe to continue operating while the project undergoes review.
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But the decision isn’t a clear-cut victory for the controversial pipeline, which galvanized a national protest movement in 2016.
The Army Corps of Engineers, which is expected to greenlight the pipeline to keep pumping oil, must submit its reasoning for continued operation to the lower court that originally ordered the shutdown.
A demonstrator at the encampment opposing the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline in February 2017 as federal officials ordered activists to leave. Stephen Yang via Getty Images
“This is something that kicks the can down the road three months, maybe four months, or however long the Army Corps can drag this out,” Brandon Barnes, a senior energy litigation analyst at the research firm Bloomberg Intelligence, said by phone.
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The Army Corps isn’t expected to complete its review of the pipeline until the middle of next year.
If Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden defeats President Donald Trump in November, the new administration could dramatically reverse the pipeline’s fortunes, particularly if Democrats retake control of the Senate. Once in office, Biden could slow the review process by probing the Trump administration’s decisions on the pipeline. He could also direct the Army Corps of Engineers to abandon the oil route.
The Obama administration, in which Biden served as vice president, blocked construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline in December 2016 after months of protests at which heavily militarized security forces attacked peaceful demonstrators.
Energy Transfer’s stock climbed nearly 5% on Wednesday afternoon following the ruling. But the price remains well below the nearly $26-per-share it hit before the first environmental review order was handed down in March.
The attorneys litigating the pipeline’s case, however, are almost certainly faring well.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-05--Ex-Atlanta Cop Who Shot Rayshard Brooks Files Lawsuit Over Firing

A former Atlanta police officer charged in the fatal shooting of Rayshard Brooks outside of a Wendy ’ s restaurant in June has filed a lawsuit against the interim police chief and the mayor over his termination .
His lawsuit was filed the same day that prosecutors filed a motion to revoke his bond over an alleged travel violation .
In the lawsuit filed Tuesday , Garrett Rolfe argues that he was improperly fired on June 13 , one day after Brooks ’ death , because there had been no investigation or pre-disciplinary hearing and he did not receive proper @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s municipal code and his constitutional rights , the suit claims .
Rolfe has been charged with 11 counts , including felony murder and aggravated assault .
His suit argues , however , that his use of deadly force was lawful and in response to Brooks , who was Black , having displayed “ violent , unlawful , aggressive resistance to a lawful arrest.
” Rayshard Brooks ( right ) being questioned by Garrett Rolfe ( right ) outside of a Wendy 's in Atlanta on June 12 .
Shortly thereafter , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while running away , authorities said .
Brooks , 27 , was fatally shot after police were called to the Wendy ’ s over reports of a man sleeping in his car in the restaurant ’ s drive-thru lane .
After taking a sobriety test and being questioned by officers , the Georgia Bureau of Investigation said he ran away while pointing a Taser at one of the officers .
An autopsy concluded that Brooks was shot twice in the back .
His death has been listed as a homicide .
Rolfe ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fact that the second officer at the scene , Devin Brosnan , has not been fired , and was instead placed on administrative duty .
Brosnan has been charged with aggravated assault and violating his oath .
Like Rolfe , he is free on bond .
Rolfe is “ entitled to receive equal treatment under the law as compared to other officers who are similarly situated , ” states the lawsuit , which requests a judge to hold a hearing and to order his immediate reinstatement with back pay , seniority and other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who authorities said fatally shot Brooks , and Devin Brosnan ( right ) .
Rolfe was immediately fired from the Atlanta Police Department ; Brosnan has been placed on administrative duty .
Prosecutors on Tuesday meanwhile filed a motion to revoke Rolfe ’ s bond , citing a Florida beach trip he allegedly took that violated the terms of his release .
Rolfe ’ s bond order “ expressly states that the Defendant is only allowed to leave home for medical , legal , or work-related obligations , ” the motion says , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Associated Press .
Prosecutors said they are not aware of him having received permission to travel .
