upi--2020-06-07--Ex-Atlanta Falcons DE John Zook dies at 72

June 7 ( UPI ) -- Former Atlanta Falcons defensive end John Zook , who starred alongside Hall of Famer Claude Humphrey , has died after a lengthy battle with cancer .
He was 72 .
Zook 's brother , Dean , confirmed the death to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Sunday .
According to his brother , Zook died Saturday in his native Kansas after stopping cancer treatments at the beginning of this year .
The newspaper said Zook , who grew up in Larned , Kan. , connected with some of his former Falcons teammates during a video conference @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Los Angeles Rams selected Zook in the fourth round of the 1969 NFL Draft out of Kansas .
He wound up in Atlanta after a pair of trades -- first to the Philadelphia Eagles and then to the Falcons .
Zook played for the Falcons from 1969-75 , lining up on the right side while Humphrey anchored the left side of the defensive line .
During that time , Atlanta finished with only two winning seasons and had no playoff appearances , but the duo was recognized as one of the team @ @ @ @ @ @ @ game during his time with the Falcons , starting 97 of 98 matchups .
He earned his only Pro Bowl appearance in 1973 , joining Humphrey in the game .
`` The most fun I had the whole time I played football was the time John and I had that season when we were both selected to the Pro Bowl , '' Humphrey told the Atlanta newspaper .
`` We figured out we were better together than we were individually . ''
Zook was traded to the then-St. Louis Cardinals in 1976 and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ franchise .
He had four career interceptions and notably recorded the first safety in Falcons history in 1971 .
Zook played 144 career games ( 134 starts ) in his career .
He was named second-team All-NFC in 1972 and 1973 and second-team All-Pro in 1973 .

June 7 (UPI) -- Former Atlanta Falcons defensive end John Zook, who starred alongside Hall of Famer Claude Humphrey, has died after a lengthy battle with cancer. He was 72.
Zook's brother, Dean, confirmed the death to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Sunday. According to his brother, Zook died Saturday in his native Kansas after stopping cancer treatments at the beginning of this year.
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The newspaper said Zook, who grew up in Larned, Kan., connected with some of his former Falcons teammates during a video conference call Friday as a final goodbye.
The Los Angeles Rams selected Zook in the fourth round of the 1969 NFL Draft out of Kansas. He wound up in Atlanta after a pair of trades -- first to the Philadelphia Eagles and then to the Falcons.
Zook played for the Falcons from 1969-75, lining up on the right side while Humphrey anchored the left side of the defensive line. During that time, Atlanta finished with only two winning seasons and had no playoff appearances, but the duo was recognized as one of the team's strengths.
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Zook never missed a game during his time with the Falcons, starting 97 of 98 matchups. He earned his only Pro Bowl appearance in 1973, joining Humphrey in the game.
"The most fun I had the whole time I played football was the time John and I had that season when we were both selected to the Pro Bowl," Humphrey told the Atlanta newspaper. "We figured out we were better together than we were individually."
Zook was traded to the then-St. Louis Cardinals in 1976 and spent his last four seasons with the franchise. He had four career interceptions and notably recorded the first safety in Falcons history in 1971.
Zook played 144 career games (134 starts) in his career. He was named second-team All-NFC in 1972 and 1973 and second-team All-Pro in 1973.
Notable deaths of 2020


upi--2020-06-08--Denver Broncos' Jurrell Casey: Titans threw me away 'like a piece of trash'

June 8 ( UPI ) -- After spending nine seasons with the Tennessee Titans , veteran defensive lineman Jurrell Casey felt the organization discarded him `` like a piece of trash '' when it traded the Pro Bowler to the Denver Broncos earlier this off-season .
Casey discussed the trade with New England Patriots defensive backs Devin and Jason McCourty on the Double Coverage podcast , which aired Sunday night .
Casey was a former teammate of Jason McCourty with the Titans .
`` The part that is so crazy is that you give so much to them , especially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and have opportunities to go somewhere else .
Especially the way it was going when we were there , 2-14 , 3-13 , '' Casey said to Jason McCourty .
`` Those were some rough times .
`` When you 're a loyal guy and you feel like things are going in the right direction and you 're that centerpiece , you got no choice but to fight through it .
My mindset was to stick it out and things would get better .
`` For us to get to that point to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ focus of that and then you just throw me away to the trash like I was n't a main block of that ... Coming off an injury the year before and playing the whole season for y'all .
No complaints , I did everything you wanted me to do and you throw me like a piece of trash .
At the end of the day , none of these businesses are loyal . ''
During his nine seasons in Tennessee , Casey was a five-time Pro Bowl selection .
He was named second-team @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sacks .
Casey signed a four-year , $ 60 million extension with the Titans in 2017 .
The team cleared more than $ 11 million in salary-cap space by trading Casey to the Broncos for a seventh-round draft pick in March .
Casey told the McCourty twins he was working out when he received a call from his agent that the Titans were looking to trade him .
He said he was disappointed that the team did n't tell him directly .
`` It was a blow to the heart because I would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have hit me up , '' Casey said .
`` The part that hurt me the most was that I did n't get a call until like 30 seconds before the trade went down .
`` For three or four days I had some moments where I had to tell the wife to give me a minute and I had a lot of tears come out of there . ''
Casey and the Broncos open this season by hosting the Titans on Monday Night Football .

Former Tennessee Titans defensive lineman Jurrell Casey (L) sacks Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson on Jan. 11, 2020, at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore. The Titans traded Casey to the Denver Broncos this off-season. File Photo by David Tulis/UPI | License Photo
June 8 (UPI) -- After spending nine seasons with the Tennessee Titans, veteran defensive lineman Jurrell Casey felt the organization discarded him "like a piece of trash" when it traded the Pro Bowler to the Denver Broncos earlier this off-season. Casey discussed the trade with New England Patriots defensive backs Devin and Jason McCourty on the Double Coverage podcast, which aired Sunday night. Casey was a former teammate of Jason McCourty with the Titans. Advertisement
"The part that is so crazy is that you give so much to them, especially when you come up on free agency and have opportunities to go somewhere else. Especially the way it was going when we were there, 2-14, 3-13," Casey said to Jason McCourty. "Those were some rough times.
"When you're a loyal guy and you feel like things are going in the right direction and you're that centerpiece, you got no choice but to fight through it. My mindset was to stick it out and things would get better.
"For us to get to that point to get better and to be a main focus of that and then you just throw me away to the trash like I wasn't a main block of that ... Coming off an injury the year before and playing the whole season for y'all. No complaints, I did everything you wanted me to do and you throw me like a piece of trash. At the end of the day, none of these businesses are loyal."
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During his nine seasons in Tennessee, Casey was a five-time Pro Bowl selection. He was named second-team All-Pro in 2013 after he recorded 10.5 sacks.
Casey signed a four-year, $60 million extension with the Titans in 2017. The team cleared more than $11 million in salary-cap space by trading Casey to the Broncos for a seventh-round draft pick in March.
Casey told the McCourty twins he was working out when he received a call from his agent that the Titans were looking to trade him. He said he was disappointed that the team didn't tell him directly.
"It was a blow to the heart because I would have thought that one of them would have hit me up," Casey said. "The part that hurt me the most was that I didn't get a call until like 30 seconds before the trade went down.
"For three or four days I had some moments where I had to tell the wife to give me a minute and I had a lot of tears come out of there."
Casey and the Broncos open this season by hosting the Titans on Monday Night Football.


upi--2020-06-08--Natasha Cloud becomes first female basketball player to sign with Converse

June 8 ( UPI ) -- WNBA player Natasha Cloud has signed an endorsement deal with Converse , making her the first female basketball player to join the brand .
The company announced Monday on social media that it is `` proud and humbled '' to sign Cloud , who was a starter for the 2019 WNBA champion Washington Mystics .
Converse 's announcement coincided with the publication of an essay that Cloud wrote for The Players ' Tribune more than a week ago .
Cloud , known for her all-around contributions and defensive prowess on the court , has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Converse officials said her essay and activism led to the deal .
`` Natasha Cloud 's recent piece is one of many examples of integrity , grace and strength she brings to the Converse team , '' Ronald Johnson , general manager of global basketball at Converse , told the Washington Post .
`` We stand in solidarity with the black community , with our athletes , collaborators and our teammates , and we commit to act . ''
Converse , acquired by Nike in 2003 , was a major brand in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 70s and 80s , with names like Julius Erving , Larry Bird and Magic Johnson in its lineup .
But the brand never ventured into women 's basketball until its signing of Cloud .
Cloud , who grew up outside of Philadelphia and played college basketball at St. Joseph 's , told the Philadelphia Inquirer that she and her father are fans of Erving .
Cloud , 28 , averaged career highs in points ( nine ) , assists ( 5.6 ) and steals ( one ) per game last season .

