upi--2020-06-24--Disney renews 'Amphibia' for Season 3

Disney renews 'Amphibia' for Season 3

June 24 ( UPI ) -- Disney Channel has announced it ordered a third season of Amphibia , an animated @ @ @ @ @ led by Brenda Song .
Song plays Anne Boonchuy , a 13-year-old girl who is @ @ @ @ @ filled with frogs that act and talk like people .
The series ' vocal ensemble @ @ @ @ @ Amanda Leighton and Bill Farmer .
Season 2 is set to debut on July 11 @ @ @ @ @ will include Kermit the Frog , Jenifer Lewis , George Takei , Kristen Schaal , @ @ @ @ @ .
The show was created by Matt Braly of Gravity Falls fame .
`` Matt @ @ @ @ @ and undeniable passion for his characters have brought the fantastical world of Amphibia to life @ @ @ @ @ the world .
We are excited for viewers to follow Anne and the Plantars as @ @ @ @ @ in season two and unravel more mysteries through Season 3 , '' Meredith Roberts -- @ @ @ @ @ television animation for Disney Channels -- said in a press release .

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Brenda Song's "Amphibia" has been renewed for Season 3. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
June 24 (UPI) -- Disney Channel has announced it ordered a third season of Amphibia, an animated comedy featuring a voice cast led by Brenda Song. Song plays Anne Boonchuy, a 13-year-old girl who is magically transported to a world filled with frogs that act and talk like people. The series' vocal ensemble also includes Justin Felbinger, Amanda Leighton and Bill Farmer. Advertisement
Season 2 is set to debut on July 11. Guest stars this season will include Kermit the Frog, Jenifer Lewis, George Takei, Kristen Schaal, Hugh Bonneville and Michelle Dockery.
The show was created by Matt Braly of Gravity Falls fame.
"Matt's vision, authentic storytelling and undeniable passion for his characters have brought the fantastical world of Amphibia to life for kids and families around the world. We are excited for viewers to follow Anne and the Plantars as they go on new adventures in season two and unravel more mysteries through Season 3," Meredith Roberts -- senior vice president/general manager of television animation for Disney Channels -- said in a press release.


upi--2020-06-24--Test questions about Islamic terrorism lead to lawsuit at Arizona college

June 24 ( UPI ) -- A Muslim college student and the Council on American-Islamic Relations of Arizona have filed a lawsuit to stop the use of course materials they say falsely teach that the only interpretation of religious texts is that Islam `` mandates '' terrorism .
Mohamed Sabra , a political science major at Scottsdale Community College , says Muslim students ' constitutional rights are being violated because they have to disavow their religion and give incorrect answers to test questions in the school 's world politics course or be penalized by having their answers marked as wrong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in U.S. District Court , names as defendants Maricopa County Community College District and SCC Professor Nicholas Damask , who teaches the course .
SCC is one of 10 colleges in the district .
The suit seeks a declaration that teaching the materials violated the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment , which says that one religious denomination may not be preferred over another .
It also asks for an order that bars teaching the materials unless they are modified so they do not have `` the primary effect of disapproving of Islam @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the course includes instruction based on biased perspectives of Islam with no opposing viewpoints .
It says a section of the course on terrorism focuses on Islam but does not discuss domestic terrorism by groups such as the Ku Klux Klan that espouse Christian ideologies .
`` There is no place in higher education for the furtherance of false personal biases designed to create hostility against particular religions , regardless of the religions , '' the suit says .
The suit also says CAIR-AZ had to hire a religious scholar to create a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ put out by Damask .
Raees Mohamed , one of Sabra 's attorneys , said students are being misled in the introductory class about one of the largest religions in the world .
He said Damask uses inaccurate translations of verses from the Koran , the Muslim holy scripture , and teaches misinformation .
`` Nowhere does the professor say Islam espouses peaceful views , '' Mohamed told UPI .
`` Nowhere in the course does he teach the accepted view of Islam . ''
Damask could not be reached for comment .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ not at risk of losing his job .
Attorney David Garner , who represents MCCCD , said the district denies the suit 's claims .
In a response brief filed June 10 , MCCCD says schools are not required to delete from the curriculum all materials that may offend any religious sensibility .
The quiz questions do not violate the Constitution , the district argues , and the suit 's claims undermine First Amendment protections reserved for academic freedom .
The response also says that nowhere in any of the course materials is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mandate to kill non-Muslims or that Islam is terrorism .
Other statements criticized as offensive have citations to `` sourced facts and statistics regarding terrorism by some who profess to believe in Islam , '' according to the district .
In addition , the district says the issue became moot when Sabra successfully completed the course .
`` The possibility that another student might be exposed to the allegedly offending course content is insufficient to avoid dismissal for mootness , '' the brief says .
Sabra took the 25-question , multiple choice quiz @ @ @ @ @ @ @ April 29 .
He was `` shocked and offended '' by some of the answer choices because they demonstrated `` a clear hostility and disapproval of Islam '' while also being factually incorrect , according to the suit .
The suit says Sabra correctly answered the questions based on how Muslims practice their religion but was marked wrong on some of them .
Among the answers considered correct by Damask but wrong by Sabra were that Islamic terrorists strive to emulate the prophet Muhammad and contemporary terrorism is Islamic .
That evening , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the questions mischaracterized Islam .
He also posted three of the questions that he found objectionable on social media .
The professor replied that the `` learning goal '' of the quiz was about the motivation of terrorists , not whether something is `` right '' or `` wrong '' under Islamic doctrine .
The dispute sparked a heated online discussion about academic freedom after a comedian in Michigan , Abdallah Jasim , saw Sabra 's post and posted a TikTok video on April 30 saying the questions were inappropriate .
People around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sides weighed in , flooding SCC with negative comments and threatening messages .
On May 1 , after an investigation , Chris Haines , interim SCC president , posted a statement on the school 's Facebook and Instagram pages apologizing to Sabra and anyone in the community who was offended .
Sabra was not identified by name .
`` SCC senior leadership has reviewed the quiz questions and agrees with the student that the content was inaccurate , inappropriate and not reflective of the inclusive nature of our college , '' the statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who also was not identified by name , would apologize to Sabra .
In addition , the student would receive credit for the three questions and they would be permanently removed from any future tests , according to her statement .
Nothing was said about credit for other questions that Sabra says also were inaccurately marked as wrong .
The lawsuit lists five questions as a few examples .
Damask has denied that he said he would apologize and reached out to the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education , a Philadelphia-based organization @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , religious liberty , freedom of conscience and due process on campus .
The organization emailed a letter to Haines on May 7 urging SCC to stop any investigation of Damask and allow him to determine his own course content .
Katlyn Patton , a FIRE program officer , said in an email to UPI that decisions about what the `` right '' answer is should be made by professors , who are hired because of their expertise in the field .
`` That does n't shield them from criticism about the conclusions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not censorship -- is the appropriate remedy for speech you view as wrong , '' Patton said .
On May 11 , MCCCD reversed its stand .
Interim Chancellor Steven R. Gonzales issued a statement apologizing for the `` uneven '' way the situation was handled and the lack of consideration for the professor 's academic freedom .
He said the questions were taken out of context and that the subject they addressed -- the reliance of certain violent groups on religious texts as a justification for their actions -- was within the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at our institution is open to all individuals regardless of their beliefs or backgrounds , and we will not tolerate the exclusion of any person based on what they do or do not believe , '' Gonzales wrote .
`` However , we also expect our students and faculty to engage fully with the ideas and perspectives of others , even when they disagree with each other . ''
Gonzales also announced the formation of the Committee on Academic Freedom to `` champion academic freedom education and training '' and resolve academic freedom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that to avoid another `` rush to judgment , '' the district had hired law firm Perkins Coie to investigate SCC 's response to the social media backlash .
The firm concluded that after the TikTok video spurred critical comments , the SCC administration focused on how to placate critics and paid little attention to the exchange between Sabra and Damask and the context of the quiz questions .
The report , released May 26 , also says MCCCD policies expressly give faculty members the right to determine curriculum and relevant subject matter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Damask continues to teach world politics , which is being offered this summer .