Rolfe “ has clearly shown that he will not abide by the conditions of bond imposed by the Court , ” they said in the motion .

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A former Atlanta police officer charged in the fatal shooting of Rayshard Brooks outside of a Wendy’s restaurant in June has filed a lawsuit against the interim police chief and the mayor over his termination. His lawsuit was filed the same day that prosecutors filed a motion to revoke his bond over an alleged travel violation.
In the lawsuit filed Tuesday, Garrett Rolfe argues that he was improperly fired on June 13, one day after Brooks’ death, because there had been no investigation or pre-disciplinary hearing and he did not receive proper notice. This violated the city’s municipal code and his constitutional rights, the suit claims.
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Rolfe has been charged with 11 counts, including felony murder and aggravated assault. His suit argues, however, that his use of deadly force was lawful and in response to Brooks, who was Black, having displayed “violent, unlawful, aggressive resistance to a lawful arrest.”
Rayshard Brooks (right) being questioned by Garrett Rolfe (left) outside of a Wendy's in Atlanta on June 12. Shortly thereafter, he was fatally shot twice in the back while running away, authorities said. ASSOCIATED PRESS
Brooks, 27, was fatally shot after police were called to the Wendy’s over reports of a man sleeping in his car in the restaurant’s drive-thru lane. After taking a sobriety test and being questioned by officers, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation said he ran away while pointing a Taser at one of the officers.
An autopsy concluded that Brooks was shot twice in the back. His death has been listed as a homicide.
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Rolfe’s suit also takes issue with the fact that the second officer at the scene, Devin Brosnan, has not been fired, and was instead placed on administrative duty. Brosnan has been charged with aggravated assault and violating his oath. Like Rolfe, he is free on bond.
Rolfe is “entitled to receive equal treatment under the law as compared to other officers who are similarly situated,” states the lawsuit, which requests a judge to hold a hearing and to order his immediate reinstatement with back pay, seniority and other benefits.
Rolfe (left), who authorities said fatally shot Brooks, and Devin Brosnan (right). Rolfe was immediately fired from the Atlanta Police Department; Brosnan has been placed on administrative duty. Atlanta Police Department via AP
Prosecutors on Tuesday meanwhile filed a motion to revoke Rolfe’s bond, citing a Florida beach trip he allegedly took that violated the terms of his release.
Rolfe’s bond order “expressly states that the Defendant is only allowed to leave home for medical, legal, or work-related obligations,” the motion says, according to a copy obtained by The Associated Press.
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Prosecutors said they are not aware of him having received permission to travel. Rolfe “has clearly shown that he will not abide by the conditions of bond imposed by the Court,” they said in the motion.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-05--Lebanese Bride Almost Hit By Explosion While Filming Wedding Video

BEIRUT , Aug 5 ( Reuters ) - Radiant in a long white gown and veil , 29-year-old Lebanese bride Israa Seblani stands smiling and posing for her wedding video .
The scene is shattered by a deafening roar , and a powerful shockwave nearly blows her off her feet .
“ I have been preparing for my big day for two weeks and I was so happy like all other girls , ‘ I am getting married ’ .
My parents are going to be happy seeing me in a white dress , I will be looking like a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ What happened during the explosion here - there is no word to explain ...
I was shocked , I was wondering what happened , am I going to die ?
How am I going to die ?
” Behind her , piles of smashed glass from the blown-out windows of the hotel where she was due to stay littered the ground , along with crushed remnants of flower arrangements that had adorned banquet tables .
Subeih recalled the aftermath of the blast , which officials have blamed on a huge stockpile of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unsafe conditions at the port .
“ We started to walk around and it was extremely sad , it was not describable the devastation and the sound of the explosion , ” he said .
“ We are still in shock ...
I have never heard anything similar to the sound of this explosion.
” “ I feel so sad about what happened to other people , about what happened to Lebanon , ” added Seblani .
“ When I woke up and saw the damage that happened to Beirut , the one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are still alive.
