upi--2020-10-30--Famous birthdays for Oct. 30: Henry Winkler, Nia Long

Oct. 30 ( UPI ) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Scorpio .
-- John @ @ @ @ @ the United States , in 1735 -- Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member Grace @ @ @ @ @ 81 )

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Henry Winkler attends the 77th annual Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in California on January 5. The actor turns 75 on October 30. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 30 (UPI) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Scorpio. They include: Advertisement
-- John Adams, second president of the United States, in 1735
-- Poet Ezra Pound in 1885
-- Actor Ruth Gordon in 1896
-- Baseball Hall of Fame member Bill Terry in 1898
-- Journalist Robert Caro in 1935 (age 85)
-- Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member Grace Slick in 1939 (age 81)
-- Actor/director Henry Winkler in 1945 (age 75)
File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI
-- News correspondent Andrea Mitchell in 1946 (age 74)
-- Rock musician Chris Slade in 1946 (age 74)
-- Rock musician Timothy B. Schmit in 1947 (age 73)
-- Actor Harry Hamlin in 1951 (age 69)
-- Actor Kevin Pollak in 1957 (age 63)
-- Rock musician Gavin Rossdale in 1965 (age 55)
-- Actor Nia Long in 1970 (age 50)
File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI
-- Actor Matthew Morrison in 1978 (age 42)
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-- Businesswoman/presidential adviser Ivanka Trump in 1981 (age 39)
-- Actor Clemence Poesy in 1982 (age 38)
-- Model/actor Eva Marcille in 1984 (age 36)
-- Model Ashley Graham in 1987 (age 33)
-- Actor Janel Parrish in 1988 (age 32)
-- U.S. Olympic gold medal-winning gymnast Nastia Liukin in 1989 (age 31)


upi--2020-10-30--Saints rule out Michael Thomas, Marquez Callaway vs. Bears

Oct. 30 ( UPI ) -- The New Orleans Saints on Friday ruled out wide receivers Michael Thomas and Marquez Callaway for the team 's Week 8 matchup against the Chicago Bears on Sunday .
Emmanuel Sanders , who remains on the reserve/COVID-19 list , also will miss the game , leaving the Saints without three of their top receivers this week .
All three players could return as early as next week for the Saints ' showdown with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday Night Football .
Thomas has been sidelined since Week 1 due to a high ankle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a hamstring injury that he suffered last week .
According to the team 's final injury report , he returned to practice and was a limited participant both Thursday and Friday .
Meanwhile , Callaway sustained an ankle injury during his breakout performance last week against the Carolina Panthers .
The undrafted rookie out of Tennessee caught eight passes for 75 yards in the Saints ' win .
He also practiced on a limited basis Thursday and Friday .
In the trio 's absence , the Saints are expected to rely heavily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end Jared Cook and receivers Tre'Quan Smith and Deonte Harris .
The team also could decide to call up practice squad receivers such as Tommylee Lewis , Austin Carr and Juwan Johnson .
The Saints ( 4-2 ) have won three consecutive games entering their matchup against the Bears ( 5-2 ) on Sunday at Soldier Field in Chicago .

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas has been sidelined since Week 1 because of injuries and a suspension. File Photo by AJ Sisco/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 30 (UPI) -- The New Orleans Saints on Friday ruled out wide receivers Michael Thomas and Marquez Callaway for the team's Week 8 matchup against the Chicago Bears on Sunday. Emmanuel Sanders, who remains on the reserve/COVID-19 list, also will miss the game, leaving the Saints without three of their top receivers this week. Advertisement
All three players could return as early as next week for the Saints' showdown with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday Night Football.
Thomas has been sidelined since Week 1 due to a high ankle sprain, a suspension by the team and a hamstring injury that he suffered last week. According to the team's final injury report, he returned to practice and was a limited participant both Thursday and Friday.
Meanwhile, Callaway sustained an ankle injury during his breakout performance last week against the Carolina Panthers. The undrafted rookie out of Tennessee caught eight passes for 75 yards in the Saints' win. He also practiced on a limited basis Thursday and Friday.
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In the trio's absence, the Saints are expected to rely heavily on running back Alvin Kamara, tight end Jared Cook and receivers Tre'Quan Smith and Deonte Harris. The team also could decide to call up practice squad receivers such as Tommylee Lewis, Austin Carr and Juwan Johnson.
The Saints (4-2) have won three consecutive games entering their matchup against the Bears (5-2) on Sunday at Soldier Field in Chicago.
This week in the National Football League


upi--2020-10-30--Rangers decline $18M option on two-time Cy Young winner Corey Kluber

Oct. 30 ( UPI ) -- The Texas Rangers on Friday declined to pick up the $ 18 million option on right-hander Corey Kluber , making the two-time Cy Young Award winner a free agent .
Kluber receives a $ 1 million buyout , and the club has said it is interested in re-signing him to a contract of lesser value .
The Rangers acquired Kluber from the Cleveland Indians last off-season in exchange for reliever Emmanuel Clase , who was eventually suspended 80 games after testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance .
Kluber lasted only one inning in his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shoulder injury forced him to miss the remainder of the 2020 season .
He tossed just 18 pitches in the inning before exiting with shoulder tightness in a 5-2 loss to the Colorado Rockies on July 26 .
The 34-year-old Kluber was diagnosed with a small tear in his shoulder muscle the next day .
Kluber 's brief appearance for the Rangers was his first start in almost 15 months after his right forearm was broken by a line drive in May 2019 .
He was nearing a return that season when an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his tenure with the Indians .
Since making his MLB debut in 2011 , Kluber has posted a 98-58 record with a 3.16 ERA and 1,462 strikeouts in 1,342 2/3 innings .
He is a three-time All-Star selection .

Former Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Corey Kluber was traded to the Texas Rangers last off-season. He made only one start for the club due to a shoulder injury. File Photo by Trask Smith/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 30 (UPI) -- The Texas Rangers on Friday declined to pick up the $18 million option on right-hander Corey Kluber, making the two-time Cy Young Award winner a free agent. Kluber receives a $1 million buyout, and the club has said it is interested in re-signing him to a contract of lesser value. Advertisement
The Rangers acquired Kluber from the Cleveland Indians last off-season in exchange for reliever Emmanuel Clase, who was eventually suspended 80 games after testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance.
Kluber lasted only one inning in his lone start for the Rangers before a shoulder injury forced him to miss the remainder of the 2020 season. He tossed just 18 pitches in the inning before exiting with shoulder tightness in a 5-2 loss to the Colorado Rockies on July 26.
The 34-year-old Kluber was diagnosed with a small tear in his shoulder muscle the next day.
Kluber's brief appearance for the Rangers was his first start in almost 15 months after his right forearm was broken by a line drive in May 2019. He was nearing a return that season when an oblique injury sidelined him again, ending his tenure with the Indians.
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Since making his MLB debut in 2011, Kluber has posted a 98-58 record with a 3.16 ERA and 1,462 strikeouts in 1,342 2/3 innings. He is a three-time All-Star selection.


upi--2020-10-30--Ex-Rockets coach Mike D'Antoni joins Steve Nash's staff with Nets

Oct. 30 ( UPI ) -- Former Houston Rockets head coach Mike D'Antoni has agreed to join the Brooklyn Nets as an assistant coach , the team announced Friday .
D'Antoni will reunite with Nets head coach Steve Nash , who won two MVP awards while playing for D'Antoni with the Phoenix Suns .
D'Antoni also coached Nash when they were with the Los Angeles Lakers from 2012-14 .
The 69-year-old D'Antoni -- a two-time NBA Coach of the Year -- spent the past four years with the Rockets before opting to walk away at the conclusion of the 2019-20 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during his tenure in Houston , advancing to the Western Conference finals once .
The Nets also announced the hires of Amar ' e Stoudemire and highly regarded assistant Ime Udoka , who spent seven of the last eight seasons on Gregg Popovich 's staff with the San Antonio Spurs .
Nash has assembled a strong coaching staff for his first season as a head coach .
His staff also includes associate head coach Jacque Vaughn , Adam Harrington , Jordan Ott , Tiago Splitter and Ryan Forehan-Kelly .
The Nets are expected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the NBA championship in the upcoming season with the return of Kyrie Irving and debut of Kevin Durant .

Former Houston Rockets head coach Mike D'Antoni (pictured) previously coached Steve Nash while with the Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Lakers. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 30 (UPI) -- Former Houston Rockets head coach Mike D'Antoni has agreed to join the Brooklyn Nets as an assistant coach, the team announced Friday. D'Antoni will reunite with Nets head coach Steve Nash, who won two MVP awards while playing for D'Antoni with the Phoenix Suns. D'Antoni also coached Nash when they were with the Los Angeles Lakers from 2012-14. Advertisement
The 69-year-old D'Antoni -- a two-time NBA Coach of the Year -- spent the past four years with the Rockets before opting to walk away at the conclusion of the 2019-20 campaign. He posted a 217-101 record during his tenure in Houston, advancing to the Western Conference finals once.
The Nets also announced the hires of Amar'e Stoudemire and highly regarded assistant Ime Udoka, who spent seven of the last eight seasons on Gregg Popovich's staff with the San Antonio Spurs.
Nash has assembled a strong coaching staff for his first season as a head coach. His staff also includes associate head coach Jacque Vaughn, Adam Harrington, Jordan Ott, Tiago Splitter and Ryan Forehan-Kelly.
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The Nets are expected to be among the favorites to win the NBA championship in the upcoming season with the return of Kyrie Irving and debut of Kevin Durant.