June 8 (UPI) -- WNBA player Natasha Cloud has signed an endorsement deal with Converse, making her the first female basketball player to join the brand.
The company announced Monday on social media that it is "proud and humbled" to sign Cloud, who was a starter for the 2019 WNBA champion Washington Mystics.
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Converse's announcement coincided with the publication of an essay that Cloud wrote for The Players' Tribune more than a week ago. Cloud, known for her all-around contributions and defensive prowess on the court, has been outspoken about racial injustice, and Converse officials said her essay and activism led to the deal.
"Natasha Cloud's recent piece is one of many examples of integrity, grace and strength she brings to the Converse team," Ronald Johnson, general manager of global basketball at Converse, told the Washington Post. "We stand in solidarity with the black community, with our athletes, collaborators and our teammates, and we commit to act."
"The biggest thing is for me to use my platform as a microphone. That's the goal, be a voice for the voiceless." - @T_Cloud4. Advertisement We are both proud and humbled to welcome WNBA champion @T_Cloud4 to the family. pic.twitter.com/0NTqqWCJUi— Converse (@Converse) June 8, 2020
Converse, acquired by Nike in 2003, was a major brand in the signature shoe market for basketball players in the 70s and 80s, with names like Julius Erving, Larry Bird and Magic Johnson in its lineup. But the brand never ventured into women's basketball until its signing of Cloud.
Cloud, who grew up outside of Philadelphia and played college basketball at St. Joseph's, told the Philadelphia Inquirer that she and her father are fans of Erving.
Cloud, 28, averaged career highs in points (nine), assists (5.6) and steals (one) per game last season.


upi--2020-06-08--Thousands attend public viewing memorial service for George Floyd in Houston

June 8 ( UPI ) -- Thousands of mourners gathered to pay tribute to George Floyd in his hometown of Houston on Monday during a public visitation period at a city church ahead of his funeral on Tuesday .
The six-hour visitation period was held at the Fountain of Praise church in southwest Houston .
It was open to the public but visitors were required to wear a mask and gloves in compliance with coronavirus-related guidelines .
Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and Texas Gov .
Greg Abbott were among those who attended the viewing on Monday .
Abbott called Floyd @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' he has seen and suggested Texas may introduce legislation to ensure the state `` will not have police brutality like what happened to George Floyd . ''
`` George Floyd is going to change the arc of the future of the United States , '' said Abbott .
`` George Floyd has not died in vain .
His life will be a living legacy about the way America and Texas Respond to this tragedy .
The Rev .
Al Sharpton is set to deliver the eulogy at Tuesday 's funeral service and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Joe Biden will meet with Floyd 's family on Monday , aides said .
On Tuesday , Floyd will be buried at the Houston Memorial Gardens cemetery in suburban Pearland , Texas , next to his mother , Larcenia Floyd .
The Houston funeral will be the third memorial for Floyd , following remembrances on Thursday in Minneapolis and Saturday in Raeford , N.C. , near where he was born .
Monday 's viewing period comes a day after Minneapolis councilors voted to defund and disband the city 's police department as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ death .
Four former Minneapolis officers have been charged in Floyd 's death , including Derek Chauvin , the officer who pressed his knee down on Floyd 's neck and cut off his airway , which ultimately caused his death .
He faces a charge of second-degree murder , while the other three are charged with aiding in Floyd 's death .
Chauvin made his first court appearance on Monday , exactly two weeks after Floyd 's death , which spurred national protests demanding police reforms and an end to systemic racism .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been a number of violent uprisings that have resulted in deaths , injuries and property damage .
One man was shot during a demonstration in Seattle on Sunday .
Officials said the 27-year-old man was stable after he was shot in the shoulder .
Police have arrested a suspect .
In Los Angeles , tens of thousands marched through Hollywood in a peaceful demonstration .
As part of the protest , a U.S. flag atop the iconic Capitol Records building was replaced with one reading `` Black Lives Matter . ''
Earlier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ National Guard troops would leave city Sunday night .
They will remain nearby through Wednesday in case they are needed .
In Oakland , Calif. , thousands of bicyclists rallied to show solidarity .
They rang bicycle bells and chanted , `` no justice , no peace , no racist police . ''
President Donald Trump , who has been criticized for his response to the movement , met with law enforcement officials for a roundtable discussion at the White House Monday afternoon .

A horse-drawn carriage carries a golden casket containing the body of George Floyd to a cemetery in Pearland, Texas, to buried next to his mother on Tuesday. Photo by Trask Smith/UPI | License Photo
June 8 (UPI) -- Thousands of mourners gathered to pay tribute to George Floyd in his hometown of Houston on Monday during a public visitation period at a city church ahead of his funeral on Tuesday. The six-hour visitation period was held at the Fountain of Praise church in southwest Houston. It was open to the public but visitors were required to wear a mask and gloves in compliance with coronavirus-related guidelines. Advertisement
Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott were among those who attended the viewing on Monday.
Abbott called Floyd's death "the most horrific tragedy" he has seen and suggested Texas may introduce legislation to ensure the state "will not have police brutality like what happened to George Floyd."
"George Floyd is going to change the arc of the future of the United States," said Abbott. "George Floyd has not died in vain. His life will be a living legacy about the way America and Texas Respond to this tragedy.
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The Rev. Al Sharpton is set to deliver the eulogy at Tuesday's funeral service and former Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden will meet with Floyd's family on Monday, aides said.
On Tuesday, Floyd will be buried at the Houston Memorial Gardens cemetery in suburban Pearland, Texas, next to his mother, Larcenia Floyd.
The Houston funeral will be the third memorial for Floyd, following remembrances on Thursday in Minneapolis and Saturday in Raeford, N.C., near where he was born.
Monday's viewing period comes a day after Minneapolis councilors voted to defund and disband the city's police department as a direct result of Floyd's May 25 death.
Four former Minneapolis officers have been charged in Floyd's death, including Derek Chauvin, the officer who pressed his knee down on Floyd's neck and cut off his airway, which ultimately caused his death. He faces a charge of second-degree murder, while the other three are charged with aiding in Floyd's death.
Chauvin made his first court appearance on Monday, exactly two weeks after Floyd's death, which spurred national protests demanding police reforms and an end to systemic racism.
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Most demonstrations have been peaceful but there have been a number of violent uprisings that have resulted in deaths, injuries and property damage.
One man was shot during a demonstration in Seattle on Sunday. Officials said the 27-year-old man was stable after he was shot in the shoulder. Police have arrested a suspect.
In Los Angeles, tens of thousands marched through Hollywood in a peaceful demonstration. As part of the protest, a U.S. flag atop the iconic Capitol Records building was replaced with one reading "Black Lives Matter."
Earlier, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said National Guard troops would leave city Sunday night. They will remain nearby through Wednesday in case they are needed.
In Oakland, Calif., thousands of bicyclists rallied to show solidarity. They rang bicycle bells and chanted, "no justice, no peace, no racist police."
President Donald Trump, who has been criticized for his response to the movement, met with law enforcement officials for a roundtable discussion at the White House Monday afternoon.
Protesters demand justice in police killing of George Floyd


upi--2020-06-08--WHO: Coronavirus spread with no symptoms is 'very rare'

June 8 ( UPI ) -- The spread of COVID-19 from people who have no symptoms appears to be `` very rare , '' the World Health Organization said Monday .
Research shows that many patients , particularly young and otherwise healthy people , may carry the virus but have no symptoms or very mild symptoms , said Maria Van Kerkhove , head of WHO 's emerging diseases and zoonosis unit , at a news briefing from Geneva , Switzerland .
`` From the data we have , it still seems to be rare that an asymptomatic person actually transmits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Van Kerkhove said .
`` A number of countries are not finding secondary transmission .
It 's very rare . ''
Patients who carry the virus but have no symptoms , or very mild symptoms , have been identified through contact tracing , Van Kerkhove said .
She acknowledged that a study of cases in Singapore showed that outbreaks appeared to spread from asymptomatic patients in clusters found in long-term facilities and in family units .
`` We 're trying to get more information from countries to answer this question , '' she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be focused on is following the symptomatic cases , '' Van Kerkhove added .
`` If we actually followed all of the symptomatic cases , isolated those cases , followed the contacts and quarantined those contacts , we would drastically reduce the outbreak . ''
COVID-19 is transmitted from person-to-person through vapor droplets from sneezing or coughing , the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said .
Studies of clusters in nursing homes in King County , Wash. , and elsewhere seemed to show that people without symptoms , or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be quarantined if they have been exposed .
`` The potential for presymptomatic transmission underscores the importance of social distancing , including the avoidance of congregate settings , to reduce COVID-19 spread , '' the CDC said in April .
In countries like New Zealand , where the government said COVID-19 has been eliminated , health officials aggressively identified people with symptoms of the disease and isolated them .
After a 75-day lockdown , New Zealand has gone 17 days without detecting a new case within its borders and 12 days without a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jacinda Ardern announced Sunday .
Worldwide , the number of reported infections passed 7 million , Sunday , with more than 400,000 deaths .
The number of active cases in the United States reached 1.95 million Monday , with more than 110,000 deaths , according to the Johns Hopkins University online COVID-19 tracker .

Worldwide reports from the coronavirus pandemic may show that people who carry the virus without symptoms may not transmit the infection to others, the World Health Organization said Monday. File photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License Photo
June 8 (UPI) -- Editor's note: On Tuesday, the World Health Organization's Maria Van Kerkhove clarified her remarks, calling the depiction of asymptomatic spread of COVID-19 as "rare" a "misunderstanding." Read the updated story here. The spread of COVID-19 from people who have no symptoms appears to be "very rare," the World Health Organization said Monday. Advertisement
Research shows that many patients, particularly young and otherwise healthy people, may carry the virus but have no symptoms or very mild symptoms, said Maria Van Kerkhove, head of WHO's emerging diseases and zoonosis unit, at a news briefing from Geneva, Switzerland.
"From the data we have, it still seems to be rare that an asymptomatic person actually transmits onward to a secondary individual," Van Kerkhove said. "A number of countries are not finding secondary transmission. It's very rare."
Patients who carry the virus but have no symptoms, or very mild symptoms, have been identified through contact tracing, Van Kerkhove said.
She acknowledged that a study of cases in Singapore showed that outbreaks appeared to spread from asymptomatic patients in clusters found in long-term facilities and in family units.
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"We're trying to get more information from countries to answer this question," she said.
"What we really want to be focused on is following the symptomatic cases," Van Kerkhove added. "If we actually followed all of the symptomatic cases, isolated those cases, followed the contacts and quarantined those contacts, we would drastically reduce the outbreak."
COVID-19 is transmitted from person-to-person through vapor droplets from sneezing or coughing, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said. Studies of clusters in nursing homes in King County, Wash., and elsewhere seemed to show that people without symptoms, or who would later develop symptoms, should be quarantined if they have been exposed.
"The potential for presymptomatic transmission underscores the importance of social distancing, including the avoidance of congregate settings, to reduce COVID-19 spread," the CDC said in April.
In countries like New Zealand, where the government said COVID-19 has been eliminated, health officials aggressively identified people with symptoms of the disease and isolated them.
After a 75-day lockdown, New Zealand has gone 17 days without detecting a new case within its borders and 12 days without a patient in hospital sickened, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced Sunday.
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Worldwide, the number of reported infections passed 7 million, Sunday, with more than 400,000 deaths.
The number of active cases in the United States reached 1.95 million Monday, with more than 110,000 deaths, according to the Johns Hopkins University online COVID-19 tracker.


