upi--2020-07-27--Giants' DeAndre Baker, Seahawks' Quinton Dunbar placed on commissioner's exempt list

July 27 ( UPI ) -- The NFL has placed New York Giants cornerback DeAndre Baker and Seattle Seahawks defensive back Quinton Dunbar on the commissioner 's exempt list with criminal charges pending , the league announced Monday .
According to league policy , players on the exempt list ca n't practice or attend games but can be present at the team 's facility on a reasonable basis for individual workouts , meetings , injury rehabilitation and other permitted non-football activities if allowed by the club .
Baker , a 2019 first-round draft pick out of Georgia , was told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virtual meetings this off-season after police in Miramar , Fla. , arrested him on four counts of armed robbery and four counts of aggravated assault with a firearm in May .
Dunbar -- alleged to be present during the incident -- faces four counts of armed robbery , according to Broward County court records .
Both cornerbacks are out on bond and were given permission by the court to travel for out-of-state work .
Baker and Dunbar are currently waiting for a decision from the state attorney 's office on whether it intends @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's move to put them on the commissioner 's exempt list keeps them away from training camp and allows them to get paid until a decision is made .
According to the original arrest warrant , Dunbar and Baker were accused of stealing money and watches while armed with semi-automatic firearms at a party in South Florida more than two months ago .
Police said Baker intentionally threatened the victims with a firearm during the alleged incident .
Since then , the case has had many twists and turns .
The witnesses quickly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the New York Daily News reported earlier this month that a search warrant indicated a witness in the alleged robbery oversaw a payoff to the four victims at the office of Dunbar 's former attorney , Michael Grieco .
The NFL has said in recent weeks that the incident remains under review .

New York Giants cornerback DeAndre Baker (27) was arrested on four counts of armed robbery and four counts of aggravated assault with a firearm in May. File Photo by Matthew Healey/UPI | License Photo
July 27 (UPI) -- The NFL has placed New York Giants cornerback DeAndre Baker and Seattle Seahawks defensive back Quinton Dunbar on the commissioner's exempt list with criminal charges pending, the league announced Monday. According to league policy, players on the exempt list can't practice or attend games but can be present at the team's facility on a reasonable basis for individual workouts, meetings, injury rehabilitation and other permitted non-football activities if allowed by the club. Advertisement
Baker, a 2019 first-round draft pick out of Georgia, was told to remain away from the Giants' virtual meetings this off-season after police in Miramar, Fla., arrested him on four counts of armed robbery and four counts of aggravated assault with a firearm in May.
Dunbar -- alleged to be present during the incident -- faces four counts of armed robbery, according to Broward County court records.
Both cornerbacks are out on bond and were given permission by the court to travel for out-of-state work.
Baker and Dunbar are currently waiting for a decision from the state attorney's office on whether it intends to prosecute the case. The NFL's move to put them on the commissioner's exempt list keeps them away from training camp and allows them to get paid until a decision is made.
Advertisement NFL places DeAndre Baker on the Commissioner Exempt List Details: https://t.co/X6dlpyZI9a pic.twitter.com/MJyz54rlMw— New York Giants (@Giants) July 27, 2020
According to the original arrest warrant, Dunbar and Baker were accused of stealing money and watches while armed with semi-automatic firearms at a party in South Florida more than two months ago. Police said Baker intentionally threatened the victims with a firearm during the alleged incident.
Since then, the case has had many twists and turns. The witnesses quickly signed affidavits changing their original stories, and the New York Daily News reported earlier this month that a search warrant indicated a witness in the alleged robbery oversaw a payoff to the four victims at the office of Dunbar's former attorney, Michael Grieco.
The NFL has said in recent weeks that the incident remains under review.


upi--2020-07-27--Trump administration petitions FCC to regulate social media companies

July 27 ( UPI ) -- The Trump administration on Monday formally asked the Federal Communications Commission to develop plans to regulate social media platforms .
The Commerce Department sent a petition for rulemaking to the FCC on Monday asking the agency to reinterpret Section 230 of the 1996 Communications Decency Act , which provides online companies immunity from legal liability for the actions of their users .
`` Unfortunately , large online platforms appear to engage in selective censorship that is harming our national discourse , '' the petition states .
`` The FCC should determine how Section 230 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Internet diversity and a free flow of ideas , as well as holding dominant platforms accountable for their editorial decisions , in new market conditions and technologies that have emerged since the 1990s . ''
The petition also calls for the FCC to clarify to what degree Section 230 protects social media 's content moderation decisions , the conditions under which content moderation and editorial decisions shape content to a degree that the law no longer protects them and what obligations social media companies have to disclose their moderation practices .
President Donald @ @ @ @ @ @ @ directing the Commerce Department to ask the FCC to reinterpret the law , saying social media companies have `` unchecked power '' after Twitter flagged a pair of his tweets on mail-in voting as potentially misleading .
`` President Trump is committed to protecting the rights of all Americans to express their views and not face unjustified restrictions or selective censorship form a handful of powerful companies , '' Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross said in a statement Monday .
FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr welcomed the petition , saying that the rules Congress @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the 1990s are now outdated .
`` Flash forward 20 years and the content moderation practices employed by the Internet giants of today bear little resemblance to the activities Congress had in mind when it passed Section 230 , '' said Carr .
FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel , however , said the agency should not `` take this bait '' from the Whtie House .
`` While social media can be frustrating , turning this agency into the president 's speech police is not the answer , '' said Rosenworcel .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will reject this petition immediately . ''

The Commerce Department on Monday sent a petition for rulemaking to the FCC asking the agency to reinterpret Section 230 of the 1996 Communications Decency Act. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
July 27 (UPI) -- The Trump administration on Monday formally asked the Federal Communications Commission to develop plans to regulate social media platforms. The Commerce Department sent a petition for rulemaking to the FCC on Monday asking the agency to reinterpret Section 230 of the 1996 Communications Decency Act, which provides online companies immunity from legal liability for the actions of their users. Advertisement
"Unfortunately, large online platforms appear to engage in selective censorship that is harming our national discourse," the petition states. "The FCC should determine how Section 230 can best serve its goals of promoting Internet diversity and a free flow of ideas, as well as holding dominant platforms accountable for their editorial decisions, in new market conditions and technologies that have emerged since the 1990s."
The petition also calls for the FCC to clarify to what degree Section 230 protects social media's content moderation decisions, the conditions under which content moderation and editorial decisions shape content to a degree that the law no longer protects them and what obligations social media companies have to disclose their moderation practices.
President Donald Trump in May signed an executive order directing the Commerce Department to ask the FCC to reinterpret the law, saying social media companies have "unchecked power" after Twitter flagged a pair of his tweets on mail-in voting as potentially misleading.
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"President Trump is committed to protecting the rights of all Americans to express their views and not face unjustified restrictions or selective censorship form a handful of powerful companies," Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross said in a statement Monday.
FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr welcomed the petition, saying that the rules Congress put in place to regulate Internet companies in the 1990s are now outdated.
"Flash forward 20 years and the content moderation practices employed by the Internet giants of today bear little resemblance to the activities Congress had in mind when it passed Section 230," said Carr.
FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel, however, said the agency should not "take this bait" from the Whtie House.
"While social media can be frustrating, turning this agency into the president's speech police is not the answer," said Rosenworcel. "If we honor the Constitution, we will reject this petition immediately."


upi--2020-07-27--Marlins' COVID-19 spread postpones home opener, Yankees vs. Phillies game