upi--2020-10-30--Trump criticizes Minnesota leaders over rally attendance size

Oct. 30 ( UPI ) -- President Donald Trump criticized leaders in Rochester , Minn. , on Friday after he was forced to agree to a smaller rally than he wanted due to coronavirus-related restrictions .
His campaign battled with state and city officials in the hours before the event at Rochester International Airport .
Officials limited the campaign event to 250 invited guests and required a guest list 2 hours before the start .
Trump said he planned to have 25,000 attend .
`` Your far-left Dem Attorney General , and your Dem Governor tried to shut down our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and take away your freedom of assembly .
They thought we would cancel - but I said NO WAY , I will NEVER abandon the people of Minnesota ! ''
Trump tweeted .
KTTC-TV in Rochester reported that the city said it had a signed agreement with the Trump campaign that capped attendance at the event and that all guests must be invited .
The campaign said it interpreted the `` invited guests '' rule to include anyone who signed up to attend in advance .
The campaign 's plan was to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ registered into the event .
The agreement , a signed copy of which was obtained by KTTC , said , `` this is not a public event and only invited guests will be allowed on the premises . ''
The document was signed by Republican National Committee Chief Operating Officer Tinna Jackson and Rochester 's deputy city administrator , Aaron Parrish .
The Rochester event was the last of three rallies Trump had planned for Friday .
He spoke earlier in the day at Oakland County International Airport in Waterford , Township , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ States is `` rounding the corner '' on COVID-19 , though the country reported its highest number of daily cases Thursday -- 88,500 .
The novel coronavirus has killed more than 229,000 people and sickened at least 9 million in the country since the start of the pandemic .
Trump said Americans will receive a COVID-19 vaccine in `` just a number of weeks . ''
`` Without it , we 're still rounding the corner , '' he said .
`` We have it .
But without it , we round the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at a Green Bay , Wis. , rally at Green Bay Austin Straubel International Airport .
His appearance there came on the same day that former Packers quarterback Brett Favre endorsed the president .
`` My Vote is for what makes this country great , freedom of speech & religion , 2nd Amnd , hard working tax paying citizens , police & military .
In this election , we have freedom of choice , which all should respect .
For me & these principles , my Vote is for @ RealDonaldTrump .
# @ @ @ @ @ @

President Donald Trump departs the White House, D.C., on Friday, headed for political rallies in Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota. Photo by Chris Kleponis/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 30 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump criticized leaders in Rochester, Minn., on Friday after he was forced to agree to a smaller rally than he wanted due to coronavirus-related restrictions. His campaign battled with state and city officials in the hours before the event at Rochester International Airport. Advertisement
Officials limited the campaign event to 250 invited guests and required a guest list 2 hours before the start. Trump said he planned to have 25,000 attend.
"Your far-left Dem Attorney General, and your Dem Governor tried to shut down our rally, silence the people of Minnesota, and take away your freedom of assembly. They thought we would cancel - but I said NO WAY, I will NEVER abandon the people of Minnesota!" Trump tweeted.
KTTC-TV in Rochester reported that the city said it had a signed agreement with the Trump campaign that capped attendance at the event and that all guests must be invited.
The campaign said it interpreted the "invited guests" rule to include anyone who signed up to attend in advance. The campaign's plan was to allow only the first 250 of those registered into the event.
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The agreement, a signed copy of which was obtained by KTTC, said, "this is not a public event and only invited guests will be allowed on the premises." The document was signed by Republican National Committee Chief Operating Officer Tinna Jackson and Rochester's deputy city administrator, Aaron Parrish.
The Rochester event was the last of three rallies Trump had planned for Friday.
He spoke earlier in the day at Oakland County International Airport in Waterford, Township, Mich.
He again said the United States is "rounding the corner" on COVID-19, though the country reported its highest number of daily cases Thursday -- 88,500.
The novel coronavirus has killed more than 229,000 people and sickened at least 9 million in the country since the start of the pandemic.
Trump said Americans will receive a COVID-19 vaccine in "just a number of weeks."
"Without it, we're still rounding the corner," he said. "We have it. But without it, we round the corner."
Trump also made remarks at a Green Bay, Wis., rally at Green Bay Austin Straubel International Airport. His appearance there came on the same day that former Packers quarterback Brett Favre endorsed the president.
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"My Vote is for what makes this country great, freedom of speech & religion, 2nd Amnd, hard working tax paying citizens, police & military. In this election, we have freedom of choice, which all should respect. For me & these principles, my Vote is for @RealDonaldTrump. #Vote," Favre tweeted.
2020 election: scenes from final stretch of presidential campaign


upi--2020-10-30--MLB owners approve sale of New York Mets to Steve Cohen

Oct. 30 ( UPI ) -- MLB owners voted to approve the sale of the New York Mets to billionaire hedge fund manager Steve Cohen , the league announced Friday .
The proposed purchase of 95 % of the Mets by Cohen received the necessary 75 % of the vote needed to complete the sale .
The transaction also required approval from New York City mayor Bill de Blasio , who had the final say because the team 's Citi Field resides on city property .
On Friday , de Blasio said the New York City Law Department completed its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no objections .
`` New York City has no objections and the Mets can now proceed with the transaction , '' he tweeted .
Since 2002 , the Mets ' ownership group was headed by Fred Wilpon , his brother-in-law Saul Katz and Wilpon 's son , Jeff , who was the team 's chief operating officer .
The Wilpon and Katz families will retain 5 % of the team following the sale , which is expected to be finalized within the next two weeks .
The sale values the Mets franchise at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` On behalf of the Wilpon and Katz families , we are very pleased with the result of today 's ownership vote , '' Wilpon said in a statement Friday .
`` We 'd like to thank [ MLB ] commissioner [ Rob ] Manfred for his leadership and guidance through this process .
It has been a privilege and honor for our families to have been a part of this great franchise for the past 40 years .
`` We would like to express our deep appreciation for our loyal and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this organization through the years .
We 'd also like to thank the many great players , managers , coaches and dedicated employees with whom we 've been privileged to work with through the years , for their commitment to the interests of our organization , our industry and our community . ''
Cohen , 64 , is president and CEO of Point72 Asset Management .
A native of Long Island , N.Y. , he grew up a Mets fan and is expected to invest heavily in the club to push them into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into exclusive negotiations to buy the franchise .
A month later , Cohen and the Wilpon and Katz families signed an agreement for him to purchase the team , pending the approval of MLB owners .

Longtime New York Mets owner Fred Wilpon (C) and his family, along with the Katz family, will retain 5% of the team after the sale. File Photo by Peter Foley/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 30 (UPI) -- MLB owners voted to approve the sale of the New York Mets to billionaire hedge fund manager Steve Cohen, the league announced Friday. The proposed purchase of 95% of the Mets by Cohen received the necessary 75% of the vote needed to complete the sale. The transaction also required approval from New York City mayor Bill de Blasio, who had the final say because the team's Citi Field resides on city property. Advertisement
On Friday, de Blasio said the New York City Law Department completed its review of the pending sale and had no objections.
"New York City has no objections and the Mets can now proceed with the transaction," he tweeted.
Since 2002, the Mets' ownership group was headed by Fred Wilpon, his brother-in-law Saul Katz and Wilpon's son, Jeff, who was the team's chief operating officer. The Wilpon and Katz families will retain 5% of the team following the sale, which is expected to be finalized within the next two weeks.
The sale values the Mets franchise at $2.4 billion to $2.5 billion.
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"On behalf of the Wilpon and Katz families, we are very pleased with the result of today's ownership vote," Wilpon said in a statement Friday. "We'd like to thank [MLB] commissioner [Rob] Manfred for his leadership and guidance through this process. It has been a privilege and honor for our families to have been a part of this great franchise for the past 40 years.
"We would like to express our deep appreciation for our loyal and passionate fans, who have consistently supported this organization through the years. We'd also like to thank the many great players, managers, coaches and dedicated employees with whom we've been privileged to work with through the years, for their commitment to the interests of our organization, our industry and our community."
Cohen, 64, is president and CEO of Point72 Asset Management. A native of Long Island, N.Y., he grew up a Mets fan and is expected to invest heavily in the club to push them into contention.
In August, Cohen entered into exclusive negotiations to buy the franchise. A month later, Cohen and the Wilpon and Katz families signed an agreement for him to purchase the team, pending the approval of MLB owners.


upi--2020-10-30--Lori Loughlin begins sentence in college admissions scandal

Oct. 30 ( UPI ) -- Actor Lori Loughlin reported to federal prison in California on Friday to begin serving a two-month sentence for taking part in a scam to get her daughters admitted into college .
The Full House star surrender to the Federal Correctional Institution in Dublin , Calif. , the same San Francisco-area facility where fellow actor Felicity Huffman served her sentence for a related conviction , authorities told NBC News .
Loughlin 's husband , fashion designer Mossimo Giannulli , is set to report to prison Nov. 19 to serve a five-month sentence .
They were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Boston to conspiring to fraudulently secure admission for their two daughters to the University of Southern California .
The couple first vigorously fought the charges but lost a bid to get them dismissed in May before entering their guilty pleas .
`` I deeply regret the harm that my actions have caused my daughters , my wife and others , '' Giannulli said in a statement during the August hearing .
`` I take full responsibility for my conduct .
I am ready to accept the consequences and move forward with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
The judge also sentenced Loughlin to 150 hours of community service and ordered her to pay a $ 150,000 fine , and Giannulli to two years of supervised release , 250 hours of community service and a $ 250,000 fine , according to the U.S. Attorney 's Office in Massachusetts .
Giannulli and Loughlin were part of a group of wealthy parents , college staffers and coaches caught in a scam led by William `` Rick '' Singer designed to get their children admitted to selective colleges .
As part of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ college admissions personnel and coaches to fraudulently get the students admitted into some schools as athletes while facilitating cheating on entrance exams in other incidents .
In Giannulli and Loughlin 's case , their oldest daughter won provisional admission into USC as a rowing recruit , even though she never participated in the sport .
A school athletic official received $ 50,000 in the scam , prosecutors said .
Prosecutors said they believe Giannulli participated in the scheme more aggressively than Loughlin .

