upi--2020-01-08--AMC plans 'Breaking Bad' marathon ahead of 'El Camino' TV premiere

Jan. 8 ( UPI ) -- A Breaking Bad marathon is scheduled to air on AMC leading up to the cable television premiere of the show 's sequel , El Camino : A Breaking Bad Movie , which debuted on Netflix last year .
All of the episodes from the five seasons of Breaking Bad -- starring Bryan Cranston , Aaron Paul and Bob Odenkirk -- will be shown over five , consecutive Sundays , starting Jan. 19 .
El Camino will air on Feb. 16 and the Season 5 premiere of the Breaking Bad prequel series Better Call Saul @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The world of Breaking Bad remains iconic and AMC is the destination for all of its brilliant stories -- from the place where it all began , Breaking Bad , to the gripping tale of Jesse Pinkman 's continued journey in the feature film El Camino and the next chapter of 'criminal ' attorney Jimmy McGill 's transformation in Better Call Saul 's upcoming fifth season , '' Sarah Barnett , president of AMC Networks ' Entertainment Group and AMC Studios , said in a press release on Tuesday .
Breaking Bad followed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ White ( Cranston ) who ends up producing and selling crystal meth to support his family , with the help of Jesse Pinkman ( Paul , ) his former student .
The show initially aired 2008-13 .

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Aaron Paul's movie "El Camino" will get its cable TV premiere on AMC on Feb. 16. File Photo by Jonathan Alcorn/UPI | License Photo
Jan. 8 (UPI) -- A Breaking Bad marathon is scheduled to air on AMC leading up to the cable television premiere of the show's sequel, El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie, which debuted on Netflix last year. All of the episodes from the five seasons of Breaking Bad -- starring Bryan Cranston, Aaron Paul and Bob Odenkirk -- will be shown over five, consecutive Sundays, starting Jan. 19. Advertisement
El Camino will air on Feb. 16 and the Season 5 premiere of the Breaking Bad prequel series Better Call Saul is set for Feb. 23.
"The world of Breaking Bad remains iconic and AMC is the destination for all of its brilliant stories -- from the place where it all began, Breaking Bad, to the gripping tale of Jesse Pinkman's continued journey in the feature film El Camino and the next chapter of 'criminal' attorney Jimmy McGill's transformation in Better Call Saul's upcoming fifth season," Sarah Barnett, president of AMC Networks' Entertainment Group and AMC Studios, said in a press release on Tuesday.
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Breaking Bad followed financially struggling, cancer-stricken chemistry teacher Walter White (Cranston) who ends up producing and selling crystal meth to support his family, with the help of Jesse Pinkman (Paul,) his former student. The show initially aired 2008-13.


upi--2020-01-08--CW orders more 'Batwoman,' 'Riverdale,' 'Dynasty'

Jan. 8 ( UPI ) -- The CW Network said it has renewed 13 shows for the 2020-21 television season .
Set to return for second seasons are Batwoman and Nancy Drew .
Also renewed are All American ( Season 3 , ) Black Lightning , ( Season 4 , ) Charmed ( Season 3 , ) DC 's Legends of Tomorrow ( Season 6 , ) Dynasty ( Season 4 , ) The Flash ( Season 7 , ) In the Dark ( Season 3 , ) Legacies ( Season 3 , ) Riverdale ( Season 5 , ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) and Supergirl ( Season 6 . )
The cable network also ordered 13 more episodes of its soon-to-launch series Katy Keene , starring Lucy Hale , Ashleigh Murray , Jonny Beauchamp and Julia Chen .
`` These early orders for next season give our production teams a head start in plotting out story arcs and a jump on hiring staff , and this also provides us with a strong foundation of established , fan-favorite CW shows to build on for next season , '' Mark Pedowitz , the network 's president , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We 've been thrilled with the creative direction of all three new series , and even though we are in the very early stages of our new full stack streaming strategy , which allows viewers to catch up on our new shows from the beginning , we 're already seeing incredibly positive results from our multi-platform viewership for Nancy Drew and Batwoman . ''

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Ruby Rose's freshman series "Batwoman" has been renewed for the 2020-21 season on The CW. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
Jan. 8 (UPI) -- The CW Network said it has renewed 13 shows for the 2020-21 television season. Set to return for second seasons are Batwoman and Nancy Drew. Advertisement
Also renewed are All American (Season 3,) Black Lightning, (Season 4,) Charmed (Season 3,) DC's Legends of Tomorrow (Season 6,) Dynasty (Season 4,) The Flash (Season 7,) In the Dark (Season 3,) Legacies (Season 3,) Riverdale (Season 5,) Roswell, New Mexico (Season 3) and Supergirl (Season 6.)
The cable network also ordered 13 more episodes of its soon-to-launch series Katy Keene, starring Lucy Hale, Ashleigh Murray, Jonny Beauchamp and Julia Chen.
Drama is forever. #Dynasty has been renewed for Season 4! pic.twitter.com/7HQmEhBeRw— Dynasty (@cw_dynasty) January 7, 2020
"These early orders for next season give our production teams a head start in plotting out story arcs and a jump on hiring staff, and this also provides us with a strong foundation of established, fan-favorite CW shows to build on for next season," Mark Pedowitz, the network's president, said in a statement Tuesday.
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"We've been thrilled with the creative direction of all three new series, and even though we are in the very early stages of our new full stack streaming strategy, which allows viewers to catch up on our new shows from the beginning, we're already seeing incredibly positive results from our multi-platform viewership for Nancy Drew and Batwoman."


upi--2020-01-08--Watch live: President Donald Trump responds to Iranian missile attack on U.S. bases

Jan. 8 ( UPI ) -- President Donald Trump will make a statement Wednesday morning about the missile attack by @ @ @ @ @ installations in Iraq .
The president tweeted late Tuesday he would address the issue and @ @ @ @ @ statement around 8 a.m. EST .
More than a dozen Iranian ballistic missiles were fired @ @ @ @ @ toward U.S. facilities in Erbil and al-Asad , Iraq , which housed U.S. and coalition @ @ @ @ @ coalition casualties were reported .
Iranian state media reported the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps ' @ @ @ @ @ as part of Operation Martyr Soleimani -- named after slain commander Qassem Soleimani , who @ @ @ @ @ airstrike at Baghdad 's international airport last week .
`` Assessment of casualties and damages @ @ @ @ @ far , so good ! ''
Trump said in his tweet .
`` We have @ @ @ @ @ equipped military anywhere in the world , by far !
I will be making a @ @ @ @ @

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President Donald Trump responds to missile attacks by Iran against U.S. military bases in Iraq in a national address Wednesday. Photo by Tasos Katopodis/UPI | License Photo
Jan. 8 (UPI) -- In a national address Wednesday, U.S. President Donald Trump responded to Iranian missile attacks on two bases in Iraq by saying Americans should be "extremely grateful and happy" that no U.S. troops were hurt. Trump delivered his remarks in the grand foyer of the White House. Advertisement
"We suffered no casualties, all of our soldiers are safe, and only minimal damage was sustained at our military bases," he said.
Trump added that Iran appeared to "stand down" after the attacks, which were retaliation for a U.S. drone strike that killed Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani last week. In his speech Wednesday, the president called Soleimani a "ruthless terrorist" who should have been "taken out long ago."
"Our great American forces are prepared for anything," he said. "Iran appears to be standing down, which is a good thing for all parties concerned and a very good thing for the world.
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"For far too long -- all the way back to 1979, to be exact -- nations have tolerated Iran's destructive and destabilizing behavior in the Middle East and beyond. Those days are over. Iran has been the leading sponsor of terrorism, and their pursuit of nuclear weapons threatens the civilized world. We will never let that happen."
U.S. defense officials said more than a dozen Iranian ballistic missiles were fired earlier Wednesday from inside Iran toward two U.S. facilities in Erbil and al-Asad, Iraq, which housed U.S. and coalition troops.
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley said casualties were avoided due to an early warning but that Iran intended to kill U.S. troops in the strike contrary to other officials that have said Iran intentionally directed missiles away from areas that were populated by Americans.
"I believe based on what I saw and what I know that they were intended to cause structural damage, destroy vehicles and equipment and aircraft and to kill personnel. That's my own personal assessment," he said.
Hours before Trump's remarks, Iranian religious leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned the United States the missile strikes were merely a "slap on the face" and blamed corruption in the Middle East on the continued U.S. military presence.
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"What is important about confrontation is that the military action as such is not sufficient. What is important is that the seditious American presence in the region must end," Khamenei said.
In his comments, Trump promised new sanctions for Tehran and framed the military action against Soleimani as beneficial to the national interest.
"We took decisive action to stop a ruthless terrorist from threatening American lives," the president said. "At my direction, the United States military eliminated the world's top terrorist, Qassem Soleimani. As the head of the Quds Force, Soleimani was personally responsible for some of the absolutely worst atrocities.
"As we continue to evaluate options in response to Iranian aggression, the United States will immediately impose additional punishing economic sanctions on the Iranian regime. These powerful sanctions will remain until Iran changes its behavior."
Trump said he would ask NATO Wednesday to become more involved in the Middle East and signaled to Iran that further provocation will bring serious consequences.
"U.S. Armed Forces are stronger than ever before. Our missiles are big, powerful, accurate, lethal and fast," he said. "The fact that we have this great military and equipment, however, does not mean we have to use it.
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"We do not want to use it. American strength, both military and economic, is the best deterrent."
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced Wednesday that the House will vote on Thursday on a War Powers Resolution to limit Trump's ability to engage in conflict with Iran without the approval of Congress.
"Members of Congress have serious, urgent concerns about the administration's decision to engage in hostilities against Iran and about its lack of strategy moving forward. Our concerns were not addressed by the president's insufficient War Powers Act notification and by the administration's briefing today," she said.
Pelosi added that the House may soon also consider additional legislation including prohibiting funding for military action against Iran not authorized by Congress and a resolution to repeal the 2002 Iraq Authorization for Use of Military Force.