July 27 ( UPI ) -- The Miami Marlins ' games against the Baltimore Orioles on Monday and Tuesday in Miami have been postponed after multiple Marlins players tested positive for COVID-19 .
The New York Yankees ' game against the Philadelphia Phillies on Monday in Philadelphia also has been postponed because of the outbreak .
Miami ( 2-1 ) played the Phillies in its first three games of the season through Sunday at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia .
Major League Baseball announced the schedule changes Monday morning and said the games were being postponed as the league `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monday , MLB commissioner Rob Manfred announced that Tuesday 's contest between the Marlins and Orioles was scrapped .
He said if the results from the additional testing are acceptable , the teams will resume playing Wednesday in Baltimore .
Sources told ESPN , The Athletic and USA Today that as many as 14 Marlins players and coaches tested positive for the coronavirus in recent days .
The Marlins stayed in Philadelphia on Sunday night and were scheduled to fly to Miami on Monday .
Instead , the Marlins chose to remain in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Marlins ' traveling party are self-quarantining in place while awaiting the outcome of those results , '' MLB said in a statement .
`` Major League Baseball has been coordinating with the Major League Baseball Players Association ; the Marlins ; the Orioles ; the Marlins ' weekend opponent , the Phillies ; and club medical staffs , and will continue to provide updates as appropriate . ''
Marlins pitcher Jose Urena had been scheduled to start Sunday before he was removed from the rotation after testing positive .
He was among four @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus Sunday .
Marlins CEO Derek Jeter said the team conducted another round of testing for players and the staff and will remain in Philadelphia until test results are available .
The Marlins expect to receive those results sometime Monday .
`` The health of our players and staff has been and will continue to be our primary focus as we navigate through these unchartered waters , '' Jeter said .
`` After a successful spring [ training ] 2.0 , we have now experienced challenges once we went on the road and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home opener was the correct decision to ensure we take a collective pause and try to properly grasp the totality of this situation . ''
Marlins manager Don Mattingly said after Sunday 's game that the team `` never considered not playing '' after members learned about the positive tests .
`` We are taking risks every day , '' Mattingly said .
`` That 's what the players all around the league are doing .
You travel all the time , in planes , buses , different hotels . ''
Mattingly also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' to play games on the road amid the coronavirus .
`` It feels safer in Miami than anywhere , '' Mattingly said .
`` You feel safe at the ballpark and safe with my surroundings going home .
It 's a lot scarier on the road .
You just do n't feel near as comfortable .
`` At home we know , we 've dealt with it the whole time there .
We know the places to get food and all the stuff .
It 's not the same . ''
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Monday and Tuesday in Miami .
The team is scheduled to face the Orioles in Baltimore on Wednesday and Thursday .

Starting pitcher Jose Urena was among four Miami Marlins players who tested positive Sunday for the coronavirus before the team canceled its Monday home opener. File Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License Photo
July 27 (UPI) -- The Miami Marlins' games against the Baltimore Orioles on Monday and Tuesday in Miami have been postponed after multiple Marlins players tested positive for COVID-19. The New York Yankees' game against the Philadelphia Phillies on Monday in Philadelphia also has been postponed because of the outbreak. Miami (2-1) played the Phillies in its first three games of the season through Sunday at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. Advertisement
Major League Baseball announced the schedule changes Monday morning and said the games were being postponed as the league "conducts additional COVID-19 testing."
Later Monday, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred announced that Tuesday's contest between the Marlins and Orioles was scrapped. He said if the results from the additional testing are acceptable, the teams will resume playing Wednesday in Baltimore.
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Sources told ESPN, The Athletic and USA Today that as many as 14 Marlins players and coaches tested positive for the coronavirus in recent days.
The Marlins stayed in Philadelphia on Sunday night and were scheduled to fly to Miami on Monday. Instead, the Marlins chose to remain in Philadelphia.
"The members of the Marlins' traveling party are self-quarantining in place while awaiting the outcome of those results," MLB said in a statement.
"Major League Baseball has been coordinating with the Major League Baseball Players Association; the Marlins; the Orioles; the Marlins' weekend opponent, the Phillies; and club medical staffs, and will continue to provide updates as appropriate."
Marlins pitcher Jose Urena had been scheduled to start Sunday before he was removed from the rotation after testing positive. He was among four Marlins players who tested positive for the coronavirus Sunday.
Marlins CEO Derek Jeter said the team conducted another round of testing for players and the staff and will remain in Philadelphia until test results are available. The Marlins expect to receive those results sometime Monday.
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"The health of our players and staff has been and will continue to be our primary focus as we navigate through these unchartered waters," Jeter said. "After a successful spring [training] 2.0, we have now experienced challenges once we went on the road and left Miami.
"Postponing tonight's home opener was the correct decision to ensure we take a collective pause and try to properly grasp the totality of this situation."
Marlins manager Don Mattingly said after Sunday's game that the team "never considered not playing" after members learned about the positive tests.
"We are taking risks every day," Mattingly said. "That's what the players all around the league are doing. You travel all the time, in planes, buses, different hotels."
Mattingly also said "it was a lot scarier" to play games on the road amid the coronavirus.
"It feels safer in Miami than anywhere," Mattingly said. "You feel safe at the ballpark and safe with my surroundings going home. It's a lot scarier on the road. You just don't feel near as comfortable.
"At home we know, we've dealt with it the whole time there. We know the places to get food and all the stuff. It's not the same."
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The Marlins were scheduled to host the Orioles on Monday and Tuesday in Miami. The team is scheduled to face the Orioles in Baltimore on Wednesday and Thursday.


upi--2020-07-27--Ravens' De'Anthony Thomas becomes second NFL player to opt out of season

July 27 ( UPI ) -- Baltimore Ravens wide receiver and return specialist De'Anthony Thomas voluntarily opted out of the 2020-21 NFL season because of the coronavirus pandemic , the team announced Monday .
Thomas becomes the second NFL player to sit out this season .
His decision came three days after Kansas City Chiefs offensive lineman Laurent Duvernay-Tardif -- a medical school graduate from McGill University in Canada -- decided to opt out to continue the fight against the pandemic at a long-term care facility in Quebec .
After serving as the Ravens ' primary kick returner last season @ @ @ @ @ @ @ March .
He agreed to a one-year , $ 935,000 contract but was considered on the bubble entering training camp .
Thomas , 27 , will receive a $ 150,000 salary advance and was put on the Ravens ' reserve list , meaning he will remain under contract with the club in 2021 .
The Chiefs selected Thomas in the fourth round of the 2014 NFL Draft out of Oregon .
He spent six seasons in Kansas City before being released midway through last season .
In 69 career games with the Chiefs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ receptions for 509 yards and four touchdowns .
He has added 31 rushes for 191 yards and two scores .
As a return man , he has racked up 2,436 yards on 166 total returns , with one punt returned for a touchdown .

Former Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver De'Anthony Thomas was placed on the Baltimore Ravens' reserve list. File Photo by Sean Dempsey/UPI | License Photo
July 27 (UPI) -- Baltimore Ravens wide receiver and return specialist De'Anthony Thomas voluntarily opted out of the 2020-21 NFL season because of the coronavirus pandemic, the team announced Monday. Thomas becomes the second NFL player to sit out this season. His decision came three days after Kansas City Chiefs offensive lineman Laurent Duvernay-Tardif -- a medical school graduate from McGill University in Canada -- decided to opt out to continue the fight against the pandemic at a long-term care facility in Quebec. Advertisement
After serving as the Ravens' primary kick returner last season, Thomas re-signed with the team in March. He agreed to a one-year, $935,000 contract but was considered on the bubble entering training camp.
Thomas, 27, will receive a $150,000 salary advance and was put on the Ravens' reserve list, meaning he will remain under contract with the club in 2021.
The Chiefs selected Thomas in the fourth round of the 2014 NFL Draft out of Oregon. He spent six seasons in Kansas City before being released midway through last season.
In 69 career games with the Chiefs and Ravens, Thomas has recorded 65 receptions for 509 yards and four touchdowns. He has added 31 rushes for 191 yards and two scores. As a return man, he has racked up 2,436 yards on 166 total returns, with one punt returned for a touchdown.


upi--2020-07-27--N.J. police shut down Airbnb mansion party drawing 700 'knuckleheads'

July 27 ( UPI ) -- New Jersey police raided and shut down an Airbnb house party in a suburban neighborhood Sunday night where a crowd estimated at 700 partiers gathered without masks or social distancing .
Police in Jackson Township , N.J. , said the gathering , which was advertised on Instagram as a Liberian Independence Day party , violated state health regulations limiting indoor gatherings to 100 people , or 25 percent of a building 's capacity .
Police identified the owner of the home as Yaakov Weiss , 40 , who told authorities he had recently purchased @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the upscale Whispering Hill neighborhood .
Weiss told police he rented the home for the party and then left the area Sunday night .
The home was listed on Airbnb as renting for $ 795 per night , NJ.com reported .
Officers from multiple jurisdictions as well as Ocean County Sheriff 's deputies took four hours to break up the event and move traffic , WKXW-FM Radio reported .
Party organizers Patience Guanue , 23 and Alicia Hinneh , 22 , both of Newark , N.J. advertised , a $ 1,000 twerking contest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ event , according to posts on social media .
Both , as well as Weiss , the homeowner , were cited for violating Gov .
Phil Murphy 's coronavirus executive order .
Earlier in the week , police broke up a party on July 21 in Brick , N.J. , that drew crowds of more than 400 and `` got out of hand , '' the party organizer said .
Two officers were injured when they were struck by a car leaving the party .
Health officials worry that the large gatherings could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drive up the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases .
Gov .
Murphy has blamed `` knuckleheads '' in the Garden State for flaunting mask and social distancing rules , leading to the state 's pause in resuming social events such as indoor dining and forcing schools to delay in-person instruction .
New Jersey has seen more than 181,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 15,787 deaths from the virus , according to the Johns Hopkins online tracker .