Lori Loughlin pleaded guilty earlier this year to conspiring to fraudulently secure admission for her daughters to the University of Southern California. File Photo by Matthew Healey/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 30 (UPI) -- Actor Lori Loughlin reported to federal prison in California on Friday to begin serving a two-month sentence for taking part in a scam to get her daughters admitted into college. The Full House star surrender to the Federal Correctional Institution in Dublin, Calif., the same San Francisco-area facility where fellow actor Felicity Huffman served her sentence for a related conviction, authorities told NBC News. Advertisement
Loughlin's husband, fashion designer Mossimo Giannulli, is set to report to prison Nov. 19 to serve a five-month sentence.
They were both sentenced in August after pleading guilty in Boston to conspiring to fraudulently secure admission for their two daughters to the University of Southern California.
The couple first vigorously fought the charges but lost a bid to get them dismissed in May before entering their guilty pleas.
"I deeply regret the harm that my actions have caused my daughters, my wife and others," Giannulli said in a statement during the August hearing. "I take full responsibility for my conduct. I am ready to accept the consequences and move forward with the lessons I've learned from this experience."
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The judge also sentenced Loughlin to 150 hours of community service and ordered her to pay a $150,000 fine, and Giannulli to two years of supervised release, 250 hours of community service and a $250,000 fine, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office in Massachusetts.
Giannulli and Loughlin were part of a group of wealthy parents, college staffers and coaches caught in a scam led by William "Rick" Singer designed to get their children admitted to selective colleges.
As part of the scheme, Singer would work with college admissions personnel and coaches to fraudulently get the students admitted into some schools as athletes while facilitating cheating on entrance exams in other incidents.
In Giannulli and Loughlin's case, their oldest daughter won provisional admission into USC as a rowing recruit, even though she never participated in the sport. A school athletic official received $50,000 in the scam, prosecutors said.
Prosecutors said they believe Giannulli participated in the scheme more aggressively than Loughlin.


upi--2020-10-30--Walmart returns guns, ammo to sales floors

Oct. 30 ( UPI ) -- Walmart said Friday it 's returning guns and ammunition to the shelves of its stores , one day after pulling the products over fears of store break-ins and thefts during potential civic unrest .
Walmart spokesman Kory Lundberg said the big box store reversed its decision to move the products after determining the threat was n't as widespread as it initially feared .
`` After civil unrest earlier this week resulted in damage to several of our stores , consistent with actions we took over the summer , we asked stores to move firearms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a secure location in the back of the store in an abundance of caution , '' he said in a statement .
`` As the current incidents have remained geographically isolated , we have made the decision to begin returning these products to the sales floor today . ''
A Walmart store was looted this week amid protests in Philadelphia over the police killing of Walter Wallace Jr. Walmart stopped selling handguns in the 1990s and removed modern sporting rifles from inventory and required buyers to be older than 21 in the past @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year it would discontinue sales of .223 caliber ammunition that can be used in assault-style weapons .
A gunman in El Paso , Texas , killed 22 people in a mass shooting inside a Walmart store in 2019 , leading to employees to petition the company to stop selling firearms altogether .

Shopping carts block the entrance to a Walmart store in Brentwood, Mo., on June 4, after a protest against the killing of George Floyd. Walmart this week pulled guns from its sales floors in response to looting at a store in Philadelphia, but reversed the decision after one day. File Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 30 (UPI) -- Walmart said Friday it's returning guns and ammunition to the shelves of its stores, one day after pulling the products over fears of store break-ins and thefts during potential civic unrest. Walmart spokesman Kory Lundberg said the big box store reversed its decision to move the products after determining the threat wasn't as widespread as it initially feared. Advertisement
"After civil unrest earlier this week resulted in damage to several of our stores, consistent with actions we took over the summer, we asked stores to move firearms and ammunition from the sales floor to a secure location in the back of the store in an abundance of caution," he said in a statement.
"As the current incidents have remained geographically isolated, we have made the decision to begin returning these products to the sales floor today."
A Walmart store was looted this week amid protests in Philadelphia over the police killing of Walter Wallace Jr.
Walmart stopped selling handguns in the 1990s and removed modern sporting rifles from inventory and required buyers to be older than 21 in the past five years. The company announced last year it would discontinue sales of .223 caliber ammunition that can be used in assault-style weapons.
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A gunman in El Paso, Texas, killed 22 people in a mass shooting inside a Walmart store in 2019, leading to employees to petition the company to stop selling firearms altogether.


upi--2020-10-30--Bengals WR John Ross: 'It's not a secret that I have requested a trade'

Oct. 30 ( UPI ) -- Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver John Ross revealed Friday on social media that he has requested a trade because of his diminished role with the team .
Ross , who has n't played in four of the Bengals ' past five games , also refuted reports that questioned whether the speedy wideout still liked playing football .
`` It 's not a secret that I have requested a trade , '' Ross wrote on Twitter .
`` Trade me if this [ is ] how y'all feel .
I 'm healthy and eager to play @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It 's hard to love something when [ you 're ] not actually participating in it .
Believe me , it 's not football that I do n't like . ''
To this point , Ross ' only offensive numbers this year came in the Bengals ' season-opening loss to the Los Angeles Chargers .
In that matchup , he caught two passes for 17 yards .
He is listed as doubtful for Sunday 's game against the Tennessee Titans due to an undisclosed illness .
Ross was a full participant at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days .
He has been listed on the team 's injury report with an illness on three separate occasions this season , and all have occurred after he was a healthy scratch in Weeks 3 and 4 .
When asked Friday about Ross ' injury designation for this week 's game , Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said the receiver was battling stomach issues .
`` He 's sick , '' Taylor said .
`` His stomach bothers him .
It is what it is .
He 's listed with [ an ] @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work through it . ''
Ross , who was the No .
9 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft out of Washington , has struggled to find consistent success in four seasons with the Bengals .
Due to injuries and an inability to crack the rotation , he has appeared in only 27 games in Cincinnati .
In those 27 appearances , Ross has recorded 51 receptions for 733 yards and 10 touchdowns .

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver John Ross (11) hasn't played in four of the team's past five games. File Photo by Jim Bryant/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 30 (UPI) -- Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver John Ross revealed Friday on social media that he has requested a trade because of his diminished role with the team. Ross, who hasn't played in four of the Bengals' past five games, also refuted reports that questioned whether the speedy wideout still liked playing football. Advertisement
"It's not a secret that I have requested a trade," Ross wrote on Twitter. "Trade me if this [is] how y'all feel. I'm healthy and eager to play. I know I can be productive. It's hard to love something when [you're] not actually participating in it. Believe me, it's not football that I don't like."
It's not a secret that i have requested a trade. Trade me if this how y'all feel. I'm healthy and eager to play. I know I can be productive. It's hard to love something when your not actually participating in it. Believe me, its not football that i don't like. https://t.co/IlUg270jbI— Hank Moody (@WatchJRoss) October 30, 2020
To this point, Ross' only offensive numbers this year came in the Bengals' season-opening loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. In that matchup, he caught two passes for 17 yards. He is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against the Tennessee Titans due to an undisclosed illness.
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Ross was a full participant at practice Wednesday but missed the next two days. He has been listed on the team's injury report with an illness on three separate occasions this season, and all have occurred after he was a healthy scratch in Weeks 3 and 4.
When asked Friday about Ross' injury designation for this week's game, Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said the receiver was battling stomach issues.
"He's sick," Taylor said. "His stomach bothers him. It is what it is. He's listed with [an] illness, and he's trying to work through it."
Ross, who was the No. 9 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft out of Washington, has struggled to find consistent success in four seasons with the Bengals. Due to injuries and an inability to crack the rotation, he has appeared in only 27 games in Cincinnati.
In those 27 appearances, Ross has recorded 51 receptions for 733 yards and 10 touchdowns.
The NFL trade deadline is Tuesday.
This week in the National Football League


upi--2020-10-30--Joe Biden promises to 'shut down the virus' in Iowa drive-in rally

Oct. 30 ( UPI ) -- Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden accused President Donald Trump of surrendering to COVID-19 , and promised to `` shut down the virus '' during a drive-in rally in Des Moines , Iowa , on Friday .
The former vice president reiterated his criticisms of the Trump administration 's handling of the pandemic , which has killed more than 229,000 people in the United States and sickened at least 9 million .
Biden made reference to comments White House chief of staff Mark Meadows made earlier this week , that `` we are not going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Unlike Donald Trump , we wo n't surrender to this virus .
I 'm going to put in place a plan to deal with this pandemic , '' Biden told the crowd assembled at the Iowa State Fairgrounds .
Trump has criticized Biden for favoring more restrictive measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19 , with the president claiming the country is `` rounding the corner '' on controlling the virus .
`` I 'm not going to shut down the economy , '' Biden said Friday .
`` I 'm going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Des Moines appearance -- Biden 's first in Iowa since the state 's caucus -- is the first of three events the former vice president was scheduled to take part in Friday .
He has another rally in Minnesota in the afternoon and one in Wisconsin in the evening .
Trump was scheduled to hold rallies in Minnesota , Michigan and Wisconsin on Friday .

Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden puts on a face mask after the final presidential debate October 22 at Belmont University, in Nashville. Biden said he won't shut down the economy but will fight to stop the COVID-19 virus. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 30 (UPI) -- Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden accused President Donald Trump of surrendering to COVID-19, and promised to "shut down the virus" during a drive-in rally in Des Moines, Iowa, on Friday. The former vice president reiterated his criticisms of the Trump administration's handling of the pandemic, which has killed more than 229,000 people in the United States and sickened at least 9 million. Advertisement
Biden made reference to comments White House chief of staff Mark Meadows made earlier this week, that "we are not going to control the pandemic."
"Unlike Donald Trump, we won't surrender to this virus. I'm going to put in place a plan to deal with this pandemic," Biden told the crowd assembled at the Iowa State Fairgrounds.
Trump has criticized Biden for favoring more restrictive measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19, with the president claiming the country is "rounding the corner" on controlling the virus.
"I'm not going to shut down the economy," Biden said Friday. "I'm going to shut down the virus."
The Des Moines appearance -- Biden's first in Iowa since the state's caucus -- is the first of three events the former vice president was scheduled to take part in Friday. He has another rally in Minnesota in the afternoon and one in Wisconsin in the evening.
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Trump was scheduled to hold rallies in Minnesota, Michigan and Wisconsin on Friday.
2020 election: scenes from final stretch of presidential campaign


upi--2020-10-30--U.S. markets experience worst weekly decline since March

Oct. 30 ( UPI ) -- The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed down more than 150 points Friday as all three major indexes wrapped up their worst week since March .
The Dow finished Friday down 0.6 % , while the S & P 500 dropped 1.2 % and the Nasdaq Composite dropped 2.5 % .
Though the U.S. Commerce Department reported an improvement in economic and income numbers this week , uncertainty about a new stimulus bill and more lockdowns in Europe in response to the COVID-19 pandemic caused stocks to plummet .
The Dow closed down 6.5 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ & P 500 dropped 5.6 % and the Nasdaq fell more than 5.5 % .
Each had their worst single-week performance since March , the beginning of coronavirus cases in the United States .
The tech-heavy Nasdaq was particularly hard hit by a 20 % drop in shares of Twitter after the company 's latest earnings report Thursday .
`` Massive policy stimulus , positive medical developments and high hopes for a return to pre-pandemic economic activity levels have provided a solid boost to equity markets , MRB Partners strategists said , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new economic restrictions , particularly in Europe , despite being forecastable and in lagged response to the re-acceleration in COVID-19 infections , only caught investors ' attention this week , triggering sharp losses . ''

A banner for the Chinese retailer Miniso hangs outside at the New York Stock Exchange after the opening bell at the NYSE on Wall Street in New York City on Thursday. The tech-heavy Nasdaq had its worst weekly performance since March this week. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 30 (UPI) -- The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed down more than 150 points Friday as all three major indexes wrapped up their worst week since March. The Dow finished Friday down 0.6%, while the S&P 500 dropped 1.2% and the Nasdaq Composite dropped 2.5%. Advertisement
Though the U.S. Commerce Department reported an improvement in economic and income numbers this week, uncertainty about a new stimulus bill and more lockdowns in Europe in response to the COVID-19 pandemic caused stocks to plummet.
The Dow closed down 6.5% for the week, while the S&P 500 dropped 5.6% and the Nasdaq fell more than 5.5%. Each had their worst single-week performance since March, the beginning of coronavirus cases in the United States.
The tech-heavy Nasdaq was particularly hard hit by a 20% drop in shares of Twitter after the company's latest earnings report Thursday.
"Massive policy stimulus, positive medical developments and high hopes for a return to pre-pandemic economic activity levels have provided a solid boost to equity markets, MRB Partners strategists said, according to CNBC.
"However, mounting new economic restrictions, particularly in Europe, despite being forecastable and in lagged response to the re-acceleration in COVID-19 infections, only caught investors' attention this week, triggering sharp losses."


upi--2020-10-30--Chinook salmon that migrate in spring, fall are more alike than scientists thought

Oct. 30 ( UPI ) -- Traditionally , spring-run and fall-run Chinook salmon have been classified as two separate subspecies , or ecotypes , but new genetic analysis suggests the two groups are much more similar than they are different .
According to the new study , published this week in the journal Science , the migration patterns of spring-run and fall-run Chinook salmon are dictated by differences in a small snippet of DNA in their genomes .
`` Understanding the genetic basis of ecotypic differentiation in salmon provides a solid framework for predicting the outcome of different management actions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , professor of ocean sciences at the University of California , Santa Cruz , told UPI in an email .
Scientists previously observed evidence that members of the same Chinook salmon lineages switch between fall and spring migrations .
The new research showed spring-run and fall-run Chinook salmon are indeed two versions of the same fish , like a brother and sister with different colored hair .
When researchers compared the genomes of spring-run and fall-run Chinook salmon , they discovered two versions of a set of genes in a part of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Association , or RoSA -- an E version for early migration and L version for late migration .
Because these versions , or variations , feature a handful of switched-around genes -- not just one -- they 're called haplotypes .
And since salmon offspring inherit a chromosome from both their mother and father , they can boast one of three different RoSA haplotypes : EE , LL or EL .
Since these haplotypes trigger different behaviors , or traits , they 're also referred to as genotypes .
When researchers sampled and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Yurok Tribe in the Klamath River Estuary of Northern California , they found no overlap in the migrations of fish with EE and LL genotypes .
Researchers found EL fish tended to overlap mostly with spring-run fish , but some EL fish were also found migrating alongside fall-run salmon .
The abundance of EL fish , they said , suggests fall-run and spring-run salmon regularly interbreed .
As part of the study , researchers analyzed genetic samples from post-spawning salmon carcasses in a handful of rivers throughout northern California , as well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ survey turned up EL genotype fish in every river where both spring- and fall-run salmon are found .
`` We also performed an elegant simulation analysis that found that the proportion of combinations of gene variants inside and outside of the core region found in the genomes of Klamath salmon could not have arisen through interbreeding in the period of large-scale human manipulation of the basin , '' Garza said .
`` So it is a natural process that has been going on for a long time . ''
The survey data and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ present among Chinook salmon evolved at least 180 years ago .
That 's good news for the project of salmon conservation in the Klamath River , the researchers said .
For decades , damming has prevented a spring run in the upper reaches of the Klamath River Klamath River .
As the construction of dams depleted cool water refuges in the Klamath , spring-run salmon , which must spend the summers in freshwater , were depleted .
But the latest research suggests the migration pattern has been preserved in populations of nearby salmon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ haplotype is highly conserved across Chinook salmon lineages -- i.e .
it is much more similar in those lineages than the rest of the genome -- means that the same ancient mechanism underlies the early migration phenotype throughout our study area , '' Garza said .
That means a spring run can be reestablished -- once their habitat has been restored via major dam removals -- by introducing or cross-breeding fish carrying the E lineage into a predominately fall-run population .

Spring-run and fall-run Chinook salmon both spawn in the fall, but spring-run salmon -- pictured here in Northern California's Butte Creek -- migrate upriver early in the year and spend the summer in cool, deep pools. Photo by Allen Harthorn
Oct. 30 (UPI) -- Traditionally, spring-run and fall-run Chinook salmon have been classified as two separate subspecies, or ecotypes, but new genetic analysis suggests the two groups are much more similar than they are different. According to the new study, published this week in the journal Science, the migration patterns of spring-run and fall-run Chinook salmon are dictated by differences in a small snippet of DNA in their genomes. Advertisement
"Understanding the genetic basis of ecotypic differentiation in salmon provides a solid framework for predicting the outcome of different management actions," study co-author John Carlos Garza, professor of ocean sciences at the University of California, Santa Cruz, told UPI in an email.
Scientists previously observed evidence that members of the same Chinook salmon lineages switch between fall and spring migrations. The new research showed spring-run and fall-run Chinook salmon are indeed two versions of the same fish, like a brother and sister with different colored hair.
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When researchers compared the genomes of spring-run and fall-run Chinook salmon, they discovered two versions of a set of genes in a part of the genome scientists dubbed the Region of Strongest Association, or RoSA -- an E version for early migration and L version for late migration.
Because these versions, or variations, feature a handful of switched-around genes -- not just one -- they're called haplotypes.
And since salmon offspring inherit a chromosome from both their mother and father, they can boast one of three different RoSA haplotypes: EE, LL or EL. Since these haplotypes trigger different behaviors, or traits, they're also referred to as genotypes.
When researchers sampled and analyzed more than 500 salmon caught by the Yurok Tribe in the Klamath River Estuary of Northern California, they found no overlap in the migrations of fish with EE and LL genotypes.
Researchers found EL fish tended to overlap mostly with spring-run fish, but some EL fish were also found migrating alongside fall-run salmon. The abundance of EL fish, they said, suggests fall-run and spring-run salmon regularly interbreed.
As part of the study, researchers analyzed genetic samples from post-spawning salmon carcasses in a handful of rivers throughout northern California, as well as Oregon's Siletz River. The survey turned up EL genotype fish in every river where both spring- and fall-run salmon are found.
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"We also performed an elegant simulation analysis that found that the proportion of combinations of gene variants inside and outside of the core region found in the genomes of Klamath salmon could not have arisen through interbreeding in the period of large-scale human manipulation of the basin," Garza said. "So it is a natural process that has been going on for a long time."
The survey data and genomic modeling also proved the ecotype variations present among Chinook salmon evolved at least 180 years ago. That's good news for the project of salmon conservation in the Klamath River, the researchers said.
For decades, damming has prevented a spring run in the upper reaches of the Klamath River Klamath River.
As the construction of dams depleted cool water refuges in the Klamath, spring-run salmon, which must spend the summers in freshwater, were depleted. But the latest research suggests the migration pattern has been preserved in populations of nearby salmon.
"The finding that the E haplotype is highly conserved across Chinook salmon lineages -- i.e. it is much more similar in those lineages than the rest of the genome -- means that the same ancient mechanism underlies the early migration phenotype throughout our study area," Garza said.
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That means a spring run can be reestablished -- once their habitat has been restored via major dam removals -- by introducing or cross-breeding fish carrying the E lineage into a predominately fall-run population.


upi--2020-10-30--Watch: Large Burmese python found under hood of car in Florida

Oct. 30 ( UPI ) -- The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said officers were dispatched in Broward County @ @ @ @ @ 10-foot Burmese python under the hood of their car .
The FWC said in a @ @ @ @ @ in the Dania Beach area to remove the large snake from under the hood of @ @ @ @ @ The post included video of the python , an invasive species in Florida , being @ @ @ @ @ and safely captured .
`` This is a success for native wildlife since pythons prey @ @ @ @ @ and reptiles .
Thanks to the citizen who reported the python to us , '' @ @ @ @

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Oct. 30 (UPI) -- The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said officers were dispatched in Broward County when a resident discovered a 10-foot Burmese python under the hood of their car.
The FWC said in a Facebook post that officers responded in the Dania Beach area to remove the large snake from under the hood of a blue Ford Mustang.
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The post included video of the python, an invasive species in Florida, being removed from the engine compartment and safely captured.
"This is a success for native wildlife since pythons prey on native birds, mammals and reptiles. Thanks to the citizen who reported the python to us," the post said.


upi--2020-10-30--Florida man finds $1 million lottery ticket while cleaning his house

Oct. 30 ( UPI ) -- A Florida man said he was cleaning his house when he came across an @ @ @ @ @ out to be a $ 1 million top prize winner .
James Kinder , 38 @ @ @ @ @ Florida Lottery officials he bought his The Fastest Road to $ 1,000,000 scratch-off ticket at @ @ @ @ @ Jacksonville and placed it on his fireplace , where it remained for several weeks .
@ @ @ @ @ un-scratched ticket while cleaning the house ; when I scratched it , I realized it @ @ @ @ @ million winner !
I wish I would have found it sooner , '' the winner @ @ @ @ @ lump sum option for his winnings , taking home $ 790,000 .
The Circle K @ @ @ @ @ 2,000 bonus for selling the winning ticket .