upi--2020-06-08--Pointer Sisters singer Bonnie Pointer dies

June 8 ( UPI ) -- Singer Bonnie Pointer died Monday , her family said .
She was 69 years old .
Pointer 's family notified Variety and People of her death but no cause of death was released .
Pointer was a member of the Pointer Sisters and released four solo albums after leaving the group .
`` It is with great sadness that I have to announce to the fans of the Pointer Sisters that my sister Bonnie died this morning , '' sister Anita Pointer said in the statement .
`` Our family is devastated .
On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the entire Pointer family , we ask for your prayers at this time . ''
Bonnie and Anita had collaborated on the recent single `` Feels Like June , '' in memory of their sister June who died in 2006 .
`` Bonnie was my best friend and we talked every day , '' Anita said .
`` We never had a fight in our life .
I already miss her and I will see her again one day . ''
Bonnie and Anita began singing together as The Pointers .
When June @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sisters .
Their sister Ruth joined them in 1972 .
The band received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1994 .
While Bonnie sang with The Pointer Sisters , they released such hits as `` Yes We Can Can '' and `` Fairytale , '' the latter of which Bonnie and Anita wrote .
After Bonnie went solo , the sisters still released hits like `` I 'm So Excited , '' `` Neutron Dance '' and `` Jump ( for My Love ) . ''
Bonnie 's solo albums @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If the Price Is Right and Like a Picasso .
Her biggest solo hit was `` Heaven Must Have Sent You . ''

Singer Bonnie Pointer, seen here at Schiphol Airport in 1974, died at age 69 on Monday. Pointer and her sisters Anita, Ruth and June performed together as the Pointer Sisters. Photo courtesy Nationaal Archief/ Wikimedia Commons
June 8 (UPI) -- Singer Bonnie Pointer died Monday, her family said. She was 69 years old. Pointer's family notified Variety and People of her passing but no cause of death was released. Advertisement
Pointer was a member of the Pointer Sisters and released four solo albums after leaving the group.
"It is with great sadness that I have to announce to the fans of the Pointer Sisters that my sister Bonnie died this morning," sister Anita Pointer said a the statement. "Our family is devastated. On behalf of my siblings and I and the entire Pointer family, we ask for your prayers at this time."
Sad News: Our sister Bonnie has passed away at the age of 69. https://t.co/VnopEyVGHn pic.twitter.com/nJSPiEbggV— The Pointer Sisters (@PointerOfficial) June 8, 2020
Bonnie and Anita had collaborated on the recent single "Feels Like June" in memory of their sister June who died in 2006.
"Bonnie was my best friend and we talked every day," Anita said. "We never had a fight in our life. I already miss her and I will see her again one day."
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Bonnie and Anita began singing together as The Pointers. When June joined them, they became The Pointer Sisters. Their sister Ruth joined them in 1972. The band received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1994.
While Bonnie sang with The Pointer Sisters, they released such hits as "Yes We Can Can" and "Fairytale," the latter of which Bonnie and Anita wrote. After Bonnie went solo, the sisters still released hits like "I'm So Excited," "Neutron Dance" and "Jump (for My Love)."
Bonnie's solo albums were self-titled Red and Purple albums, If the Price Is Right and Like a Picasso. Her biggest solo hit was "Heaven Must Have Sent You."
Notable deaths of 2020


upi--2020-06-08--Trump says there will be no defunding, dismantling, disbanding of police in U.S.

June 8 ( UPI ) -- President Donald Trump dismissed calls to defund police and praised the nation 's officers during a roundtable discussion with law enforcement officials on Monday .
Trump responded to calls to defund police sparked by the police-involved killing of Geroge Floyd in Minneapolis , where city council members over the weekend pledged to disband the police department .
`` There wo n't be defunding , there wo n't be dismantling of our police and there is not going to be any disbanding of our police , '' said Trump .
The president went on to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of police officers do their jobs properly and only some bad actors must be dealt with .
`` We want to make sure we do n't have any bad actors in there and sometimes , you 'll see some horrible things like we witnessed recently , but 99 -- I say 99.9 , but let 's go with 99 percent of them are great , great people and they 've done jobs that are record-setting , '' he said .
Press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said earlier that Trump `` is appalled by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has criticized former Vice President Joe Biden , his presumptive opponent in the 2020 election , tweeting Sunday that Biden and other Democrats will seek to defund the police .
Biden 's campaign on Monday said that he does not support the defund the police movement and House Democrats unveiled sweeping police reforms and measures to make it easier to prosecute officers in court , but did not include plans to defund police .
Trump 's comments came after the mayors of New York City and Los Angeles said they would take steps @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Minneapolis City Council formed a veto-proof majority in support of defunding and disbanding the city 's police department .
`` They want to end the police department -- quote end the police department in Minneapolis ... What does that mean ?
End it ? ''
Trump asked .
`` They abandoned their police precinct , something I 've never seen before .
You had a mayor that asked them to abandon and now they 've abandoned the mayor , it looks like . ''
Global protests calling for a range of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ systemic racism as well as police reform or abolition sparked by the recent deaths of Floyd , Breonna Taylor , Ahmaud Arbery and many other black people throughout the nation 's history .
Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was arrested and fired days after Floyd was killed on May 25 , while three other since-fired officers present at the scene were also arrested last week .
A judge on Monday set unconditional bail for Chauvin at $ 1.25 million after charges against him were escalated from third-degree murder to second-degree murder .

1/3
President Donald Trump on Monday denounced calls to defund police in the United States during a round table with law enforcement officials. Photo by Doug Mills/UPI | License Photo
June 8 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump dismissed calls to defund police and praised the nation's officers during a roundtable discussion with law enforcement officials on Monday. Trump responded to calls to defund police sparked by the police-involved killing of Geroge Floyd in Minneapolis, where city council members over the weekend pledged to disband the police department. Advertisement
"There won't be defunding, there won't be dismantling of our police and there is not going to be any disbanding of our police," said Trump.
The president went on to say that he believes a vast majority of police officers do their jobs properly and only some bad actors must be dealt with.
"We want to make sure we don't have any bad actors in there and sometimes, you'll see some horrible things like we witnessed recently, but 99 -- I say 99.9, but let's go with 99 percent of them are great, great people and they've done jobs that are record-setting," he said.
Press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said earlier that Trump "is appalled by the defund the police movement." Trump has criticized former Vice President Joe Biden, his presumptive opponent in the 2020 election, tweeting Sunday that Biden and other Democrats will seek to defund the police.
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Biden's campaign on Monday said that he does not support the defund the police movement and House Democrats unveiled sweeping police reforms and measures to make it easier to prosecute officers in court, but did not include plans to defund police.
Trump's comments came after the mayors of New York City and Los Angeles said they would take steps to decrease police funding and nine members of the Minneapolis City Council formed a veto-proof majority in support of defunding and disbanding the city's police department.
"They want to end the police department -- quote end the police department in Minneapolis ... What does that mean? End it?" Trump asked. "They abandoned their police precinct, something I've never seen before. You had a mayor that asked them to abandon and now they've abandoned the mayor, it looks like."
Global protests calling for a range of societal changes, including an end to systemic racism as well as police reform or abolition sparked by the recent deaths of Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and many other black people throughout the nation's history.
Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was arrested and fired days after Floyd was killed on May 25, while three other since-fired officers present at the scene were also arrested last week.
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A judge on Monday set unconditional bail for Chauvin at $1.25 million after charges against him were escalated from third-degree murder to second-degree murder.


upi--2020-06-08--Cristobal smacks Louisiana, will send rain, winds to Midwest

June 8 ( UPI ) -- Tropical storm Cristobal moved through the Louisiana Gulf region Monday and is expected to gain intensity when it meets another storm in the Midwest , causing winds up to 70 mph and thunderstorms , the National Weather Service said .
The National Hurricane Center downgraded Cristobal on Monday to a tropical depression , but the agency warned that storm surge would continue across the Gulf Coast with possible flooding inland .
The National Weather Service predicted heavy rainfall associated with Cristobal will affect the Mississippi Valley on Monday night and Tuesday .
Flash floods @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Coast into southeast Minnesota and western Wisconsin .
`` The storm will continue to bring a very large region of dangerous weather from the Central Gulf Coast , northward through the Mississippi Valley , Lower Ohio Valley and into the Upper Great Lakes , '' the agency said .
Heavy rain from the tropical storm could make its way all the way to Canada , the weather service said .
In Bayou Lacombe , La.
, two missing boaters sought by the Coast Guard were found Monday at a campground 50 miles away @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Ted Roach , 35 , and Jennifer Ligoni , 31 , said they survived the storm by clinging to a single life vest overnight after their boat sunk in a deepwater straight .
Earlier , several Louisiana parishes evacuated residents Sunday and a hurricane-associated tornado hit Orlando on Saturday night , damaging more than a dozen homes .
Some of the heaviest rainfall hit the northern Florida panhandle , about 400 miles east of the hurricane 's landing spot .
More than 12 inches of rain fell in Pensacola , and waves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ high Sunday .