” After the blast , she and her husband tried to compose themselves and carry on with their celebrations .
“ My husband told me to continue , we can ’ t stop .
I was like okay , why not , we continue .
I was not living the moment actually , I was like walking , my face was smiling , my lips were smiling , that ’ s it , not more .
Then we went to have a dinner.
” He is waiting for a visa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ join his wife there .
Seblani loves Lebanon , but feels that after Tuesday ’ s blast , living there is not an option .
“ There is a lot of damage , many people were killed and wounded .
But also if I want to look at us , myself , my husband , the photographer - how we escaped unharmed , I thank God for protecting us .

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BEIRUT, Aug 5 (Reuters) - Radiant in a long white gown and veil, 29-year-old Lebanese bride Israa Seblani stands smiling and posing for her wedding video. The scene is shattered by a deafening roar, and a powerful shockwave nearly blows her off her feet.
The dramatic footage captured the moment when a massive explosion rocked the Lebanese capital on Tuesday, killing 135 people and injuring more than 5,000.
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Seblani, a doctor working in the United States, helped to check on the injured nearby, before fleeing central Beirut’s Saifi square to safety.
A day later, she and her husband Ahmad Subeih, 34, a businessman in Beirut, were struggling to process what happened.
“I have been preparing for my big day for two weeks and I was so happy like all other girls, ‘I am getting married’. My parents are going to be happy seeing me in a white dress, I will be looking like a princess,” she told Reuters.
“What happened during the explosion here - there is no word to explain ... I was shocked, I was wondering what happened, am I going to die? How am I going to die?”
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Behind her, piles of smashed glass from the blown-out windows of the hotel where she was due to stay littered the ground, along with crushed remnants of flower arrangements that had adorned banquet tables.
Seblani arrived in Beirut three weeks earlier to prepare for her wedding.
Subeih recalled the aftermath of the blast, which officials have blamed on a huge stockpile of highly explosive material stored for years in unsafe conditions at the port.
“We started to walk around and it was extremely sad, it was not describable the devastation and the sound of the explosion,” he said. “We are still in shock ... I have never heard anything similar to the sound of this explosion.”
“I feel so sad about what happened to other people, about what happened to Lebanon,” added Seblani. “When I woke up and saw the damage that happened to Beirut, the one thing I said was thank God we are still alive.”
After the blast, she and her husband tried to compose themselves and carry on with their celebrations.
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“My husband told me to continue, we can’t stop. I was like okay, why not, we continue. I was not living the moment actually, I was like walking, my face was smiling, my lips were smiling, that’s it, not more. Then we went to have a dinner.”
Subeih recalls entering the damaged hotel on Wednesday to retrieve belongings and passports.
“The scene in the room was unbelievable,” he said.
He is waiting for a visa to the United States so he can join his wife there. Seblani loves Lebanon, but feels that after Tuesday’s blast, living there is not an option.
She is still trying to find joy in a wedding she took so long to prepare.
“There is a lot of damage, many people were killed and wounded. But also if I want to look at us, myself, my husband, the photographer - how we escaped unharmed, I thank God for protecting us.
“This alone makes me feel optimistic and to keep the joy ofthe occasion that I came here to celebrate.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-05--Facebook Launches New TikTok Clone, Instagram Reels

The new Instagram feature will let users record and edit 15-second videos with audio , and will let users add visual effects .
Users will be able to share Reels with followers in Instagram in a dedicated section called Reels in Explore , or in the Story feature where posts disappear after 24 hours .
The Reels option will be available in the Instagram app .
The company has been testing Reels in Brazil since November and in France , Germany and India since earlier this summer .
Facebook has a long tradition of cloning competitive services .
The Instagram @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people share photos and videos that expire in 24 hours , is similar to Snapchat .
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg faced tough questioning about the company ’ s habit of copying rivals before a congressional hearing on July 29 .
Facebook earlier launched a TikTok knockoff called Lasso in 2018 , but closed that down in July .