A student is suing his college arguing that a course includes instruction based on biased perspectives of Islam with no opposing viewpoints. Photo by Pixabay
June 24 (UPI) -- A Muslim college student and the Council on American-Islamic Relations of Arizona have filed a lawsuit to stop the use of course materials they say falsely teach that the only interpretation of religious texts is that Islam "mandates" terrorism. Mohamed Sabra, a political science major at Scottsdale Community College, says Muslim students' constitutional rights are being violated because they have to disavow their religion and give incorrect answers to test questions in the school's world politics course or be penalized by having their answers marked as wrong. Advertisement
The lawsuit, filed June 2 in U.S. District Court, names as defendants Maricopa County Community College District and SCC Professor Nicholas Damask, who teaches the course. SCC is one of 10 colleges in the district.
The suit seeks a declaration that teaching the materials violated the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment, which says that one religious denomination may not be preferred over another. It also asks for an order that bars teaching the materials unless they are modified so they do not have "the primary effect of disapproving of Islam."
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According to the suit, the course includes instruction based on biased perspectives of Islam with no opposing viewpoints. It says a section of the course on terrorism focuses on Islam but does not discuss domestic terrorism by groups such as the Ku Klux Klan that espouse Christian ideologies.
"There is no place in higher education for the furtherance of false personal biases designed to create hostility against particular religions, regardless of the religions," the suit says.
The suit also says CAIR-AZ had to hire a religious scholar to create a campaign correcting the "Islamophobic information" put out by Damask.
Raees Mohamed, one of Sabra's attorneys, said students are being misled in the introductory class about one of the largest religions in the world. He said Damask uses inaccurate translations of verses from the Koran, the Muslim holy scripture, and teaches misinformation.
"Nowhere does the professor say Islam espouses peaceful views," Mohamed told UPI. "Nowhere in the course does he teach the accepted view of Islam."
District denies claims
Damask could not be reached for comment. The district has said the professor is not at risk of losing his job. Attorney David Garner, who represents MCCCD, said the district denies the suit's claims.
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In a response brief filed June 10, MCCCD says schools are not required to delete from the curriculum all materials that may offend any religious sensibility. The quiz questions do not violate the Constitution, the district argues, and the suit's claims undermine First Amendment protections reserved for academic freedom.
The response also says that nowhere in any of the course materials is it stated that Muslims have a theological mandate to kill non-Muslims or that Islam is terrorism. Other statements criticized as offensive have citations to "sourced facts and statistics regarding terrorism by some who profess to believe in Islam," according to the district.
In addition, the district says the issue became moot when Sabra successfully completed the course.
"The possibility that another student might be exposed to the allegedly offending course content is insufficient to avoid dismissal for mootness," the brief says.
Sabra took the 25-question, multiple choice quiz at the center of the case on April 29. He was "shocked and offended" by some of the answer choices because they demonstrated "a clear hostility and disapproval of Islam" while also being factually incorrect, according to the suit.
The suit says Sabra correctly answered the questions based on how Muslims practice their religion but was marked wrong on some of them. Among the answers considered correct by Damask but wrong by Sabra were that Islamic terrorists strive to emulate the prophet Muhammad and contemporary terrorism is Islamic.
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That evening, Sabra emailed Damask about his concerns that the questions mischaracterized Islam. He also posted three of the questions that he found objectionable on social media.
The professor replied that the "learning goal" of the quiz was about the motivation of terrorists, not whether something is "right" or "wrong" under Islamic doctrine.
Viral comments
The dispute sparked a heated online discussion about academic freedom after a comedian in Michigan, Abdallah Jasim, saw Sabra's post and posted a TikTok video on April 30 saying the questions were inappropriate. People around the nation and the world on both sides weighed in, flooding SCC with negative comments and threatening messages.
On May 1, after an investigation, Chris Haines, interim SCC president, posted a statement on the school's Facebook and Instagram pages apologizing to Sabra and anyone in the community who was offended. Sabra was not identified by name.
"SCC senior leadership has reviewed the quiz questions and agrees with the student that the content was inaccurate, inappropriate and not reflective of the inclusive nature of our college," the statement says.
Haines said that Damask, who also was not identified by name, would apologize to Sabra. In addition, the student would receive credit for the three questions and they would be permanently removed from any future tests, according to her statement.
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Nothing was said about credit for other questions that Sabra says also were inaccurately marked as wrong. The lawsuit lists five questions as a few examples.
'Critcism -- not censorship'
Damask has denied that he said he would apologize and reached out to the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education, a Philadelphia-based organization that works to protect freedom of speech, religious liberty, freedom of conscience and due process on campus. The organization emailed a letter to Haines on May 7 urging SCC to stop any investigation of Damask and allow him to determine his own course content.
Katlyn Patton, a FIRE program officer, said in an email to UPI that decisions about what the "right" answer is should be made by professors, who are hired because of their expertise in the field.
"That doesn't shield them from criticism about the conclusions they've reached, and criticism -- not censorship -- is the appropriate remedy for speech you view as wrong," Patton said.
On May 11, MCCCD reversed its stand. Interim Chancellor Steven R. Gonzales issued a statement apologizing for the "uneven" way the situation was handled and the lack of consideration for the professor's academic freedom. He said the questions were taken out of context and that the subject they addressed -- the reliance of certain violent groups on religious texts as a justification for their actions -- was within the scope of the course.
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"Education at our institution is open to all individuals regardless of their beliefs or backgrounds, and we will not tolerate the exclusion of any person based on what they do or do not believe," Gonzales wrote. "However, we also expect our students and faculty to engage fully with the ideas and perspectives of others, even when they disagree with each other."
Gonzales also announced the formation of the Committee on Academic Freedom to "champion academic freedom education and training" and resolve academic freedom disputes.
In addition, Gonzales said that to avoid another "rush to judgment," the district had hired law firm Perkins Coie to investigate SCC's response to the social media backlash.
The firm concluded that after the TikTok video spurred critical comments, the SCC administration focused on how to placate critics and paid little attention to the exchange between Sabra and Damask and the context of the quiz questions.
The report, released May 26, also says MCCCD policies expressly give faculty members the right to determine curriculum and relevant subject matter for courses and determine student grades.
Damask continues to teach world politics, which is being offered this summer.


upi--2020-06-24--Lakers get roster spot after Avery Bradley opt-out, linked to J.R. Smith

June 24 ( UPI ) -- The Los Angeles Lakers picked up a roster spot after Avery Bradley opted out of the NBA 's plan to resume the season in Orlando , Fla. Sources informed ESPN and the Los Angeles Times on Tuesday of Bradley 's decision to opt out due to concerns about health .
Bradley , 29 , also referenced his commitment to social justice initiatives .
`` As committed to my Lakers teammates and the organization as I am , I ultimately play basketball for my family , '' Avery Bradley told ESPN .
`` And so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ca n't imagine making any decision that might put my family 's health and well-being at even the slightest risk .
`` As promised also , I will use this time away to focus on the formation of projects to help strengthen my communities . ''
Bradley and his wife , Ashley , have three children .
His oldest son , Liam , has a history of struggles in recovery from respiratory illnesses .
The NBA regular season has been suspended since mid-March but games are scheduled to resume in late-July in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ averaged 8.6 points , 2.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game this season .
The 10-year veteran will lose about $ 650,000 in salary due to his decision to sit out .
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope would likely replace Bradley in the top-seeded Lakers ' starting lineup .
Sources told ESPN that J.R. Smith is a top candidate to fill the open roster spot created by Bradley 's opt out .
Smith , 34 , was LeBron James ' teammate on the Cleveland Cavaliers for four seasons before James left for the Lakers in 2018 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to sign free agents before they travel to Orlando .

Los Angeles Lakers guard Avery Bradley will not play when the NBA season resumes in July in Orlando, Fla. Photo courtesy of the NBA
June 24 (UPI) -- The Los Angeles Lakers picked up a roster spot after Avery Bradley opted out of the NBA's plan to resume the season in Orlando, Fla. Sources informed ESPN and the Los Angeles Times on Tuesday of Bradley's decision to opt out due to concerns about health. Bradley, 29, also referenced his commitment to social justice initiatives. Advertisement
"As committed to my Lakers teammates and the organization as I am, I ultimately play basketball for my family," Avery Bradley told ESPN. "And so, at a time like this, I can't imagine making any decision that might put my family's health and well-being at even the slightest risk.
"As promised also, I will use this time away to focus on the formation of projects to help strengthen my communities."
Bradley and his wife, Ashley, have three children. His oldest son, Liam, has a history of struggles in recovery from respiratory illnesses.
The NBA regular season has been suspended since mid-March but games are scheduled to resume in late-July in Orlando for 22 invited teams.
Bradley averaged 8.6 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game this season. The 10-year veteran will lose about $650,000 in salary due to his decision to sit out. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope would likely replace Bradley in the top-seeded Lakers' starting lineup.
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Sources told ESPN that J.R. Smith is a top candidate to fill the open roster spot created by Bradley's opt out. Smith, 34, was LeBron James' teammate on the Cleveland Cavaliers for four seasons before James left for the Lakers in 2018.
NBA teams have until July 1 to sign free agents before they travel to Orlando.


upi--2020-06-24--Russia stages Victory Day military parade after 6-week coronavirus delay

June 24 ( UPI ) -- Soviet-era tanks , modern military hardware and thousands of troops paraded through Moscow Wednesday as President Vladimir Putin presided over a celebration of Russia 's victory over Nazi Germany during World War II -- a celebration that was delayed for weeks by the coronavirus crisis .
Stationed at a viewing post in Moscow 's Red Square and surrounded by World War II veterans , Putin watched as the parade began with an honor guard bearing the `` Victory Banner , '' the flag raised over the German Reichstag in 1945 to signal the defeat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after row of military hardware , including Soviet T-34 tanks and Russia 's latest weapons systems like upgraded tanks , infantry fighting vehicles and rocket launchers .
Thousands of Russian and foreign troops , from China , India and the former Soviet republics in Central Asia , marched through Red Square as part of the 75th anniversary celebration , which was originally planned for May 9 .
Putin postponed the event about a month earlier .
Last month , the Russian leader ordered his defense chiefs to incorporate COVID-19 mitigation measures into the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ record an average of 8,000 new cases per day .
Veterans surrounding Putin Wednesday at the viewing stand were quarantined for two weeks at a resort outside Moscow , state media reported .
Coronavirus-related restrictions in the Russian capital were lifted earlier this month to prepare for the military parade .
Wednesday 's display comes a week before Russians are scheduled to go to the polls to vote on proposed constitution reforms that would allow Putin to remain in power until 2036 .
Like the Victory Day parade , the original vote was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ changes to the constitution have already been approved by Russian Parliament and are widely expected to be approved by voters .
Putin said Sunday he has n't ruled out a bid to extend his presidency when it expires in 2024 .