The remnants of Tropical Storm Cristobal are seen over the U.S. Midwest early Tuesday, where they are forecast to produce strong winds and rain in the Mississippi River Valley. Image courtesy NOAA
June 9 (UPI) -- The remnants of Tropical Storm Cristobal are moving into Missouri, prompting watches and warnings in parts of the Mississippi Valley and Great Lakes regions. The National Hurricane Center said in its 4 a.m. update the center of the storm is about 80 miles southeast of Springfield, Mo., and has maximum sustained winds of 30 mph. Advertisement
A flash flood watch is in effect for areas in and near the length of the Mississippi Valley, it said. Tropical Storm Cristobal was downgraded to a tropical depression early Monday.
Cristobal thrashed its way into records books before and after it made landfall Sunday in southern Louisiana. The system struck with tropical storm strength by Grand Isle, La., and swamped much of the rest of the Gulf Coast.
With its formation last week, it became the earliest C-named storm in recorded history. By reaching land on Sunday, it became the second-earliest named storm to impact Louisiana, as only Tropical Storm Arlene from 1959 made landfall earlier in the calendar year, on May 30.
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But Louisianians didn't have time to think about the historical context as they prepared all weekend and hunkered down on Sunday. With over 20,000 residents without power by Monday morning, communities throughout the southern portion of the state have cleanup to address.
Power has since been restored to a majority of customers, as of Monday night.
Roadways and highways were flooded hours before the storm arrived as an intense storm surge brought the highest water level in years. In Grand Isle, mandatory evacuations were ordered for the island on Saturday.
"This is the highest water the island has seen since Isaac," Jefferson Parish Councilman Ricky Templet said, recalling the August 2012 Category 1 hurricane that made landfall in southeastern Louisiana, to NOLA.com. "Grand Isle is 7 miles long. We only have 2 miles of the island that's passable."
Before Cristobal arrived, strong rip currents from the system claimed the lives of two children swimming at a beach in Grand Isle on Friday night and left two others hospitalized, according to WWL TV.
The destruction mounted on Sunday night after landfall, as the storm packing 50-mph winds moved inland over Louisiana. According to Harrison County Emergency Management Director Rupert Lacy, a portion of the Biloxi Lighthouse pier in Mississippi was destroyed by the waves on Sunday, the Sun Herald reported.
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As shown by video and pictures shared, the high winds pushed parts of the pier over a half mile down the beach.
River flooding across Mississippi and Louisiana is expected to remain a concern in the areas even though Cristobal and its impacts have moved northward. By Biloxi, the U.S. 90 ramp to Mississippi 619 Jerry St. Pé Highway in Jackson County remained flooded Monday morning.
Gusty winds continued pushing water from Lake Ponchartrain into nearby communities and causing flooding concerns on Monday.
In Mandeville, Louisiana, located along the northern shores of the lake, some residents elected to navigate flooded roads with kayaks rather than cars. Even at low tide, the community was inundated with storm surge.
As the system continues its rare northerly track, damage reports are likely to continue mounting, particularly as river flooding persists across portions of the lower Mississippi basin, according to meteorologists.
Earl Etheridge, public safety director for Jackson County, told the Sun Herald conditions could have been much worse if the storm strengthened to hurricane status.


upi--2020-06-08--Minnesota Vikings star RB Dalvin Cook holding out in pursuit of new contract

June 8 ( UPI ) -- Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook will no longer take part in any team-related activities until he receives a new contract .
League sources told ESPN and The Athletic on Monday that Cook will remain away from the Vikings for `` camp and beyond '' until he is given a `` reasonable '' deal .
According to The Athletic , the tailback and the franchise have been far apart in negotiations to this point .
Cook , who earned his first trip to the Pro Bowl last season , has one year and $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The 24-year-old Cook now finds himself in a similar spot as Dallas Cowboys star running back Ezekiel Elliott and Denver Broncos tailback Melvin Gordon III , both who staged holdouts last year in search of long-term extensions .
Gordon made similar threats about not reporting last year when he began his holdout with the Los Angeles Chargers .
But the organization did n't budge and Gordon eventually reported to the team in Week 5 of the regular season .
This off-season , he agreed to a two-year , $ 16 million deal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a contract extension and began holding out during training camp .
In early September , the Cowboys caved and gave him a six-year , $ 90 million deal .
Cook wants to make at least $ 13 million per year under a new extension , according to ESPN .
The two sides have n't spoken since last week and have no additional discussions scheduled .
The Vikings selected Cook in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft out of Florida State .
He has struggled with injuries since entering the league , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three seasons .
Cook had a career year last season despite missing two games with a chest injury .
In 14 games , he finished with 250 carries for 1,135 yards and 13 touchdowns .
He added 53 receptions for 519 yards on 63 targets .

Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook (33) has one year and $1.3 million remaining on his current contract. File Photo by AJ Sisco/UPI | License Photo
June 8 (UPI) -- Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook will no longer take part in any team-related activities until he receives a new contract. League sources told ESPN and The Athletic on Monday that Cook will remain away from the Vikings for "camp and beyond" until he is given a "reasonable" deal. According to The Athletic, the tailback and the franchise have been far apart in negotiations to this point. Advertisement
Cook, who earned his first trip to the Pro Bowl last season, has one year and $1.3 million remaining on his current contract.
The 24-year-old Cook now finds himself in a similar spot as Dallas Cowboys star running back Ezekiel Elliott and Denver Broncos tailback Melvin Gordon III, both who staged holdouts last year in search of long-term extensions.
Gordon made similar threats about not reporting last year when he began his holdout with the Los Angeles Chargers. But the organization didn't budge and Gordon eventually reported to the team in Week 5 of the regular season. This off-season, he agreed to a two-year, $16 million deal with the Broncos.
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Elliott also demanded a contract extension and began holding out during training camp. In early September, the Cowboys caved and gave him a six-year, $90 million deal.
Cook wants to make at least $13 million per year under a new extension, according to ESPN. The two sides haven't spoken since last week and have no additional discussions scheduled.
The Vikings selected Cook in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft out of Florida State. He has struggled with injuries since entering the league, missing 19 regular-season games across his first three seasons.
Cook had a career year last season despite missing two games with a chest injury. In 14 games, he finished with 250 carries for 1,135 yards and 13 touchdowns. He added 53 receptions for 519 yards on 63 targets.


upi--2020-06-08--Archaeologists map complete Roman city without lifting a shovel

June 8 ( UPI ) -- Archaeologists have , for the first time , mapped an entire Roman city without lifting a shovel or moving any dirt .
The dig-free survey revealed the contours and composition of Falerii Novi , an ancient city located 30 miles north of Rome .
Using high-tech ground penetrating radar , or GPR , researchers were able to map the city 's bath complex , market , temple , a public monument and an expansive network of water pipes .
Radar has been around for a while , but the technology has only recently gotten @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cities .
Advances in computing power have also helped scientists deal with the massive data sets produced by GPR surveys .
For the latest survey , scientists used a quad bike to pull GPR devices back and forth , ultimately revealing a city that was surprisingly architecturally elaborate .
Researchers were also surprised by the placement of so many important structures along the outer edge of the city .
`` Archaeologists very often focus on the town center , '' lead researcher Martin Millett , professor of classics at the University of Cambridge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Here there are key buildings around the edges . ''
Falerii Novi was a city of modest dimensions , about half the size of Pompeii , comprising 31.5 hectares , or just more than a tenth of a square mile .
The city , located on a slight volcanic plateau in Italy 's Tiber River Valley , was occupied as early as 241 BC .
During the 3rd century BC , the city housed as many as 2,500 inhabitants .
The sensitivity of the radar allowed scientists to precisely measure the depths @ @ @ @ @ @ @ revealing which structures were built first and how the city evolved over time .
Ground-penetrating radar surveys can do more than just show the outlines of buildings and city walls .
They can reveal the economic and political significance of ancient cities and towns , offering important insights into daily life in Ancient Rome .
`` By mapping the city , and others like this , we can identify the types of structure including things like workshops and shops , thereby seeing how many there are , where they were within the city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` This enables us to make a much better assessment of the overall functions of the city and thus better assess things like their economic and political importance . ''
In some places , ground-penetrating radar is the only tool archaeologists have .
The ground under which Falerii Novi is buried is protected as a state monument by the Italian government .
Other ancient cities are buried beneath modern infrastructure .
Even when digging is possible , radar can help archaeologists conduct more targeted excavations .
`` It is best used in conjunction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ magnetometry -- as different methods map different physical properties and so are complementary , '' Millett said .
Researchers hope their work , published Monday in the journal Antiquity , will inspire the use of ground-penetrating radar for the surveys of larger ancient cities .