upi--2020-01-08--Consequences of Iranian commander's killing may be disastrous

No one in the United States will mourn the death of Qassem Soleimani , the late commander of Iran 's Quds force , eviscerated by Hellfire missiles last week at Baghdad airport .
Likewise , few mourned the overthrow and hanging of Saddam Hussein in 2003 , a villain who murdered , tortured and abused millions of his countrymen and women .
But the ironic tragedy remains that the region might have been better off had Saddam remained in power overseeing a stable and yet repressive Iraq while counterbalancing an aggressive Iran .
A parallel question is whether Soleimani 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the region and to America 's global standing .
Predictably , the Iraqi government , to the degree it exists , is demanding in a nonbinding resolution the withdrawal of all foreign troops , principally American .
U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened sanctions if Iraq carries through on this demand .
Tehran has declared it will lift all restrictions on enrichment of uranium .
That means Iran will be technically capable of developing nuclear weapons .
Had the now defunct Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action been honored by all parties , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ perpetuity .
Thus far , the only good news is that the Trump administration 's promise to terminate `` endless '' wars by leaving Iraq could occur , involuntarily .
Unfortunately , America 's last withdrawal from Iraq did not work .
No doubt , Iran 's regional influence must increase as America retrenches .
The latest presidential threats by tweet may prove as hollow as the ones Trump unleashed against North Korea promising `` fire and fury . ''
Instead , those warnings turned into `` love letters , '' something that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mullahs .
Indeed , this mercurial president may decide that if Iran does increase its enrichment of uranium , those facilities are now fair game to pre-emptive military strikes , much as Operation Iraqi Freedom was meant to deprive Saddam of any chance of becoming a nuclear power .
Saddam 's weapons of mass destruction , however , were nonexistent .
Perhaps the `` imminency '' of attacks alleged to be personally coordinated by Soleimani will turn out to be exaggerations or just plain wrong and manufactured as reasons for killing the Quds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ failure to evaluate properly Saddam 's WMD , can not be ignored .
Yet , despite the value of bringing Soleimani to American justice , the consequences for the West and the Trump administration may be disastrous .
The question is where do Tehran and Washington go from here ?
As former Chairman of the joint Chiefs Adm. Mike Mullen observed last week , running room for both sides is shrinking , along with `` off-ramps '' to minimize possible military collisions .
As internal military lines of communications often provide advantages , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the use of surrogate Iraqi militias to attack facilities where Americans may be present seems self-evident .
And in those conditions , against whom could America retaliate ?
Killing Iraqis in Iraq is not smart policy and will provoke strong internal responses .
Direct attacks against Iran would be an act of war , although how `` war '' would be waged is unclear .
After all , the United States spent over a decade dropping more bombs on North Vietnam and Cambodia than it did during all of World War II @ @ @ @ @ @ @ use its proxies in the region , cyber and possibly more attacks against Saudi oil facilities and shipping in the Gulf in retaliation .
For now , all logic has been turned upside down .
Should the United States be forced to leave Iraq , suppose Trump does impose sanctions ?
After nearly 17 years of interventions to `` democratize '' the greater Middle East ; a trillion dollars spent on that endeavor ; tens of thousands of American and allied casualties ; and many hundreds of thousands dead or injured Iraqis , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ circle with sanctions .
In his second or third tour in Iraq , Gen. David Petraeus poignantly asked , `` Tell me how this ends ? ''
Worse , if Trump follows through on his threat to attack Iran 's `` cultural targets '' -- a clear violation of international law and a war crime -- will the military obey an obviously illegal order ?
And how will Congress react , given that the 2001 resolution authorizing the use of military force clearly does not apply to making war on Iran ?
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what is driving Trump 's decision-making process ?
Does he believe as president his powers are virtually unlimited and have no consequences that he can not control ?
Does he believe that his bold , deal-making experiences in the private sector work anywhere when they do not ?
Or is there another darker explanation ?
No matter the answer , this is not good .
Harlan Ullman is UPI 's Arnaud de Borchgrave Distinguished Columnist and a senior adviser at the Atlantic Council .
He has served as a professor of military strategy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Naval War College .
His latest book is `` Anatomy of Failure : Why America Has Lost Every War It Starts . ''
Follow him @ harlankullman .

People mourns and carry the pictures of Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani during a funeral procession in central Baghdad on Saturday. Photo by Ibrahim Jassam/UPI | License Photo
No one in the United States will mourn the death of Qassem Soleimani, the late commander of Iran's Quds force, eviscerated by Hellfire missiles last week at Baghdad airport. Likewise, few mourned the overthrow and hanging of Saddam Hussein in 2003, a villain who murdered, tortured and abused millions of his countrymen and women. But the ironic tragedy remains that the region might have been better off had Saddam remained in power overseeing a stable and yet repressive Iraq while counterbalancing an aggressive Iran. Advertisement
A parallel question is whether Soleimani's assassination will bring more ill than good to the region and to America's global standing. Predictably, the Iraqi government, to the degree it exists, is demanding in a nonbinding resolution the withdrawal of all foreign troops, principally American. U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened sanctions if Iraq carries through on this demand.
Tehran has declared it will lift all restrictions on enrichment of uranium. That means Iran will be technically capable of developing nuclear weapons. Had the now defunct Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action been honored by all parties, Iran would have foregone that option in perpetuity.
Advertisement
Thus far, the only good news is that the Trump administration's promise to terminate "endless" wars by leaving Iraq could occur, involuntarily. Unfortunately, America's last withdrawal from Iraq did not work. No doubt, Iran's regional influence must increase as America retrenches.
The latest presidential threats by tweet may prove as hollow as the ones Trump unleashed against North Korea promising "fire and fury." Instead, those warnings turned into "love letters," something that is unlikely to happen with Iran's mullahs. Indeed, this mercurial president may decide that if Iran does increase its enrichment of uranium, those facilities are now fair game to pre-emptive military strikes, much as Operation Iraqi Freedom was meant to deprive Saddam of any chance of becoming a nuclear power.
Saddam's weapons of mass destruction, however, were nonexistent. Perhaps the "imminency" of attacks alleged to be personally coordinated by Soleimani will turn out to be exaggerations or just plain wrong and manufactured as reasons for killing the Quds commander. That possibility, given the failure to evaluate properly Saddam's WMD, cannot be ignored.
Yet, despite the value of bringing Soleimani to American justice, the consequences for the West and the Trump administration may be disastrous. The question is where do Tehran and Washington go from here? As former Chairman of the joint Chiefs Adm. Mike Mullen observed last week, running room for both sides is shrinking, along with "off-ramps" to minimize possible military collisions.
Advertisement
As internal military lines of communications often provide advantages, asymmetric responses favor Iran. In Iraq, the use of surrogate Iraqi militias to attack facilities where Americans may be present seems self-evident. And in those conditions, against whom could America retaliate? Killing Iraqis in Iraq is not smart policy and will provoke strong internal responses.
Direct attacks against Iran would be an act of war, although how "war" would be waged is unclear. After all, the United States spent over a decade dropping more bombs on North Vietnam and Cambodia than it did during all of World War II without a formal declaration. Iran would use its proxies in the region, cyber and possibly more attacks against Saudi oil facilities and shipping in the Gulf in retaliation.
For now, all logic has been turned upside down. Should the United States be forced to leave Iraq, suppose Trump does impose sanctions? After nearly 17 years of interventions to "democratize" the greater Middle East; a trillion dollars spent on that endeavor; tens of thousands of American and allied casualties; and many hundreds of thousands dead or injured Iraqis, the United States will have turned full circle with sanctions.
In his second or third tour in Iraq, Gen. David Petraeus poignantly asked, "Tell me how this ends?" Worse, if Trump follows through on his threat to attack Iran's "cultural targets" -- a clear violation of international law and a war crime -- will the military obey an obviously illegal order? And how will Congress react, given that the 2001 resolution authorizing the use of military force clearly does not apply to making war on Iran?
Advertisement
The crucial question that must be answered is what is driving Trump's decision-making process? Does he believe as president his powers are virtually unlimited and have no consequences that he cannot control? Does he believe that his bold, deal-making experiences in the private sector work anywhere when they do not? Or is there another darker explanation?
No matter the answer, this is not good.
Harlan Ullman is UPI's Arnaud de Borchgrave Distinguished Columnist and a senior adviser at the Atlantic Council. He has served as a professor of military strategy at the National War College and the Naval War College. His latest book is "Anatomy of Failure: Why America Has Lost Every War It Starts." Follow him @harlankullman.


upi--2020-01-08--Democrats demand answers over detained Iranian-Americans at border

Jan. 8 ( UPI ) -- House Democrats have sent a letter to the Trump administration demanding answers in connection to reports of dozens of Iranian-Americans detained over the weekend at the U.S.-Canada border .
On Sunday , the Council on American Islamic relations said more than 60 Iranians and U.S. citizens of Iranian descent were detained at the Peace Arch Border Crossing in Blaine , Washington , while attempting to re-enter the United States from British Columbia , Canada .
The advocacy group reported people were subjected to secondary screening for up to 10 hours , accusations U.S. Customs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ letter addressed to Chad Wolf , acting secretary of Homeland Security ; Mark Morgan , acting commissioner of CBP ; and Kenneth Williams , port director for Blaine , the Democrats said they were writing to express their `` alarm '' at the reports of people of Iranian heritage being detained at the border .
`` Observers on the ground have reported that as many as 200 people were held for secondary inspection during this period .
Many impacted individuals were U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents , including seniors and children , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Following news of the alleged detentions over the weekend , CBP released a statement saying the department was not under a directive to subject people of Iranian descent to further screening amid heightened tensions with the Middle Eastern country and the longer processing time was `` due to increased volume and reduced staff during the holiday season . ''
The Democrats dismissed these statements as they do not address why `` pre-cleared U.S. citizen travelers '' were placed in secondary inspection for hours or why some people were detained throughout Saturday starting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Democrats are demanding a briefing on the matter , the entry port 's data for Friday to Monday and documents on whether directives or orders were issued regarding the screening of people of Iranian heritage in response to escalating tensions with the Middle Eastern country .
The information is to be delivered no later than Jan. 21 , the letter said .
The letter was signed by House judiciary subcommittee on immigration and citizenship Vice Chair Pramila Jayapal , House judiciary committee Chairman Jerry Nadler , House judiciary subcommittee on immigration and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ security Chairman Bennie Thompson and House oversight and reform committee Chairwoman Carolyn Maloney .