It also tried services similar to Snapchat called Slingshot and Poke before Instagram Stories caught on .
But those were separate apps — it might have more success with a feature built into Instagram .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ features was successful for Instagram in part because Snapchat was difficult to figure out for new users .
They were already comfortable with Instagram .
But TikTok is very easy to use ― easier than Instagram ― and part of its appeal is that you ’ re able to sit back and scroll endlessly with just swipes , without the need to follow anyone or post anything .
For Reels to succeed , Facebook will have to lure video creators away from TikTok .
This might be easier to do with Reels since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In response to published reports that Instagram is paying TikTok influencers to join Reels , Instagram said in a statement that the company “ have a long history of reaching out to emerging creators and working to break new stars on Instagram.
” “ As with previous products , we remain committed to investing in both our creators and their overall experience , and in certain cases , we may help cover production costs for their creative ideas , ” the company said .
TikTok , in turn , launched a $ 200 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that it says will grow to over $ 1 billion in the U.S. in the next three years and more than double that globally , to pay video creators for their material .
Microsoft is in talks to buy part of TikTok in what would be a forced sale , following threats from President Donald Trump to ban the Chinese-owned video app , which claims 100 million U.S. users and hundreds of millions globally .
Since early July , TikTok users have been posting videos urging viewers to follow them to other platforms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a TikTok ban .
Mary Keane-Dawson , Group CEO at influencer marketing agency Takumi , said the influencers she works with have been sad , angry and upset about the threat of a ban .
Still , they ’ re “ pragmatic , ” she said , and the smart ones were already active on TikTok , Instagram and YouTube .
Reels is debuting in over 50 countries , including the U.S. , the U.K. , Japan , Australia and others , as well as officially launching in the test countries — Brazil @ @ @ @ @ @ @

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Facebook’s Instagram is officially launching its answer to the hit short video app TikTok — Instagram Reels.
The new Instagram feature will let users record and edit 15-second videos with audio, and will let users add visual effects. Users will be able to share Reels with followers in Instagram in a dedicated section called Reels in Explore, or in the Story feature where posts disappear after 24 hours.
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The Reels option will be available in the Instagram app. The company has been testing Reels in Brazil since November and in France, Germany and India since earlier this summer.
Facebook has a long tradition of cloning competitive services. The Instagram “Story” feature, which lets people share photos and videos that expire in 24 hours, is similar to Snapchat. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg faced tough questioning about the company’s habit of copying rivals before a congressional hearing on July 29.
Facebook earlier launched a TikTok knockoff called Lasso in 2018, but closed that down in July. It also tried services similar to Snapchat called Slingshot and Poke before Instagram Stories caught on. But those were separate apps — it might have more success with a feature built into Instagram.
In fact, copying Snapchat’s features was successful for Instagram in part because Snapchat was difficult to figure out for new users. They were already comfortable with Instagram. But TikTok is very easy to use ― easier than Instagram ― and part of its appeal is that you’re able to sit back and scroll endlessly with just swipes, without the need to follow anyone or post anything.
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For Reels to succeed, Facebook will have to lure video creators away from TikTok. This might be easier to do with Reels since many creators are already on Instagram. In response to published reports that Instagram is paying TikTok influencers to join Reels, Instagram said in a statement that the company “have a long history of reaching out to emerging creators and working to break new stars on Instagram.”
“As with previous products, we remain committed to investing in both our creators and their overall experience, and in certain cases, we may help cover production costs for their creative ideas,” the company said.
TikTok, in turn, launched a $200 million “creator fund” in July that it says will grow to over $1 billion in the U.S. in the next three years and more than double that globally, to pay video creators for their material.
TikTok, however, is under fire, possibly opening an opportunity for Facebook.
Microsoft is in talks to buy part of TikTok in what would be a forced sale, following threats from President Donald Trump to ban the Chinese-owned video app, which claims 100 million U.S. users and hundreds of millions globally.