July 27 (UPI) -- New Jersey police raided and shut down an Airbnb house party in a suburban neighborhood Sunday night where a crowd estimated at 700 partiers gathered without masks or social distancing.
Police in Jackson Township, N.J., said the gathering, which was advertised on Instagram as a Liberian Independence Day party, violated state health regulations limiting indoor gatherings to 100 people, or 25 percent of a building's capacity.
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Police identified the owner of the home as Yaakov Weiss, 40, who told authorities he had recently purchased the 3,700 sq. foot house in the upscale Whispering Hill neighborhood. Weiss told police he rented the home for the party and then left the area Sunday night. The home was listed on Airbnb as renting for $795 per night, NJ.com reported.
Officers from multiple jurisdictions as well as Ocean County Sheriff's deputies took four hours to break up the event and move traffic, WKXW-FM Radio reported.
Party organizers Patience Guanue, 23 and Alicia Hinneh, 22, both of Newark, N.J. advertised, a $1,000 twerking contest and free alcohol and food at the event, according to posts on social media. Both, as well as Weiss, the homeowner, were cited for violating Gov. Phil Murphy's coronavirus executive order.
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Earlier in the week, police broke up a party on July 21 in Brick, N.J., that drew crowds of more than 400 and "got out of hand," the party organizer said. Two officers were injured when they were struck by a car leaving the party.
Health officials worry that the large gatherings could become "super-spreader" events that will drive up the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases.
Gov. Murphy has blamed "knuckleheads" in the Garden State for flaunting mask and social distancing rules, leading to the state's pause in resuming social events such as indoor dining and forcing schools to delay in-person instruction.
New Jersey has seen more than 181,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 15,787 deaths from the virus, according to the Johns Hopkins online tracker.


upi--2020-07-27--Dr. Anthony Fauci's first pitch baseball card sets Topps record

July 27 ( UPI ) -- Dr. Anthony Fauci 's baseball card , which displayed his errant first pitch from Thursday 's season opener between the Washington Nationals and New York Yankees , set a new Topps record Monday .
The card of Fauci was printed as a Topps NOW card -- which commemorates specific events and are only sold for 24 hours -- and became the best-selling baseball card in Topps NOW history .
The company sold 51,512 Fauci cards , shattering the previous record of 19,396 cards sold of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. 's debut hit in MLB .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Dr. Fauci 's Topps NOW card , '' Topps communications manager Emily Kless said in an email Monday .
`` Topps prides itself on capturing the unique moments of the MLB season , one baseball card at a time , and Dr. Fauci 's inclusion in this year 's Topps NOW cards is just one way in which we are highlighting the uniqueness of the 2020 season . ''
The card , which sold for $ 9.99 , shows Fauci -- in a Nationals jersey , hat and mask -- delivering the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the left toward a group of photographers and fell short of home plate .
The back of the card calls Fauci an `` ardent Washington Nationals fan '' and that his pitch `` signaled the official start of the 2020 MLB season '' after the coronavirus pandemic halted the start of play earlier this year .
Fauci , the United States ' top expert on infectious diseases , is the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and a member of the White House coronavirus task force .
He has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ visible public health experts throughout the COVID-19 outbreak .
`` I feel a little embarrassed and humbled , '' Fauci told CNN about the sales of his card .
`` I hope that Yogi Berra and Mickey Mantle are not looking up at me saying , 'What the heck is going on here ? '
''

July 27 (UPI) -- Dr. Anthony Fauci's baseball card, which displayed his errant first pitch from Thursday's season opener between the Washington Nationals and New York Yankees, set a new Topps record Monday.
The card of Fauci was printed as a Topps NOW card -- which commemorates specific events and are only sold for 24 hours -- and became the best-selling baseball card in Topps NOW history. The company sold 51,512 Fauci cards, shattering the previous record of 19,396 cards sold of Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s debut hit in MLB.
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"We're excited by the popularity of Dr. Fauci's Topps NOW card," Topps communications manager Emily Kless said in an email Monday. "Topps prides itself on capturing the unique moments of the MLB season, one baseball card at a time, and Dr. Fauci's inclusion in this year's Topps NOW cards is just one way in which we are highlighting the uniqueness of the 2020 season."
The card, which sold for $9.99, shows Fauci -- in a Nationals jersey, hat and mask -- delivering the first pitch. The ball sailed to the left toward a group of photographers and fell short of home plate.
Advertisement NEW. RECORD. Dr. Anthony Fauci's #ToppsNOW card sets an all-time high print run record, clocking in at 51,512 cards! pic.twitter.com/sbZtdVX6MC— Topps (@Topps) July 27, 2020
The back of the card calls Fauci an "ardent Washington Nationals fan" and that his pitch "signaled the official start of the 2020 MLB season" after the coronavirus pandemic halted the start of play earlier this year.
Fauci, the United States' top expert on infectious diseases, is the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and a member of the White House coronavirus task force. He has been one of the nation's most visible public health experts throughout the COVID-19 outbreak.
"I feel a little embarrassed and humbled," Fauci told CNN about the sales of his card. "I hope that Yogi Berra and Mickey Mantle are not looking up at me saying, 'What the heck is going on here?'"


upi--2020-07-27--In photos: Mourning civil rights icon Rep. John Lewis

United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Ben Carson pays respect to the casket containing the body of Congressman @ @ @ @ @ Capitol rotunda .
Photo by Tasos Katopodis/UPI

The body of the civil rights leader will be moved to Atlanta on Wednesday and will lie in state at the Georgia state Capitol before a private funeral on Thursday. Photo by Tasos Katopodis/UPI


upi--2020-07-27--Colleagues, friends pay tribute to Rep. John Lewis at Capitol

July 27 ( UPI ) -- Colleagues and friends paid tribute to civil rights leader Rep. John Lewis on Monday at the U.S. Capitol in Washington , D.C. , as his body lay in state in the Rotunda .
`` John was revered and loved on both sides of the aisle , on both sides of the Capitol , '' said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , D-Calif. `` We knew that he always worked on the side of the angels .
And now we know that he is with them ... John had a deep faith , believing that every @ @ @ @ @ @ @ making them worthy of respect . ''
At an invitation-only ceremony complying with COVID-19 health safeguards , members of the Congressional Black Caucus wore matching face masks adorned with the phrase Lewis used to describe civil rights actions , `` Good Trouble . ''
Sen .
Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , R-Ky. , said Lewis endured personal suffering but did his part to influence the future .
`` Even though the world around him gave him every cause for bitterness , '' McConnell said , Lewis was remembered for treating others `` with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Joe Biden and his wife , Jill Biden , visited the Capitol on Monday , as he placed a hand on the flag-draped coffin while they both placed their hands over their hearts in a sign of respect .
President Donald Trump told reporters as he left for a trip to North Carolina that he would not be visiting the Capitol .
The U.S. Capitol remains closed to public tours and Lewis ' family have urged mourners not to travel to Washington , D.C. , for the event .
The general public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the front steps of the Capitol later Monday and all day Tuesday , with COVID-19 precautions in place .
Military honor guard pallbearers placed Lewis 's flag-draped coffin on the catafalque built in 1865 to display the casket of President Abraham Lincoln .
During Monday 's motorcade to the Capitol , a procession led Lewis through Washington and past notable landmarks , including Black Lives Matter Plaza on 16th Street NW .
Lewis was chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee in the 1960s that helped galvanize support for the civil rights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ congressman to lie in state at the U.S. Capitol .
Rep. Elijah Cummings , who died last October , was the first .
On Wednesday , Lewis ' body will lie in state in the Georgia State Capitol , followed Thursday by a celebration at the Ebenezer Baptist Church Horizon Sanctuary in Atlanta and burial at the city 's South-View Cemetery .
On Sunday , Lewis ' casket crossed the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma , Ala. , in a memorial procession .
The bridge was the site where Lewis and other civil @ @ @ @ @ @ @ troopers in 1965 in what became known as `` Bloody Sunday . ''
An Alabama native who represented Atlanta 's district in the House for more than 30 years , Lewis lay in state in the Alabama State Capitol on Sunday .
Lewis died July 17 at age 80 after a battle with cancer .