Jan. 8 (UPI) -- House Democrats have sent a letter to the Trump administration demanding answers in connection to reports of dozens of Iranian-Americans detained over the weekend at the U.S.-Canada border.
On Sunday, the Council on American Islamic relations said more than 60 Iranians and U.S. citizens of Iranian descent were detained at the Peace Arch Border Crossing in Blaine, Washington, while attempting to re-enter the United States from British Columbia, Canada.
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The advocacy group reported people were subjected to secondary screening for up to 10 hours, accusations U.S. Customs and Border Protection denied.
In the letter addressed to Chad Wolf, acting secretary of Homeland Security; Mark Morgan, acting commissioner of CBP; and Kenneth Williams, port director for Blaine, the Democrats said they were writing to express their "alarm" at the reports of people of Iranian heritage being detained at the border.
"Observers on the ground have reported that as many as 200 people were held for secondary inspection during this period. Many impacted individuals were U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents, including seniors and children," the Democrats said in the letter.
Following news of the alleged detentions over the weekend, CBP released a statement saying the department was not under a directive to subject people of Iranian descent to further screening amid heightened tensions with the Middle Eastern country and the longer processing time was "due to increased volume and reduced staff during the holiday season."
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The Democrats dismissed these statements as they do not address why "pre-cleared U.S. citizen travelers" were placed in secondary inspection for hours or why some people were detained throughout Saturday starting at as early as 8 a.m.
The Democrats are demanding a briefing on the matter, the entry port's data for Friday to Monday and documents on whether directives or orders were issued regarding the screening of people of Iranian heritage in response to escalating tensions with the Middle Eastern country.
The information is to be delivered no later than Jan. 21, the letter said.
The letter was signed by House judiciary subcommittee on immigration and citizenship Vice Chair Pramila Jayapal, House judiciary committee Chairman Jerry Nadler, House judiciary subcommittee on immigration and citizenship Chair Zoe Lofgren, House homeland security Chairman Bennie Thompson and House oversight and reform committee Chairwoman Carolyn Maloney.


upi--2020-01-08--Male fertility supplements don't boost fertility, study says

Jan. 8 -- Supplements containing zinc and folic acid do n't appear to boost male fertility , a new study finds .
Despite marketing claims , these supplements do n't improve pregnancy rates , sperm counts or sperm function , researchers say .
`` Our results suggest that these dietary supplements have little to no effect on fertility and may even cause mild gastrointestinal symptoms , '' researcher Enrique Schisterman said in a news release from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development , part of the U.S. National Institutes of Health .
He is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ population health research .
The researchers recruited more than 2,300 U.S. couples planning to get fertility treatment .
They randomly assigned the men to take a pill containing zinc and folic acid or a placebo .
Births did n't differ between men who got the supplement and men who did n't .
Among men who took the supplement , there were 404 births , compared with 416 among men who took the placebo , the researchers reported .
Sperm health was also similar between the groups .
But the proportion of broken DNA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supplement group , at 30 percent , than in the placebo group , at 27 percent .
Studies have linked a high rate of broken sperm DNA with infertility , the researchers noted .
Men who took the supplement also reported more abdominal discomfort , nausea and vomiting than men who took the placebo .
The report was published Jan. 7 in the Journal of the American Medical Association .
For more on male fertility , head to the American Urological Association .

Jan. 8 -- Supplements containing zinc and folic acid don't appear to boost male fertility, a new study finds.
Despite marketing claims, these supplements don't improve pregnancy rates, sperm counts or sperm function, researchers say.
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"Our results suggest that these dietary supplements have little to no effect on fertility and may even cause mild gastrointestinal symptoms," researcher Enrique Schisterman said in a news release from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, part of the U.S. National Institutes of Health. He is with the institute's division of intramural population health research.
The researchers recruited more than 2,300 U.S. couples planning to get fertility treatment. They randomly assigned the men to take a pill containing zinc and folic acid or a placebo.
Births didn't differ between men who got the supplement and men who didn't. Among men who took the supplement, there were 404 births, compared with 416 among men who took the placebo, the researchers reported.
Sperm health was also similar between the groups. But the proportion of broken DNA in the sperm was higher in the supplement group, at 30 percent, than in the placebo group, at 27 percent. Studies have linked a high rate of broken sperm DNA with infertility, the researchers noted.
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Men who took the supplement also reported more abdominal discomfort, nausea and vomiting than men who took the placebo.
The report was published Jan. 7 in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
More information
For more on male fertility, head to the American Urological Association.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-01-08--Wisconsin lost 10 percent of its dairy farms in 2019

EVANSVILLE , Ind.
, Jan. 8 ( UPI ) -- More than 800 dairies went out of business in Wisconsin last year , making 2019 among the worst years ever recorded for dairy closures in the state .
`` This is a big deal , '' said Mark Stephenson , the director of dairy policy analysis at the University of Wisconsin-Madison 's College of Agricultural Life Sciences .
`` We lost 10 percent of the dairy farms .
We 've had some years approach that number , but this is the biggest one on record that I can find .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country , Stephenson added .
Waning consumer demand , loss of trade and an oversupply of milk have driven milk prices too low for farms to profit .
America 's largest milk producer , Dean Foods , filed for bankruptcy protection in November , citing `` a challenging operating environment '' and declining `` consumer milk consumption . ''
And on Sunday , a second major American dairy company , Bordon Dairy , also filed for bankruptcy protection .
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has not yet released data on the number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last year , but experts expect that -- like the Wisconsin numbers -- they will be high .
For the last five years , milk prices have been too low for the majority farmers to make a profit -- and many could not earn enough to cover their bills .
`` There have been multiple farms close around here , '' said Dan Brick , the owner of Brickstead Dairy , a 1,000-cow farm in Greenleaf , Wis. `` There was one that just had an auction last week .
It was a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and auctioned off their cows .
People are struggling . ''
But that trend could be changing .
In the final months of 2019 , milk prices rose to 20 cents per pound -- the highest they had been since 2014 .
As of Tuesday , the price was roughly 17 cents per pound , according to the Chicago Mercantile Exchange -- still higher than the average price during the last five years , which was mostly below 16 per pound .
`` It makes it a little easier to get out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ making money , '' said Charles Young , the owner of a 65-cow dairy in Mosinee , Wis .
The price is rising now because milk production -- finally -- is decreasing , said Bob Cropp , an emeritus professor of the University of Wisconsin-Madison 's Department of Agriculture and Applied Economics .
For the last five years , the dairy industry was producing more milk than the marketed needed .
Milk prices in 2014 hit a record high , Cropp said .
Dairy farms across the country responded by adding more cows @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trade disputes with Mexico , Canada and China -- some of the United States ' top milk buyers -- have strained the dairy industry further , Cropp said .
Despite the low prices , production remained high through the first half of 2019 .
But by fall , the mounting farm closures began slowly slowing production .
Between July 2018 and July 2019 , the U.S. dairy herd lost 100,000 cows -- shrinking from 9.4 million animals to 9.3 million .
The USDA will release the updated figures on the U.S. cow herd @ @ @ @ @ @ @ took a little while to slow production , '' Cropp said .
`` But , we 're working our way out of the supply and demand situation . ''
Experts predict prices will stay elevated during 2020 .
Many dairies continue to fold , unable to recover from five years of losses , Stephenson said .
And those that remain will likely lack the capital to increase production .
`` We 're very optimistic about it , '' Brick said .
`` Prices have rebounded .
We 're not making a pile of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ black again .
We 're due for a good year . ''

Wisconsin lost 818 dairy farms in 2019, roughly 10 percent of the state's farms. Data showing the number of farms lost across the country will be released later this month. Photo courtesy of Pixabay
EVANSVILLE, Ind., Jan. 8 (UPI) -- More than 800 dairies went out of business in Wisconsin last year, making 2019 among the worst years ever recorded for dairy closures in the state. "This is a big deal," said Mark Stephenson, the director of dairy policy analysis at the University of Wisconsin-Madison's College of Agricultural Life Sciences. "We lost 10 percent of the dairy farms. We've had some years approach that number, but this is the biggest one on record that I can find." Advertisement
It's a trend happening across the country, Stephenson added. Waning consumer demand, loss of trade and an oversupply of milk have driven milk prices too low for farms to profit.
America's largest milk producer, Dean Foods, filed for bankruptcy protection in November, citing "a challenging operating environment" and declining "consumer milk consumption." And on Sunday, a second major American dairy company, Bordon Dairy, also filed for bankruptcy protection.
Advertisement
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has not yet released data on the number of dairies that closed throughout the country last year, but experts expect that -- like the Wisconsin numbers -- they will be high.
For the last five years, milk prices have been too low for the majority farmers to make a profit -- and many could not earn enough to cover their bills.
"There have been multiple farms close around here," said Dan Brick, the owner of Brickstead Dairy, a 1,000-cow farm in Greenleaf, Wis. "There was one that just had an auction last week. It was a 500-cow dairy, and they just closed and auctioned off their cows. People are struggling."
But that trend could be changing.
In the final months of 2019, milk prices rose to 20 cents per pound -- the highest they had been since 2014. As of Tuesday, the price was roughly 17 cents per pound, according to the Chicago Mercantile Exchange -- still higher than the average price during the last five years, which was mostly below 16 per pound.
"It makes it a little easier to get out of bed in the morning when you're making money," said Charles Young, the owner of a 65-cow dairy in Mosinee, Wis.
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The price is rising now because milk production -- finally -- is decreasing, said Bob Cropp, an emeritus professor of the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Department of Agriculture and Applied Economics.
For the last five years, the dairy industry was producing more milk than the marketed needed. Milk prices in 2014 hit a record high, Cropp said. Dairy farms across the country responded by adding more cows and increasing production.
America's various trade disputes with Mexico, Canada and China -- some of the United States' top milk buyers -- have strained the dairy industry further, Cropp said.
Despite the low prices, production remained high through the first half of 2019. But by fall, the mounting farm closures began slowly slowing production.
Between July 2018 and July 2019, the U.S. dairy herd lost 100,000 cows -- shrinking from 9.4 million animals to 9.3 million. The USDA will release the updated figures on the U.S. cow herd size later this month.
"It took a little while to slow production," Cropp said. "But, we're working our way out of the supply and demand situation."
Experts predict prices will stay elevated during 2020. Many dairies continue to fold, unable to recover from five years of losses, Stephenson said. And those that remain will likely lack the capital to increase production.
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"We're very optimistic about it," Brick said. "Prices have rebounded. We're not making a pile of money, but we're in the black again. We're due for a good year."


