upi--2020-04-17--Technology makes romance 'messy' in 'Endings, Beginnings'

LOS ANGELES , April 17 ( UPI ) -- In Shailene Woodley 's new romantic drama , Endings , Beginnings , she is torn between two men .
Her love triangle is further compounded by past relationships and modern technology that makes dating difficult .
The film shows Daphne ( Woodley ) texting both Jack ( Jamie Dornan ) and Frank ( Sebastian Stan ) .
Writer/director Drake Doremus said it 's impossible to depict modern relationships without smartphones .
`` Technology is such a part of how we communicate , how we sometimes either misunderstand each other or how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Doremus told UPI in a phone interview .
`` If you 're going to try to tell a truthful version of a love story in these times , you ca n't exclude how much technology really is a part of it . ''
Endings , Beginnings depicts Daphne 's text conversation visually .
Her messages to friends appear superimposed on the movie screen .
Words scrawl across the screen as if written by an invisible hand .
`` I just really wanted to get inside of her POV [ point of view ] @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was what she would be scribbling down in her brain or kind of in her heart , '' Doremus said .
`` The color and the texture and how it looked felt like it was a little sketchbook . ''
Doremus ruled out simply showing the smartphone screen .
He had done that in previous movies like Newness .
`` I did n't want to do what we 've done in the past , which is show the screen , which would have been an easy way to do it , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to think about something that was messy -- as messy as the characters were and as visually specific as the characters were . ''
The film does depict Daphne texting while driving .
Doremus acknowledges that he hopes viewers do n't emulate his leading lady 's behavior .
`` No , she 's bad , she 's bad , '' Doremus laughed .
`` She makes a lot of mistakes in the movie .
That 's one of the big ones . ''
Technology also can create distractions that come between people connecting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ excuses not to see men in whom she otherwise would be interested .
Doremus said technology and other distractions compound the hurdles of dating .
`` Especially if you 're getting older and you 're still meeting new people and [ doing ] new things , you 've got so much baggage , '' Doremus said .
`` You 've been heartbroken enough , and the last thing you want to do is be heartbroken again .
So you create , concoct so many different ways to talk yourself out of things .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to see them , thus creating further complications in her life .
Doremus hopes viewers relate to Daphne 's conflict between her desires and her better judgment .
`` At a certain point , your gut will take over and force you to do things that sometimes your brain says you should n't do , '' Doremus said .
`` That juxtaposition , that push and pull between the brain and the heart , is something that I 'm really interested in exploring .
I think we definitely try to delve into that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pregnant by one of the men .
No matter how she resolves her relationships , Doremus suggested that the ultimate love story is between Daphne and her baby .
`` I think that her baby is essentially a metaphor for her , '' Doremus said .
`` [ It is ] allowing herself to be OK with herself , to love herself , to be at peace with herself , to understand herself , to forgive herself . ''
Endings , Beginnings premieres on digital services Friday and more VOD platforms May 1 @

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Shailene Woodley stars in "Endings, Beginnings" available Friday on digital platforms. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
LOS ANGELES, April 17 (UPI) -- In Shailene Woodley's new romantic drama, Endings, Beginnings, she is torn between two men. Her love triangle is further compounded by past relationships and modern technology that makes dating difficult. The film shows Daphne (Woodley) texting both Jack (Jamie Dornan) and Frank (Sebastian Stan). Writer/director Drake Doremus said it's impossible to depict modern relationships without smartphones. Advertisement
"Technology is such a part of how we communicate, how we sometimes either misunderstand each other or how we get our point across," Doremus told UPI in a phone interview. "If you're going to try to tell a truthful version of a love story in these times, you can't exclude how much technology really is a part of it."
Endings, Beginnings depicts Daphne's text conversation visually. Her messages to friends appear superimposed on the movie screen. Words scrawl across the screen as if written by an invisible hand.
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"I just really wanted to get inside of her POV [point of view] and have text that really felt like it was what she would be scribbling down in her brain or kind of in her heart," Doremus said. "The color and the texture and how it looked felt like it was a little sketchbook."
Doremus ruled out simply showing the smartphone screen. He had done that in previous movies like Newness.
"I didn't want to do what we've done in the past, which is show the screen, which would have been an easy way to do it," Doremus said. "I just wanted to think about something that was messy -- as messy as the characters were and as visually specific as the characters were."
The film does depict Daphne texting while driving. Doremus acknowledges that he hopes viewers don't emulate his leading lady's behavior.
"No, she's bad, she's bad," Doremus laughed. "She makes a lot of mistakes in the movie. That's one of the big ones."
Technology also can create distractions that come between people connecting. In the film, Daphne makes excuses not to see men in whom she otherwise would be interested. Doremus said technology and other distractions compound the hurdles of dating.
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"Especially if you're getting older and you're still meeting new people and [doing] new things, you've got so much baggage," Doremus said. "You've been heartbroken enough, and the last thing you want to do is be heartbroken again. So you create, concoct so many different ways to talk yourself out of things."
Frank and Jack ultimately convince Daphne to see them, thus creating further complications in her life. Doremus hopes viewers relate to Daphne's conflict between her desires and her better judgment.
"At a certain point, your gut will take over and force you to do things that sometimes your brain says you shouldn't do," Doremus said. "That juxtaposition, that push and pull between the brain and the heart, is something that I'm really interested in exploring. I think we definitely try to delve into that in this one."
Daphne becomes pregnant by one of the men. No matter how she resolves her relationships, Doremus suggested that the ultimate love story is between Daphne and her baby.
"I think that her baby is essentially a metaphor for her," Doremus said. "[It is] allowing herself to be OK with herself, to love herself, to be at peace with herself, to understand herself, to forgive herself."
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Endings, Beginnings premieres on digital services Friday and more VOD platforms May 1.


upi--2020-04-17--Famous birthdays for April 17: Redman, Jennifer Garner

April 17 ( UPI ) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Aries .
-- Danish @ @ @ @ @ wrote under the name Isak Dinesen , in 1885

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Redman arrives for the 34th annual MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum in Inglewood, Calif., on August 27, 2017. The rapper turns 50 on April 17. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
April 17 (UPI) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Aries. They include: Advertisement
-- American industrialist/financier J.P. Morgan in 1837
-- Baseball Hall of Fame member Cap Anson in 1852
-- Danish author Karen Blixen, who wrote under the name Isak Dinesen, in 1885
-- Actor William Holden in 1918
-- Music promoter Don Kirshner in 1934
-- Musician Jan Hammer in 1948 (age 72)
-- Actor Olivia Hussey in 1951 (age 69)
File Photo by Chris Chew/UPI
-- Author Nick Hornby in 1957 (age 63)
-- Actor Sean Bean in 1959 (age 61)
-- Singer Maynard James Keenan in 1964 (age 56)
-- Actor Henry Ian Cusick in 1967 (age 53)
-- Singer Liz Phair in 1967 (age 53)
-- Rapper Redman, born Reggie Noble, in 1970 (age 50)
-- Actor Jennifer Garner in 1972 (age 48)
File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI
-- Singer/model Victoria Beckham in 1974 (age 46)
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-- Actor Luke Mitchell in 1985 (age 35)
-- Actor Rooney Mara in 1985 (age 35)


upi--2020-04-17--Mushroom sales soar as Americans cook more at home during pandemic

EVANSVILLE , Ind.
, April 17 ( UPI ) -- As produce sales at grocery stores surge during the coronavirus pandemic , one item is selling particularly well -- mushrooms .
During the last week of March , fresh mushroom sales were up 18 percent over the same time last year , compared to an 8 percent rise in overall fresh produce sales , according to the Chicago-based data and analytics firm IRI .
`` We take heart in those numbers , '' said Eric Davis , a spokesman for the Mushroom Council , an industry group based in Redwood @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that we 're in that group of staple items .
You look for bright spots during this time , and that is one for us . ''
The Mushroom Council believes home cooks might be using mushrooms to stretch meat dishes and make them last longer , Davis said .
`` It slots into so many things , '' Davis said .
`` If you 're making meat loaf , you can add mushrooms .
If you 're making stew , tacos , spaghetti , or even a packet of ramen , mushrooms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quick to add , thought , that while retail demand is booming , demand from food service has all but disappeared .
Mushroom growers who supply retail stores are seeing a huge surge in demand .
But those who sell predominantly to restaurants are struggling to sell their crops .
`` Restaurants comprised about 75 percent of our business , '' said Amanda Olson , owner of the Maine Mushroom Co. , a one-year-old mushroom farm in Augusta , Maine .
`` The day the governor of Maine issued an order that restaurants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , they all canceled their orders within 24 hours .
It was pretty devastating , '' Olson said .
Olson said she and her husband , Andy , grow specialty mushrooms for high-end restaurants .
After Maine 's restaurants were closed March 18 , they worried their business would go under .
The couple has worked quickly over the last few weeks to find new customers and have had some success , Olson said .
The number of individuals who order mushrooms directly has exploded , and the couple has started to receive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` The retail side from individuals just buying mushrooms and from natural food stores is up 300 percent , '' Olson said .
`` The pathway to get to the customer has changed . ''
The new business does not totally replace their lost restaurant customers , she said .
But she thinks it will be enough to keep them afloat until stay-at-home rules end .
Other growers have seen similar trends .
In Pennsylvania , mushroom supplier Buona Foods has seen its retail demand increase some 35 percent , while food @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same percentage .
`` Until a month ago , we were about evenly split , half retail , half food service , '' said Chris Johansen , a Buona Foods spokesman .
`` Now , we 're about 85-15 . ''
Because Buona Foods already supplied retail stores , it has been able to pivot and meet the new retail demand , Johansen said .
Other businesses have been less fortunate .
`` Growers that do n't have the right machinery to package for retail are in a difficult situation , '' Johansen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of mushrooms being dumped into fields because they have nowhere to go . ''