James Kinder of Jacksonville, Fla., said he was cleaning his house when he came across an un-scratched lottery ticket that turned out to be a $1 million winner. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe Oct. 30 (UPI) -- A Florida man said he was cleaning his house when he came across an un-scratched lottery ticket that turned out to be a $1 million top prize winner. James Kinder, 38, of Jacksonville, told Florida Lottery officials he bought his The Fastest Road to $1,000,000 scratch-off ticket at a Circle K store in Jacksonville and placed it on his fireplace, where it remained for several weeks. Advertisement
"I came across the un-scratched ticket while cleaning the house; when I scratched it, I realized it was actually a $1 million winner! I wish I would have found it sooner," the winner said.
Kinder chose the lump sum option for his winnings, taking home $790,000.
The Circle K store was awarded a $2,000 bonus for selling the winning ticket.


upi--2020-10-30--Watch: Giant alligator wanders across Florida golf course

Oct. 30 ( UPI ) -- Employees at a Florida golf course captured video of an unusual visitor strolling across @ @ @ @ @ alligator .
Nicole Latner , an employee at Duran Golf Club in Melbourne , recorded @ @ @ @ @ the massive gator meandering across the course .
The video shows the alligator making its @ @ @ @ @ at least one fairway in the process .
Latner said there were golfers on the @ @ @ @ @ but they kept a safe distance from the reptile during its walk .

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Oct. 30 (UPI) -- Employees at a Florida golf course captured video of an unusual visitor strolling across the fairway -- a large alligator.
Nicole Latner, an employee at Duran Golf Club in Melbourne, recorded footage Thursday when she spotted the massive gator meandering across the course.
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The video shows the alligator making its way between lakes, crossing at least one fairway in the process.
Latner said there were golfers on the course at the time, but they kept a safe distance from the reptile during its walk.


upi--2020-10-30--Keel is laid for future littoral combat ship USS Santa Barbara

Oct. 30 ( UPI ) -- The keel of the future Independence-class littoral combat ship USS Santa Barbara was ceremonially laid at the Austal USA shipyard in Mobile , Ala. , this week .
Work on the ship , currently designated as LCS 32 , formally began with ship sponsor Lolita Zinke applying her initials to the keel with an arc welder on Tuesday .
Attendance at the brief ceremony , called an authentication , was limited due to the COVID-19 pandemic .
`` Through this new warship and the name she bears , we honor a city that represents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' said Capt .
Mike Taylor , Navy LCS program manager .
`` We set forth the Santa Barbara armed with the most adaptive and effective capabilities , designed to defend the United States , '' Taylor said .
LCS ships are designed for maneuverability in shallow water and on the high seas , and support mine countermeasures , anti-submarine and surface warfare missions .
Earlier this month , future USS Mobile finished its acceptance trials , the third Austal-built LCS to achieve the milestone in 2020 .
The company is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has the future USS Savannah , USS Canberra and USS Augusta under construction .

Ship sponsor Lolita Zinke, L, welds her initials into the keel of the future USS Santa Barbara in a ceremony on Tuesday at the Austal USA shipyard in Mobile, Ala. Photo courtesy of U.S. Navy Sea Systems Command
Oct. 30 (UPI) -- The keel of the future Independence-class littoral combat ship USS Santa Barbara was ceremonially laid at the Austal USA shipyard in Mobile, Ala., this week. Work on the ship, currently designated as LCS 32, formally began with ship sponsor Lolita Zinke applying her initials to the keel with an arc welder on Tuesday. Advertisement
Attendance at the brief ceremony, called an authentication, was limited due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Through this new warship and the name she bears, we honor a city that represents the very best of the American spirit," said Capt. Mike Taylor, Navy LCS program manager.
"We set forth the Santa Barbara armed with the most adaptive and effective capabilities, designed to defend the United States," Taylor said.
LCS ships are designed for maneuverability in shallow water and on the high seas, and support mine countermeasures, anti-submarine and surface warfare missions.
Earlier this month, future USS Mobile finished its acceptance trials, the third Austal-built LCS to achieve the milestone in 2020.
The company is the prime contractor for Independence-class variants, and has the future USS Savannah, USS Canberra and USS Augusta under construction.
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Lockheed Martin develops the Freedom-class LCS variant vessels.


upi--2020-10-30--Pentagon opens permanent exhibit honoring Gold Star families

Oct. 30 ( UPI ) -- A permanent exhibit dedicated to Gold Star Families was unveiled at the Pentagon this week , honoring families who lost loved ones in military service .
Joint Chief of Staff Chairman Gen. Mark A. Milley led the opening of the display , and cut a ceremonial ribbon on Thursday .
The Gold Star Memorial is the latest of several historical displays at the Pentagon , with this one originated by Jane Horton , whose husband , Spc .
Christopher Horton of the Oklahoma National Guard , died in combat in 2011 in Afghanistan .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ airman , Marine and Coast Guardsman willing to give their all , there are loved ones who support us in service and in sacrifice , '' Milley said in brief remarks .
`` The gold star is a symbol of your loved one , a symbol of the one that you lost , and they were children , fathers , mothers , brothers and sisters ; and they were friends , and coaches , and mentors , and so much more , '' Milley said .
`` But most of all , they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Gold Star dates to World War I , with Americans placing a card depicting a blue star in a home window if a family member is in military service .
If the family member died in service , it was replaced with a gold star .
Since then , a Gold Star lapel pin is awarded to immediate family members of U.S. soldiers who die in combat .
The Pentagon display will include , on a rotating basis , stories of service personnel and their Gold Star families .
It currently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ died while aboard the USS Juneau when it was struck by torpedoes during World War II .
When civilian tours of the Pentagon resume , the Gold Star Memorial will be an element in the visit , officials said .

Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark A. Milley, C, unveiled a display honoring Gold Star families at the Pentagon on Thursday. Photo by PO1 Carlos Vasquez/U.S. Defense Department
Oct. 30 (UPI) -- A permanent exhibit dedicated to Gold Star Families was unveiled at the Pentagon this week, honoring families who lost loved ones in military service. Joint Chief of Staff Chairman Gen. Mark A. Milley led the opening of the display, and cut a ceremonial ribbon on Thursday. Advertisement
The Gold Star Memorial is the latest of several historical displays at the Pentagon, with this one originated by Jane Horton, whose husband, Spc. Christopher Horton of the Oklahoma National Guard, died in combat in 2011 in Afghanistan.
"Behind every soldier, sailor, airman, Marine and Coast Guardsman willing to give their all, there are loved ones who support us in service and in sacrifice," Milley said in brief remarks.
"The gold star is a symbol of your loved one, a symbol of the one that you lost, and they were children, fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters; and they were friends, and coaches, and mentors, and so much more," Milley said. "But most of all, they're American heroes."
The tradition of the Gold Star dates to World War I, with Americans placing a card depicting a blue star in a home window if a family member is in military service.
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If the family member died in service, it was replaced with a gold star. Since then, a Gold Star lapel pin is awarded to immediate family members of U.S. soldiers who die in combat.
The Pentagon display will include, on a rotating basis, stories of service personnel and their Gold Star families.
It currently features the five Sullivan brothers, who died while aboard the USS Juneau when it was struck by torpedoes during World War II. When civilian tours of the Pentagon resume, the Gold Star Memorial will be an element in the visit, officials said.


upi--2020-10-30--Prosecutors decline to retry Michael Skakel for 1975 slaying

Oct. 30 ( UPI ) -- Prosecutors in Connecticut told a judge Friday they do n't intend to retry Michael Skakel , a member of the political Kennedy family , for the 1975 death of his neighbor .
Skakel , the nephew of Robert Kennedy widow Ethel Kennedy , served 11 years in prison for killing Martha Moxley when the two were 15 years old .
The Connecticut Supreme Court vacated his 2002 murder conviction two years ago .
Connecticut Chief State 's Attorney Richard Colangelo said Friday his office could n't prove a case against Skakel beyond reasonable doubt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Hartford Courant reported Colangelo entered a nolle in the case , which will end in a dismissal in 13 months .
`` I believe the state can not prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt , therefore the state is going to enter a nolle , '' Colangelo told Stamford Superior Court Judge Gary White .
Skakel , 60 , was sentenced to 20 years to life in prison in 2002 on the murder conviction , and served 11 years before being released on $ 1.2 million bail .
A judge granted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Connecticut Supreme Court later reinstated the murder conviction in 2016 .
The state 's high court again vacated the conviction in 2018 .
Moxley 's family previously said they would be at peace if Skakel were not retried because they did n't want to go through another trial .

