upi--2020-06-02--George Floyd: D.C. protesters push past 7 p.m. curfew

June 2 ( UPI ) -- Demonstrators in Washington , D.C. , continued protests sparked by the police-involved killing of George Floyd as a curfew set for 7 p.m. passed Tuesday .
The protesters remained in place , violating the curfew Trump declared would be `` strictly enforced '' during a national address on Monday evening .
He threatened to send the U.S. military into cities that do n't control violent demonstrations .
`` If a city or a state refuses to take the actions that are necessary to defend the life and property of their residents , then I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quickly solve the problem for them , '' he said .
Trump 's address was followed by federal law enforcement forcefully clearing protesters as the president posed for a photo in front of St. John 's Church , an action Washington , D.C. , Mayor Muriel Bowser called `` shameful . ''
Tuesday , Trump said tensions were calming in and around Washington , D.C. '' D.C. had no problems last night , '' he tweeted .
`` Many arrests .
Great job done by all .
Overwhelming force .
Domination .
Likewise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats spoke out against Trump 's threat to deploy the military in response to protesters , with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi saying `` there is no reason '' for the military to be involved .
Sen. Tammy Duckworth , a combat veteran and Democrat from Illinois , described Trump 's threat of military force against protesters as `` tin-pot dictatorial . ''
`` We can not allow any Commander in Chief to put our Armed Forces ' reputation as the last institution Americans can trust and respect at risk by using them unlawfully @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exacerbating the divisions driving our union apart , '' she said .
Bracing for an eighth night of protests , Atlanta , Dallas , New York City , Cleveland and multiple cities in California joined Washington , D.C. , in issuing curfews on Tuesday .
Trump also called on his hometown of New York City to call up the National Guard for help .
`` The lowlifes and losers are ripping you apart , '' he tweeted .
`` Act fast !
Do n't make the same horrible and deadly mistake you made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also criticized New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo for not activating the National Guard .
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio extended a curfew of 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for the rest of this week after a night of looting and violence on Monday during which police officers were targeted .
Kentucky Gov .
Andy Beshear announced Tuesday the state would reduce National Guard presence in Lousiville after a man named David McAtee was killed by gunfire from Louisville police and the National Guard .
Police in Atlanta deployed tear gas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's 9 p.m. curfew went into effect Tuesday night , CNN reported .
Curfews failed to rein in violence during protests on Monday which led to a number of injured -- including multiple law enforcement officers .
At least four police officers in St. Louis received gunshot wounds and a man in Las Vegas was killed during mass demonstrations .
Officials said a Las Vegas officer is also on life support with critical injuries .
The New York City Police Department arrested more than 700 protesters overnight .
Looters damaged the flagship Macy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emptied a Nike store and broke storefront windows near Rockefeller Center .
Violence , fires and looting spread into the Bronx , where police said an officer was targeted in a hit-and-run attack .
`` That is wholly unacceptable and does not represent the people of this city , '' de Blasio said .
`` Anyone who attacks a police officer attacks all of us . ''
New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo criticized de Blasio on Tuesday morning for not deploying enough police officers to handle the outbreaks of violence .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the problem .
I believe he underestimates the duration of the problem , and I do n't think they 've used enough police to address the situation , '' the governor said .
Cuomo said the mayor did n't accept his offer to send the National Guard to the state 's largest city .
The governor threatened to override the mayor .
`` Can you displace a mayor ?
Yes .
A mayor can be removed .
It has not happened .
I ca n't find a precedent .
But theoretically it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` It is a bizarre thing to try to do in this situation .
I think it would make a bad situation worse .
Also , I do n't think it 's necessary , because I believe the NYPD can do this , because the NYPD has done this .
Two autopsies issued Monday agreed that Floyd 's death was a homicide , but they differed on the precise cause .
An independent autopsy said he died from mechanical asphyxiation , while the county coroner said Floyd died of `` cardiopulmonary arrest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ neck compression . ''
The county 's autopsy said Floyd also had `` other significant conditions '' including arteriosclerotic and hypertensive heart disease , fentanyl intoxication and `` recent '' methamphetamine use .
Tuesday , Trump and first lady Melania Trump visited to the Saint John Paul II National Shrine in Washington .
They observed a moment of remembrance near the statue of Saint John Paul II and visited the Luminous Mysteries Chapel , the John Paul II blood relic and the Madonna icon .
The Trumps also laid a wreath at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to sign an executive order for religious freedom .
Floyd 's funeral is scheduled for June 9 in his hometown of Houston .
Monday , Terrence Floyd visited the site of his brother 's death in Minneapolis and urged for calm amid growing national unrest .
`` I know he would not want you all to be doing this , '' he said , asking angry demonstrators to get out and vote for change and demand justice peacefully .
`` If I 'm not over here blowing up stuff , if I 'm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ -- then what are y'all doing ? ''
he added .
`` That 's not going to bring my brother back . ''
In Denver , authorities charged a 37-year-old man with striking three police officers and a civilian during a hit-and-run late incident over the weekend .
Demonstrations in Denver were mostly peaceful Monday night as thousands gathered at the State Capitol and knelt to honor Floyd .
Tuesday , the European Union 's top diplomat called Floyd 's death an `` abuse of power . ''
EU High Representative Josep Borrell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ denounced and condemned .
`` We here in Europe , like the people of the United States , are shocked and appalled by the death of George Floyd , and I think that all societies must remain vigilant against excessive use of force and ensure that all such incidents are addressed swiftly effectively and in full respect of the rule of law and human rights , '' Borrell said .
The EU , he added , supports `` the right to peaceful protest and we condemn violence and racism of any kind , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tensions . ''

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NYPD Police officers in riot gear stop protesters from entering Manhattan at the Manhattan Bridge on another night of unrest in Manhattan Tuesday as protests, looting and rioting around the country continue over the death of George Floyd at the hands of the Minneapolis police. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
June 2 (UPI) -- The Pentagon on Tuesday night moved about 1,600 active-duty Army troops to assist authorities in responding to protests sparked by the police-involved killing of George Floyd if needed. Pentagon Chief spokesman Jonathan Hoffman confirmed the soldiers were moved from Fort Bragg and Fort Drum to the Washington, D.C. area but active-duty forces have not yet been deployed. Advertisement
"The Department of Defense moved multiple active-duty Army units into the National Capitol Region as a prudent planning measure in response to ongoing support to civil authorities and operations," said Hoffman in a statement.
The move came as many Washington, D.C., protesters remained in place beyond a 7 p.m. curfew Trump declared would be "strictly enforced" during a national address on Monday evening. He threatened to send the U.S. military into cities that don't control violent demonstrations.
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"If a city or a state refuses to take the actions that are necessary to defend the life and property of their residents, then I will deploy the United States military and quickly solve the problem for them," he said.
Trump's address was followed by federal law enforcement forcefully clearing protesters as the president posed for a photo in front of St. John's Church, an action Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser called "shameful."
Tuesday, Trump said tensions were calming in and around Washington, D.C.
"D.C. had no problems last night," he tweeted. "Many arrests. Great job done by all. Overwhelming force. Domination. Likewise, Minneapolis was great."
Congressional Democrats spoke out against Trump's threat to deploy the military in response to protesters, with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi saying "there is no reason" for the military to be involved.
Sen. Tammy Duckworth, a combat veteran and Democrat from Illinois, described Trump's threat of military force against protesters as "tin-pot dictatorial."
"We cannot allow any Commander in Chief to put our Armed Forces' reputation as the last institution Americans can trust and respect at risk by using them unlawfully and putting them in a position of exacerbating the divisions driving our union apart," she said.
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Bracing for an eighth night of protests, Atlanta, Dallas, New York City, Cleveland and multiple cities in California joined Washington, D.C., in issuing curfews on Tuesday.
Trump also called on his hometown of New York City to call up the National Guard for help.
"The lowlifes and losers are ripping you apart," he tweeted. "Act fast! Don't make the same horrible and deadly mistake you made with the Nursing Homes!"
Trump also criticized New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo for not activating the National Guard.
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio extended a curfew of 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for the rest of this week after a night of looting and violence on Monday during which police officers were targeted.
A group of protesters in New York City were boxed in by police on both ends of the Manhattan Bridge for several hours after the curfew took effect as they left a group protesting in Brooklyn. At around 11 p.m., protests were seen finally being allowed to exit the bridge.
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday also said he was "heartbroken" by the violence in New York where the U.N. headquarters is located.
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"Grievances must be heard, but should be expressed peacefully -- and authorities must show restraint in responding to demonstrations," he said in a statement.
In Portland early Wednesday, police said they contending with demonstrators throwing fireworks, vandalizing property and blocking traffic.
Protesters were also reported to be throwing projectiles at police.
Portland Police Chief Jami Resch said in a video message on Twitter that several hundred people late Tuesday had broken off from the main group of peaceful protesters and attempted to tear down a justice center compound and thrown bats, projectiles and "mortars" at police.
Officers issued warnings but the protesters continued and riot police were deployed, she said, without elaborating how many were arrested.
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear announced Tuesday the state would reduce National Guard presence in Lousiville after a man named David McAtee was killed by gunfire from local police and the National Guard.
Police in Atlanta deployed tear gas on protesters in Atlanta as the city's 9 p.m. curfew went into effect Tuesday night, CNN reported.
Curfews failed to rein in violence during protests on Monday, which led to a number of injured -- including multiple law enforcement officers.
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At least four police officers in St. Louis received gunshot wounds and a man in Las Vegas was killed during mass demonstrations. Officials said a Las Vegas officer is also on life support with critical injuries.
The New York City Police Department arrested more than 700 protesters overnight. Looters damaged the flagship Macy's department store in midtown Manhattan, emptied a Nike store and broke storefront windows near Rockefeller Center.
Violence, fires and looting spread into the Bronx, where police said an officer was targeted in a hit-and-run attack.
"That is wholly unacceptable and does not represent the people of this city," de Blasio said. "Anyone who attacks a police officer attacks all of us."
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo criticized de Blasio on Tuesday morning for not deploying enough police officers to handle the outbreaks of violence.
"I believe the mayor underestimates the scope of the problem. I believe he underestimates the duration of the problem, and I don't think they've used enough police to address the situation," the governor said.
Giving my daily press briefing now. Watch Live: https://t.co/yYmCJKgLJ0— Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) June 2, 2020 Advertisement
Cuomo said the mayor didn't accept his offer to send the National Guard to the state's largest city. The governor threatened to override the mayor.
"Can you displace a mayor? Yes. A mayor can be removed. It has not happened. I can't find a precedent. But theoretically it is legally possible," Cuomo said.
"It is a bizarre thing to try to do in this situation. I think it would make a bad situation worse. Also, I don't think it's necessary, because I believe the NYPD can do this, because the NYPD has done this.
Two autopsies issued Monday agreed that Floyd's death was a homicide, but they differed on the precise cause.
An independent autopsy said he died from mechanical asphyxiation, while the county coroner said Floyd died of "cardiopulmonary arrest complicating law enforcement subdual, restraint and neck compression."
The county's autopsy said Floyd also had "other significant conditions" including arteriosclerotic and hypertensive heart disease, fentanyl intoxication and "recent" methamphetamine use.
Tuesday, Trump and first lady Melania Trump visited to the Saint John Paul II National Shrine in Washington. They observed a moment of remembrance near the statue of Saint John Paul II and visited the Luminous Mysteries Chapel, the John Paul II blood relic and the Madonna icon.
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The Trumps also laid a wreath at the site before departing.
Floyd's funeral is scheduled for June 9 in his hometown of Houston. Monday, Terrence Floyd visited the site of his brother's death in Minneapolis and urged for calm amid growing national unrest.
"I know he would not want you all to be doing this," he said, asking angry demonstrators to get out and vote for change and demand justice peacefully.
"If I'm not over here blowing up stuff, if I'm not over here messing up my community -- then what are y'all doing?" he added. "That's not going to bring my brother back."
In Denver, authorities charged a 37-year-old man with striking three police officers and a civilian during a hit-and-run late incident over the weekend.
Demonstrations in Denver were mostly peaceful Monday night as thousands gathered at the State Capitol and knelt to honor Floyd.
Tuesday, the European Union's top diplomat called Floyd's death an "abuse of power."
EU High Representative Josep Borrell told reporters that such abuses must be denounced and condemned.
"We here in Europe, like the people of the United States, are shocked and appalled by the death of George Floyd, and I think that all societies must remain vigilant against excessive use of force and ensure that all such incidents are addressed swiftly effectively and in full respect of the rule of law and human rights," Borrell said.
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The EU, he added, supports "the right to peaceful protest and we condemn violence and racism of any kind, and we call for a de-escalation of tensions."
Protesters demand justice in police killing of George Floyd