upi--2020-01-08--'Supernany' Jo Frost addresses device addiction, same sex parents

Jan. 8 ( UPI ) -- Before its New Year 's Day revival , Supernanny last aired in 2011 , but Jo Frost never stopped playing the role .
Through private work with families , seminars , authoring books and going on tour , Frost saw families facing new challenges .
She said a new season of Supernanny could show how issues like a recession , home foreclosures , unemployment , healthcare and gun violence exacerbate family discord .
`` There 's a lot of external issues that have a ripple effect on a family and a lot of internal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trying to overcome every day , '' Frost told UPI in a phone interview .
`` Children become the silent witnesses of such worry within their families . ''
Frost became a television star when her reality show , Supernanny , crossed over from Britain to the United States .
Every week , viewers saw Frost work with families on their individual child-rearing challenges .
Frost emphasized positive reinforcement over negative punishment and spoke out against spanking .
Some modern parents have adapted to new challenges by relying on new technology .
Frost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like phones and tablets to distract their children .
In the season premiere of Supernanny , Frost taught the Braido parents to connect with their children and make sure an issue is resolved before letting them use a device .
`` We have to find balance and we have to recognize how we regulate the usage of that , '' Frost said .
`` [ Devices ] can still be fun and entertaining , but not dependable where it 's replacing what is so vital and necessary in families . ''
The Braidos @ @ @ @ @ @ @ larger social phenomenon .
When parents allow their kids to turn on devices in public , it can be distracting to others .
As much as Frost wants to teach parents not to use devices to distract their kids , she also wants to teach onlookers not to jump to judgment .
Frost hopes viewers of Supernanny can extend the compassion they may feel for the families on her show to families they see in real life .
If children with a device in public are bothering you , Frost asks that you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ used the device as a last resort to quiet their child .
`` Look , every family is struggling , '' Frost said .
`` I want to see more families have more compassion , more empathy in understanding that not every family is sitting there intentionally saying , ' I do n't care about everybody else . '
They 're just trying to do the best that they can . ''
It may be annoying when children are acting up and making noise in public .
However , Frost suggested that adults @ @ @ @ @ @ @ behavior .
If one does find themselves surrounded by unruly kids , Frost maintains that positive support of the parents would be more helpful than a scolding .
`` Rather than to throw a negative when that parent is already having a tough time , be supportive , '' Frost said .
`` Give a smile .
Give 'em the old wink . ''
Subsequent episodes of Supernanny this season will offer more tips for parents to manage kids during public outings .
Frost still discourages using devices too often , but will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ children when the family goes out to dinner .
She will also sometimes suggest just staying home .
`` I think there 's something to be said for going to certain fine dining restaurants and knowing that after a certain time , it would be inappropriate to take young children , '' Frost said .
`` And , unrealistic for them and unfair to the child and to the others that are dining . ''
Frost will spend time this season with at least two same-sex parents , a set of moms and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that their struggles are the same as heteronormative families .
`` Love is love , '' Frost said .
`` Family is family .
A family 's sexuality does not define the wonderful parent that they can be for their children . ''
Wednesday 's episode with the Corry family deals with a father , Ben Corry , who is in the military and is deployed for several months at a time .
Frost hopes to show that the absence of a parent for long periods is one of many challenges to military @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the narrative was on the deployed parents , '' Frost said .
`` Now we talk about our whole family serving and truthfully what that means to a military family .
It 's not just the person who 's away deployed fighting a war or supported .
It 's the entire family . ''
Frost uncovers Maria Corry 's struggle with postpartum depression .
Just as Maria kept her feelings hidden , Frost fears that women suffering from postpartum depression wo n't seek help because they feel shame .
She cited the bad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ postpartum depression and faced further judgment and scrutiny in the press .
`` Brooke Shields was not treated kindly when she was very vocal about having postpartum depression , '' Frost said .
`` I 'd have hoped and wished when I saw that in the press that she was given more kindness and empathy for her medical condition . ''

1/3
Jo Frost has not stopped being Supernanny since her original show premiered in 2004. Courtesy of Lifetime.
Jan. 8 (UPI) -- Before its New Year's Day revival, Supernanny last aired in 2011, but Jo Frost never stopped playing the role. Through private work with families, seminars, authoring books and going on tour, Frost saw families facing new challenges. She said a new season of Supernanny could show how issues like a recession, home foreclosures, unemployment, healthcare and gun violence exacerbate family discord. Advertisement
"There's a lot of external issues that have a ripple effect on a family and a lot of internal, practical parenting challenges that families are trying to overcome every day," Frost told UPI in a phone interview. "Children become the silent witnesses of such worry within their families."
Frost became a television star when her reality show, Supernanny, crossed over from Britain to the United States. Every week, viewers saw Frost work with families on their individual child-rearing challenges. Frost emphasized positive reinforcement over negative punishment and spoke out against spanking.
Advertisement
Some modern parents have adapted to new challenges by relying on new technology. Frost is concerned that parents are using devices like phones and tablets to distract their children. In the season premiere of Supernanny, Frost taught the Braido parents to connect with their children and make sure an issue is resolved before letting them use a device.
"We have to find balance and we have to recognize how we regulate the usage of that," Frost said. "[Devices] can still be fun and entertaining, but not dependable where it's replacing what is so vital and necessary in families."
The Braidos' use of devices speaks to a larger social phenomenon. When parents allow their kids to turn on devices in public, it can be distracting to others. As much as Frost wants to teach parents not to use devices to distract their kids, she also wants to teach onlookers not to jump to judgment.
Frost hopes viewers of Supernanny can extend the compassion they may feel for the families on her show to families they see in real life. If children with a device in public are bothering you, Frost asks that you show compassion for parents who may have used the device as a last resort to quiet their child.
Advertisement
"Look, every family is struggling," Frost said. "I want to see more families have more compassion, more empathy in understanding that not every family is sitting there intentionally saying, 'I don't care about everybody else.' They're just trying to do the best that they can."
It may be annoying when children are acting up and making noise in public. However, Frost suggested that adults should be more tolerant of natural childish behavior. If one does find themselves surrounded by unruly kids, Frost maintains that positive support of the parents would be more helpful than a scolding.
"Rather than to throw a negative when that parent is already having a tough time, be supportive," Frost said. "Give a smile. Give 'em the old wink."
Subsequent episodes of Supernanny this season will offer more tips for parents to manage kids during public outings. Frost still discourages using devices too often, but will suggest toys and games that could occupy children when the family goes out to dinner. She will also sometimes suggest just staying home.
"I think there's something to be said for going to certain fine dining restaurants and knowing that after a certain time, it would be inappropriate to take young children," Frost said. "And, unrealistic for them and unfair to the child and to the others that are dining."
Advertisement
Frost will spend time this season with at least two same-sex parents, a set of moms and a set of dads, to show that their struggles are the same as heteronormative families.
"Love is love," Frost said. "Family is family. A family's sexuality does not define the wonderful parent that they can be for their children."
Wednesday's episode with the Corry family deals with a father, Ben Corry, who is in the military and is deployed for several months at a time. Frost hopes to show that the absence of a parent for long periods is one of many challenges to military families.
"Forty years ago, the narrative was on the deployed parents," Frost said. "Now we talk about our whole family serving and truthfully what that means to a military family. It's not just the person who's away deployed fighting a war or supported. It's the entire family."
Frost uncovers Maria Corry's struggle with postpartum depression. Just as Maria kept her feelings hidden, Frost fears that women suffering from postpartum depression won't seek help because they feel shame. She cited the bad precedent when Brooke Shields spoke about her postpartum depression and faced further judgment and scrutiny in the press.
Advertisement
"Brooke Shields was not treated kindly when she was very vocal about having postpartum depression," Frost said. "I'd have hoped and wished when I saw that in the press that she was given more kindness and empathy for her medical condition."
Supernanny airs Wednesdays at 10 p.m. on Lifetime.


upi--2020-01-08--Florida's toxic red tide will continue to irk tourists, residents