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Scientists used ground-penetrating radar to survey an entire Roman city without any digging. Pictured, the temple at Falerii Novi, Italy. Photo by L. Verdonck
June 8 (UPI) -- Archaeologists have, for the first time, mapped an entire Roman city without lifting a shovel or moving any dirt. The dig-free survey revealed the contours and composition of Falerii Novi, an ancient city located 30 miles north of Rome. Using high-tech ground penetrating radar, or GPR, researchers were able to map the city's bath complex, market, temple, a public monument and an expansive network of water pipes. Advertisement
Radar has been around for a while, but the technology has only recently gotten precise enough to use for surveying underground cities. Advances in computing power have also helped scientists deal with the massive data sets produced by GPR surveys.
For the latest survey, scientists used a quad bike to pull GPR devices back and forth, ultimately revealing a city that was surprisingly architecturally elaborate.
Researchers were also surprised by the placement of so many important structures along the outer edge of the city.
"Archaeologists very often focus on the town center," lead researcher Martin Millett, professor of classics at the University of Cambridge, told UPI in an email. "Here there are key buildings around the edges."
Falerii Novi was a city of modest dimensions, about half the size of Pompeii, comprising 31.5 hectares, or just more than a tenth of a square mile. The city, located on a slight volcanic plateau in Italy's Tiber River Valley, was occupied as early as 241 BC. During the 3rd century BC, the city housed as many as 2,500 inhabitants.
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The sensitivity of the radar allowed scientists to precisely measure the depths of different parts of the city, revealing which structures were built first and how the city evolved over time.
Ground-penetrating radar surveys can do more than just show the outlines of buildings and city walls. They can reveal the economic and political significance of ancient cities and towns, offering important insights into daily life in Ancient Rome.
"By mapping the city, and others like this, we can identify the types of structure including things like workshops and shops, thereby seeing how many there are, where they were within the city, etc.," Millett said. "This enables us to make a much better assessment of the overall functions of the city and thus better assess things like their economic and political importance."
In some places, ground-penetrating radar is the only tool archaeologists have. The ground under which Falerii Novi is buried is protected as a state monument by the Italian government. Other ancient cities are buried beneath modern infrastructure.
Even when digging is possible, radar can help archaeologists conduct more targeted excavations.
"It is best used in conjunction with other remote sensing techniques -- like magnetometry -- as different methods map different physical properties and so are complementary," Millett said.
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Researchers hope their work, published Monday in the journal Antiquity, will inspire the use of ground-penetrating radar for the surveys of larger ancient cities.


upi--2020-06-08--San Antonio Spurs' LaMarcus Aldridge out for season after shoulder surgery

June 8 ( UPI ) -- San Antonio Spurs forward LaMarcus Aldridge will be out for the remainder of the season after undergoing surgery on his right shoulder , the team announced Monday .
The Spurs said Aldridge underwent an arthroscopic subacromial decompression and rotator cuff debridement on his right shoulder .
Dr. Daniel Cooper performed the procedure April 24 in Dallas .
`` Disappointed I wo n't get to finish the season with my teammates , but excited that I 'll be fully ready to go next season and beyond , '' Aldridge said in a statement .
Aldridge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during a game against the Utah Jazz on Feb. 21 .
He played in San Antonio 's next matchup but went on to miss the next six contests .
The veteran forward returned in the Spurs ' victory against the Dallas Mavericks the day before the NBA suspended its season because of the coronavirus pandemic .
NBA owners and the NBA Players Association recently agreed to resume the 2019-20 season in Orlando , Fla. , under a 22-team format .
The Spurs are one of those 22 teams set to return to competition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ loss of Aldridge , a seven-time All-Star selection , will be a big blow to the Spurs as they continue their quest for a 23rd consecutive playoff berth .
He averaged 18.9 points and 7.4 rebounds in 33.1 minutes per game this season .
The Spurs expect Aldridge to be fully cleared for all basketball activities before training camp begins for the 2020-21 campaign .

San Antonio Spurs forward LaMarcus Aldridge (R) underwent the procedure at the end of April. File Photo by Terry Schmitt/UPI | License Photo
June 8 (UPI) -- San Antonio Spurs forward LaMarcus Aldridge will be out for the remainder of the season after undergoing surgery on his right shoulder, the team announced Monday. The Spurs said Aldridge underwent an arthroscopic subacromial decompression and rotator cuff debridement on his right shoulder. Dr. Daniel Cooper performed the procedure April 24 in Dallas. Advertisement
"Disappointed I won't get to finish the season with my teammates, but excited that I'll be fully ready to go next season and beyond," Aldridge said in a statement.
Aldridge, 34, initially injured his shoulder during a game against the Utah Jazz on Feb. 21. He played in San Antonio's next matchup but went on to miss the next six contests.
The veteran forward returned in the Spurs' victory against the Dallas Mavericks the day before the NBA suspended its season because of the coronavirus pandemic.
NBA owners and the NBA Players Association recently agreed to resume the 2019-20 season in Orlando, Fla., under a 22-team format. The Spurs are one of those 22 teams set to return to competition near the end of July.
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The loss of Aldridge, a seven-time All-Star selection, will be a big blow to the Spurs as they continue their quest for a 23rd consecutive playoff berth. He averaged 18.9 points and 7.4 rebounds in 33.1 minutes per game this season.
The Spurs expect Aldridge to be fully cleared for all basketball activities before training camp begins for the 2020-21 campaign.


upi--2020-06-08--Judge raises bail for ex-Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin to $1.25M

June 8 ( UPI ) -- Bail for former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was increased by $ 250,000 on Monday as he faces second-degree murder charges in the killing of George Floyd .
District Court Judge Jeannice Reding raised Chauvin 's conditional bail from $ 750,000 to $ 1 million and his unconditional bail from $ 1 million to $ 1.25 million as he appeared in Hennepin County court via video conferencing for the first time since his arrest .
The bail conditions would require that Chauvin surrender any firearms and license to carry , not work in law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contact with Floyd 's family in addition to abiding by the law , remaining in Minnesota under court supervision and signing a waiver of extradition upon his release from prison .
Prosecutor Matthew Frank said the `` severity of the charges '' and strength of public opinion against Chauvin made him more likely to pose a flight risk .
Chauvin 's attorney Eric Nelson did not object to the requirements and requested a hearing in the case be set for June 29 .
Chauvin did not enter a plea at Monday 's hearing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the charges against Chauvin from third-degree murder to second-degree murder and arrested three other officers present at the scene on charges of aiding and abetting murder in the second-degree .
Video of the police interactions showed Chauvin kneeling on Floyd 's neck for nearly 9 minutes as he called out that he could n't breathe .

A judge on Monday raised former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin's bail in the killing of George Floyd from $750,000 to $1 million and his unconditional bail from $1 million to $1.25 million. Photo by Debbie Hill/UPI | License Photo
June 8 (UPI) -- Bail for former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was increased by $250,000 on Monday as he faces second-degree murder charges in the killing of George Floyd. District Court Judge Jeannice Reding raised Chauvin's conditional bail from $750,000 to $1 million and his unconditional bail from $1 million to $1.25 million as he appeared in Hennepin County court via video conferencing for the first time since his arrest. Advertisement
The bail conditions would require that Chauvin surrender any firearms and license to carry, not work in law enforcement or security and not have any contact with Floyd's family in addition to abiding by the law, remaining in Minnesota under court supervision and signing a waiver of extradition upon his release from prison.
Prosecutor Matthew Frank said the "severity of the charges" and strength of public opinion against Chauvin made him more likely to pose a flight risk.
Chauvin's attorney Eric Nelson did not object to the requirements and requested a hearing in the case be set for June 29.
Chauvin did not enter a plea at Monday's hearing.
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On Wednesday, Minneapolis authorities escalated the charges against Chauvin from third-degree murder to second-degree murder and arrested three other officers present at the scene on charges of aiding and abetting murder in the second-degree.
Video of the police interactions showed Chauvin kneeling on Floyd's neck for nearly 9 minutes as he called out that he couldn't breathe.


upi--2020-06-08--Police: Virginia KKK leader drove through protesters with truck

June 8 ( UPI ) -- Virginia prosecutors said Monday a 36-year-old avowed KKK leader plowed his truck through a line of Black Lives Matter protesters Sunday , striking one person .
The Henrico Commonwealth attorney 's office said the department had opened a hate crime investigation against Harry Rogers , of Hanover , who was charged with felony counts of malicious wounding and destruction of property .
Rogers is being held without bond .
Witnesses said around 5:30 p.m. Rogers drove his truck through a group of protesters in the roadway Lakeside , Va. , slightly injuring one person @ @ @ @ @ @ @ witnesses reported that a vehicle revved their engine and drove through the protesters occupying the roadway , '' a Henrico police spokesperson told Richmond 's WTVR .
Rogers reportedly told arresting officers he was he was the state president of the Ku Klux Klan in Virginia and the highest-ranking member not in prison .
`` The accused , by his own admission and by a cursory glance at social media , is an admitted leader of the Ku Klux Klan and a propagandist for Confederate ideology , '' Henrico County Commonwealth 's Attorney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` We lived through this in Virginia in Charlottesville in 2017 .
I promise that this egregious criminal act will not go unpunished .
Hate has no place here under my watch , '' Taylor said .

Harry Rogers, 36, identified himself to Virginia police as the president of the state KKK after his arrest for driving his pickup truck through a line of protesters in Lakeside, Va., and striking one person. Photo courtesy of Henrico police
June 8 (UPI) -- Virginia prosecutors said Monday a 36-year-old avowed KKK leader plowed his truck through a line of Black Lives Matter protesters Sunday, striking one person. The Henrico Commonwealth attorney's office said the department had opened a hate crime investigation against Harry Rogers, of Hanover, who was charged with felony counts of malicious wounding and destruction of property. Rogers is being held without bond. Advertisement
Witnesses said around 5:30 p.m. Rogers drove his truck through a group of protesters in the roadway Lakeside, Va., slightly injuring one person and destroying a bicycle.
"Several witnesses reported that a vehicle revved their engine and drove through the protesters occupying the roadway," a Henrico police spokesperson told Richmond's WTVR.
Rogers reportedly told arresting officers he was he was the state president of the Ku Klux Klan in Virginia and the highest-ranking member not in prison.
"The accused, by his own admission and by a cursory glance at social media, is an admitted leader of the Ku Klux Klan and a propagandist for Confederate ideology," Henrico County Commonwealth's Attorney Shannon Taylor said in a statement.
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"We lived through this in Virginia in Charlottesville in 2017. I promise that this egregious criminal act will not go unpunished. Hate has no place here under my watch," Taylor said.


