upi--2020-04-23--American shale oil may go bust

American shale oil may go bust

April 23 ( UPI ) -- U.S. oil is suffering unprecedented distress , as demonstrated by the benchmark West Texas Intermediate crude price crashing into negative territory .
This is a `` triple black swan '' of an oversupply of oil driven by OPEC and Russia , COVID-19 demand destruction and having nowhere to store it .
Oil traders reacted on Monday , the day that May forward contracts for WTI crude were due to settle .
Many offloaded their contracts at any price to avoid taking delivery of oil they could n't store , and the May WTI price @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has turned to the June price , which is just under $ 15 , still the lowest in decades .
Though prices will rebound , the bigger question concerns long-term viability .
U.S. oil companies have feasted on a decade-long diet of rampant liquidity thanks to very low short-term interest rates and quantitative easing .
With many able to finance and refinance drilling with a break-even price of $ 40 and above per barrel , this brought into play lots of shale oil , whose fracking requirements are far costlier than basic onshore @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the past decade to become world number one , overtaking Russia and Saudi Arabia .
Around two-thirds is shale , which is now in big trouble .
Of the 16 percent of U.S. companies that are `` zombies , '' meaning cash flow does n't cover their debts , a good proportion will be in oil .
Oil companies ' loans will be based on assumptions about prices that definitely wo n't include the current levels .
Companies also finance themselves by issuing corporate bonds at the lowest investment grade .
These @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , causing borrowing costs to rise sharply .
Even `` normal '' onshore drilling looks challenging today , with over two-thirds of Texas wells uneconomic at prices below $ 25 by some estimates .
Rigs are shut down as there is nowhere for oil to go , globally .
The value of U.S. energy companies in the S & P 500 has halved in 2020 to $ 633 billion , less than half that of Microsoft .
Research firm Rystad Energy predicts up to 533 bankruptcies by the end of 2021 if WTI @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increase from 2019 .
So where do things go from here ?
OPEC , led by the Saudis , controls substantial portions of global oil .
It tries to set oil prices by raising or cutting production .
For the past three years , OPEC has been making these decisions in a formal alliance with Russia and other nations that is known as OPEC Plus .
Two events caused the current crisis .
Saudi Arabia flooded the market with oil in March after Russia refused to sanction any further OPEC action to raise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ war just when COVID-19 was crushing world oil demand .
Prices fell hard .
To some , the Russians and Saudis were playing a `` good cop , bad cop '' routine to drive U.S. shale out of business , with the Saudis playing protector of global prices and the Russians , wounded by U.S. economic sanctions , refusing to play ball .
Either way , both have much to gain by knocking out pricier U.S. shale .
Meanwhile , China has been buying up Saudi and Russian oil on the uber cheap @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. oil .
Some say the Saudi-Russia price warriors miscalculated America 's response .
President Donald Trump used threats like hefty oil tariffs to secure a new OPEC Plus deal to cut production by 10 percent on April 12 .
This was bolstered by production cuts from other G20 countries .
Yet prices kept falling : Arguably the deal was more about allowing Americans to save face rather than seriously committing to production cuts , and therefore higher prices and stability .
With a sniper 's precision , some believe , Saudi oil @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in May to unload a 50 million barrel `` oil bomb '' into Saudi-owned U.S. refineries .
There is precious little space for existing American crude , much less Saudi imports , hence Monday 's historic price drop .
Trump has said the U.S. is devising a rescue plan to save its oil industry .
As part of its $ 2 trillion stimulus package , rescue moves could even include buying stakes in firms , though negotiating with congressional Democrats looks difficult .
An alternative is to `` virtually '' buy more U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ production companies to keep it in the ground -- possibly by designating this part of the U.S. strategic petroleum reserve .
This would help contain jobs devastation and help Trump in vote-rich Texas and other key areas , while pleasing contributors to his campaign war chest .
Another option is retaliatory tariffs on Saudi oil refined in America , or even a full ban .
Oil companies are restructuring hastily -- assessing the value of reserves , and asking creditors for debt waivers .
The U.S. government has helped by extending companies ' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ liabilities , which can make them more attractive to buyers .
Nonetheless , some companies sitting on the priciest oil will get liquidated .
In other cases , big creditor banks could take over businesses , or demand mergers and acquisitions , including consolidations .
The biggest uncertainty is how long until the oil price rebounds ?
With the economy only likely to reopen gradually , demand will stay low for some time while supply remains too high .
The futures markets expect WTI to bounce back to the high $ 20s by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do n't foresee a return to even $ 40 oil until December 2024 .
How much U.S. shale oil is worth saving in these straitened circumstances is key .
Some estimate as many as 70 percent of firms will go out of business overall , with some never coming back until oil stabilizes above $ 50 .
Others may be taken over by companies prepared to wait for higher prices .
As oil historian Daniel Yergin says , `` Rocks do n't go bankrupt . ''
U.S. shale is in a sort of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that way for the foreseeable future .
Jorge Guira is an associate professor of law and finance at the University of Reading .
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license .
Read the original article .

The benchmark West Texas Intermediate crude price crashed into negative territory this week. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
April 23 (UPI) -- U.S. oil is suffering unprecedented distress, as demonstrated by the benchmark West Texas Intermediate crude price crashing into negative territory. This is a "triple black swan" of an oversupply of oil driven by OPEC and Russia, COVID-19 demand destruction and having nowhere to store it. Oil traders reacted on Monday, the day that May forward contracts for WTI crude were due to settle. Many offloaded their contracts at any price to avoid taking delivery of oil they couldn't store, and the May WTI price plunged to $-37.53. Now attention has turned to the June price, which is just under $15, still the lowest in decades. Advertisement
Though prices will rebound, the bigger question concerns long-term viability. U.S. oil companies have feasted on a decade-long diet of rampant liquidity thanks to very low short-term interest rates and quantitative easing. With many able to finance and refinance drilling with a break-even price of $40 and above per barrel, this brought into play lots of shale oil, whose fracking requirements are far costlier than basic onshore oil.
Advertisement
This tripled U.S. oil production in the past decade to become world number one, overtaking Russia and Saudi Arabia. Around two-thirds is shale, which is now in big trouble. Of the 16 percent of U.S. companies that are "zombies," meaning cash flow doesn't cover their debts, a good proportion will be in oil. Oil companies' loans will be based on assumptions about prices that definitely won't include the current levels. Companies also finance themselves by issuing corporate bonds at the lowest investment grade. These are vulnerable to being downgraded to junk, causing borrowing costs to rise sharply.
Even "normal" onshore drilling looks challenging today, with over two-thirds of Texas wells uneconomic at prices below $25 by some estimates. Rigs are shut down as there is nowhere for oil to go, globally.
The value of U.S. energy companies in the S&P 500 has halved in 2020 to $633 billion, less than half that of Microsoft. Research firm Rystad Energy predicts up to 533 bankruptcies by the end of 2021 if WTI prices average $20, a massive increase from 2019. So where do things go from here?
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The road to Black April
OPEC, led by the Saudis, controls substantial portions of global oil. It tries to set oil prices by raising or cutting production. For the past three years, OPEC has been making these decisions in a formal alliance with Russia and other nations that is known as OPEC Plus.
Two events caused the current crisis. Saudi Arabia flooded the market with oil in March after Russia refused to sanction any further OPEC action to raise the price. This caused a price war just when COVID-19 was crushing world oil demand. Prices fell hard.
To some, the Russians and Saudis were playing a "good cop, bad cop" routine to drive U.S. shale out of business, with the Saudis playing protector of global prices and the Russians, wounded by U.S. economic sanctions, refusing to play ball. Either way, both have much to gain by knocking out pricier U.S. shale. Meanwhile, China has been buying up Saudi and Russian oil on the uber cheap, while delaying on promises to buy U.S. oil.
Some say the Saudi-Russia price warriors miscalculated America's response. President Donald Trump used threats like hefty oil tariffs to secure a new OPEC Plus deal to cut production by 10 percent on April 12. This was bolstered by production cuts from other G20 countries. Yet prices kept falling: Arguably the deal was more about allowing Americans to save face rather than seriously committing to production cuts, and therefore higher prices and stability.
Advertisement
With a sniper's precision, some believe, Saudi oil tankers are timed to reach New Orleans in May to unload a 50 million barrel "oil bomb" into Saudi-owned U.S. refineries. There is precious little space for existing American crude, much less Saudi imports, hence Monday's historic price drop.
Uncle Sam to the rescue?
Trump has said the U.S. is devising a rescue plan to save its oil industry. As part of its $2 trillion stimulus package, rescue moves could even include buying stakes in firms, though negotiating with congressional Democrats looks difficult.
An alternative is to "virtually" buy more U.S. oil and await better days, paying production companies to keep it in the ground -- possibly by designating this part of the U.S. strategic petroleum reserve. This would help contain jobs devastation and help Trump in vote-rich Texas and other key areas, while pleasing contributors to his campaign war chest. Another option is retaliatory tariffs on Saudi oil refined in America, or even a full ban.
Oil companies are restructuring hastily -- assessing the value of reserves, and asking creditors for debt waivers. The U.S. government has helped by extending companies' ability to offset losses against future tax liabilities, which can make them more attractive to buyers.
Advertisement
Nonetheless, some companies sitting on the priciest oil will get liquidated. In other cases, big creditor banks could take over businesses, or demand mergers and acquisitions, including consolidations.
The biggest uncertainty is how long until the oil price rebounds? With the economy only likely to reopen gradually, demand will stay low for some time while supply remains too high. The futures markets expect WTI to bounce back to the high $20s by the end of the year, but don't foresee a return to even $40 oil until December 2024.
How much U.S. shale oil is worth saving in these straitened circumstances is key. Some estimate as many as 70 percent of firms will go out of business overall, with some never coming back until oil stabilizes above $50. Others may be taken over by companies prepared to wait for higher prices. As oil historian Daniel Yergin says, "Rocks don't go bankrupt." U.S. shale is in a sort of death pageant, and will probably remain that way for the foreseeable future.
Advertisement
Jorge Guira is an associate professor of law and finance at the University of Reading. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.


upi--2020-04-23--2 ex-Syrian military operators stand trial in Germany for war crimes

April 23 ( UPI ) -- A former Syrian military officer and a subordinate stood trial for war crimes in Germany on Thursday .
Former Col. Anwar Raslan is accused of complicity in fostering torture and inhumane conditions that resulted in the deaths of dozens of anti-government activists in 2011 and 2012 .
Prosecutors said at least 4,000 were tortured .
Subordinate Eyad al-Gharib is charged with aiding and abetting in crimes against humanity .
Their trial began Thursday in the High Regional Court in Koblenz .
The pair were living in Germany as refugees when they were arrested a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ occurred outside of Germany , prosecutors are trying them there under a principle known as `` universal jurisdiction . ''
`` It is a good first step , an important step , but it is not going to be sufficient to fulfill the demands for justice of the Syrian people , '' said Mohammed Al Abdallah , director of the Washington , D.C.-based Syrian Justice and Accountability Center .
Raslan defected in 2012 , less than a year into Syrian 's civil war and joined forces opposed to President Bashar al-Assad 's regime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say the trial could discourage other Syrian troops and al-Assad supporters from doing the same , and keep them from providing information that could lead to future war crimes trials .
The trial is expected to last as long as three years .
`` The overriding message to all members of the regime in Syria and all over the world is that you ca n't be safe , '' said Stefanie Bock , director of the International Research and Documentation Center for War CrimesTrials at Germany 's University of Marburg .