Michael Skakel, pictured in 2000, won't face another trial for the death of Martha Moxley. File Photo by Laura Cavanaugh/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 30 (UPI) -- Prosecutors in Connecticut told a judge Friday they don't intend to retry Michael Skakel, a member of the political Kennedy family, for the 1975 death of his neighbor. Skakel, the nephew of Robert Kennedy widow Ethel Kennedy, served 11 years in prison for killing Martha Moxley when the two were 15 years old. The Connecticut Supreme Court vacated his 2002 murder conviction two years ago. Advertisement
Connecticut Chief State's Attorney Richard Colangelo said Friday his office couldn't prove a case against Skakel beyond reasonable doubt since the death of several witnesses.
The Hartford Courant reported Colangelo entered a nolle in the case, which will end in a dismissal in 13 months.
"I believe the state cannot prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt, therefore the state is going to enter a nolle," Colangelo told Stamford Superior Court Judge Gary White.
Skakel, 60, was sentenced to 20 years to life in prison in 2002 on the murder conviction, and served 11 years before being released on $1.2 million bail. A judge granted him a new trial, but the Connecticut Supreme Court later reinstated the murder conviction in 2016.
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The state's high court again vacated the conviction in 2018.
Moxley's family previously said they would be at peace if Skakel were not retried because they didn't want to go through another trial.


upi--2020-10-30--Watch: Middle school teacher coaches wrestling from Starbucks

Oct. 30 ( UPI ) -- A physical education teacher at a California middle school said he ended up teaching from the parking lot of a Starbucks when his home Internet went out .
Jason Guiducci , a gym teacher and longtime wrestling coach at Hogan Middle School in Vallejo , said he has been teaching classes virtually from his Napa back yard amid the COVID-19 pandemic , but he found himself in a difficult position Tuesday when his Internet went out .
`` I was getting one bar on my phone , '' Guiducci told KPIX-TV .
`` Nothing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I went down to the school . ''
Guiducci said he arrived at the school and was disappointed to discover the facility also had no Internet service .
`` So , I went to Starbucks and I pulled up , got a signal on my district laptop and away we went , '' Guiducci said .
The coach live streamed on Instagram as he guided his wrestling team through conditioning exercises .
`` I 'm teaching from my car and I am hacking Starbucks ' Wi-Fi , '' Guiducci told his students .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Siblings Makaio and Micah Jimenez-Dillanto , both members of the Hogan wrestling team , said it was an unusual day for the squad .
`` He was sitting in his car and talking to us about where he was and why he was there , '' Micah said .
`` I was , like , laughing because I 've never seen that before , '' Makaio said .

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Oct. 30 (UPI) -- A physical education teacher at a California middle school said he ended up teaching from the parking lot of a Starbucks when his home Internet went out.
Jason Guiducci, a gym teacher and longtime wrestling coach at Hogan Middle School in Vallejo, said he has been teaching classes virtually from his Napa back yard amid the COVID-19 pandemic, but he found himself in a difficult position Tuesday when his Internet went out.
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"I was getting one bar on my phone," Guiducci told KPIX-TV. "Nothing was coming through or going out so I went down to the school."
Guiducci said he arrived at the school and was disappointed to discover the facility also had no Internet service.
"So, I went to Starbucks and I pulled up, got a signal on my district laptop and away we went," Guiducci said.
The coach live streamed on Instagram as he guided his wrestling team through conditioning exercises.
"I'm teaching from my car and I am hacking Starbucks' Wi-Fi," Guiducci told his students. "Love you, Starbucks!"
Siblings Makaio and Micah Jimenez-Dillanto, both members of the Hogan wrestling team, said it was an unusual day for the squad.
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"He was sitting in his car and talking to us about where he was and why he was there," Micah said.
"I was, like, laughing because I've never seen that before," Makaio said.


upi--2020-10-30--ESPN releases schedule for College Football Playoff, dozens of bowl games

Oct. 30 ( UPI ) -- ESPN on Friday announced the dates for the College Football Playoff and a total of 35 bowl games .
The schedule begins Dec. 19 with the 2020 Frisco Bowl and ends with the Jan. 11 College Football Playoff National Championship game .
ESPN , ESPN2 and ABC will televise 35 of the 37 bowl games .
CBS will televise two games -- the Arizona Bowl and the Sun Bowl -- on New Year 's Eve .
The schedule features at least one game every day , except for the final two Sundays of bowl @ @ @ @ @ @ @ busiest day for college football fans with six bowl games .
New Year 's Day will feature five games , including two College Football Playoff semifinals matchups : the 2021 Rose Bowl and the 2020 Sugar Bowl .
Seven bowl games -- the Celebration Bowl , Bahamas Bowl , Fenway Bowl , Hawai ' i Bowl , Quick Lane Bowl , Redbox Bowl and Holiday Bowl -- have been canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic .
The first College Football Playoff rankings will be released Dec. 20 .
New Orleans Bowl at 3:30 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3:30 p.m. on ESPN First Responder Bowl at 3:30 p.m. on ABC

1/4
The 2021 Peach Bowl will be at 12:30 p.m. EST on Jan. 1 and air on ESPN. File Photo by David Tulis/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 30 (UPI) -- ESPN on Friday announced the dates for the College Football Playoff and a total of 35 bowl games. The schedule begins Dec. 19 with the 2020 Frisco Bowl and ends with the Jan. 11 College Football Playoff National Championship game. ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC will televise 35 of the 37 bowl games. CBS will televise two games -- the Arizona Bowl and the Sun Bowl -- on New Year's Eve. Advertisement
The schedule features at least one game every day, except for the final two Sundays of bowl season.
Dec. 26 will be the busiest day for college football fans with six bowl games. New Year's Day will feature five games, including two College Football Playoff semifinals matchups: the 2021 Rose Bowl and the 2020 Sugar Bowl.
Seven bowl games -- the Celebration Bowl, Bahamas Bowl, Fenway Bowl, Hawai'i Bowl, Quick Lane Bowl, Redbox Bowl and Holiday Bowl -- have been canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The first College Football Playoff rankings will be released Dec. 20.
College football bowl schedule -- All times Eastern
Dec. 19
Frisco Bowl at 7 p.m. on ESPN
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Dec. 21
Myrtle Beach Bowl at 2:30 p.m. on ESPN
Dec. 22
Potato Bowl at 3:30 p.m. on ESPN
Boca Raton Bowl at 7 p.m. on ESPN
Dec. 23
New Orleans Bowl at 3:30 p.m. on ESPN
Montgomery Bowl at 7 p.m. on ESPN
Dec. 24
New Mexico Bowl at 3:30 p.m. on ESPN
Dec. 25
Camellia Bowl at 2:30 p.m. on ESPN
Dec. 26
Gasparilla Bowl at noon on ABC
Cure Bowl at noon on ESPN
First Responder Bowl at 3:30 p.m. on ABC
LendingTree Bowl at 3:30 p.m. on ESPN
Independence Bowl at 7 p.m. on ESPN
Guaranteed Rate Bowl at 10:15 p.m. on ESPN
Dec. 28
Military Bowl at 2:30 p.m. on ESPN
Dec. 29
Pinstripe Bowl at 2 p.m. on ESPN
Cheez-It Bowl at 5:30 p.m. on ESPN
Alamo Bowl at 9 p.m. on ESPN
Dec. 30
Duke's Mayo Bowl at noon on ESPN
Music City Bowl at 3:30 p.m. on ESPN
Cotton Bowl at 7:15 p.m. on ESPN
LA Bowl at 10:45 p.m. on ESPN
Dec. 31
Armed Forces Bowl at noon on ESPN
Sun Bowl at 2 p.m. on CBS
Liberty Bowl at 4 p.m. on ESPN
Arizona Bowl at 4 p.m. on CBS
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Texas Bowl at 8 p.m. on ESPN
Jan. 1
Birmingham Bowl at noon on ESPN2
Peach Bowl at 12:30 p.m. on ESPN
Citrus Bowl at 1 p.m. on ABC
Rose Bowl at 5 p.m. on ESPN
Sugar Bowl at 8:45 p.m. on ESPN
Jan. 2
Gator Bowl at noon on ESPN
Outback Bowl at 12:30 p.m. on ABC
Fiesta Bowl at 4 p.m. on ESPN
Orange Bowl at 8 p.m. on ESPN
Jan. 11
National Championship game at 8 p.m. on ESPN


upi--2020-10-30--USS Halsey returns home after seven months at sea

Oct. 30 ( UPI ) -- The guided-missile destroyer USS Halsey returned to its Hawaii homeport this week after seven months at sea , the U.S. Navy 3rd Fleet announced .
The ship left Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in April and remained at sea due to constraints of the COVID-19 pandemic .
It was deployed to the 4th Fleet and 7th Fleet area of operations , and returned home on Thursday .
With the 4th Fleet , the ship was involved in counternarcotics operations in the Caribbean Sea and the eastern Pacific Ocean with the U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of illegal drugs .
It also provided assistance to a stranded fishing vessel off the coast of Costs Rica , evacuating an injured fisherman .
While working with the 7th Fleet , the ship conducted sustained presence operations in support of a United Nations resolution against North Korea and its nuclear ambitions , and traveled with the strike group led by the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan in the Indian Ocean .
`` Team Halsey is really proud of what we accomplished : flexing to deploy early on short notice , integrating smoothly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ operations in U.S. 4th Fleet then transitioning to U.S. 7th Fleet and the fast-paced operations there , all successfully and safely , '' said Cmdr .
DeVere Crooks , the ship 's commanding officer .
`` Our sailors did all this despite the challenges of COVID-19 and without a liberty port visit in seven months , '' he said .

