upi--2020-10-15--Experts testify online conspiracies 'dismantling democracy,' YouTube bans QAnon content

Oct. 15 ( UPI ) -- Experts testified before Congress Thursday that the spread of misinformation and conspiracy theories online has contributed to the `` dismantling of democracy '' as well as real-world violence .
During the House intelligence committee hearing , titled `` Misinformation , Conspiracy Theories , and 'Infodemics ' : Stopping the Spread Online , '' the panel explored the role social media platforms play in spreading such content , how foreign and domestic take advantage of misinformation online and what steps the U.S. government and private sector should take in response .
`` This is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Americans right now exercise their democratic rights it is critical the nation is informed about how disinformation might blunt their voice and their vote , '' said Wilson Center disinformation fellow Nina Jankowicz .
The panel , which Republican members of the committee declined to participate in , specifically expressed concern for exploring misinformation and conspiracy beliefs on social media and elsewhere on the Internet amid the COVID-19 pandemic and the nearing Nov. 3 election .
Following evidence of Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election , in part through various online misinformation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Alethea Group , warned that more countries have adopted similar tactics .
`` Perhaps inspired by Russian efforts , more countries than ever are using false information to advance both their domestic and foreign policy goals such as China and Iran , '' Otis said .
`` Many of these foreign actors are actively targeting political divisions in this country to manipulate and influence American citizens and to degrade America 's standing in the world and the credibility of our institutions . ''
Jankowicz further warned that lawmakers and social media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spread by domestic actors .
`` Not only have the U.S. government and social media platforms all but abdicated their responsibility to stop the threat of foreign disinformation , domestic disinformation now runs rampant , '' she said .
`` It is amplified in the media , online , in the halls of Congress and from the White House itself .
It does our adversaries work for them , leaving us vulnerable to continued manipulation and leaving our democracy imperiled . ''
Thursday 's hearing came as YouTube followed recent actions by Facebook @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conspiracy group QAnon , as well as broadening its hate and harassment policies to prohibit content featuring conspiracy theories that have been used to justify real-world violence .
The House also voted earlier this month to condemn QAnon , a conspiracy theory that claims the world elites maintain a `` Satanic child-murdering sex cult , '' that President Donald Trump is working to bring to justice .
Melanie Smith , head of analysis at Graphika Inc. , identified QAnon as `` the most pressing threat to trust in government , public institutions and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reason QAnon poses a threat is in its systematic undermining of facts and truths on topics of genuine concern , such as the integrity of elections , human trafficking and the global COVID-19 pandemic , '' she said .
Smith also sought to dispel a pair of misconceptions about QAnon including that it had been stoked or infiltrated by foreign actors and driven by bots or fake accounts , saying that it in reality `` does appear to be a homegrown movement that engages real users . ''
Trump himself has been flagged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ months for spreading misinformation , including a claim last weekend that he 's now `` immune '' from COVID-19 .
Trump spent several days in the hospital and under constant medical observation and took multiple drugs , including at least one that 's not yet been approved by federal regulators , after he was diagnosed with the coronavirus disease .
The panel called on social media platforms and the government to take greater steps to prevent the spread of conspiracy theories and misinformation online .
`` The leading social media platforms have all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ capabilities since 2016 , but they have not changed the foundational features of their platforms that expose users and even recommend to them often extreme sensational or emotionally charged content , '' said Rep. Adam Schiff , D-Calif. Dr. Joan Donovan , research director on at the Shorenstein Center on Media , Politics , and Public Policy at Harvard Kennedy School said she is `` very much in favor '' of establishing a new agency to regulate the impact of social media regulation and provide recommendations on how to do so .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a time when social media was not this harmful , sometimes its worth asking : 'What would it take to uninvent social media ? '
so that we can chart a course for the web we want .
A web that promotes safety , equity and democracy , '' she said .


upi--2020-10-15--USS Ronald Reagan carrier strike group returns to South China Sea

Oct. 15 ( UPI ) -- The aircraft carrier Ronald Reagan and its strike group returned to the South China Sea Thursday .
The carrier , which transited to the region for the third time in its current underway period , is joined by Carrier Air Wing 5 , the guided-missile cruiser Antietam and the guided-missile destroyers John S. McCain and Halsey .
It passed through the Strait of Malacca and entered the South China Sea on Monday .
The strike group was last in the South China Sea in August , but had recently operated in the Indian Ocean @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sea , the strike group is conducting maritime security operations , which include flight operations with fixed and rotary wing aircraft , maritime strike exercises , and coordinated tactical training between surface and air units , '' said a statement from U.S. 7th Fleet .
In recent months the United States and allied countries have continued to send ships to the region to signal that the waters should remain international , but the region has been contested .
`` Throughout our deployment , we continue our long tradition demonstrating the United States ' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seas and maintaining open access to the international commons , '' strike group commander Rear Adm. George Wikoff said in a statement .
Earlier this week CNN reported that Chinese President Xi Jinping told his troops to `` put all ( their ) minds and energy on preparing for war . ''

The Nimitz class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan, shown here in the Philippine Sea in May, entered the South China Sea this week. Photo by Samuel Hardgrove/U.S. Navy
Oct. 15 (UPI) -- The aircraft carrier Ronald Reagan and its strike group returned to the South China Sea Thursday. The carrier, which transited to the region for the third time in its current underway period, is joined by Carrier Air Wing 5, the guided-missile cruiser Antietam and the guided-missile destroyers John S. McCain and Halsey. Advertisement
It passed through the Strait of Malacca and entered the South China Sea on Monday.
The strike group was last in the South China Sea in August, but had recently operated in the Indian Ocean.
"While in the South China Sea, the strike group is conducting maritime security operations, which include flight operations with fixed and rotary wing aircraft, maritime strike exercises, and coordinated tactical training between surface and air units," said a statement from U.S. 7th Fleet.
In recent months the United States and allied countries have continued to send ships to the region to signal that the waters should remain international, but the region has been contested.
"Throughout our deployment, we continue our long tradition demonstrating the United States' commitment to the lawful use of the seas and maintaining open access to the international commons," strike group commander Rear Adm. George Wikoff said in a statement.
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Earlier this week CNN reported that Chinese President Xi Jinping told his troops to "put all (their) minds and energy on preparing for war."


upi--2020-10-15--Texas judge lifts Gov. Abbott's ballot drop-off location directive