Syrian citizens walk through debris in an Aleppo, Syria, neighborhood after it was destroyed by multiple bomb blasts on October 3, 2012. Two former military operators stood trial Thursday for war crimes they're accused with, stemming from violence in Syria in 2011 and 2012. File Photo by SANA/UPI | License Photo
April 23 (UPI) -- A former Syrian military officer and a subordinate stood trial for war crimes in Germany on Thursday. Former Col. Anwar Raslan is accused of complicity in fostering torture and inhumane conditions that resulted in the deaths of dozens of anti-government activists in 2011 and 2012. Prosecutors said at least 4,000 were tortured. Advertisement
Subordinate Eyad al-Gharib is charged with aiding and abetting in crimes against humanity.
Their trial began Thursday in the High Regional Court in Koblenz. The pair were living in Germany as refugees when they were arrested a year ago.
Although the purported crimes occurred outside of Germany, prosecutors are trying them there under a principle known as "universal jurisdiction."
"It is a good first step, an important step, but it is not going to be sufficient to fulfill the demands for justice of the Syrian people," said Mohammed Al Abdallah, director of the Washington, D.C.-based Syrian Justice and Accountability Center.
Raslan defected in 2012, less than a year into Syrian's civil war and joined forces opposed to President Bashar al-Assad's regime two years later. Some legal experts say the trial could discourage other Syrian troops and al-Assad supporters from doing the same, and keep them from providing information that could lead to future war crimes trials.
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The trial is expected to last as long as three years.
"The overriding message to all members of the regime in Syria and all over the world is that you can't be safe," said Stefanie Bock, director of the International Research and Documentation Center for War CrimesTrials at Germany's University of Marburg.


upi--2020-04-23--Global floods will affect 147M a year, cost $700B by 2030, WRI study says

April 23 ( UPI ) -- The number of people affected worldwide by substantial flooding will double by 2030 due to climate change and other factors , new research said in a report Thursday .
The World Resources Institute said its Aqueduct Floods prediction tool shows 147 million people per year will be impacted by flooding events along rivers and in coastal area within 10 years , up from just 72 million in 2010 .
The 28-page report says economic damage in riverine urban areas , meanwhile , will soar from $ 157 billion to $ 535 billion annually , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 177 billion along sea coastlines .
That 's a combined economic flooding impact of more than $ 700 billion by 2030 .
`` Flooding has already caused more than $ 1 trillion in losses globally since 1980 , and the situation is poised to worsen , '' WRI water program associate Samantha Kuzma wrote in a blog post .
Researchers said the worsening situation has been compounded by the convergence of three factors -- heavier rains and storms fueled by climate change , population growth near coasts and rivers and the overdrawing of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ called on governments to take flood mitigation into account when spending to recover from the coronavirus pandemic .
`` At a time when the COVID-19 pandemic is already threatening human health and economies , it 's clear that flood protection should be a priority investment for governments and other decision-makers , '' Kuzma said .
Along with traditional dikes and levees , researchers urged greater investment in `` green infrastructure '' such as mangroves , reefs and sand dunes , which can act as natural buffers to coastal storms .
`` Protecting and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and other benefits like water filtration and reduced greenhouse gas emissions , '' Kuzma added .
Returns on flood control investments are strong , according to the analysis .
It said every dollar spent on an ongoing project to upgrade dike infrastructure in Bangladesh , for example , will result in $ 123 in avoided damages to urban property .

The Seine River crests in front of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France, on June 3, 2016. The WRI report forecasts more than $700 billion in economic damage from flooding by 2030. File Photo by David Silpa/UPI | License Photo
April 23 (UPI) -- The number of people affected worldwide by substantial flooding will double by 2030 due to climate change and other factors, new research said in a report Thursday. The World Resources Institute said its Aqueduct Floods prediction tool shows 147 million people per year will be impacted by flooding events along rivers and in coastal area within 10 years, up from just 72 million in 2010. Advertisement
The Aqueduct Floods tool analyzes global flood risks and solutions.
The 28-page report says economic damage in riverine urban areas, meanwhile, will soar from $157 billion to $535 billion annually, and from $17 billion to $177 billion along sea coastlines. That's a combined economic flooding impact of more than $700 billion by 2030.
"Flooding has already caused more than $1 trillion in losses globally since 1980, and the situation is poised to worsen," WRI water program associate Samantha Kuzma wrote in a blog post.
Researchers said the worsening situation has been compounded by the convergence of three factors -- heavier rains and storms fueled by climate change, population growth near coasts and rivers and the overdrawing of groundwater for subsistence farming.
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The group called on governments to take flood mitigation into account when spending to recover from the coronavirus pandemic.
"At a time when the COVID-19 pandemic is already threatening human health and economies, it's clear that flood protection should be a priority investment for governments and other decision-makers," Kuzma said.
Along with traditional dikes and levees, researchers urged greater investment in "green infrastructure" such as mangroves, reefs and sand dunes, which can act as natural buffers to coastal storms.
"Protecting and restoring this natural infrastructure offers flood protection and other benefits like water filtration and reduced greenhouse gas emissions," Kuzma added.
Returns on flood control investments are strong, according to the analysis. It said every dollar spent on an ongoing project to upgrade dike infrastructure in Bangladesh, for example, will result in $123 in avoided damages to urban property.


upi--2020-04-23--AEW Dynamite: Darby Allin and Sammy Guevara battle, MJF gives update

April 23 ( UPI ) -- Darby Allin took on Sammy Guevara in a quarter final match as the TNT Championship tournament continued on Dynamite .
Guevara , who hails from Chris Jericho 's Inner Circle , attacked Allin before the bell rang and the match could officially start on Wednesday .
The Spanish God threw Allin into the steel barricades at ringside and set up a ladder between the ring and guardrail .
Guevara placed Allin on the ladder and then delivered a Splash to his opponent from the top turnbuckle , hurting both men in the process .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ brought Allin into the ring .
Allin got back into the bout by taking off Guevara 's boot after he got caught up in the ropes .
Allin continued to focus on Guevara 's exposed foot while Guevara tried his best to fight on one leg .
Guevara was able to unleash a 630 Splash from the top rope but Allin survived the attack .
The match ended once Allin escaped from Guevara 's GTS and countered with The Last Supper to advance further into the tournament .
Allin will face Cody next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tournament , which will crown the first-ever TNT Champion , will end at AEW 's Double or Nothing pay-per-view event which is scheduled to take place on May 23 .
Dustin Rhodes , the older brother of Cody , faced Kip Sabian in Dynamite 's second quarter final match .
Sabian was accompanied to the ring by his fiancee Penelope Ford while Dustin Rhodes came with Cody 's wife , Brandi Rhodes .
Dustin Rhodes said that if he did not win this match , he would retire from professional wrestling .
Sabian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dustin Rhodes , gained an advantage early due to interference from Ford .
Sabian targeted Dustin Rhodes ' knee and was in control until The Natural gained a second wind and started fighting back .
Ford attempted to interfere again and ran into the ring but Brandi Rhodes took her out with a Spear .
Dustin Rhodes then won the match after hitting Sabian with a Code Red Canadian Destroyer for the three count .
Dustin Rhodes will go on to face Lance Archer in a semi-final match .
Also on Dynamite , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not facing him in a match at the Hardy Compound .
Hardy then extended his offer to Guevara to battle him at the infamous location .
Hardy , when addressing Jericho a second time , reverted back to his normal self and promised Le Champion that he will soon get his hands on him .
MJF returned and delivered a health update from outside his home about why he has n't been seen on Dynamite in recent weeks .
MJF , who was wearing a cast , said that he received a hangnail @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to recover .
`` I will be back and like a phoenix I will rise from the ashes and I will become your AEW World Champion , because I 'm better than you , and you know it , '' MJF said .
Other moments from Dynamite included AEW World Tag Team Champion Kenny Omega defeating Alan Angels ; Orange Cassidy defeating Jimmy Havoc ; MJF 's bodyguard Wardlow defeating Lee Johnson ; and The Exalted One Brodie Lee defeating Justin Law .