upi--2020-06-08--Biden doesn't support 'defund police' movement, campaign says

June 8 ( UPI ) -- As former U.S. Vice President Joe Biden met in Houston with family members before the funeral of George Floyd , his campaign tried to distance the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee from national movements to 'defund ' local police departments .
Biden and his wife , Jill , traveled to Houston on Monday to meet family members before the funeral of Floyd , who died in a police-involved incident in Minneapolis on May 25 .
Biden and campaign co-chair Rep. Cedric Richmond , D-La.
, met with Floyd 's relatives .
Meanwhile , President Donald @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to `` Defund and Abandon our Police . ''
Biden 's campaign spokesman said Monday the former vice president disagrees with a push to defund local police departments , even as the Minneapolis City Council pledged to `` dismantle '' the city 's police force and replace it with a community policing model .
`` Vice President Biden does not believe that police should be defunded , '' Biden campaign spokesperson Andrew Bates said in a statement .
`` He hears and shares the deep grief and frustration of those calling out for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that justice is done and that we put a stop to this terrible pain . ''
Biden reached out to Floyd 's family , saying the 43-year-old would n't `` just become another hashtag . ''
Biden 's campaign has rolled out a criminal justice reform plan that , among other things , would beef up federal investigations of so-called pattern-or-practice incidences of systemic police misconduct , including consent decrees that would mandate reforms in local policing .
Trump 's Justice Department has limited these investigations , the Biden camp said .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million increase in community policing initiatives .
`` There are many police departments across the country who are seeking to realize these kinds of changes , but have n't had the resources to -- and the Trump administration has in fact made obtaining those resources more difficult , '' campaign spokesman Bates said .
`` This is at the core of Joe Biden 's plan to bring transformative change to our criminal justice system . ''
Police departments around the country are announcing reforms , spurred by more than a week ofprotests and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A growing number of activists have called on municipalities to defund or cut budgets for police departments , diverting money to social services programs and some mayors are listening .
New York City Mayor Bill DeBlasio has agreed to have another look at the city 's $ 6 billion police budget , making cuts to fund social service programs .
In Los Angeles , Mayor Eric Garcetti vowed he would slash the city 's police budget up to $ 150 million to fund youth jobs , health initiatives and `` peace centers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Department announced new rules Sunday banning chokeholds during arrests and mandating that swat teams turn on body cameras .
Meanwhile , former President Barack Obama 's foundation has called for a mayor 's pledge to re-evaluate police use-of-force policies and submit them to community groups for comment within 90 days .
`` Together , we can work to redefine public safety so that it recognizes the humanity and dignity of every person , '' the group 's website said .

Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden visited Houston to meet with family members of George Floyd after more than a week of unrest. File photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
June 8 (UPI) -- As former U.S. Vice President Joe Biden met in Houston with family members before the funeral of George Floyd, his campaign tried to distance the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee from national movements to 'defund' local police departments. Biden and his wife, Jill, traveled to Houston on Monday to meet family members before the funeral of Floyd, who died in a police-involved incident in Minneapolis on May 25. Biden and campaign co-chair Rep. Cedric Richmond, D-La., met with Floyd's relatives. Advertisement
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump tweeted Monday that Democrats were out to "Defund and Abandon our Police."
"Sorry, I want LAW & ORDER!" Trump tweeted.
Biden's campaign spokesman said Monday the former vice president disagrees with a push to defund local police departments, even as the Minneapolis City Council pledged to "dismantle" the city's police force and replace it with a community policing model.
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"Vice President Biden does not believe that police should be defunded," Biden campaign spokesperson Andrew Bates said in a statement. "He hears and shares the deep grief and frustration of those calling out for change, and is driven to ensure that justice is done and that we put a stop to this terrible pain."
Biden reached out to Floyd's family, saying the 43-year-old wouldn't "just become another hashtag."
Biden's campaign has rolled out a criminal justice reform plan that, among other things, would beef up federal investigations of so-called pattern-or-practice incidences of systemic police misconduct, including consent decrees that would mandate reforms in local policing.
Trump's Justice Department has limited these investigations, the Biden camp said.
The plan also calls for a $300 million increase in community policing initiatives.
"There are many police departments across the country who are seeking to realize these kinds of changes, but haven't had the resources to -- and the Trump administration has in fact made obtaining those resources more difficult," campaign spokesman Bates said.
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"This is at the core of Joe Biden's plan to bring transformative change to our criminal justice system."
Police departments around the country are announcing reforms, spurred by more than a week ofprotests and looting in response to the Floyd death.
A growing number of activists have called on municipalities to defund or cut budgets for police departments, diverting money to social services programs and some mayors are listening.
New York City Mayor Bill DeBlasio has agreed to have another look at the city's $6 billion police budget, making cuts to fund social service programs. In Los Angeles, Mayor Eric Garcetti vowed he would slash the city's police budget up to$150 million to fund youth jobs, health initiatives and "peace centers."
In Denver, the Police Department announced new rules Sunday banning chokeholds during arrests and mandating that swat teams turn on body cameras.
Meanwhile, former President Barack Obama's foundation has called for a mayor's pledge to re-evaluate police use-of-force policies and submit them to community groups for comment within 90 days.
"Together, we can work to redefine public safety so that it recognizes the humanity and dignity of every person," the group's website said.


upi--2020-06-08--Watch: Wandering alligator wrangled in Walmart parking lot

June 8 ( UPI ) -- Authorities were summoned to a Walmart store in Florida where an alligator was spotted @ @ @ @ @ lot .
A witness captured video Sunday showing the alligator wandering the parking lot of @ @ @ @ @ Beach .
Authorities were summoned to the scene and wrangled the gator into a shopping @ @ @ @ @ of the reptile was unclear .
A Fort Myers woman had her own unusual alligator @ @ @ @ @ knock at her door turned out to be two gators fighting for territory on her @ @ @ @ @ said the alligators battled for about 20 minutes before leaving the area .

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June 8 (UPI) -- Authorities were summoned to a Walmart store in Florida where an alligator was spotted wandering loose in the parking lot.
A witness captured video Sunday showing the alligator wandering the parking lot of the Walmart in Fort Myers Beach.
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Authorities were summoned to the scene and wrangled the gator into a shopping cart. The ultimate fate of the reptile was unclear.
A Fort Myers woman had her own unusual alligator encounter last week when a knock at her door turned out to be two gators fighting for territory on her front stoop. Sue Geshel said the alligators battled for about 20 minutes before leaving the area.


upi--2020-06-08--Man buys eight identical tickets for same lottery drawing, wins $800,000

June 8 ( UPI ) -- A Virginia man collected an $ 800,000 jackpot thanks to his purchase of eight @ @ @ @ @ drawing .
Gary Pierpoint of Woodbridge told Virginia Lottery officials he occasionally buys multiple identical @ @ @ @ @ drawing in hope of hitting the jackpot and multiplying his prize .
The technique paid @ @ @ @ @ tickets Pierpoint purchase for the April 13 drawing at Mapledale BP gas station in Woodbridge @ @ @ @ @ numbers .
Pierpoint said his tickets bore the numbers 1-5-7-15-23 , which he said represent @ @ @ @ @ earned Pierpoint a $ 100,000 jackpot , for a total prize of $ 800,000 .

A Virginia man won $800,000 thanks to his purchase of eight identical tickets for the same Cash 5 lottery drawing. Photo courtesy of the Virginia Lottery
Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe June 8 (UPI) -- A Virginia man collected an $800,000 jackpot thanks to his purchase of eight identical tickets for the same drawing. Gary Pierpoint of Woodbridge told Virginia Lottery officials he occasionally buys multiple identical tickets for the Cash 5 drawing in hope of hitting the jackpot and multiplying his prize. Advertisement
The technique paid off big when the eight tickets Pierpoint purchase for the April 13 drawing at Mapledale BP gas station in Woodbridge all featured the five winning numbers.
Pierpoint said his tickets bore the numbers 1-5-7-15-23, which he said represent family birthdays.
Each ticket earned Pierpoint a $100,000 jackpot, for a total prize of $800,000.


upi--2020-06-08--Agency seeks hypersonic missile defense system proposals

June 8 ( UPI ) -- The U.S. Space Development Agency announced a search for contractors to develop technology to detect and track 3,100-mph hypersonic missiles .
The request for proposals , issued last week , calls for `` commercial services to launch and support its Tracking Phenomenology Experiment [ TPE ] , '' and represents the first step toward a system to defend against hypersonic missiles .
The package is the first part of SDA 's plans to deploy a constellation of low orbiting satellites to guard against hypersonic weapons , ballistic missiles capable of traveling five times the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The United States is developing it 's own hypersonic weapons through the Prompt Global Strike program , and it is believed that Russia and China have embarked on similar development programs as well .
The proposed defense system relies on sensors that can accurately recognize missile signals .
The system is expected to start with at least three satellites , and eventually grow to include five more .
Data will be collected `` so that we can really justify that we 've chosen the correct bands , that we understand some of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tournear said last week on a webcast .
The proposal 's requirements include pitches for program management , spacecraft bus fabrication , satellite integration , mission integration , shipment of satellite to launch site , launch site support , ground and flight system safety , satellite bus and OPIR [ Overhead Persistent Infrared ] payload data delivery , and performance assurance .
By 2022 or 2023 , a missile warning network with about 70 satellites is planned , according to the request for propals .
`` That will give us enough coverage in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have essentially regional persistence , '' said Tournear .
`` We 'll have to determine which areas of the globe we want to focus on .
That 's the first time we 'll have enough satellites up there to where we could actually fight a war with those satellites . ''