The casket of civil rights leader Rep. John Lewis is carried down the steps of the U.S. Capitol after lying in state in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday. Pool Photo by Erin Scott/UPI | License Photo
July 27 (UPI) -- Colleagues and friends paid tribute to civil rights leader Rep. John Lewis on Monday at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., as his body lay in state in the Rotunda. "John was revered and loved on both sides of the aisle, on both sides of the Capitol," said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. "We knew that he always worked on the side of the angels. And now we know that he is with them ... John had a deep faith, believing that every person has a spark of divinity, making them worthy of respect." Advertisement
At an invitation-only ceremony complying with COVID-19 health safeguards, members of the Congressional Black Caucus wore matching face masks adorned with the phrase Lewis used to describe civil rights actions, "Good Trouble."
Sen. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said Lewis endured personal suffering but did his part to influence the future.
"Even though the world around him gave him every cause for bitterness," McConnell said, Lewis was remembered for treating others "with respect and love."
Former Vice President Joe Biden and his wife, Jill Biden, visited the Capitol on Monday, as he placed a hand on the flag-draped coffin while they both placed their hands over their hearts in a sign of respect.
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President Donald Trump told reporters as he left for a trip to North Carolina that he would not be visiting the Capitol.
The U.S. Capitol remains closed to public tours and Lewis' family have urged mourners not to travel to Washington, D.C., for the event. The general public will be able to attend a viewing on the front steps of the Capitol later Monday and all day Tuesday, with COVID-19 precautions in place.
Military honor guard pallbearers placed Lewis's flag-draped coffin on the catafalque built in 1865 to display the casket of President Abraham Lincoln.
During Monday's motorcade to the Capitol, a procession led Lewis through Washington and past notable landmarks, including Black Lives Matter Plaza on 16th Street NW. Lewis was chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee in the 1960s that helped galvanize support for the civil rights movement.
Lewis is the second Black congressman to lie in state at the U.S. Capitol. Rep. Elijah Cummings, who died last October, was the first.
On Wednesday, Lewis' body will lie in state in the Georgia State Capitol, followed Thursday by a celebration at the Ebenezer Baptist Church Horizon Sanctuary in Atlanta and burial at the city's South-View Cemetery.
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On Sunday, Lewis' casket crossed the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Ala., in a memorial procession. The bridge was the site where Lewis and other civil rights marchers were beaten by Alabama state troopers in 1965 in what became known as "Bloody Sunday."
An Alabama native who represented Atlanta's district in the House for more than 30 years, Lewis lay in state in the Alabama State Capitol on Sunday.
Lewis died July 17 at age 80 after a battle with cancer.


upi--2020-07-27--$1T GOP relief bill proposes more stimulus, $100B for schools, reduced jobless funds

July 27 ( UPI ) -- Senate Republicans officially introduced a $ 1 trillion coronavirus relief package on Monday including another stimulus payment for Americans and a cut to unemployment benefits .
After days of negotiating between GOP lawmakers and the White House , Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell introduced the Health , Economic Assistance Liability Protection and Schools , or HEALS , Act which includes a $ 1,200 stimulus payment , an extension of unemployment payments at a reduced rate , a `` sequel '' to the Paycheck Protection Program and funding to reopen schools .
`` We have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will cut right to the heart of three distinct crises facing our country : getting kids back in school , getting workers back to work and winning the health care fight against the virus , '' McConnell , R-Ky. , said .
The bill would seek to refresh and extend relief efforts implemented in the $ 3 trillion Coronavirus Aid , Relief and Economic Security Act passed in March , including another round of direct checks .
One of the most contentious provisions would reduce weekly federal unemployment payments from $ 600 to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a system to provide about 70 % of wage replacement for workers who have been laid off .
It would also provide another round of small business loans , similar to the Paycheck Protection Program which provided more than $ 500 billion to companies with fewer than 500 employees , this time providing firms with 300 or fewer workers a second round of loans .
Other provisions include allocating $ 100 billion to help schools and universities reopen fully , liability protections for medical workers , schools and employers , additional funding for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ freezing 2021 Medicare premiums at 2020 levels .
Democrats have opposed the package , instead backing a $ 3 trillion proposal passed by the House in May .
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer , D- N.Y. , described the GOP bill as a `` half-hearted , half-baked legislative proposal , '' specifically taking aim at the change to unemployment benefits .
`` The Republican proposal on unemployment benefits , simply put , is unworkable , '' he said .
`` The idea that we need to drastically reduce these benefits because workers will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' The Trump administration is pushing to separate the unemployment portion from other aspects of the proposal if lawmakers ca n't agree on a single , comprehensive bill .
White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows and Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin said Sunday they will take that course despite express opposition from Democratic leaders .
`` Honestly , I see us being able to provide unemployment insurance , maybe a retention credit to keep people from being displaced or brought back into the workplace , helping with our schools , '' Meadows told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we can do that along with liability protection , perhaps we put that forward and get that passed as we can negotiate on the rest of the bill in the weeks to come .
`` We have a few modifications that we 're looking for clarity on , but we 've gotten those down to a handful that hopefully will be resolved , '' Meadows added .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , D-Calif. , and Senate Democratic Leader Schumer last week said the Republican plan is insufficient and rejected any move to individualize @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the approach can be effective .
`` This will be the fifth set of legislation , '' he told Fox News Sunday .
`` So there 's no reason why we ca n't have numbers 5 , 6 and 7 as we need to deal with issues . ''

Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell arrives at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on July 2. Senate Republicans will unveil their new relief proposal on Monday afternoon. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
July 27 (UPI) -- Senate Republicans officially introduced a $1 trillion coronavirus relief package on Monday including another stimulus payment for Americans and a cut to unemployment benefits. After days of negotiating between GOP lawmakers and the White House, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell introduced the Health, Economic Assistance Liability Protection and Schools, or HEALS, Act which includes a $1,200 stimulus payment, an extension of unemployment payments at a reduced rate, a "sequel" to the Paycheck Protection Program and funding to reopen schools. Advertisement
"We have produced a tailored and targeted draft that will cut right to the heart of three distinct crises facing our country: getting kids back in school, getting workers back to work and winning the health care fight against the virus," McConnell, R-Ky., said.
The bill would seek to refresh and extend relief efforts implemented in the $3 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act passed in March, including another round of direct checks.
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One of the most contentious provisions would reduce weekly federal unemployment payments from $600 to $200, while states would adopt a system to provide about 70% of wage replacement for workers who have been laid off.
It would also provide another round of small business loans, similar to the Paycheck Protection Program which provided more than $500 billion to companies with fewer than 500 employees, this time providing firms with 300 or fewer workers a second round of loans.
Other provisions include allocating $100 billion to help schools and universities reopen fully, liability protections for medical workers, schools and employers, additional funding for personal protective equipment for first responders and freezing 2021 Medicare premiums at 2020 levels.
Democrats have opposed the package, instead backing a $3 trillion proposal passed by the House in May. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, D- N.Y., described the GOP bill as a "half-hearted, half-baked legislative proposal," specifically taking aim at the change to unemployment benefits.
"The Republican proposal on unemployment benefits, simply put, is unworkable," he said. "The idea that we need to drastically reduce these benefits because workers will stay home otherwise is greatly exaggerated."
The Trump administration is pushing to separate the unemployment portion from other aspects of the proposal if lawmakers can't agree on a single, comprehensive bill.
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White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows and Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin said Sunday they will take that course despite express opposition from Democratic leaders.
"Honestly, I see us being able to provide unemployment insurance, maybe a retention credit to keep people from being displaced or brought back into the workplace, helping with our schools," Meadows told ABC's This Week. "If we can do that along with liability protection, perhaps we put that forward and get that passed as we can negotiate on the rest of the bill in the weeks to come.
"We have a few modifications that we're looking for clarity on, but we've gotten those down to a handful that hopefully will be resolved," Meadows added.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Senate Democratic Leader Schumer last week said the Republican plan is insufficient and rejected any move to individualize portions of the bill.
But Mnuchin said the approach can be effective.
"This will be the fifth set of legislation," he told Fox News Sunday. "So there's no reason why we can't have numbers 5, 6 and 7 as we need to deal with issues."