Since early July, TikTok users have been posting videos urging viewers to follow them to other platforms like Instagram, reflecting the threat of a TikTok ban. Mary Keane-Dawson, Group CEO at influencer marketing agency Takumi, said the influencers she works with have been sad, angry and upset about the threat of a ban. Still, they’re “pragmatic,” she said, and the smart ones were already active on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube.
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Reels is debuting in over 50 countries, including the U.S., the U.K., Japan, Australia and others, as well as officially launching in the test countries — Brazil, France, Germany and India.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-05--Controversial YouTuber Jake Paul's Home Searched By FBI In California

“ The FBI is executing a federal search warrant at a residence in Calabasas in connection with an ongoing investigation @ @ @ @ @ support of the search warrant has been sealed by a judge and I am , @ @ @ @ @ as to the nature of the investigation .
No arrests are planned .
”

“The FBI is executing a federal search warrant at a residence in Calabasas in connection with an ongoing investigation.
“The affidavit in support of the search warrant has been sealed by a judge and I am, therefore, prohibited from commenting as to the nature of the investigation. No arrests are planned.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-05--Jay-Z Launching School With Brooklyn's Long Island University

The new school will begin enrolling students for the fall 2021 semester , and 25 % of the incoming freshmen class will receive Roc Nation Hope Scholarships .
Hope Scholars will graduate without any debt .
Jay-Z , a 22-time Grammy winner and entertainment mogul , was born and raised in Brooklyn .
He launched Roc Nation in 2008 and the company has worked with some of the top players in music , including Rihanna , Alicia Keys , DJ Khaled , J. Cole , Megan Thee Stallion , Lil Uzi Vert and more .
The company also partnered with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Emmy-nominated halftime show with Shakira and Jennifer Lopez .
Roc Nation Sports was founded in 2013 and has worked with many athletes .
Roc Nation CEO Desiree Perez called the new partnership with LIU “ a true investment in our community and young people in Brooklyn , in New York City , and beyond.
” “ We ’ re excited that The Roc Nation School of Music , Sports & Entertainment will provide unique insight , knowledge and experiences for students and introduce the world to the next generation of unmatched talent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday .
The Roc Nation School of Music , Sports & Entertainment will offer undergraduate degrees in music , music technology , entrepreneurship and production , and sports management .
The school will begin accepting applications this fall for the fall 2021 semester and Roc Nation Hope Scholarship recipients will be selected from a group of academically competitive , need-based first-time freshmen from New York .
“ Our proximity in and around New York City ’ s epicenter of music and sports clearly positions us to offer unparalleled experiential learning and access to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ success , ” LIU President Dr. Kimberly Cline said in a statement .
“ We look forward to joining with Roc Nation to offer an unprecedented educational resource that opens up the entertainment and sports world to a new and eager generation.
” In addition to learning from professors , students will also engage with guest artists and lecturers and will gain hands-on experience through internships .
The school will also offer resources to high school students and those younger : Starting in spring 2021 , the school will launch summer residential camps @ @ @ @ @ @ @ students ages 10-18 that focus on music and sports management .
Those programs will begin in spring 2021 and scholarships will be available for need-based students .

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NEW YORK (AP) — Jay-Z’s Roc Nation entertainment company is partnering with Brooklyn’s Long Island University to launch the Roc Nation School of Music, Sports & Entertainment.
The new school will begin enrolling students for the fall 2021 semester, and 25% of the incoming freshmen class will receive Roc Nation Hope Scholarships. Hope Scholars will graduate without any debt.
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Jay-Z, a 22-time Grammy winner and entertainment mogul, was born and raised in Brooklyn. He launched Roc Nation in 2008 and the company has worked with some of the top players in music, including Rihanna, Alicia Keys, DJ Khaled, J. Cole, Megan Thee Stallion, Lil Uzi Vert and more. The company also partnered with the NFL and co-produced this year’s Emmy-nominated halftime show with Shakira and Jennifer Lopez. Roc Nation Sports was founded in 2013 and has worked with many athletes.