upi--2020-06-02--Centers for Democracy and Technology challenges Trump social media executive order

June 2 ( UPI ) -- The Centers for Democracy and Technology on Tuesday filed a lawsuit challenging an executive order by President Donald Trump seeking to limit legal protections of social media companies that censure or edit user posts .
CDT , a Washington , D.C.-based nonprofit , challenged the order stating that it violates the First Amendment by `` curtailing and chilling '' the speech of online platforms and individuals as protected by the Constitution .
`` The executive order is designed to deter social media services from fighting misinformation , voter suppression and the stoking of violence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and CEO Alexandra Givens said .
Trump signed the order on Thursday directing the Commerce Department to ask the Federal Communications Commission to reinterpret Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act , which protects Internet companies from lawsuits targeting the content of their sites .
`` A small handful of social media monopolies controls the vast portion of all public and private communications in the United States , '' said Trump .
`` They 've had unchecked power to censor , restrict , edit , shape , hide , alter , virtually any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ large public audiences . ''
The decision came two days after Twitter flagged a pair of Trump 's tweets about the process of mail-in voting as potentially misleading .
CDT said the order was intended to intimidate social media companies to change how they moderate content .
`` The government can not and should not force online intermediaries into moderating speech according to the President 's whims , '' Givens said .
`` Blocking this order is crucial for protecting freedom of speech and continuing important work to ensure the integrity of the @ @ @ @

The Center for Democracy and Technology filed a lawsuit challenging President Donald Trump's executive order seeking to limit legal protections of social media companies that censure or edit user posts. Pool Photo by Doug Mills/UPI | License Photo
June 2 (UPI) -- The Center for Democracy and Technology on Tuesday filed a lawsuit challenging an executive order by President Donald Trump seeking to limit legal protections of social media companies that censure or edit user posts. CDT, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit, challenged the order stating that it violates the First Amendment by "curtailing and chilling" the speech of online platforms and individuals as protected by the Constitution. Advertisement
"The executive order is designed to deter social media services from fighting misinformation, voter suppression and the stoking of violence on their platforms," CDT President and CEO Alexandra Givens said.
Trump signed the order on Thursday directing the Commerce Department to ask the Federal Communications Commission to reinterpret Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which protects Internet companies from lawsuits targeting the content of their sites.
"A small handful of social media monopolies controls the vast portion of all public and private communications in the United States," said Trump. "They've had unchecked power to censor, restrict, edit, shape, hide, alter, virtually any form of communication between private citizens and large public audiences."
The decision came two days after Twitter flagged a pair of Trump's tweets about the process of mail-in voting as potentially misleading.
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CDT said the order was intended to intimidate social media companies to change how they moderate content.
"The government cannot and should not force online intermediaries into moderating speech according to the President's whims," Givens said. "Blocking this order is crucial for protecting freedom of speech and continuing important work to ensure the integrity of the 2020 election."


upi--2020-06-02--Chicago Bears cancel team meetings in support of 'Blackout Tuesday'

June 2 ( UPI ) -- Chicago Bears head coach Matt Nagy canceled team and player meetings to show support for `` Blackout Tuesday . ''
NBC Sports ' ProFootballTalk first reported Nagy 's decision to skip team activities scheduled for Tuesday , which was later confirmed by ESPN and the Chicago Sun-Times .
The `` Blackout Tuesday '' concept started in the music industry over the last two days , when record labels announced they would cease business operations for one day to honor the nationwide protests following the death of George Floyd .
Floyd , a 46-year-old black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while in police custody .
The idea gained popularity on social media , with celebrities , athletes , organizations and activists using a hashtag and posting a picture of a black box .
As part of the concept , individuals refrained from further posting for the day in protest of police brutality .
On Monday , Bears chairman George McCaskey released a statement about Floyd 's death , saying `` we must do more than wring our hands . ''
`` A week ago another unarmed African-American man died at the hands of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Monday .
`` We are witnessing the anger and frustration play out in protests across the nation , including Chicago .
We must do more than wring our hands and hope it does n't happen again .
`` As an organization , we have addressed it internally by offering unconditional support to our family of staff , coaches and players , and today [ Bears general manager ] Ryan Pace and Coach Nagy spent the allotted two hours of team meeting time listening to and healing together with our players and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including standout defensive tackle Akiem Hicks and linebacker Danny Trevathan , are scheduled to address reporters Wednesday and Thursday .
Both players serve on the team 's social justice reform committee .

Chicago Bears head coach Matt Nagy (pictured) held a two-hour team meeting Monday to discuss the death of George Floyd and other events related to police brutality. File Photo by Kamil Krzaczynski/UPI | License Photo
June 2 (UPI) -- Chicago Bears head coach Matt Nagy canceled team and player meetings to show support for "Blackout Tuesday." NBC Sports' ProFootballTalk first reported Nagy's decision to skip team activities scheduled for Tuesday, which was later confirmed by ESPN and the Chicago Sun-Times. Advertisement
The "Blackout Tuesday" concept started in the music industry over the last two days, when record labels announced they would cease business operations for one day to honor the nationwide protests following the death of George Floyd. Floyd, a 46-year-old black man, died last week in Minneapolis while in police custody.
The idea gained popularity on social media, with celebrities, athletes, organizations and activists using a hashtag and posting a picture of a black box. As part of the concept, individuals refrained from further posting for the day in protest of police brutality.
On Monday, Bears chairman George McCaskey released a statement about Floyd's death, saying "we must do more than wring our hands."
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"A week ago another unarmed African-American man died at the hands of a white police officer," McCaskey said Monday. "We are witnessing the anger and frustration play out in protests across the nation, including Chicago. We must do more than wring our hands and hope it doesn't happen again.
"As an organization, we have addressed it internally by offering unconditional support to our family of staff, coaches and players, and today [Bears general manager] Ryan Pace and Coach Nagy spent the allotted two hours of team meeting time listening to and healing together with our players and the coaching staff."
Multiple Bears players, including standout defensive tackle Akiem Hicks and linebacker Danny Trevathan, are scheduled to address reporters Wednesday and Thursday. Both players serve on the team's social justice reform committee.


upi--2020-06-02--Ruben Gutierrez seeks stay of execution citing coronavirus pandemic