An early prototype of a hypersonic missile sits at Edwards Air Force Base in California. Photo courtesy of U.S. Air Force
June 8 (UPI) -- The U.S. Space Development Agency announced a search for contractors to develop technology to detect and track 3,100-mph hypersonic missiles. The request for proposals, issued last week, calls for "commercial services to launch and support its Tracking Phenomenology Experiment [TPE],"and represents the first step toward a system to defend against hypersonic missiles. Advertisement
The package is the first part of SDA's plans to deploy a constellation of low orbiting satellites to guard against hypersonic weapons, ballistic missiles capable of traveling five times the speed of sound, Space News reported.
The United States is developing it's own hypersonic weapons through the Prompt Global Strike program, and it is believed that Russia and China have embarked on similar development programs as well.
The proposed defense system relies on sensors that can accurately recognize missile signals. The system is expected to start with at least three satellites, and eventually grow to include five more.
Data will be collected "so that we can really justify that we've chosen the correct bands, that we understand some of the phenomenology," SDA Director Derek Tournear said last week on a webcast.
The proposal's requirements include pitches for program management, spacecraft bus fabrication, satellite integration, mission integration, shipment of satellite to launch site, launch site support, ground and flight system safety, satellite bus and OPIR [Overhead Persistent Infrared] payload data delivery, and performance assurance.
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By 2022 or 2023, a missile warning network with about 70 satellites is planned, according to the request for propals.
"That will give us enough coverage in low earth orbit so that we can have essentially regional persistence," said Tournear. "We'll have to determine which areas of the globe we want to focus on. That's the first time we'll have enough satellites up there to where we could actually fight a war with those satellites."


upi--2020-06-08--Boss fires Hartley Sawyer from 'The Flash' over racism, misogyny, homophobia

June 8 ( UPI ) -- Actor Hartley Sawyer 's boss has fired him from the superhero television show , The Flash , after racism , misogyny and homophobia in his tweets years ago came back to light .
Sawyer was fired after tweets with racist and misogynistic remarks , he posted years before joining the CW show , The Flash , resurfaced , Deadline reported .
Hartley was first cast in The Flash in July 2017 as Ralph Dibny , also known as the Elongated Man , a private investigator able to elongate his body to any form .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2012 and 2014 , have come back to light in the wake of ongoing protests after the death of unarmed black man , George Floyd , 46 , on May 25 , at the hands of a white police officer .
The Hollywood Reporter first reported the news , saying his tweets also included homophobic language .
Among the tweets Sawyer posted , was one in 2012 that read : `` The only thing keeping me from doing mildly racist tweets is the knowledge that Al Sharpton would never stop complaining about me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2014 , Sawyer wrote , `` Jingle bells , batman smells , women should n't vote . ''
In an Instagram post on May 30 , he apologized , saying `` I am incredibly sorry , ashamed and disappointed in myself for my ignorance back then . ''
`` I want to be very clear : this is not reflective of what I think or who I am now , '' he added .
A day earlier in another post , Sawyer acknowledged his white privilege .
`` I am white .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` For too long , I have not used my platform to advocate for POC .
I apologize to all my brothers and sisters . ''

Actor Hartley Sawyer has been fired from "The Flash" over tweets, including racist, misogynistic and homophobic comments. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
June 8 (UPI) -- Actor Hartley Sawyer's boss has fired him from the superhero television show, The Flash, after racism, misogyny and homophobia in his tweets years ago came back to light. Sawyer was fired after tweets with racist and misogynistic remarks, he posted years before joining the CW show, The Flash, resurfaced, Deadline reported. Hartley was first cast in The Flash in July 2017 as Ralph Dibny, also known as the Elongated Man, a private investigator able to elongate his body to any form. Advertisement
The tweets at issue, mainly from 2012 and 2014, have come back to light in the wake of ongoing protests after the death of unarmed black man, George Floyd, 46, on May 25, at the hands of a white police officer.
The Hollywood Reporter first reported the news, saying his tweets also included homophobic language.
Among the tweets Sawyer posted, was one in 2012 that read: "The only thing keeping me from doing mildly racist tweets is the knowledge that Al Sharpton would never stop complaining about me."
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In another tweet, in 2014, Sawyer wrote, "Jingle bells, batman smells, women shouldn't vote."
In an Instagram post on May 30, he apologized, saying "I am incredibly sorry, ashamed and disappointed in myself for my ignorance back then."
"I want to be very clear: this is not reflective of what I think or who I am now," he added.
A day earlier in another post, Sawyer acknowledged his white privilege.
"I am white. I have white privilege," he said. "For too long, I have not used my platform to advocate for POC. I apologize to all my brothers and sisters."


upi--2020-06-08--In photos: Mourners gather for George Floyd memorial services

The Rev .
Al Sharpton is set to deliver the eulogy at the funeral service on Tuesday .
He also @ @ @ @ @ in Minneapolis .
Photo by Jemal Countess/UPI

A horse-drawn carriage carries a golden casket containing the body of George Floyd to a cemetery in Pearland, Texas, to buried next to his mother on Tuesday. Photo by Trask Smith/UPI


upi--2020-06-08--Dow rises 435 points; U.S. stocks extend gains as trading closes Monday

June 8 ( UPI ) -- U.S. stocks began the week in positive territory on Wall Street Monday amid continued optimism surrounding economic recovery from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic .
The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed up 435.97 points , or 1.61 percent , while the S & P 500 grew 1.14 percent and the Nasdaq Composite increased 1.09 percent .
Stocks primed to benefit as states and cities throughout the country reopen businesses , such as airlines , retailers and cruise lines continued to drive the markets higher on Monday .
Stocks climbed despite a report by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the official U.S. gauge , that the domestic economy entered a recession in February .
Wall Street continues a streak of growth over the past three weeks that has coincided with progress in reopening state economies following weeks of closure due to the coronavirus pandemic .
On Friday , the Dow soared by more than 800 points after the Labor Department reported the U.S. economy added 2 1/2 million jobs in the month of May .
Experts had predicted as many as 8 million jobs lost for the month .
The expectation of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic have helped to drive the S & P 500 up 46 percent and the Dow up 50 percent after reaching lows on March 23 .

The Dow gained 435 points at the end of trading Monday, following Friday's climb of more than 800 points. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
June 8 (UPI) -- U.S. stocks began the week in positive territory on Wall Street Monday amid continued optimism surrounding economic recovery from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed up 435.97 points, or 1.61 percent, while the S&P 500 grew 1.14 percent and the Nasdaq Composite increased 1.09 percent. Advertisement
Stocks primed to benefit as states and cities throughout the country reopen businesses, such as airlines, retailers and cruise lines continued to drive the markets higher on Monday.
Carnival cruise line stock soared 15.81 percent, United Airlines gained 14.82 percent and Kohl's increased 8.47 percent.
Stocks climbed despite a report by the National Bureau of Economic Research, the official U.S. gauge, that the domestic economy entered a recession in February.
Wall Street continues a streak of growth over the past three weeks that has coincided with progress in reopening state economies following weeks of closure due to the coronavirus pandemic.
On Friday, the Dow soared by more than 800 points after the Labor Department reported the U.S. economy added 2 1/2 million jobs in the month of May. Experts had predicted as many as 8 million jobs lost for the month.
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The expectation of economic recovery following the effects of the pandemic have helped to drive the S&P 500 up 46 percent and the Dow up 50 percent after reaching lows on March 23.


upi--2020-06-08--Contraceptives can cause weight gain, study shows

Genetics may explain why some women gain weight when using a popular method of birth control , researchers say .
`` For years , women have said that birth control causes them to gain weight but many doctors failed to take them seriously , '' said lead study author Dr. Aaron Lazorwitz .
He 's assistant professor of obstetrics/gynecology and family planning at the University of Colorado School of Medicine , in Aurora .
`` Now we have looked at the genetics and found that the way genes interact with some hormones in birth control could help explain why some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Lazorwitz added in a university news release .
The etonogestrel contraceptive implant is inserted under the skin .
It contains etonogestrel , a kind of progestin that inhibits ovulation , and is considered among the most effective types of birth control .
For the study , the researchers reviewed the medical records of 276 women who received the implant .
They found these women had a median weight gain of about 7 pounds over an average of 27 months of use .
Nearly three-quarters of the women gained weight .
Further investigation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ variants in estrogen receptor 1 ( ESR1 ) among some of the women were associated with significant weight gain .
On average , women with two copies of the ESR1 rs9340799 variant gained over 30 pounds more while using the contraceptive implant than other women in the study .
Previous research has found links between ESR1 genetic variants and the workings of other types of medications , the study authors noted .
While this study focused on the etonogestrel contraceptive implant , other birth control drugs could have similar interactions with genes that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` It is imperative to better understand how individual genetic variation may influence a woman 's risk of adverse weight gain '' while using these medications , Lazorwitz said .
Currently , there is no way to identify who will gain weight when using such medications .
Health care providers can provide counseling about potential weight gain or suggest nonhormonal forms of birth control such as copper intrauterine devices ( IUDs ) , the study authors suggested .
`` As our understanding of pharmacogenomics in women 's health expands , we can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ incidence of hormone-related adverse effects , improve patient satisfaction , and help prevent future health risks associated with weight gain , '' Lazorwitz said .
The study was published recently in the journal Contraception .
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on contraception .