Mushroom sales were up 18 percent during the last week of March compared with a year ago, according to the Chicago based analytics firm IRI. Photo courtesy of the Mushroom Council
EVANSVILLE, Ind., April 17 (UPI) -- As produce sales at grocery stores surge during the coronavirus pandemic, one item is selling particularly well -- mushrooms. During the last week of March, fresh mushroom sales were up 18 percent over the same time last year, compared to an 8 percent rise in overall fresh produce sales, according to the Chicago-based data and analytics firm IRI. Advertisement
"We take heart in those numbers," said Eric Davis, a spokesman for the Mushroom Council, an industry group based in Redwood Shores, Calif. "We take heart that we're in that group of staple items. You look for bright spots during this time, and that is one for us."
The Mushroom Council believes home cooks might be using mushrooms to stretch meat dishes and make them last longer, Davis said.
"It slots into so many things," Davis said. "If you're making meat loaf, you can add mushrooms. If you're making stew, tacos, spaghetti, or even a packet of ramen, mushrooms bulk it out."
Davis was quick to add, thought, that while retail demand is booming, demand from food service has all but disappeared.
Mushroom growers who supply retail stores are seeing a huge surge in demand. But those who sell predominantly to restaurants are struggling to sell their crops.
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"Restaurants comprised about 75 percent of our business," said Amanda Olson, owner of the Maine Mushroom Co., a one-year-old mushroom farm in Augusta, Maine.
"The day the governor of Maine issued an order that restaurants couldn't be opened to the public, they all canceled their orders within 24 hours. It was pretty devastating," Olson said.
Olson said she and her husband, Andy, grow specialty mushrooms for high-end restaurants. After Maine's restaurants were closed March 18, they worried their business would go under.
The couple has worked quickly over the last few weeks to find new customers and have had some success, Olson said. The number of individuals who order mushrooms directly has exploded, and the couple has started to receive new orders from area natural food stores.
"The retail side from individuals just buying mushrooms and from natural food stores is up 300 percent," Olson said. "The pathway to get to the customer has changed."
The new business does not totally replace their lost restaurant customers, she said. But she thinks it will be enough to keep them afloat until stay-at-home rules end.
Other growers have seen similar trends.
In Pennsylvania, mushroom supplier Buona Foods has seen its retail demand increase some 35 percent, while food service contracts have dropped by roughly the same percentage.
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"Until a month ago, we were about evenly split, half retail, half food service," said Chris Johansen, a Buona Foods spokesman. "Now, we're about 85-15."
Because Buona Foods already supplied retail stores, it has been able to pivot and meet the new retail demand, Johansen said. Other businesses have been less fortunate.
"Growers that don't have the right machinery to package for retail are in a difficult situation," Johansen said. "There are many tons of mushrooms being dumped into fields because they have nowhere to go."


upi--2020-04-17--Apollo 13 splashdown 50 years ago underscored NASA's ingenuity

ORLANDO , Fla. , April 17 ( UPI ) -- The 50th anniversary of the Apollo 13 splashdown on Friday marks the successful end of a heroic effort to save the aborted moon mission from disaster in space .
The rescue of three astronauts proved the efficacy of NASA 's training and talent to overcome a life-threatening oxygen tank explosion 200,000 miles from Earth and served as an example for future generations of space engineers .
`` We 're about to live the moon missions over again , but we know from the past we can work through problems that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cianilli , manager of NASA 's Apollo Challenger Columbia Lessons Learned Program .
The capsule splashed down at 2:07 p.m. EDT in the South Pacific near Samoa .
The crew used the lunar module as a lifeboat during the journey home , and pieces of that crashed into the ocean closer to New Zealand .
With navigation systems also knocked out , astronauts Jim Lovell , Fred Haise and Jeff Swigert pulled off the final maneuver to re-enter the atmosphere by using the position of the sun , which teams of engineers on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to President Richard Nixon , was a reminder of `` the extraordinary concert of skills , in space and on the ground , that goes into a moon mission . ''
In a press conference after splashdown , the astronauts praised the coordination and initiative of teams on the ground .
`` It 's amazing in a way that people can respond so fast to get this job done , '' Lovell told the media .
Training for the unexpected was vital to the crew 's success in addressing shortages of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ things , Cianilli said , adding that other organizations , including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , have tapped into the Lessons Learned program .
Such training for Apollo programs included knowing the systems on the spacecraft `` backward and forward , so they were able to troubleshoot very quickly , '' Cianilli said .
Looking at Apollo 13 unfold in real time has helped NASA software engineer Ben Feist realize the hardships involved .
`` The work they were doing was incredible , '' said Feist , who developed a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , data and other observations from the entire Apollo 11 , 13 and 17 missions .
After the accident , NASA modified the service module electrical power system to prevent a repeat , redesigned the oxygen tanks and added a third tank , among other fixes , according to NASA 's official history of the program .
The Apollo 13 accident pushed the Apollo 14 mission back about four months to Jan. 31 , 1971 .
Celebrations for Apollo 13 's recovery did n't show the same exuberance as Apollo 11 or 12 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were treated to a ticker-tape parade in Chicago .
Haise was absent due to illness , but he got the parade treatment in his hometown of Biloxi , Miss .
Cianilli said there 's a strong connection between Apollo 13 and NASA 's current Artemis program , which has a goal of returning Americans to the moon by 2024 .
`` It 's not just words , '' Cianilli said .
`` We are unbelievably committed to ensuring safety , and that 's how we 're going to get back to the moon @ @

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The Apollo 13 capsule splashes down in the Pacific Ocean on April 17, 1970. File photo courtesy of NASA
ORLANDO, Fla., April 17 (UPI) -- The 50th anniversary of the Apollo 13 splashdown on Friday marks the successful end of a heroic effort to save the aborted moon mission from disaster in space. The rescue of three astronauts proved the efficacy of NASA's training and talent to overcome a life-threatening oxygen tank explosion 200,000 miles from Earth and served as an example for future generations of space engineers. Advertisement
"We're about to live the moon missions over again, but we know from the past we can work through problems that we may have," said Mike Cianilli, manager of NASA's Apollo Challenger Columbia Lessons Learned Program.
The capsule splashed down at 2:07 p.m. EDT in the South Pacific near Samoa. The crew used the lunar module as a lifeboat during the journey home, and pieces of that crashed into the ocean closer to New Zealand.
With navigation systems also knocked out, astronauts Jim Lovell, Fred Haise and Jeff Swigert pulled off the final maneuver to re-enter the atmosphere by using the position of the sun, which teams of engineers on the ground had advised.
The effort, according to President Richard Nixon, was a reminder of "the extraordinary concert of skills, in space and on the ground, that goes into a moon mission."
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In a press conference after splashdown, the astronauts praised the coordination and initiative of teams on the ground.
"It's amazing in a way that people can respond so fast to get this job done," Lovell told the media.
Training for the unexpected was vital to the crew's success in addressing shortages of oxygen, power and water among other things, Cianilli said, adding that other organizations, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, have tapped into the Lessons Learned program.
Such training for Apollo programs included knowing the systems on the spacecraft "backward and forward, so they were able to troubleshoot very quickly," Cianilli said.
Looking at Apollo 13 unfold in real time has helped NASA software engineer Ben Feist realize the hardships involved.
"The work they were doing was incredible," said Feist, who developed a website platform that matches audio, visuals, data and other observations from the entire Apollo 11, 13 and 17 missions.
After the accident, NASA modified the service module electrical power system to prevent a repeat, redesigned the oxygen tanks and added a third tank, among other fixes, according to NASA's official history of the program.
The Apollo 13 accident pushed the Apollo 14 mission back about four months to Jan. 31, 1971.
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Celebrations for Apollo 13's recovery didn't show the same exuberance as Apollo 11 or 12 moon landings, but Swigert and Lovell were treated to a ticker-tape parade in Chicago. Haise was absent due to illness, but he got the parade treatment in his hometown of Biloxi, Miss.
Cianilli said there's a strong connection between Apollo 13 and NASA's current Artemis program, which has a goal of returning Americans to the moon by 2024.
"It's not just words," Cianilli said. "We are unbelievably committed to ensuring safety, and that's how we're going to get back to the moon."


upi--2020-04-17--Duluth man charged with sabotaging shipping records for medical supplies

April 16 ( UPI ) -- Federal authorities said they have charged a former employee of a Georgia medical device packaging company for hacking his ex-employer 's computer system and delaying the shipping of medical supplies amid the coronavirus pandemic .
Christopher Dobbins , 40 , of Duluth , was charged by federal complaint on Wednesday for allegedly conducting a computer intrusion into the unnamed company 's system and editing more than 115,500 records and deleting more than 2,370 others that disrupted the company 's shipping processes , causing the delivery of personal protective equipment used by health professionals to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ delayed , the Justice Department said in a Thursday press release .
`` This defendant allegedly disrupted the delivery of personal equipment in the middle of a global pandemic , '' said U.S. attorney Byung J. Pak in a statement .
`` Scarce medical supplies should go to the healthcare workers and hospitals that need them during the pandemic .
The Department of Justice is dedicated to moving quickly on cases like this to bring criminal opportunists to justice and protect the public during these challenging times . ''
According to court documents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in early March , losing access to the medical business ' computer system .
But during his employment , he made a fake user account , which he used in late March days after he received his last paycheck to log into the system .
Once in the system , he created a second fake user to edit and delete the records , before deactivating both fake user accounts , prosecutors alleged .
`` The FBI is making it a priority during the worldwide pandemic to make sure crucial supplies are not being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of medical care , '' said Chris Hacker , special agent in charge of FBI Atlanta .
`` We are grateful to the medical packaging company for promptly reporting this disruption to their delivery of important medical supplies , so that we could react quickly . ''
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is investigating the case , which is part of Georgia 's Coronavirus Fraud Task Force aimed at cracking down on criminal activities that attempt to exploit the COVID-19 pandemic .
The United States has the highest number of COVID-19 cases in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and 33,284 deaths associated with the virus , according to a live tracker of the disease by Johns Hopkins University .