June 2 ( UPI ) -- The next death row inmate scheduled to be executed in the United States asked a Texas court for a stay Tuesday , citing disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic .
Attorneys for Ruben Gutierrez filed a motion with the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals saying they will be unable to conduct investigations required in the weeks leading up to his execution .
Gutierrez , 42 , is scheduled to be executed June 16 for the 1998 murder of trailer park owner Escolastica Harrison .
`` It would be irresponsible and against the public 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this pandemic , '' the motion reads .
`` Mr. Gutierrez 's team members can not conduct the work necessary to fulfill their obligation to him without putting themselves and others at risk . ''
The defense team pointed out that they 've been under stay-at-home orders in Philadelphia since March 23 .
`` The imperative of social distancing has thus thwarted Mr. Gutierrez 's ability to conduct the in-person investigation necessary to support his litigation and his seeking of clemency . ''
Gutierrez currently has another request for DNA testing pending in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Texas Court of Criminal Appeals said he did n't meet the requirements for obtaining a post-conviction DNA test .
Gutierrez sought the testing of nail scrapings and loose hairs taken from the victim , a shirt belonging to a family member of Harrison and other clothing items .
He says the testing would prove his innocence .
Authorities said Gutierrez knew Harrison through her nephew and worked together with accomplices Pedro Garcia and Rene Garcia to rob her of about $ 600,000 in cash she had stashed in her home .
An autopsy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 13 times with two different screwdrivers .
Gutierrez said he helped organized the robbery , but did n't take part in the murder and DNA testing would absolve him .
`` For more than two decades on Texas ' death row in solitary confinement , Mr. Gutierrez has always maintained that he did not commit this crime .
There is no physical or forensic evidence connecting Mr. Gutierrez to the crime , '' Gutierrez 's attorney , Shawn Nolan , said .
`` His wrongful conviction was based solely upon two weak elements @ @ @ @ @ @ @ threatened to take Mr. Gutierrez 's children away and threatened his wife , and an unreliable witness .
The witness claimed to have identified Mr. Gutierrez as being in the area of the crime at the time it was committed , but the reliability of this identification has been seriously questioned by expert opinions . ''
The request for a stay comes two weeks after Missouri carried out the nation 's first execution since the start of the pandemic .
Walter Barton received the lethal injection May 19 for the 1991 murder of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Texas has delayed or rescheduled six executions , while Tennessee delayed one , all due to the coronavirus pandemic .
Death penalty experts warn the pandemic could disrupt U.S. executions for months to come .
Robert Dunham , director of the Washington , D.C.-based Death Penalty Information Center , told UPI in March there 's a lot of legal work that happens once a death row inmate is put on the calendar for execution .
In some cases , witnesses do n't come forward to provide evidence or testimony until there 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ irresponsible and potentially deadly for the defense teams to be sending out investigators , '' he said .

Ruben Gutierrez was convicted of murder for the 1998 slaying of trailer park owner Escolastica Harrison. File Photo courtesy of the Texas Department of Corrections
June 2 (UPI) -- The next death row inmate scheduled to be executed in the United States asked a Texas court for a stay Tuesday, citing disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Attorneys for Ruben Gutierrez filed a motion with the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals saying they will be unable to conduct investigations required in the weeks leading up to his execution. Advertisement
Gutierrez, 42, is scheduled to be executed June 16 for the 1998 murder of trailer park owner Escolastica Harrison.
"It would be irresponsible and against the public's interest to conduct the necessary investigation during this pandemic," the motion reads. "Mr. Gutierrez's team members cannot conduct the work necessary to fulfill their obligation to him without putting themselves and others at risk."
The defense team pointed out that they've been under stay-at-home orders in Philadelphia since March 23.
"The imperative of social distancing has thus thwarted Mr. Gutierrez's ability to conduct the in-person investigation necessary to support his litigation and his seeking of clemency."
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Gutierrez currently has another request for DNA testing pending in federal court. In February, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals said he didn't meet the requirements for obtaining a post-conviction DNA test.
Gutierrez sought the testing of nail scrapings and loose hairs taken from the victim, a shirt belonging to a family member of Harrison and other clothing items. He says the testing would prove his innocence.
Authorities said Gutierrez knew Harrison through her nephew and worked together with accomplices Pedro Garcia and Rene Garcia to rob her of about $600,000 in cash she had stashed in her home. An autopsy showed Harrison had been beaten and stabbed 13 times with two different screwdrivers.
Gutierrez said he helped organized the robbery, but didn't take part in the murder and DNA testing would absolve him.
"For more than two decades on Texas' death row in solitary confinement, Mr. Gutierrez has always maintained that he did not commit this crime. There is no physical or forensic evidence connecting Mr. Gutierrez to the crime," Gutierrez's attorney, Shawn Nolan, said.
"His wrongful conviction was based solely upon two weak elements: a false confession elicited when police threatened to take Mr. Gutierrez's children away and threatened his wife, and an unreliable witness. The witness claimed to have identified Mr. Gutierrez as being in the area of the crime at the time it was committed, but the reliability of this identification has been seriously questioned by expert opinions."
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The request for a stay comes two weeks after Missouri carried out the nation's first execution since the start of the pandemic. Walter Barton received the lethal injection May 19 for the 1991 murder of an 81-year-old trailer park operator Gladys Kuehler.
Texas has delayed or rescheduled six executions, while Tennessee delayed one, all due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Death penalty experts warn the pandemic could disrupt U.S. executions for months to come.
Robert Dunham, director of the Washington, D.C.-based Death Penalty Information Center, told UPI in March there's a lot of legal work that happens once a death row inmate is put on the calendar for execution. In some cases, witnesses don't come forward to provide evidence or testimony until there's a date.
"It would be irresponsible and potentially deadly for the defense teams to be sending out investigators," he said.


upi--2020-06-02--Two-thirds of COVID-19 cases in federal prisons limited to 7 facilities, official says

June 2 ( UPI ) -- Two-thirds of positive coronavirus cases in federal prisons are limited to seven of the country 's 122 institutions , a federal prison official told Congress on Tuesday .
The Senate judiciary committee held a hearing to question top officials from the Federal Bureau of Prisons about incarceration practices during the COVID-19 pandemic .
Senators questioned officials about efforts to prevent the spread of the coronavirus and the practice of releasing inmates to home confinement .
The Bureau of Prisons reported that 5,323 inmates and 171 employees have tested positive for the virus , while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ am disappointed , but not surprised , at the Bureau of Prisons failure to do more to protect individuals in its custody from the threat of COVID-19 , '' said Sen. Dick Durbin , D-Ill .
He added that the United States holds more prisoners than any other country in the world , citing mass drug arrests which he said `` disproportionately and unjustly targeted people of color . ''
Federal Bureau of Prisons Director Michael Carvajal said two-thirds of positive coronavirus cases are limited to seven of 122 federal institutions , adding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plan '' in place , citing its history handling outbreaks of influenza as well as cooperation with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other health agencies .
`` We have invited the CDC into our facilities and had them evaluate our work , which has been met with praise for our planning and implementation in the wake of a very vexing virus , '' Carvajal said .
He added that all 122 facilities have widespread COVID-19 testing and personal protective equipment .
Carvajal also said that the bureau currently has 6,120 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 6,398 on home confinement , a 124 percent increase from March 26 , when Attorney General William Barr issued a memorandum calling for home confinement for federal inmates vulnerable to COVID-19 .
He said the reasons for which inmates are transferred is based on the attorney general 's standards , the COVID-19 risk factors of the inmate and public safety .
`` These are individualized assesments and we take them very seriously , '' Carvajal said .

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Michael Carvajal, director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons, testifies during the Senate judiciary committee hearing examining issues facing prisons and jails during the coronavirus pandemic Tuesday on Capitol Hill. Pool photo Tom Williams/UPI | License Photo
June 2 (UPI) -- Two-thirds of positive coronavirus cases in federal prisons are limited to seven of the country's 122 institutions, a federal prison official told Congress on Tuesday. The Senate judiciary committee held a hearing to question top officials from the Federal Bureau of Prisons about incarceration practices during the COVID-19 pandemic. Advertisement
Senators questioned officials about efforts to prevent the spread of the coronavirus and the practice of releasing inmates to home confinement. The Bureau of Prisons reported that 5,323 inmates and 171 employees have tested positive for the virus, while 68 inmates have died.
"I am disappointed, but not surprised, at the Bureau of Prisons failure to do more to protect individuals in its custody from the threat of COVID-19," said Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill.
He added that the United States holds more prisoners than any other country in the world, citing mass drug arrests which he said "disproportionately and unjustly targeted people of color."
Federal Bureau of Prisons Director Michael Carvajal said two-thirds of positive coronavirus cases are limited to seven of 122 federal institutions, adding the bureau has a "sound pandemic plan" in place, citing its history handling outbreaks of influenza as well as cooperation with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other health agencies.
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"We have invited the CDC into our facilities and had them evaluate our work, which has been met with praise for our planning and implementation in the wake of a very vexing virus," Carvajal said.
He added that all 122 facilities have widespread COVID-19 testing and personal protective equipment.
Carvajal also said that the bureau currently has 6,120 inmates placed in residential re-entry centers and 6,398 on home confinement, a 124 percent increase from March 26, when Attorney General William Barr issued a memorandum calling for home confinement for federal inmates vulnerable to COVID-19.
He said the reasons for which inmates are transferred is based on the attorney general's standards, the COVID-19 risk factors of the inmate and public safety.
"These are individualized assesments and we take them very seriously," Carvajal said.
World moves to reopen amid COVID-19 pandemic


upi--2020-06-02--Army scientists say they could have a COVID-19 vaccine by year's end

June 2 ( UPI ) -- Army scientists are testing coronavirus vaccines developed by outside laboratories -- but also one created by the Army itself -- and are optimistic they 'll have a vaccine ready by the end of the year .
Using a virus isolated from the blood of a Washington state man who was the virus ' first U.S. death , Army researchers are testing vaccines in hundreds of mice , and researchers are also working to evaluate test vaccines produced by pharmaceutical companies under the White House 's `` Operation Warp Speed , '' which has a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the end of the year .
Human clinical trials could begin as soon as the end of the summer .
`` We 've done a lot of work that you 'll hear about in the near future showing that all the [ COVID-19-linked ] viruses circulating in the world can be covered by a single vaccine , '' Kayvon Modjarrad , director of emerging infectious diseases at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research , told reporters Tuesday .
Some reports suggest there are multiple coronavirus strains -- perhaps as many as eight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that some may be more contagious than others , so the possibility of a vaccine that could handle multiple strains would be a significant development .
`` There 's no evidence currently that there are new strains , '' Modjarrad said Tuesday , but the Army 's vaccine is being designed with a long-term approach to combating new strains of the novel coronavirus , so researchers could more easily fight any strains that arise .
There are still other unknowns researchers have to contend with -- including the possibility of re-infection and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infected .
It 's also too early to tell exactly how long the vaccine 's effects will last after patients receive it -- since researchers do n't yet know how long it lasts from people who get infected naturally .
Ensuring access to the vaccine once it 's been developed is also out of the Army 's hands .
Instead it will be up to the Centers for Disease Control to execute a campaign to deploy the vaccine broadly , and the the Food and Drug Administration will also have a `` very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ immunized , according to Nelson Michael , the director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research .