Oct. 15 ( UPI ) -- A Travis County judge on Thursday ruled that Texas counties can have multiple drop-off locations for hand delivery of absentee ballots , overriding Gov .
Greg Abbott 's recent directive limiting counties to one drop-off location .
But it remains unclear if state District Judge Tim Sulak 's decision will lead to the reopening of ballot drop-off locations that were shut down in Harris and Travis counties after Abbott 's order .
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton , on behalf of Abbott and Texas Secretary of State Ruth Hughs , immediately filed an appeal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state 's 3rd Court of Appeals in Austin reviews it .
Sulak 's ruling is the latest turn in a handful of lawsuits in state and federal courts challenging Abbott 's Oct. 1 order , which shut down multiple ballot drop-off locations in Harris and Travis counties .
The Travis County lawsuit , filed by a Texas-based Anti-Defamation League , voting rights advocacy group and a voter , is similar to several federal lawsuits .
On Monday , a federal appeals court upheld the Republican governor 's order under federal law , overturning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Travis County decision , however , applies to potential violations of state law .
The state court challenge argues that the governor does n't have authority under state law to limit absentee ballot hand delivery locations and that his order violates voters ' equal protection rights under the state constitution .
`` The limitation to a single drop-off location for mail ballots would likely needlessly and unreasonably increase risks of exposure to COVID-19 infections , and needlessly and unreasonably substantially burden potential voters ' constitutionally protected rights to vote , as a consequence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other things , '' Sulak wrote .
Acting on concerns of voter safety during a pandemic , Abbott in July lengthened the early voting period and extended the time voters have to deliver completed absentee ballots in person to county clerk offices .
But after large Democratic counties , including Harris and Travis , established several sites where voters could deliver their ballots , Abbott issued an order that limited such drop-off locations to one per county .
Before the governor 's Oct. 1 order , Travis County had four drop-off locations for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ County had a dozen in place .
To drop off a mail-in ballot in person at any location , voters must present an approved form of identification to the poll worker , and voters may not turn in any one else 's ballot .
While a spokesperson for the governor did not answer questions on how allowing multiple locations for ballot delivery might lead to fraud , according to a filing by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton , it had become clear that counties including Harris , Travis and Fort Bend , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mail-in-ballot delivery locations , would n't provide `` adequate election security , including poll watchers . ''
These `` inconsistencies , '' he said , `` introduced a risk to ballot integrity , such as by increasing the possibility of ballot harvesting . ''
The governor 's limiting order was quickly challenged by multiple voting right groups in federal court and in Travis County .
And three Democratic chairs of high-profile congressional committees called the move an apparent `` last-ditch effort to suppress Texans ' ability to vote . ''
Abbott 's order @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federal appellate court .
Max Feldman , council at the Brennan Center for Justice , which is representing the ADL and other plaintiffs in the lawsuit , said Thursday that though some of their arguments are the same as those that lost in federal court , state courts can uphold different rulings based on state law .
`` While there are similarities in terms of the scope of the rights , the federal courts ' view of the federal constitution does not control the state courts ' resolution of these issues under the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Disclosure : The Texas secretary of state has been a financial supporter of The Texas Tribune , a non-profit , non-partisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members , foundations and corporate sponsors .
Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune 's journalism .
Find a complete list of them here .
This article originally appeared in The Texas Tribune .
Read the original here .
The Texas Tribune is a non-profit , non-partisan media organization that informs Texans -- and engages with them -- about public policy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed an appeal, putting the judge's ruling on hold. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 15 (UPI) -- A Travis County judge on Thursday ruled that Texas counties can have multiple drop-off locations for hand delivery of absentee ballots, overriding Gov. Greg Abbott's recent directive limiting counties to one drop-off location. But it remains unclear if state District Judge Tim Sulak's decision will lead to the reopening of ballot drop-off locations that were shut down in Harris and Travis counties after Abbott's order. Advertisement
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, on behalf of Abbott and Texas Secretary of State Ruth Hughs, immediately filed an appeal that paused Sulak's decision until the state's 3rd Court of Appeals in Austin reviews it.
Sulak's ruling is the latest turn in a handful of lawsuits in state and federal courts challenging Abbott's Oct. 1 order, which shut down multiple ballot drop-off locations in Harris and Travis counties.
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The Travis County lawsuit, filed by a Texas-based Anti-Defamation League, voting rights advocacy group and a voter, is similar to several federal lawsuits. On Monday, a federal appeals court upheld the Republican governor's order under federal law, overturning a lower court's ruling. The Travis County decision, however, applies to potential violations of state law.
The state court challenge argues that the governor doesn't have authority under state law to limit absentee ballot hand delivery locations and that his order violates voters' equal protection rights under the state constitution.
"The limitation to a single drop-off location for mail ballots would likely needlessly and unreasonably increase risks of exposure to COVID-19 infections, and needlessly and unreasonably substantially burden potential voters' constitutionally protected rights to vote, as a consequence of increased travel and delays, among other things," Sulak wrote.
Acting on concerns of voter safety during a pandemic, Abbott in July lengthened the early voting period and extended the time voters have to deliver completed absentee ballots in person to county clerk offices. But after large Democratic counties, including Harris and Travis, established several sites where voters could deliver their ballots, Abbott issued an order that limited such drop-off locations to one per county.
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Before the governor's Oct. 1 order, Travis County had four drop-off locations for hand delivery of mail-in ballots and Harris County had a dozen in place. To drop off a mail-in ballot in person at any location, voters must present an approved form of identification to the poll worker, and voters may not turn in any one else's ballot.
While a spokesperson for the governor did not answer questions on how allowing multiple locations for ballot delivery might lead to fraud, according to a filing by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, it had become clear that counties including Harris, Travis and Fort Bend, which had recently announced plans to open multiple mail-in-ballot delivery locations, wouldn't provide "adequate election security, including poll watchers." These "inconsistencies," he said, "introduced a risk to ballot integrity, such as by increasing the possibility of ballot harvesting."
The governor's limiting order was quickly challenged by multiple voting right groups in federal court and in Travis County. And three Democratic chairs of high-profile congressional committees called the move an apparent "last-ditch effort to suppress Texans' ability to vote."
Abbott's order, however, has been upheld in federal appellate court. Max Feldman, council at the Brennan Center for Justice, which is representing the ADL and other plaintiffs in the lawsuit, said Thursday that though some of their arguments are the same as those that lost in federal court, state courts can uphold different rulings based on state law.
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"While there are similarities in terms of the scope of the rights, the federal courts' view of the federal constitution does not control the state courts' resolution of these issues under the state constitution," he said.
Disclosure: The Texas secretary of state has been a financial supporter of The Texas Tribune, a non-profit, non-partisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune's journalism. Find a complete list of them here.
This article originally appeared in The Texas Tribune. Read the original here. The Texas Tribune is a non-profit, non-partisan media organization that informs Texans -- and engages with them -- about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues.


upi--2020-10-15--Indiana grandfather pleads guilty in toddler's cruise ship death, won't serve time

Oct. 15 ( UPI ) -- An Indiana man whose granddaughter fell to her death on a cruise ship last year pleaded guilty Thursday to negligent homicide .
Salvatore Anello initially pleaded not guilty in the case in which his 18-month-old granddaughter , Chloe Wiegand , died on the Royal Caribbean 's Freedom of the Seas ship in July 2019 .
Anello 's lawyer , Michael Winkleman , said his client changed his plea to put an end to the ongoing case .
He said Anello wo n't serve any prison time in Puerto Rico , where the incident occurred @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` incredibly difficult '' for the family .
`` But because the plea agreement includes no jail time and no admission of facts , it was decided the plea deal is in the best interests of the family so that they can close this horrible chapter and turn their focus to mourning Chloe and fighting for cruise passenger safety by raising awareness about the need for all common carriers to adhere to window fall prevention laws designed to protect children from falling from windows , '' he said .
Chloe died while the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Anello picked up the girl to let her see through the cruise ship window .
Her family said she enjoyed looking through and banging on the glass at her brother 's hockey games back home .
Security video showed the girl running along a bank of windows with Anello trailing her in the moments before she fell .
Anello said he did n't realize the window was open , and when Chloe leaned forward to bang on the glass , she slipped from his grasp and fell to the deck 150 feet below @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said the family did n't support criminal action against Anello for what happened .
In December , the family sued Royal Caribbean , blaming the company for failing to comply with safety codes by not installing a warning sign or safety devices on the open window on the 11th floor of the ship .

The family has sued Royal Caribbean for not installing barriers or placing signs at open windows on its ships. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 15 (UPI) -- An Indiana man whose granddaughter fell to her death on a cruise ship last year pleaded guilty Thursday to negligent homicide. Salvatore Anello initially pleaded not guilty in the case in which his 18-month-old granddaughter, Chloe Wiegand, died on the Royal Caribbean's Freedom of the Seas ship in July 2019. Advertisement
Anello's lawyer, Michael Winkleman, said his client changed his plea to put an end to the ongoing case. He said Anello won't serve any prison time in Puerto Rico, where the incident occurred.
Winkleman said the case has been "incredibly difficult" for the family.
"But because the plea agreement includes no jail time and no admission of facts, it was decided the plea deal is in the best interests of the family so that they can close this horrible chapter and turn their focus to mourning Chloe and fighting for cruise passenger safety by raising awareness about the need for all common carriers to adhere to window fall prevention laws designed to protect children from falling from windows," he said.
Chloe died while the ship was docked in Puerto Rico. Anello picked up the girl to let her see through the cruise ship window. Her family said she enjoyed looking through and banging on the glass at her brother's hockey games back home.
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Security video showed the girl running along a bank of windows with Anello trailing her in the moments before she fell.
Anello said he didn't realize the window was open, and when Chloe leaned forward to bang on the glass, she slipped from his grasp and fell to the deck 150 feet below.
Chloe's mother, Kim Wiegand, said the family didn't support criminal action against Anello for what happened.
In December, the family sued Royal Caribbean, blaming the company for failing to comply with safety codes by not installing a warning sign or safety devices on the open window on the 11th floor of the ship.


upi--2020-10-15--ESPN Atlanta Falcons reporter Vaughn McClure dies at 48

Oct. 15 ( UPI ) -- ESPN reporter Vaughn McClure , who covered the Atlanta Falcons , died this week at his home near Atlanta , the network announced Thursday .
He was 48 .
McClure joined ESPN in 2013 to cover the NFL and eventually took over the Falcons beat as part of NFL Nation .
He covered the team during its run to Super Bowl LI in 2017 , and he also contributed to ESPN 's radio and television coverage of the franchise and the league .
The cause of his death was not released .
`` We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , senior deputy editor for digital NFL coverage at ESPN , said in a statement Thursday .
`` He had a heart of gold .
He was so helpful to our reporters .
In the last few hours , we 've heard so many stories about how Vaughn had helped them with a story or how he put in a good word for them with a coach or player . ''
Falcons president Rich McKay released a statement following the news of McClure 's death , saying he was an `` earnest , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his craft . ''
`` We are saddened to learn of the passing of ESPN 's Vaughn McClure , '' McKay said .
`` He was an earnest , thoughtful reporter who had a passion for his craft and the relationships he held .
He will be missed dearly and we are holding his family , friends and associates in our thoughts and prayers . ''
McClure started working at ESPN after covering the Bears for the Chicago Tribune for six seasons .
He also covered the Bulls in the postseason for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Chicago Sun-Times .