Healthcare workers wearing protective face masks and medical clothes stand outside of an entrance to Wyckoff Heights Medical Center in New York City on Tuesday. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
April 16 (UPI) -- Federal authorities said they have charged a former employee of a Georgia medical device packaging company for hacking his ex-employer's computer system and delaying the shipping of medical supplies amid the coronavirus pandemic. Christopher Dobbins, 40, of Duluth, was charged by federal complaint on Wednesday for allegedly conducting a computer intrusion into the unnamed company's system and editing more than 115,500 records and deleting more than 2,370 others that disrupted the company's shipping processes, causing the delivery of personal protective equipment used by health professionals to ward off infection of COVID-19 to be delayed, the Justice Department said in a Thursday press release. Advertisement
"This defendant allegedly disrupted the delivery of personal equipment in the middle of a global pandemic," said U.S. attorney Byung J. Pak in a statement. "Scarce medical supplies should go to the healthcare workers and hospitals that need them during the pandemic. The Department of Justice is dedicated to moving quickly on cases like this to bring criminal opportunists to justice and protect the public during these challenging times."
According to court documents, Dobbins was fired from the company in early March, losing access to the medical business' computer system. But during his employment, he made a fake user account, which he used in late March days after he received his last paycheck to log into the system.
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Once in the system, he created a second fake user to edit and delete the records, before deactivating both fake user accounts, prosecutors alleged.
"The FBI is making it a priority during the worldwide pandemic to make sure crucial supplies are not being disrupted or diverted from the front lines of medical care," said Chris Hacker, special agent in charge of FBI Atlanta. "We are grateful to the medical packaging company for promptly reporting this disruption to their delivery of important medical supplies, so that we could react quickly."
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is investigating the case, which is part of Georgia's Coronavirus Fraud Task Force aimed at cracking down on criminal activities that attempt to exploit the COVID-19 pandemic.
The United States has the highest number of COVID-19 cases in the world with more than 670,000 infections and 33,284 deaths associated with the virus, according to a live tracker of the disease by Johns Hopkins University.


upi--2020-04-16--Police investigate 17 bodies found at N.J. nursing home

April 16 ( UPI ) -- Authorities in New Jersey discovered more than a dozen bodies inside a nursing home this week , spurring a review of all long-term care facilities in the state seeing a high number of deaths due to COVID-19 .
Police were following up on a tip on Monday that a body was being stored in a shed on the property of the Andover Subacute and Rehabilitation Center , the largest long-term care facility in the state , and discovered 17 bodies piled in a small morgue .
`` They were just overwhelmed by the amount @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Andover police chief Eric C. Danielson told The New York Times .
The Andover Subacute and Rehabilitation Center I and II has been linked to 68 deaths , 26 of whom had tested positive for COVID-19 , officials said .
New Jersey Gov .
Phil Murphy said he was `` heartbroken '' by the deaths at the facility during a press briefing on Thursday , stating he has ordered Attorney General Gurbir Grewal to open an investigation into the facility as well as review all such facilities that have experienced a disproportionate number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I am also outraged that bodies of the dead were allowed to pile up in a makeshift morgue at the facility , '' he said .
`` New Jerseyans living in our long-term care facilities deserve to be cared for with respect , compassion and dignity .
We can do better . ''
Located in Sussex County , the facility 's two buildings are licensed for 514 long-term care 673 beds and had nearly 540 residents as of Wednesday , New Jersey Department of Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli said .
`` We 're @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the Andover facility , '' she said .
The department was notified by the facility on Saturday that it needed more body bags and that 28 bodies were being stored at the facility , and local health officials surveyed the facilities at 2 a.m. Sunday and reported five bodies were on site and another three had been released earlier the day prior .
On Tuesday , the department received a second complaint concerning more bodies being stored at the facility , resulting in a second survey that discovered it was in need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that he is `` deeply concerned '' about the high number of deaths at New Jersey nursing homes .
`` That 's why we 've opened a statewide investigation , '' he said .
`` We 'll follow the facts wherever they go .
Stay tuned . ''
The state , one of the worst-hit by the virus in the country , has reported 75,317 cases of COVID-19 and 3,518 deaths .
Persichilli said the death toll increased by 362 deaths on Thursday , of which 54 were residents of long-term care facilities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Murphy said .
`` This is completely , utterly , not just outrageous but unacceptable . ''

Gov. Phil Murphy has ordered the state's attorney general to review all long-term care facilities in the state after 17 bodies were discovered at the Andover Subacute and Rehabilitation Center earlier this week. Photo courtesy of New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy/ Flickr
April 16 (UPI) -- Authorities in New Jersey discovered more than a dozen bodies inside a nursing home this week, spurring a review of all long-term care facilities in the state seeing a high number of deaths due to COVID-19. Police were following up on a tip on Monday that a body was being stored in a shed on the property of the Andover Subacute and Rehabilitation Center, the largest long-term care facility in the state, and discovered 17 bodies piled in a small morgue. Advertisement
"They were just overwhelmed by the amount of people who were expiring," Andover police chief Eric C. Danielson told The New York Times.
The Andover Subacute and Rehabilitation Center I and II has been linked to 68 deaths, 26 of whom had tested positive for COVID-19, officials said.
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said he was "heartbroken" by the deaths at the facility during a press briefing on Thursday, stating he has ordered Attorney General Gurbir Grewal to open an investigation into the facility as well as review all such facilities that have experienced a disproportionate number of deaths during the pandemic.
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"I am also outraged that bodies of the dead were allowed to pile up in a makeshift morgue at the facility," he said. "New Jerseyans living in our long-term care facilities deserve to be cared for with respect, compassion and dignity. We can do better."
Located in Sussex County, the facility's two buildings are licensed for 514 long-term care 673 beds and had nearly 540 residents as of Wednesday, New Jersey Department of Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli said.
"We're not pleased with what is going on at the Andover facility," she said.
The department was notified by the facility on Saturday that it needed more body bags and that 28 bodies were being stored at the facility, and local health officials surveyed the facilities at 2 a.m. Sunday and reported five bodies were on site and another three had been released earlier the day prior.
On Tuesday, the department received a second complaint concerning more bodies being stored at the facility, resulting in a second survey that discovered it was in need of additional staff.
Grewal tweeted Thursday that he is "deeply concerned" about the high number of deaths at New Jersey nursing homes.
"That's why we've opened a statewide investigation," he said. "We'll follow the facts wherever they go. Stay tuned."
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The state, one of the worst-hit by the virus in the country, has reported 75,317 cases of COVID-19 and 3,518 deaths. Persichilli said the death toll increased by 362 deaths on Thursday, of which 54 were residents of long-term care facilities.
"This is completely unacceptable," Murphy said. "This is completely, utterly, not just outrageous but unacceptable."


upi--2020-04-16--Bubba Wallace: Kyle Larson deserves another chance after using racial slur

April 16 ( UPI ) -- Bubba Wallace , the only African American driver competing in the NASCAR Cup Series , believes Kyle Larson deserves a second chance after he used a racial slur during a virtual race .
Larson was competing in Sunday 's eNASCAR iRacing event when he appeared to lose communication with his spotter on his headset .
During a microphone check , Larson said , `` You ca n't hear me ? ''
That comment was followed by the `` N-word . ''
The event was live-streamed , making the slur audible for other competitors and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monday , saying there was `` no excuse '' for the racial language .
Later Monday , his three main sponsors in the Cup Series ended their relationships with him .
On Tuesday , Chip Ganassi Racing announced it fired Larson , leaving him without a team to drive for in real-life competition .
`` What Larson said was wrong , whether in private or public .
There is no grey area , '' Wallace wrote Thursday on Twitter .
`` I saw the incident the night it happened and within five minutes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the next morning as well .
Finally I called him back with a FaceTime to talk 'face to face , ' and we had a good conversation , his apology was sincere .
His emotions and pride were shattered .
`` We discussed why he chose to use that language and I shared my thoughts .
I told him , it was too easy for him to use the word and that he has to do better and get it out of his vocabulary .
There is no place for that word in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at him , and I believe that he , along with most people , deserve second chances , and deserve space to improve . ''
NASCAR handed down an indefinite suspension to Larson following the incident .
He also was suspended indefinitely from iRacing .
Larson , 27 , was in the final year of his contract with Chip Ganassi Racing .
He is in his sixth year of competing in NASCAR 's Cup Series .
He was in seventh place in the Cup Series standings before racing was suspended due to the @ @ @

NASCAR driver Kyle Larson used a racial slur while competing in an iRacing event Sunday. File Photo by Edwin Locke/UPI | License Photo
April 16 (UPI) -- Bubba Wallace, the only African American driver competing in the NASCAR Cup Series, believes Kyle Larson deserves a second chance after he used a racial slur during a virtual race. Larson was competing in Sunday's eNASCAR iRacing event when he appeared to lose communication with his spotter on his headset. During a microphone check, Larson said, "You can't hear me?" That comment was followed by the "N-word." Advertisement
The event was live-streamed, making the slur audible for other competitors and viewers.
Larson issued a public apology Monday, saying there was "no excuse" for the racial language. Later Monday, his three main sponsors in the Cup Series ended their relationships with him.
On Tuesday, Chip Ganassi Racing announced it fired Larson, leaving him without a team to drive for in real-life competition.
"What Larson said was wrong, whether in private or public. There is no grey area," Wallace wrote Thursday on Twitter. "I saw the incident the night it happened and within five minutes Kyle texted me. He called me the next morning as well. Finally I called him back with a FaceTime to talk 'face to face,' and we had a good conversation, his apology was sincere. His emotions and pride were shattered.
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"We discussed why he chose to use that language and I shared my thoughts. I told him, it was too easy for him to use the word and that he has to do better and get it out of his vocabulary. There is no place for that word in this world. I am not mad at him, and I believe that he, along with most people, deserve second chances, and deserve space to improve."
NASCAR handed down an indefinite suspension to Larson following the incident. He also was suspended indefinitely from iRacing.
Larson, 27, was in the final year of his contract with Chip Ganassi Racing. He is in his sixth year of competing in NASCAR's Cup Series. He was in seventh place in the Cup Series standings before racing was suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic.