April 23 (UPI) -- Darby Allin took on Sammy Guevara in a quarter final match as the TNT Championship tournament continued on Dynamite.
Guevara, who hails from Chris Jericho's Inner Circle, attacked Allin before the bell rang and the match could officially start on Wednesday.
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The Spanish God threw Allin into the steel barricades at ringside and set up a ladder between the ring and guardrail. Guevara placed Allin on the ladder and then delivered a Splash to his opponent from the top turnbuckle, hurting both men in the process.
The match officially started when Guevara finally brought Allin into the ring. Allin got back into the bout by taking off Guevara's boot after he got caught up in the ropes.
Allin continued to focus on Guevara's exposed foot while Guevara tried his best to fight on one leg. Guevara was able to unleash a 630 Splash from the top rope but Allin survived the attack. The match ended once Allin escaped from Guevara's GTS and countered with The Last Supper to advance further into the tournament.
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Allin will face Cody next week in a semi-final match. The tournament, which will crown the first-ever TNT Champion, will end at AEW's Double or Nothing pay-per-view event which is scheduled to take place on May 23.
Dustin Rhodes, the older brother of Cody, faced Kip Sabian in Dynamite's second quarter final match. Sabian was accompanied to the ring by his fiancee Penelope Ford while Dustin Rhodes came with Cody's wife, Brandi Rhodes.
Dustin Rhodes said that if he did not win this match, he would retire from professional wrestling. Sabian, who had refused a handshake from Dustin Rhodes, gained an advantage early due to interference from Ford.
Sabian targeted Dustin Rhodes' knee and was in control until The Natural gained a second wind and started fighting back. Ford attempted to interfere again and ran into the ring but Brandi Rhodes took her out with a Spear.
Dustin Rhodes then won the match after hitting Sabian with a Code Red Canadian Destroyer for the three count. Dustin Rhodes will go on to face Lance Archer in a semi-final match.
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Also on Dynamite, Broken Matt Hardy called out Jericho for not facing him in a match at the Hardy Compound. Hardy then extended his offer to Guevara to battle him at the infamous location.
Hardy, when addressing Jericho a second time, reverted back to his normal self and promised Le Champion that he will soon get his hands on him.
MJF returned and delivered a health update from outside his home about why he hasn't been seen on Dynamite in recent weeks.
MJF, who was wearing a cast, said that he received a hangnail while gambling on Dynamite, and needed to recover.
"I will be back and like a phoenix I will rise from the ashes and I will become your AEW World Champion, because I'm better than you, and you know it," MJF said.
Other moments from Dynamite included AEW World Tag Team Champion Kenny Omega defeating Alan Angels; Orange Cassidy defeating Jimmy Havoc; MJF's bodyguard Wardlow defeating Lee Johnson; and The Exalted One Brodie Lee defeating Justin Law.


upi--2020-04-23--Netflix: What's coming and going in May 2020

April 23 ( UPI ) -- Netflix subscribers can watch Space Force , a new comedy starring Steve Carell and @ @ @ @ @ a new drama from producer Ryan Murphy , and the Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt : Kimmy @ @ @ @ @ in May .
The streaming service released a list of the movies , TV shows @ @ @ @ @ coming and going next month .
Here 's the full list of what 's being @ @ @ @ @ : Go !
Go !
Cory Carson : The Chrissy ( Netflix Original ) The @ @ @ @ @ Original ) House at the End of the Street She-Ra and the Princesses of Power @ @ @ @ @ ) Just Go with It Kenny Sebastian : The Most Interesting Person in the Room @ @ @ @ @ it All starring OnlyJayus Here 's the full list of what 's leaving Netflix in @ @ @ @ @ the Pines She 's Out of My League Yours , Mine and Ours Austin Powers @ @ @ @ @ Me The Naked Gun : From the Files of Police Squad !

Steve Carell stars in "Space Force," a new comedy series premiering May 29 on Netflix. Photo courtesy of Netflix
April 23 (UPI) -- Netflix subscribers can watch Space Force, a new comedy starring Steve Carell and Lisa Kudrow, Hollywood, a new drama from producer Ryan Murphy, and the Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Kimmy vs. the Reverend interactive special in May. The streaming service released a list of the movies, TV shows, comedy specials and documentaries coming and going next month. Advertisement
Here's the full list of what's being added to Netflix in May:
May 1
All Day and a Night (Netflix Original)
Almost Happy (Netflix Original)
Get In (Netflix Original)
Go! Go! Cory Carson: The Chrissy (Netflix Original)
The Half of It (Netflix Original)
Hollywood (Netflix Original)
Into the Night (Netflix Original)
Medici: The Magnificent Part 2 (Netflix Original)
Mrs. Serial Killer (Netflix Original)
Reckoning Season 1
Ace Ventura: Pet Detective
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Back to the Future
Back to the Future II
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Cracked Up, The Darrell Hammond Story
Den of Thieves
For Colored Girls
Fun with Dick & Jane
I Am Divine
Jarhead
Jarhead 2: Field of Fire
Jarhead 3: The Siege
Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa
Masha and the Bear Season 4
Material
Monthly Girls' Nozaki Kun Season 1
Sinister
Song of the Sea
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Heartbreak Kid
The Patriot
Thomas & Friends: Marvelous Machinery: A New Arrival
Thomas & Friends: Marvelous Machinery: World of Tomorrow
Thomas & Friends: Thomas and the Royal Engine
Underworld
Underworld: Evolution
Underworld: Rise of the Lycans
Urban Cowboy
What a Girl Wants
Willy Wonka& the Chocolate Factory
May 4
Arctic Dogs
May 5
Jerry Seinfeld: 23 Hours to Kill (Netflix Original)
May 6
Workin' Moms Season 4 (Netflix Original)
May 7
Scissor Seven Season 2 (Netflix Original)
May 8
18 regali (Netflix Original)
Chico Bon Bon: Monkey with a Tool Belt (Netflix Original)
Dead to Me Season 2 (Netflix Original)
The Eddy (Netflix Original)
The Hollow Season 2 (Netflix Original)
House at the End of the Street
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Restaurants on the Edge Season 2 (Netflix Original)
Rust Valley Restorers Season 2 (Netflix Original)
Valeria (Netflix Original)
May 9
Charmed Season 2
Grey's Anatomy Season 16
May 11
Bordertown Season 3 (Netflix Original)
Have a Good Trip: Adventures in Psychedelics (Netflix Original)
Trial by Media (Netflix Original)
May 12
True: Terrific Tales (Netflix Original)
Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Kimmy vs. the Reverend (Netflix Original)
May 13
The Wrong Missy (Netflix Original)
May 14
Riverdale Season 4
May 15
Chichipatos (Netflix Original)
District 9
I Love You, Stupid (Netflix Original)
Inhuman Resources (Netflix Original)
Magic for Humans Season 3 (Netflix Original)
She-Ra and the Princesses of Power Season 5 (Netflix Original)
White Lines (Netflix Original)
May 16
La reina de Indias y el conquistador (Netflix Original)
Public Enemies
United 93
May 17
Soul Surfer
May 18
The Big Flower Fight (Netflix Original)
May 19
Patton Oswalt: I Love Everything (Netflix Original)
Sweet Magnolias (Netflix Original)
Trumbo
May 20
Ben Platt Live from Radio City Music Hall (Netflix Original)
The Flash Season 6
Rebelión de los Godinez (Netflix Original)
May 22
Control Z (Netflix Original)
History 101 (Netflix Original)
Just Go with It
The Lovebirds (Netflix Original)
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Selling Sunset Season 2 (Netflix Original)
Trailer Park Boys: The Animated Series Season 2 (Netflix Original)
May 23
Dynasty Season 3
May 25
Ne Zha
Norm of the North: Family Vacation
Uncut Gems
May 26
Hannah Gadsby: Douglas (Netflix Original)
May 27
I'm No Longer Here (Netflix Original)
The Lincoln Lawyer
May 28
Dorohedoro (Netflix Original)
La corazonada (Netflix Original)
May 29
Space Force (Netflix Original)
Somebody Feed Phil Season 3 (Netflix Original)
May 31
High Strung Free Dance
Coming soon:
Blood & Water (Netflix Original)
Kenny Sebastian: The Most Interesting Person in the Room (Netflix Original)
Mystic Pop-up Bar (Netflix Original)
Supergirl Season 5
Podcasts coming in May:
Netflix is a Daily Joke
Know it All starring OnlyJayus
Here's the full list of what's leaving Netflix in May:
May 1
John Carter
May 15
Limitless
The Place Beyond the Pines
May 17
Royal Pains Seasons 1-8
May 18
Scandal Seasons 1-7
May 19
Black Snake Moan
Carriers
Evolution
The First Wives Club
It Takes Two
Love, Rosie
She's Out of My League
What's Eating Gilbert Grape
Young Adult
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Yours, Mine and Ours
May 25
Bitten Seasons 1-3
May 30
Bob Ross: Beauty is Everywhere Collection 1
May 31
Austin Powers in Goldmember
Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery
Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me
Dear John
Final Destination
Final Destination 2
Final Destination 3
The Final Destination
Ghosts of Girlfriends Past
Looney Tunes: Back in Action
My Girl
Naked Gun 2 1/2: The Smell of Fear
The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!
Outbreak
Red Dawn
Richie Rich


upi--2020-04-23--Antonio Guterres: Coronavirus fast becoming human rights crisis

Pope Francis , isolated in front of an empty square from the sagrato of St. Peter 's Basilica in St. @ @ @ @ @ City , offers an extraordinary moment of prayer in time of pandemic , the adoration @ @ @ @ @ on March 27 .
The `` Salus Populi Romani '' icon and the crucifix of @ @ @ @ @ in front of the central door of the basilica .
Vatican media broadcast the ceremony @ @ @ @ @ it could also be followed in several languages on Facebook and YouTube .
Photo by @ @ @