Parade formations are seen Wednesday before the 75th Victory Day parade in Moscow, Russia. Photo by Mikhail Voskresenskiy/EPA-EFE
June 24 (UPI) -- Soviet-era tanks, modern military hardware and thousands of troops paraded through Moscow Wednesday as President Vladimir Putin presided over a celebration of Russia's victory over Nazi Germany during World War II -- a celebration that was delayed for weeks by the coronavirus crisis. Stationed at a viewing post in Moscow's Red Square and surrounded by World War II veterans, Putin watched as the parade began with an honor guard bearing the "Victory Banner," the flag raised over the German Reichstag in 1945 to signal the defeat of the Nazis. Advertisement
Next came row after row of military hardware, including Soviet T-34 tanks and Russia's latest weapons systems like upgraded tanks, infantry fighting vehicles and rocket launchers.
Thousands of Russian and foreign troops, from China, India and the former Soviet republics in Central Asia, marched through Red Square as part of the 75th anniversary celebration, which was originally planned for May 9. Putin postponed the event about a month earlier.
Last month, the Russian leader ordered his defense chiefs to incorporate COVID-19 mitigation measures into the celebration, as the country continues to record an average of 8,000 new cases per day. Veterans surrounding Putin Wednesday at the viewing stand were quarantined for two weeks at a resort outside Moscow, state media reported.
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Coronavirus-related restrictions in the Russian capital were lifted earlier this month to prepare for the military parade.
Wednesday's display comes a week before Russians are scheduled to go to the polls to vote on proposed constitution reforms that would allow Putin to remain in power until 2036. Like the Victory Day parade, the original vote was postponed by the health crisis.
The changes to the constitution have already been approved by Russian Parliament and are widely expected to be approved by voters. Putin said Sunday he hasn't ruled out a bid to extend his presidency when it expires in 2024.


upi--2020-06-24--Lil Rel Howery to host 'Small Fortune' game show for NBC

June 24 ( UPI ) -- Comedian , actor , writer and producer Lil Rel Howery has signed on to @ @ @ @ @ show , Small Fortune .
The program challenges teams of three friends to complete tasks @ @ @ @ @ win cash prizes , contestants must demonstrate dexterity , focus and precision .
`` I @ @ @ @ @ this very fun and exciting game show , '' Howery said in a press release @ @ @ @ @ the games and they 're not as easy as they look , which is why @ @ @ @ @ fun to watch .
You will want to try some of these creative games at @ @ @ @ @ set to begin later this year .
Howery 's credits include Lil Rel Howery : @ @ @ @ @ Out , Bird Box , Uncle Drew , Good Boys , The Carmichael Show , @ @ @ @ @ .

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Lil Rel Howery is set to host the NBC game show, "Small Fortune." File Photo by Patrick Rideaux/UPI | License Photo
June 24 (UPI) -- Comedian, actor, writer and producer Lil Rel Howery has signed on to host NBC's new game show, Small Fortune. The program challenges teams of three friends to complete tasks involving tiny objects. Advertisement
To win cash prizes, contestants must demonstrate dexterity, focus and precision.
"I'm really excited to host this very fun and exciting game show," Howery said in a press release. "I've played the games and they're not as easy as they look, which is why this show will be so fun to watch. You will want to try some of these creative games at home."
Production is set to begin later this year.
Howery's credits include Lil Rel Howery: Live in Crenshaw, Get Out, Bird Box, Uncle Drew, Good Boys, The Carmichael Show, Rel, Insecure and Southside.


upi--2020-06-24--Watch live: Aaron Zelinsky, prosecutor who quit Roger Stone case, to testify in Congress

June 24 ( UPI ) -- One of the federal prosecutors who tried political strategist Roger Stone -- and then quit the case after the Trump administration intervened to lessen his recommended punishment -- will testify in Congress on Wednesday .
Aaron S.J .
Zelinsky will appear before the House judiciary committee to answer questions about what occurred in the Justice Department when it superseded prosecutors ' recommendation for Stone 's sentence in February .
Zelinsky is scheduled to testify at noon EDT Wednesday at the hearing on `` Oversight of the Department of Justice : Political Interference and Threats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ employee John W. Elias is also set to testify about the case and other potential politically motivated actions by the Justice Department under U.S. Attorney General William Barr .
Democratic lawmakers want to know if the department waded into the case , a rare move , as a favor to President Donald Trump .
Stone , who is scheduled to begin serving a 40-month prison sentence this month , is a longtime ally of the president 's .
`` What I heard -- repeatedly -- was that Roger Stone was being treated differently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relationship to the president , '' Zelinsky will tell the panel , according to prepared remarks .
House Democrats have presented Zelinsky and Elias as whistle-blowers , who receive protections for sharing information with Congress while acting as civil servants .
Stone was convicted of charges that arose from the Russia investigation , which included lying to Congress , witness tampering and interfering in the House 's inquiry .
Congressional investigators had searched for any potential ties between the Trump campaign and operators in Moscow .
Stone 's sentence was far lighter than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prosecutors in the case , which included Zelinsky , had recommended .
Not long after making that recommendation to the judge , following a public complaint from Trump that Stone was being treated unfairly , the department and Barr asked for a lesser sentence .
Zelinsky and the other three prosecutors subsequently quit the case and two resigned entirely from the U.S. Attorney 's Office in Washington , D.C. A group of more than 1,100 former Justice Department officials later called on Barr to resign for interfering in `` the fair administration of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ career official in the department 's antitrust division , will also testify that the administration inappropriately used antitrust power to investigate mergers and acquisitions in the marijuana industry because Barr `` did not like the nature of their underlying business . ''
He will tell the panel , according to his prepared remarks , that Barr similarly initiated an antitrust review of one particular deal after it was criticized by Trump .
That agreement involved four automakers and the state of California over fuel efficiency and emissions .

Roger Stone, a former campaign adviser to President Donald Trump, arrives for a sentencing hearing at the E. Barrett Prettyman Courthouse in Washington, D.C., on February 20. Stone was ultimately sentenced to 40 months in prison after the Justice Department intervened in the case and superseded an initial recommendation of between seven and nine years. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
June 24 (UPI) -- Aaron Zelinsky, one of the federal prosecutors who tried political strategist Roger Stone, told a House Committee on Wednesday that Stone was offered of a lighter sentence because of his relationship with President Donald Trump. Appearing via a video link, Zelinsky also said he other prosecutors on the case were threatened with firing for resisting demands to reduce their sentencing recommendation for Stone. Advertisement
"What I heard repeatedly was that this leniency was happening because of Stone's relationship to the president, that the acting U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia was receiving heavy pressure from the highest levels of the Department of Justice and that his instructions to us were based on political considerations," Zelinsky said.
Stone's sentence was far lighter than the seven to nine years Zelinsky and the others had recommended.
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Not long after making that recommendation to the judge, following a public complaint from Trump that Stone was being treated unfairly, the Justice Department and Attorney General William Barr asked for a lesser sentence.
Zelinsky and the other three prosecutors subsequently quit the case and two resigned entirely from the U.S. Attorney's Office in Washington, D.C.
Democratic lawmakers want to know if the department waded into the case as a favor to Trump. Stone is scheduled to begin serving a 40-month prison sentence this month.
The raucous hearing began with scathing criticism of Barr by the panel's Democratic chairman, Rep. Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y., who referenced Barr's role in last week's firing of Geoffrey Berman as the top federal prosecutor in New York.
Berman was overseeing several sensitive investigations involving people close to Trump and initially refused to leave his post.
"The effort to remove Mr. Berman is part of a clear and dangerous pattern of conduct that began when Mr. Barr took office and continues to this day," Nadler said, calling the attorney general "the president's fixer. He has shown us that there is one set of rules for the president's friends and another set of rules for the rest of us."
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Ranking Republican member Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, defended the Barr in his opening remarks, saying, "The Barr Justice Department is about correcting injustice. They're not political, they're just right."
As the hearing began, the Justice Department confirmed Barr will testify before the judiciary committee next month about Berman's firing.
"The attorney general has accepted an invitation to appear before the House judiciary committee for a general oversight hearing on July 28," department spokeswoman Kerri Kupec tweeted.
Wednesday's hearing was repeatedly interrupted by partisan outbursts and loud criticisms of Nadler from Republican members.
House Democrats have presented Zelinsky as a whistle-blower receiving protections for sharing information with Congress while acting as civil servants.
Stone was convicted of charges that arose from the investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 U.S. election. The charges included lying to Congress, witness tampering and interfering in the House's inquiry. Congressional investigators had searched for any potential ties between the Trump campaign and operators in Moscow.
A group of more than 1,100 former Justice Department officials later called on Barr to resign for interfering in "the fair administration of justice."


upi--2020-06-24--Watch: Will Ferrell says 'Eurovision Song Contest' is about 'going after your dream'

June 24 ( UPI ) -- Will Ferrell appeared on The Late Late Show with James Corden to discuss his upcoming Netflix film , Eurovision Song Contest : The Story of Fire Saga .
The comedy film follows Ferrell and Rachel McAdams as aspiring Icelandic musicians who compete at one of the world 's biggest song competitions .
The real Eurovision Song Contest was started in 1956 and consists of 42 countries around Europe including Australia and Israel .
ABBA , Celine Dion and more got their start at the contest .
`` We 're kind of these long-shot , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their head but we 're so excited to be there , '' Ferrell said about his and McAdams ' characters .
`` It 's really a movie about going after your dream , despite any sort of odds , '' he continued .
Eurovision Song Contest : The Story of Fire Saga premieres on Netflix Friday .
Pierce Brosnan , Dan Stevens and Demi Lovato also star .
`` He 's always good looking , always , even when he sleeps .
I snuck into his hotel room and watched him .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brosnan .

June 24 (UPI) -- Will Ferrell appeared on The Late Late Show with James Corden to discuss his upcoming Netflix film, Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga.
The comedy film follows Ferrell and Rachel McAdams as aspiring Icelandic musicians who compete at one of the world's biggest song competitions.
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The real Eurovision Song Contest was started in 1956 and consists of 42 countries around Europe including Australia and Israel. ABBA, Celine Dion and more got their start at the contest.
"We're kind of these long-shot, loser band who's in way over their head but we're so excited to be there," Ferrell said about his and McAdams' characters.
"It's really a movie about going after your dream, despite any sort of odds," he continued.
Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga premieres on Netflix Friday. Pierce Brosnan, Dan Stevens and Demi Lovato also star.
"He's always good looking, always, even when he sleeps. I snuck into his hotel room and watched him. He's gorgeous," Ferrell said about Brosnan.


upi--2020-06-24--Jimmy Kimmel apologizes for his past use of blackface in comedy

June 24 ( UPI ) -- Comedian and talk-show host Jimmy Kimmel is apologizing for using blackface during performances in the 1990s and early 2000s .
Kimmel , 52 , was booked last week as the host of the Emmy Awards ceremony in September .
Shortly after , he announced his plans to take the summer off from his Jimmy Kimmel Live show on ABC to spend more time with his family .
Kimmel , who is white , has since been criticized on social media for past racial insensitivity for donning dark makeup to impersonate NBA player Karl Malone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Man Show and as an on-air personality for the Los Angeles radio station KROQ .
`` I have long been reluctant to address this , as I knew doing so would be celebrated as a victory by those who equate apologies with weakness and cheer for leaders who use prejudice to divide us .
That delay was a mistake , '' Kimmel said in a statement Tuesday .
`` There is nothing more important to me than your respect , and I apologize to those who were genuinely hurt or offended by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spoke , '' he added .
`` I 've done dozens of impressions of famous people , including Snoop Dogg , Oprah , Eminem , Dick Vitale , Rosie , and many others .
In each case , I thought of them as impersonations of celebrities and nothing more .
Looking back , many of these sketches are embarrassing , and it is frustrating that these thoughtless moments have become a weapon used by some to diminish my criticisms of social and other injustices . ''
Former Man Show co-host Adam Carolla is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` He is the most decent person and generous person you 've ever met , '' Carolla said on his podcast Tuesday .
`` If everyone was like Jimmy Kimmel , we 'd be living in a ( expletive ) utopia . ''
Kimmel 's fellow late-night , chat-show host , Jimmy Fallon , also recently apologized for using blackface 20 years ago to do an impression of black comedian , Chris Rock .
Writer , actress and producer Tina Fey this week requested repeats of episodes of her sitcom , 30 Rock @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be taken off the air .
The celebrity apologies were made as protesters across the United States demand racial equality and social justice in the wake of the death of George Floyd .