Misook Choe, a Laboratory Manager with the Emerging Infectious Disease branch at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, conduct studies in order to find a solution for the Coronavirus March 3. Army scientists said Tuesday they're optimistic they'll have a vaccine ready to deploy by the end of the year. Photo by USAMRDC/UPI | License Photo
June 2 (UPI) -- Army scientists are testing coronavirus vaccines developed by outside laboratories -- but also one created by the Army itself -- and are optimistic they'll have a vaccine ready by the end of the year. Using a virus isolated from the blood of a Washington state man who was the virus' first U.S. death, Army researchers are testing vaccines in hundreds of mice, and researchers are also working to evaluate test vaccines produced by pharmaceutical companies under the White House's "Operation Warp Speed," which has a stated goal of producing a virus by the end of the year. Advertisement
Human clinical trials could begin as soon as the end of the summer.
"We've done a lot of work that you'll hear about in the near future showing that all the [COVID-19-linked] viruses circulating in the world can be covered by a single vaccine," Kayvon Modjarrad, director of emerging infectious diseases at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, told reporters Tuesday.
Some reports suggest there are multiple coronavirus strains -- perhaps as many as eight -- circulating around the world, and that some may be more contagious than others, so the possibility of a vaccine that could handle multiple strains would be a significant development.
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"There's no evidence currently that there are new strains," Modjarrad said Tuesday, but the Army's vaccine is being designed with a long-term approach to combating new strains of the novel coronavirus, so researchers could more easily fight any strains that arise.
There are still other unknowns researchers have to contend with -- including the possibility of re-infection and the wide variety of health outcomes for the infected.
It's also too early to tell exactly how long the vaccine's effects will last after patients receive it -- since researchers don't yet know how long it lasts from people who get infected naturally.
Ensuring access to the vaccine once it's been developed is also out of the Army's hands.
Instead it will be up to the Centers for Disease Control to execute a campaign to deploy the vaccine broadly, and the the Food and Drug Administration will also have a "very strong hand" in deciding who gets immunized, according to Nelson Michael, the director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research.


upi--2020-06-02--Carolina Panthers officially placing LB Luke Kuechly on retired list

June 2 ( UPI ) -- The Carolina Panthers are officially putting star linebacker Luke Kuechly on the reserve/retired list @ @ @ @ @ Media and The Athletic on Tuesday that Carolina 's decision to place Kuechly on the @ @ @ @ @ allows the team to spread his dead cap hit over the next two seasons .
@ @ @ @ @ the Panthers will save about $ 6 million in cap space for 2020 following the @ @ @ @ @ , announced his retirement in mid-January , walking away from football after eight seasons in @ @ @ @ @ linebacker cited injury concerns and his inability to play the game with strength , speed @ @ @ @ @ selected Kuechly with the No .
9 overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft out @ @ @ @ @ seven-time All-Pro choice led the league in tackles twice ( 2012 , 2014 ) and @ @ @ @ @ of the Year in 2013 .
Since Kuechly 's retirement , the Panthers have signed @ @ @ @ @ several undrafted free agents at the position .

Former Carolina Panthers middle linebacker Luke Kuechly announced his retirement from the NFL in January, citing injury concerns. File Photo by Nell Redmond/UPI | License Photo
June 2 (UPI) -- The Carolina Panthers are officially putting star linebacker Luke Kuechly on the reserve/retired list. League sources told NFL Media and The Athletic on Tuesday that Carolina's decision to place Kuechly on the retired list after June 1 allows the team to spread his dead cap hit over the next two seasons. According to The Athletic, the Panthers will save about $6 million in cap space for 2020 following the move. Advertisement
Kuechly, 29, announced his retirement in mid-January, walking away from football after eight seasons in the league. The standout linebacker cited injury concerns and his inability to play the game with strength, speed and physicality.
Kuechly, a seven-time Pro Bowl selection, suffered multiple documented concussions during his NFL career.
The Panthers selected Kuechly with the No. 9 overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft out of Boston College. The seven-time All-Pro choice led the league in tackles twice (2012, 2014) and was named NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2013.
Since Kuechly's retirement, the Panthers have signed linebacker Tahir Whitehead and added several undrafted free agents at the position.


upi--2020-06-02--Air Force deploys 388th, 419th Fighter Wings to Middle East

June 2 ( UPI ) -- The Air Force announced Tuesday that it has deployed troops from the 388th and 419th Fighter Wings , flying F-35A Lightning II aircraft , into combat to support the United States in the Middle East .
The 421st Fighter Squadron departed Utah 's Hill Air Force Base on May 20 for Al Dhafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirates to support Central Command in the region , the Air Force said .
This marks the third deployment for the 388th and 419th Fighter Wings in about 12 months .
`` The 421st Fighter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and now they 're our latest squadron heading into the fight , '' Col. Steven Behmer , 388th Fighter Wing commander , said in a press release .
`` This demonstrates the readiness of our Airmen , our weapons system , and the importance of both the Air Force and our national defense mission , '' Behmer said .
`` On top of that , add in prepping and training in this challenging coronavirus environment .
As leaders , we could n't be more proud of our Airmen . ''
Three weeks ago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who were deployed with the 34th Fighter Squadron returned to Hill after a six-month deployment to the Middle East .
A large contingent of airmen from the 34th still there will return to the United States `` soon , '' the Air Force said .
The 388th and 419th Fighter Wings are the Air Force 's first combat-compatible F-35A units , having reaching full warfighting capability earlier this year .
The first operational F-35As arrived at Hill AFB in October 2015 , and the base now has 78 of the aircraft .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Force Reserve 419th fly and maintain the jet in a force partnership .

F-35A Lightning II's await to taxi at Hill Air Force Base in Utah May 20. Photo by R. Nial Bradshaw/U.S. Air Force Base
June 2 (UPI) -- The Air Force announced Tuesday that it has deployed troops from the 388th and 419th Fighter Wings, flying F-35A Lightning II aircraft, into combat to support the United States in the Middle East. The 421st Fighter Squadron departed Utah's Hill Air Force Base on May 20 for Al Dhafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirates to support Central Command in the region, the Air Force said. Advertisement
This marks the third deployment for the 388th and 419th Fighter Wings in about 12 months.
"The 421st Fighter Squadron completed their stand up in December and now they're our latest squadron heading into the fight," Col. Steven Behmer, 388th Fighter Wing commander, said in a press release.
"This demonstrates the readiness of our Airmen, our weapons system, and the importance of both the Air Force and our national defense mission," Behmer said. "On top of that, add in prepping and training in this challenging coronavirus environment. As leaders, we couldn't be more proud of our Airmen."
Three weeks ago a wave of active and reserve Airmen who were deployed with the 34th Fighter Squadron returned to Hill after a six-month deployment to the Middle East. A large contingent of airmen from the 34th still there will return to the United States "soon," the Air Force said.
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The 388th and 419th Fighter Wings are the Air Force's first combat-compatible F-35A units, having reaching full warfighting capability earlier this year.
The first operational F-35As arrived at Hill AFB in October 2015, and the base now has 78 of the aircraft.
The active duty 388th Fighter Wing and Air Force Reserve 419th fly and maintain the jet in a force partnership.


upi--2020-06-02--Evidence of armored dinosaur's last meal found in fossilized stomach