A couple hold hands in West New York, N.J., on Wednesday with the Manhattan skyline in the background. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
April 23 (UPI) -- United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Thursday the coronavirus pandemic is "fast becoming a human rights crisis" and warned governments against using it as an excuse to adopt draconian measures. Guterres made the remarks in a video accompanying a new U.N. report that says human rights should guide the coronavirus response, and stated that people and their rights "must come first." Advertisement
The U.N. chief said the virus, which has infected more than 2.6 million people worldwide, does not discriminate but its impacts do, exposing weaknesses in the delivery of public services and structural inequalities that impede their access.
"We see the disproportionate effects on certain communities, the rise of hate speech, the targeting of vulnerable groups and the risks of heavy-handed security responses undermining the health response," he said. "Against the background of rising ethnonationalism, populism, authoritarianism and a pushback against human rights in some countries, the crisis can provide a pretext to adopt repressive measures for purposes unrelated to the pandemic."
According to the report, migrants, refugees and internally displaced persons are particularly vulnerable to human rights violations, as are racial, ethnic and religious minorities, women and health workers who have been ostracized and attacked during the pandemic.
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These marginalized and vulnerable populations are subject to discrimination and the pandemic is revealing the structural inequalities that cause certain groups to be disproportionately affected, it said.
The report also warned that the pandemic, through furthering economic hardships, will raise already high tensions and could provoke civil unrest.
Guterres said emergency responses must be legal, proportionate, necessary and non-discriminatory and directed with a specific focus and within a defined time frame. Governments must be transparent, responsive and accountable, he said.
"The best response is one that responds proportionately to immediate threats while protecting human rights and the rule of law"
Scenes from a pandemic: World copes with COVID-19


upi--2020-04-23--ACLU: Jails could double U.S. coronavirus death toll

April 23 ( UPI ) -- The number of deaths in the United States to the coronavirus may end up being double the Trump administration 's projections unless prison populations are reduced , the American Civil Liberties Union warned .
President Donald Trump and his Coronavirus Task Force projected in late March between 100,000 and 240,000 deaths to the virus but a new epidemiological study released Wednesday by the non-profit organization and its academic partners said the White House could be off by 100,000 due to the omission of jails from most public models .
`` Numbers used by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ factors that will explosively increase the loss of life unless drastic reforms are adopted to reduce the nation 's jail populations , '' the report said .
Those overlooked factors include : the United States has the highest incarceration rate in the world , making models based on data from other countries understate deaths ; U.S. jails and prisons are overcrowded and `` substantially inferior '' to those of European and other Western nations ; and jails can act as vectors for disease due to the high number of people they discharge daily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ result of the constant movement between jails and the broader community , our jails will act as vectors for the COVID-19 pandemic in our communities , '' the report said .
`` They will become veritable volcanoes for the spread of the virus . ''
The report concludes the social distancing measures adopted by the larger society will be ineffective unless they are extended to incarceration facilities as well .
To prevent this from occurring , the ACLU called on officials to swiftly reduce detention facility populations .
The report was published a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ D.C. , recorded their first inmate deaths from COVID-19 .
The ACLU has been pushing for states to release inmates vulnerable to the coronavirus .
The report is based on data from more than 1,200 midsize and large jail systems whose surrounding communities account for 90 percent of the U.S. population .
`` Keeping people out of jail saves lives -- both inside the jail and in the surrounding community , '' the ACLU said in a statement .
`` Lives are at stake .
The time to act is now . ''

If we don't decarcerate, the COVID-19 crisis could lead to approximately 100,000 more avoidable deaths in jails and surrounding communities. This is a matter of life or death. pic.twitter.com/4nViWbFj3c— ACLU (@ACLU) April 22, 2020
April 23 (UPI) -- The number of deaths in the United States to the coronavirus may end up being double the Trump administration's projections unless prison populations are reduced, the American Civil Liberties Union warned.
President Donald Trump and his Coronavirus Task Force projected in late March between 100,000 and 240,000 deaths to the virus but a new epidemiological study released Wednesday by the non-profit organization and its academic partners said the White House could be off by 100,000 due to the omission of jails from most public models.
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"Numbers used by the Trump administration largely fail to consider several factors that will explosively increase the loss of life unless drastic reforms are adopted to reduce the nation's jail populations," the report said.
Those overlooked factors include: the United States has the highest incarceration rate in the world, making models based on data from other countries understate deaths; U.S. jails and prisons are overcrowded and "substantially inferior" to those of European and other Western nations; and jails can act as vectors for disease due to the high number of people they discharge daily back into communities.
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"As a result of the constant movement between jails and the broader community, our jails will act as vectors for the COVID-19 pandemic in our communities," the report said. "They will become veritable volcanoes for the spread of the virus."
The report concludes the social distancing measures adopted by the larger society will be ineffective unless they are extended to incarceration facilities as well.
To prevent this from occurring, the ACLU called on officials to swiftly reduce detention facility populations.
The report was published a week after three states and Washington, D.C., recorded their first inmate deaths from COVID-19.
The ACLU has been pushing for states to release inmates vulnerable to the coronavirus.
The report is based on data from more than 1,200 midsize and large jail systems whose surrounding communities account for 90 percent of the U.S. population.
"Keeping people out of jail saves lives -- both inside the jail and in the surrounding community," the ACLU said in a statement. "Lives are at stake. The time to act is now."


upi--2020-04-23--Health programs boost abstinence, condom use among black teens

Sexual health programs appear to help increase condom use and abstinence among black American teens , researchers say .
They analyzed data from 29 studies that examined the effect of school- and community-based programs on nearly 12,000 teens .
`` We focused on black adolescents because they face greater health disparities when it comes to the risk of unplanned pregnancy and contracting sexually transmitted infections compared to other adolescents , '' said first author Reina Evans , a doctoral student at North Carolina State University .
She said the disparity stems largely from the context in which black teens make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ example , stress from racism and discrimination , as well as unequal access to health care can impact the health of black teens , '' Evans said in a university news release .
`` We wanted to see whether sexual health interventions can be a valuable tool in addressing this disparity . ''
The researchers found that black teens were slightly more likely to abstain from sex or use condoms if they took part in one of these programs , especially if it was a school-based program .
But they saw no effect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ -- on rates of unintended pregnancy or sexually transmitted disease .
`` However , only 4 of the 29 studies investigated these important outcomes , so these findings should be considered preliminary , '' Evans said .
`` It is likely that offering a sexual health program to youth could be one component of the puzzle of preventing teen pregnancy and STIs , and other components are also needed -- like increasing access to contraception and STI testing and addressing racism in health care in the United States , '' she noted .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ interventions make a positive difference for many black adolescents , '' Evans said .
Her team also found that sexual health programs increased teens ' knowledge and their confidence that they could and would make safe sexual decisions .
The study was published April 20 in the journal JAMA Pediatrics .
Next steps should include finding ways to share interventions more broadly and encourage more teens to take advantage of them , Evans said .
`` What 's more , there 's an urgent need to address disparities in access to long-term , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have a significant effect on health outcomes for black teens , '' she concluded .
The U.S. National Library of Medicine has more on teen sexual health .

Sexual health programs appear to help increase condom use and abstinence among black American teens, researchers say.
They analyzed data from 29 studies that examined the effect of school- and community-based programs on nearly 12,000 teens.
Advertisement
"We focused on black adolescents because they face greater health disparities when it comes to the risk of unplanned pregnancy and contracting sexually transmitted infections compared to other adolescents," said first author Reina Evans, a doctoral student at North Carolina State University.
She said the disparity stems largely from the context in which black teens make decisions about their health. "For example, stress from racism and discrimination, as well as unequal access to health care can impact the health of black teens," Evans said in a university news release. "We wanted to see whether sexual health interventions can be a valuable tool in addressing this disparity."
The researchers found that black teens were slightly more likely to abstain from sex or use condoms if they took part in one of these programs, especially if it was a school-based program.
But they saw no effect from the programs -- positive or negative -- on rates of unintended pregnancy or sexually transmitted disease.
Advertisement
"However, only 4 of the 29 studies investigated these important outcomes, so these findings should be considered preliminary," Evans said.
"It is likely that offering a sexual health program to youth could be one component of the puzzle of preventing teen pregnancy and STIs, and other components are also needed -- like increasing access to contraception and STI testing and addressing racism in health care in the United States," she noted. "These findings highlight that sexual health interventions make a positive difference for many black adolescents," Evans said.
Her team also found that sexual health programs increased teens' knowledge and their confidence that they could and would make safe sexual decisions.
The study was published April 20 in the journal JAMA Pediatrics.
Next steps should include finding ways to share interventions more broadly and encourage more teens to take advantage of them, Evans said.
"What's more, there's an urgent need to address disparities in access to long-term, high-quality reproductive health care, which could have a significant effect on health outcomes for black teens," she concluded.
More information
The U.S. National Library of Medicine has more on teen sexual health.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-04-23--'Man with a Plan' fulfills Stacy Keach's acting school dreams