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Jimmy Kimmel has apologized for using blackface in his comedy sketches years ago. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
June 24 (UPI) -- Comedian and talk-show host Jimmy Kimmel is apologizing for using blackface during performances in the 1990s and early 2000s. Kimmel, 52, was booked last week as the host of the Emmy Awards ceremony in September. Advertisement
Shortly after, he announced his plans to take the summer off from his Jimmy Kimmel Live show on ABC to spend more time with his family.
Kimmel, who is white, has since been criticized on social media for past racial insensitivity for donning dark makeup to impersonate NBA player Karl Malone when he worked as co-host of The Man Show and as an on-air personality for the Los Angeles radio station KROQ.
"I have long been reluctant to address this, as I knew doing so would be celebrated as a victory by those who equate apologies with weakness and cheer for leaders who use prejudice to divide us. That delay was a mistake," Kimmel said in a statement Tuesday.
"There is nothing more important to me than your respect, and I apologize to those who were genuinely hurt or offended by the makeup I wore or the words I spoke," he added. "I've done dozens of impressions of famous people, including Snoop Dogg, Oprah, Eminem, Dick Vitale, Rosie, and many others. In each case, I thought of them as impersonations of celebrities and nothing more. Looking back, many of these sketches are embarrassing, and it is frustrating that these thoughtless moments have become a weapon used by some to diminish my criticisms of social and other injustices."
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Former Man Show co-host Adam Carolla is standing up for his longtime friend.
"He is the most decent person and generous person you've ever met," Carolla said on his podcast Tuesday. "If everyone was like Jimmy Kimmel, we'd be living in a (expletive) utopia."
Kimmel's fellow late-night, chat-show host, Jimmy Fallon, also recently apologized for using blackface 20 years ago to do an impression of black comedian, Chris Rock.
Writer, actress and producer Tina Fey this week requested repeats of episodes of her sitcom, 30 Rock, that featured actors in blackface, be taken off the air.
The celebrity apologies were made as protesters across the United States demand racial equality and social justice in the wake of the death of George Floyd.


upi--2020-06-24--Dying to see the president: Was Trump rally worth the price?

President Donald Trump held a political rally in Tulsa , Okla. , on Saturday as outbreaks of COVID-19 were reaching new highs in the state .
Virtually every medical and scientific expert predicted that the rally would further ignite infections and possible deaths , raising this critical question : Would you risk dying to see the president ?
Never before in American history has this question been asked .
Knowing the risks , why would any responsible president hazard Americans in a closed auditorium knowing full well that fatal infections of COVID-19 would occur .
The only questions are how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many would die .
The good news is that attendance was mercifully small -- about 6,500 in a space that can accommodate about 20,000 .
But social distancing was nonexistent and a large number of attendees did not wear masks .
By contrast , Japan , with a population about 1/3 of America 's , suffered only 1,000 COVID-19 deaths so far .
The reason : Everyone in Japan wears a face mask .
About 2.4 million Americans have contracted the disease .
About 130,000 have died .
While no proven models exist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ idea of how severe the pandemic might affect the 6,500 attendees at this rally .
Assuming 2 to 5 percent of those afflicted with COVID-19 die , and using the 130,000 deaths as an indicator , that suggests between 6.5 million and 2.6 million Americans have been infected .
Even if using the 2.4 million figure of proven infections , that accounts for between .8 percent and 2 percent of 330 million Americans .
Using that range , with 6,500 attendees at the rally , between 52 and 130 Americans at the rally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a confined space and without complete protection , one person infects 10 others .
That suggests 500 to 1,300 people at the rally are likely to contract the disease .
If 2 to 5 percent die , that amounts to 10 to 650 deaths .
Is any rally worth those deaths ?
No American president would willingly put the public at that level of risk .
It is one thing to order troops into battle who may be killed defending the nation .
It is irresponsibility at the highest level to put citizens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And comments that call for less testing for COVID-19 are dangerous , made worse by pretending they were in jest .
How does Trump get away with this ?
First , the nation is as polarized as perhaps as at any time in its history .
Even the common sensical and responsible step of wearing face masks to protect others from possible transmission has been used by Trumpites as a sign of opposing the president .
Second , Trump 's concern is fixated on maintaining his base of some 40 percent support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no wrong .
And the more disruptive his actions , perversely , the support from his minions grows .
Third , Republicans , particularly in the Senate , refuse to act as a check or balance .
Some are afraid of incurring the president 's wrath or being primaried .
Former Sens .
Jeff Flake and Bob Corker , who stood up to Trump , fell to that fate .
And other senators understandably do not want to lose the majority to Democrats whose left-wing agenda rightly is cause for concern .
To @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and casual disregard the president shows in downplaying the seriousness of the pandemic , where are the national strategies for next steps in defeating the disease and for reopening the economy ?
They do not exist .
And the coronavirus task force is missing in action .
No one can predict how the virus will react .
Over half the states have experienced major spikes in infections and hospitalizations .
Despite the diaphanous claim that these increases are due to more testing , the disease is spreading in America , whereas Europe seems @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' In about two weeks , infections and even deaths of the rally attendees will emerge .
One can argue , wrongly , that some will die of natural causes no matter .
Yet , even if only a few die , was that worth the price of admission ?
In the larger scheme , the United States is not acting as a mature and serious nation in dealing with the pandemic .
Masks and social distancing must be mandatory .
For those who argue that constitutional rights are being violated , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ entitle citizens to yell fire in a crowded movie theater .
This disease is spread by people .
If one has any sense of social responsibility to other citizens , acting in that manner is a prerequisite .
The tragedy and danger is the president believes otherwise .
Harlan Ullman is UPI 's Arnaud de Borchgrave Distinguished Columnist , senior adviser at the Atlantic Council and author of the upcoming book , `` The Fifth Horseman : To Be Feared , Friended or Fought in a MAD-Driven Age . ''

President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally at the Bank of Oklahoma Center in Tulsa, Okla., on June 20, 2020. Photo by Kyle Rivas/UPI | License Photo
President Donald Trump held a political rally in Tulsa, Okla., on Saturday as outbreaks of COVID-19 were reaching new highs in the state. Virtually every medical and scientific expert predicted that the rally would further ignite infections and possible deaths, raising this critical question: Would you risk dying to see the president? Never before in American history has this question been asked. Knowing the risks, why would any responsible president hazard Americans in a closed auditorium knowing full well that fatal infections of COVID-19 would occur. The only questions are how many would contract the disease and how many would die. Advertisement
The good news is that attendance was mercifully small -- about 6,500 in a space that can accommodate about 20,000. But social distancing was nonexistent and a large number of attendees did not wear masks. By contrast, Japan, with a population about 1/3 of America's, suffered only 1,000 COVID-19 deaths so far. The reason: Everyone in Japan wears a face mask.
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About 2.4 million Americans have contracted the disease. About 130,000 have died. While no proven models exist, using these statistics gives an approximate idea of how severe the pandemic might affect the 6,500 attendees at this rally.
Assuming 2 to 5 percent of those afflicted with COVID-19 die, and using the 130,000 deaths as an indicator, that suggests between 6.5 million and 2.6 million Americans have been infected. Even if using the 2.4 million figure of proven infections, that accounts for between .8 percent and 2 percent of 330 million Americans. Using that range, with 6,500 attendees at the rally, between 52 and 130 Americans at the rally will contract the disease.
Assuming in a confined space and without complete protection, one person infects 10 others. That suggests 500 to 1,300 people at the rally are likely to contract the disease. If 2 to 5 percent die, that amounts to 10 to 650 deaths. Is any rally worth those deaths?
No American president would willingly put the public at that level of risk. It is one thing to order troops into battle who may be killed defending the nation. It is irresponsibility at the highest level to put citizens at risk for attending a political rally. And comments that call for less testing for COVID-19 are dangerous, made worse by pretending they were in jest.
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How does Trump get away with this? First, the nation is as polarized as perhaps as at any time in its history. Even the common sensical and responsible step of wearing face masks to protect others from possible transmission has been used by Trumpites as a sign of opposing the president.
Second, Trump's concern is fixated on maintaining his base of some 40 percent support. To them, he can do no wrong. And the more disruptive his actions, perversely, the support from his minions grows.
Third, Republicans, particularly in the Senate, refuse to act as a check or balance. Some are afraid of incurring the president's wrath or being primaried. Former Sens. Jeff Flake and Bob Corker, who stood up to Trump, fell to that fate. And other senators understandably do not want to lose the majority to Democrats whose left-wing agenda rightly is cause for concern.
To prove beyond a reasonable doubt the cynical and casual disregard the president shows in downplaying the seriousness of the pandemic, where are the national strategies for next steps in defeating the disease and for reopening the economy? They do not exist. And the coronavirus task force is missing in action.
No one can predict how the virus will react. Over half the states have experienced major spikes in infections and hospitalizations. Despite the diaphanous claim that these increases are due to more testing, the disease is spreading in America, whereas Europe seems to have "flattened the curve."
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In about two weeks, infections and even deaths of the rally attendees will emerge. One can argue, wrongly, that some will die of natural causes no matter. Yet, even if only a few die, was that worth the price of admission?
In the larger scheme, the United States is not acting as a mature and serious nation in dealing with the pandemic. Masks and social distancing must be mandatory. For those who argue that constitutional rights are being violated, the equivalent is that free speech does not entitle citizens to yell fire in a crowded movie theater.
This disease is spread by people. If one has any sense of social responsibility to other citizens, acting in that manner is a prerequisite. The tragedy and danger is the president believes otherwise.
Harlan Ullman is UPI's Arnaud de Borchgrave Distinguished Columnist, senior adviser at the Atlantic Council and author of the upcoming book, "The Fifth Horseman: To Be Feared, Friended or Fought in a MAD-Driven Age."