Genetics may explain why some women gain weight when using a popular method of birth control, researchers say.
"For years, women have said that birth control causes them to gain weight but many doctors failed to take them seriously," said lead study author Dr. Aaron Lazorwitz. He's assistant professor of obstetrics/gynecology and family planning at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, in Aurora.
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"Now we have looked at the genetics and found that the way genes interact with some hormones in birth control could help explain why some women gain more weight than others," Lazorwitz added in a university news release.
The etonogestrel contraceptive implant is inserted under the skin. It contains etonogestrel, a kind of progestin that inhibits ovulation, and is considered among the most effective types of birth control.
For the study, the researchers reviewed the medical records of 276 women who received the implant. They found these women had a median weight gain of about 7 pounds over an average of 27 months of use. Nearly three-quarters of the women gained weight.
Further investigation led the researchers to conclude that genetic variants in estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1) among some of the women were associated with significant weight gain.
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On average, women with two copies of the ESR1 rs9340799 variant gained over 30 pounds more while using the contraceptive implant than other women in the study.
Previous research has found links between ESR1 genetic variants and the workings of other types of medications, the study authors noted.
While this study focused on the etonogestrel contraceptive implant, other birth control drugs could have similar interactions with genes that cause weight gain, the researchers said.
"It is imperative to better understand how individual genetic variation may influence a woman's risk of adverse weight gain" while using these medications, Lazorwitz said.
Currently, there is no way to identify who will gain weight when using such medications. Health care providers can provide counseling about potential weight gain or suggest nonhormonal forms of birth control such as copper intrauterine devices (IUDs), the study authors suggested.
"As our understanding of pharmacogenomics in women's health expands, we can develop individualized counseling that may reduce the incidence of hormone-related adverse effects, improve patient satisfaction, and help prevent future health risks associated with weight gain," Lazorwitz said.
The study was published recently in the journal Contraception.
More information
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on contraception.
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Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-06-08--Household cats can catch COVID-19 from humans, CDC reports

June 8 ( UPI ) -- Cats can catch the new coronavirus from humans , according to a report released Monday by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
However , it remains unknown whether pets can pass the virus on to humans or other household animals , the agency said .
The findings are based on an analysis of confirmed cases of COVID-19 , the disease caused by the new coronavirus , SARS-CoV-2 , in cats in New York state .
Both cats lived in homes in which one person had a confirmed COVID-19 infection , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days after there owners had done so , and both have fully recovered , according to the report .
`` Close interactions between humans and pets create opportunities for zoonotic disease transmission , '' the authors of the report wrote , adding , `` Humans with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 should limit contact with pets . ''
Some 76 million domesticated cats live in the United States , according to the American Pet Product Association .
The two feline cases are the first known instances of the virus in companion animals in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ diagnosed with COVID-19 in Hong Kong in February , according to reports .
One of the cats in New York lived in a home in Nassau County , which borders on the New York City borough of Queens .
To date , the county has reported 41,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 , according to Johns Hopkins University .
The other was from update Orange County , which Johns Hopkins reports has less than 11,000 confirmed cases .
The county is about 50 miles from New York City , which so far has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United States , with more than 207,000 confirmed cases .
Both cats were tested for COVID-19 by veterinarians after showing symptoms of a respiratory infection , including coughing , sneezing , clear nasal and ocular discharge , loss of appetite and lethargy , the CDC said .
The infected cats were primarily indoor cats , although the pet from Nassau County did venture out occasionally , the report said .
The Orange County cat did not develop COVID-19 symptoms and remains healthy , the CDC said .
`` This evidence supports findings to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ substantial role in spreading SARS-CoV-2 , although human-to-animal transmission can occur in some situations , '' the CDC authors wrote .
`` Companion animals that test positive for SARS-CoV-2 should be monitored and separated from persons and other animals until they recover . ''

Cats can catch COVID-19 from humans, but whether they can spread the virus remains unknown. Photo by bogitw/Pixabay
June 8 (UPI) -- Cats can catch the new coronavirus from humans, according to a report released Monday by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However, it remains unknown whether pets can pass the virus on to humans or other household animals, the agency said. Advertisement
The findings are based on an analysis of confirmed cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, in cats in New York state.
Both cats lived in homes in which one person had a confirmed COVID-19 infection, the authors said. Both developed symptoms several days after there owners had done so, and both have fully recovered, according to the report.
"Close interactions between humans and pets create opportunities for zoonotic disease transmission," the authors of the report wrote, adding, "Humans with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 should limit contact with pets."
Some 76 million domesticated cats live in the United States, according to the American Pet Product Association.
The two feline cases are the first known instances of the virus in companion animals in the United States. A pet dog was diagnosed with COVID-19 in Hong Kong in February, according to reports.
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One of the cats in New York lived in a home in Nassau County, which borders on the New York City borough of Queens. To date, the county has reported 41,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19, according to Johns Hopkins University.
The other was from update Orange County, which Johns Hopkins reports has less than 11,000 confirmed cases. The county is about 50 miles from New York City, which so far has been the epicenter of the pandemic in the United States, with more than 207,000 confirmed cases.
Both cats were tested for COVID-19 by veterinarians after showing symptoms of a respiratory infection, including coughing, sneezing, clear nasal and ocular discharge, loss of appetite and lethargy, the CDC said.
The infected cats were primarily indoor cats, although the pet from Nassau County did venture out occasionally, the report said.
The Orange County cat did not develop COVID-19 symptoms and remains healthy, the CDC said.
"This evidence supports findings to date that animals do not play a substantial role in spreading SARS-CoV-2, although human-to-animal transmission can occur in some situations," the CDC authors wrote.
"Companion animals that test positive for SARS-CoV-2 should be monitored and separated from persons and other animals until they recover."


upi--2020-06-08--Watch: Beyonce, Obamas, Katy Perry celebrate grads during YouTube special

June 8 ( UPI ) -- Beyoncé , president Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama , and Katy Perry celebrated graduating seniors during a YouTube special .
The four took part in YouTube 's Dear Class of 2020 stream Sunday , along with Lady Gaga , BTS , Lizzo , Taylor Swift , Jennifer Lopez , Justin Timberlake , Mariah Carey , Dan Levy and the Schitt 's Creek cast , and other stars .
In a commencement speech , Beyoncé celebrated students ' resilience amid such challenges as the coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) pandemic and George Floyd @ @ @ @ @ @ @ black man , died May 25 in Minneapolis , Minn. , while being restrained by a police officer who knelt on his neck .
`` You have arrived here in the middle of a global crisis , a racial pandemic , and worldwide expression of outrage at the senseless killing of yet another unarmed black human being , and you still made it , '' Beyoncé said .
`` We 're so proud of you .
Thank you for using your collective voice and letting the world know that black lives matter , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ addressed `` prejudice and inequality '' in another speech .
She assured grads they are not alone as they struggle with the weight of current events .
`` So , if any of you are scared , or confused , or angry , or just plain overwhelmed by it all , if you feel like you 're searching for a lifeline just to steady yourself , you are not alone .
I am feeling all of that , too .
I think we all are , '' she said .
Obama encouraged grads @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they go forth in the world .
`` I hope that what you 're going through right now can be your wakeup call .
That it pushes you not just to think about what kind of career you want to build , but what kind of person you want to be , '' the former first lady said .
`` And that leads me to my second lesson .
In an uncertain world , time-tested values like honesty and integrity , empathy and compassion -- that 's the only real currency in life @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people right will never , ever fail you . ''
Perry concluded the special by leading graduates in a ceremonial tassel turn .
The singer , who is pregnant with her first child with Orlando Bloom , performed a medley of songs , including her new single `` Daisies . ''
Dear Class of 2020 was initially scheduled to stream Saturday but was postponed to Sunday out of respect for a memorial service for Floyd held Saturday in Raeford , N.C .

June 8 (UPI) -- Beyoncé, president Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama, and Katy Perry celebrated graduating seniors during a YouTube special.
The four took part in YouTube's Dear Class of 2020 stream Sunday, along with Lady Gaga, BTS, Lizzo, Taylor Swift, Jennifer Lopez, Justin Timberlake, Mariah Carey, Dan Levy and the Schitt's Creek cast, and other stars.
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In a commencement speech, Beyoncé celebrated students' resilience amid such challenges as the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and George Floyd's death. Floyd, a 46-year-old black man, died May 25 in Minneapolis, Minn., while being restrained by a police officer who knelt on his neck.
"You have arrived here in the middle of a global crisis, a racial pandemic, and worldwide expression of outrage at the senseless killing of yet another unarmed black human being, and you still made it," Beyoncé said.
"We're so proud of you. Thank you for using your collective voice and letting the world know that black lives matter," she added.
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Michelle Obama also addressed "prejudice and inequality" in another speech. She assured grads they are not alone as they struggle with the weight of current events.
"So, if any of you are scared, or confused, or angry, or just plain overwhelmed by it all, if you feel like you're searching for a lifeline just to steady yourself, you are not alone. I am feeling all of that, too. I think we all are," she said.
Obama encouraged grads to lead with integrity and empathy as they go forth in the world.
"I hope that what you're going through right now can be your wakeup call. That it pushes you not just to think about what kind of career you want to build, but what kind of person you want to be," the former first lady said.
"And that leads me to my second lesson. In an uncertain world, time-tested values like honesty and integrity, empathy and compassion -- that's the only real currency in life," she added. "Treating people right will never, ever fail you."
Perry concluded the special by leading graduates in a ceremonial tassel turn. The singer, who is pregnant with her first child with Orlando Bloom, performed a medley of songs, including her new single "Daisies."
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Dear Class of 2020 was initially scheduled to stream Saturday but was postponed to Sunday out of respect for a memorial service for Floyd held Saturday in Raeford, N.C.


upi--2020-06-08--In Photos: Moments from Beyonce's career

Destiny 's Child , left to right , Kelly Rowlands , Beyonce and Michelle Williams , perform for a near @ @ @ @ @ September 26 , 2001 .
The group said goodbye in 2005 , but continue to @ @ @ @ @ , including at Coachella and Super Bowl halftime .
Photo by H. Ruckemann/UPI

Destiny's Child, left to right, Kelly Rowlands, Beyonce and Michelle Williams, perform for a near capacity crowd in Vancouver on September 26, 2001. The group said goodbye in 2005, but continue to make appearances together with Beyonce, including at Coachella and Super Bowl halftime . Photo by H. Ruckemann/UPI