LOS ANGELES , April 23 ( UPI ) -- Stacy Keach has been on television since an episode of Channing in 1964 , but he 's still achieving new milestones on CBS 's comedy Man with a Plan .
Keach plays Joe , father to family man Adam Burns ( Matt LeBlanc ) .
Joe 's love interest , Beverly , is played by Swoosie Kurtz .
Keach said he 's wanted to co-star with her since they trained together in the '60s .
`` Swoosie and I went to drama school together at the London Academy of Music and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told UPI in a phone interview .
`` We never worked together all these many years , until now . ''
As a theater trained actor , Keach appreciates how Man with a Plan scripts must be performed letter perfect .
He ca n't even change an `` a '' to a `` the . ''
`` Things are written a specific way and that 's the way writers want you to say them , '' Keach said .
`` I think that 's the actor 's responsibility . ''
Playing grandfather to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work with teenagers .
He described an upcoming episode where Joe trains Adam 's son Teddy ( Matthew McCann ) to be a man .
Keach said he attempted a comedic version of R. Lee Ermy 's Full Metal Jacket drill sergeant character , and his costar rose to the challenge .
`` He really responded well , '' Keach said .
`` He 's very funny .
It 's really about him -- what he goes through , what I put him through . ''
When Season 4 premiered on April 2 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ content to audiences under stay-at-home orders in various states due to the coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) pandemic .
Keach expects to return for Season 5 based on the reception so far .
`` Our chances of getting a Season 5 are certainly enhanced and much more possible as a result of this because our ratings are very good , '' Keach told UPI in a phone interview .
`` I know that more people are watching .
I think the ratings are slightly better than they were . ''
TVLine reported 7.1 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up by 1.8 million .
According to TVseriesfinale.com , Season 3 ratings declined from 6.2 million viewers to 4.9 over the season , so Season 4 could be up by more than 2 million viewers .
Man with the Plan filmed the 13 episodes of Season 4 from August to December , intending to air in January .
Prior to the coronavirus pandemic , CBS delayed the show until April .
Keach and his co-stars originally worried this reflected a lack of confidence '' CBS informed us around Thanksgiving that we were not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in January as we were told originally , '' Keach said .
`` We were so disappointed .
We thought this is the end of our series . ''
Had Man with a Plan returned in January , its ratings might not have improved .
Keach suggested that people being stuck at home may have given them a larger audience .
`` Who knew it was a blessing in disguise ? ''
Keach said rhetorically .
`` We could n't have asked for a better time to have a captive audience , literally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of film and television in comedies and dramas throughout his career .
He played warden Henry Pope on the Fox drama Prison Break and Archbishop Kevin Kearns on CBS 's Boston drama Blue Bloods .
His longest running role was as Mickey Spillane 's detective Mike Hammer .
Keach played the sleuth in a series of TV movies and two TV series -- The New Mike Hammer and Mike Hammer , Private Eye .
`` I used to read Mike Hammer novels when I was a teenager much to the chagrin of my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They said , 'Are you reading that soft porn again ? '
It was pretty racy and risque in the early '50s .
When they asked me to play the part , I was very excited about it because I felt like I 'd done my research . ''
In the theater , he has performed Cyrano de Bergerac , Camelot , Deathtrap , The Crucible , The King and I and more , including many Shakespeare plays .
He 's played King Lear twice , in Chicago and Washington , D.C .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ III , Macbeth , As You Like It , Twelfth Night , The Winter 's Tale , Coriolanus and played Falstaff in Henry IV Parts I and II .
He still believes in the old theater superstitions about `` The Scottish Play '' Macbeth .
`` Macbeth -- ca n't say that without spitting three times and turning around unless you 'll get a visitation from the witches , '' Keach said .
`` I 'm still superstitious about that play . ''
Keach will play Lear for the third time in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Andrew 's Episcopal Church .
Parishioner Gary Sloan is putting on the production and asked Keach to participate .
They have been friends in the acting community .
The performance will stream on the church 's website or YouTube channel at 7:30 p.m. EDT .
Keach expects such Zoom performances could become a booming industry .
`` I have a feeling if this [ quarantine ] goes on for a long time , we 're going to see a lot more Zoom theatrical theater productions , '' Keach said .
`` It 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Keach and his wife are practicing social distancing themselves .
They just moved into a new house in Ojai , Calif. , where they are riding out the state 's stay-at-home orders .
`` We were getting a little claustrophobic in Beverly Hills , '' Keach said .
`` My daughter 's coming to visit us once this dust settles and we did n't have enough room .
We rented a house so we have room for three people and two dogs . ''
In addition to streaming theater , Keach plans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He encourages his fans to find ways to be productive at home too .
`` I look at it as an opportunity to take care of some unfinished business , '' Keach said .
`` Read that book , write that play .
I play a lot of keyboard .
I 'm a piano player , and I 've been writing some new songs .
I think it 's a time we should think of it as an opportunity to do things you would n't necessarily get to do having to go to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ahead to when stay-at-home orders are lifted and business resumes .
Yet , Keach is cautious about the post-coronavirus world .
`` I do n't think we 're ever going to be the same again , '' Keach said .
`` It 's a new world and I 'm hoping that the big social gatherings , in the sports arena , going to the theater or concerts , I hope somehow that we can go back to that . ''
When it comes time to resume Man with a Plan , if his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Keach expects practical changes to occur .
He hopes the studio will institute some protective measures moving forward .
`` How are we all going to get back together to do Man with a Plan for example ? ''
Keach said .
`` Well , everybody , including the crew , they 're not going to let you on the lot unless you test negative . ''
Man with a Plan airs Thursdays at 8:30 p.m. EDT on CBS .

1/3
Stacy Keach plays Joe on "Man with a Plan." Photo courtesy of CBS
LOS ANGELES, April 23 (UPI) -- Stacy Keach has been on television since an episode of Channing in 1964, but he's still achieving new milestones on CBS's comedy Man with a Plan. Keach plays Joe, father to family man Adam Burns (Matt LeBlanc). Joe's love interest, Beverly, is played by Swoosie Kurtz. Keach said he's wanted to co-star with her since they trained together in the '60s. Advertisement
"Swoosie and I went to drama school together at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts in 1964," Keach told UPI in a phone interview. "We never worked together all these many years, until now."
As a theater trained actor, Keach appreciates how Man with a Plan scripts must be performed letter perfect. He can't even change an "a" to a "the."
"Things are written a specific way and that's the way writers want you to say them," Keach said. "I think that's the actor's responsibility."
Advertisement
Playing grandfather to Adam's kids also allows Keach to work with teenagers. He described an upcoming episode where Joe trains Adam's son Teddy (Matthew McCann) to be a man. Keach said he attempted a comedic version of R. Lee Ermy's Full Metal Jacket drill sergeant character, and his costar rose to the challenge.
"He really responded well," Keach said. "He's very funny. It's really about him -- what he goes through, what I put him through."
When Season 4 premiered on April 2, Man with a Plan provided new content to audiences under stay-at-home orders in various states due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Keach expects to return for Season 5 based on the reception so far.
"Our chances of getting a Season 5 are certainly enhanced and much more possible as a result of this because our ratings are very good," Keach told UPI in a phone interview. "I know that more people are watching. I think the ratings are slightly better than they were."
TVLine reported 7.1 million viewers watched the Season 4 premiere, up by 1.8 million. According to TVseriesfinale.com, Season 3 ratings declined from 6.2 million viewers to 4.9 over the season, so Season 4 could be up by more than 2 million viewers.
Advertisement
Man with the Plan filmed the 13 episodes of Season 4 from August to December, intending to air in January. Prior to the coronavirus pandemic, CBS delayed the show until April. Keach and his co-stars originally worried this reflected a lack of confidence
"CBS informed us around Thanksgiving that we were not going to be going on the air in January as we were told originally," Keach said. "We were so disappointed. We thought this is the end of our series."
Had Man with a Plan returned in January, its ratings might not have improved. Keach suggested that people being stuck at home may have given them a larger audience.
"Who knew it was a blessing in disguise?" Keach said rhetorically. "We couldn't have asked for a better time to have a captive audience, literally."
From Hammer to 'Plan'
Keach has been a staple of film and television in comedies and dramas throughout his career. He played warden Henry Pope on the Fox drama Prison Break and Archbishop Kevin Kearns on CBS's Boston drama Blue Bloods.
His longest running role was as Mickey Spillane's detective Mike Hammer. Keach played the sleuth in a series of TV movies and two TV series -- The New Mike Hammer and Mike Hammer, Private Eye.
Advertisement
"I used to read Mike Hammer novels when I was a teenager much to the chagrin of my parents," Keach said. "They said, 'Are you reading that soft porn again?' It was pretty racy and risque in the early '50s. When they asked me to play the part, I was very excited about it because I felt like I'd done my research."
In the theater, he has performed Cyrano de Bergerac, Camelot, Deathtrap, The Crucible, The King and I and more, including many Shakespeare plays. He's played King Lear twice, in Chicago and Washington, D.C.
He also has done Hamlet, Richard III, Macbeth, As You Like It, Twelfth Night, The Winter's Tale, Coriolanus and played Falstaff in Henry IV Parts I and II. He still believes in the old theater superstitions about "The Scottish Play" Macbeth.
"Macbeth -- can't say that without spitting three times and turning around unless you'll get a visitation from the witches," Keach said. "I'm still superstitious about that play."
Keach will play Lear for the third time in a Zoom production on Thursday to benefit St. Andrew's Episcopal Church. Parishioner Gary Sloan is putting on the production and asked Keach to participate. They have been friends in the acting community.
Advertisement
The performance will stream on the church's website or YouTube channel at 7:30 p.m. EDT. Keach expects such Zoom performances could become a booming industry.
"I have a feeling if this [quarantine] goes on for a long time, we're going to see a lot more Zoom theatrical theater productions," Keach said. "It's a new form based on necessity."
Keach and his wife are practicing social distancing themselves. They just moved into a new house in Ojai, Calif., where they are riding out the state's stay-at-home orders.
"We were getting a little claustrophobic in Beverly Hills," Keach said. "My daughter's coming to visit us once this dust settles and we didn't have enough room. We rented a house so we have room for three people and two dogs."
Staying productive
In addition to streaming theater, Keach plans to finish several other artistic projects. He encourages his fans to find ways to be productive at home too.
"I look at it as an opportunity to take care of some unfinished business," Keach said. "Read that book, write that play. I play a lot of keyboard. I'm a piano player, and I've been writing some new songs. I think it's a time we should think of it as an opportunity to do things you wouldn't necessarily get to do having to go to work."
Advertisement
Keach is also looking ahead to when stay-at-home orders are lifted and business resumes. Yet, Keach is cautious about the post-coronavirus world.
"I don't think we're ever going to be the same again," Keach said. "It's a new world and I'm hoping that the big social gatherings, in the sports arena, going to the theater or concerts, I hope somehow that we can go back to that."
When it comes time to resume Man with a Plan, if his predictions for a fifth season are correct, Keach expects practical changes to occur. He hopes the studio will institute some protective measures moving forward.
"How are we all going to get back together to do Man with a Plan for example?" Keach said. "Well, everybody, including the crew, they're not going to let you on the lot unless you test negative."
Man with a Plan airs Thursdays at 8:30 p.m. EDT on CBS.


upi--2020-04-23--Farmers start to kill pigs they can't sell to slaughterhouses due to closures

EVANSVILLE , Ind.
, April 23 ( UPI ) -- With coronavirus outbreaks closing slaughterhouses across the country , the American hog industry is running out of space to physically keep a backup of live pigs .
Hog farms are so crowded that producers are starting to euthanize their animals .
`` I really , really do n't want to kill my pigs , '' said Howard AV Roth , president of the National Pork Producers Council , who raises and weans pigs in Wisconsin .
`` But it is getting close here .
I know there are farmers who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ farmers are aborting sows .
It 's really awful , '' Roth said .
The issue stems from the more than a dozen meat packing plants that have closed since the start of the coronavirus pandemic .
The most recent occurred Wednesday when Tyson Foods announced it would shut its largest pork producing plant , which is in Waterloo , Iowa .
On Monday , JBS , an international meat processing company , closed its third processing plant , in Worthington , Minn. Smithfield Foods closed its pork processing plant in Sioux Falls @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cargill closed a plant in Hazleton , Pa. Other plants have closed , too , while far fewer have reopened .
The closures have significantly reduced the nation 's slaughter capacity .
In a normal week , the American pork industry kills 2.5 million pigs .
This week , it will kill only 2 million , Roth said .
`` We 're looking at a backup of a half a million pigs a week , starting this week , '' he said .
`` And we were already backed up by about a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' The problem also is sending pork prices plummeting .
Lean hog futures were trading at about 44 cents per pound Wednesday , down from around 84 cents at the start of the year , according to the Chicago Mercantile Exchange .
The price matters little , though , when farmers ca n't sell their animals , Roth said .
`` This is not milk you can spill or crops you can till into the ground , '' said Jim Monroe , a spokesman for the National Pork Producers Council , based in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ animals that need care . ''
Farms across the country have started to go out of business as a result of the pandemic .
Two of the producers to whom Roth normally sells weaned pigs have gone under , he said .
Others with whom he works are close to failing , and the future of his farm depends on how long the slaughterhouse closures continue , he said .
`` This is our biggest crisis ever in pork production , '' said Joseph Kerns , the president of Iowa-based Kerns & Associates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ livestock .
`` And I do n't say that lightly . ''
It is too soon to predict how many farms will go under , Kerns said .
But it could be a huge number .
`` This could have a huge , long-term impact on the hog industry , '' he said .