upi--2020-04-17--WNBA Draft: New York Liberty select Oregon star Sabrina Ionescu with No. 1 pick

April 17 ( UPI ) -- The New York Liberty selected Oregon superstar guard Sabrina Ionescu with the No .
1 overall pick in the 2020 WNBA Draft on Friday .
Ionescu , who was expected to be the top pick in this year 's draft since she returned to Oregon for her senior season , was chosen as the league conducted a virtual draft on ESPN because of the coronavirus pandemic .
Draft picks remained in their homes , and WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert announced the selections from her house .
`` I 'm blessed to be in this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whole life , '' Ionescu said from her home in California .
While at Oregon , Ionescu became the sixth woman to win more than one John R. Wooden Award , which is given annually to the nation 's most outstanding player .
She also won the Naismith Trophy and Wade Trophy in her final season with the Ducks .
Ionescu , who became the first men 's or women 's college basketball player to reach career marks of at least 2,000 points , 1,000 assists and 1,000 rebounds , led the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ past season .
She also led the Ducks in scoring at 17.5 points per game and finished third in the Pac-12 in rebounding at 8.6 per contest .
Forward Satou Sabally , one of Ionescu 's teammates at Oregon , was selected with the No .
2 overall pick by the Dallas Wings .
It is only the fourth time in WNBA Draft history that the top two choices were from the same program .
Baylor star Lauren Cox went third to the Indiana Fever , and Texas A & M guard Chennedy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the Atlanta Dream .
The Wings , who had two selections in the top five , took Bella Alarie with the fifth-overall pick .
Below is the round-by-round results from the 2020 WNBA Draft : 10 .
New York Liberty ( via trade with Phoenix Mercury ) : Jocelyn Willoughby , F , Virginia 26 .
Minnesota Lynx ( via trade with New York Liberty ) : Erica Ogwumike , G , Rice

Oregon Ducks guard Sabrina Ionescu (20) became the sixth woman to win more than one John R. Wooden Award this past season. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
April 17 (UPI) -- The New York Liberty selected Oregon superstar guard Sabrina Ionescu with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 WNBA Draft on Friday. Ionescu, who was expected to be the top pick in this year's draft since she returned to Oregon for her senior season, was chosen as the league conducted a virtual draft on ESPN because of the coronavirus pandemic. Draft picks remained in their homes, and WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert announced the selections from her house. Advertisement
"I'm blessed to be in this position that I have worked for my whole life," Ionescu said from her home in California.
While at Oregon, Ionescu became the sixth woman to win more than one John R. Wooden Award, which is given annually to the nation's most outstanding player. She also won the Naismith Trophy and Wade Trophy in her final season with the Ducks.
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Ionescu, who became the first men's or women's college basketball player to reach career marks of at least 2,000 points, 1,000 assists and 1,000 rebounds, led the country in assists at 9.2 per game this past season. She also led the Ducks in scoring at 17.5 points per game and finished third in the Pac-12 in rebounding at 8.6 per contest.
Forward Satou Sabally, one of Ionescu's teammates at Oregon, was selected with the No. 2 overall pick by the Dallas Wings. It is only the fourth time in WNBA Draft history that the top two choices were from the same program.
Baylor star Lauren Cox went third to the Indiana Fever, and Texas A&M guard Chennedy Carter was the No. 4 pick by the Atlanta Dream. The Wings, who had two selections in the top five, took Bella Alarie with the fifth-overall pick.
Below is the round-by-round results from the 2020 WNBA Draft:
Round 1:
1. New York Liberty: Sabrina Ionescu, G, Oregon
2. Dallas Wings: Satou Sabally, F, Oregon
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3. Indiana Fever: Lauren Cox, F, Baylor
4. Atlanta Dream: Chennedy Carter, G, Texas A&M
5. Dallas Wings: Bella Alarie, G/F, Princeton
6. Minnesota Lynx: Mikiah Hebert Harrigan, F, South Carolina
7. Dallas Wings: Tyasha Harris, G, South Carolina
8. Chicago Sky: Ruthy Hebard, F, Oregon
9. New York Liberty: Megan Walker, F, UConn
10. New York Liberty (via trade with Phoenix Mercury): Jocelyn Willoughby, F, Virginia
11. Seattle Storm: Kitija Laksa, G, Latvia/South Florida
12. New York Liberty: Jazmine Jones, G, Louisville
Round 2:
13. New York Liberty: Kylee Shook, F, Louisville
14. Indiana Fever: Kathleen Doyle, G, Iowa
15. New York Liberty: Leaonna Odom, F, Duke
16. Minnesota Lynx: Crystal Dangerfield, G, UConn
17. Atlanta Dream: Brittany Brewer, C, Texas Tech
18. Phoenix Mercury: Te'a Cooper, G, Baylor
19. Seattle Storm: Joyner Holmes, F, Texas
20. Los Angeles Sparks: Beatrice Mompremier, F, Miami
21. Dallas Wings: Luisa Geiselsoder, C, Germany
22. Los Angeles Sparks: Leonie Fiebich, G, Germany
23. Connecticut Sun: Kaila Charles, G, Maryland
24. Washington Mystics: Jaylyn Agnew, F, Creighton
Round 3:
25. Atlanta Dream: Mikayla Pivec, G, Oregon State
26. Minnesota Lynx (via trade with New York Liberty): Erica Ogwumike, G, Rice
27. Atlanta Dream: Kobi Thornton, F, Clemson
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28. Indiana Fever: Kamiah Smalls, G, James Madison
29. Phoenix Mercury: Stella Johnson, G, Rider
30. Chicago Sky: Japreece Dean, G, UCLA
31. Seattle Storm: Haley Gorecki, G, Duke
32. Chicago Sky: Kiah Gillespie, F, Florida State
33. Las Vegas Aces: Lauren Manis, F, Holy Cross
34. Los Angeles Sparks: Tynice Martin, G, West Virginia
35. Connecticut Sun: Juicy Landrum, G, Baylor
36. Washington Mystics: Sug Sutton, G, Texas


upi--2020-04-17--Parts of Northeast could pick up 6 or more inches of April snow

April 17 ( UPI ) -- Forecasters say winter 's recent return to the Northeast may not have been its final visit of the spring , despite a comeback of milder air this weekend .
A storm that dumped record snowfall across part of the Rockies and central Plains Wednesday into Thursday will track eastward at a swift pace into Saturday morning .
A narrow swath of accumulating snowfall will move along with the storm on its northern fringes .
`` We expect several inches of snow to fall mainly on non-paved surfaces from the northern tier of Pennsylvania to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' AccuWeather senior meteorologist Brian Wimer said .
`` Pockets of moderate to heavy accumulating snow can also extend over the Catskills in eastern New York state as well as the Berkshires in southwestern New England and perhaps the southern parts of the mountains in Vermont and New Hampshire , '' Wimer added .
A general 1-inch to 3-inch snowfall is forecast through southern New York state and northern Pennsylvania to southern Vermont and New Hampshire , Massachusetts and northern Connecticut , with 3 inches to 6 inches in the higher ground @ @ @ @ @ @ @ foot is most likely to be achieved over the ridgetops .
`` Much less accumulation to a little slush is likely to accumulate on roads , except over the ridges .
However , even wet roads could turn icy as the storm pulls away and cold air causes air and road surface temperatures to dip below freezing , '' AccuWeather senior meteorologist Alex Sosnowski said .
The added weight of the heavy snow on budding trees could be enough to snap branches and cause isolated power outages .
A couple of inches of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ metro area , mainly on non-paved surfaces , Friday night into Saturday morning .
In Portland , Maine , the greatest risk of accumulating snowfall will be just south of the city .
New York City , Philadelphia , Baltimore and Washington , D.C. , can anticipate all rain from the storm late Friday into Saturday morning .
Snow is likely to mix in with the rain in the northern and western suburbs of New York City and may end as a period of steady wet snow in some places well north and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the region in the immediate wake of the storm , especially where there is snow on the ground that must first melt .
`` In the wake of the late-week storm , a brief pocket of milder air that originated from the Pacific Ocean will settle in for the weekend , '' Sosnowski said .
Sunday is shaping up to be the warmest day of the weekend with high temperatures expected to be at seasonable levels in the 50s and 60s F throughout the region .
Residents may finally be able to give @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the windows to let in fresh air during Sunday afternoon .
`` The mild air and sunshine will cause much of and perhaps all of the snow to melt during the daytime hours , '' Sosnowski said .
Showers expected to arrive in the eastern Great Lakes Sunday afternoon will mark the arrival of slightly cooler air pressing southward .
On Monday , high temperatures will be shaved a few degrees from Sunday 's levels .
`` A reinforcing burst of Arctic air , courtesy of the polar vortex , will follow for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This Arctic invasion is likely to be accompanied by gusty winds , rain and snow showers and perhaps heavier squalls Tuesday into Wednesday of next week .
AccuWeather long-range meteorologists expect this cold surge to be fleeting as the polar vortex is forecast to retreat northward late next week , allowing milder air to surge back into the Northeast .