June 2 ( UPI ) -- For the first time , scientists have recovered the remains of the last thing an herbivorous dinosaur ate .
Researchers found the well-preserved stomach trapped inside the 110 million-year-old bones of a nodosaur , a kind of armored dinosaur called an ankylosaur .
Scientists have long speculated about the diets of dinosaurs , but concrete evidence has been hard to come by .
`` Fossil stomach contents are quite rare .
They are even rarer for herbivores , '' Caleb Brown , palaeontologist at the Royal Tyrrell Museum in Canada , told UPI in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been about nine reports of this for herbivorous dinosaurs , and only two or three of these are well-supported .
Many of these other reports are just plants co-occurring with dinosaur skeletons . ''
But thanks to the poor luck of a single dinosaur , Borealopelta markmitchelli , researchers can definitively say that some dinosaurs ate plants , and that this particular dinosaur preferred ferns .
Researchers estimate that shortly after this particular nodosaur died , it was swept out to sea .
As the dinosaur 's thorny , armor-plated body sank into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ entombed it .
Though soft body tissue preservation in dinosaurs is still uncommon , scientists are getting better at finding the rarity -- in part , because scientists know where to look , including strata that has previously revealed soft tissue fossils .
`` The preservation of soft tissues in fossils is a result of many factors , including rapid burial in fine sediments and lack of disturbance by scavengers , '' Brown said .
Finding the remnants of the last meals of carnivorous dinosaurs is n't uncommon , as bones are less @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right conditions to preserve bone will preserve the bones of both the predator and the prey , whereas you may need different conditions to preserve both animal tissue and plant tissue , '' Brown said .
In the case of this sea-buried dinosaur , the conditions were right for the preservation of bone , stomach tissue and plant material .
Researches sliced the ancient contents of the dinosaur 's stomach into extremely thin sections and examined them under powerful microscopes .
Specific structures on the spores and leaves found in the slides helped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flourished during the Early Cretaceous .
The analysis of the ancient stomach contents -- detailed in a new study published Tuesday in the journal Royal Society Open Science -- allowed scientists to gain new insights into the ecology of Borealopelta markmitchelli .
The remnants of the dinosaur 's last meal suggest the species was a picky eater .
None of the most common plants were found in the it 's stomach .
`` It was selective in what it ate , eating some kinds of ferns and not others , and mostly ignoring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , similar to animals today like deer which only eat the soft leaves of broadleaf trees and herbs , '' study co-author David Greenwood , biologist at Brandon University , told UPI in an email .
The stomach contents also contained stones , known as gizzard stones .
Many herbivore past and present purposely consume bits of rock to aid digestion .
Researchers also found bits of charcoal in the dinosaur 's stomach .
`` Many animals today self-medicate by eating charcoal , but we do n't know why Borealopelta was eating charcoal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ charcoal though tells us this animal had been eating in an area that had experienced wildfire in the last 6 to 18 months , and was feeding on the lush and nutritious fern growth that grew after the fire . ''

While it's rare to find the fossilized stomach of a dinosaur, the stomach of one Borealopelta markmitchelli dinosaur revealed that its last meal was ferns. Illustration by Julius Csotonyi
June 2 (UPI) -- For the first time, scientists have recovered the remains of the last thing an herbivorous dinosaur ate. Researchers found the well-preserved stomach trapped inside the 110 million-year-old bones of a nodosaur, a kind of armored dinosaur called an ankylosaur. Scientists have long speculated about the diets of dinosaurs, but concrete evidence has been hard to come by. Advertisement
"Fossil stomach contents are quite rare. They are even rarer for herbivores," Caleb Brown, palaeontologist at the Royal Tyrrell Museum in Canada, told UPI in an email. "There have only been about nine reports of this for herbivorous dinosaurs, and only two or three of these are well-supported. Many of these other reports are just plants co-occurring with dinosaur skeletons."
But thanks to the poor luck of a single dinosaur, Borealopelta markmitchelli, researchers can definitively say that some dinosaurs ate plants, and that this particular dinosaur preferred ferns.
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Researchers estimate that shortly after this particular nodosaur died, it was swept out to sea. As the dinosaur's thorny, armor-plated body sank into the seafloor sediment, the disturbed mud entombed it.
Though soft body tissue preservation in dinosaurs is still uncommon, scientists are getting better at finding the rarity -- in part, because scientists know where to look, including strata that has previously revealed soft tissue fossils.
"The preservation of soft tissues in fossils is a result of many factors, including rapid burial in fine sediments and lack of disturbance by scavengers," Brown said.
Finding the remnants of the last meals of carnivorous dinosaurs isn't uncommon, as bones are less fragile than plant material.
"The right conditions to preserve bone will preserve the bones of both the predator and the prey, whereas you may need different conditions to preserve both animal tissue and plant tissue," Brown said.
In the case of this sea-buried dinosaur, the conditions were right for the preservation of bone, stomach tissue and plant material.
Researches sliced the ancient contents of the dinosaur's stomach into extremely thin sections and examined them under powerful microscopes. Specific structures on the spores and leaves found in the slides helped researchers identify a variety of ferns that flourished during the Early Cretaceous.
Advertisement
The analysis of the ancient stomach contents -- detailed in a new study published Tuesday in the journal Royal Society Open Science -- allowed scientists to gain new insights into the ecology of Borealopelta markmitchelli.
The remnants of the dinosaur's last meal suggest the species was a picky eater. None of the most common plants were found in the it's stomach.
"It was selective in what it ate, eating some kinds of ferns and not others, and mostly ignoring the tough leaves of cycads and conifers, similar to animals today like deer which only eat the soft leaves of broadleaf trees and herbs," study co-author David Greenwood, biologist at Brandon University, told UPI in an email.
The stomach contents also contained stones, known as gizzard stones. Many herbivore past and present purposely consume bits of rock to aid digestion. Researchers also found bits of charcoal in the dinosaur's stomach.
"Many animals today self-medicate by eating charcoal, but we don't know why Borealopelta was eating charcoal," Greenwood said. "The charcoal though tells us this animal had been eating in an area that had experienced wildfire in the last 6 to 18 months, and was feeding on the lush and nutritious fern growth that grew after the fire."


upi--2020-06-02--NFL clubs to hold training camp at team facilities due to coronavirus

June 2 ( UPI ) -- The NFL is informing teams that they must conduct training camps at their main practice facilities due to the coronavirus pandemic .
League sources told ESPN and NFL Media on Tuesday that the league is expected to announce that plan -- along with a tentative start to camps -- in late July .
According to ESPN , the NFL and the NFL Players Association opted to keep teams close to home to limit travel and the risks associated with running two facilities .
There are nine teams that still conduct camps at different sites @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Pittsburgh Steelers , Dallas Cowboys , Indianapolis Colts and others from traveling to remote sites to hold their training camps .
Since the franchise 's first season in 1995 , the Carolina Panthers have held their camp at Wofford College in Spartanburg , S.C .
The Steelers conduct their camp at St. Vincent College in Latrobe , Pa. , while the Cowboys prepare for the upcoming season in Oxnard , Calif .
The Washington Redskins , Buffalo Bills , Kansas City Chiefs , Chicago Bears and Los Angeles Rams also typically leave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ season .
The Cowboys and the Steelers are scheduled to compete in the annual Hall of Fame Game on Aug. 6 in Canton , Ohio , and would be the first two teams to report at the end of July .
The NFL announced in mid-May that clubs could start reopening their facilities on a limited basis when state and local governments allowed it .
The league 's next phase of reopening began Monday and allowed teams to reopen ticket offices , retail shops and other customer-related facilities , as long as state @ @ @ @ @ @

The directive will prevent teams such as the Pittsburgh Steelers and Dallas Cowboys from traveling to remote sites to hold their training camps. File Photo by Jon SooHoo/UPI | License Photo
June 2 (UPI) -- In a memo from NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, the league informed teams Tuesday that they must conduct training camps at their main practice facilities due to the coronavirus pandemic. In addition, teams won't be allowed to hold joint training camp practices with other teams this summer. The NFL and the NFL Players Association opted to keep teams close to home to limit travel and the risks associated with running two facilities. Advertisement
"The NFLPA was strongly in favor of these two decisions, which were made to limit exposure risks by avoiding the need for clubs to clean and maintain two facilities, by limiting the need for players and club staffs to travel to another location (sometimes located at a considerable distance from the home facility) and by limiting travel and contact between players on different clubs in the context of joint practices," Goodell said in the memo, which was obtained by NFL Media.
"These steps are being taken for the 2020 preseason to address the current conditions and are not expected to be in place in 2021."
There were 10 teams that held camps at different sites last year. The directive prevents teams such as the Pittsburgh Steelers, Dallas Cowboys, Indianapolis Colts and others from traveling to remote sites to hold their training camps.
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Since the franchise's first season in 1995, the Carolina Panthers have held their camp at Wofford College in Spartanburg, S.C. The Steelers conduct their camp at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, Pa., while the Cowboys prepare for the upcoming season in Oxnard, Calif.
The Washington Redskins, Buffalo Bills, Kansas City Chiefs, Chicago Bears, Las Vegas Raiders and Los Angeles Rams also typically leave their main facilities in preparation for the season.
The Cowboys and the Steelers are scheduled to compete in the annual Hall of Fame Game on Aug. 6 in Canton, Ohio, and would be the first two teams to report at the end of July.
The NFL announced in mid-May that clubs could start reopening their facilities on a limited basis when state and local governments allowed it.
The league's next phase of reopening began Monday and allowed teams to reopen ticket offices, retail shops and other customer-related facilities, as long as state and local regulations permitted it.


upi--2020-06-02--Minnesota to launch civil rights investigation into Minneapolis police

June 2 ( UPI ) -- The Minnesota Department of Human Rights will launch an investigation into the Minneapolis Police Department following the police-involved killing of George Floyd , Gov .
Tim Walz announced Tuesday .
The probe comes after the department filed a civil rights charge related to Floyd 's killing and the arrest of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin , who knelt on Floyd 's neck for nearly 9 minutes as he gasped for air and eventually died .
`` This investigation into policies , procedures and practices over the past 10 years will determine if the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ towards people of color and ensure any such practices are stopped , '' the announcement stated .
Department of Human Rights Commissioner Rebecca Lucero will lead the investigation .
The department pledged `` swift action '' in response to any determination of civil rights violations .
`` George Floyd should be alive .
He deserved to live a life full of dignity and joy , '' Lucero said .
`` Community leaders have been asking for structural change for decades .
They have fought for this and it is essential that we acknowledge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have paved the path to make today 's announcement possible . ''
Chauvin was charged with third-degree murder and he , as well as the other three officers present during Floyd 's death , are under investigation by state prosecutors , the U.S. Attorney 's Office and the FBI .
An independent autopsy released Monday by lawyers representing Floyd 's family found that his death was a homicide by `` asphyxiation from sustained pressure '' and said he had no underlying conditions that contributed to his death , countering the Hennepin County Medical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ significant '' heart conditions , and fentanyl and methamphetamine use may have been a factor .
Floyd 's family has called for a first-degree murder charge for Chauvin and for the other officers present to be charged .
Nationwide protests sparked by Floyd 's death have called for similar demand as well as widespread police reform to address police brutality and killings of black people throughout the country .
Walz pledged his administration will `` use every tool at our disposal '' to deconstruct systemic racism in the state .
`` It is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from neighborhood on up , to get the change we need to see , '' he said .
Walz 's office said the Department of Human Rights will seek an agreement from city leadership and the Minneapolis Police Department to implement interim measures immediately ahead of long-term measures to address discriminatory practices at a systemic level .
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said such an agreement may spark changes that have previously been impeded by the Minneapolis Police Federation .
`` For years in Minneapolis , police chiefs and elected officials committed to change @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and laws that severely limit accountability among police departments , '' Frey said .
`` Breaking through those persistent barriers , shifting the culture of policing and addressing systemic racism will require all of us working hand-in-hand . ''