The U.S. Navy guided missile destroyer USS Halsey returned to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, its home port, this week after seven months at sea. Photo by MCS3 Jaimar Carson Bondurant/U.S. Navy
Oct. 30 (UPI) -- The guided-missile destroyer USS Halsey returned to its Hawaii homeport this week after seven months at sea, the U.S. Navy 3rd Fleet announced. The ship left Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in April and remained at sea due to constraints of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was deployed to the 4th Fleet and 7th Fleet area of operations, and returned home on Thursday. Advertisement
With the 4th Fleet, the ship was involved in counternarcotics operations in the Caribbean Sea and the eastern Pacific Ocean with the U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment, interdicting an estimated 4,400 pounds of illegal drugs.
It also provided assistance to a stranded fishing vessel off the coast of Costs Rica, evacuating an injured fisherman.
While working with the 7th Fleet, the ship conducted sustained presence operations in support of a United Nations resolution against North Korea and its nuclear ambitions, and traveled with the strike group led by the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan in the Indian Ocean.
"Team Halsey is really proud of what we accomplished: flexing to deploy early on short notice, integrating smoothly with the U.S. Coast Guard for counternarcotics operations in U.S. 4th Fleet then transitioning to U.S. 7th Fleet and the fast-paced operations there, all successfully and safely," said Cmdr. DeVere Crooks, the ship's commanding officer.
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"Our sailors did all this despite the challenges of COVID-19 and without a liberty port visit in seven months," he said.


upi--2020-10-30--Higher COVID-19 deaths could strip some support for Trump, study says

Oct. 30 ( UPI ) -- Voters who live in areas with more COVID-19 deaths are at least somewhat less likely to support President Donald Trump and other Republican candidates in the 2020 election , according to a study published Friday .
Researchers said the findings provide the first `` clear causal evidence '' that the rise in COVID-19 deaths have turned some Americans away from Trump .
Using `` granular '' data sources such as local-level information on deaths and voter attitude surveys , the researchers concluded that higher death counts are translating into softer support for Trump and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ local areas with higher levels of COVID-19 fatalities are less likely to support President Trump and Republican candidates for House and Senate .
Our results show that [ they ] would benefit electorally from a reduction in COVID-19 fatalities , '' wrote authors Christopher Warshaw of George Washington University and Lynn Vavreck and Ryan Baxter-King , both of the University of California , Los Angeles .
`` This implies that a greater emphasis on social distancing , masks , and other mitigation strategies would benefit the president and his allies . ''
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ counties where COVID-19 deaths per 100,000 residents had doubled in the previous 30 days were 0.14 % less likely to support Trump .
Where deaths doubled at the on a statewide level , voters were almost 0.4 % less likely .
The researchers tapped data compiled by The New York Times to measure variations in the magnitude of the pandemic across the United States , as well as more than 300,000 survey responses gathered by the Democracy Fund + UCLA Nationscape Project , between mid-2019 and this summer , to measure how attitudes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seem small and perhaps insignificant , Warshaw said history indicates that the COVID-19 effect could have some impact .
`` The margin between Trump and Clinton in the state of Michigan in 2016 was 0.23 % , '' he noted .

Democratic presidential nomimee Joe Biden addresses supporters at a drive-in rally outside of Heinz Field in Pittsburgh on Monday, the night before the election. Photo by Archie Carpenter/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 30 (UPI) -- Voters who live in areas with more COVID-19 deaths are at least somewhat less likely to support President Donald Trump and other Republican candidates in the 2020 election, according to a study published Friday. Researchers said the findings provide the first "clear causal evidence" that the rise in COVID-19 deaths have turned some Americans away from Trump. Advertisement
Using "granular" data sources such as local-level information on deaths and voter attitude surveys, the researchers concluded that higher death counts are translating into softer support for Trump and other GOP candidates.
"States and local areas with higher levels of COVID-19 fatalities are less likely to support President Trump and Republican candidates for House and Senate. Our results show that [they] would benefit electorally from a reduction in COVID-19 fatalities," wrote authors Christopher Warshaw of George Washington University and Lynn Vavreck and Ryan Baxter-King, both of the University of California, Los Angeles.
"This implies that a greater emphasis on social distancing, masks, and other mitigation strategies would benefit the president and his allies."
The study found that Americans who live in counties where COVID-19 deaths per 100,000 residents had doubled in the previous 30 days were 0.14% less likely to support Trump. Where deaths doubled at the on a statewide level, voters were almost 0.4% less likely.
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The researchers tapped data compiled by The New York Times to measure variations in the magnitude of the pandemic across the United States, as well as more than 300,000 survey responses gathered by the Democracy Fund + UCLA Nationscape Project, between mid-2019 and this summer, to measure how attitudes have shifted.
While the difference might seem small and perhaps insignificant, Warshaw said history indicates that the COVID-19 effect could have some impact.
"The margin between Trump and Clinton in the state of Michigan in 2016 was 0.23%," he noted.


upi--2020-10-30--U.S. is one of the world's top contributors to coastal plastic pollution

Oct. 30 ( UPI ) -- The coastline of the United States is relatively clean compared to other parts of the world , but new research suggests the U.S. is one of the world 's top contributors to coastal plastic pollution .
The U.S. exports large amounts of plastic waste .
Previous studies have ignored plastic scrap exports , offering the impression that the United States was effectively collecting , disposing and recycling its plastic waste , researchers have said .
According to a new study , published Friday in the journal Science Advances , more than half of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. -- 1.99 million metric tons of 3.91 million metric tons -- is shipped out of the country .
Researchers found the vast majority of exported plastic scraps , 88 percent , ends up in countries that are struggling to adequately manage plastic waste .
Environmental scientists determined at least 1 million metric tons of plastic waste exported by the U.S. ends up polluting environments abroad every year .
`` For years , so much of the plastic we have put into the blue bin has been exported for recycling to countries that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ let alone the vast amounts delivered from the United States , '' study lead author Kara Lavender Law said in a news release .
`` And when you consider how much of our plastic waste is n't actually recyclable because it is low-value , contaminated or difficult to process , it 's not surprising that a lot of it ends up polluting the environment , '' said Law , a research professor of oceanography at the Sea Education Association .
Researchers also determined that a small but not inconsequential amount of plastic waste @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2 to 3 percent -- is littered or illegally dumped .
After accounting for exported waste , as well as littered or illegally dumped domestic waste , researchers determined the U.S. was responsible for 2.25 million metric tons of plastic pollution in 2016 , the last year for which pollution data is readily available .
Roughly two-thirds of the plastic polluted by the U.S. ends up in coastal environs , according to the new study -- making the U.S. the world 's third largest producer of coastal plastic pollution .
Despite accounting for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ population , the U.S. is responsible for 17 percent of the world 's coastal plastic pollution .
`` The United States generates the most plastic waste of any other country in the world , but rather than looking the problem in the eye , we have outsourced it to developing countries and become a top contributor to the ocean plastics crisis , '' said study co-author Nick Mallos .
`` The solution has to start at home .
We need to create less , by cutting out unnecessary single-use plastics ; we need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new ways to package and deliver goods ; and where plastics are inevitable , we need to drastically improve our recycling rates , '' said Mallos , senior director of the Ocean Conservancy 's Trash Free Seas program .
The researchers suggest their findings should serve as a wakeup call for U.S. policy makers and industry leaders to take responsibility for the nation 's plastic pollution footprint .
`` For some time , it has been cheaper for the United States to ship its recyclables abroad rather than handle them here at home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cost to our environment , '' said study co-author Natalie Starr .
`` We need to change the math by investing in recycling technologies and collection programs , as well as accelerating research and development to improve the performance and drive down the costs of more sustainable plastics and packaging alternatives to address the current challenge , '' said Starr , principal at DSM Environmental Services .

Contaminated plastic waste -- from Australia, the United States, Canada, Saudi Arabia, Japan, China, Spain and Bangladesh -- is seen inside cargo containers in Port Klang, Selangor, Malaysia, in 2019, before it is sent back to its country of origin in. Photo by Fazry Ismail/EPA-EFE
Oct. 30 (UPI) -- The coastline of the United States is relatively clean compared to other parts of the world, but new research suggests the U.S. is one of the world's top contributors to coastal plastic pollution. The U.S. exports large amounts of plastic waste. Previous studies have ignored plastic scrap exports, offering the impression that the United States was effectively collecting, disposing and recycling its plastic waste, researchers have said. Advertisement
According to a new study, published Friday in the journal Science Advances, more than half of the plastic waste collected for recycling in the U.S. -- 1.99 million metric tons of 3.91 million metric tons -- is shipped out of the country.
Researchers found the vast majority of exported plastic scraps, 88 percent, ends up in countries that are struggling to adequately manage plastic waste. Environmental scientists determined at least 1 million metric tons of plastic waste exported by the U.S. ends up polluting environments abroad every year.
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"For years, so much of the plastic we have put into the blue bin has been exported for recycling to countries that struggle to manage their own waste, let alone the vast amounts delivered from the United States," study lead author Kara Lavender Law said in a news release.
"And when you consider how much of our plastic waste isn't actually recyclable because it is low-value, contaminated or difficult to process, it's not surprising that a lot of it ends up polluting the environment," said Law, a research professor of oceanography at the Sea Education Association.
Researchers also determined that a small but not inconsequential amount of plastic waste collected in the U.S. each year -- 2 to 3 percent -- is littered or illegally dumped.
After accounting for exported waste, as well as littered or illegally dumped domestic waste, researchers determined the U.S. was responsible for 2.25 million metric tons of plastic pollution in 2016, the last year for which pollution data is readily available.
Roughly two-thirds of the plastic polluted by the U.S. ends up in coastal environs, according to the new study -- making the U.S. the world's third largest producer of coastal plastic pollution.
Despite accounting for just 4 percent of the world's population, the U.S. is responsible for 17 percent of the world's coastal plastic pollution.
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"The United States generates the most plastic waste of any other country in the world, but rather than looking the problem in the eye, we have outsourced it to developing countries and become a top contributor to the ocean plastics crisis," said study co-author Nick Mallos.
"The solution has to start at home. We need to create less, by cutting out unnecessary single-use plastics; we need to create better, by developing innovative new ways to package and deliver goods; and where plastics are inevitable, we need to drastically improve our recycling rates," said Mallos, senior director of the Ocean Conservancy's Trash Free Seas program.
The researchers suggest their findings should serve as a wakeup call for U.S. policy makers and industry leaders to take responsibility for the nation's plastic pollution footprint.
"For some time, it has been cheaper for the United States to ship its recyclables abroad rather than handle them here at home, but that has come at great cost to our environment," said study co-author Natalie Starr.
"We need to change the math by investing in recycling technologies and collection programs, as well as accelerating research and development to improve the performance and drive down the costs of more sustainable plastics and packaging alternatives to address the current challenge," said Starr, principal at DSM Environmental Services.


upi--2020-10-30--Fed tweaks rules for COVID-19 loans aimed at small businesses

Oct. 30 ( UPI ) -- The Federal Reserve Board announced Friday it has tweaked the rules for its little-used Main Street Lending Program in a bid to boost participation in the $ 600 billion coronavirus relief program .
The lending effort , targeted to small- and medium-sized businesses and nonprofit groups needing help to survive the COVID-19 pandemic , is backed by $ 75 billion in equity provided by the Treasury Department from the CARES Act .
So far , however , only 400 loans worth a total of $ 3.7 billion have been issued from the facility .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ unlike the Treasury Department 's Paycheck Protection Program , loans under the Main Street programs are not mostly forgivable .
Other businesses have cited high fees as disincentive .
Responding to the concerns , the Fed announced the minimum loan size for three of the Main Street loan facilities has been reduced from $ 250,000 to $ 100,000 and their fees `` adjusted '' to `` encourage the provision of these smaller loans . ''
It also issued new guidance clarifying that borrowers do not need to include PPP loans in calculating their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million .
Loan documents reflecting the new terms are expected to be available to registered lenders within the next week , the central bank said .
The move came as U.S. businesses were awaiting a long-delayed additional round of pandemic stimulus spending .
The House passed a new round of aid months ago but weeks of negotiations between Democratic lawmakers and White House officials has failed to produce an agreement before next week 's general election .