upi--2020-06-24--In rare remarks on Korean conflict, Kim Jong Un calls off military plans

SEOUL , June 24 ( UPI ) -- After weeks of ratcheting up tensions on the Korean Peninsula , North Korea took a step back on Wednesday with an announcement in state-run media that leader Kim Jong Un has called off military plans against South Korea .
At a meeting chaired by Kim , military officials `` took stock of the prevailing situation and suspended the military action plans against the [ S ] outh , '' state-run Korean Central News Agency reported Wednesday morning .
The North Korean leader 's appearance in state media was his first in almost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time that he has publicly weighed in on the brewing conflict with South Korea .
Kim 's sister , Kim Yo Jong , has been the public face of North Korea 's bellicose turn toward its southern neighbor as the communist state has taken provocative steps such as blowing up the inter-Korean liaison office in its border city of Kaesong and cutting off communications lines with the South .
Kim Yo Jong has called South Korea an `` enemy '' and warned that it would pay a `` high price '' for what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between the two countries during a period of rapprochement in 2018 .
North Korea had also vowed to move troops into border areas that were demilitarized under a military agreement with the South and to begin conducting regular drills , although those movements appear to have been halted under Wednesday 's announcement .
The announcement from North Korea gave little indication as to the reason for the change in direction .
A number of analysts have speculated publicly that Kim Jong Un may be playing `` good cop '' to his sister 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to further negotiations with South Korea and the United States .
The heated rhetoric and provocative moves from the North began nearly three weeks ago , ostensibly spurred on by the longstanding practice of defectors sending leaflets criticizing the North Korean government across the border .
Pyongyang has repeatedly denounced the practice in recent weeks and announced on Monday that it had prepared 12 million propaganda leaflets of its own to drop on the South .
The North had also begun installing several loudspeakers along the border area , in apparent preparation to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ music into the neighboring South .
However , reports emerged in local media Wednesday that the North had removed the loudspeakers .
At a parliamentary session on Wednesday afternoon , Defense Minister Jeong Keyong-doo confirmed their removal but said that the South Korean military would continue monitoring the movements of the North .
`` Regardless of the North Korean moves , we will continue to maintain a firm readiness posture and manage the situation so as to prevent the people from feeling insecure , '' Jeong said , according to news agency Yonhap @

At a meeting headed by leader Kim Jong Un on Wednesday, North Korea decided to suspend its military action plans against South Korea. Photo by EPA-EFE/KCNA
SEOUL, June 24 (UPI) -- After weeks of ratcheting up tensions on the Korean Peninsula, North Korea took a step back on Wednesday with an announcement in state-run media that leader Kim Jong Un has called off military plans against South Korea. At a meeting chaired by Kim, military officials "took stock of the prevailing situation and suspended the military action plans against the [S]outh," state-run Korean Central News Agency reported Wednesday morning. Advertisement
The North Korean leader's appearance in state media was his first in almost two weeks and it marked the first time that he has publicly weighed in on the brewing conflict with South Korea.
Kim's sister, Kim Yo Jong, has been the public face of North Korea's bellicose turn toward its southern neighbor as the communist state has taken provocative steps such as blowing up the inter-Korean liaison office in its border city of Kaesong and cutting off communications lines with the South.
Kim Yo Jong has called South Korea an "enemy" and warned that it would pay a "high price" for what she claimed were violations of agreements signed between the two countries during a period of rapprochement in 2018.
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North Korea had also vowed to move troops into border areas that were demilitarized under a military agreement with the South and to begin conducting regular drills, although those movements appear to have been halted under Wednesday's announcement.
The announcement from North Korea gave little indication as to the reason for the change in direction. A number of analysts have speculated publicly that Kim Jong Un may be playing "good cop" to his sister's "bad cop" as a prelude to further negotiations with South Korea and the United States.
The heated rhetoric and provocative moves from the North began nearly three weeks ago, ostensibly spurred on by the longstanding practice of defectors sending leaflets criticizing the North Korean government across the border.
Pyongyang has repeatedly denounced the practice in recent weeks and announced on Monday that it had prepared 12 million propaganda leaflets of its own to drop on the South.
The North had also begun installing several loudspeakers along the border area, in apparent preparation to restart the blasting of propaganda speeches and music into the neighboring South.
However, reports emerged in local media Wednesday that the North had removed the loudspeakers.
At a parliamentary session on Wednesday afternoon, Defense Minister Jeong Keyong-doo confirmed their removal but said that the South Korean military would continue monitoring the movements of the North.
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"Regardless of the North Korean moves, we will continue to maintain a firm readiness posture and manage the situation so as to prevent the people from feeling insecure," Jeong said, according to news agency Yonhap.


upi--2020-06-24--Adult film star Ron Jeremy charged with sexually assaulting 4 women

June 24 ( UPI ) -- Los Angeles County prosecutors have charged adult film star Ron Jeremy with raping three women and sexually assaulting a fourth in separate incidents that go back as far as 2014 .
Los Angeles County District Attorney Jackie Lacey announced in a statement Tuesday that Jeremy , whose real name is Ronald Jeremy Hyatt , has been charged with three counts each of forcible rape and forcible penetration by a foreign object and one count each of forcible oral copulation and battery .
If convicted , he faces a possible maximum sentence of 90 years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the criminal complaint , Jeremy , 67 , is accused of raping a 25-year-old woman at a West Hollywood home in May 2014 , sexually assaulting two women , ages 33 and 46 , on separate incidents in 2017 and raping a 30-year-old woman in July 2019 .
The last three incidents are said to have occurred at the same West Hollywood bar .
Following the announcement of the charges , Dante Rusciolelli , owner of Golden Artists Entertainment , which represented Jeremy , announced they were dropping him as a client @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against him are not true , but if they are , we hope that he is prosecuted , '' Rusciolelli said in a statement .
The district attorney 's office said it declined a fourth case against Jeremy concerning a 2016 incident `` due to insufficient evidence . ''
Prosecutors have recommended bail be set at $ 6.6 million .

Adult film star Ron Jeremy has been charged with sexually assaulting four women in West Hollywood in separate incidents that go back to 2014. Photo by Francis Specker/UPI | License Photo
June 24 (UPI) -- Los Angeles County prosecutors have charged adult film star Ron Jeremy with raping three women and sexually assaulting a fourth in separate incidents that go back as far as 2014. Los Angeles County District Attorney Jackie Lacey announced in a statement Tuesday that Jeremy, whose real name is Ronald Jeremy Hyatt, has been charged with three counts each of forcible rape and forcible penetration by a foreign object and one count each of forcible oral copulation and battery. If convicted, he faces a possible maximum sentence of 90 years to life in state prison. Advertisement
According to the criminal complaint, Jeremy, 67, is accused of raping a 25-year-old woman at a West Hollywood home in May 2014, sexually assaulting two women, ages 33 and 46, on separate incidents in 2017 and raping a 30-year-old woman in July 2019. The last three incidents are said to have occurred at the same West Hollywood bar.
Following the announcement of the charges, Dante Rusciolelli, owner of Golden Artists Entertainment, which represented Jeremy, announced they were dropping him as a client.
"We hope that these allegations against him are not true, but if they are, we hope that he is prosecuted," Rusciolelli said in a statement.
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The district attorney's office said it declined a fourth case against Jeremy concerning a 2016 incident "due to insufficient evidence."
Prosecutors have recommended bail be set at $6.6 million.


upi--2020-06-24--Twitter flags tweet by President Donald Trump for violating anti-abuse policy

June 24 ( UPI ) -- The microblogging site Twitter has again flagged a tweet from President Donald Trump , this time for violating a policy that bars abusive behavior .
Trump threatened via Twitter Tuesday to use `` serious force '' against protesters who may try to establish an autonomous zone in Washington , D.C .
The tweet followed an announcement from Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan on Monday that such a zone that had occupied a six-block area within the heart of the city for two weeks would be dismantled .
The social media platform on Tuesday said it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president 's tweet `` for violating our policy against abusive behavior , specifically , the presence of a threat of harm against an identifiable group . ''
The public interest label blocks users from seeing the tweet until clicking on it .
`` Per our policies , this Tweet will remain on the service given its relevance to ongoing public conversation , '' Twitter Saftey explained .
`` Engagements with the Tweet will be limited .
People will be able to Retweet with Comment , but not Like , Reply or Retweet it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House press secretary , responded to Twitter , saying it labeled abusive behavior the president calling for the law to be enforced .
`` Twitter says it is 'abusive ' to prevent rioters from forcibly seizing territory to set up a lawless zone in our capital , '' she said .
`` We must have LAW AND ORDER ! ''
Twitter has moderated at least five of the president 's tweets since late last month when it placed fact-checking labels on two tweets by the president concerning mail-in ballots it said contained harmful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Twitter 's moves to amend his tweets in late May by signing an executive order that limits the legal protections of social media companies if they censor , edit or delete user posts .