1/3
The Minnesota Department of Human Rights on Tuesday announced a probe into the Minneapolis Police Department following the police-involved killing of George Floyd. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
June 2 (UPI) -- The Minnesota Department of Human Rights will launch an investigation into the Minneapolis Police Department following the police-involved killing of George Floyd, Gov. Tim Walz announced Tuesday. The probe comes after the department filed a civil rights charge related to Floyd's killing and the arrest of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, who knelt on Floyd's neck for nearly 9 minutes as he gasped for air and eventually died. Advertisement
"This investigation into policies, procedures and practices over the past 10 years will determine if the MPD has engaged in systemic discriminatory practices towards people of color and ensure any such practices are stopped," the announcement stated.
Department of Human Rights Commissioner Rebecca Lucero will lead the investigation. The department pledged "swift action" in response to any determination of civil rights violations.
"George Floyd should be alive. He deserved to live a life full of dignity and joy," Lucero said. "Community leaders have been asking for structural change for decades. They have fought for this and it is essential that we acknowledge the work and commitment of those who have paved the path to make today's announcement possible."
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Chauvin was charged with third-degree murder and he, as well as the other three officers present during Floyd's death, are under investigation by state prosecutors, the U.S. Attorney's Office and the FBI.
An independent autopsy released Monday by lawyers representing Floyd's family found that his death was a homicide by "asphyxiation from sustained pressure" and said he had no underlying conditions that contributed to his death, countering the Hennepin County Medical Examiner's autopsy, which said "significant" heart conditions, and fentanyl and methamphetamine use may have been a factor.
Floyd's family has called for a first-degree murder charge for Chauvin and for the other officers present to be charged. Nationwide protests sparked by Floyd's death have called for similar demand as well as widespread police reform to address police brutality and killings of black people throughout the country.
Walz pledged his administration will "use every tool at our disposal" to deconstruct systemic racism in the state.
"It is going to take action at all levels from neighborhood on up, to get the change we need to see," he said.
Walz's office said the Department of Human Rights will seek an agreement from city leadership and the Minneapolis Police Department to implement interim measures immediately ahead of long-term measures to address discriminatory practices at a systemic level.
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Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said such an agreement may spark changes that have previously been impeded by the Minneapolis Police Federation.
"For years in Minneapolis, police chiefs and elected officials committed to change have been thwarted by police union protections and laws that severely limit accountability among police departments," Frey said. "Breaking through those persistent barriers, shifting the culture of policing and addressing systemic racism will require all of us working hand-in-hand."
Protesters demand justice in police killing of George Floyd


upi--2020-06-02--Aggressive testing, social distancing limits COVID-19 at U.S. military base, CDC reports

June 2 ( UPI ) -- The limited spread of COVID-19 at a U.S. military base shows public health measures -- screening , testing , quarantining , social distancing and contact tracing -- offer some protection , the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Tuesday .
Efforts to prevent outbreaks of the disease caused by the new coronavirus , SARS-CoV-2 , among more than 10,000 new recruits arriving at the U.S. Air Force 's Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland , Texas , succeeded in limiting total confirmed cases to five through seven weeks .
Three of the five cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on base to be diagnosed , officials said .
The approaches used at the base could serve as a blueprint for other `` congregate settings '' like colleges and athletic programs , the CDC said .
`` Transmission of symptomatic COVID-19 was successfully limited at a single military base with adequate resources to screen personnel and the ability to track the movement of all trainees , '' researchers wrote .
Starting March 1 , during the first two weeks of basic training , Air Force medical personnel tested trainees only if they reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to someone with a confirmed infection or a history of travel to a region with high virus transmission .
Trainees were tested according to CDC guidelines , officials said , and only two trainees were evaluated during the first two weeks .
After March 16 , trainees were tested only on those who reported symptoms .
On March 11 , access to the base was limited to essential personnel and events , including graduation ceremonies , which typically draw family members from around the world .
As of March 13 , training instructors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
All new recruits who arrived at the base March 17 or later were quarantined for a two-week period in an area of the facility isolated from the trainees .
All trainees were instructed to maintain a distance of at least 6 feet between one another , and `` universal use '' of cloth face coverings was introduced April 6 .
Basic training at the base was shortened from the usual 8 1/2 weeks to seven weeks after the first trainee tested positive March 23 .
In April , the facility also stopped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ States with higher community transmission of the virus , reducing the number of incoming trainees by approximately 40 percent .
In all , 345 trainees met criteria for COVID-19 testing , and 86 were evaluated during arrival quarantine .
In addition to the five confirmed cases , testing identified five cases of rhinovirus or enterovirus , three cases of para-influenza , two cases of metapneumovirus and two cases of influenza B .
Public health officials at the base conducted contact tracing for all PCR-confirmed COVID-19 cases , which revealed links between four of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the confirmed cases were men , and none of them required hospitalization or received drug treatment .
They were placed in isolation until they met the criteria for returning to training , researchers said .
`` Factors contributing to lack of transmission likely included early implementation of mitigation strategies before the first case occurred , mobilization of non-medical personnel to assist in symptom screening , and flexibility of the military training staff to adjustments in programs and schedules , '' the authors wrote .
`` The disciplined and highly structured environment and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the implemented interventions , '' they wrote .

Battlefield Airmen Preparatory Course candidates participate in physical exercises in 2018, at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas. Photo by Ismael Ortega/U.S. Air Force
June 2 (UPI) -- The limited spread of COVID-19 at a U.S. military base shows public health measures -- screening, testing, quarantining, social distancing and contact tracing -- offer some protection, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Tuesday. Efforts to prevent outbreaks of the disease caused by the new coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, among more than 10,000 new recruits arriving at the U.S. Air Force's Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, succeeded in limiting total confirmed cases to five through seven weeks. Advertisement
Three of the five cases ultimately were traced to the first recruit on base to be diagnosed, officials said.
The approaches used at the base could serve as a blueprint for other "congregate settings" like colleges and athletic programs, the CDC said.
"Transmission of symptomatic COVID-19 was successfully limited at a single military base with adequate resources to screen personnel and the ability to track the movement of all trainees," researchers wrote.
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Starting March 1, during the first two weeks of basic training, Air Force medical personnel tested trainees only if they reported with symptoms of COVID-19 and either exposure to someone with a confirmed infection or a history of travel to a region with high virus transmission.
Trainees were tested according to CDC guidelines, officials said, and only two trainees were evaluated during the first two weeks. After March 16, trainees were tested only on those who reported symptoms.
On March 11, access to the base was limited to essential personnel and events, including graduation ceremonies, which typically draw family members from around the world. As of March 13, training instructors were placed under local area travel restrictions.
All new recruits who arrived at the base March 17 or later were quarantined for a two-week period in an area of the facility isolated from the trainees. All trainees were instructed to maintain a distance of at least 6 feet between one another, and "universal use" of cloth face coverings was introduced April 6.
Basic training at the base was shortened from the usual 8 1/2 weeks to seven weeks after the first trainee tested positive March 23. In April, the facility also stopped taking recruits from areas of the United States with higher community transmission of the virus, reducing the number of incoming trainees by approximately 40 percent.
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In all, 345 trainees met criteria for COVID-19 testing, and 86 were evaluated during arrival quarantine. In addition to the five confirmed cases, testing identified five cases of rhinovirus or enterovirus, three cases of para-influenza, two cases of metapneumovirus and two cases of influenza B.
Public health officials at the base conducted contact tracing for all PCR-confirmed COVID-19 cases, which revealed links between four of the five cases. All five of the confirmed cases were men, and none of them required hospitalization or received drug treatment.
They were placed in isolation until they met the criteria for returning to training, researchers said.
"Factors contributing to lack of transmission likely included early implementation of mitigation strategies before the first case occurred, mobilization of non-medical personnel to assist in symptom screening, and flexibility of the military training staff to adjustments in programs and schedules," the authors wrote.
"The disciplined and highly structured environment and the population structure likely contributed to the success of the implemented interventions," they wrote.


upi--2020-06-02--N.C. Gov. Roy Cooper won't guarantee GOP can hold 'full' convention in Charlotte

June 2 ( UPI ) -- North Carolina Gov .
Roy Cooper told the Republican Party on Tuesday that he ca n't guarantee they 'll be able to have a `` full '' national convention in Charlotte since public health officials do n't know the level of threat the coronavirus will pose in August .
He said he 's willing to talk to party leaders about `` planning for a scaled-down convention with fewer people , social distancing and face coverings . ''
`` With the nation , the state of North Carolina and the city of Charlotte still under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conduct the [ Republican National Convention ] accordingly , '' he said in a letter addressed to Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel and CEO and President Marcia Lee Kelly .
`` As much as we want the conditions surrounding COVID-19 to be favorable enough for you to hold the convention you describe in late August , it is very unlikely .
Neither public health officials nor I will risk the health and safety of North Carolinians by providing the guarantee you seek . ''
Cooper 's letter came a week after President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hold the convention in Charlotte if the governor did n't guarantee to lift coronavirus-related restrictions to allow thousands to attend .
`` Unfortunately , Democrat Governor , @ RoyCooperNC is still in Shutdown mood & unable to guarantee that by August we will be allowed full attendance in the Arena , '' Trump said in a series of four tweets on May 25 .
`` Plans are being made by many thousands of enthusiastic Republicans , and others , to head to beautiful North Carolina in August , '' Trump added .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the Governor as to whether or not the space will be allowed to be fully occupied .
...
This is not something I want to do .
Thank you , and I LOVE the people of North Carolina ! ''
The Republican National Convention is scheduled to take place Aug. 24-27 at the Spectrum Center .
It was originally expected to bring some 50,000 people to the city .
In July , workers are expected to begin a multimillion dollar upgrade of Charlotte 's Spectrum Center arena , for which the Republican @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 65 million .
Democrats will finish their convention in Milwaukee the week before , and have said they will alter events , making the convention largely virtual , to follow health safety precautions during the pandemic .
As of Tuesday , North Carolina has had nearly 30,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus , with 921 deaths .
The state 's Department of Health said 716 people are currently hospitalized from the disease .