A woman walks her dog past a boarded up wedding chapel in downtown Los Angeles on August 10. The Fed on Friday loosened restrictions on COVID-19 relief loans for small businesses. File photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 30 (UPI) -- The Federal Reserve Board announced Friday it has tweaked the rules for its little-used Main Street Lending Program in a bid to boost participation in the $600 billion coronavirus relief program. The lending effort, targeted to small- and medium-sized businesses and nonprofit groups needing help to survive the COVID-19 pandemic, is backed by $75 billion in equity provided by the Treasury Department from the CARES Act. Advertisement
So far, however, only 400 loans worth a total of $3.7 billion have been issued from the facility.
Some potential borrowers have complained that, unlike the Treasury Department's Paycheck Protection Program, loans under the Main Street programs are not mostly forgivable. Other businesses have cited high fees as disincentive.
Responding to the concerns, the Fed announced the minimum loan size for three of the Main Street loan facilities has been reduced from $250,000 to $100,000 and their fees "adjusted" to "encourage the provision of these smaller loans."
It also issued new guidance clarifying that borrowers do not need to include PPP loans in calculating their debt load, up to $2 million.
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Loan documents reflecting the new terms are expected to be available to registered lenders within the next week, the central bank said.
The move came as U.S. businesses were awaiting a long-delayed additional round of pandemic stimulus spending.
The House passed a new round of aid months ago but weeks of negotiations between Democratic lawmakers and White House officials has failed to produce an agreement before next week's general election.


upi--2020-10-30--Look: Netherlands researchers 3D-print the world's smallest boat

Oct. 30 ( UPI ) -- Researchers in the Netherlands said they used an electron microscope and a high-definition 3D printer to create the world 's smallest boat , which measures just 30 micrometers in length .
The Leiden University team said they used the microscope and 3D printer to create a version of the `` Benchy '' boat , a structure often used to test the effectiveness of 3D printers .
The boat is about one-third of the thickness of a human hair .
`` If we move the laser through the droplet , we write the structure that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` For example , if we move it in a helix , we are writing a helix . ''
In addition to the mini Benchy , which the researchers said is the world 's smallest boat , the team also experimented with other microscopic shapes including a spiky sphere , spiral , helix , trimer and the titular starship from Star Trek : Voyager .
The experiments were part of the researchers ' study of microswimmers -- small particles that can be followed by a microscope as they move through fluid .
Kraft @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of practical applications , including delivering medicine to specific areas inside the human body .
`` We hope to learn about what is now a good design principle for creating a little drug delivery vehicle -- if you have a little particle that goes to a specific part of the body to deliver drugs , then it has to propel itself , and it may have to deal with the environment in your body , which is very complex , '' Kraft said .

Researchers at Leiden University in the Netherlands used an electron microscope and a high-definition 3D printer to create a boat that measures only 30 micrometers long. Photo courtesy of Leiden University
Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe Oct. 30 (UPI) -- Researchers in the Netherlands said they used an electron microscope and a high-definition 3D printer to create the world's smallest boat, which measures just 30 micrometers in length. The Leiden University team said they used the microscope and 3D printer to create a version of the "Benchy" boat, a structure often used to test the effectiveness of 3D printers. The boat is about one-third of the thickness of a human hair. Advertisement
"We focused a laser inside a droplet," Leiden University physicist Daniela Kraft told CNN.
"If we move the laser through the droplet, we write the structure that we want," she said. "For example, if we move it in a helix, we are writing a helix."
In addition to the mini Benchy, which the researchers said is the world's smallest boat, the team also experimented with other microscopic shapes including a spiky sphere, spiral, helix, trimer and the titular starship from Star Trek: Voyager.
The experiments were part of the researchers' study of microswimmers -- small particles that can be followed by a microscope as they move through fluid. Kraft said synthetic microswimmers could have a number of practical applications, including delivering medicine to specific areas inside the human body.
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"We hope to learn about what is now a good design principle for creating a little drug delivery vehicle -- if you have a little particle that goes to a specific part of the body to deliver drugs, then it has to propel itself, and it may have to deal with the environment in your body, which is very complex," Kraft said.


upi--2020-10-30--Kids with COVID-19 infect others at home more than half the time, CDC finds

Oct. 30 ( UPI ) -- Children age 12 years and younger infected with COVID-19 pass the virus to other members of their households more than half of the time , according to data released Friday by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
Teens aged 12 to 17 years infected others in their households nearly 40 % of the time , the data showed .
The findings are based on an analysis of the household contacts of 101 `` index cases '' of COVID-19 in Tennessee and Wisconsin between April and September , the agency said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the virus -- in the study had a total of 191 household contacts -- people living in the same home .
Among household contacts of the index cases included , 102 , or 53 percent , were found to be infected with the virus -- 75 % of them within five days of exposure , the CDC said .
`` Transmission of [ COVID-19 ] among household members was common , and secondary infection rates were higher than have been previously reported , '' researchers wrote .
`` Because prompt isolation of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , persons who suspect that they might have COVID-19 should isolate , stay at home , and use a separate bedroom and bathroom if feasible , '' they said .
Forty percent of household members with confirmed infections reported symptoms at the time the disease was first detected in testing , the CDC said .
Research on the role of children in the spread of COVID-19 has been inconclusive , although the issue has drawn great attention since summer and fall as districts across the country considered reopening schools in the midst of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ households with multiple lab-confirmed COVID-19 infections in Chicago reported cases of child-to-child transmission , and only two others had instances of child-to-adult transmission , a study published in June in the Journal of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society found .
However , research in Europe has documented child-to-child transmission in schools in Denmark , Germany and Sweden , each of which handled school closures differently as the pandemic spread .
The new CDC data is part of an ongoing study tracking the spread of COVID-19 in two communities -- Nashville and Marshfield , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the index patients included in the analysis were children and teens age 18 years and younger , and 20 of the 102 cases of household transmission were attributed to them , the data showed .
Of the index patients , 69 % reported spending more than four hours in the same room with one or more household members the day before and 40 % did so the day after illness onset , according to the CDC .
In addition , 40 % of index patients reported sleeping in the same room with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ onset and 30 % did so after symptoms first appeared , the agency said .
`` These findings suggest that transmission of [ COVID-19 ] within households is high , occurs quickly , and can originate from both children and adults , '' the agency researchers wrote .
`` Prompt adoption of disease control measures , including self-isolating at home , appropriate self-quarantine of household contacts , and all household members wearing a mask in shared spaces , can reduce the probability of household transmission , '' they said .

Children 12 and under who are infected with COVID-19 pass the virus to others in their households 53% of the time, according to new CDC data. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 30 (UPI) -- Children age 12 years and younger infected with COVID-19 pass the virus to other members of their households more than half of the time, according to data released Friday by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Teens aged 12 to 17 years infected others in their households nearly 40% of the time, the data showed. Advertisement
The findings are based on an analysis of the household contacts of 101 "index cases" of COVID-19 in Tennessee and Wisconsin between April and September, the agency said.
The index cases -- or people infected with the virus -- in the study had a total of 191 household contacts -- people living in the same home.
Among household contacts of the index cases included, 102, or 53 percent, were found to be infected with the virus -- 75% of them within five days of exposure, the CDC said.
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"Transmission of [COVID-19] among household members was common, and secondary infection rates were higher than have been previously reported," researchers wrote.
"Because prompt isolation of persons with COVID-19 can reduce household transmission, persons who suspect that they might have COVID-19 should isolate, stay at home, and use a separate bedroom and bathroom if feasible," they said.
Forty percent of household members with confirmed infections reported symptoms at the time the disease was first detected in testing, the CDC said.
Research on the role of children in the spread of COVID-19 has been inconclusive, although the issue has drawn great attention since summer and fall as districts across the country considered reopening schools in the midst of the pandemic.
Just two of 34 households with multiple lab-confirmed COVID-19 infections in Chicago reported cases of child-to-child transmission, and only two others had instances of child-to-adult transmission, a study published in June in the Journal of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society found.
However, research in Europe has documented child-to-child transmission in schools in Denmark, Germany and Sweden, each of which handled school closures differently as the pandemic spread.
The new CDC data is part of an ongoing study tracking the spread of COVID-19 in two communities -- Nashville and Marshfield, Wis. -- the agency said.
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Fourteen of the index patients included in the analysis were children and teens age 18 years and younger, and 20 of the 102 cases of household transmission were attributed to them, the data showed.
Of the index patients, 69% reported spending more than four hours in the same room with one or more household members the day before and 40% did so the day after illness onset, according to the CDC.
In addition, 40% of index patients reported sleeping in the same room with one or more household members before illness onset and 30% did so after symptoms first appeared, the agency said.
"These findings suggest that transmission of [COVID-19] within households is high, occurs quickly, and can originate from both children and adults," the agency researchers wrote.
"Prompt adoption of disease control measures, including self-isolating at home, appropriate self-quarantine of household contacts, and all household members wearing a mask in shared spaces, can reduce the probability of household transmission," they said.