upi--2020-07-27--British PM Boris Johnson says COVID-19 struggle was worsened by obesity

July 27 ( UPI ) -- British Prime Minister Boris Johnson kicked off a nationwide initiative against obesity Monday by saying his own hospitalization after a coronavirus infection was made worse by being overweight .
`` I was too fat , '' Johnson said in a video posted on his Twitter account .
`` When I went into the ICU I was way , way overweight , '' he said .
Johnson said since he was hospitalized for COVID-19 and has begun a regimen of running with his dog in the morning , he has lost at least 14 lbs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many people '' who struggled with his weight .
A nationwide campaign to lose weight will make British citizens reduce health risks that could make infections from COVID-19 worse and put less pressure on the National Health Service , Johnson said .
An online 12-week plan and app rolled out by the NHS includes a BMI calculator and healthy eating guidelines , as well as a risk calculator for type 2 diabetes .
Johnson spent three days in the intensive care unit of St. Thomas ' Hospital in London during the early days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he was diagnosed with the virus , but was never attached to a ventilator .
The British government reported 300,111 total confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Monday with 45,759 deaths .
The daily total of new cases was 685 , down from a high of more than 5,200 per day in April and May .

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced a nationwide campaign against obesity Monday and revealed he was trying to lose weight after realizing that overweight was a factor in his April hospitalization with COVID-19. File Photo by Hugo Philpott/UPI | License Photo
July 27 (UPI) -- British Prime Minister Boris Johnson kicked off a nationwide initiative against obesity Monday by saying his own hospitalization after a coronavirus infection was made worse by being overweight. "I was too fat," Johnson said in a video posted on his Twitter account. "When I went into the ICU I was way, way overweight," he said. Advertisement
Johnson said since he was hospitalized for COVID-19 and has begun a regimen of running with his dog in the morning, he has lost at least 14 lbs. Johnson said he was "like many people" who struggled with his weight.
A nationwide campaign to lose weight will make British citizens reduce health risks that could make infections from COVID-19 worse and put less pressure on the National Health Service, Johnson said.
An online 12-week plan and app rolled out by the NHS includes a BMI calculator and healthy eating guidelines, as well as a risk calculator for type 2 diabetes.
Johnson spent three days in the intensive care unit of St. Thomas' Hospital in London during the early days of the coronavirus pandemic in April after he was diagnosed with the virus, but was never attached to a ventilator.
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The British government reported 300,111 total confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Monday with 45,759 deaths. The daily total of new cases was 685, down from a high of more than 5,200 per day in April and May.


upi--2020-07-27--Brooklyn Nets' Kyrie Irving donating $1.5M to WNBA players skipping season

July 27 ( UPI ) -- Brooklyn Nets star guard Kyrie Irving is committing $ 1.5 million to supplement the income of WNBA players who opted out of the season either because of coronavirus concerns or social justice issues .
The funds will come from Irving 's KAI Empowerment Initiative , which was launched Monday .
It also will provide all WNBA players access to a financial literacy program created by UBS .
With the help of players such as Natasha Cloud -- who chose to sit out this season to fight social injustices -- and Jewell Loyd , Irving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ challenges they faced in deciding whether to play this year .
Those conversations led him to help with the financial burden in a league where the top annual salary is a little more than $ 200,000 .
`` With the help of Natasha Cloud and Jewell Loyd , I have connected with several WNBA players who have decided to play and those who have decided not to play .
In these conversations , I have learned about the challenges and opportunities of their decisions and how it will impact their lives , family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said in a statement .
`` This platform was created to provide support for all WNBA players in hopes to relieve some of the financial strain imposed during these challenging times .
Whether a person decided to fight for social justice , play basketball , focus on physical or mental health , or simply connect with their families , this initiative can hopefully support their priorities and decisions . ''
Players must provide insight into the circumstances surrounding their decision to skip the season and not be receiving financial support from any other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opt-out for medical reasons must be connected to the COVID-19 outbreak .
Irving , who has been vocal about social justice issues , wo n't play for the remainder of this season as he recovers from shoulder surgery .
The NBA restarts its season this week in Orlando , Fla. , while the WNBA began Saturday at the IMG Academy in Bradenton , Fla .

Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving, who has been vocal about social justice issues, won't play for the remainder of this season as he recovers from shoulder surgery. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
July 27 (UPI) -- Brooklyn Nets star guard Kyrie Irving is committing $1.5 million to supplement the income of WNBA players who opted out of the season either because of coronavirus concerns or social justice issues. The funds will come from Irving's KAI Empowerment Initiative, which was launched Monday. It also will provide all WNBA players access to a financial literacy program created by UBS. Advertisement
With the help of players such as Natasha Cloud -- who chose to sit out this season to fight social injustices -- and Jewell Loyd, Irving connected with multiple WNBA players and discussed challenges they faced in deciding whether to play this year. Those conversations led him to help with the financial burden in a league where the top annual salary is a little more than $200,000.
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"With the help of Natasha Cloud and Jewell Loyd, I have connected with several WNBA players who have decided to play and those who have decided not to play. In these conversations, I have learned about the challenges and opportunities of their decisions and how it will impact their lives, family, and overall well-being," Irving said in a statement.
"This platform was created to provide support for all WNBA players in hopes to relieve some of the financial strain imposed during these challenging times. Whether a person decided to fight for social justice, play basketball, focus on physical or mental health, or simply connect with their families, this initiative can hopefully support their priorities and decisions."
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Players must provide insight into the circumstances surrounding their decision to skip the season and not be receiving financial support from any other entity to be considered eligible. An opt-out for medical reasons must be connected to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Irving, who has been vocal about social justice issues, won't play for the remainder of this season as he recovers from shoulder surgery. The NBA restarts its season this week in Orlando, Fla., while the WNBA began Saturday at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla.


upi--2020-07-27--Dow gains 114 points behind strong tech stocks, gold futures hit record high

July 27 ( UPI ) -- Major U.S. markets rose on Monday behind strong performances by tech stocks , while gold prices hit a record high , signaling concern from investors .
The Dow Jones Industrial Average ended the day up 114.88 points , or 0.43 % , while the S & P 500 rose 0.74 % and the Nasdaq Composite gained 1.67 % .
Markets were driven higher as Netflix stock jumped 3.16 % , Apple rose 2.37 % , Amazon gained 1.54 % , Alphabet increased 1.41 % and Facebook was up 1.21 % .
Moderna stock also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a 30,000-patient , third-stage clinical trial for its COVID-19 vaccine candidate after receiving an additional $ 472 million from the U.S. government .
Plans by Republican lawmakers to introduce a bill for another round of coronavirus stimulus also loomed over the markets on Monday , amid reports the measure would provide another round of individual payments while decreasing unemployment benefits .
Meanwhile , gold futures hit an intraday high of $ 1,941.90 per ounce and ultimately ended with a gain of 1.8 % at 1,931.50 , indicating worry among traders .
`` Gold @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but the market continues to chug along higher , '' JJ Kinahan , chief market strategist at TD Ameritrade , told CNBC .
On the year , gold has risen more than 26 % , placing it on pace for its greatest single-year gain since 2010 .
Kinhan , however , said the surge in gold prices would be more concerning if the 10-year Treasury yield were declining and the CBOE Volatility Index -- which fell 4.26 % Monday -- were rising .
Dabid Govett , head of precious metals at Marex Spectron @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` there are still a lot of things to be worried about . ''
`` You 're seeing money slipping out of the stock market or out of other assets and just eeking into gold , '' Govett said .
`` Gold , as a small market , is moving a long way as a result . ''