Oct. 15 (UPI) -- ESPN reporter Vaughn McClure, who covered the Atlanta Falcons, died this week at his home near Atlanta, the network announced Thursday. He was 48.
McClure joined ESPN in 2013 to cover the NFL and eventually took over the Falcons beat as part of NFL Nation. He covered the team during its run to Super Bowl LI in 2017, and he also contributed to ESPN's radio and television coverage of the franchise and the league.
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The cause of his death was not released.
"We all loved Vaughn," John Pluym, senior deputy editor for digital NFL coverage at ESPN, said in a statement Thursday. "He had a heart of gold. He was so helpful to our reporters. In the last few hours, we've heard so many stories about how Vaughn had helped them with a story or how he put in a good word for them with a coach or player."
Falcons president Rich McKay released a statement following the news of McClure's death, saying he was an "earnest, thoughtful reporter who had a passion for his craft."
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"We are saddened to learn of the passing of ESPN's Vaughn McClure," McKay said. "He was an earnest, thoughtful reporter who had a passion for his craft and the relationships he held. He will be missed dearly and we are holding his family, friends and associates in our thoughts and prayers."
Today I was very saddened to hear about the passing of my dear friend Vaughn McClure. We became fast friends when he was covering the Bears. He had a big heart and was one of the nicest guys you will ever meet. You will be missed. RIP HOMIE pic.twitter.com/dzh9v9RIey— Brian Urlacher (@BUrlacher54) October 15, 2020
McClure started working at ESPN after covering the Bears for the Chicago Tribune for six seasons. He also covered the Bulls in the postseason for the newspaper and covered Notre Dame football for the Chicago Sun-Times.
McClure, a Chicago native, graduated from Northern Illinois University in 1994.
Notable deaths of 2020


upi--2020-10-15--Pentagon awards $197M to Microsoft, Intel, others for microelectronics

Oct. 15 ( UPI ) -- The Pentagon announced Thursday that it has awarded more than $ 197 million in contracts for microelectronics development .
`` The microelectronics industry is at the root of our nation 's economic strength , national security , and technological standing .
Today 's awards support the Department 's mission to promote microelectronics supply chain security and accelerate U.S. development of the very best in circuit design , manufacturing , and packaging .
It 's critical for the DOD and American industry to work together in meaningful partnerships to ensure the United States leads the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' said Michael Kratsios , Acting Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering , in a Defense Department press release .
The funding will be used to support artificial intelligence , 5G communications , quantum computing and autonomous vehicles and will be distributed through two different programs .
The first is the Rapid Assured Microelectronics Prototypes ( RAMP ) using Advanced Commercial Capabilities Project Phase 1 Other Transaction Award , which total $ 24.5 million and will be awarded to Microsoft and IBM to develop commercial microelectronics ' `` back-end '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ second program , the State-of-the-Art Heterogeneous Integration Prototype ( SHIP ) Program Phase 2 Other Transaction Award , totals $ 172.7 million , which will be awarded to Intel Federal and Qorvo .
The Phase 2 funds will be used to develop a newer approach toward measurably secure , heterogeneous integration and test of advanced packaging solutions .
In its press release the Pentagon described the awards as `` a departure from the previous model of security that severely limited our ability to work with leading-edge firms , and demonstrates the Department 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In August , Ellen Lord , the Pentagon 's undersecretary for acquisition and sustainment , said the U.S. government must entice companies to do more microelectronics manufacturing in the United States .
She said the fact that most microelectronics are manufactured overseas presents a security risk , since officials could not be certain `` backdoors , malicious code or data exfiltration commands '' are n't embedded in the products ' code .

Ellen M. Lord, undersecretary of defense for acquisition and sustainment, participates in a fireside chat at the Pentagon in August. Photo by Lisa Ferdinando/Department of Defense
Oct. 15 (UPI) -- The Pentagon announced Thursday that it has awarded more than $197 million in contracts for microelectronics development. "The microelectronics industry is at the root of our nation's economic strength, national security, and technological standing. Today's awards support the Department's mission to promote microelectronics supply chain security and accelerate U.S. development of the very best in circuit design, manufacturing, and packaging. It's critical for the DOD and American industry to work together in meaningful partnerships to ensure the United States leads the world in microelectronics far into the future," said Michael Kratsios, Acting Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, in a Defense Department press release. Advertisement
The funding will be used to support artificial intelligence, 5G communications, quantum computing and autonomous vehicles and will be distributed through two different programs.
The first is the Rapid Assured Microelectronics Prototypes (RAMP) using Advanced Commercial Capabilities Project Phase 1 Other Transaction Award, which total $24.5 million and will be awarded to Microsoft and IBM to develop commercial microelectronics' "back-end" design methods with measurable security.
The second program, the State-of-the-Art Heterogeneous Integration Prototype (SHIP) Program Phase 2 Other Transaction Award, totals $172.7 million, which will be awarded to Intel Federal and Qorvo.
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The Phase 2 funds will be used to develop a newer approach toward measurably secure, heterogeneous integration and test of advanced packaging solutions.
In its press release the Pentagon described the awards as "a departure from the previous model of security that severely limited our ability to work with leading-edge firms, and demonstrates the Department's forward-looking approach to promoting security."
In August, Ellen Lord, the Pentagon's undersecretary for acquisition and sustainment, said the U.S. government must entice companies to do more microelectronics manufacturing in the United States.
She said the fact that most microelectronics are manufactured overseas presents a security risk, since officials could not be certain "backdoors, malicious code or data exfiltration commands" aren't embedded in the products' code.


upi--2020-10-15--Jerry Sandusky's lawyer alleges illegal collusion in 2012 child sex abuse case

Oct. 15 ( UPI ) -- Lawyers for Jerry Sandusky , the former Pennsylvania State University assistant football coach who was convicted for sexually abusing children , argued in court that the grand jury and attorney general 's office colluded during his 2012 trial .
During a virtual court hearing Wednesday , Sandusky 's legal team said a diary kept by an FBI agent working with the Freeh group , which Penn State hired to investigate the case , contains evidence of collusion with prosecutors on the case .
Sandusky 's attorney , Al Lindsay , said the diary , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' on Nov. 4 , `` pinpointed several leaks '' related to the trial .
Lindsay said the diary specifically included communications regarding the timing of the trial , which he said had an impact on the verdict .
`` One of the disturbing aspects of the diary ... is how this trial was rushed , '' he said .
Sandusky was convicted in 2012 for sexually abusing 10 boys and was sentenced to 30 years to 60 years in prison on 45 counts , which was upheld in November by a Forest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sentence was unconstitutional .
Pennsylvania Superior Court Judge Mary Jane Bowes questioned why Lindsay did not present the diary prior to the resentencing hearing , to which he responded : `` The commonwealth would have said , 'So what ? '
'' Attorney Jennifer Buck , representing the commonwealth , said the Freeh investigative team did not exist until after Sandusky was convicted , making collusion impossible and that the alleged communication between the groups did not signal improper collaboration .

Jerry Sandusky's legal team alleged collusion between the grand jury and the attorney general's office during the former Penn State assistant football coach's 2012 child sex abuse trial. File Photo by George M Powers/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 15 (UPI) -- Lawyers for Jerry Sandusky, the former Pennsylvania State University assistant football coach who was convicted for sexually abusing children, argued in court that the grand jury and attorney general's office colluded during his 2012 trial. During a virtual court hearing Wednesday, Sandusky's legal team said a diary kept by an FBI agent working with the Freeh group, which Penn State hired to investigate the case, contains evidence of collusion with prosecutors on the case. Advertisement
Sandusky's attorney, Al Lindsay, said the diary, which he obtained from "a source" on Nov. 4, "pinpointed several leaks" related to the trial.
Lindsay said the diary specifically included communications regarding the timing of the trial, which he said had an impact on the verdict.
"One of the disturbing aspects of the diary ... is how this trial was rushed," he said.
Sandusky was convicted in 2012 for sexually abusing 10 boys and was sentenced to 30 years to 60 years in prison on 45 counts, which was upheld in November by a Forest County judge after a challenge stating the sentence was unconstitutional.
Pennsylvania Superior Court Judge Mary Jane Bowes questioned why Lindsay did not present the diary prior to the resentencing hearing, to which he responded: "The commonwealth would have said, 'So what?'"
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Attorney Jennifer Buck, representing the commonwealth, said the Freeh investigative team did not exist until after Sandusky was convicted, making collusion impossible and that the alleged communication between the groups did not signal improper collaboration.
"It's purely speculation," Buck said.


upi--2020-10-15--Study: CBD users tout medical benefits on social media amid lack of scientific evidence

Oct. 15 ( UPI ) -- Use of cannabidiol , or CBD , has skyrocketed in recent years as it has been promoted for a range of medical conditions from autism to arthritis , and testimonials on social media reflect that the marketing is working .
Researchers at the University of California , San Diego , found that roughly 90 % of CBD users in the Reddit community r/CBD tout the drug as an effective treatment , but they note in an analysis published Thursday by JAMA Network Open there is a lack of scientific evidence supporting the claims .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ for mental health conditions such as autism and depression -- in 65 % of posts -- as well as orthopedic ailments such as arthritis , muscle cramps and musculoskeletal pain -- in 26 % of posts -- the data showed .
The community also included testimonials for the drug as a sleep aid -- 15 % of posts -- and as a treatment for neurological conditions such as epilepsy and migraine -- in 7 % of posts -- the researchers said .
Based on these findings , the U.S. Food and Drug Administration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CBD marketplace that has misled the public into believing that CBD is real medicine , '' study co-author John W. Ayers told UPI .
`` Turn on a radio , watch television or log onto social media you 'll be bombarded by messages claiming that CBD is a cure-all , '' said Ayers , a researcher in the department of medicine at the University of California , San Diego .
`` These marketing practices violate public health principles to protect the public from misinformation , '' he said .
A similar analysis of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in July by the journal Substance Use and Misuse , found that 92 % of posts mentioning CBD cited benefits of the drug for anxiety , depression and pain .
Both the FDA and the Federal Trade Commission have regulations that prohibit manufacturers of CBD products from marketing them for specific medical purposes .
However , the companies ' paid influencers on social media can still share their personal experiences with these products .
Since the mid-1990s , 33 states across the country have legalized `` medical marijuana , '' allowing for use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prescription , according to ProCon.org .
The remaining 17 states have all passed legislation clearing the way for the use of CBD , a chemical component of hemp and marijuana plants that does not cause a `` high , '' for medical purposes , ProCon.org indicates .
However , the FDA does not currently recommend the drug for most medical conditions , having only approved its use specifically for a rare form of childhood epilepsy , according to Ayers .
For their research , he and his colleagues collected a random sample of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
About 340 of the posts included claims that CBD was being used to treat a variety of medical conditions , the researchers said .
Posters made statements such as `` after using CBD for 2 months , my autism symptoms have improved '' or , `` Yesterday after taking CBD I went for a hike , [ and my back pain ] just was n't there at all . ''
Despite these testimonials , there are few peer-reviewed studies supporting the safety and effectiveness of CBD in these and other medical conditions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been studies suggesting that CBD can help treat chronic pain conditions such as some forms of arthritis , although many of these studies have been performed in animals .
In addition , recent research in humans indicates the drug has similar properties to FDA-approved anti-psychotic prescription medications in the treatment of mental health disorders , including anxiety and depression .
However , most of these studies acknowledge that more research is needed .
`` CBD is not real medicine , [ and ] using over-the-counter CBD to treat any medical condition ... @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Ayers said .
`` Most products advertised as CBD do not contain [ the drug ] ... and even if you happen to obtain CBD products that have n't been adulterated , CBD can interact with your other medications resulting in serious side effects , '' he said .