President Donald Trump speaks to reporters Tuesday on the South Lawn of the White House before he departs for Yuma, Ariz. Photo by Stefani Reynolds/UPI | License Photo
June 24 (UPI) -- The microblogging site Twitter has again flagged a tweet from President Donald Trump, this time for violating a policy that bars abusive behavior. Trump threatened via Twitter Tuesday to use "serious force" against protesters who may try to establish an autonomous zone in Washington, D.C. The tweet followed an announcement from Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan on Monday that such a zone that had occupied a six-block area within the heart of the city for two weeks would be dismantled. Advertisement We've placed a public interest notice on this Tweet for violating our policy against abusive behavior, specifically, the presence of a threat of harm against an identifiable group.https://t.co/AcmW6O6d4t— Twitter Safety (@TwitterSafety) June 23, 2020 The social media platform on Tuesday said it placed a public interest note on the president's tweet "for violating our policy against abusive behavior, specifically, the presence of a threat of harm against an identifiable group." Read More Trump threatens arrest, prison for activists who target statues
John Bolton memoir released after weeklong legal fight
White House spokesman Hogan Gidley moves to Trump campaign
The public interest label blocks users from seeing the tweet until clicking on it.
"Per our policies, this Tweet will remain on the service given its relevance to ongoing public conversation," Twitter Saftey explained. "Engagements with the Tweet will be limited. People will be able to Retweet with Comment, but not Like, Reply or Retweet it."
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Kayleigh McEnany, the White House press secretary, responded to Twitter, saying it labeled abusive behavior the president calling for the law to be enforced.
"Twitter says it is 'abusive' to prevent rioters from forcibly seizing territory to set up a lawless zone in our capital," she said. "We must have LAW AND ORDER!"
Twitter has moderated at least five of the president's tweets since late last month when it placed fact-checking labels on two tweets by the president concerning mail-in ballots it said contained harmful or misleading information.
Trump responded to Twitter's moves to amend his tweets in late May by signing an executive order that limits the legal protections of social media companies if they censor, edit or delete user posts.


upi--2020-06-24--New York Knicks add CAA's William Wesley to front office; two scouts hired

June 24 ( UPI ) -- The New York Knicks hired Creative Artist Agency consultant William Wesley as executive vice president/senior basketball adviser , the team announced Wednesday .
Wesley , who is known as `` World Wide Wes '' due to his relationships with numerous high-profile NBA players and owners , has served as a consultant in the coaching division of CAA for 13 years .
He has a close relationship with Knicks president Leon Rose , who was hired by the franchise earlier this year .
`` We are very excited to announce the hiring of William Wesley @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over 40 years and consider to be family , '' Rose said in a statement .
`` He is one of the most well-connected and respected people in the basketball community and he will be a tremendous asset and resource to both myself and the New York Knicks . ''
`` My long history with and respect for [ Knicks owner ] Jim Dolan and Leon Rose , as well as the chance to be part of the New York Knicks , made this an opportunity I wanted to pursue , '' Wesley @ @ @ @ @ @ @ joining the current staff and moving the organization toward a successful future . ''
The Knicks also announced that Alex Kline and T.J. Zanin were officially hired as team scouts .
Zanin joins the Knicks after working as a regional scout for the Dallas Mavericks last season , while Kline spent the past four years with the New Orleans Pelicans as a scout and basketball operations assistant .

June 24 (UPI) -- The New York Knicks hired Creative Artist Agency consultant William Wesley as executive vice president/senior basketball adviser, the team announced Wednesday.
Wesley, who is known as "World Wide Wes" due to his relationships with numerous high-profile NBA players and owners, has served as a consultant in the coaching division of CAA for 13 years. He has a close relationship with Knicks president Leon Rose, who was hired by the franchise earlier this year.
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"We are very excited to announce the hiring of William Wesley, someone that I have known for over 40 years and consider to be family," Rose said in a statement. "He is one of the most well-connected and respected people in the basketball community and he will be a tremendous asset and resource to both myself and the New York Knicks."
Wesley, 55, joins a Knicks front office that includes Rose, general manager Scott Perry and chief strategist Brock Aller.
"My long history with and respect for [Knicks owner] Jim Dolan and Leon Rose, as well as the chance to be part of the New York Knicks, made this an opportunity I wanted to pursue," Wesley said. "I look forward to joining the current staff and moving the organization toward a successful future."
Advertisement Congrats to William Wesley, my friend, brother and confidant for nearly 3 decades, on his job with the @nyknicks. He knows basketball on so many levels and there is no doubt his reach in the game is Worldwide! pic.twitter.com/iw7OY2pYFd— Scottie Pippen (@ScottiePippen) June 24, 2020
The Knicks also announced that Alex Kline and T.J. Zanin were officially hired as team scouts.
Zanin joins the Knicks after working as a regional scout for the Dallas Mavericks last season, while Kline spent the past four years with the New Orleans Pelicans as a scout and basketball operations assistant.


upi--2020-06-24--Pentagon: U.S. soldier died in a non-combat incident in Jordan

June 24 ( UPI ) -- The Pentagon on Wednesday said a U.S. soldier serving in Jordan has died in @ @ @ @ @ a statement , the Department of Defense identified the soldier as Spc .
Nick Bravo @ @ @ @ @ Largo , Fla. , stating he died Tuesday while performing operations in `` the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ . ''
`` The incident is under investigation , '' it said .
Regules was @ @ @ @ @ 43rd Air Defense Artillery Regiment , 11th ADA Brigade at Fort Bliss , Texas .
@ @ @ @ @ in support of Operation Inherent Resolve , which , according to the operation 's website @ @ @ @ @ , 2014 , with the mission to defeat the Islamic State terrorist organization in designated @ @ @ @ @ .
UPI has contacted the Department of Defense for further comment .

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Spc. Nick Bravo-Regules' non-combat-related death on Tuesday is under investigation, U.S. Army said. Photo courtesy of U.S. Army
June 24 (UPI) -- The Pentagon on Wednesday said a U.S. soldier serving in Jordan has died in a non-combat-related incident. In a statement, the Department of Defense identified the soldier as Spc. Nick Bravo-Regules, 20, of Largo, Fla., stating he died Tuesday while performing operations in "the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility." Advertisement
"The incident is under investigation," it said.
In an email to UPI, the U.S. Army said it was his first deployment.
Bravo-Regules was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 43rd Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 11th ADA Brigade at Fort Bliss, Texas.
Bravo-Regules was serving in Jordan in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, which, according to the operation's website, began on Oct. 17, 2014, with the mission to defeat the Islamic State terrorist organization in designated area os Iraq and Syria.
The Florida native entered the Army in Tampa and began active duty on May 31, 2017, and his mission occupational specialty concerned maintaining both tactical and strategic communications networks for units, Army said in the email.
He arrived at Fort Bliss in March 2018 and was promoted to specialist on Feb. 1.
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During his service, he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal and the Army Good Conduct Medal.


upi--2020-06-24--Demi Moore to star in pandemic thriller, 'Songbird'

June 24 ( UPI ) -- A Few Good Men and St. Elmo 's Fire actress Demi Moore has signed on to star in the pandemic thriller , Songbird .
Co-starring Craig Robinson , Paul Walter Hauser and Peter Stormare , the film will be directed by Adam Mason , who co-wrote the script with Simon Boyes .
The project is being produced by Invisible Narratives in partnership with Catchlight Studios and Michael Bay .
Filming will `` utilize strict social distancing practices and innovative techniques that will allow for shooting to begin imminently , '' a press release from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the movie described it as a love story .
`` Told from street level through the eyes of the characters , Songbird takes place two years into the future , as lockdown has been re-implemented after a more serious virus continues to mutate , '' the synopsis said .
`` In a feeble attempt to keep the sickness contained , the city has been bisected into haves and have nots .
The film centers around an essential worker who has a rare immunity , a delivery man who delivers goods and hope @ @ @ @ @ @ @ majority of the population , his girlfriend is locked within her home , and the couple have no ability to physically be together .
To be with the one he loves , our hero must overcome martial law , murderous vigilantes and a powerful , well connected family , helmed by a matriarch who will stop at nothing to protect her family and maintain her way of life . ''

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Demi Moore is to star in the new thriller, "Songbird." File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
June 24 (UPI) -- A Few Good Men and St. Elmo's Fire actress Demi Moore has signed on to star in the pandemic thriller, Songbird. Co-starring Craig Robinson, Paul Walter Hauser and Peter Stormare, the film will be directed by Adam Mason, who co-wrote the script with Simon Boyes. Advertisement
The project is being produced by Invisible Narratives in partnership with Catchlight Studios and Michael Bay.
Filming will "utilize strict social distancing practices and innovative techniques that will allow for shooting to begin imminently," a press release from the producers said Wednesday.
A synopsis of the movie described it as a love story.
"Told from street level through the eyes of the characters, Songbird takes place two years into the future, as lockdown has been re-implemented after a more serious virus continues to mutate," the synopsis said.
"In a feeble attempt to keep the sickness contained, the city has been bisected into haves and have nots. The film centers around an essential worker who has a rare immunity, a delivery man who delivers goods and hope throughout the city. Like the vast majority of the population, his girlfriend is locked within her home, and the couple have no ability to physically be together. To be with the one he loves, our hero must overcome martial law, murderous vigilantes and a powerful, well connected family, helmed by a matriarch who will stop at nothing to protect her family and maintain her way of life."


upi--2020-06-24--NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace 'relieved' FBI investigation didn't reveal hate crime

June 24 ( UPI ) -- NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace issued a statement Wednesday in response to the Federal Bureau of Investigation 's recent probe , saying he was thankful that a pull rope fashioned like a noose was n't directed at him .
`` It 's been an emotional few days , '' Wallace said in his statement .
`` First off , I want to say how relieved I am that the investigation revealed that this was n't what we feared it was .
I want to thank my team , NASCAR and the FBI for acting swiftly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` I think we 'll gladly take a little embarrassment over what the alternatives could have been .
Make no mistake , though some will try , this should not detract from the show of unity we had on Monday , and the progress we 've made as a sport to be a more welcoming environment for all . ''
On Tuesday , the FBI determined that Wallace -- the only black driver in the Cup Series -- was n't the victim of a hate crime after a rope fashioned like a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sunday at Talladega Superspeedway .
The FBI report concluded that the pull rope had been on a garage door at the central Alabama racetrack since as early as October .
`` The FBI report concludes , and photographic evidence confirms , that the garage door pull rope fashioned like a noose had been positioned there since as early as last fall , '' NASCAR said in a statement Tuesday .
`` This was obviously well before the 43 team 's arrival and garage assignment .
`` We appreciate the FBI 's quick and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that this was not an intentional , racist act against Bubba .
We remain steadfast in our commitment to providing a welcoming and inclusive environment for all who love racing . ''
Before Sunday 's incident , Wallace led a successful push to ban the Confederate flag at NASCAR events and properties .
Wallace ranks 21st in the Cup Series standings with a pair of top-10 finishes in 13 starts .

NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace led a successful push to ban the Confederate flag at NASCAR events and properties less than two weeks ago. Photo courtesy of Bubba Wallace/Twitter
June 24 (UPI) -- NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace issued a statement Wednesday in response to the Federal Bureau of Investigation's recent probe, saying he was thankful that a pull rope fashioned like a noose wasn't directed at him. "It's been an emotional few days," Wallace said in his statement. "First off, I want to say how relieved I am that the investigation revealed that this wasn't what we feared it was. I want to thank my team, NASCAR and the FBI for acting swiftly and treating this as a real threat. Advertisement
"I think we'll gladly take a little embarrassment over what the alternatives could have been. Make no mistake, though some will try, this should not detract from the show of unity we had on Monday, and the progress we've made as a sport to be a more welcoming environment for all."
On Tuesday, the FBI determined that Wallace -- the only black driver in the Cup Series -- wasn't the victim of a hate crime after a rope fashioned like a noose was discovered in his garage stall Sunday at Talladega Superspeedway.
The FBI report concluded that the pull rope had been on a garage door at the central Alabama racetrack since as early as October.
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"The FBI report concludes, and photographic evidence confirms, that the garage door pull rope fashioned like a noose had been positioned there since as early as last fall," NASCAR said in a statement Tuesday. "This was obviously well before the 43 team's arrival and garage assignment.
"We appreciate the FBI's quick and thorough investigation and are thankful to learn that this was not an intentional, racist act against Bubba. We remain steadfast in our commitment to providing a welcoming and inclusive environment for all who love racing."
Before Sunday's incident, Wallace led a successful push to ban the Confederate flag at NASCAR events and properties.
Wallace ranks 21st in the Cup Series standings with a pair of top-10 finishes in 13 starts.


upi--2020-06-24--Leadership at Mass. veteran's home contributed to COVID-19 outbreak, investigation finds

June 24 ( UPI ) -- Leaders at a Massachusetts long-term care facility for veterans made `` substantial errors '' in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic that resulted in the deaths of 76 residents , according to an independent investigation ordered by Gov .
Charlie Baker .
In addition to the 76 deaths , 84 additional veterans and more than 80 staff members at the Soldiers ' Home in Holyoke tested positive for COVID-19 , according to the report .
`` This report lays out in heartbreaking detail the terrible failures that unfolded at the facility and the tragic outcomes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The investigation found that leadership at the facility contributed to the spread of the coronavirus by consolidating veterans who already had the virus with those who were asymptomatic in addition to other errors .
`` Our analysis of the Home 's preparations for and response to COVID-19 in light of existing public health recommendations has identified substantial errors and failures by the Home 's leadership that likely contributed to the death toll during the outbreak , '' the report said .
The report said the `` most substantial error '' occurred on March @ @ @ @ @ @ @ move all veterans , including some who tested positive for the coronavirus , from one of two locked dementia units into another locked dementia unit where they were crowded with veterans already living there , some of whom had also been infected .
`` Rather than isolating those with the disease from those who were asymptomatic -- a basic tenet of infection control -- the consolidation of these two units resulted in more than 40 veterans crowded into a space designed to hold 25 , '' the report stated .
`` This overcrowding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ instead , it put those who were asymptomatic at even greater risk of contracting COVID-19 . ''
Further , the report found that delays in testing veterans who displayed symptoms and closing common spaces , as well as failure to stop staff from rotating among units and inconsistent use of protective equipment , exasperated the issue .
The investigation also found that Fransisco Urena , secretary of the Massachusetts Department of Veterans ' Services , failed to fill a position created by the legislature within the department to oversee the Soldiers ' Home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ filled because it was `` never funded '' by the legislature but four annual reports submitted to legislature never referenced that the role was underfunded or unfilled .
On Tuesday , Urena told local news station WCVB that he had been asked to resign as the state 's secretary of Veteran 's Services .

An independent investigation into a Massachusetts long-term care facility for veterans found that leadership made "substantial errors" responding to the COVID-19 pandemic that resulted in the death of 76 residents. Photo by Simtropolitan/ Wikimedia Commons
June 24 (UPI) -- Leaders at a Massachusetts long-term care facility for veterans made "substantial errors" in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic that resulted in the deaths of 76 residents, according to an independent investigation ordered by Gov. Charlie Baker. In addition to the 76 deaths, 84 additional veterans and more than 80 staff members at the Soldiers' Home in Holyoke tested positive for COVID-19, according to the report. Advertisement
"This report lays out in heartbreaking detail the terrible failures that unfolded at the facility and the tragic outcomes that followed," said Baker.
The investigation found that leadership at the facility contributed to the spread of the coronavirus by consolidating veterans who already had the virus with those who were asymptomatic in addition to other errors.
"Our analysis of the Home's preparations for and response to COVID-19 in light of existing public health recommendations has identified substantial errors and failures by the Home's leadership that likely contributed to the death toll during the outbreak," the report said.
The report said the "most substantial error" occurred on March 27 when leadership made the decision to move all veterans, including some who tested positive for the coronavirus, from one of two locked dementia units into another locked dementia unit where they were crowded with veterans already living there, some of whom had also been infected.
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"Rather than isolating those with the disease from those who were asymptomatic -- a basic tenet of infection control -- the consolidation of these two units resulted in more than 40 veterans crowded into a space designed to hold 25," the report stated. "This overcrowding was the opposite of infection control; instead, it put those who were asymptomatic at even greater risk of contracting COVID-19."
Further, the report found that delays in testing veterans who displayed symptoms and closing common spaces, as well as failure to stop staff from rotating among units and inconsistent use of protective equipment, exasperated the issue.
The investigation also found that Fransisco Urena, secretary of the Massachusetts Department of Veterans' Services, failed to fill a position created by the legislature within the department to oversee the Soldiers' Home.
Urena said the position was not filled because it was "never funded" by the legislature but four annual reports submitted to legislature never referenced that the role was underfunded or unfilled.
On Tuesday, Urena told local news station WCVB that he had been asked to resign as the state's secretary of Veteran's Services.


upi--2020-06-24--Mike Rowe returning in July with new 'Dirty Jobs' episodes

June 24 ( UPI ) -- Author and television personality Mike Rowe 's new , four-episode show , Dirty Jobs : Rowe 'd Trip , is scheduled to premiere on Discovery Channel on July 7 .
The limited series is a followup to Rowe 's reality show , Dirty Jobs , which explored various unusual , messy and necessary occupations .
It ran eight seasons and wrapped in 2012 .
Each episode of Rowe 'd Trip will feature a specific theme , including Infrastructure , Innovator , Isolation and Animals .
`` Dirty Jobs Forrest Gumped it 's way on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ life forever .
What began as a simple tribute to my grandfather , has evolved into the granddaddy of 'essential work ' programming , and I 'm humbled everyday by the number of people who continue to watch , '' Rowe said in a statement .
`` Personally , I 've missed the camaraderie more than anything else -- the fun of traveling with a tight-knit crew , meeting the finest people you could ever hope to know , and shooting in all 50 states many times over , '' Rowe added .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the old crew while hitting the open road was the perfect way to reunite , especially at a time like the one we 're all living through now .
I know that fans of the show will have as much fun watching , as we did filming . ''
Rowe is the author of the best-selling book , The Way I Heard It , and is currently the host of Facebook 's Returning the Favor .

Mike Rowe is bringing back "Dirty Jobs" for a four-episode, limited series next month. File Photo by Martin Fried/UPI | License Photo
June 24 (UPI) -- Author and television personality Mike Rowe's new, four-episode show, Dirty Jobs: Rowe'd Trip, is scheduled to premiere on Discovery Channel on July 7. The limited series is a followup to Rowe's reality show, Dirty Jobs, which explored various unusual, messy and necessary occupations. It ran eight seasons and wrapped in 2012. Advertisement
Each episode of Rowe'd Trip will feature a specific theme, including Infrastructure, Innovator, Isolation and Animals.
"Dirty Jobs Forrest Gumped it's way on the air in 2004 and changed my life forever. What began as a simple tribute to my grandfather, has evolved into the granddaddy of 'essential work' programming, and I'm humbled everyday by the number of people who continue to watch," Rowe said in a statement.
"Personally, I've missed the camaraderie more than anything else -- the fun of traveling with a tight-knit crew, meeting the finest people you could ever hope to know, and shooting in all 50 states many times over," Rowe added. "Looking back at my favorite moments with the old crew while hitting the open road was the perfect way to reunite, especially at a time like the one we're all living through now. I know that fans of the show will have as much fun watching, as we did filming."
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Rowe is the author of the best-selling book, The Way I Heard It, and is currently the host of Facebook's Returning the Favor.


upi--2020-06-24--San Antonio Spurs sign free agent Tyler Zeller for rest of season

June 24 ( UPI ) -- The San Antonio Spurs signed free-agent big man Tyler Zeller for the remainder of @ @ @ @ @ announced Wednesday .
The Spurs did n't disclose financial details of the agreement .
Zeller @ @ @ @ @ -- has n't played this season .
He participated in the Denver Nuggets ' training @ @ @ @ @ October .
The Dallas Mavericks selected Zeller in the first round of the 2012 NBA @ @ @ @ @ .
The 30-year-old center has averaged seven points , 4.4 rebounds and 0.9 assists per @ @ @ @ @ His last NBA action came in the 2018-19 season , when he spent time with @ @ @ @ @ Grizzlies .
The Spurs have been impacted by injuries and will be without All-Star big @ @ @ @ @ season resumes at the end of July .
Aldridge underwent season-ending shoulder surgery in April @ @ @ @ @ is expected to resume July 30 in Orlando , Fla .
Under the league 's @ @ @ @ @ will compete at the ESPN Wide World of Sports complex .