Tech stocks drove U.S. markets higher Monday, as gold futures traded at a record high. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
July 27 (UPI) -- Major U.S. markets rose on Monday behind strong performances by tech stocks, while gold prices hit a record high, signaling concern from investors. The Dow Jones Industrial Average ended the day up 114.88 points, or 0.43%, while the S&P 500 rose 0.74% and the Nasdaq Composite gained 1.67%. Advertisement
Markets were driven higher as Netflix stock jumped 3.16%, Apple rose 2.37%, Amazon gained 1.54%, Alphabet increased 1.41% and Facebook was up 1.21%.
Moderna stock also rose 9.15% as the drugmaker began a 30,000-patient, third-stage clinical trial for its COVID-19 vaccine candidate after receiving an additional $472 million from the U.S. government.
Plans by Republican lawmakers to introduce a bill for another round of coronavirus stimulus also loomed over the markets on Monday, amid reports the measure would provide another round of individual payments while decreasing unemployment benefits.
Meanwhile, gold futures hit an intraday high of $1,941.90 per ounce and ultimately ended with a gain of 1.8% at 1,931.50, indicating worry among traders.
"Gold is probably giving us a warning ... but the market continues to chug along higher," JJ Kinahan, chief market strategist at TD Ameritrade, told CNBC.
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On the year, gold has risen more than 26%, placing it on pace for its greatest single-year gain since 2010.
Kinhan, however, said the surge in gold prices would be more concerning if the 10-year Treasury yield were declining and the CBOE Volatility Index -- which fell 4.26% Monday -- were rising.
Dabid Govett, head of precious metals at Marex Spectron, told The Wall Street Journal that "there are still a lot of things to be worried about."
"You're seeing money slipping out of the stock market or out of other assets and just eeking into gold," Govett said. "Gold, as a small market, is moving a long way as a result."


upi--2020-07-27--U.S., Florida see decline in new COVID-19 cases, deaths

July 27 ( UPI ) -- The United States saw a decrease in new COVID-19 cases on Sunday and Florida reported its lowest single-day tally in almost three weeks .
Florida heath officials on Monday reported the Sunday figure at just under 8,900 -- the lowest number since July 7 -- which pushed the statewide total past 432,000 .
The state also reported 77 more deaths , almost half as many that were reported Saturday .
Florida recorded no new non-resident deaths on Sunday , officials said .
Meanwhile , on Monday , a group of 5,000 healthcare workers called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issue a statewide mask mandate .
`` With Miami-Dade the new epicenter of coronavirus with over 100,000 positive cases , and Florida cases now surpassing New York , it 's critical that the state follow health restrictions including putting in place a mask requirement to control this crisis , '' said a letter from the Jackson Health employee union representing nurses , doctors and other health care professionals .
More than half the governors in the United States have issued mask orders for citizens in public places .
U.S. airlines and retail chains @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also ordered face masks to be worn while flying or shopping in stores .
Nationally , updated data Monday from researchers at Johns Hopkins University showed 55,000 new U.S. cases -- a notable decline from a four-day average of 70,000 new cases last week .
Since the start of the pandemic , there have been 4.238 million cases of COVID-19 and 146,900 deaths , according to Johns Hopkins .
Deaths were also down significantly on Sunday , according to data compiled by the COVID Tracking Project .
After four consecutive days of at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the researchers said .
USA Today reported Monday that 13 states set weekly records for new cases last week and seven states had a weekly record number of deaths .
Case records were set in Alaska , Colorado , Hawaii , Louisiana , Minnesota , Mississippi , Missouri , Montana , New Mexico , North Dakota , Oklahoma , Wisconsin and Wyoming -- and record deaths in Alabama , Idaho , Mississippi , Nevada , Oregon , South Carolina and Texas .
In Washington , D.C. , the White House said national @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He is the highest-ranking member of the Trump administration to date to test positive for the virus .
In Louisiana , health officials have reported 3,840 cases and 48 deaths over the weekend , but hospitalizations and ventilator patients both declined .
Some 94 % of the new cases are tied to community spread , the Louisiana Department of Health tweeted .
Louisiana has the nation 's second-highest average of new cases over the past week , trailing only Florida , according to the Harvard Global Health Initiative .
In New York City @ @ @ @ @ @ @ percentage of those testing positive in the city is down .
In his daily update Monday , he said the positivity rate is 1 % , keeping it on track to retain loosened restrictions that started last week .
`` This is the best number we 've seen , '' he said .
`` That 's absolutely outstanding and it 's because of all the hard work that all of you have put in .
`` Please do not let up .
I was out and around the city this weekend , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coverings but not as many as I 'd like to see . ''
De Blasio also called for city courts to reopen to handle a rise in crimes .

Medical staff are seen during mass testing at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla., on July 21. Florida's total caseload surpassed 432,000 on Sunday. Photo by Gary I Rothstein/UPI | License Photo
July 27 (UPI) -- The United States saw a decrease in new COVID-19 cases on Sunday and Florida reported its lowest single-day tally in almost three weeks. Florida heath officials on Monday reported the Sunday figure at just under 8,900 -- the lowest number since July 7 -- which pushed the statewide total past 432,000. The state also reported 77 more deaths, almost half as many that were reported Saturday. Advertisement
Florida recorded no new non-resident deaths on Sunday, officials said.
Meanwhile, on Monday, a group of 5,000 healthcare workers called on Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to issue a statewide mask mandate.
"With Miami-Dade the new epicenter of coronavirus with over 100,000 positive cases, and Florida cases now surpassing New York, it's critical that the state follow health restrictions including putting in place a mask requirement to control this crisis," said a letter from the Jackson Health employee union representing nurses, doctors and other health care professionals.
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More than half the governors in the United States have issued mask orders for citizens in public places. U.S. airlines and retail chains such as Walmart and Lowe's have also ordered face masks to be worn while flying or shopping in stores.
Nationally, updated data Monday from researchers at Johns Hopkins University showed 55,000 new U.S. cases -- a notable decline from a four-day average of 70,000 new cases last week.
Since the start of the pandemic, there have been 4.29 million cases of COVID-19 and 148,201 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins.
Deaths were also down significantly on Sunday, according to data compiled by the COVID Tracking Project. After four consecutive days of at least 1,000 deaths, just 558 died, the researchers said.
USA Today reported Monday that 13 states set weekly records for new cases last week and seven states had a weekly record number of deaths.
Case records were set in Alaska, Colorado, Hawaii, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Wisconsin and Wyoming -- and record deaths in Alabama, Idaho, Mississippi, Nevada, Oregon, South Carolina and Texas.
In Washington, D.C., the White House said national security adviser Robert O'Brien has COVID-19. He is the highest-ranking member of the Trump administration to date to test positive for the virus.
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In Louisiana, health officials have reported 3,840 cases and 48 deaths over the weekend, but hospitalizations and ventilator patients both declined.
Some 94% of the new cases are tied to community spread, the Louisiana Department of Health tweeted.
Louisiana has the nation's second-highest average of new cases over the past week, trailing only Florida, according to the Harvard Global Health Initiative.
In New York City, Mayor Bill de Blasio said the percentage of those testing positive in the city is down.
In his daily update Monday, he said the positivity rate is 1%, keeping it on track to retain loosened restrictions that started last week.
"This is the best number we've seen," he said. "That's absolutely outstanding and it's because of all the hard work that all of you have put in.
"Please do not let up. I was out and around the city this weekend, I saw a lot of people with face coverings but not as many as I'd like to see."
De Blasio also called for city courts to reopen to handle a rise in crimes.
In Kentucky, Gov. Andy Beshear announced a two-week ban on bars effective Tuesday while limiting restaurants to 25% pre-pandemic in-door seating capacity and urging schools to not hold in-person instruction until the third week of August.
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The orders were made amid a spike in cases in the state, with 552 cases reported in the previous 24 hours, lifting its total to 27,601.
"At a time when Kentucky is dealing with a surge in the coronavirus, knowing where other states have gone and knowing what it takes to stop it from happening here, let's remember that we're going to get through this, and we're going to get through this together, but it's going to require us to do what's necessary," Beshear said in a statement.