CBD users tout the drug as a treatment for a variety of medical conditions, despite a lack of scientific evidence, a new study has found. Photo by lovingimages/Pixabay
Oct. 15 (UPI) -- Use of cannabidiol, or CBD, has skyrocketed in recent years as it has been promoted for a range of medical conditions from autism to arthritis, and testimonials on social media reflect that the marketing is working. Researchers at the University of California, San Diego, found that roughly 90% of CBD users in the Reddit community r/CBD tout the drug as an effective treatment, but they note in an analysis published Thursday by JAMA Network Open there is a lack of scientific evidence supporting the claims. Advertisement
Users posting in the community recommended CBD for mental health conditions such as autism and depression -- in 65% of posts -- as well as orthopedic ailments such as arthritis, muscle cramps and musculoskeletal pain -- in 26% of posts -- the data showed.
The community also included testimonials for the drug as a sleep aid -- 15% of posts -- and as a treatment for neurological conditions such as epilepsy and migraine -- in 7% of posts -- the researchers said.
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Based on these findings, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration "should immediately crack down on the CBD marketplace that has misled the public into believing that CBD is real medicine," study co-author John W. Ayers told UPI.
"Turn on a radio, watch television or log onto social media you'll be bombarded by messages claiming that CBD is a cure-all," said Ayers, a researcher in the department of medicine at the University of California, San Diego.
"These marketing practices violate public health principles to protect the public from misinformation," he said.
A similar analysis of the social media platform Pinterest, published in July by the journal Substance Use and Misuse, found that 92% of posts mentioning CBD cited benefits of the drug for anxiety, depression and pain.
Both the FDA and the Federal Trade Commission have regulations that prohibit manufacturers of CBD products from marketing them for specific medical purposes.
However, the companies' paid influencers on social media can still share their personal experiences with these products.
Since the mid-1990s, 33 states across the country have legalized "medical marijuana," allowing for use of the drug with a doctor's prescription, according to ProCon.org.
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The remaining 17 states have all passed legislation clearing the way for the use of CBD, a chemical component of hemp and marijuana plants that does not cause a "high," for medical purposes, ProCon.org indicates.
However, the FDA does not currently recommend the drug for most medical conditions, having only approved its use specifically for a rare form of childhood epilepsy, according to Ayers.
For their research, he and his colleagues collected a random sample of 376 r/CBD Reddit posts listed as testimonials.
About 340 of the posts included claims that CBD was being used to treat a variety of medical conditions, the researchers said.
Posters made statements such as "after using CBD for 2 months, my autism symptoms have improved" or, "Yesterday after taking CBD I went for a hike, [and my back pain] just wasn't there at all."
Despite these testimonials, there are few peer-reviewed studies supporting the safety and effectiveness of CBD in these and other medical conditions, according to the researchers.
There have been studies suggesting that CBD can help treat chronic pain conditions such as some forms of arthritis, although many of these studies have been performed in animals.
In addition, recent research in humans indicates the drug has similar properties to FDA-approved anti-psychotic prescription medications in the treatment of mental health disorders, including anxiety and depression.
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However, most of these studies acknowledge that more research is needed.
"CBD is not real medicine, [and] using over-the-counter CBD to treat any medical condition ... will only prolong or exacerbate your illness," Ayers said.
"Most products advertised as CBD do not contain [the drug] ... and even if you happen to obtain CBD products that haven't been adulterated, CBD can interact with your other medications resulting in serious side effects," he said.


upi--2020-10-15--Major U.S. indexes fall for third consecutive day, Dow avoids 300-point drop

Oct. 15 ( UPI ) -- The Dow Jones Industrial Average reversed early losses to close Thursday with a slight decline as the broader markets fell amid increased COVID-19 concerns and rising jobless claims .
The blue-chip index closed the day down 19.8 points , or 0.069 % , after rallying back from a decline of more than 300 points earlier in the day .
The S & P 500 also fell 0.15 % and the Nasdaq Composite dropped 0.47 % .
Thursday 's decline marked the third consecutive day of losses for the three major U.S. averages , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ month .
Markets reacted to the United States reporting its most COVID-19 cases in two months , along with a spike in cases in Europe .
Additionally , the Labor Department reported that another 900,000 American workers filed new unemployment claims .
Tech stocks saw losses as Facebook fell 1.88 % , Amazon dropped 0.75 % , Microsoft declined 0.54 % , Alphabet lost 0.51 % and Apple slid 0.4 % .
Gains in energy and bank stocks helped to offset tech losses as Exxon Mobil stock gained 0.85 % and Chevron grew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increased 1.49 % and Citigroup grew 1.3 % .
Morgan Stanley stock also climbed 1.36 % after reporting third-quarter profit of $ 1.66 per share , surpassing analyst estimates of $ 1.28 .
Walgreens stock shot up 4.8 % as the company exceeded its expected fourth-quarter profit due to increased sales at U.S. pharmacies .

The Dow Jones closed the day down 19 points Thursday after rebounding from a 300 point loss as the broader market fell for the third consecutive day. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 15 (UPI) -- The Dow Jones Industrial Average reversed early losses to close Thursday with a slight decline as the broader markets fell amid increased COVID-19 concerns and rising jobless claims. The blue-chip index closed the day down 19.8 points, or 0.069%, after rallying back from a decline of more than 300 points earlier in the day. The S&P 500 also fell 0.15% and the Nasdaq Composite dropped 0.47%. Advertisement
Thursday's decline marked the third consecutive day of losses for the three major U.S. averages, the longest losing streak in more than a month.
Markets reacted to the United States reporting its most COVID-19 cases in two months, along with a spike in cases in Europe.
Additionally, the Labor Department reported that another 900,000 American workers filed new unemployment claims.
Tech stocks saw losses as Facebook fell 1.88%, Amazon dropped 0.75%, Microsoft declined 0.54%, Alphabet lost 0.51% and Apple slid 0.4%.
Gains in energy and bank stocks helped to offset tech losses as Exxon Mobil stock gained 0.85% and Chevron grew 0.77%.
JPMorgan Chase stock also increased 1.49% and Citigroup grew 1.3%. Morgan Stanley stock also climbed 1.36% after reporting third-quarter profit of $1.66 per share, surpassing analyst estimates of $1.28.
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Walgreens stock shot up 4.8% as the company exceeded its expected fourth-quarter profit due to increased sales at U.S. pharmacies.


upi--2020-10-15--2,350-pound pumpkin, named 'The Tiger King,' wins contest

Oct. 15 ( UPI ) -- A 2,350-pound pumpkin called `` The Tiger King '' has been named the winning pumpkin in a competition .
Travis Gienger , of Minnesota , who grew the pumpkin , told CNN he felt honored to win after decided to enter the contest in Northern California since it 's known as the `` Super Bowl of Pumpkins . ''
He took home $ 16,450 in winnings for first prize in the pumpkin growing competition , or $ 7 per pound by the `` pay-by-the-pound '' system .
Gienger added that he named the winning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ King , because he noticed it might have striped coloring .
`` It was kind of funny deciding the name for this little , little pumpkin at the time , '' he said .
`` I noticed that it might be orange and white stripes and my brother goes .
'Oh it 's 2020 .
We should name him Tiger King . '
And I thought that 's great ! ''
`` The Tiger King '' also set a record for the heaviest grown pumpkin in North America this year , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off '' congratulated Gienger in a Facebook post , calling him `` this year 's Pumpkin King of Half Moon Bay ! ''
Gienger said that he drove 35 hours from Anoka , Minn. , to transport the gourd , which he planted on April 11 , to the contest in Half Moon Bay , Calif. , Monday .
He added that he took precautions to care for the pumpkin on the trip , including wrapping the pumpkin in wet blankets with air tarp over that , and watering it down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were wondering what we were hauling when we stopped at the gas station and we had to throw buckets of water on it , '' Gienger said .
`` It was kind of funny . ''
Since 1974 , growers have gathered every Columbus Day in Half Moon Bay to compete in the contest , according to the website .
The current world record pumpkin is 2,624 pounds .
Mathias Wilemijns of Belgium set the record on October 9 , 2016 at the Giant Pumpkin European Championship in Ludwigsburg , Germany .