April 17 (UPI) -- Forecasters say winter's recent return to the Northeast may not have been its final visit of the spring, despite a comeback of milder air this weekend.
A storm that dumped record snowfall across part of the Rockies and central Plains Wednesday into Thursday will track eastward at a swift pace into Saturday morning. A narrow swath of accumulating snowfall will move along with the storm on its northern fringes.
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"We expect several inches of snow to fall mainly on non-paved surfaces from the northern tier of Pennsylvania to the southern tier of New York state," AccuWeather senior meteorologist Brian Wimer said.
"Pockets of moderate to heavy accumulating snow can also extend over the Catskills in eastern New York state as well as the Berkshires in southwestern New England and perhaps the southern parts of the mountains in Vermont and New Hampshire," Wimer added.
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A general 1-inch to 3-inch snowfall is forecast through southern New York state and northern Pennsylvania to southern Vermont and New Hampshire, Massachusetts and northern Connecticut, with 3 inches to 6 inches in the higher ground. The AccuWeather Local StormMax of a foot is most likely to be achieved over the ridgetops.
"Much less accumulation to a little slush is likely to accumulate on roads, except over the ridges. However, even wet roads could turn icy as the storm pulls away and cold air causes air and road surface temperatures to dip below freezing," AccuWeather senior meteorologist Alex Sosnowski said.
The added weight of the heavy snow on budding trees could be enough to snap branches and cause isolated power outages.
A couple of inches of snow could also accumulate in the Boston metro area, mainly on non-paved surfaces, Friday night into Saturday morning. In Portland, Maine, the greatest risk of accumulating snowfall will be just south of the city.
New York City, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington, D.C., can anticipate all rain from the storm late Friday into Saturday morning.
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Snow is likely to mix in with the rain in the northern and western suburbs of New York City and may end as a period of steady wet snow in some places well north and west.
Saturday will be chilly in the region in the immediate wake of the storm, especially where there is snow on the ground that must first melt.
"In the wake of the late-week storm, a brief pocket of milder air that originated from the Pacific Ocean will settle in for the weekend," Sosnowski said.
Sunday is shaping up to be the warmest day of the weekend with high temperatures expected to be at seasonable levels in the 50s and 60s F throughout the region.
Residents may finally be able to give heaters a break and even open up the windows to let in fresh air during Sunday afternoon.
"The mild air and sunshine will cause much of and perhaps all of the snow to melt during the daytime hours," Sosnowski said.
Showers expected to arrive in the eastern Great Lakes Sunday afternoon will mark the arrival of slightly cooler air pressing southward. On Monday, high temperatures will be shaved a few degrees from Sunday's levels.
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"A reinforcing burst of Arctic air, courtesy of the polar vortex, will follow for early next week," Sosnowski said.
This Arctic invasion is likely to be accompanied by gusty winds, rain and snow showers and perhaps heavier squalls Tuesday into Wednesday of next week.
AccuWeather long-range meteorologists expect this cold surge to be fleeting as the polar vortex is forecast to retreat northward late next week, allowing milder air to surge back into the Northeast.


upi--2020-04-17--WNBA Draft: Gianna Bryant, Alyssa Altobelli, Payton Chester named honorary picks

April 17 ( UPI ) -- Gianna `` Gigi '' Bryant , Alyssa Altobelli and Payton Chester , who were among nine killed in a January helicopter crash that also took the life of Lakers legend Kobe Bryant , were selected as honorary draftees in the 2020 WNBA Draft on Friday .
WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert honored the group prior to the start of the draft , which was conducted virtually due to the coronavirus pandemic .
Former NBA commissioner and WNBA founder David Stern , who died in January after suffering a brain hemorrhage , also was recognized by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Before we begin , we would like to honor some special individuals that we recently lost , '' Engelbert said .
`` Among those were two leaders near and dear to the WNBA -- NBA Commissioner Emeritus David Stern and NBA great Kobe Bryant .
`` ... Alongside Kobe , eight others were lost that sad day in January , including three rising basketball stars -- Alyssa Altobelli , Gianna Bryant and Payton Chester .
These athletes represented the future of the WNBA .
...
While it brings us pain not to see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'm grateful and proud to announce them tonight as honorary draft picks . ''
The three girls , all 13 years old at the time of the crash , were passengers on the helicopter as it traveled to a youth basketball game on Jan. 26 at Kobe Bryant 's Mamba Sports Academy in California .
The WNBA previously said it planned to honor the three young teammates during this year 's draft .
Gianna 's mother , Vanessa Bryant , posted a message on social media Friday that listed the three girls as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` It would have been a dream come true for her , '' Vanessa Bryant said .
`` Kobe and Gigi loved the WNBA .
Thank you .
I want to congratulate all of this year 's draft picks .
Congratulations .
Work hard .
Never settle .
Use that `` Mamba Mentality . ''

April 17 (UPI) -- Gianna "Gigi" Bryant, Alyssa Altobelli and Payton Chester, who were among nine killed in a January helicopter crash that also took the life of Lakers legend Kobe Bryant, were selected as honorary draftees in the 2020 WNBA Draft on Friday.
WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert honored the group prior to the start of the draft, which was conducted virtually due to the coronavirus pandemic. Former NBA commissioner and WNBA founder David Stern, who died in January after suffering a brain hemorrhage, also was recognized by the women's basketball league.
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"Before we begin, we would like to honor some special individuals that we recently lost," Engelbert said. "Among those were two leaders near and dear to the WNBA -- NBA Commissioner Emeritus David Stern and NBA great Kobe Bryant.
"... Alongside Kobe, eight others were lost that sad day in January, including three rising basketball stars -- Alyssa Altobelli, Gianna Bryant and Payton Chester. These athletes represented the future of the WNBA. ... While it brings us pain not to see their dreams come to fruition, I'm grateful and proud to announce them tonight as honorary draft picks."
Advertisement The WNBA pays tribute to the lives of Alyssa Altobelli, Gianna Bryant and Payton Chester by selecting them as honorary draftees in the #WNBADraft 2020. pic.twitter.com/AqpZnc4xfo— WNBA (@WNBA) April 17, 2020
The three girls, all 13 years old at the time of the crash, were passengers on the helicopter as it traveled to a youth basketball game on Jan. 26 at Kobe Bryant's Mamba Sports Academy in California.
The WNBA previously said it planned to honor the three young teammates during this year's draft.
Gianna's mother, Vanessa Bryant, posted a message on social media Friday that listed the three girls as the "Class of 2024."
"It would have been a dream come true for her," Vanessa Bryant said. "Kobe and Gigi loved the WNBA. Thank you. I want to congratulate all of this year's draft picks. Congratulations. Work hard. Never settle. Use that "Mamba Mentality."


upi--2020-04-17--Tennessee reschedules execution of Oscar Smith

April 17 ( UPI ) -- The Tennessee Supreme Court on Friday delayed the execution of a death row inmate citing the coronavirus pandemic , which has shut down much of the state .
Oscar Smith , 70 , was set to be put to death by lethal injection June 4 , but the court rescheduled the execution for Feb. 4 .
Smith 's lawyers requested the delay , saying lockdown orders prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic have hindered their ability to carry out the investigations and other legal work that typically takes place in the last several weeks before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issued a stay-at-home order March 31 , shutting down non-essential businesses and urging residents to remain at home whenever possible .
`` The court was absolutely right to stay Oscar Smith 's execution because of the COVID-19 virus , '' Kelley Henry , supervisory assistant federal public defender , said in an email to UPI .
`` It makes no sense to bring execution witnesses and other people into the prison and possibly expose them to COVID-19 infection or introduce the virus into the prison population .
`` Mr. Smith , who has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meet with his attorneys to prepare a clemency petition and investigators need to interview people to get information for the clemency petition .
None of that face-to-face work can happen at this time without risking public health . ''
Smith 's is the sixth scheduled execution to be stayed or rescheduled since the coronavirus pandemic disrupted business as usual in the United States .
Texas has put off the executions of John Hummel , Tracy Beatty , Fabian Hernandez , Billy Wardlow and Randall Mays .
Smith was sentenced to death for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Judy Smith , and her two sons , Chad Burnett and Jason Burnett .
Smith 's lawyers said his case has been `` plagued by multiple constitutional violations , '' accusing one juror of being biased and saying the jury as a whole considered inaccurate information from outside the courtroom .
The defense team also said two jurors mistakenly believed a life sentence for Smith would have meant only 13 years in prison for him .

April 17 (UPI) -- The Tennessee Supreme Court on Friday delayed the execution of a death row inmate citing the coronavirus pandemic, which has shut down much of the state.
Oscar Smith, 70, was set to be put to death by lethal injection June 4, but the court rescheduled the execution for Feb. 4.
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Smith's lawyers requested the delay, saying lockdown orders prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic have hindered their ability to carry out the investigations and other legal work that typically takes place in the last several weeks before an execution. Gov. Bill Lee issued a stay-at-home order March 31, shutting down non-essential businesses and urging residents to remain at home whenever possible.
"The court was absolutely right to stay Oscar Smith's execution because of the COVID-19 virus," Kelley Henry, supervisory assistant federal public defender, said in an email to UPI.
"It makes no sense to bring execution witnesses and other people into the prison and possibly expose them to COVID-19 infection or introduce the virus into the prison population.
"Mr. Smith, who has always maintained his innocence, needs to meet with his attorneys to prepare a clemency petition and investigators need to interview people to get information for the clemency petition. None of that face-to-face work can happen at this time without risking public health."
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Smith's is the sixth scheduled execution to be stayed or rescheduled since the coronavirus pandemic disrupted business as usual in the United States. Texas has put off the executions of John Hummel, Tracy Beatty, Fabian Hernandez, Billy Wardlow and Carlos Trevino.
Smith was sentenced to death for the 1989 slayings of his estranged wife, Judy Smith, and her two sons, Chad Burnett and Jason Burnett.
Smith's lawyers said his case has been "plagued by multiple constitutional violations," accusing one juror of being biased and saying the jury as a whole considered inaccurate information from outside the courtroom. The defense team also said two jurors mistakenly believed a life sentence for Smith would have meant only 13 years in prison for him.


upi--2020-04-17--Army awards $635.1M in contracts to aid coronavirus response

April 17 ( UPI ) -- The Army closed out the week with another round of contracts -- totaling $ 635.1 million -- to aid in the effort to contain the COVID-19 pandemic , according to the Pentagon .
The Army awarded $ 586 million in contract modifications to 10 different companies in an omnibus deal the Department of Defense said was `` in support of the presidential national emergency declaration concerning the novel coronavirus disease . ''
The deal modifies a previous contract , in the amount of $ 990 million , awarded in 2015 for `` operations and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ non-medical facilities including hospitals , clinics , administrative , pharmacies , veterinarian , dental , training , research , utility and energy plants , labs and storage facilities , as well as some nonmedical facilities associated with these medical facilities . ''
The modification include options that raise the total ceiling of the deal -- now worth $ 1.57 million -- to $ 1.67 million .
The 2015 deal had an estimated completion date of February 2020 ; work on the modification has an estimated completion date of Aug. 11 , 2020 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ awarded in the last two weeks as DoD officials have sought to curtail the virus .
Also on Friday , the Army awarded $ 37.1 million to Stafford , Texas-based Golden Max LLC for infusion pump kits for the COVID-19 effort .
Work locations on the deal will determined with each order , which has an estimated completion date of April 19 , 2021 .
An infusion pump is a medical device that delivers fluids , such as nutrients and medications , into a patient 's body in controlled amounts at a steady @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospitals , nursing homes and even in-home care , but healthcare leaders have warned of a looming shortage due to COVID-19 , as many patients with the virus need continuous infusions of medication , fluids and nutrition .