PUNTA GORDA , Fla. , Jan. 8 ( UPI ) -- Like winter turns into spring , Florida 's toxic red tide -- lethal to marine life and harmful to tourism -- is sure to return , although no one can say precisely when .
Scientists and fishermen have observed the infestation for decades , and there 's little likelihood it will be eliminated in the foreseeable future .
Efforts are ongoing , though , to wipe out this aquatic menace .
`` I 've hated red tide since the '70s , '' said Ralph Allen , a fisherman and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tourist excursion boats in southwest Florida .
`` Red tide is hard on my business and hard on me personally .
But I 'm not sure why it happens or if there 's a natural reason for it . ''
The federal government estimates that red tide causes an average of $ 82 million annually in losses to the economy , with $ 20 million of that from diminished tourism -- mostly in Florida .
While red tide usually occurs in the last half of the year , it does not appear every @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scale that would cause significant disruption to people 's lives .
Red tide refers to algae blooms that occur in the Gulf of Mexico , and it can be a problem at any time of year .
The algae release toxins in the air and water that can kill fish and marine animals .
During a red tide event , tourists , business owners and local residents often confront a one-two punch of respiratory irritation , such as an allergy attack and the odor of dead fish rotting in local harbors .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tide , but I ca n't .
I know it 's there when I feel it in my throat , eyes and nose -- just an irritation at first , '' fisherman Allen said .
Fishing becomes impossible in some places , although fish can congregate away from the toxic tide and make the sport more productive in other areas .
Hotel and restaurant owners often see a sudden drop in business as word of the bad odor and irritation spreads , often on social media .
Local residents must either stay indoors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But red tide most severely impacts people who have chronic respiratory or kidney problems .
For them , the toxins can be life-threatening , according to doctors and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
Despite its name , red tide usually is not red .
Most of the time , it is not visible .
When it is seen , it often appears as brownish hazy streaks in the water .
Red tones only appear during the most extreme outbreaks -- such as when winds have pushed large amounts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inlet .
Red tide algae -- Karenia brevis -- always is present in low concentrations , according to University of Florida researchers .
The longest duration for a red tide bloom was 30 months from 1994 to 1997 , according to a report from the university and Florida Sea Grant , a university-based program that promotes conservation of coastal resources .
Red tide occurs in other parts of the world , but the worst and most regular events in the United States happen in Florida .
The area impacted most frequently stretches from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of coastline that features some of Florida 's most popular beaches .
Since a severe red tide outbreak in 2018 , Florida has launched new research efforts funded by tens of millions of state dollars , while federal funding also has ramped up .
Red tide in 2019 was scattered and less damaging , and by the end of December , all signs of it had disappeared from the state 's monitoring map .
Despite accounts of red tide dating to the 1800s , it is poorly understood .
`` Red tide is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and it changes from day to day , '' said Betty Staugler , a marine biologist with Florida Sea Grant .
What is known , Staugler said , is that the algae feed on nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus from lakes and streams , or from the sea floor .
The most common sources of land-based nutrients are fertilizers , soil runoff and sewage .
These same nutrients also fuel toxic blue-green algae , which is more deadly .
Blue-green algae problems in Florida are centered in Lake Okeechobee and the southeast region @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a severe red tide outbreak in 2018 , county governments reported removing thousands of rotting dead fish that had floated onto beaches and into harbors .
Since then , Staugler and others have answered many questions from concerned tourists and property owners about why the phenomenon occurs , why it seems have been worse in recent years and whether it follows hurricanes .
Staugler said Hurricane Irma in 2017 might have caused a severe outbreak because the storm churned up the near-shore waters in the Gulf for months .
But scientists still `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if any , this played , '' she said .
Health problems associated with harmful algae cost the nation $ 22 million annually , according to a report from the University of Florida .
The report said treatment of respiratory illness in Sarasota County , halfway between Tampa and Fort Myers , during red tide in 2015 and 2016 resulted in up to $ 4 million in medical bills .
Calls to the Florida Poison Control Center due to red tide more than tripled between 2017 and 2018 .
The Florida Department of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like asthma avoid red tide .
The most severe exposure can result in liver or kidney damage , according to the CDC .
Paul Simeri , a Michigan resident who spends winters in southwest Florida , said he 's had kidney problems and he knows about red tide health warnings .
His winter home in Burnt Store Marina , 13 miles south of Punta Gorda , had a red tide episode in the fall that included a fish kill .
`` My eyes were burning and I was coughing .
For a couple @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I could n't go out for long , '' he said .
News reports about red tide in 2018 made it seem like all of southwest Florida was experiencing a crisis , even on days when red tide was absent , said Frank Hommema Jr. , a fisherman and businessman in Port Charlotte .
`` Red tide has been bad before , but now everyone posts photos of dead fish on social media and it becomes a big scare , '' Hommema said .
Property values along the Gulf beaches are impacted by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said Brian Ziegler , 37 , a lifelong resident of the Charlotte Harbor area and a Realtor .
A 2015 report from the Florida Realtors trade association said algae blooms dented those values in the Fort Myers area by an estimated $ 541 million annually and in Martin County , about 30 miles north of West Palm Beach , by an estimated $ 428 million annually .
For some , the red tide threat is n't enough to keep them away .
Patricia Trefry of Westport , Ontario , said she and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ area despite seeing the red tide warnings in mid-December .
They are seasonal visitors who live on their boat .
`` A lot of people are wondering where to go or how bad it is , '' Trefry said .
`` People at the docks say , ' I 'm coughing , maybe it 's red tide . '
But we 're determined to enjoy ourselves -- and we love it here . ''

1/4
A fish kill lingers near a dock at Burnt Store Marina, Fla., on Dec. 6, just a few days after a water sample there indicated red tide algae in the area. Photo by Paul Brinkmann/UPI
PUNTA GORDA, Fla., Jan. 8 (UPI) -- Like winter turns into spring, Florida's toxic red tide -- lethal to marine life and harmful to tourism -- is sure to return, although no one can say precisely when. Scientists and fishermen have observed the infestation for decades, and there's little likelihood it will be eliminated in the foreseeable future. Efforts are ongoing, though, to wipe out this aquatic menace. Advertisement
"I've hated red tide since the '70s," said Ralph Allen, a fisherman and owner of the King Fisher Fleet of tourist excursion boats in southwest Florida. "Red tide is hard on my business and hard on me personally. But I'm not sure why it happens or if there's a natural reason for it."
The federal government estimates that red tide causes an average of $82 million annually in losses to the economy, with $20 million of that from diminished tourism -- mostly in Florida. While red tide usually occurs in the last half of the year, it does not appear every year -- at least not at a scale that would cause significant disruption to people's lives.
Advertisement
Red tide refers to algae blooms that occur in the Gulf of Mexico, and it can be a problem at any time of year. The algae release toxins in the air and water that can kill fish and marine animals.
During a red tide event, tourists, business owners and local residents often confront a one-two punch of respiratory irritation, such as an allergy attack and the odor of dead fish rotting in local harbors.
"Some people say they can smell red tide, but I can't. I know it's there when I feel it in my throat, eyes and nose -- just an irritation at first," fisherman Allen said.
Fishing becomes impossible in some places, although fish can congregate away from the toxic tide and make the sport more productive in other areas.
Hotel and restaurant owners often see a sudden drop in business as word of the bad odor and irritation spreads, often on social media. Local residents must either stay indoors or endure the odors and toxic air.
But red tide most severely impacts people who have chronic respiratory or kidney problems. For them, the toxins can be life-threatening, according to doctors and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Advertisement
Despite its name, red tide usually is not red. Most of the time, it is not visible. When it is seen, it often appears as brownish hazy streaks in the water. Red tones only appear during the most extreme outbreaks -- such as when winds have pushed large amounts of algae into a small cove or inlet.
A native problem
Red tide algae -- Karenia brevis -- always is present in low concentrations, according to University of Florida researchers. The longest duration for a red tide bloom was 30 months from 1994 to 1997, according to a report from the university and Florida Sea Grant, a university-based program that promotes conservation of coastal resources.
Red tide occurs in other parts of the world, but the worst and most regular events in the United States happen in Florida. The area impacted most frequently stretches from Tampa to Naples -- about 170 miles of coastline that features some of Florida's most popular beaches.
Since a severe red tide outbreak in 2018, Florida has launched new research efforts funded by tens of millions of state dollars, while federal funding also has ramped up. Red tide in 2019 was scattered and less damaging, and by the end of December, all signs of it had disappeared from the state's monitoring map.
Advertisement
Despite accounts of red tide dating to the 1800s, it is poorly understood.
"Red tide is hard to predict. It is patchy and it changes from day to day," said Betty Staugler, a marine biologist with Florida Sea Grant.
What is known, Staugler said, is that the algae feed on nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus from lakes and streams, or from the sea floor. The most common sources of land-based nutrients are fertilizers, soil runoff and sewage.
These same nutrients also fuel toxic blue-green algae, which is more deadly. Blue-green algae problems in Florida are centered in Lake Okeechobee and the southeast region, but can occur statewide.
During a severe red tide outbreak in 2018, county governments reported removing thousands of rotting dead fish that had floated onto beaches and into harbors. Since then, Staugler and others have answered many questions from concerned tourists and property owners about why the phenomenon occurs, why it seems have been worse in recent years and whether it follows hurricanes.
Staugler said Hurricane Irma in 2017 might have caused a severe outbreak because the storm churned up the near-shore waters in the Gulf for months. But scientists still "don't specifically know what role, if any, this played," she said.
Advertisement
Healthcare costs soar
Health problems associated with harmful algae cost the nation $22 million annually, according to a report from the University of Florida.
The report said treatment of respiratory illness in Sarasota County, halfway between Tampa and Fort Myers, during red tide in 2015 and 2016 resulted in up to $4 million in medical bills. Calls to the Florida Poison Control Center due to red tide more than tripled between 2017 and 2018.
The Florida Department of Health advises that people with respiratory conditions like asthma avoid red tide. The most severe exposure can result in liver or kidney damage, according to the CDC.
Paul Simeri, a Michigan resident who spends winters in southwest Florida, said he's had kidney problems and he knows about red tide health warnings. His winter home in Burnt Store Marina, 13 miles south of Punta Gorda, had a red tide episode in the fall that included a fish kill.
"My eyes were burning and I was coughing. For a couple of days it was so bad, I couldn't go out for long," he said.
News reports about red tide in 2018 made it seem like all of southwest Florida was experiencing a crisis, even on days when red tide was absent, said Frank Hommema Jr., a fisherman and businessman in Port Charlotte.
Advertisement
"Red tide has been bad before, but now everyone posts photos of dead fish on social media and it becomes a big scare," Hommema said.
Property values along the Gulf beaches are impacted by severe blooms that last a long time, said Brian Ziegler, 37, a lifelong resident of the Charlotte Harbor area and a Realtor.
A 2015 report from the Florida Realtors trade association said algae blooms dented those values in the Fort Myers area by an estimated $541 million annually and in Martin County, about 30 miles north of West Palm Beach, by an estimated $428 million annually.
For some, the red tide threat isn't enough to keep them away.
Patricia Trefry of Westport, Ontario, said she and her husband came to the Punta Gorda area despite seeing the red tide warnings in mid-December. They are seasonal visitors who live on their boat.
"A lot of people are wondering where to go or how bad it is," Trefry said. "People at the docks say, 'I'm coughing, maybe it's red tide.' But we're determined to enjoy ourselves -- and we love it here."