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Travis Gienger of Anoka, Minn., polishes his pumpkin named Tiger King at the Championship Pumpkin Weigh-off in Half Moon Bay, Calif., on Monday. Photo by Terry Schmitt/UPI | License Photo
Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe Oct. 15 (UPI) -- A 2,350-pound pumpkin called "The Tiger King" has been named the winning pumpkin in a competition. Travis Gienger, of Minnesota, who grew the pumpkin, told CNN he felt honored to win after decided to enter the contest in Northern California since it's known as the "Super Bowl of Pumpkins." Advertisement
He took home $16,450 in winnings for first prize in the pumpkin growing competition, or $7 per pound by the "pay-by-the-pound" system.
Gienger added that he named the winning pumpkin after the Netflix series, Tiger King, because he noticed it might have striped coloring.
"It was kind of funny deciding the name for this little, little pumpkin at the time," he said. "I noticed that it might be orange and white stripes and my brother goes. 'Oh it's 2020. We should name him Tiger King.' And I thought that's great!"
"The Tiger King" also set a record for the heaviest grown pumpkin in North America this year, according to contest officials.
"The Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off" congratulated Gienger in a Facebook post, calling him "this year's Pumpkin King of Half Moon Bay!"
Gienger said that he drove 35 hours from Anoka, Minn., to transport the gourd, which he planted on April 11, to the contest in Half Moon Bay, Calif., Monday.
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He added that he took precautions to care for the pumpkin on the trip, including wrapping the pumpkin in wet blankets with air tarp over that, and watering it down at gas station stops.
"People were wondering what we were hauling when we stopped at the gas station and we had to throw buckets of water on it," Gienger said. "It was kind of funny."
Since 1974, growers have gathered every Columbus Day in Half Moon Bay to compete in the contest, according to the website.
The current world record pumpkin is 2,624 pounds. Mathias Wilemijns of Belgium set the record on October 9, 2016 at the Giant Pumpkin European Championship in Ludwigsburg, Germany.
Growers of giant pumpkins compete in California


upi--2020-10-15--Study: Marmoset monkeys self-domesticated, just like humans

Oct. 15 ( UPI ) -- New research suggests marmoset monkeys self-domesticated , just like humans , adopting physical changes to match their sociability .
According to scientists , it 's not a coincidence that dogs are cuter than wolves and goats at the petting zoo appear cuddlier than their relatives in the wild .
Those goats at the state fair do n't just act friendlier , they look the part , too -- with shorter horns and floppier ears .
The `` domestication syndrome '' theory suggests that as aggression is bred out of animal lineages , the animals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and snouts , curlier tails and paler fur , among other attributes .
Similarly , scientists have long theorized that humans self-selected for pro-social attributes .
By opting for less aggressive and more cooperative mates , humans , in essence , self-domesticated .
`` The evidence for this has been largely circumstantial , '' Asif Ghazanfar , a professor of psychology and neuroscience at Princeton University , said in a news release .
`` It 's really a popular and exciting idea but one that lacks direct evidence , a link between friendly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' In their quest to lend domestication syndrome some scientific legitimacy , researchers turned to the marmoset monkey , a highly social and cooperative species with physical attributes consistent with domestication syndrome .
Most prominently , marmosets sport a white tuft of hair on their forehead , a feature common among domesticated animals .
For the study , published Thursday in the journal Current Biology , researchers analyzed how often different marmosets participated in friendly vocal exchanges .
They found the friendliest marmosets sported the largest tufts of white hair .
To confirm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ marmoset infants with vocal feedback from a computer simulated parent .
For one twin , the simulation responded to 100 percent of the infant 's vocalizations , but for the other , the simulated parent responded to only 10 percent .
For nearly two months , researchers repeated the simulated engagement every other day for 40 minutes .
The infants still spent the vast majority of their time with their families .
The infants that received more engagement not only learned to speak faster , but also grew more white hair on their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ domestication syndrome may be closely linked with vocal development .
`` If you change the rate of the marmosets ' vocal development , then you change the rate of fur coloration , '' said Ghazanfar .
`` It 's both a fascinating and strange set of results ! ''

Researchers found marmoset monkeys that more often engage in friendly banter with their relatives and peers were also more likely to sport large tufts of white hair on their heads, a physical attribute associated with domestication. Photo by Rebecca Terrett and Lauren Kelly/Ghazanfar Lab/Princeton University
Oct. 15 (UPI) -- New research suggests marmoset monkeys self-domesticated, just like humans, adopting physical changes to match their sociability. According to scientists, it's not a coincidence that dogs are cuter than wolves and goats at the petting zoo appear cuddlier than their relatives in the wild. Those goats at the state fair don't just act friendlier, they look the part, too -- with shorter horns and floppier ears. Advertisement
The "domestication syndrome" theory suggests that as aggression is bred out of animal lineages, the animals make physical transformations, adopting shorter muzzles and snouts, curlier tails and paler fur, among other attributes.
Similarly, scientists have long theorized that humans self-selected for pro-social attributes. By opting for less aggressive and more cooperative mates, humans, in essence, self-domesticated.
"The evidence for this has been largely circumstantial," Asif Ghazanfar, a professor of psychology and neuroscience at Princeton University, said in a news release. "It's really a popular and exciting idea but one that lacks direct evidence, a link between friendly behavior and other features of domestication."
In their quest to lend domestication syndrome some scientific legitimacy, researchers turned to the marmoset monkey, a highly social and cooperative species with physical attributes consistent with domestication syndrome. Most prominently, marmosets sport a white tuft of hair on their forehead, a feature common among domesticated animals.
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For the study, published Thursday in the journal Current Biology, researchers analyzed how often different marmosets participated in friendly vocal exchanges. They found the friendliest marmosets sported the largest tufts of white hair.
To confirm the causal link, researchers engaged twin marmoset infants with vocal feedback from a computer simulated parent. For one twin, the simulation responded to 100 percent of the infant's vocalizations, but for the other, the simulated parent responded to only 10 percent.
For nearly two months, researchers repeated the simulated engagement every other day for 40 minutes. The infants still spent the vast majority of their time with their families.
The infants that received more engagement not only learned to speak faster, but also grew more white hair on their heads.
The experiment's results suggest domestication syndrome may be closely linked with vocal development.
"If you change the rate of the marmosets' vocal development, then you change the rate of fur coloration," said Ghazanfar. "It's both a fascinating and strange set of results!"


upi--2020-10-15--Huntington Ingalls delivers Montana sub to dry dock

Oct. 15 ( UPI ) -- Huntington Ingalls announced Thursday that it has transferred the Montana submarine to the floating dry dock at Newport News in advance of the vessel 's planned November launch .
Earlier this month , the vessel was transported out of Huntington Ingalls ' construction industry using a transfer car system , according to the shipbuilder .
`` Moving Montana to the floating dry dock is an important accomplishment for the 10,000 shipbuilders who , through the teaming agreement with General Dynamics Electric Boat , have collaborated to get us to where we are today , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ' vice president of Virginia-class submarine construction .
`` It signifies that the submarine is prepared to start the next and final stage of its construction before going to sea , '' Ward said .
The Montana is the Navy 's 21st Virginia-class attack submarine , and was christened by former Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell Sept. 12 in front of a virtual audience .
Construction of the 7,800-ton Virginia class sub began in 2015 and is nearly 85 % complete .
It was previously scheduled to be delivered to the Navy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now expects to deliver the vessel late next year .

The Virginia-class submarine Montana was moved to Huntington Ingalls' dry dock earlier this month. Photo courtesy of Huntington Ingalls
Oct. 15 (UPI) -- Huntington Ingalls announced Thursday that it has transferred the Montana submarine to the floating dry dock at Newport News in advance of the vessel's planned November launch. Earlier this month, the vessel was transported out of Huntington Ingalls' construction industry using a transfer car system, according to the shipbuilder. Advertisement
"Moving Montana to the floating dry dock is an important accomplishment for the 10,000 shipbuilders who, through the teaming agreement with General Dynamics Electric Boat, have collaborated to get us to where we are today," said Jason Ward, Newport News' vice president of Virginia-class submarine construction.
"It signifies that the submarine is prepared to start the next and final stage of its construction before going to sea," Ward said.
The Montana is the Navy's 21st Virginia-class attack submarine, and was christened by former Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell Sept. 12 in front of a virtual audience.
Construction of the 7,800-ton Virginia class sub began in 2015 and is nearly 85% complete.
It was previously scheduled to be delivered to the Navy in late 2020, but Huntington Ingalls now expects to deliver the vessel late next year.


upi--2020-10-15--Fla. firefighters treat man who fell ill in heat, finish mowing his lawn

Oct. 15 ( UPI ) -- Firefighters and paramedics in Florida finished mowing a man 's lawn after treating him for heat exhaustion he suffered while mowing it .
The Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue crew said they immediately treated the Army veteran and cooled him off .
Prince Pinkney , an Army veteran in his 80s was working on his yard Monday when he started feeling ill and his leg , which never fully recovered from a stroke years ago , gave out on him , WSVN reported .
The rescue crew arrived within minutes after a passerby , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wife , Rebecca , struggling to hold him up , called for help .
After they were treated , one of of the paramedics began to finish cutting their lawn , as cellphone video captured the moment .
Pinkney and his wife thanked the firefighters and paramedics and took a photo with them afterward .
The veteran served as a missile tech in Vietnam , and the first responders said they appreciated Pinkney 's service to the country .
`` Their story is amazing in itself , '' Fire Rescue Capt .
Terry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , what they 've gone through , his history as a veteran serving this country .
If that does n't move you to go ahead and do what you 're capable of , then nothing will . ''