Roc Nation CEO Desiree Perez called the new partnership with LIU “a true investment in our community and young people in Brooklyn, in New York City, and beyond.”
“We’re excited that The Roc Nation School of Music, Sports & Entertainment will provide unique insight, knowledge and experiences for students and introduce the world to the next generation of unmatched talent,” Perez continued in her statement Tuesday.
The Roc Nation School of Music, Sports & Entertainment will offer undergraduate degrees in music, music technology, entrepreneurship and production, and sports management. The school will begin accepting applications this fall for the fall 2021 semester and Roc Nation Hope Scholarship recipients will be selected from a group of academically competitive, need-based first-time freshmen from New York.
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“Our proximity in and around New York City’s epicenter of music and sports clearly positions us to offer unparalleled experiential learning and access to professional opportunities that will launch students to success,” LIU President Dr. Kimberly Cline said in a statement. “We look forward to joining with Roc Nation to offer an unprecedented educational resource that opens up the entertainment and sports world to a new and eager generation.”
In addition to learning from professors, students will also engage with guest artists and lecturers and will gain hands-on experience through internships.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-05--Tropical Storm Isaias Batters East Coast, Killing At Least 7 People

WINDSOR , N.C. ( AP ) — At least seven people were killed as Tropical Storm Isaias battered the U.S. East Coast with rain and fierce winds after making landfall as a hurricane in North Carolina .
Millions of people were without power on Wednesday after felled trees downed power lines .
The sound of generators and chainsaws punctuated the sunrise in New Jersey , where more than 1 million homes and businesses were without electricity .
NJ Transit train service remained suspended while crews cleared about 150 trees and repair signals and overhead wires .
Regional rail service was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Schuylkill River and sent an unsecured construction barge into a bridge .
Inspectors were checking for damage .
Interstate 676 , which crosses the bridge , was also closed in both directions .
Two people died when Isaias spun off a tornado that struck a North Carolina mobile home park .
Another person died in Pennsylvania when their vehicle was overtaken by water and swept downstream .
Three others were killed by falling trees toppled by the storm in Maryland , Connecticut and New York City , and a seventh person died @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on them , authorities said .
Isaias sustained top winds of up to 65 mph ( 105 kph ) more than 18 hours after coming ashore , but it was down to 45 mph max winds as of late Tuesday , according to the National Hurricane Center .
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio talks with residents about damage from Tropical Storm Isaias , Tuesday , Aug. 4 , 2020 , in the Queens borough of New York .
( AP Photo/Frank Franklin II ) Isaias toggled between hurricane and tropical storm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Coast .
Fueled by warm ocean waters , the storm got a late burst of strength as a rejuvenated hurricane with top sustained winds of 85 mph ( 136 km/h ) before coming ashore late Monday near Ocean Isle Beach , North Carolina .
Its tropical storm status was sustained , but weakened , as it headed north into Canada on Tuesday night .
Tornadoes were confirmed by the National Weather Service in Virginia , Maryland , Delaware and New Jersey .
Power outages also spread as trees fell , with more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ states as of late Tuesday , according to PowerOutage.US , which tracks utility reports .
New York City ’ s power utility said it saw more outages from Isaias than from any storm except Superstorm Sandy in 2012 .
In Doylestown , Pennsylvania , officials said four children were treated for minor injuries after high winds partially tore the roof off a day care center .
Also in the Philadelphia suburbs , rescue workers in Delaware County were searching for a young person who fell or jumped into the fast-moving water of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the county emergency services director .
Some of the worst damage seemed to be east and north of where the hurricane ’ s eye struck land in North Carolina .
Morgan reported from North Myrtle Beach , South Carolina .