Former Cleveland Cavaliers center Tyler Zeller's last NBA action came in the 2018-19 season, when he spent time with the Atlanta Hawks and Memphis Grizzlies. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
June 24 (UPI) -- The San Antonio Spurs signed free-agent big man Tyler Zeller for the remainder of the season, the team announced Wednesday. The Spurs didn't disclose financial details of the agreement. Advertisement
Zeller -- a seven-year NBA veteran -- hasn't played this season. He participated in the Denver Nuggets' training camp but was waived in October.
The Dallas Mavericks selected Zeller in the first round of the 2012 NBA Draft out of North Carolina. The 30-year-old center has averaged seven points, 4.4 rebounds and 0.9 assists per game in his career.
His last NBA action came in the 2018-19 season, when he spent time with the Atlanta Hawks and Memphis Grizzlies.
OFFICIAL: Spurs sign center Tyler Zeller. More  https://t.co/PkDwu5fMzR pic.twitter.com/7mS5WmIAtO— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) June 24, 2020
The Spurs have been impacted by injuries and will be without All-Star big man LaMarcus Aldridge when the season resumes at the end of July. Aldridge underwent season-ending shoulder surgery in April.
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The 2019-20 NBA season is expected to resume July 30 in Orlando, Fla. Under the league's restart plan, 22 teams will compete at the ESPN Wide World of Sports complex.


upi--2020-06-24--Arizona firefighters forced to handle multiple historic wildfires at once

June 24 ( UPI ) -- A dozen wildfires have torched nearly 400,000 burned acres in Arizona and have left parts of the state , particularly the southeastern portion , in ruins .
Nearly half of that acreage has come from the Bush Fire blazing in the Tonto National Forest , just north of Phoenix .
As of Monday morning , the still-young 2020 wildfire season has already burned more Arizona land than all but two years since 2002 .
Three current active wildfires in the state all rank in the top-10 for largest blazes in Arizona history , marking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , historic-sized fires have burnt simultaneously .
After igniting on June 13 , the Bush Fire has grown rapidly in the past week , up to 186,848 acres as of Monday morning .
The fire is now the fifth-largest in state history with 61 % containment , according to officials .
It 's also the largest blaze currently burning in the United States .
The inferno was ignited by a vehicle fire and led to evacuations in nearby areas such as Brownsville , Jake 's Corner , Slate Creek , Pioneer Pass and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Sunday morning .
`` It has just been a monster of a season for us and extremely busy , '' Dave Ramirez , South Zone Fire Management Officer , said according to AZCentral.com .
`` It 's been very busy for us , actually , in the past two years . ''
According to local fire officials , all residents are prohibited from burning any sort of fire , including campfires and cooking stove fires , in the Tonto National Forest .
The state 's second-fastest growing fire , the Bighorn Fire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ morning , The fire has been the most destructive of any blaze in the state , causing $ 18.2 million of damage , according to the National Interagency Fire Center .
After reaching 40 percent containment on Friday , conditions worsened and the containment decreased to 16 percent by Monday , the least contained of any of the state 's major current blazes .
Firefighters worked to increase containment up to 33 percent by Tuesday morning .
It has required the attention of 969 firefighting personnel , the most of any fire .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ frightening spread of the blaze has escalated the classification from a type-3 to a type-1 fire .
`` With this type-1 team there is a lot of complexity , a lot of levels , a lot of layers but the communication is the most important part and it 's been great , the level of communication on this team , '' said Adam Jarrold , Public Information Officer of the Bighorn Fire , according to KVOA.com .
A type-1 fire is the highest and most serious level of firefighting attention , as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and properties are at their peak .
Charring at more than 100 square miles , the Mangum Fire is Arizona 's second-largest fire .
Since igniting on June 8 , the wildfire has burned over 71,000 acres in the northern portion of Arizona in Coconino County and wreaked havoc for visitors trying to get to the northern rim of the Grand Canyon .
The blaze , which is also the second-largest current fire in the U.S. , has destroyed four structures and forced closures of popular roadways like Highway 89A and State Route @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which takes visitors to the north rim of the Grand Canyon .
The eastern-most wildfire and the only other blaze to have destroyed structures , the Bringham Fire has continued burning in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest north of Morenci since being ignited by lightning on June 6 .
It has scorched nearly 20,000 acres and is just 20 percent contained .
On Monday morning , Incident Commander Carl Schwope said the remote location of the fire has provided logistical challenges for firefighters , according to Inciweb .
Despite being nearly nine times smaller @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fire has caused nearly as much damage , according to the NIFC .
Other blazes in the state The Sawtooth Fire was previously burning in the Tonto National Forest , where it grew to 24,729 acres before firefighters reached 100 percent containment on June 7 .
The fire was burning in the scar of the Woodbury Fire , which was previously the fifth-largest fire in state history after burning 123,875 acres in 2019 .
The Blue River Fire has burned 30,400 acres as of Monday morning , but firefighters have managed to reach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ According to the NIFC , despite being the state 's fourth-largest fire , it has caused the least damage of any of the major blazes and is only requiring the attention of eight personnel .
The Good Fire , the Dry Lake Fire and the Tadpole Fire have burnt about a combined 25,000 acres between the three blazes , but they are largely corralled and estimated to reach 100 percent containment in the coming weeks .

The Aquila Fire has burned about 893 acres northeast of Interstate 17. Photo courtesy of Arizona State Forestry
June 24 (UPI) -- A dozen wildfires have torched nearly 400,000 burned acres in Arizona and have left parts of the state, particularly the southeastern portion, in ruins. Nearly half of that acreage has come from the Bush Fire blazing in the Tonto National Forest, just north of Phoenix. Advertisement
As of Monday morning, the still-young 2020 wildfire season has already burned more Arizona land than all but two years since 2002. Three current active wildfires in the state all rank in the top-10 for largest blazes in Arizona history, marking the first time since 2011 that multiple, historic-sized fires have burnt simultaneously.
Bush Fire
After igniting on June 13, the Bush Fire has grown rapidly in the past week, up to 186,848 acres as of Monday morning. The fire is now the fifth-largest in state history with 61% containment, according to officials. It's also the largest blaze currently burning in the United States.
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The inferno was ignited by a vehicle fire and led to evacuations in nearby areas such as Brownsville, Jake's Corner, Slate Creek, Pioneer Pass and Punkin Center before evacuation orders were lifted on Sunday morning.
"It has just been a monster of a season for us and extremely busy," Dave Ramirez, South Zone Fire Management Officer, said according to AZCentral.com. "It's been very busy for us, actually, in the past two years."
According to local fire officials, all residents are prohibited from burning any sort of fire, including campfires and cooking stove fires, in the Tonto National Forest.
Bighorn Fire
The state's second-fastest growing fire, the Bighorn Fire, increased to 58,553 acres on Tuesday morning, The fire has been the most destructive of any blaze in the state, causing $18.2 million of damage, according to the National Interagency Fire Center.
After reaching 40 percent containment on Friday, conditions worsened and the containment decreased to 16 percent by Monday, the least contained of any of the state's major current blazes. Firefighters worked to increase containment up to 33 percent by Tuesday morning. It has required the attention of 969 firefighting personnel, the most of any fire. Burning in Coronado National Forest, the frightening spread of the blaze has escalated the classification from a type-3 to a type-1 fire.
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"With this type-1 team there is a lot of complexity, a lot of levels, a lot of layers but the communication is the most important part and it's been great, the level of communication on this team," said Adam Jarrold, Public Information Officer of the Bighorn Fire, according to KVOA.com.
A type-1 fire is the highest and most serious level of firefighting attention, as the classification means the risk level to structures and properties are at their peak.
Mangum Fire
Charring at more than 100 square miles, the Mangum Fire is Arizona's second-largest fire. Since igniting on June 8, the wildfire has burned over 71,000 acres in the northern portion of Arizona in Coconino County and wreaked havoc for visitors trying to get to the northern rim of the Grand Canyon.
The blaze, which is also the second-largest current fire in the U.S., has destroyed four structures and forced closures of popular roadways like Highway 89A and State Route 67 to Grand Canyon National Park, which takes visitors to the north rim of the Grand Canyon.
Bringham Fire
The eastern-most wildfire and the only other blaze to have destroyed structures, the Bringham Fire has continued burning in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest north of Morenci since being ignited by lightning on June 6. It has scorched nearly 20,000 acres and is just 20 percent contained.
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On Monday morning, Incident Commander Carl Schwope said the remote location of the fire has provided logistical challenges for firefighters, according to Inciweb. Despite being nearly nine times smaller than the Bush Fire, the Bringham Fire has caused nearly as much damage, according to the NIFC.
Other blazes in the state
The Sawtooth Fire was previously burning in the Tonto National Forest, where it grew to 24,729 acres before firefighters reached 100 percent containment on June 7. The fire was burning in the scar of the Woodbury Fire, which was previously the fifth-largest fire in state history after burning 123,875 acres in 2019.
The Blue River Fire has burned 30,400 acres as of Monday morning, but firefighters have managed to reach 85 percent containment of the blaze. According to the NIFC, despite being the state's fourth-largest fire, it has caused the least damage of any of the major blazes and is only requiring the attention of eight personnel.
The Good Fire, the Dry Lake Fire and the Tadpole Fire have burnt about a combined 25,000 acres between the three blazes, but they are largely corralled and estimated to reach 100 percent containment in the coming weeks.