upi--2020-01-08--On This Day, Jan. 8: Police capture drug kingpin 'El Chapo'

Jan. 8 ( UPI ) -- On this date in history : In 1790 , U.S. President George Washington gave the first State of the Union address .
In 1815 , the forces of U.S. Gen. Andrew Jackson decisively defeated the British in the Battle of New Orleans , the closing engagement of the War of 1812 .
In 1867 , the U.S. Congress approved legislation that allowed black African Americans to vote in the District of Columbia .
In 1889 , US patent # 395,791 is issued to Herman Hollerith for his `` Art of Compiling Statistics , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Hollerith founded The Tabulating Machine Company , one of four companies consolidated to form International Business Machines Corporation , or IBM .
In 1918 , U.S. President Woodrow Wilson delivered his Fourteen Points during a speech to a joint session of the U.S. Congress .
In 1961 , Algerians voted in favor of the French referendum on Algerian self-determination , part of French President Charles de Gaulle 's peace proposals , sweeping aside opposition and delivering him the vote of confidence he had demanded .
In 1964 , President Lyndon B. Johnson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the United States during his first State of the Union address .
In 1978 , Harvey Milk became the first openly gay elected official in California when he was sworn in to San Francisco 's Board of Supervisors .
In 1987 , Kay Orr was inaugurated in Lincoln , Neb.
, as the nation 's first woman Republican governor .
In 1989 , a British Midland Airways jet crashed near a major highway in Kegworth , England , after both engines caught fire and the pilot tried to make an emergency landing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Pan American World Airways filed for bankruptcy .
The company , founded in 1927 , would cease operations 11 months later .
In 1992 , President George H.W .
Bush , during a state visit to Tokyo , vomited on the lap of Japanese Prime Minister Kiichi Miyazawa after coming down with the flu .
In 1993 , thousands of people gathered at Elvis Presley 's Graceland mansion in Memphis to purchase the first issue of a stamp honoring the `` King of Rock ' n ' Roll '' on what would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1997 , a report by University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center scientists concluded that exposure to a combination of chemicals was linked to Gulf War Syndrome , responsible for the various ailments reported by veterans of the 1991 conflict .
In 2002 , U.S. President George W. Bush signed the No Child Left Behind Act into law .
In 2007 , Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez announced he would nationalize the nation 's telecommunications and electric power industries controlled by U.S. companies .
In 2011 , six people were killed and 13 others , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , were injured when a gunman armed with a semiautomatic pistol opened fire at a political meeting in Tucson .
The shooter , Jared Loughner , 22 , was sentenced to life in prison .
In 2016 , Mexican authorities captured Joaquin `` El Chapo '' Guzman , the Sinaloa drug cartel kingpin who led police on a months-long manhunt after escaping from prison .
In 2018 , the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced extreme weather events inflicted a record-setting financial toll on the United States in 2017 , with hurricanes and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ billion in damage .

1/4
On January 8, 2016, Mexican authorities captured Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, the Sinaloa drug cartel kingpin who led police on a months-long manhunt. File Photo by Jose Mendez/EPA
Jan. 8 (UPI) -- On this date in history: In 1790, U.S. President George Washington gave the first State of the Union address. Advertisement
In 1815, the forces of U.S. Gen. Andrew Jackson decisively defeated the British in the Battle of New Orleans, the closing engagement of the War of 1812.
In 1867, the U.S. Congress approved legislation that allowed black African Americans to vote in the District of Columbia.
In 1889, US patent #395,791 is issued to Herman Hollerith for his "Art of Compiling Statistics," a punched card calculator. In 1896, Hollerith founded The Tabulating Machine Company, one of four companies consolidated to form International Business Machines Corporation, or IBM.
In 1918, U.S. President Woodrow Wilson delivered his Fourteen Points during a speech to a joint session of the U.S. Congress.
File Photo by Library of Congress/UPI
Advertisement
In 1961, Algerians voted in favor of the French referendum on Algerian self-determination, part of French President Charles de Gaulle's peace proposals, sweeping aside opposition and delivering him the vote of confidence he had demanded.
In 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson declared a "War on Poverty" in the United States during his first State of the Union address.
In 1978, Harvey Milk became the first openly gay elected official in California when he was sworn in to San Francisco's Board of Supervisors.
In 1987, Kay Orr was inaugurated in Lincoln, Neb., as the nation's first woman Republican governor.
In 1989, a British Midland Airways jet crashed near a major highway in Kegworth, England, after both engines caught fire and the pilot tried to make an emergency landing, killing 46 people.
In 1991, Pan American World Airways filed for bankruptcy. The company, founded in 1927, would cease operations 11 months later.
In 1992, President George H.W. Bush, during a state visit to Tokyo, vomited on the lap of Japanese Prime Minister Kiichi Miyazawa after coming down with the flu.
In 1993, thousands of people gathered at Elvis Presley's Graceland mansion in Memphis to purchase the first issue of a stamp honoring the "King of Rock 'n' Roll" on what would have been his 58th birthday.
Advertisement
In 1997, a report by University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center scientists concluded that exposure to a combination of chemicals was linked to Gulf War Syndrome, responsible for the various ailments reported by veterans of the 1991 conflict.
In 2002, U.S. President George W. Bush signed the No Child Left Behind Act into law.
File Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI
In 2007, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez announced he would nationalize the nation's telecommunications and electric power industries controlled by U.S. companies.
In 2011, six people were killed and 13 others, including U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz., were injured when a gunman armed with a semiautomatic pistol opened fire at a political meeting in Tucson. The shooter, Jared Loughner, 22, was sentenced to life in prison.
In 2016, Mexican authorities captured Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, the Sinaloa drug cartel kingpin who led police on a months-long manhunt after escaping from prison.
In 2018, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced extreme weather events inflicted a record-setting financial toll on the United States in 2017, with hurricanes and wildfires causing a total of $306 billion in damage.
Advertisement


upi--2020-01-08--Famous birthdays for Jan. 9: Sergio Garcia, Dave Matthews

Jan. 9 ( UPI ) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Capricorn .
-- Richard @ @ @ @ @ the United States , in 1913

1/3
Sergio Garcia watches his shot from the fourth tee during the first round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Ga., on April 11. The golfer turns 40 on January 9. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
Jan. 9 (UPI) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Capricorn. They include: Advertisement
-- Pope Gregory XV in 1554
-- Women's suffrage and peace movement leader Carrie Chapman Catt in 1859
-- French novelist Simone de Beauvoir in 1908
-- Entertainer Gypsy Rose Lee in 1911
-- Richard Nixon, 37th president of the United States, in 1913
-- Author Judith Krantz in 1928
-- Football Hall of Fame member Bart Starr in 1934
-- Actor Bob Denver in 1935; sportscaster Dick Enberg in 1935
-- Actor Susannah York in 1939
-- Singer Joan Baez in 1941 (age 79)
-- Musician Jimmy Page in 1944 (age 76)
File Photo by Paul Treadway/UPI
-- Country singer Crystal Gayle in 1951 (age 69)
-- Actor J.K. Simmons in 1955 (age 65)
-- Actor Imelda Staunton in 1956 (age 64)
-- Guatemalan activist/Nobel Peace Prize laureate Rigoberta Menchu in 1959 (age 61)
-- Actor Joely Richardson in 1965 (age 55)
-- Bandleader Dave Matthews in 1967 (age 53)
File Photo by Archie Carpenter/UPI
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-- Rapper Sean Paul in 1973 (age 47)
-- Pop singer AJ McLean in 1978 (age 42)
-- Golfer Sergio Garcia in 1980 (age 40)
-- Kate Middleton, duchess of Cambridge, in 1982 (age 38)
-- Actor Nina Dobrev in 1989 (age 31)
-- Actor Nicola Peltz in 1995 (age 25)
-- Actor Kerris Dorsey in 1998 (age 22)
File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI
Read More Dave Matthews Band to perform Feb. 28 in Las Vegas


upi--2020-01-08--Famous birthdays for Jan. 8: Sam Riley, Noah Cyrus

Jan. 8 ( UPI ) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Capricorn .
-- Elvis @ @ @ @ @ Roll Hall of Fame 's `` undisputed king , '' in 1935 -- Rock and @ @ @ @ @ Robby Krieger in 1946 ( age 74 ) -- Rock and Roll Hall of Fame @ @ @ @ @

1/2
Sam Riley attends the premiere of "Maleficient: Mistress Of Evil" at Odeon Imax Waterloo in London on October 9. The actor turns 40 on January 8. File Photo by Rune Hellestad/UPI | License Photo
Jan. 8 (UPI) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Capricorn. They include: Advertisement
-- Publisher Frank Doubleday in 1862
-- Actor William Hartnell in 1908
-- Comic actor Larry Storch in 1923 (age 97)
-- Newsman Charles Osgood in 1933 (age 87)
-- Elvis Presley, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's "undisputed king," in 1935
-- Singer Shirley Bassey in 1937 (age 83)
Photo by Rune Hellestad/ UPI
-- Game show host Bob Eubanks in 1938 (age 82)
-- British comedian Graham Chapman in 1941
-- Actor Yvette Mimieux in 1942 (age 78)
-- British physicist/author Stephen Hawking 1942
-- Author Terry Brooks in 1944 (age 76)
-- Radio talk show host Kojo Nnamdi in 1945 (age 75)
-- Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member Robby Krieger in 1946 (age 74)
-- Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member David Bowie in 1947
-- Guitarist/singer Terry Sylvester in 1947 (age 73)
-- Singer R. Kelly, born as Robert Sylvester Kelly, in 1967 (age 53)
-- Singer Jenny Lewis in 1976 (age 44)
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File Photo by David Silpa/UPI
-- Actor Windell Middlebrooks in 1979
-- Actor Sam Riley in 1980 (age 40)
-- Actor Gaby Hoffmann in 1982 (age 38)
-- North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in 1984 (age 36)
-- Actor Freddie Stroma in 1987 (age 33)
-- Actor Khylin Rhambo in 1996 (age 24)
-- Actor Noah Cyrus in 2000 (age 20)


upi--2020-01-08--Boeing 737 crashes near Tehran shortly after takeoff, killing 176