The final day of the Republican National Convention takes place at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, on July 21, 2016. North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper said public health officials don't know if coronavirus will subside enough to gold the RNC in Charlotte in August. File Photo by Pat Benic/UPI | License Photo
June 2 (UPI) -- North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper told the Republican Party on Tuesday that he can't guarantee they'll be able to have a "full" national convention in Charlotte since public health officials don't know the level of threat the coronavirus will pose in August. He said he's willing to talk to party leaders about "planning for a scaled-down convention with fewer people, social distancing and face coverings." Advertisement
"With the nation, the state of North Carolina and the city of Charlotte still under states of emergency it's important to conduct the [Republican National Convention] accordingly," he said in a letter addressed to Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel and CEO and President Marcia Lee Kelly.
"As much as we want the conditions surrounding COVID-19 to be favorable enough for you to hold the convention you describe in late August, it is very unlikely. Neither public health officials nor I will risk the health and safety of North Carolinians by providing the guarantee you seek."
Cooper's letter came a week after President Donald Trump threatened to cancel plans to hold the convention in Charlotte if the governor didn't guarantee to lift coronavirus-related restrictions to allow thousands to attend.
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"Unfortunately, Democrat Governor, @RoyCooperNC is still in Shutdown mood & unable to guarantee that by August we will be allowed full attendance in the Arena," Trump said in a series of four tweets on May 25.
"Plans are being made by many thousands of enthusiastic Republicans, and others, to head to beautiful North Carolina in August," Trump added. "They must be immediately given an answer by the Governor as to whether or not the space will be allowed to be fully occupied. ... This is not something I want to do. Thank you, and I LOVE the people of North Carolina!"
The Republican National Convention is scheduled to take place Aug. 24-27 at the Spectrum Center. It was originally expected to bring some 50,000 people to the city. In July, workers are expected to begin a multimillion dollar upgrade of Charlotte's Spectrum Center arena, for which the Republican National Committee has said it will raise $65 million.
Democrats will finish their convention in Milwaukee the week before, and have said they will alter events, making the convention largely virtual, to follow health safety precautions during the pandemic.
As of Tuesday, North Carolina has had nearly 30,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus, with 921 deaths. The state's Department of Health said 716 people are currently hospitalized from the disease.
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World moves to reopen amid COVID-19 pandemic
Visitors wear face masks as they tour the Whitney Museum of American Art as it reopens on September 3. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo


upi--2020-06-02--Type 1 diabetes costs $2,500 a year with insurance

Out-of-pocket costs for Americans with Type 1 diabetes average $ 2,500 a year , a new study says .
But 8 percent of patients have more than $ 5,000 in out-of-pocket costs , possibly due to having high-deductible health insurance plans or significant medical needs , researchers found .
And insulin accounted for only 18 percent of total out-of-pocket spending .
The rest of it included cost of supplies such as insulin pumps , syringes and continuous glucose monitors .
`` Insulin is the difference between life and death for patients with type 1 diabetes , and efforts to make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said study lead author Dr. Kao-Ping Chua , a pediatrician and researcher at the University of Michigan 's C.S .
Mott Children 's Hospital in Ann Arbor .
`` However , our study shows that even if insulin were free , families would still have substantial out-of-pocket costs for other health care .
Policymakers should improve the affordability of all care for type 1 diabetes , '' Chua said in a university news release .
The study is based on an analysis of 2018 data from more than 65,000 type 1 diabetes patients @ @ @ @ @ @ @ insurance coverage .
It did not include patients with Medicare or Medicaid or those without insurance .
Families of children with type 1 diabetes spent the most on diabetes-related supplies .
Their average annual out-of-pocket costs reach $ 823 , compared to $ 445 for adult patients .
Four in five children used insulin pumps , continuous glucose monitors or both , compared with just over half of adults .
`` These technologies can improve quality of life and improve diabetes control for all patients , but can be especially important to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Chua said .
In type 1 diabetes , the pancreas produces little or no insulin .
According to the American Diabetes Association , nearly 1.6 million Americans have type 1 diabetes .
The findings are timely in light of recent efforts to cap out-of-pocket costs for insulin , according to Chua .
The caps `` are important first steps .
But policymakers also must look at the bigger picture and ensure that they are reducing the financial burden of health care for diabetes patients more broadly , '' he said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ JAMA Internal Medicine .
The American Diabetes Association has more on type 1 diabetes .

Insulin accounted for only 18 percent of total out-of-pocket spending for diabetes, researchers say. Photo by peejhunt /Pixabay
Out-of-pocket costs for Americans with Type 1 diabetes average $2,500 a year, a new study says. But 8 percent of patients have more than $5,000 in out-of-pocket costs, possibly due to having high-deductible health insurance plans or significant medical needs, researchers found. Advertisement
And insulin accounted for only 18 percent of total out-of-pocket spending. The rest of it included cost of supplies such as insulin pumps, syringes and continuous glucose monitors.
"Insulin is the difference between life and death for patients with type 1 diabetes, and efforts to make it more affordable are critical," said study lead author Dr. Kao-Ping Chua, a pediatrician and researcher at the University of Michigan's C.S. Mott Children's Hospital in Ann Arbor.
"However, our study shows that even if insulin were free, families would still have substantial out-of-pocket costs for other health care. Policymakers should improve the affordability of all care for type 1 diabetes," Chua said in a university news release.
The study is based on an analysis of 2018 data from more than 65,000 type 1 diabetes patients, ages 1-64, with private employer-sponsored insurance coverage. It did not include patients with Medicare or Medicaid or those without insurance.
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Families of children with type 1 diabetes spent the most on diabetes-related supplies. Their average annual out-of-pocket costs reach $823, compared to $445 for adult patients. Four in five children used insulin pumps, continuous glucose monitors or both, compared with just over half of adults.
"These technologies can improve quality of life and improve diabetes control for all patients, but can be especially important to the families of children with type 1 diabetes," Chua said.
In type 1 diabetes, the pancreas produces little or no insulin. According to the American Diabetes Association, nearly 1.6 million Americans have type 1 diabetes.
The findings are timely in light of recent efforts to cap out-of-pocket costs for insulin, according to Chua.
The caps "are important first steps. But policymakers also must look at the bigger picture and ensure that they are reducing the financial burden of health care for diabetes patients more broadly," he said.
The study was published June 1 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
More information
The American Diabetes Association has more on type 1 diabetes.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-06-02--Education tool fails to influence expecting mothers' delivery decisions, study finds

June 2 ( UPI ) -- An educational program designed to inform women with a history of cesarean sections , or C-sections , about the safety of vaginal birth does not have a significant impact on delivery decisions , according to a study published Tuesday by JAMA .
The research evaluated the effectiveness of an electronic `` decision tool '' -- essentially an educational app on a handheld tablet -- that promotes the safety of vaginal birth after cesarean , or VBAC .
Roughly 43 percent of the women who used the tool selected VBAC -- or slightly less than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Our findings suggest that decision tools may not improve outcomes in populations that are already making informed decisions concordant with their values and undergoing trial of labor at high rates .
But we continue to believe that a decision tool could increase VBAC rates , '' study co-author Miriam Kuppermann told UPI .
`` Further research is needed to determine whether this is the case , '' said Kuppermann , who is director of preconception and prenatal interventions for the California Preterm Birth Initiative at the University of California-San Francisco .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the United States in 2018 were C-sections , up from 21 percent in in 1996 , making them the most commonly performed surgical procedure in the country , according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
Women who undergo the procedure are at increased risk for infection and other complications , which is why there are efforts to encourage VBAC , Kuppermann and her colleagues said .
However , historically , due to liability concerns , many hospitals and clinicians have not allowed women to attempt VBAC , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health promotion and policy the UMass Amherst School of Public Health and Health Sciences .
Attanasio was not part of the JAMA study .
This policy also might impact the way clinicians counsel women who have had a prior cesarean birth , and that could lead to misconceptions about safety , Attanasio told UPI .
`` The high rate of cesarean delivery in the U.S. is a very significant public health issue , '' she said .
`` The availability of cesarean birth is crucial for maternal and infant health , [ but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there are negative consequences for maternal and infant health on a population level . ''
In addition , many healthcare providers emphasize the risks of VBAC over the benefits , `` without ever discussing the chances of bad outcomes with repeat cesarean , such as wound infection or hemorrhage , '' said Ann Ledbetter , a certified nurse midwife in Milwaukee .
Health risks are associated with multiple repeat cesarean deliveries , as well , Ledbetter said .
For their research , Kuppermann and her colleagues enrolled 1,470 women with a history C-section @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Half of the women were educated on VBAC via the app , while the remainder were not , the authors said .
In all , 43.3 percent of those who used the app underwent labor , compared to 46.2 percent among those who did not .
VBAC rates were 31.8 percent in both groups , the researchers said .
`` Tools such as the one assessed in this study are meant to standardize the presentation of information for women so that they can weigh their options with a real understanding of those options @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do think that these types of interventions are needed , although are not necessarily sufficient given the access barriers that also exist . ''
Women still dealing with the physical and emotional trauma of earlier childbirths may need counseling and support services -- as well as education -- to opt for VBAC , said Priscilla M. Nodine , an associate professor in then nurse-midwifery program at the University of Colorado College of Nursing .
`` Women often have post-traumatic stress , even if they do n't call it that themselves , from their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who has been a midwife since 1986 .
`` Alleviating the fear of childbirth takes more time , more therapeutic discussion and trust-building between provider and patient . ''