Associated Press contributors include science writer Seth Borenstein in Kensington , Maryland ; Gerry Broome in Southport , North Carolina ; Jonathan Drew in Durham , North Carolina ; Michelle Liu in Columbia , South Carolina ; Michael Kunzelman in College Park , Maryland ; Bruce Shipkowski in Toms River , New Jersey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jersey ; and Michael Sisak in New York .

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WINDSOR, N.C. (AP) — At least seven people were killed as Tropical Storm Isaias battered the U.S. East Coast with rain and fierce winds after making landfall as a hurricane in North Carolina. Millions of people were without power on Wednesday after felled trees downed power lines.
The sound of generators and chainsaws punctuated the sunrise in New Jersey, where more than 1 million homes and businesses were without electricity. NJ Transit train service remained suspended while crews cleared about 150 trees and repair signals and overhead wires.
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Regional rail service was also suspended in Philadelphia after Isaias raised the Schuylkill River and sent an unsecured construction barge into a bridge. Inspectors were checking for damage. Interstate 676, which crosses the bridge, was also closed in both directions.
Ellen Mallen, who lives in a mobile home court, carefully leaves her home after a suspected tornado spawned by Isaias struck Marmora, N.J., Tuesday, Aug 4, 2020. (David Maialetti/The Philadelphia Inquirer via AP) ASSOCIATED PRESS
Patrick Foye, chairman of New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority, said more than 2,000 trees fell across the system’s train and bus network.
“This storm caused severe damage,” Foye said Wednesday. “Not since Superstorm Sandy has our system experienced this type of wind.”
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Two people died when Isaias spun off a tornado that struck a North Carolina mobile home park. Another person died in Pennsylvania when their vehicle was overtaken by water and swept downstream. Three others were killed by falling trees toppled by the storm in Maryland, Connecticut and New York City, and a seventh person died in Delaware when a tree branch fell on them, authorities said.
Isaias sustained top winds of up to 65 mph (105 kph) more than 18 hours after coming ashore, but it was down to 45 mph max winds as of late Tuesday, according to the National Hurricane Center.
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio talks with residents about damage from Tropical Storm Isaias, Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020, in the Queens borough of New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) ASSOCIATED PRESS
Isaias toggled between hurricane and tropical storm strength as it churned toward the East Coast. Fueled by warm ocean waters, the storm got a late burst of strength as a rejuvenated hurricane with top sustained winds of 85 mph (136 km/h) before coming ashore late Monday near Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina. Its tropical storm status was sustained, but weakened, as it headed north into Canada on Tuesday night.
Before making landfall late Monday, Isaias killed two people in the Caribbean and battered the Bahamas before brushing past Florida.
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Tornadoes were confirmed by the National Weather Service in Virginia, Maryland, Delaware and New Jersey. Power outages also spread as trees fell, with more than 3.7 million customers losing electricity across multiple states as of late Tuesday, according to PowerOutage.US, which tracks utility reports. New York City’s power utility said it saw more outages from Isaias than from any storm except Superstorm Sandy in 2012.
Philadelphia firefighters walk through a flooded neighborhood after Tropical Storm Isaias moved through, Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum) ASSOCIATED PRESS
In Doylestown, Pennsylvania, officials said four children were treated for minor injuries after high winds partially tore the roof off a day care center. Also in the Philadelphia suburbs, rescue workers in Delaware County were searching for a young person who fell or jumped into the fast-moving water of a swollen creek, said Timothy Boyce, the county emergency services director.
Some of the worst damage seemed to be east and north of where the hurricane’s eye struck land in North Carolina.
“Fortunately, this storm was fast-moving and has already left our state,” Gov. Roy Cooper said Tuesday.
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Morgan reported from North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Associated Press contributors include science writer Seth Borenstein in Kensington, Maryland; Gerry Broome in Southport, North Carolina; Jonathan Drew in Durham, North Carolina; Michelle Liu in Columbia, South Carolina; Michael Kunzelman in College Park, Maryland; Bruce Shipkowski in Toms River, New Jersey; Shawn Marsh in Trenton, New Jersey; and Michael Sisak in New York.
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