Closed slaughterhouses are backing up the supply chain, leaving too many pigs on farms for farmers to care for. Photo by ramboldheiner/Pixabay
EVANSVILLE, Ind., April 23 (UPI) -- With coronavirus outbreaks closing slaughterhouses across the country, the American hog industry is running out of space to physically keep a backup of live pigs. Hog farms are so crowded that producers are starting to euthanize their animals. Advertisement
"I really, really don't want to kill my pigs," said Howard AV Roth, president of the National Pork Producers Council, who raises and weans pigs in Wisconsin.
"But it is getting close here. I know there are farmers who have had to kill their pigs, farmers are aborting sows. It's really awful," Roth said.
The issue stems from the more than a dozen meat packing plants that have closed since the start of the coronavirus pandemic. The most recent occurred Wednesday when Tyson Foods announced it would shut its largest pork producing plant, which is in Waterloo, Iowa.
On Monday, JBS, an international meat processing company, closed its third processing plant, in Worthington, Minn. Smithfield Foods closed its pork processing plant in Sioux Falls, S.D., last week, while Cargill closed a plant in Hazleton, Pa. Other plants have closed, too, while far fewer have reopened.
The closures have significantly reduced the nation's slaughter capacity.
Advertisement
In a normal week, the American pork industry kills 2.5 million pigs. This week, it will kill only 2 million, Roth said.
"We're looking at a backup of a half a million pigs a week, starting this week," he said. "And we were already backed up by about a half million. This is bad."
The problem also is sending pork prices plummeting. Lean hog futures were trading at about 44 cents per pound Wednesday, down from around 84 cents at the start of the year, according to the Chicago Mercantile Exchange.
The price matters little, though, when farmers can't sell their animals, Roth said.
"This is not milk you can spill or crops you can till into the ground," said Jim Monroe, a spokesman for the National Pork Producers Council, based in Washington, D.C. "These are live animals that need care."
Farms across the country have started to go out of business as a result of the pandemic. Two of the producers to whom Roth normally sells weaned pigs have gone under, he said. Others with whom he works are close to failing, and the future of his farm depends on how long the slaughterhouse closures continue, he said.
"This is our biggest crisis ever in pork production," said Joseph Kerns, the president of Iowa-based Kerns & Associates, a consulting firm that specializes in livestock. "And I don't say that lightly."
Advertisement
It is too soon to predict how many farms will go under, Kerns said. But it could be a huge number.
"This could have a huge, long-term impact on the hog industry," he said.


upi--2020-04-23--Coaches, GMs prep for virtual NFL Draft from home

April 23 ( UPI ) -- Some NFL teams will embrace technology , while others plan to use a minimalist approach when general managers and coaches make picks from home for the 2020 virtual NFL Draft on Thursday night .
The electronic version of the annual selection process starts at 8 p.m. Eastern and will air on ESPN , the NFL Network and ABC .
Viewers also can stream online or through apps .
NFL franchises typically gather in war rooms , or designated areas at their facilities filled with front office decision makers .
But that all changes this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ facilities due to the coronavirus pandemic .
Instead , teams will communicate with prospects through video conferences and submit draft choices electronically while personnel are separated to adhere to social distancing guidelines .
Several personnel decision-makers for NFL teams have shared what their draft rooms look like ahead of the event .
Some have chosen multiple monitors and an entirely electronic format , while others have just one or two screens on top of desks covered with binders and loose papers .
San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch tweeted a photo of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ players from an office at his house , with seven monitors , three phones and a wireless keyboard on a desk .
New York Giants general manager Dave Gettleman plans to draft from a small desk that sits behind a couch at his house .
Gettleman 's setup includes a laptop , a large binder and piles of paper , presumably filled with information about prospects .
Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid showed that you might not need a state-of-the-art setup to be productive in the draft .
The Super Bowl LIV @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on a desk in the same room he has exercise equipment .
He also has another desk for binders and other football information .
Los Angeles Chargers general manager Tom Telesco 's setup includes multiple laptops , tablets and neatly stacked papers on a dining room table .
He also has two large monitors in his draft room .
`` I do like to see faces when I ask questions to see how they answer , '' Telesco told reporters Friday .
`` It 's not a substitute for being in the same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that we can get . ''
Cincinnati Bengals front office executive Duke Tobin will make the No .
1 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft , but does n't have much technology in his draft room .
Tobin 's home setup includes an aging desktop computer on top of a folding desk and another desktop computer on a separate desk .
Tobin also has a mounted flat-screen TV in his makeshift draft room .
Denver Broncos general manager John Elway and Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider might have the most monitors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a picture of Elway 's setup , which includes a long row of screens lining two walls .
Elway also has a table in the middle of his living room that includes additional monitors and notes .
Schneider said he has 25 screens in his draft room .
Minnesota Vikings coach Mike Zimmer has an organized setup .
His draft room includes a six-monitor computer , two additional monitors , three laptops and a printer .
The NFL has attempted to streamline the 2020 draft process , but hiccups could happen .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monday and used it to practice communication , trades and more .
Reports of technical glitches and bandwidth issues surfaced after the trial run .
Detroit Lions general manager Bob Quinn said his team 's information technology director , Steve Lancaster , will be stationed in a Winnebago in his driveway during the three-day draft in case Quinn has technical issues .
Each team with a first-round pick will have 10 minutes to make its selections Thursday .
General managers and team decision-makers also must battle in-home distractions .
Bears general manager Ryan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of his power cords with a vacuum , which resulted in his screens powering off in his draft room .
`` During the draft , there will be someone from IT here , just if something happens , '' Pace said .
`` But I do n't expect [ anything bad to happen ] .
We 've got a lot of fail-safes and fall-backs and preventative measures in place . ''
Some coaches and general managers , including Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh and Rams chief operating officer Kevin Demoff , have voiced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` We have spoken individually to each of the clubs about their setup , '' an NFL spokesman said .
`` The clubs are ultimately responsible for their communication systems among their staff .
We have provided best practices .
`` At the league level , we are working closely with our tech partners to ensure a smooth operation throughout the three days .
We are not disclosing our cybersecurity measures other than to say they are comprehensive and thoughtful , '' the spokesman said .
The NFL can stop the clock @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Representatives from all 32 teams will submit selections on a website .
Clubs also can call in to the player personnel department or make their picks on a league-wide conference call if the website does n't work .
Three people from each team have permission to submit a pick .
The NFL 's partners for the draft include Bose , Microsoft , Verizon and Amazon Web Services .
Bose provided more than 130 headphones to assist in communications .
Microsoft teams will assist with communications between the league and teams .
Verizon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and will assist with live broadcast video .
AWS Cloud will help deliver video feeds of draft prospects , college coaches and NFL personnel throughout the broadcast .