Clinicians are experimenting with new educational tools designed to educate expectant mothers on healthy birthing. Photo by Sanjas/pixabay.
June 2 (UPI) -- An educational program designed to inform women with a history of cesarean sections, or C-sections, about the safety of vaginal birth does not have a significant impact on delivery decisions, according to a study published Tuesday by JAMA. The research evaluated the effectiveness of an electronic "decision tool" -- essentially an educational app on a handheld tablet -- that promotes the safety of vaginal birth after cesarean, or VBAC. Advertisement
Roughly 43 percent of the women who used the tool selected VBAC -- or slightly less than those who didn't used the tool.
"Our findings suggest that decision tools may not improve outcomes in populations that are already making informed decisions concordant with their values and undergoing trial of labor at high rates. But we continue to believe that a decision tool could increase VBAC rates," study co-author Miriam Kuppermann told UPI.
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"Further research is needed to determine whether this is the case," said Kuppermann, who is director of preconception and prenatal interventions for the California Preterm Birth Initiative at the University of California-San Francisco.
In all 32 percent of all births in the United States in 2018 were C-sections, up from 21 percent in in 1996, making them the most commonly performed surgical procedure in the country, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Women who undergo the procedure are at increased risk for infection and other complications, which is why there are efforts to encourage VBAC, Kuppermann and her colleagues said.
However, historically, due to liability concerns, many hospitals and clinicians have not allowed women to attempt VBAC, according to Laura Attanasio, an assistant professor of health promotion and policy the UMass Amherst School of Public Health and Health Sciences. Attanasio was not part of the JAMA study.
This policy also might impact the way clinicians counsel women who have had a prior cesarean birth, and that could lead to misconceptions about safety, Attanasio told UPI.
"The high rate of cesarean delivery in the U.S. is a very significant public health issue," she said. "The availability of cesarean birth is crucial for maternal and infant health, [but] when cesareans are performed unnecessarily, there are negative consequences for maternal and infant health on a population level."
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In addition, many healthcare providers emphasize the risks of VBAC over the benefits, "without ever discussing the chances of bad outcomes with repeat cesarean, such as wound infection or hemorrhage," said Ann Ledbetter, a certified nurse midwife in Milwaukee.
Health risks are associated with multiple repeat cesarean deliveries, as well, Ledbetter said.
For their research, Kuppermann and her colleagues enrolled 1,470 women with a history C-section at several hospitals across the country. Half of the women were educated on VBAC via the app, while the remainder were not, the authors said.
In all, 43.3 percent of those who used the app underwent labor, compared to 46.2 percent among those who did not. VBAC rates were 31.8 percent in both groups, the researchers said.
"Tools such as the one assessed in this study are meant to standardize the presentation of information for women so that they can weigh their options with a real understanding of those options," Attanasio said.
"I do think that these types of interventions are needed, although are not necessarily sufficient given the access barriers that also exist."
Women still dealing with the physical and emotional trauma of earlier childbirths may need counseling and support services -- as well as education -- to opt for VBAC, said Priscilla M. Nodine, an associate professor in then nurse-midwifery program at the University of Colorado College of Nursing.
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"Women often have post-traumatic stress, even if they don't call it that themselves, from their prior birth," said Nodine, who has been a midwife since 1986. "Alleviating the fear of childbirth takes more time, more therapeutic discussion and trust-building between provider and patient."


upi--2020-06-02--Dow extends growth streak with Tuesday gains

June 2 ( UPI ) -- U.S. stocks extended their growth streak to begin the month of June , closing with gains on Tuesday .
The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 267.63 points , or 1.05 percent , a day after closing with a gain of almost 100 points .
The blue chip index is on a hot streak , growing by more than 6 percent over the past two weeks , even with the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and waves of unrest nationally over the police killing of George Floyd in Minnesota .
The S & P 500 grew 0.82 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ percent as the retail , healthcare and technical services sectors influenced the markets with early gains .
Gap stock soared 7.68 percent and Southwest Airlines stock grew 2.56 percent as stocks that would benefit from cities and states lifting coronavirus restrictions benefited as more states advanced plans to open businesses and other activities .
Bank stocks also rose Tuesday , with Citigroup gaining 2.81 percent , Wells Fargo increasing 1.14 percent and Bank of America growing 0.89 percent .
Tech stocks rebounded from losses earlier in the day to end with slight gains @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Google 's parent company , Alphabet , grew 0.52 percent , Apple stock rose 0.46 percent , Facebook stock increased 0.35 percent and Netflix stock gained 0.33 percent .

An American Flag hangs outside of the New York Stock Exchange on Wall Street in New York City on May 28. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
June 2 (UPI) -- U.S. stocks extended their growth streak to begin the month of June, closing with gains on Tuesday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 267.63 points, or 1.05 percent, a day after closing with a gain of almost 100 points. Advertisement
The blue chip index is on a hot streak, growing by more than 6 percent over the past two weeks, even with the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and waves of unrest nationally over the police killing of George Floyd in Minnesota.
The S&P 500 grew 0.82 percent and the Nasdaq Composite gained 0.59 percent as the retail, healthcare and technical services sectors influenced the markets with early gains.
Gap stock soared 7.68 percent and Southwest Airlines stock grew 2.56 percent as stocks that would benefit from cities and states lifting coronavirus restrictions benefited as more states advanced plans to open businesses and other activities.
Bank stocks also rose Tuesday, with Citigroup gaining 2.81 percent, Wells Fargo increasing 1.14 percent and Bank of America growing 0.89 percent.
Tech stocks rebounded from losses earlier in the day to end with slight gains that contributed to the market rise. Google's parent company, Alphabet, grew 0.52 percent, Apple stock rose 0.46 percent, Facebook stock increased 0.35 percent and Netflix stock gained 0.33 percent.


upi--2020-06-02--6 Atlanta officers charged after accusations of excessive force

June 2 ( UPI ) -- Authorities in Georgia filed criminal charges against six Atlanta police officers Tuesday , accusing them of using excessive force against two people protesting police brutality .
Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard said the six officers -- Roland Claud , Mark Gardner , Lonnie Hood , Armond Jones , Willie Sauls and Ivory Streeter -- have until Friday to surrender to police .
They face a variety of charges , including aggravated assault , simple battery , pointing or aiming a gun , and criminal damage to property .
The officers were recorded on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and pulling Taniyah Pilgrim out , and using a stun gun on Messiah Young on Saturday .
At the time of the incident , Pilgrim , 20 , and Young , 22 , both students at historically black colleges -- Morehouse and Spellman -- were in a vehicle leaving a protest in response to the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis .
Police said they broke the city 's curfew .
One officer wrote in the police report that he did n't know if either of the two students was armed .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ times , '' the unnamed officer wrote .
`` Not being able to see the hands of the passenger and being that she was in my immediate sight I deployed my city-issued taser to diffuse the situation . ''
Howard said Pilgrim and Young `` were so innocent almost to the point of being naive . ''
`` The conduct in this incident is n't indicative of the way we treat people in the city of Atlanta and it certainly is n't indicative of how we treat our children , '' he added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gardner and Streeter on Sunday .
The other four officers were on desk duty .
`` I feel a little safer now that these monsters are off the street and no longer able to terrorize anyone else from this point on , '' he said .
Howard said he plans to ask a judge to grant a $ 100,000 signature bond for each of the six officers charged .

June 2 (UPI) -- Authorities in Georgia filed criminal charges against six Atlanta police officers Tuesday, accusing them of using excessive force against two people protesting police brutality.
Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard said the six officers -- Roland Claud, Mark Gardner, Lonnie Hood, Armond Jones, Willie Sauls and Ivory Streeter -- have until Friday to surrender to police.
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They face a variety of charges, including aggravated assault, simple battery, pointing or aiming a gun, and criminal damage to property. The officers were recorded on video breaking the windows of a vehicle and pulling Taniyah Pilgrim out, and using a stun gun on Messiah Young on Saturday.
At the time of the incident, Pilgrim, 20, and Young, 22, both students at historically black colleges -- Morehouse and Spellman -- were in a vehicle leaving a protest in response to the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Police said they broke the city's curfew.
One officer wrote in the police report that he didn't know if either of the two students was armed.
"I heard officers say gun two-three times," the unnamed officer wrote. "Not being able to see the hands of the passenger and being that she was in my immediate sight I deployed my city-issued taser to diffuse the situation."
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Howard said Pilgrim and Young "were so innocent almost to the point of being naive."
"The conduct in this incident isn't indicative of the way we treat people in the city of Atlanta and it certainly isn't indicative of how we treat our children," he added.
Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms fired Gardner and Streeter on Sunday. The other four officers were on desk duty.
Young attended Tuesday's news conference.
"I feel a little safer now that these monsters are off the street and no longer able to terrorize anyone else from this point on," he said.
Howard said he plans to ask a judge to grant a $100,000 signature bond for each of the six officers charged.