upi--2020-07-27--First presidential debate moves to Cleveland after Notre Dame withdraws

July 27 ( UPI ) -- The first 2020 U.S. presidential debate will move to Cleveland after the University of Notre Dame announced Monday that the school would withdrew as host for the Sept. 29 event .
Citing coronavirus concerns , Notre Dame President Rev .
John I. Jenkins announced that after consulting with St. Joseph County Health Department officials , he decided not to host the event in South Bend , Ind.
, `` because the necessary health precautions would have greatly diminished the educational value of hosting the debate on our campus . ''
The event now will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the Cleveland Clinic at the 11-acre Health Education campus .
The debate between Republican incumbent President Donald Trump and Democratic challenger former Vice President Joe Biden will now take place in the campus ' Samson Pavilion .
`` We are honored to host this presidential debate at our shared Health Education Campus , '' said Case Western President Barbara Snyder and Cleveland Clinic CEO and President Tom Mihaljevic in a statement .
`` This pandemic has highlighted the critical importance of health care and scientific discovery in unprecedented ways .
To have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our innovative learning space represents a tremendous opportunity for both institutions -- and our entire region . ''
Organizers said they had not decided whether a live audience would be permitted .
The final Democratic debate March 15 between Biden and Sen. Bernie Sanders , I-Vt. , was held in Atlanta at CNN studios with no live audience and with the candidates standing 6 feet apart , following health recommendations from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
Two more presidential debates are scheduled for Oct. 15 and 22 .

The first U.S. presidential debate of 2020 will move to Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland on Sept. 29 after the University of Notre Dame cancelled plans to host the event. File Photos by Chris Kleponis and Kevin Dietsch/UPI
July 27 (UPI) -- The first 2020 U.S. presidential debate will move to Cleveland after the University of Notre Dame announced Monday that the school would withdrew as host for the Sept. 29 event. Citing coronavirus concerns, Notre Dame President Rev. John I. Jenkins announced that after consulting with St. Joseph County Health Department officials, he decided not to host the event in South Bend, Ind., "because the necessary health precautions would have greatly diminished the educational value of hosting the debate on our campus." Advertisement
The event now will be co-hosted by Case Western Reserve University and the Cleveland Clinic at the 11-acre Health Education campus.
The debate between Republican incumbent President Donald Trump and Democratic challenger former Vice President Joe Biden will now take place in the campus' Samson Pavilion.
"We are honored to host this presidential debate at our shared Health Education Campus," said Case Western President Barbara Snyder and Cleveland Clinic CEO and President Tom Mihaljevic in a statement.
"This pandemic has highlighted the critical importance of health care and scientific discovery in unprecedented ways. To have the presidential candidates discuss these issues in our innovative learning space represents a tremendous opportunity for both institutions -- and our entire region."
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Organizers said they had not decided whether a live audience would be permitted.
The final Democratic debate March 15 between Biden and Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., was held in Atlanta at CNN studios with no live audience and with the candidates standing 6 feet apart, following health recommendations from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Two more presidential debates are scheduled for Oct. 15 and 22.


upi--2020-07-27--Alcohol abuse increases death risk after hospitalization for arrhythmia, study says

July 27 ( UPI ) -- Younger adults who abuse alcohol are nearly 75 % more likely to die after being hospitalized for an irregular heartbeat than those drinking moderately or not at all , according to study data announced Monday .
Those hospitalized with an irregular heartbeat , or arrhythmia , who also had clogged arteries , diabetes or were aged 45 to 54 years also were at increased risk for death , the researchers said .
`` Alcohol abuse has harmful effects on physical health , leading to more illness and death in patients with heart problems , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said in a press release .
In people with arrhythmia , the heart beats too slowly , too quickly or erratically , according to the American Heart Association .
The condition can be a sign of underlying heart problems that disrupt the flow of electrical impulses through the organ .
Atrial fibrillation , or AFib , is the most common arrhythmia , and it affects up to 6 million people across the United States , the American Heart Association estimates .
Excessive alcohol use is known to cause the development of an arrhythmia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ For the study , during the American Heart Association 's virtual Basic Cardiovascular Sciences 2020 Scientific Sessions , researchers reviewed deaths among almost 115,000 people aged 15 to 54 years who were hospitalized for arrhythmia between 2010 and 2014 .
The participants had been included in the Nationwide Inpatient Sample , a large database that contains information on more than 7 million hospital stays annually .
Nearly one in 10 of the patients included in the analysis also were diagnosed with alcohol abuse , which the researchers defined as drinking that causes problems @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whether or not the person is considered physically dependent on alcohol .
When those under age 54 were hospitalized with an irregular heartbeat , those who abused alcohol were 72 % more likely to die before being discharged from the hospital , the researchers said .
The study does not , however , prove a cause and effect relationship between alcohol abuse and death from irregular heartbeat -- and additional studies are needed to determine the impact of social alcohol use on risk -- they said .
`` Physicians should educate patients with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for arrhythmia and their increased risk of death , '' said Patel , a resident physician in the department of psychiatry at Griffin Memorial Hospital in Oklahoma .

Adults who abuse alcohol are more likely to die after hospitalization with an irregular heartbeat, a new study has found. Photo courtesy of Needpix/Pixabay
July 27 (UPI) -- Younger adults who abuse alcohol are nearly 75% more likely to die after being hospitalized for an irregular heartbeat than those drinking moderately or not at all, according to study data announced Monday. Those hospitalized with an irregular heartbeat, or arrhythmia, who also had clogged arteries, diabetes or were aged 45 to 54 years also were at increased risk for death, the researchers said. Advertisement
"Alcohol abuse has harmful effects on physical health, leading to more illness and death in patients with heart problems," study co-author Dr. Rikinkumar S. Patel said in a press release.
In people with arrhythmia, the heart beats too slowly, too quickly or erratically, according to the American Heart Association. The condition can be a sign of underlying heart problems that disrupt the flow of electrical impulses through the organ.
Atrial fibrillation, or AFib, is the most common arrhythmia, and it affects up to 6 million people across the United States, the American Heart Association estimates.
Excessive alcohol use is known to cause the development of an arrhythmia, Patel and his colleagues said.
For the study, during the American Heart Association's virtual Basic Cardiovascular Sciences 2020 Scientific Sessions, researchers reviewed deaths among almost 115,000 people aged 15 to 54 years who were hospitalized for arrhythmia between 2010 and 2014.
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The participants had been included in the Nationwide Inpatient Sample, a large database that contains information on more than 7 million hospital stays annually.
Nearly one in 10 of the patients included in the analysis also were diagnosed with alcohol abuse, which the researchers defined as drinking that causes problems at home, work or school, whether or not the person is considered physically dependent on alcohol.
When those under age 54 were hospitalized with an irregular heartbeat, those who abused alcohol were 72% more likely to die before being discharged from the hospital, the researchers said.
The study does not, however, prove a cause and effect relationship between alcohol abuse and death from irregular heartbeat -- and additional studies are needed to determine the impact of social alcohol use on risk -- they said.
"Physicians should educate patients with alcohol problems about their risk of hospitalization for arrhythmia and their increased risk of death," said Patel, a resident physician in the department of psychiatry at Griffin Memorial Hospital in Oklahoma.


upi--2020-07-27--National Guard official to testify about 'unprovoked escalation' against protesters