A firefighter finishes mowing the lawn of Prince Pinkney, 83, who suffered heat exhaustion and received treatment from rescuers. Photo courtesy of Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue/ Facebook
Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe Oct. 15 (UPI) -- Firefighters and paramedics in Florida finished mowing a man's lawn after treating him for heat exhaustion he suffered while mowing it. The Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue crew said they immediately treated the Army veteran and cooled him off. Advertisement
Prince Pinkney, an Army veteran in his 80s was working on his yard Monday when he started feeling ill and his leg, which never fully recovered from a stroke years ago, gave out on him, WSVN reported.
The rescue crew arrived within minutes after a passerby, who saw Pinkney on the ground and his wife, Rebecca, struggling to hold him up, called for help.
After they were treated, one of of the paramedics began to finish cutting their lawn, as cellphone video captured the moment.
Pinkney and his wife thanked the firefighters and paramedics and took a photo with them afterward.
The veteran served as a missile tech in Vietnam, and the first responders said they appreciated Pinkney's service to the country.
"Their story is amazing in itself," Fire Rescue Capt. Terry Maylor told WSVN. "Their age, what they've gone through, his history as a veteran serving this country. If that doesn't move you to go ahead and do what you're capable of, then nothing will."
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upi--2020-10-15--Citigroup exec Ray McGuire to run for NYC mayor

Oct. 15 ( UPI ) -- Citigroup executive Ray McGuire said Thursday he 's leaving the company and launching his bid to become New York City 's next mayor .
The 63-year-old Democrat is expected to be vocal on issues of business as well as police reform and the Black Lives Matter movement .
`` We 're in a war for the survival of this great city .
Without a doubt we can do this .
From the streets to the suites , '' McGuire told CNBC .
The Democratic primary is scheduled to take place in June , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ months to raise funds to make his case in a crowded Democratic field to replace outgoing Mayor Bill de Blasio .
Also running in the Democratic primary are Maya Wiley , de Blasio 's former counsel ; Shaun Donovan , former commissioner of the city 's Department of Housing Preservation and Development ; Scott Stringer , New York City comptroller ; Loree Sutton , commissioner of the city 's Department of Veterans ' Services ; and several other candidates .
Former presidential candidate Andrew Yang has even considered running .
McGuire said he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since January , with key figures in the business world pressuring him to run for even longer .
William Lewis Jr. , co-chairman of investment banking at Lazard , told The New York Times that McGuire understand 's New York City 's financial struggles .
`` We need someone who is going to walk into the room and say , 'Let me see the spread sheets , and let 's deal with the crisis at hand , '' he said .
`` We need somebody who is going to be able to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Washington and help us get more money .
We need somebody who 's going to say everyone needs to pay their fair share . ''
De Blasio 's last day in office will be in January 2021 .
He 's limited to two terms in office per New York City law .

Ray McGuire is facing a crowded Democratic primary for the New York City mayoral race. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 15 (UPI) -- Citigroup executive Ray McGuire said Thursday he's leaving the company and launching his bid to become New York City's next mayor. The 63-year-old Democrat is expected to be vocal on issues of business as well as police reform and the Black Lives Matter movement. Advertisement
"We're in a war for the survival of this great city. Without a doubt we can do this. From the streets to the suites," McGuire told CNBC.
The Democratic primary is scheduled to take place in June, which means he'll have a short eight months to raise funds to make his case in a crowded Democratic field to replace outgoing Mayor Bill de Blasio.
Also running in the Democratic primary are Maya Wiley, de Blasio's former counsel; Shaun Donovan, former commissioner of the city's Department of Housing Preservation and Development; Scott Stringer, New York City comptroller; Loree Sutton, commissioner of the city's Department of Veterans' Services; and several other candidates. Former presidential candidate Andrew Yang has even considered running.
McGuire said he's been privately discussing the mayoral run since January, with key figures in the business world pressuring him to run for even longer.
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William Lewis Jr., co-chairman of investment banking at Lazard, told The New York Times that McGuire understand's New York City's financial struggles.
"We need someone who is going to walk into the room and say, 'Let me see the spread sheets, and let's deal with the crisis at hand," he said.
"We need somebody who is going to be able to get their hands around this budget, talk to Washington and help us get more money. We need somebody who's going to say everyone needs to pay their fair share."
De Blasio's last day in office will be in January 2021. He's limited to two terms in office per New York City law.


upi--2020-10-15--At least 30 British sailors infected with COVID-19 after port visit to U.S.

Oct. 15 ( UPI ) -- More than 30 crew members on the British Royal Navy 's ballistic-missile submarine HMS Vigilant have tested positive for COVID-19 after a port visit to the United States , multiple sources reported this week .
A U.S. official who spoke to USNI News confirmed a report from the British publication The Sun that the crew of the submarine got sick after violating isolation rules while visiting the Navy Submarine Base at Kings Bay , Ga .
The sailors reportedly traveled to Cocoa Beach , Fla. , 200 miles away , and went to bars @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Florida both continue to report high rates of infection .
A U.S. Navy spokesman deferred questions on the matter to the Royal Navy , whose spokesman declined to comment , USNI said .
U.S. Navy officials have also not said whether any American sailors were affected by the outbreak .
The Vigilant is one of four British Vanguard-class submarines that serve as part of the Royal Navy 's nuclear deterrent force .
In 2017 , the crew of The Vigilant tested positive for drug use while in port at Kings Bay , after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rules .
British and U.S. submarines share a common stockpile of Trident II D5 missiles , which are stored at Kings Bay .

Royal Navy Vanguard Class submarine HMS Vigilant returning to HMNB Clyde after her extended deployment in 2014. Photo by Thomas McDonald/British Defense Ministry
Oct. 15 (UPI) -- More than 30 crew members on the British Royal Navy's ballistic-missile submarine HMS Vigilant have tested positive for COVID-19 after a port visit to the United States, multiple sources reported this week. A U.S. official who spoke to USNI News confirmed a report from the British publication The Sun that the crew of the submarine got sick after violating isolation rules while visiting the Navy Submarine Base at Kings Bay, Ga. Advertisement
The sailors reportedly traveled to Cocoa Beach, Fla., 200 miles away, and went to bars and strip clubs, although Georgia and Florida both continue to report high rates of infection.
A U.S. Navy spokesman deferred questions on the matter to the Royal Navy, whose spokesman declined to comment, USNI said.
U.S. Navy officials have also not said whether any American sailors were affected by the outbreak.
The Vigilant is one of four British Vanguard-class submarines that serve as part of the Royal Navy's nuclear deterrent force.
In 2017, the crew of The Vigilant tested positive for drug use while in port at Kings Bay, after they were found to have violated liberty rules.
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British and U.S. submarines share a common stockpile of Trident II D5 missiles, which are stored at Kings Bay.


upi--2020-10-15--DoD establishes hypersonics center at Naval Surface Warfare Center

Oct. 15 ( UPI ) -- The Pentagon established a Joint Hypersonics Transition Office Systems Engineering Field Activity at the Naval Surface Warfare Center in Crane , Ind.
, on Thursday .
Mark Lewis , acting deputy under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering , and JHTO director Gillian Bussey announced the opening in a virtual ribbon-cutting ceremony with Gov .
Eric Holcomb , according to the Department of Defense .
`` The JHTO and its Systems Engineering Field Activity present a signature opportunity for the Department , '' Lewis said .
`` Leveraging the capabilities at NSWC Crane @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hypersonic technologies , but we can also develop them affordably at the speed of relevance to our warfighters .
Proactive engineering for affordable upgrades is critical to the long-term sustainability of these systems . ''
NWSC Crane was recently awarded contracts to advance its hypersonics testing and verification capabilities -- including a $ 150 million award for an underwater launch test complex and a missile technology evaluation facility .
According to the Pentagon , more than 300 people are working to advance hypersonic technologies at NSWC Crane .
`` NSWC Crane has become @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ecosystem , '' said Rick Davidoff , acting director of the JHTO systems engineering field activity .
`` This exciting announcement is the culmination of the hard work and dedication of many people , '' Davidoff said .
`` The JHTO Field Activity at Crane will allow OSD to leverage earlier and ongoing investments at Crane to help all three Services improve their hypersonic weapons with more rapid , adaptable , and modular upgrades .
Indiana and the larger Midwest will have a long-term , critical role in this important national security mission @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ryan McCarthy said a U.S. hypersonic missile test struck within six inches of a target after traveling thousands of miles at Mach 5 or faster .
The Pentagon announcement follows Russia 's announcement last week of the successful test-firing of its Zircon hypersonic missile , which it said struck a target 300 miles away after traveling at over 6,100 mph .