San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch and all other front office decision-makers will announce their 2020 NFL Draft choices from their homes due to the coronavirus pandemic. File Photo by Terry Schmitt/UPI | License Photo
April 23 (UPI) -- Some NFL teams will embrace technology, while others plan to use a minimalist approach when general managers and coaches make picks from home for the 2020 virtual NFL Draft on Thursday night. The electronic version of the annual selection process starts at 8 p.m. Eastern and will air on ESPN, the NFL Network and ABC. Viewers also can stream online or through apps. Advertisement
NFL franchises typically gather in war rooms, or designated areas at their facilities filled with front office decision makers. But that all changes this year because the league has closed team facilities due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Instead, teams will communicate with prospects through video conferences and submit draft choices electronically while personnel are separated to adhere to social distancing guidelines.
Approaches differ
Several personnel decision-makers for NFL teams have shared what their draft rooms look like ahead of the event. Some have chosen multiple monitors and an entirely electronic format, while others have just one or two screens on top of desks covered with binders and loose papers.
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San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch tweeted a photo of his setup Monday. He will pick players from an office at his house, with seven monitors, three phones and a wireless keyboard on a desk.
New York Giants general manager Dave Gettleman plans to draft from a small desk that sits behind a couch at his house. Gettleman's setup includes a laptop, a large binder and piles of paper, presumably filled with information about prospects.
Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid showed that you might not need a state-of-the-art setup to be productive in the draft. The Super Bowl LIV winner has a monitor and a laptop on a desk in the same room he has exercise equipment. He also has another desk for binders and other football information.
Los Angeles Chargers general manager Tom Telesco's setup includes multiple laptops, tablets and neatly stacked papers on a dining room table. He also has two large monitors in his draft room.
"I do like to see faces when I ask questions to see how they answer," Telesco told reporters Friday. "It's not a substitute for being in the same room, but it's the best that we can get."
Advertisement GM Eric DeCosta checking in with a tour of his Draft room setup: pic.twitter.com/Sqb6GfLY5A— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) April 22, 2020
Cincinnati Bengals front office executive Duke Tobin will make the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, but doesn't have much technology in his draft room.
Tobin's home setup includes an aging desktop computer on top of a folding desk and another desktop computer on a separate desk. Tobin also has a mounted flat-screen TV in his makeshift draft room.
Denver Broncos general manager John Elway and Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider might have the most monitors for draft day.
The Broncos posted a picture of Elway's setup, which includes a long row of screens lining two walls. Elway also has a table in the middle of his living room that includes additional monitors and notes. Schneider said he has 25 screens in his draft room.
My at-home war room is almost like I'm at the @SAPSports Performance Facility. Thanks to our IT and video teams + our scouts and coaches we're ready for the #NFLDraft this week. #IGYB pic.twitter.com/ytuZKY9Bk4— John Lynch (@JohnLynch49ers) April 20, 2020 Advertisement
Minnesota Vikings coach Mike Zimmer has an organized setup. His draft room includes a six-monitor computer, two additional monitors, three laptops and a printer.
Some glitches
The NFL has attempted to streamline the 2020 draft process, but hiccups could happen. The league conducted a rehearsal for the draft Monday and used it to practice communication, trades and more. Reports of technical glitches and bandwidth issues surfaced after the trial run.
Detroit Lions general manager Bob Quinn said his team's information technology director, Steve Lancaster, will be stationed in a Winnebago in his driveway during the three-day draft in case Quinn has technical issues.
Each team with a first-round pick will have 10 minutes to make its selections Thursday.
General managers and team decision-makers also must battle in-home distractions. Bears general manager Ryan Pace said his wife ran over one of his power cords with a vacuum, which resulted in his screens powering off in his draft room.
"During the draft, there will be someone from IT here, just if something happens," Pace said. "But I don't expect [anything bad to happen]. We've got a lot of fail-safes and fall-backs and preventative measures in place."
Advertisement
Some coaches and general managers, including Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh and Rams chief operating officer Kevin Demoff, have voiced concern about the draft possibly being hacked.
"We have spoken individually to each of the clubs about their setup," an NFL spokesman said. "The clubs are ultimately responsible for their communication systems among their staff. We have provided best practices.
"At the league level, we are working closely with our tech partners to ensure a smooth operation throughout the three days. We are not disclosing our cybersecurity measures other than to say they are comprehensive and thoughtful," the spokesman said.
The NFL can stop the clock when a team is making its selection. Representatives from all 32 teams will submit selections on a website. Clubs also can call in to the player personnel department or make their picks on a league-wide conference call if the website doesn't work. Three people from each team have permission to submit a pick.
The NFL's partners for the draft include Bose, Microsoft, Verizon and Amazon Web Services.
Bose provided more than 130 headphones to assist in communications. Microsoft teams will assist with communications between the league and teams.
Advertisement
Verizon helped to secure more than 100 phones and will assist with live broadcast video. AWS Cloud will help deliver video feeds of draft prospects, college coaches and NFL personnel throughout the broadcast.


upi--2020-04-23--On This Day, April 23: Rhythm Club fire kills 209 African Americans

April 23 ( UPI ) -- On this date in history : In 1635 , the first public school in America , the Boston Latin School , was opened .
In 1898 , the first movie theater opened at the Koster and Bials Music Hall in New York City .
In 1914 , Chicago 's Wrigley Field , then known as Weeghman Park , hosts its first baseball game when the Chicago Chi-Feds beat the Kansas City Packers 9-1 .
In 1940 , a fire at the River Club in Natchez , Miss.
, claimed the lives of 209 people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is now ranked as the fourth deadliest building fire in U.S. history .
In 1965 , more than 200 U.S. planes struck North Vietnam in one of the heaviest raids of the Vietnam War .
In 1985 , former U.S. Sen. Sam Ervin died at age 88 .
The North Carolina Democrat directed the Senate Watergate investigation that led to President Richard Nixon 's resignation .
In 2007 , former Russian President Boris Yeltsin , who faced down army tanks during the fall of the Soviet Union , died of cardiac arrest at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the U.S. Defense Department announced that Army Gen. David Petraeus , top American military official in Iraq , was chosen to head the Central Command , overseeing military affairs in the Middle East and Central Asia , including the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan .
In 2015 , the Senate confirmed Loretta Lynch as attorney general more than five months after President Barack Obama nominated her .
She was the first African-American woman to hold the title .
In 2019 , more than 50 jade miners died in northern Myanmar after they @ @ @ @ @ @

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A plaque bears the names of those who died in the Rhythm Club fire on April 23, 1940, in Natchez, Miss. File Photo by Billy Hathorn/Wikimedia
April 23 (UPI) -- On this date in history: In 1635, the first public school in America, the Boston Latin School, was opened. Advertisement
In 1898, the first movie theater opened at the Koster and Bials Music Hall in New York City.
In 1914, Chicago's Wrigley Field, then known as Weeghman Park, hosts its first baseball game when the Chicago Chi-Feds beat the Kansas City Packers 9-1.
Photo by Kamil Krzaczynski
In 1940, a fire at the Rhythm Club in Natchez, Miss., claimed the lives of 209 people, all African Americans, in what is now ranked as the fourth-deadliest building fire in U.S. history.
In 1965, more than 200 U.S. planes struck North Vietnam in one of the heaviest raids of the Vietnam War.
In 1985, former U.S. Sen. Sam Ervin died at age 88. The North Carolina Democrat directed the Senate Watergate investigation that led to President Richard Nixon's resignation.
In 1993, United Farm Workers founder Cesar Chavez died at age 66.
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In 2007, former Russian President Boris Yeltsin, who faced down army tanks during the fall of the Soviet Union, died of cardiac arrest at the age of 76.
In 2008, the U.S. Defense Department announced that Army Gen. David Petraeus, top American military official in Iraq, was chosen to head the Central Command, overseeing military affairs in the Middle East and Central Asia, including the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI
In 2015, the Senate confirmed Loretta Lynch as attorney general more than five months after President Barack Obama nominated her. She was the first African-American woman to hold the title.
In 2019, more than 50 jade miners died in northern Myanmar after they were buried by a landslide.


upi--2020-04-23--Famous birthdays for April 23: Dev Patel, Valerie Bertinelli

April 23 ( UPI ) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Taurus .
-- James @ @ @ @ @ the United States , in 1791

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Dev Patel arrives for the world premiere of "The Personal History of David Copperfield" at the Princess of Wales Theatre on opening night of the Toronto International Film Festival on September 5. The actor turns 30 on April 23. File Photo by Chris Chew/UPI | License Photo
April 23 (UPI) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Taurus. They include: Advertisement
-- English playwright William Shakespeare in 1564
-- English painter J.M.W "William" Turner in 1775
-- James Buchanan, 15th president of the United States, in 1791
-- Nobel Prize-winning physicist Max Planck in 1858
-- Canadian Prime Minister/Nobel Peace Prize laureate Lester Pearson in 1897
-- Actor/diplomat Shirley Temple Black in 1928
-- Distance runner/author Jim Fixx in 1932
-- Singer Roy Orbison in 1936
-- Actor Lee Majors in 1939 (age 81)
File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI
-- Actor David Birney in 1939 (age 81)
-- Actor Sandra Dee in 1942
-- Actor Herve Villechaize in 1943
-- Actor Joyce DeWitt in 1949 (age 71)
-- Documentarian Michael Moore in 1954 (age 66)
-- Actor Jan Hooks in 1957
-- Actor Valerie Bertinelli in 1960 (age 60)
File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI
-- Actor George Lopez in 1961 (age 59)
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-- Actor Melina Kanakaredes in 1967 (age 53)
-- Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh in 1968
-- Comedian John Oliver in 1977 (age 43)
-- Actor Kal Penn in 1977 (age 43)
-- Actor/wrestler John Cena in 1977 (age 43)
-- Actor Jaime King in 1979 (age 41)
-- Actor Dev Patel in 1990 (age 30)
-- Model Gigi Hadid in 1995 (age 25)
-- U.S. Olympic gold medal-winning snowboarder Chloe Kim in 2000 (age 20)


upi--2020-04-23--Hemp farmers, CBD producers included in coronavirus emergency aid program

DENVER , April 23 ( UPI ) -- Hemp farmers and CBD companies are now eligible for COVID-19 related economic relief from the Small Business Association and the U.S. Department of Agriculture , an industry group said .
The Economic Injury Disaster Loans program was expanded to include hemp farmers under the Paycheck Protection Program Increase Act , passed by the U.S. Senate Tuesday .
The U.S. House is expected to approve the bill Thursday , and President Donald Trump has indicated he would sign it into law , the hemp lobbying group Vote Hemp said Wednesday .
The program @ @ @ @ @ @ @ companies with fewer than 500 employees because USDA emergency loans had been limited to natural disasters .
In the new legislation , Congress also added another $ 10 billion to the disaster loan program and increased paycheck protection funding from to $ 659 billion from a previous $ 349 billion program .
The earlier program quickly ran out of money after record numbers of businesses applied , including some large chains with more than 500 employees .
`` Agriculture is deemed essential , but there 's an agricultural dynamic that 's being created @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the supply chain , '' said Tim Gordon , president of the Colorado Hemp Industries Association .
`` These disruptions are going all the way to the hemp farmers . ''
More than 17,000 farmers licensed to grow hemp are experiencing `` significant headwinds and instability as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and must be able to access disaster relief programs that can support them now , '' Eric Steenstra , president of Vote Hemp , said in a statement .
As planting season approaches , hemp farmers have found that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and demand has collapsed for CBD , after a market glut and crackdowns on Internet sales .
Coronavirus `` stay-at-home '' orders closed many CBD retailers and disrupted extractors and other hemp processing companies , industry leaders said Wednesday at an Earth Week NoCo Hemp virtual trade show .
Farmers are realizing they ca n't make a killing on CBD , and that has left some overextended , said Wendy Mosher , president of Fort Collins , Colo. , -based New West Genetics , a hemp seed company .
`` People were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 40,000 an acre growing hemp , '' Mosher said .
`` I want to kill those people . ''
Industrial hemp , a cousin of federally illegal THC-laden marijuana , has been in a complicated regulatory environment since it was reintroduced in the United States through the 2018 Farm Bill .
Hemp farmers and those who make hemp products such as CBD , fiber , or grain have been struggling to be included in commodity crop insurance , banking and other programs available to farmers of other crops .
Hemp farmers also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 16 billion Coronavirus Food Assistance Program , which will provide subsidies for actual commodity losses , the hemp advocacy group said .
If hemp is included , to qualify for a payment , qualifying producers will receive 85 percent of their price loss for commodities that have declined in price by at least 5 percent between January and April 2020 .
`` We will be working with our contacts on Capitol Hill and the USDA to try to ensure the maximum support , '' Vote Hemp said Wednesday .