July 27 ( UPI ) -- A National Guard officer will testify Tuesday to Park Police 's 'unprovoked escalation ' against protesters in Lafayette Square in Washington , D.C. , on June 1 .
National Guard Maj. Adam DeMarco prepared a written statement for his testimony on the incident before the House Committee on Natural Resources on Tuesday .
DeMarco was deployed to Lafayette Square outside the White House on June 1 as a liaison between the D.C. National Guard 's `` Task Force Civil Disturbance , '' with approximately 250 personnel from the D.C. National Guard and the Park @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mission was to support the Park Police .
On the evening of June 1 , witnesses said , the Park Police and D.C. National Guard fired smoke canisters and pepper balls at protesters to allow President Donald Trump to walk through the area and visit the shuttered St. John 's Episcopal Church for a photo opportunity in which he held a Bible .
DeMarco said in his statement that no National Guardsmen were armed with lethal or non-lethal munition that evening , but Park Police had tear gas canisters .
`` Members of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Lafayette Square on the evening of June 1 were deeply disturbing to me , and to fellow National Guardsmen , '' DeMarco said in his statement .
`` Having served in a combat zone , and understanding how to assess threat environments , at no time did I feel threatened by the protesters or assess them to be violent .
`` In addition , considering the principles of proportionality of force and the fundamental strategy of graduated responses specific to civil disturbance operations , it was my observation that the use of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was an unnecessary escalation of the use of force .
`` From my observation , those demonstrators -- our fellow American citizens -- were engaged in the peaceful expression of their First Amendment rights .
Yet , they were subjected to an unprovoked escalation and excessive use of force . ''
He added that he was inspired to speak out because of something the late Rep. John Lewis once said : `` When you see something that is not right , not just , not fair , you have a moral obligation to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Although curfew was n't until 7 p.m. , Park Police began to issue warnings for the crowd of approximately 2,000 people to disperse , from near the statue of President Andrew Jackson approximately 50 yards from the demonstrators , about 6:20 p.m. , DeMarco said in his statement .
Since warnings were barely audible from where he was standing , approximately 20 yards away from them , DeMarco said he did not believe the protesters were aware of warnings to disperse .
When the Park Police began to remove protesters from Lafayette @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , DeMarco saw smoke , , which he said he was told was `` stage smoke , '' but he could feel irritation in his eyes and nose .
Based on previous training , he recognized the irritation as consistent with tear gas .
DeMarco said the D.C. National Guard 's job was to move behind the Park Police as it cleared the perimeter , and no National Guard personnel participated in the used of force against the protesters in Lafayette Square .
He also said that he observed unidentified law enforcement personnel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' weapons to fire `` pepper balls '' into the crowd .
The June 1 protest came amid many nationwide demanding justice after the police-involved killing of George Floyd on Memorial Day .
DeMarco 's testimony will follow other testimony about the incident , including an Australian television journalist , Amelia Brace , who testified that she and a cameraman were shoved with a riot shield .
Brace also said that a Park Police officer grabbed a camera lens and struck her colleague in the neck with a rubber bullet .
Jonathan Turley @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , testified that the clearing probably was lawful , but the committee would have to examine `` the rapid escalation of force '' and decide whether the means used exceeded the intent of the law .
The American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia last month on behalf of Black Lives Matter D.C. and individual protesters in the district .
The plaintiffs argued that both First and Fourth amendment rights were violated when U.S. law enforcement agents fire tear gas , pepper spray @ @ @ @ @ @ @ force them and other peaceful protesters to disperse from near the White House that day .
The Justice Department inspector general announced Thursday the opening of an investigation into the use of force by federal law enforcement agents on protesters in Portland , Ore. , and Washington , D.C. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper said earlier this month it 's unclear who gave the order to disperse protesters in Lafayette Square .
On June 11 , Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Mark Milley apologized for his role in the photo opportunity on June @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , hundreds of former Justice Department employees called for a probe of Attorney General William Barr 's involvement in the police action at Lafayette Square .

A man holds a sign in Black Lives Matter Plaza while standing in front of the General Andrew Jackson Statue in Lafayette Square late last month. File Photo by Leigh Vogel/UPI | License Photo
July 27 (UPI) -- A National Guard officer will testify Tuesday to Park Police's 'unprovoked escalation' against protesters in Lafayette Square in Washington, D.C., on June 1. National Guard Maj. Adam DeMarco prepared a written statement for his testimony on the incident before the House Committee on Natural Resources on Tuesday. Advertisement
DeMarco was deployed to Lafayette Square outside the White House on June 1 as a liaison between the D.C. National Guard's "Task Force Civil Disturbance," with approximately 250 personnel from the D.C. National Guard and the Park Police. The D.C. National Guard's mission was to support the Park Police.
On the evening of June 1, witnesses said, the Park Police and D.C. National Guard fired smoke canisters and pepper balls at protesters to allow President Donald Trump to walk through the area and visit the shuttered St. John's Episcopal Church for a photo opportunity in which he held a Bible.
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DeMarco said in his statement that no National Guardsmen were armed with lethal or non-lethal munition that evening, but Park Police had tear gas canisters.
"Members of the Committee, the events I witnessed at Lafayette Square on the evening of June 1 were deeply disturbing to me, and to fellow National Guardsmen," DeMarco said in his statement.
"Having served in a combat zone, and understanding how to assess threat environments, at no time did I feel threatened by the protesters or assess them to be violent.
"In addition, considering the principles of proportionality of force and the fundamental strategy of graduated responses specific to civil disturbance operations, it was my observation that the use of force against demonstrators in the clearing operation was an unnecessary escalation of the use of force.
"From my observation, those demonstrators -- our fellow American citizens -- were engaged in the peaceful expression of their First Amendment rights. Yet, they were subjected to an unprovoked escalation and excessive use of force."
He added that he was inspired to speak out because of something the late Rep. John Lewis once said: "When you see something that is not right, not just, not fair, you have a moral obligation to say something, to do something."
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Although curfew wasn't until 7 p.m., Park Police began to issue warnings for the crowd of approximately 2,000 people to disperse, from near the statue of President Andrew Jackson approximately 50 yards from the demonstrators, about 6:20 p.m., DeMarco said in his statement.
Since warnings were barely audible from where he was standing, approximately 20 yards away from them, DeMarco said he did not believe the protesters were aware of warnings to disperse.
When the Park Police began to remove protesters from Lafayette Square in front of the White House, DeMarco saw smoke,, which he said he was told was "stage smoke," but he could feel irritation in his eyes and nose. Based on previous training, he recognized the irritation as consistent with tear gas.
DeMarco said the D.C. National Guard's job was to move behind the Park Police as it cleared the perimeter, and no National Guard personnel participated in the used of force against the protesters in Lafayette Square.
He also said that he observed unidentified law enforcement personnel behind the National Guardsmen using "paintball-like" weapons to fire "pepper balls" into the crowd.
The June 1 protest came amid many nationwide demanding justice after the police-involved killing of George Floyd on Memorial Day.
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DeMarco's testimony will follow other testimony about the incident, including an Australian television journalist, Amelia Brace, who testified that she and a cameraman were shoved with a riot shield.
Brace also said that a Park Police officer grabbed a camera lens and struck her colleague in the neck with a rubber bullet.
Jonathan Turley, a George Washington University law professor, testified that the clearing probably was lawful, but the committee would have to examine "the rapid escalation of force" and decide whether the means used exceeded the intent of the law.
The American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia last month on behalf of Black Lives Matter D.C. and individual protesters in the district.
The plaintiffs argued that both First and Fourth amendment rights were violated when U.S. law enforcement agents fire tear gas, pepper spray, rubber bullets and flash bombs to force them and other peaceful protesters to disperse from near the White House that day.
The Justice Department inspector general announced Thursday the opening of an investigation into the use of force by federal law enforcement agents on protesters in Portland, Ore., and Washington, D.C.
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Secretary of Defense Mark Esper said earlier this month it's unclear who gave the order to disperse protesters in Lafayette Square.
On June 11, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Mark Milley apologized for his role in the photo opportunity on June 1. A day before Milley apologized, hundreds of former Justice Department employees called for a probe of Attorney General William Barr's involvement in the police action at Lafayette Square.