Jan. 8 ( UPI ) -- A Boeing 737 crashed shortly after takeoff from Imam Khomeini International Airport in Tehran on Wednesday , killing all 176 people on board , according to Iranian state news media .
Iran 's Press TV reported that the Ukraine International Airlines flight went down minutes after departing for the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv with 167 passengers and nine crew early Wednesday , crashing near Parand , about 37 miles southwest of the capital Tehran .
Pirhossein Koulivand , Iran 's Emergency Medical Service chief , said there were no survivors , Iran 's semi-official @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the passengers died , '' he said .
Among the dead were 82 Iranians , 63 Canadians , 11 Ukrainians including the nine crew members , 10 Swedes , four Afghans , Three Germans and three Britons , Ukraine 's Foreign Minister Vadym Prystaiko said in a tweet .
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a Facebook post that he would be returning from a trip to Oman and offered his condolences to the victims ' families and friends .
Ali Khashani , a senior official at Imam Khomeini International Airport , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ technical problems , a conclusion the Ukrainian Embassy in Tehran reiterated in a statement that ruled out the possibility it was the result of an attack .
`` According to preliminary information from the Iranian side , the plane crashed due to an engine malfunction , '' the embassy said on its Facebook page .
`` The version of the terrorist attack or rocket attack is currently excluded . ''
In a statement , Ukraine Prime Minister Oleksiy Honcharuk said an operational headquarters has been set up to investigate the cause of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working on site .
Boeing , the plane 's embattled American manufacturer , said in a statement it was aware of the crash and was `` gathering more information . ''
The crash comes days before David L. Calhoun is to take over as the company 's CEO and president on Monday after Dennis Muilenburg resigned amid a leadership shakeup in the wake of two fatal crashes .
Boeing has been suffering significant financial losses and damage to its reputation since two 737 Max 8 planes crashed in a span of five months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 346 people .

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Workers are seen Wednesday amid wreckage from a Boeing 737 jetliner about 30 miles south of Tehran, Iran. Photo by Morteza Nikoubazi/UPI | License Photo
Jan. 8 (UPI) -- Investigators have located the "black boxes" from a Ukrainian airliner that crashed in Iran Wednesday and killed all 176 people aboard, state media reported. Broadcaster IRIB said the flight data and cockpit voice recorders were found at the crash site near Parand, about 35 miles southwest of Tehran. The Boeing 737 went down shortly after it left Imam Khomeini International Airport. Advertisement
The head of Iran's civil aviation authority said Tehran would not give the recorders to U.S.-based Boeing, Iran's semiofficial news agency Mehr reported.
The flight crashed with 167 passengers and nine crew aboard.
"Unfortunately, all the passengers died," Pir-Hossein Koulivand, Iran's Emergency Medical Service chief, said.
Among the dead were 82 Iranians, 63 Canadians, 11 Ukrainians, 10 Swedes, four Afghans, three Germans and three Britons, Ukraine's Foreign Minister Vadym Prystaiko said in a tweet.
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Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a Facebook post he would cut short a visit in Oman and return to Kiev.
Ali Khashani, a senior official at Imam Khomeini International Airport, said the crash was likely the result of a technical failure. The Ukrainian Embassy in Tehran initially agreed with that assessment, ruling out the possibility of an attack, but subsequently said it could not rule out any potential cause and deferred to an official commission to investigate.
Meanwhile, United International Airlines said it uses the Tehran airport to train on Boeing 737s and the crash was most probably not the result of the crew's error.
"Given the crew's experience, error probability is minimal," UIA Vice President Operations Ihor Sosnovsky said in a statement. "We do not even consider such a chance."
Ukrainian Prime Minister Oleksiy Honcharuk said in a statement an operational headquarters has been set up to investigate and Iranian consulate officials were at the site.
Zelensky declared Thursday a day of mourning, ordering all flags to be lowered and concerts and other entertainment performances to be banned.
In Canada, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said during a press conference the country was "shocked and saddened" to wake up to the news of the crash.
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"On behalf of all Canadians, I want to express my deepest condolences to those who are mourning the loss of a loved one. Your loss is indescribable, this is a heartbreaking tragedy. While no words will erase your pain, I want you to know an entire country is with you, we share your grief," he said.
Canada will work with its partners to "thoroughly" investigate the incident and it would not rule out any possible cause of the crash, he said.
"Canadians have questions," he said. "And they deserve answers."
Boeing said it was gathering information about the crash.
We are aware of the media reports out of Iran and we are gathering more information.— The Boeing Company (@Boeing) January 8, 2020
The crash is the latest blemish for the U.S. aviation giant, which will install new President and CEO David Calhoun on Monday to succeed Dennis Muilenburg, who was dismissed last month amid ongoing fallout related to trouble with Boeing's 737 Max fleet, which has been grounded worldwide for nearly a year.
Boeing has absorbed significant financial losses and damage to its reputation since two 737 Max 8s crashed in Indonesia and Ethiopia and killed nearly 350 people.


upi--2020-01-08--New Jersey police sergeant arrested in FBI corruption probe

Jan. 8 ( UPI ) -- Agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation arrested a New Jersey police sergeant accused of participating in a conspiracy to steal thousands of dollars from suspects of drug cases , authorities said .
The Department of Justice said Paterson Police Department Sgt .
Michael Cheff , 49 , was arrested Tuesday on civil rights and falsifying police report charges for stealing money and drugs from suspects who were illegally stopped and searched .
Cheff is the eight and highest-ranking officer arrested in connection to a three-year FBI corruption investigation , said Paterson Police Department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ never accept this as indicative of the hardworking men and women who serve [ the Paterson Police Department ] with integrity daily , '' he said .
According to the criminal complaint , officers would routinely steal money from drivers and passengers of vehicles and then pass along a portion of the proceeds to Cheff who would sign off on false police reports that omitted the illegal seizures of cash .
The Department of Justice accuses Cheff in the complaint of having instructed officers to log into evidence a portion of the money @ @ @ @ @ @ @ without documenting any seizure of cash would raise questions .
Authorities said in one instance in November 2017 , three officers illegally searched a vehicle and stole several hundred dollars from the handcuffed suspect before driving to the suspect 's house where he lived with his mother .
While one officer stayed with the handcuffed suspect in the police cruiser , Cheff joined the other two officers and entered the apartment where they gained permission to search the premises from the suspect 's mother , according to the criminal complaint .
A safe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suspect 's room from which Cheff stole money and narcotics before handing a portion of the ill-gotten gains to two officers to be placed into evidence .
`` Cheff kept the remainder of the cash , '' authorities said in the criminal complaint .
The suspect told the authorities there was $ 2,700 in the safe while $ 319 was logged into evidence .
Later in a Paterson police station bathroom , Cheff divided the money among the officers who participated in the illegal search and seizure , authorities said .
`` It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has sworn to uphold the law violates his oath and uses his badge as a license to commit a crime , '' Special Agent in Charge Gregory W. Ehrie said in a statement .
`` It is doubly so when that officer not only supervises others who are engaging in illegal activity but also -- as these charges allege -- participates . ''
Four cooperating witnesses in the case against Cheff have pleaded guilty to charges of conspiring to perform illegal search and seizures to steal money , according to the criminal complaint @ @ @ @ @ @ @ maximum of 10 years in prison for the conspiring to violate civil rights charge and 20 years in prison for the false records charge .

Jan. 8 (UPI) -- Agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation arrested a New Jersey police sergeant accused of participating in a conspiracy to steal thousands of dollars from suspects of drug cases, authorities said.
The Department of Justice said Paterson Police Department Sgt. Michael Cheff, 49, was arrested Tuesday on civil rights and falsifying police report charges for stealing money and drugs from suspects who were illegally stopped and searched.
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Cheff is the eighth and highest-ranking officer arrested in connection to a three-year FBI corruption investigation, said Paterson Police Department Director Jerry Speziale.
"We will never accept this as indicative of the hardworking men and women who serve [the Paterson Police Department] with integrity daily," he said.
According to the criminal complaint, officers would routinely steal money from drivers and passengers of vehicles and then pass along a portion of the proceeds to Cheff who would sign off on false police reports that omitted the illegal seizures of cash.
The Department of Justice accuses Cheff in the complaint of having instructed officers to log into evidence a portion of the money that they stole as conducting narcotics arrests without documenting any seizure of cash would raise questions.
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Authorities said in one instance in November 2017, three officers illegally searched a vehicle and stole several hundred dollars from the handcuffed suspect before driving to the suspect's house where he lived with his mother.
While one officer stayed with the handcuffed suspect in the police cruiser, Cheff joined the other two officers and entered the apartment where they gained permission to search the premises from the suspect's mother, according to the criminal complaint.
A safe was found in the closet of the suspect's room from which Cheff stole money and narcotics before handing a portion of the ill-gotten gains to two officers to be placed into evidence.
"Cheff kept the remainder of the cash," authorities said in the criminal complaint. The suspect told the authorities there was $2,700 in the safe while $319 was logged into evidence.
Later in a Paterson police station bathroom, Cheff divided the money among the officers who participated in the illegal search and seizure, authorities said.
"It is deeply troubling when an officer who has sworn to uphold the law violates his oath and uses his badge as a license to commit a crime," Special Agent in Charge Gregory W. Ehrie said in a statement. "It is doubly so when that officer not only supervises others who are engaging in illegal activity but also -- as these charges allege -- participates."
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Four cooperating witnesses in the case against Cheff have pleaded guilty to charges of conspiring to perform illegal search and seizures to steal money, according to the criminal complaint.
If convicted, Cheff faces a maximum of 10 years in prison for the conspiring to violate civil rights charge and 20 years in prison for the false records charge.


upi--2020-01-07--Impeachment: Pelosi says impeachment articles will stay put until McConnell unveils trial guidelines