Hemp farmers and CBD producers will be eligible for disaster emergency loans from the U.S. Small Business Association, an advocacy group said. File Photo by Jean Lotus/UPI
DENVER, April 23 (UPI) -- Hemp farmers and CBD companies are now eligible for COVID-19 related economic relief from the Small Business Association and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, an industry group said. The Economic Injury Disaster Loans program was expanded to include hemp farmers under the Paycheck Protection Program Increase Act, passed by the U.S. Senate Tuesday. Advertisement
The U.S. House is expected to approve the bill Thursday, and President Donald Trump has indicated he would sign it into law, the hemp lobbying group Vote Hemp said Wednesday.
The program was expanded to include farmers and hemp-related companies with fewer than 500 employees because USDA emergency loans had been limited to natural disasters.
In the new legislation, Congress also added another $10 billion to the disaster loan program and increased paycheck protection funding from to $659 billion from a previous $349 billion program. The earlier program quickly ran out of money after record numbers of businesses applied, including some large chains with more than 500 employees.
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"Agriculture is deemed essential, but there's an agricultural dynamic that's being created by the pandemic where it's interfering with the supply chain," said Tim Gordon, president of the Colorado Hemp Industries Association. "These disruptions are going all the way to the hemp farmers."
More than 17,000 farmers licensed to grow hemp are experiencing "significant headwinds and instability as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and must be able to access disaster relief programs that can support them now," Eric Steenstra, president of Vote Hemp, said in a statement.
As planting season approaches, hemp farmers have found that capital to buy seeds has dried up, and demand has collapsed for CBD, after a market glut and crackdowns on Internet sales.
Coronavirus "stay-at-home" orders closed many CBD retailers and disrupted extractors and other hemp processing companies, industry leaders said Wednesday at an Earth Week NoCo Hemp virtual trade show.
Farmers are realizing they can't make a killing on CBD, and that has left some overextended, said Wendy Mosher, president of Fort Collins, Colo.,-based New West Genetics, a hemp seed company.
"People were telling farmers they were gonna make $40,000 an acre growing hemp," Mosher said. "I want to kill those people."
Industrial hemp, a cousin of federally illegal THC-laden marijuana, has been in a complicated regulatory environment since it was reintroduced in the United States through the 2018 Farm Bill.
Advertisement
Hemp farmers and those who make hemp products such as CBD, fiber, or grain have been struggling to be included in commodity crop insurance, banking and other programs available to farmers of other crops.
Hemp farmers also might be eligible for the USDA's $16 billion Coronavirus Food Assistance Program, which will provide subsidies for actual commodity losses, the hemp advocacy group said.
If hemp is included, to qualify for a payment, qualifying producers will receive 85 percent of their price loss for commodities that have declined in price by at least 5 percent between January and April 2020.
"We will be working with our contacts on Capitol Hill and the USDA to try to ensure the maximum support," Vote Hemp said Wednesday.


upi--2020-04-23--Nation's onion farmers struggle with loss of customers due to pandemic

ORLANDO , Fla. , April 23 ( UPI ) -- Onion farmers around the United States destroyed crops or struggled to complete harvests in the past two weeks after many regular customers closed because of the coronavirus pandemic .
Growers in Oregon destroyed millions of pounds of onions , while those in Texas said they were close to harvest time with half their normal buyers , and had to leave crops in the field .
In Georgia , Vidalia onion growers said they still had retail customers , but workers were slowed by isolation restrictions .
They continued to harvest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And onion growers everywhere anxiously awaited more details about how to apply for government aid .
`` I wake up every day thinking , what do I do ? ''
said Steve Cargil , owner of Cargil Farms Produce , which is about 90 miles west of San Antonio , Texas .
`` There 's always a little anxiety when you approach harvest , but I 'm not sure if it 's even worth opening up the harvest this year .
`` I will have no choice but to leave much of it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ change soon , '' Cargil said .
Cargil said he grows onions on 350 acres , with almost half his crop sold to food service buyers , hotels and restaurants which were ordered to close in March Onion grower Shay Myers in western Oregon said he dug trenches and buried 4 million pounds that were nearing the end of their storage time in the last two weeks .
`` This region , the Snake River Valley , is hit hard because we grow primarily for food service , and that market dried up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the CEO of Owyhee Produce .
`` We 've tried to find other buyers .
We sent some for cattle feed and some to food banks , but there are no other options , '' Myers said .
He said demand spiked in March as shoppers stocked up to stay home , but retail sales have dropped to 25 percent of normal in recent weeks .
The Greeley , Colo.-based National Onion Association is trying to speed obtaining government money for its members , said Rene Hardwick , the group 's director @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We 're looking for ways to help our onion farmers , and we 're hoping we can get some of the money from the stimulus through the USDA soon , '' Hardwick said .
`` Food service is about half our market , and that was just gone overnight . ''
The Trump administration said Friday that $ 2.7 billion would go to the fruit and vegetable industry to help cover some of the overwhelming losses related to the pandemic .
That support is divided , with $ 2.1 billion allocated for direct @ @ @ @ @ @ @ per month for the next six months for produce purchases .
The funds are to come from the Coronavirus Aid , Relief , and Economic Securities Act , which President Trump signed into law March 27 .
In Georgia , the Vidalia onion region began their harvests during the pandemic .
Since most Vidalia onions are sold at stores , growers there still have buyers , said Delbert Bland , the owner of Bland Farms .
But other unexpected costs came into play .
`` Our biggest challenge is keeping the labor force @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expense of about $ 70,000 a week '' for masks , food deliveries and other safety measures , said Bland , who grows about on about 3,000 acres in the region .
He said his farm normally provides transportation to grocery stores so workers can shop , but now he also delivers groceries to keep workers from coronavirus exposure .
`` We do n't want them mixing with the community , or each other , so we have isolated them into groups of 20 , '' Bland said .
The prospect of some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ industry leaders .
The United Fresh Produce Association , an agriculture lobbying group based in Washington , D.C. , said in a statement Saturday that the CARES Act funding was a good start -- but not enough .
`` The funds available to agriculture are simply inadequate to keep our industry strong into the future , '' said Tom Stenzel , the United Fresh president and CEO .

Onions like these at Owyhee Produce in Oregon have been destroyed due to lack of buyers during the coronavirus pandemic. Photo courtesy of Owyhee Produce
ORLANDO, Fla., April 23 (UPI) -- Onion farmers around the United States destroyed crops or struggled to complete harvests in the past two weeks after many regular customers closed because of the coronavirus pandemic. Growers in Oregon destroyed millions of pounds of onions, while those in Texas said they were close to harvest time with half their normal buyers, and had to leave crops in the field. Advertisement
In Georgia, Vidalia onion growers said they still had retail customers, but workers were slowed by isolation restrictions. They continued to harvest, but with much higher costs.
And onion growers everywhere anxiously awaited more details about how to apply for government aid.
"I wake up every day thinking, what do I do?" said Steve Cargil, owner of Cargil Farms Produce, which is about 90 miles west of San Antonio, Texas. "There's always a little anxiety when you approach harvest, but I'm not sure if it's even worth opening up the harvest this year.
Advertisement
"I will have no choice but to leave much of it in the field if something doesn't change soon," Cargil said.
Cargil said he grows onions on 350 acres, with almost half his crop sold to food service buyers, hotels and restaurants which were ordered to close in March
Onion grower Shay Myers in western Oregon said he dug trenches and buried 4 million pounds that were nearing the end of their storage time in the last two weeks.
"This region, the Snake River Valley, is hit hard because we grow primarily for food service, and that market dried up when everything closed," said Myers, the CEO of Owyhee Produce.
"We've tried to find other buyers. We sent some for cattle feed and some to food banks, but there are no other options," Myers said.
He said demand spiked in March as shoppers stocked up to stay home, but retail sales have dropped to 25 percent of normal in recent weeks.
The Greeley, Colo.-based National Onion Association is trying to speed obtaining government money for its members, said Rene Hardwick, the group's director of public and industry relations.
"We're looking for ways to help our onion farmers, and we're hoping we can get some of the money from the stimulus through the USDA soon," Hardwick said. "Food service is about half our market, and that was just gone overnight."
Advertisement
The Trump administration said Friday that $2.7 billion would go to the fruit and vegetable industry to help cover some of the overwhelming losses related to the pandemic. That support is divided, with $2.1 billion allocated for direct payment to growers and $100 million per month for the next six months for produce purchases.
The funds are to come from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Securities Act, which President Trump signed into law March 27.
In Georgia, the Vidalia onion region began their harvests during the pandemic. Since most Vidalia onions are sold at stores, growers there still have buyers, said Delbert Bland, the owner of Bland Farms. But other unexpected costs came into play.
"Our biggest challenge is keeping the labor force safe. We have had an additional expense of about $70,000 a week" for masks, food deliveries and other safety measures, said Bland, who grows about on about 3,000 acres in the region.
He said his farm normally provides transportation to grocery stores so workers can shop, but now he also delivers groceries to keep workers from coronavirus exposure.
"We don't want them mixing with the community, or each other, so we have isolated them into groups of 20," Bland said.
Advertisement
The prospect of some government aid to farmers did not satisfy industry leaders.
The United Fresh Produce Association, an agriculture lobbying group based in Washington, D.C., said in a statement Saturday that the CARES Act funding was a good start -- but not enough.
"The funds available to agriculture are simply inadequate to keep our industry strong into the future," said Tom Stenzel, the United Fresh president and CEO.