Army Spc. Fredrick Spencer, with the 531st Hospital Center, performs maintenance on an infusion pump at the Javits New York Medical Station, Thursday in support of the Department of Defense COVID-19 response. On Friday the Army awarded $37.1 million to Texas-based Golden Max LLC for production of more infusion pumps to aid in coronavirus response. Photo by Deonte Rowell/U.S. Army
April 17 (UPI) -- The Army closed out the week with another round of contracts -- totaling $635.1 million -- to aid in the effort to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the Pentagon. The Army awarded $586 million in contract modifications to 10 different companies in an omnibus deal the Department of Defense said was "in support of the presidential national emergency declaration concerning the novel coronavirus disease." Advertisement
The deal modifies a previous contract, in the amount of $990 million, awarded in 2015 for "operations and maintenance services at government medical and related non-medical facilities including hospitals, clinics, administrative, pharmacies, veterinarian, dental, training, research, utility and energy plants, labs and storage facilities, as well as some nonmedical facilities associated with these medical facilities."
The modification include options that raise the total ceiling of the deal -- now worth $1.57 million -- to $1.67 million.
The 2015 deal had an estimated completion date of February 2020; work on the modification has an estimated completion date of Aug. 11, 2020.
The umbrella contract is similar to others awarded in the last two weeks as DoD officials have sought to curtail the virus.
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Also on Friday, the Army awarded $37.1 million to Stafford, Texas-based Golden Max LLC for infusion pump kits for the COVID-19 effort.
Work locations on the deal will determined with each order, which has an estimated completion date of April 19, 2021.
An infusion pump is a medical device that delivers fluids, such as nutrients and medications, into a patient's body in controlled amounts at a steady rate.
Infusion pumps are common in hospitals, nursing homes and even in-home care, but healthcare leaders have warned of a looming shortage due to COVID-19, as many patients with the virus need continuous infusions of medication, fluids and nutrition.


upi--2020-04-17--Trump announces $19B relief for farmers, food donations

April 17 ( UPI ) -- President Donald Trump on Friday unveiled a $ 19 billion program to assist U.S. farmers and ranchers , and channel their products to food banks as the coronavirus impacts the nation 's food supply chain .
The majority of the funding -- $ 16 billion -- will take the form of direct payments to agricultural producers affected by the economic downturn caused by the coronavirus pandemic .
`` These are great people , great Americans , '' Trump said of the nation 's agricultural producers .
`` Never complain -- they just do what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue said his department will also work with regional distributors to purchase $ 3 billion of fresh produce , dairy and meat to send to the country 's network of food banks .
He said this effort will go toward offsetting financial losses distributors have faced as restaurants , hotels , schools and other businesses have had to close amid the outbreak .
`` Having to dump milk or plow under vegetables ready to market is not only financially distressing , but it 's heartbreaking as well to those who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friday 's White House Coronavirus Task Force briefing .
Earlier this month , dairy farmers said they began dumping excess milk after the sudden closure of schools and restaurants .
About half of the dairy products produced in the United States is purchased by the food service industry .
Grocery sales of dairy products have increased as Americans spend more time at home and cook their own meals amid coronavirus shelter-in-place orders .
But those bulk purchases have plummeted .
Many of the processors that supply dairy to the food service industry do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't have the equipment necessary to switch to smaller packaging sizes .
In addition to the $ 19 billion effort , Perdue said the U.S. Department of Agriculture is using another $ 873.3 million in Section 32 funding and at least $ 850 million from a stimulus bill passed last month to assist food banks .
`` The American food supply chain had to adapt , and it remains safe , secure and strong , and we all know that starts with America 's farmers and ranchers , '' Perdue said in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only provide immediate relief for our farmers and ranchers , but it will also allow for the purchase and distribution of our agricultural abundance to help our fellow Americans in need . ''

1/5
People receive bags of food from the San Francisco-Marin Food Bank in the parking lot of the Cow Palace in Daly City, Calif., on Friday. The Trump administration announced plans to spend $3 billion to purchase food from farmers and ranchers to then funnel to the nation's food banks. Photo by Terry Schmitt/UPI | License Photo
April 17 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump on Friday unveiled a $19 billion program to assist U.S. farmers and ranchers, and channel their products to food banks as the coronavirus impacts the nation's food supply chain. The majority of the funding -- $16 billion -- will take the form of direct payments to agricultural producers affected by the economic downturn caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Advertisement
"These are great people, great Americans," Trump said of the nation's agricultural producers. "Never complain -- they just do what they have to do."
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue said his department will also work with regional distributors to purchase $3 billion of fresh produce, dairy and meat to send to the country's network of food banks. He said this effort will go toward offsetting financial losses distributors have faced as restaurants, hotels, schools and other businesses have had to close amid the outbreak.
"Having to dump milk or plow under vegetables ready to market is not only financially distressing, but it's heartbreaking as well to those who produce them," Perdue said during Friday's White House Coronavirus Task Force briefing.
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California life in the COVID-19 pandemic
A pedestrian walks past a bar established in 1933 after Los Angeles County officials closed it for the second time following a spike in COVID-19 cases in Los Angeles on August 10. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
Earlier this month, dairy farmers said they began dumping excess milk after the sudden closure of schools and restaurants. About half of the dairy products produced in the United States is purchased by the food service industry.
Grocery sales of dairy products have increased as Americans spend more time at home and cook their own meals amid coronavirus shelter-in-place orders. But those bulk purchases have plummeted.
Many of the processors that supply dairy to the food service industry do so in large quantities. They don't have the equipment necessary to switch to smaller packaging sizes.
In addition to the $19 billion effort, Perdue said the U.S. Department of Agriculture is using another $873.3 million in Section 32 funding and at least $850 million from a stimulus bill passed last month to assist food banks.
"The American food supply chain had to adapt, and it remains safe, secure and strong, and we all know that starts with America's farmers and ranchers," Perdue said in a statement. "This program will not only provide immediate relief for our farmers and ranchers, but it will also allow for the purchase and distribution of our agricultural abundance to help our fellow Americans in need."


upi--2020-04-17--Women receive fewer medications than men after heart attack

April 17 ( UPI ) -- Women receive fewer medications after a heart attack and are more likely to die than men , according to a study presented Friday on a European Society of Cardiology platform .
The study , by the Cardiology Department of the University of Pavlia , Italy , involved follow-up surveys of 1,524 patients diagnosed with a myocardial infarction between 2015 and 2017 , and who were prescribed post-heart attack medications .
The researchers found that while in-hospital rates of death were similar between men and women , after a 264-day follow-up , a greater percentage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The study noted that proper prescription management after discharge has a significant effect on death rates after heart surgery , the disparity in treatment was clear , researchers say .
The researchers concluded that female patients were `` less likely to receive optimal medical therapy at discharge .
As OMT is a strong , independent predictor of survival , further research efforts should be invested to understand these potential sex-related disparities . ''
Fewer women , 55.3 percent compared to 63.9 percent of men , received OMT at discharge , the study @ @ @ @ @ @ @ published on Friday on AVCV Essentials 4U , an online platform of the ESC , a non-profit professional organization based in Sophia Antipolis , Belgium '' Female heart attack patients may appear more fragile to physicians since they are often older than men , with smaller bodies and more co-existing conditions such as diabetes and kidney disease , '' said study author Dr. Claudio Montalto .
`` Therefore , I think doctors might avoid potent antiplatelets -- a blood thinning medication -- and aggressive blood pressure lowering , '' Montalto added .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being female that causes more deaths , but it is receiving fewer recommended drugs .
In fact , getting the right medication nearly halves the risk of dying . ''

April 17 (UPI) -- Women receive fewer medications after a heart attack and are more likely to die than men, according to a study presented Friday on a European Society of Cardiology platform.
The study, by the Cardiology Department of the University of Pavlia, Italy, involved follow-up surveys of 1,524 patients diagnosed with a myocardial infarction between 2015 and 2017, and who were prescribed post-heart attack medications.
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The researchers found that while in-hospital rates of death were similar between men and women, after a 264-day follow-up, a greater percentage of women than than men had died.
The study noted that proper prescription management after discharge has a significant effect on death rates after heart surgery, the disparity in treatment was clear, researchers say.
The researchers concluded that female patients were "less likely to receive optimal medical therapy at discharge. As OMT is a strong, independent predictor of survival, further research efforts should be invested to understand these potential sex-related disparities."
Fewer women, 55.3 percent compared to 63.9 percent of men, received OMT at discharge, the study's conclusions say. The data were published on Friday on AVCV Essentials 4U, an online platform of the ESC, a non-profit professional organization based in Sophia Antipolis, Belgium
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"Female heart attack patients may appear more fragile to physicians since they are often older than men, with smaller bodies and more co-existing conditions such as diabetes and kidney disease," said study author Dr. Claudio Montalto.
"Therefore, I think doctors might avoid potent antiplatelets -- a blood thinning medication -- and aggressive blood pressure lowering," Montalto added. "Our study suggests that it is not being female that causes more deaths, but it is receiving fewer recommended drugs. In fact, getting the right medication nearly halves the risk of dying."


upi--2020-04-17--General Dynamics Electric Boat delivers Vermont submarine to Navy

April 17 ( UPI ) -- General Dynamics Electric Boat Announced Friday that it has delivered the nuclear-powered attack submarine Vermont to the Navy .
The $ 3 billion Vermont is the 19th submarine of the Virginia Class , which displace 7,835 tons , with a hull length of 377 feet and a diameter of 34 feet , and can carry eight masts , including a snorkel mast and high-data-rate satellite communication masts as well as a radar mast .
`` The shipbuilders of Electric Boat are proud to deliver Vermont to our Navy , an extraordinarily capable ship , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ General Dynamics Electric Boat , in a press release .
`` I am pleased to report that the Vermont has received some of the highest quality ratings in the history of the Virginia program .
We wish Vermont and her crew a long and distinguished career in defense of our nation . ''
In December the Navy awarded Electric Boat $ 22.2 billion for delivery of nine Virginia-class subs , and in January Lockheed Martin received $ 19.3 million to deliver masts for the boats .
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Vermont , which was to take place in Groton , Conn. , Saturday .