Staff Sgt. Jacob Puente, 912th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, helps line up the AGM-183A Air-launched Rapid Response Weapon Instrumented Measurement Vehicle 2 as it is loaded under the wing of a B-52H Stratofortress at Edwards Air Force Base, California, in August. Photo by Giancarlo Casem/U.S. Air Force
Oct. 15 (UPI) -- The Pentagon established a Joint Hypersonics Transition Office Systems Engineering Field Activity at the Naval Surface Warfare Center in Crane, Ind., on Thursday. Mark Lewis, acting deputy under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, and JHTO director Gillian Bussey announced the opening in a virtual ribbon-cutting ceremony with Gov. Eric Holcomb, according to the Department of Defense. Advertisement
"The JHTO and its Systems Engineering Field Activity present a signature opportunity for the Department," Lewis said. "Leveraging the capabilities at NSWC Crane, we can not only develop effective hypersonic technologies, but we can also develop them affordably at the speed of relevance to our warfighters. Proactive engineering for affordable upgrades is critical to the long-term sustainability of these systems."
NWSC Crane was recently awarded contracts to advance its hypersonics testing and verification capabilities -- including a $150 million award for an underwater launch test complex and a missile technology evaluation facility.
According to the Pentagon, more than 300 people are working to advance hypersonic technologies at NSWC Crane.
"NSWC Crane has become a critical hub in the hypersonics development ecosystem," said Rick Davidoff, acting director of the JHTO systems engineering field activity.
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"This exciting announcement is the culmination of the hard work and dedication of many people," Davidoff said. "The JHTO Field Activity at Crane will allow OSD to leverage earlier and ongoing investments at Crane to help all three Services improve their hypersonic weapons with more rapid, adaptable, and modular upgrades. Indiana and the larger Midwest will have a long-term, critical role in this important national security mission."
Earlier this week Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy said a U.S. hypersonic missile test struck within six inches of a target after traveling thousands of miles at Mach 5 or faster.
The Pentagon announcement follows Russia's announcement last week of the successful test-firing of its Zircon hypersonic missile, which it said struck a target 300 miles away after traveling at over 6,100 mph.


upi--2020-10-15--Bringing the forest to kids' daycare may boost young immune systems

Want to give your kids an immune system boost ?
Try letting them play in the dirt more often , a new study suggests .
Researchers in Finland found that when they brought nature into daycare playgrounds -- including forest soil and vegetation -- preschoolers ' immune function showed a change for the better .
In simple terms , it shifted to a less inflammatory state .
That immune system redirect was also accompanied by some changes in the children 's microbiome -- the vast collection of bacteria and other microbes that naturally live on and in the body .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ vital in normal body processes -- from metabolism to brain function to immune system regulation .
It 's too early to know whether bringing the forest to urban playgrounds has real health benefits , experts said .
But the findings do argue for regular , messy outdoor time .
`` I highly recommend letting children play in the dirt , '' said senior researcher Aki Sinkkonen , of the Natural Resources Institute Finland , in Turku .
The study , published online Oct. 14 in Science Advances , grew from a body of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Many studies , for instance , have found that living on a farm -- especially during childhood -- is tied to a lower risk of allergies .
Meanwhile , the trappings of modern life -- from antibacterial soaps to processed foods to widespread antibiotic use -- are thought to reduce the diversity in the body 's microbial communities .
In general , researchers believe , the greater the diversity in the microbiome , the better .
Sinkkonen 's team decided to test the notion that adding `` biodiversity '' to an urban @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ' microbiomes , and alter their immune function .
The researchers recruited 10 city daycare centers , with a total of 75 children aged 3 to 5 .
At four centers , the researchers transformed gravel playgrounds with forest soil and sod , planters for growing annuals and peat blocks for kids to climb .
The rest of the centers served as a comparison .
Three were `` nature-oriented '' centers where young children were regularly taken on trips to nearby forests at the other three , gravelly playgrounds remained the norm .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that imported the forest showed an increased diversity in certain bacteria on the skin .
That made them more similar to children at the nature-oriented centers , the study authors explained .
In contrast , the skin 's bacterial diversity generally declined among children at standard daycare centers , the findings showed .
Meanwhile , the green playgrounds changed kids ' immune systems , too .
Their blood samples showed a heightened ratio of an anti-inflammatory immune system protein called IL-10 , in relation to a pro-inflammatory protein called IL-17A .
Jack Gilbert @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the study , praised its `` holistic '' approach .
But he also had caveats .
`` They had a very small sample size , and showed small effects , '' said Gilbert , a professor at the University of California , San Diego School of Medicine .
The tactic , he said , will have to be tested at more schools , and involve many more children .
And the ultimate question , Gilbert said , is whether children can reap health benefits -- like lower risks of eczema or food allergy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ changes were responsible for the immune system findings .
Instead , he thinks it went the other way : Kids ' time digging in microbe-rich dirt altered their immune systems , and that tweaked the body 's microbiome .
`` To me , the key finding is the change in the immune system , '' Gilbert said .
While many questions remain , he echoed Sinkkonen 's advice on young children 's playtime .
`` I do think being in the dirt is good , '' Gilbert said .
Sinkkonen noted that in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ top layer of soil seemed to be critical .
And kids were actively playing in it -- digging around , planting vegetation .
So , it 's unlikely , Sinkkonen said , that simply putting down some grass and shrubs would suffice .
The researchers do plan to pursue the question of health benefits .
Sinkkonen said they are beginning a study to see whether exposing babies to more biodiversity , for 10 months , can reduce the risk of allergies .
Harvard School of Public Health has more on the human microbiome @

Pixabay Researchers found that after forest soil and vegetation were brought to daycare playgrounds, preschoolers' immune function improved. Photo by Arek Socha
Want to give your kids an immune system boost? Try letting them play in the dirt more often, a new study suggests. Researchers in Finland found that when they brought nature into daycare playgrounds -- including forest soil and vegetation -- preschoolers' immune function showed a change for the better. In simple terms, it shifted to a less inflammatory state. Advertisement
That immune system redirect was also accompanied by some changes in the children's microbiome -- the vast collection of bacteria and other microbes that naturally live on and in the body. Research has revealed those bugs to be vital in normal body processes -- from metabolism to brain function to immune system regulation.
It's too early to know whether bringing the forest to urban playgrounds has real health benefits, experts said.
But the findings do argue for regular, messy outdoor time.
"I highly recommend letting children play in the dirt," said senior researcher Aki Sinkkonen, of the Natural Resources Institute Finland, in Turku.
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The study, published online Oct. 14 in Science Advances, grew from a body of research on modern living and immune function. Many studies, for instance, have found that living on a farm -- especially during childhood -- is tied to a lower risk of allergies. Meanwhile, the trappings of modern life -- from antibacterial soaps to processed foods to widespread antibiotic use -- are thought to reduce the diversity in the body's microbial communities.
In general, researchers believe, the greater the diversity in the microbiome, the better.
Sinkkonen's team decided to test the notion that adding "biodiversity" to an urban setting might boost the diversity in kids' microbiomes, and alter their immune function.
The researchers recruited 10 city daycare centers, with a total of 75 children aged 3 to 5. At four centers, the researchers transformed gravel playgrounds with forest soil and sod, planters for growing annuals and peat blocks for kids to climb.
The rest of the centers served as a comparison. Three were "nature-oriented" centers where young children were regularly taken on trips to nearby forests at the other three, gravelly playgrounds remained the norm.
After one month, children at centers that imported the forest showed an increased diversity in certain bacteria on the skin. That made them more similar to children at the nature-oriented centers, the study authors explained.
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In contrast, the skin's bacterial diversity generally declined among children at standard daycare centers, the findings showed.
Meanwhile, the green playgrounds changed kids' immune systems, too. Their blood samples showed a heightened ratio of an anti-inflammatory immune system protein called IL-10, in relation to a pro-inflammatory protein called IL-17A.
Jack Gilbert, a microbiome researcher not involved in the study, praised its "holistic" approach. But he also had caveats.
"They had a very small sample size, and showed small effects," said Gilbert, a professor at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine.
The tactic, he said, will have to be tested at more schools, and involve many more children.
And the ultimate question, Gilbert said, is whether children can reap health benefits -- like lower risks of eczema or food allergy.
Gilbert doubted that the limited microbiome changes were responsible for the immune system findings. Instead, he thinks it went the other way: Kids' time digging in microbe-rich dirt altered their immune systems, and that tweaked the body's microbiome.
"To me, the key finding is the change in the immune system," Gilbert said.
While many questions remain, he echoed Sinkkonen's advice on young children's playtime. "I do think being in the dirt is good," Gilbert said.
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Sinkkonen noted that in this study, microbe diversity in the top layer of soil seemed to be critical. And kids were actively playing in it -- digging around, planting vegetation. So, it's unlikely, Sinkkonen said, that simply putting down some grass and shrubs would suffice.
The researchers do plan to pursue the question of health benefits. Sinkkonen said they are beginning a study to see whether exposing babies to more biodiversity, for 10 months, can reduce the risk of allergies.
More information
Harvard School of Public Health has more on the human microbiome.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-10-15--Rescue ranch adopts sheep spotted roaming streets

Oct. 15 ( UPI ) -- A rescue ranch has adopted a sheep called Mary Jane spotted roaming the streets in St. Louis .
A passerby spotted the sheep last week on Natural Bridge Avenue near Union Boulevard .
It had a U.S. Department of Agriculture tag in her ear and likely escaped from a slaughterhouse or livestock truck in the area , the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported .
`` I know I 've been smoking ...
This is Natural Bridge .
It 's a [ expletive ] sheep on Natural Bridge , '' a driver said in a video @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The sheep was originally brought to Center for Animal Rescue and Enrichment of St. Louis shelter after she was spotted on Natural Bridge last Thursday night .
While at the shelter , she was named Shrek , and she had matted and dirty wool that groomers from Treats Unleashed in Creve Coeur volunteered to cut , shearing off 6.2 pounds .
`` When Shrek was rescued , she was in very rough shape , '' the shelter said in a Facebook post .
`` Her wool was matted and there was literally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We found food and sticks and basically anything you could imagine under all of that wool .
Today , with the help of Rion Harper and Emily Estes from Treats Unleashed , the shave down commenced .
`` She was perfect for the entire groom .
We absolutely love her .
She will be living a great life , worry free moving forward . ''
Randy Grim of Randy 's Rescue in O'Fallon , Ill. , picked her up in truck Wednesday after adopting her and renamed her Mary Jane because he decided @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was female .
`` It 's also in honor of the stoned guy on the video that found her and helped get her rescued , '' Grim said .
`` I 'm hoping to invite him to come by and see her some day . ''