Jan. 7 ( UPI ) -- Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi dug her heels into the sand late Tuesday saying she wo n't send articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump to the Senate until Democrats know what a trial in the upper chamber will look like .
Pelosi , D-Calif. , reiterated her stance to Democratic colleagues in a letter insisting that Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell unveil the resolution detailing the guidelines for the trial .
`` It is important that he immediately publish this resolution , so that , as I have said before , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be participating , appoint managers and transmit articles to the Senate , '' she wrote .
The letter came as an argument against McConnell , R-Ky. , who earlier Tuesday said he has the votes to proceed with President Donald Trump 's impeachment trial without first making a decision on whether to call witnesses sought by Democrats .
He said the question of witnesses will be decided after opening arguments in the case .
`` We have the votes , '' McConnell told reporters , to proceed with the trial in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's impeachment trial .
`` What 's good for President Clinton is good for President Trump , '' he said .
`` We 'll get around to a discussion of witnesses . ''
In her letter , Pelosi said calling this process similar to that of Clinton 's trial is `` simply not true , '' accusing the Republicans of designing a process that is `` not only unfair but designed to deprive Senators and the American people of crucial documents and testimony . ''
`` Under the Clinton trial , witnesses were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democratic leader Chuck Schumer , D-N.Y. , said the chamber should hear from witnesses and view evidence before hearing arguments .
`` There will be votes on the four witnesses we have asked for , '' he said .
Earlier Tuesday , McConnell criticized Pelosi for continuing to hold onto both articles of impeachment that were passed by the lower chamber almost three weeks ago .
House Democrats are withholding the articles from the Senate -- and , thus , delaying the start of the trial -- in a bid to negotiate with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' provisions of the proceeding .
McConnell has said repeatedly he 'd like a speedy trial and is working with Trump 's attorneys on the matter -- a move that 's drawn heavy criticism from Democrats due to the impartiality oath all senators must take before participating in the trial .
`` How inappropriate and how embarrassing to rush forward on a partisan basis and then treat ... what you 've done like a political toy , '' he said .
`` How contemptuous of the American people . ''
Politico reported Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ move ahead with planning the trial without help from Democrats .
Key Republican Sens .
Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska , however , have both indicated they favor delaying a decision on witnesses , which would be a victory for Democrats .
Both senators are considered `` swing '' voters .
Democrats have demanded the inclusion of multiple key administration witnesses and certain documents that were n't presented at the House impeachment inquiry .
Schumer said he plans to force votes concerning potential witnesses at the start of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the question of witnesses and documents , Republicans may run but they ca n't hide , '' he said .
`` There will be votes at the beginning on whether to call the four witnesses we 've proposed and subpoena the documents we 've identified .
`` If every Republican senator votes for a rigged trial that hides the truth , the American people will see that the Republican Senate is part of a large and awful cover-up . ''
McConnell and Schumer have been at an impasse for weeks over Democrats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ four witnesses -- including former national security adviser John Bolton , who said Monday he 's willing to testify if subpoenaed .
When asked on Tuesday if he would be OK with Bolton testifying , Trump said that decision will be `` up to the lawyers '' and the Senate , while also noting comments by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that he felt no pressure from Trump to carry out investigations into former Vice President Joe Biden and his son , Hunter Biden .
`` He would know nothing about what we 're @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bolton .
`` Because as you know the Ukranian government came out with a very strong statement -- 'no pressure , no anything ' -- and this is from the boss .
That 's from the president of Ukraine .
The foreign minister came out with a statement that was equally as strong . ''
In his remarks Tuesday , McConnell denounced the House impeachment process as `` most rushed , least thorough and most unfair '' in the nation 's history .
The House approved the articles Dec. 18 , formally making @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impeached by the lower chamber .
The articles accuse him of abusing his power and obstruction of Congress for resisting efforts to aid in the House inquiry .
McConnell is seeking two resolutions on the matter -- one defining the trial procedures and one to determine whether any witnesses should be called .

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Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi called for Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell to immediately release the guidelines of the Senate's impeachment trial of President Donald Trump. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
Jan. 7 (UPI) -- Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi dug her heels into the sand late Tuesday saying she won't send articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump to the Senate until Democrats know what a trial in the upper chamber will look like. Pelosi, D-Calif., reiterated her stance to Democratic colleagues in a letter insisting that Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell unveil the resolution detailing the guidelines for the trial. Advertisement
"It is important that he immediately publish this resolution, so that, as I have said before, we can see the arena in which we will be participating, appoint managers and transmit articles to the Senate," she wrote.
The letter came as an argument against McConnell, R-Ky., who earlier Tuesday said he has the votes to proceed with President Donald Trump's impeachment trial without first making a decision on whether to call witnesses sought by Democrats.
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He said the question of witnesses will be decided after opening arguments in the case.
"We have the votes," McConnell told reporters, to proceed with the trial in a similar fashion to former President Bill Clinton's impeachment trial.
"What's good for President Clinton is good for President Trump," he said. "We'll get around to a discussion of witnesses."
In her letter, Pelosi said calling this process similar to that of Clinton's trial is "simply not true," accusing the Republicans of designing a process that is "not only unfair but designed to deprive Senators and the American people of crucial documents and testimony."
"Under the Clinton trial, witnesses were deposed," she wrote.
Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said the chamber should hear from witnesses and view evidence before hearing arguments.
"There will be votes on the four witnesses we have asked for," he said.
Earlier Tuesday, McConnell criticized Pelosi for continuing to hold onto both articles of impeachment that were passed by the lower chamber almost three weeks ago. House Democrats are withholding the articles from the Senate -- and, thus, delaying the start of the trial -- in a bid to negotiate with upper chamber Republicans on certain "fair" provisions of the proceeding.
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McConnell has said repeatedly he'd like a speedy trial and is working with Trump's attorneys on the matter -- a move that's drawn heavy criticism from Democrats due to the impartiality oath all senators must take before participating in the trial.
"How inappropriate and how embarrassing to rush forward on a partisan basis and then treat ... what you've done like a political toy," he said. "How contemptuous of the American people."
Politico reported Tuesday McConnell had secured the 51 votes to move ahead with planning the trial without help from Democrats. Key Republican Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, however, have both indicated they favor delaying a decision on witnesses, which would be a victory for Democrats. Both senators are considered "swing" voters.
Democrats have demanded the inclusion of multiple key administration witnesses and certain documents that weren't presented at the House impeachment inquiry. Schumer said he plans to force votes concerning potential witnesses at the start of the trial.
"Make no mistake, on the question of witnesses and documents, Republicans may run but they can't hide," he said. "There will be votes at the beginning on whether to call the four witnesses we've proposed and subpoena the documents we've identified.
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"If every Republican senator votes for a rigged trial that hides the truth, the American people will see that the Republican Senate is part of a large and awful cover-up."
McConnell and Schumer have been at an impasse for weeks over Democrats' demands for the new evidence and four witnesses -- including former national security adviser John Bolton, who said Monday he's willing to testify if subpoenaed.
When asked on Tuesday if he would be OK with Bolton testifying, Trump said that decision will be "up to the lawyers" and the Senate, while also noting comments by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that he felt no pressure from Trump to carry out investigations into former Vice President Joe Biden and his son, Hunter Biden.
"He would know nothing about what we're talking about," Trump said of Bolton. "Because as you know the Ukranian government came out with a very strong statement -- 'no pressure, no anything' -- and this is from the boss. That's from the president of Ukraine. The foreign minister came out with a statement that was equally as strong."
In his remarks Tuesday, McConnell denounced the House impeachment process as "most rushed, least thorough and most unfair" in the nation's history.
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The House approved the articles Dec. 18, formally making Trump the third U.S. president to be impeached by the lower chamber. The articles accuse him of abusing his power and obstruction of Congress for resisting efforts to aid in the House inquiry.
McConnell is seeking two resolutions on the matter -- one defining the trial procedures and one to determine whether any witnesses should be called.


upi--2020-01-07--Texas Rangers bringing back catcher Robinson Chirinos on one-year deal

Jan. 7 ( UPI ) -- The Texas Rangers are signing free-agent catcher Robinson Chirinos to a one-year contract .
League sources told ESPN and MLB Media on Tuesday night that Chirinos agreed to a one-year , $ 6.75 million deal with the Rangers .
The club has n't confirmed the agreement , which is pending a physical .
The contract includes a $ 5.75 million base salary for the 2020 season , according to ESPN .
Chirinos ' deal also has a club option for 2021 that is worth $ 6.5 million with a $ 1 million buyout .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tampa Bay Rays in 2011 .
He was traded to the Rangers in April 2013 and spent six seasons with Texas before joining the Houston Astros in free agency last off-season .
Chirinos played in a career-high 114 regular-season games in Houston last season and recorded a .238 batting average with 17 home runs and 58 RBIs .
In his final season before leaving the Rangers in 2018 , he set career highs in homers ( 18 ) and RBIs ( 65 ) .
In 576 career games between the Rays , Rangers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .234 batting average with 85 home runs and 262 RBIs .

Former Houston Astros catcher Robinson Chirinos spent six seasons with the Texas Rangers before joining the Astros last off-season. File Photo by Pat Benic/UPI | License Photo
Jan. 7 (UPI) -- The Texas Rangers are signing free-agent catcher Robinson Chirinos to a one-year contract. League sources told ESPN and MLB Media on Tuesday night that Chirinos agreed to a one-year, $6.75 million deal with the Rangers. The club hasn't confirmed the agreement, which is pending a physical. Advertisement
The contract includes a $5.75 million base salary for the 2020 season, according to ESPN. Chirinos' deal also has a club option for 2021 that is worth $6.5 million with a $1 million buyout.
Chirinos made his MLB debut with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2011. He was traded to the Rangers in April 2013 and spent six seasons with Texas before joining the Houston Astros in free agency last off-season.
Chirinos played in a career-high 114 regular-season games in Houston last season and recorded a .238 batting average with 17 home runs and 58 RBIs. In his final season before leaving the Rangers in 2018, he set career highs in homers (18) and RBIs (65).
In 576 career games between the Rays, Rangers and Astros, Chirinos has a career .234 batting average with 85 home runs and 262 RBIs.