General Dynamics Electric Boat delivered the USS Vermont submarine to the Navy Friday. Photo courtesy of General Dynamics Electric Boat
April 17 (UPI) -- General Dynamics Electric Boat Announced Friday that it has delivered the nuclear-powered attack submarine Vermont to the Navy. The $3 billion Vermont is the 19th submarine of the Virginia Class, which displace 7,835 tons, with a hull length of 377 feet and a diameter of 34 feet, and can carry eight masts, including a snorkel mast and high-data-rate satellite communication masts as well as a radar mast. Advertisement
"The shipbuilders of Electric Boat are proud to deliver Vermont to our Navy, an extraordinarily capable ship," said Kevin Graney, President, General Dynamics Electric Boat, in a press release. "I am pleased to report that the Vermont has received some of the highest quality ratings in the history of the Virginia program. We wish Vermont and her crew a long and distinguished career in defense of our nation."
In December the Navy awarded Electric Boat $22.2 billion for delivery of nine Virginia-class subs, and in January Lockheed Martin received $19.3 million to deliver masts for the boats.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Navy postponed indefinitely the commissioning ceremony for the Vermont, which was to take place in Groton, Conn., Saturday.
Advertisement Today, @gdelectricboat delivered the nuclear-powered attack submarine Vermont (SSN 792) to the U.S. Navy. Vermont is the 19th submarine of the Virginia Class, which provides the Navy with the capabilities required to retain undersea dominance well into the 21st century. #ssn792 pic.twitter.com/uxUR6YloVD— GD Electric Boat (@GDElectricBoat) April 17, 2020


upi--2020-04-17--Social media hasn't hurt kids' social skills, study finds

Today 's youngsters are as socially skilled as previous generations , despite concerns about their heavy use of technology , like smartphones and social media , new research shows .
The researchers compared teacher and parent evaluations of more than 19,000 U.S. children who started kindergarten in 1998 -- six years before Facebook appeared -- with more than 13,000 who began school in 2010 .
That 's when the first iPad came on the market .
`` In virtually every comparison we made , either social skills stayed the same or actually went up modestly for the children born later @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Downey , a professor of sociology at Ohio State University .
`` There 's very little evidence that screen exposure was problematic for the growth of social skills , '' he added in a school news release .
Both groups of youngsters had similar ratings on interpersonal skills -- such as the ability to form and maintain friendships and get along with people who are different -- and on self-control , such as the ability to control their temper .
The only exception to the overall findings was that social skills were slightly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and social networking sites many times a day .
`` But even that was a pretty small effect , '' Downey said .
`` Overall , we found very little evidence that the time spent on screens was hurting social skills for most children , '' he added .
While he was initially surprised to discover that time spent on screens did n't affect children 's social skills , Downey said he should n't have been .
`` There is a tendency for every generation at my age to start to have concerns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an old story , '' he noted .
`` The introduction of telephones , automobiles , radio all led to moral panic among adults of the time because the technology allowed children to enjoy more autonomy , '' he explained .
`` Fears over screen-based technology likely represent the most recent panic in response to technological change . ''
New generations are learning that having good social relationships means being able to communicate successfully both face-to-face and online , according to Downey .
The study was recently published online in the American Journal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pediatrics has more on children and screen time .

Today's youngsters are as socially skilled as previous generations, despite concerns about their heavy use of technology, like smartphones and social media, new research shows.
The researchers compared teacher and parent evaluations of more than 19,000 U.S. children who started kindergarten in 1998 -- six years before Facebook appeared -- with more than 13,000 who began school in 2010. That's when the first iPad came on the market.
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"In virtually every comparison we made, either social skills stayed the same or actually went up modestly for the children born later," said study lead author Douglas Downey, a professor of sociology at Ohio State University.
"There's very little evidence that screen exposure was problematic for the growth of social skills," he added in a school news release.
Both groups of youngsters had similar ratings on interpersonal skills -- such as the ability to form and maintain friendships and get along with people who are different -- and on self-control, such as the ability to control their temper.
The only exception to the overall findings was that social skills were slightly lower for children who accessed online gaming and social networking sites many times a day.
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"But even that was a pretty small effect," Downey said.
"Overall, we found very little evidence that the time spent on screens was hurting social skills for most children," he added.
While he was initially surprised to discover that time spent on screens didn't affect children's social skills, Downey said he shouldn't have been.
"There is a tendency for every generation at my age to start to have concerns about the younger generation. It is an old story," he noted.
"The introduction of telephones, automobiles, radio all led to moral panic among adults of the time because the technology allowed children to enjoy more autonomy," he explained. "Fears over screen-based technology likely represent the most recent panic in response to technological change."
New generations are learning that having good social relationships means being able to communicate successfully both face-to-face and online, according to Downey.
The study was recently published online in the American Journal of Sociology.
More information
The American Academy of Pediatrics has more on children and screen time.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-04-17--Paper towels beat air dryers against viruses, small study finds

Frequent hand-washing with soap and water is key to preventing the spread of coronavirus , but what 's the best way to dry your hands afterward ?
In a new , small study , British researchers found paper towels were better than the air dryers often found in public restrooms at getting rid of germs that are still on your hands after you wash them .
`` Good hand-washing practice should be followed by proper hand-drying .
Paper towels can help reduce the spread of microbes and should be a preferred method of hand-drying , especially at a time when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ measure to prevent COVID-19 , '' said study author Ines Moura , a research fellow at the University of Leeds .
The method used to dry hands can help reduce microbial contamination , not just on hands but also on the body and the environment outside the washroom , she explained .
`` Paper towels were more efficient in reducing this contamination , '' Moura said .
`` This is particularly important in hospital toilets because these facilities are used by patients , health care professionals and visitors , and increasingly only offer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hand-drying . ''
Proper hand-washing means vigorously washing your hand with soap and water for at least 20 seconds .
Dr. Miriam Smith , chief of infectious disease at Long Island Jewish Forest Hills in New York City , said , `` Jet drying appears to enhance the potential for aerosolizing and transmitting microbes .
In view of the COVID-19 outbreak , paper towel drying , rather than jet drying , should be considered in public facilities in an effort to contain the spread of SARS CoV-2 . ''
For the study , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contaminated with a bacteriophage ( a virus that infects bacteria and is harmless to humans ) .
They dried their hands with either paper towels or an air dryer in a hospital public washroom .
All participants wore an apron .
After drying , they were asked to cross their arms with aprons on , then rest their hands on armchairs .
The researchers then took samples from surfaces they touched , such as the armchairs , doors , stair rails , elevator buttons , chairs , phones and intercoms , etc .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ reduced the virus from contaminated hands , but on all the surfaces tested , more contaminate was found after air drying than after using paper towels .
In fact , average surface contamination was more than 10 times higher after air drying than after using paper towels , the researchers found .
Also , more than five times the contamination was found on the aprons and clothing and surfaces touched by clothing after air drying than drying with paper towels .
Only after air drying was contamination found on the armchairs via the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Transferring germs to environmental surfaces can happen from hands that are still contaminated after hand drying , but also from clothing that has been contaminated during hand drying , the researchers explained .
Richard Condit , professor emeritus of molecular genetics and microbiology at the University of Florida in Gainesville , was n't surprised by the findings .
Earlier studies of the efficacy of air dryers found that air dryers blew contaminants from hands all over the place , he said .
`` It 's too bad , really , '' Condit said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recognized the potential for contamination from the get-go , and since reading older articles confirming my suspicions , the next-generation air dryers have given me the creeps . ''
In particular , he noted the type of air dryer where you insert your wet hands in the sleeve-shaped opening .
`` You will often see a puddle of liquid pooled in the bottom from previous use .
This must be contaminated with microbes , '' Condit said .
`` Unfortunately , until some safer alternative to electric forced-air dryers appears , I 'll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ findings were scheduled to be presented at the now-canceled meeting of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases .
Such research is considered preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal .
For more on hand-washing , head to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .

Both paper towels and air dryers significantly reduced the virus from contaminated hands, but on all the surfaces tested, more contaminate was found after air drying than after using paper towels. Photo by Hans Braxmeier from Pixabay
Frequent hand-washing with soap and water is key to preventing the spread of coronavirus, but what's the best way to dry your hands afterward? In a new, small study, British researchers found paper towels were better than the air dryers often found in public restrooms at getting rid of germs that are still on your hands after you wash them. Advertisement
"Good hand-washing practice should be followed by proper hand-drying. Paper towels can help reduce the spread of microbes and should be a preferred method of hand-drying, especially at a time when good hand hygiene is the most effective measure to prevent COVID-19," said study author Ines Moura, a research fellow at the University of Leeds.
The method used to dry hands can help reduce microbial contamination, not just on hands but also on the body and the environment outside the washroom, she explained.
Advertisement
"Paper towels were more efficient in reducing this contamination," Moura said. "This is particularly important in hospital toilets because these facilities are used by patients, health care professionals and visitors, and increasingly only offer jet air dryers as an option for hand-drying."
Proper hand-washing means vigorously washing your hand with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
Dr. Miriam Smith, chief of infectious disease at Long Island Jewish Forest Hills in New York City, said, "Jet drying appears to enhance the potential for aerosolizing and transmitting microbes. In view of the COVID-19 outbreak, paper towel drying, rather than jet drying, should be considered in public facilities in an effort to contain the spread of SARS CoV-2."
For the study, four volunteers washed their hands after being contaminated with a bacteriophage (a virus that infects bacteria and is harmless to humans). They dried their hands with either paper towels or an air dryer in a hospital public washroom. All participants wore an apron. After drying, they were asked to cross their arms with aprons on, then rest their hands on armchairs.
The researchers then took samples from surfaces they touched, such as the armchairs, doors, stair rails, elevator buttons, chairs, phones and intercoms, etc.
Advertisement
Both paper towels and air dryers significantly reduced the virus from contaminated hands, but on all the surfaces tested, more contaminate was found after air drying than after using paper towels.
In fact, average surface contamination was more than 10 times higher after air drying than after using paper towels, the researchers found.
Also, more than five times the contamination was found on the aprons and clothing and surfaces touched by clothing after air drying than drying with paper towels. Only after air drying was contamination found on the armchairs via the crossed arms, the researchers noted.
Transferring germs to environmental surfaces can happen from hands that are still contaminated after hand drying, but also from clothing that has been contaminated during hand drying, the researchers explained.
Richard Condit, professor emeritus of molecular genetics and microbiology at the University of Florida in Gainesville, wasn't surprised by the findings.
Earlier studies of the efficacy of air dryers found that air dryers blew contaminants from hands all over the place, he said.
"It's too bad, really," Condit said. "As a microbiologist, I recognized the potential for contamination from the get-go, and since reading older articles confirming my suspicions, the next-generation air dryers have given me the creeps."
Advertisement
In particular, he noted the type of air dryer where you insert your wet hands in the sleeve-shaped opening. "You will often see a puddle of liquid pooled in the bottom from previous use. This must be contaminated with microbes," Condit said. "Unfortunately, until some safer alternative to electric forced-air dryers appears, I'll go with paper towels."
The findings were scheduled to be presented at the now-canceled meeting of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases. Such research is considered preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal.
More information
For more on hand-washing, head to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-04-17--U.S. stocks boosted by promising report on possible COVID-19 treatment

April 17 ( UPI ) -- All three major U.S. stock indexes closed up for the week after a Friday surge in response to hints at a possible drug to combat coronavirus .
The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed 704 points , or 3 percent , higher Friday .
It was the index 's first close above 24,000 since March 10 .
The S & P 500 was up 2.7 percent and the Nasdaq Composite was up 1.4 percent , driven in part by a nearly 10 percent boost for Gilead Sciences .
The company 's shares jumped after a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remdesivir , was showing promise in treating COVID-19 at a Chicago hospital .
The Dow shed a few hundred points Monday , gained a few hundred on Tuesday and lost about the same amount Wednesday .
All three indexes finished Thursday with very light gains .
The markets were influenced this week by a Labor Department report Thursday that showed another 5.2 million Americans filed for new unemployment benefits last week .
A day earlier , the Commerce Department reported that U.S. retail sales for March were down about 9 percent .
Friday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ next coronavirus relief bill likely wo n't be passed until next week , as there remain key differences between Republicans and Democrats concerning the legislation .

The Fearless Girl statue is seen in front of the New York Stock Exchange on Wall Street in New York City on March 13. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
April 17 (UPI) -- All three major U.S. stock indexes closed up for the week after a Friday surge in response to hints at a possible drug to combat coronavirus. The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed 704 points, or 3 percent, higher Friday. It was the index's first close above 24,000 since March 10. Advertisement
The S&P 500 was up 2.7 percent and the Nasdaq Composite was up 1.4 percent, driven in part by a nearly 10 percent boost for Gilead Sciences. The company's shares jumped after a STAT news report that its drug, remdesivir, was showing promise in treating COVID-19 at a Chicago hospital.
The Dow shed a few hundred points Monday, gained a few hundred on Tuesday and lost about the same amount Wednesday. All three indexes finished Thursday with very light gains.
The markets were influenced this week by a Labor Department report Thursday that showed another 5.2 million Americans filed for new unemployment benefits last week. A day earlier, the Commerce Department reported that U.S. retail sales for March were down about 9 percent.
Friday, lawmakers in Congress indicated that the next coronavirus relief bill likely won't be passed until next week, as there remain key differences between Republicans and Democrats concerning the legislation.
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COVID-19 pandemic alters life in New York City


upi--2020-04-17--Lions take over road amid tourist ban in South African park

April 17 ( UPI ) -- A pride of lions in a South African national park took advantage of the peace and quiet of the COVID-19 lockdown by lounging in the middle of the road .
Kruger National Park posted photos to Twitter showing the lions lying in the middle of a road that officials said they would normally avoid due to the presence of tourists .
`` This lion pride are usually resident on Kempiana Contractual Park , an area Kruger tourists do not see , '' the tweet said .
`` This afternoon they were lying on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Camp . ''
Park spokesman Isaac Phaahla said the photos illustrate how life has changed inside the park amid the coronavirus pandemic , which led to tourists being barred from entering .
`` Lying on the road during the daytime is unusual because under normal circumstances there would be traffic and that pushes them into the bush , '' Phaahla told CNN .
`` They just occupy places that they would normally shun when there are tourists , '' he said .
`` People should remember that KNP is still a largely wild @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , wildlife is more active . ''

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April 17 (UPI) -- A pride of lions in a South African national park took advantage of the peace and quiet of the COVID-19 lockdown by lounging in the middle of the road.
Kruger National Park posted photos to Twitter showing the lions lying in the middle of a road that officials said they would normally avoid due to the presence of tourists.
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"This lion pride are usually resident on Kempiana Contractual Park, an area Kruger tourists do not see," the tweet said. "This afternoon they were lying on the tar road just outside of Orpen Rest Camp."
Park spokesman Isaac Phaahla said the photos illustrate how life has changed inside the park amid the coronavirus pandemic, which led to tourists being barred from entering.
"Lying on the road during the daytime is unusual because under normal circumstances there would be traffic and that pushes them into the bush," Phaahla told CNN.
"They just occupy places that they would normally shun when there are tourists," he said. "People should remember that KNP is still a largely wild area and in the absence of humans, wildlife is more active."


upi--2020-04-17--Watch: Monkey caught on camera flying kite on rooftop

April 17 ( UPI ) -- A viral video filmed in India captured a monkey engaging in an activity not @ @ @ @ @ its species -- flying a kite .
A video tweeted by Indian Forest Service officer @ @ @ @ @ primate holding onto the string and reeling in the flying kite .
The monkey catches @ @ @ @ @ reaches the rooftop where the animal is perched .
`` Evolution happening fast due to @ @ @ @ @ in the post .
The exact location where the video was filmed was unclear .

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April 17 (UPI) -- A viral video filmed in India captured a monkey engaging in an activity not known to be common for its species -- flying a kite.
A video tweeted by Indian Forest Service officer Susanta Nanda shows the small primate holding onto the string and reeling in the flying kite.
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The monkey catches the kite as it finally reaches the rooftop where the animal is perched.
"Evolution happening fast due to lockdown," Nanda joked in the post.
The exact location where the video was filmed was unclear.


upi--2020-04-17--Wisconsin escaped prisoners arrested in Illinois

April 17 ( UPI ) -- Police in Illinois arrested two convicted felons who escaped from a Wisconsin prison and turned up Friday morning at a homeless shelter , local authorities said .
Rockford , Ill. , police said they took James Newman , 37 , and Thomas Deering , 46 , into custody `` without incident '' early Friday .
The two men escaped from Columbia Correctional Facility , a maximum-security prison , in Portage , Wis. , on Thursday .
Rockford police said they received a call from a non-profit shelter , Miss Carly 's , around 8:30 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seeking food .
A post on Miss Carly 's Facebook page said the men arrived at the shelter `` shivering , frozen , wearing prison-issue sweats and thermal shirts . ''
`` They looked just like the kind of people we want to help ... but they were n't . ''
The representative of Miss Carly 's said they recognized the two men from reports about their escape .
They offered the two men coffee to stall them while the shelter called the Rockford Police Department .
The department said it 's working @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Columbia Correctional Facility .
Newman was convicted on firearm , kidnapping and theft charges and Deering was convicted for sexual assault , kidnapping and battery .

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Thomas Deering was in prison for for sexual assault, kidnapping and battery. Photo courtesy of Wisconsin State Patrol
April 17 (UPI) -- Police in Illinois arrested two convicted felons who escaped from a Wisconsin prison and turned up Friday morning at a homeless shelter, local authorities said. Rockford, Ill., police said they took James Newman, 37, and Thomas Deering, 46, into custody "without incident" early Friday. Advertisement
The two men escaped from Columbia Correctional Facility, a maximum-security prison, in Portage, Wis., on Thursday. Rockford police said they received a call from a non-profit shelter, Miss Carly's, around 8:30 a.m. after the men showed up there seeking food.
A post on Miss Carly's Facebook page said the men arrived at the shelter "shivering, frozen, wearing prison-issue sweats and thermal shirts."
"They looked just like the kind of people we want to help ... but they weren't."
The representative of Miss Carly's said they recognized the two men from reports about their escape. They offered the two men coffee to stall them while the shelter called the Rockford Police Department.
The department said it's working to extradite the two men back to Columbia Correctional Facility.
Newman was convicted on firearm, kidnapping and theft charges and Deering was convicted for sexual assault, kidnapping and battery.