A sheep now called Mary Jane was shaved down at the shelter before she was adopted Wednesday. Photo courtesy of Randy's Rescue Ranch/ Facebook
Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe Oct. 15 (UPI) -- A rescue ranch has adopted a sheep called Mary Jane spotted roaming the streets in St. Louis. A passerby spotted the sheep last week on Natural Bridge Avenue near Union Boulevard. It had a U.S. Department of Agriculture tag in her ear and likely escaped from a slaughterhouse or livestock truck in the area, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported. Advertisement
"I know I've been smoking ... This is Natural Bridge. It's a [expletive] sheep on Natural Bridge," a driver said in a video with more than 10,000 views on Facebook.
The sheep was originally brought to Center for Animal Rescue and Enrichment of St. Louis shelter after she was spotted on Natural Bridge last Thursday night.
While at the shelter, she was named Shrek, and she had matted and dirty wool that groomers from Treats Unleashed in Creve Coeur volunteered to cut, shearing off 6.2 pounds.
"When Shrek was rescued, she was in very rough shape," the shelter said in a Facebook post. "Her wool was matted and there was literally poop all down her backside.
"We found food and sticks and basically anything you could imagine under all of that wool. Today, with the help of Rion Harper and Emily Estes from Treats Unleashed, the shave down commenced.
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"She was perfect for the entire groom. We absolutely love her. She will be living a great life, worry free moving forward."
Randy Grim of Randy's Rescue in O'Fallon, Ill., picked her up in truck Wednesday after adopting her and renamed her Mary Jane because he decided Shrek didn't suit her since she was female.
"It's also in honor of the stoned guy on the video that found her and helped get her rescued," Grim said. "I'm hoping to invite him to come by and see her some day."


upi--2020-10-16--Watch: 'This is Us' Season 5 trailer teases Randall, Kevin reunion

Oct. 16 ( UPI ) -- NBC is giving a glimpse of This is Us Season 5 .
The network shared a trailer for the season Friday featuring Sterling K. Brown and Justin Hartley as brothers Randall and Kevin Pearson .
The preview revisits Randall and Kevin 's brutal fight in Season 4 .
The siblings and their family seek a `` new beginning '' in Season 5 , which opens with Randall , Kevin and their sister Kate 's ( Chrissy Metz ) 40th birthday .
Season 5 tackles recent events , including the COVID-19 pandemic .
Randall is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of protests on TV with his wife , Beth ( Susan Kelechi Watson ) and their daughters .
Meanwhile , Kevin , Kate , their mom , Rebecca ( Many Moore ) , and her husband , Miguel ( Jon Huertas ) prepare to celebrate the Big Three 's birthday at the family cabin .
Kevin is accompanied by a pregnant Madison ( Caitlin Thompson ) , whom Kevin calls his `` fiancée . ''
`` You 're going to have to explain your use of the word 'fiancée , ' '' Kate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ questions his birth date as a flashback shows his birth father preparing to leave an infant Randall at the local fire station .
`` For all I know , today is n't even my real birthday .
I 'll never really know what happened that day , '' Randall tells Beth .
The trailer ends with Randall arriving at the cabin and coming face to face with Kevin for the first time after their fight .
This is Us is created by Dan Fogelman and co-stars Milo Ventimiglia as Jack Pearson .
Season @ @ @ @ @

Oct. 16 (UPI) -- NBC is giving a glimpse of This is Us Season 5.
The network shared a trailer for the season Friday featuring Sterling K. Brown and Justin Hartley as brothers Randall and Kevin Pearson.
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The preview revisits Randall and Kevin's brutal fight in Season 4. The siblings and their family seek a "new beginning" in Season 5, which opens with Randall, Kevin and their sister Kate's (Chrissy Metz) 40th birthday.
Season 5 tackles recent events, including the COVID-19 pandemic. Randall is seen wearing a mask and watching coverage of protests on TV with his wife, Beth (Susan Kelechi Watson) and their daughters.
Meanwhile, Kevin, Kate, their mom, Rebecca (Many Moore), and her husband, Miguel (Jon Huertas) prepare to celebrate the Big Three's birthday at the family cabin. Kevin is accompanied by a pregnant Madison (Caitlin Thompson), whom Kevin calls his "fiancée."
"You're going to have to explain your use of the word 'fiancée,'" Kate tells her brother.
Elsewhere, Randall questions his birth date as a flashback shows his birth father preparing to leave an infant Randall at the local fire station.
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"For all I know, today isn't even my real birthday. I'll never really know what happened that day," Randall tells Beth.
The trailer ends with Randall arriving at the cabin and coming face to face with Kevin for the first time after their fight.
This is Us is created by Dan Fogelman and co-stars Milo Ventimiglia as Jack Pearson. Season 5 premieres Oct. 27.


upi--2020-10-16--U.S. COVID-19 cases surge by 63,000 in steepest one-day spike in 2 months

Oct. 16 ( UPI ) -- The rising COVID-19 trend in the United States saw a dramatic spike nationwide on Thursday of more than 63,000 cases -- the highest one-day count in more than two months .
According to updated data from Johns Hopkins University , there were 63,600 new cases Thursday , the most since Aug. 14 and just the second time since July it 's reached that level .
Since early September , Johns Hopkins data shows , cases in the United States have been on a clear and steady incline .
The daily average in October so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the previous month .
Thursday also saw more than 900 new deaths for the second day in a row .
Since the start of the pandemic , there have been 7.98 million cases of COVID-19 and about 217,800 deaths nationwide .
Thursday , updated research from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington said close to 400,000 people may be dead in the United States by the end of January under a `` status quo '' scenario in which no significant changes are made .
Factors like relaxed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ updated figure .
The institute says deaths would rise to between 483,000 and 565,000 under a scenario in which mandates are relaxed -- including , for instance , if the federal government pursues a dangerous `` herd immunity '' strategy .
Researchers said deaths could be limited to about 314,000 if strict mask mandates were imposed universally , as has been done in Singapore .
Health providers have reported shortages of available emergency care beds .
In Oklahoma City , an official said Thursday the city has no intensive care beds available after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , director of the Emergency Medical Services Authority , told Oklahoma City Council members there are major concerns about the ability to provide care .
`` Looking at our numbers just this morning , I do n't have any ICU beds available in Oklahoma City , '' she said , adding that situation is made worse by a staffing shortage .
Councilors voted Thursday to extend the city 's face mask mandate through Dec. 7 .
In Kansas City , hospitals have had to turn away ambulances because there are no available beds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saint Luke Health System 's COVID Response Team , told The Kansas City Star that eight hospitals and emergency departments reported patient volumes so high that they temporarily stopped accepting ambulances .
`` We 're bursting at the seams in the metropolitan area , and really across the state and the region , '' he said .
In Montana , health officials say hospitals have reached or exceeded capacity amid staffing shortages .
`` I will put this very simply .
We are experiencing a public health crisis , '' Dr. Bridget Brennan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ System , told reporters Thursday .
`` The number of positive COVID cases is rising so quickly that it is threatening to overwhelm healthcare resources in the state . ''

A masked runner jogs along the Hudson River in New York City on Thursday. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 16 (UPI) -- The rising COVID-19 trend in the United States saw a dramatic spike nationwide on Thursday of more than 63,000 cases -- the highest one-day count in more than two months. According to updated data from Johns Hopkins University, there were 63,600 new cases Thursday, the most since Aug. 14 and just the second time since July it's reached that level. Advertisement
Since early September, Johns Hopkins data shows, cases in the United States have been on a clear and steady incline. The daily average in October so far is significantly higher than it was the previous month.
Thursday also saw more than 900 new deaths for the second day in a row.
Since the start of the pandemic, there have been 7.98 million cases of COVID-19 and about 217,800 deaths nationwide.
Thursday, updated research from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington said close to 400,000 people may be dead in the United States by the end of January under a "status quo" scenario in which no significant changes are made.
Factors like relaxed distancing mandates and mask usage influenced the updated figure.
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The institute says deaths would rise to between 483,000 and 565,000 under a scenario in which mandates are relaxed -- including, for instance, if the federal government pursues a dangerous "herd immunity" strategy.
Researchers said deaths could be limited to about 314,000 if strict mask mandates were imposed universally, as has been done in Singapore.
Health providers have reported shortages of available emergency care beds. In Oklahoma City, an official said Thursday the city has no intensive care beds available after a surge in cases.
Heather Yazdanipour, director of the Emergency Medical Services Authority, told Oklahoma City Council members there are major concerns about the ability to provide care.
"Looking at our numbers just this morning, I don't have any ICU beds available in Oklahoma City," she said, adding that situation is made worse by a staffing shortage.
Councilors voted Thursday to extend the city's face mask mandate through Dec. 7.
In Kansas City, hospitals have had to turn away ambulances because there are no available beds.
Marc Larsen, operations director of Saint Luke Health System's COVID Response Team, told The Kansas City Star that eight hospitals and emergency departments reported patient volumes so high that they temporarily stopped accepting ambulances.
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"We're bursting at the seams in the metropolitan area, and really across the state and the region," he said.
In Montana, health officials say hospitals have reached or exceeded capacity amid staffing shortages.
"I will put this very simply. We are experiencing a public health crisis," Dr. Bridget Brennan, chief medical officer of Benefis Health System, told reporters Thursday.
"The number of positive COVID cases is rising so quickly that it is threatening to overwhelm healthcare resources in the state."