upi--2020-08-28--COVID-19 deaths in U.S. top 1,000 for 3rd day in a row; 46,000 new cases

Aug. 28 ( UPI ) -- There were again more than 1,000 deaths from COVID-19 in the United States on Thursday , for the third straight day , new data from Johns Hopkins University showed Friday .
Figures from scientists at the university 's Center for Systems Science and Engineering showed 1,100 deaths Thursday .
U.S. deaths topped 1,200 on Tuesday and Wednesday after two straight days below 500 .
In addition to the deaths , there were 46,000 new COVID-19 cases nationally on Thursday , according to Johns Hopkins -- the second-highest daily total in nearly two weeks .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ there have been 5.87 million cases and 180,800 deaths in the United States , the university 's figures show .
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Thursday clarified its revised testing guidelines that said asymptomatic patients do n't need to be tested , even if they were exposed to the coronavirus .
Before Monday , CDC guidelines said all persons exposed to the virus should be tested .
The change said anyone within 6 feet of someone with COVID-19 , for at least 15 minutes , does not `` necessarily need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yet displayed symptoms .
Some scientists criticized the change , saying it was likely done to keep positive test numbers down for political reasons .
Thursday , CDC Director Robert Redfield clarified the change and said those who come in contact with COVID-19 patient can be tested , even if they do n't show symptoms .
In Maryland , Gov .
Larry Hogan strongly encouraged the state 's public schools Thursday to reopen for at least some in-person classes next month , although he did not directly order them to do so .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ districts have announced they will start holding some in-person classes as soon as mid-September .
Eight others -- including Baltimore County -- have indicated they will remain closed through January , a situation Hogan called `` simply not acceptable . ''
`` As a result of our improved health metrics , every single county school system in the state of Maryland is now fully authorized to begin safely reopening , '' he said at a news conference .
`` Nearly everyone agrees that there is no substitute for in-person instruction .
It is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flexible hybrid plans to safely get some of our kids back into classrooms and into healthy and supportive learning environments . ''
In Arizona , officials at the University of Arizona in Tucson said Thursday they used a wastewater testing system to avert a possible outbreak at one campus dorm .
President Robert Robbins told reporters that the water testing system at Likins Hall alerted the university that students or staff in the dorm may be positive for COVID-19 .
`` What we really need to find out is who are the people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Robbins said .
`` So , this random testing , this use of wastewater-based epidemiology is going to be really important . ''
Tests of more than 300 students at the dorm found two positive cases , Robbins said .
Those persons are now in isolation .

A woman wears a face mask as she takes a photo Thursday on the rooftop garden at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. The museum officially reopens to the public on Saturday after five months of closure due to the outbreak. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 28 (UPI) -- There were more than 1,000 U.S. deaths from COVID-19 for the third straight day Thursday, new data from Johns Hopkins University showed Friday. Figures from scientists at the university's Center for Systems Science and Engineering showed 1,100 deaths Thursday. U.S. deaths topped 1,200 on Tuesday and Wednesday after two straight days below 500. Advertisement
In addition to the deaths, there were 46,000 new COVID-19 cases nationally on Thursday, according to Johns Hopkins -- the second-highest daily total in nearly two weeks.
Since the start of the pandemic, there have been 5.87 million cases and 180,800 deaths in the United States, the university's figures show.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Thursday clarified its revised testing guidelines that said asymptomatic patients don't need to be tested, even if they were exposed to the coronavirus.
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Before Monday, CDC guidelines said all persons exposed to the virus should be tested. The change said anyone within 6 feet of someone with COVID-19, for at least 15 minutes, does not "necessarily need a test" if they haven't yet displayed symptoms.
Some scientists criticized the change, saying it was likely done to keep positive test numbers down for political reasons.
Thursday, CDC Director Robert Redfield clarified the change and said those who come in contact with a COVID-19 patient can be tested, even if they don't show symptoms.
Republican officials announced Friday that two attendees and two staffers at the Republican National Convention in Charlotte this week tested positive for the virus.
The GOP has come under fire for not implementing safety measures such as social distancing and mask requirements at convention events, including a nomination acceptance speech by President Donald Trump at the White House on Thursday.
In California, Merced County health officials temporarily shuttered a poultry processing plant where eight workers have died since late June and at least 358 tested positive for the novel coronavirus.
The county's Department of Public Health said the true number of cases linked to Foster Farms Livingston Facility is unknown because the employees sought out testing on their own and voluntarily reported their results to the company.
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County officials said the fatality rate of the workers is 2.2%, while the general population of the county is 1.3%
"If we're going to keep food on our tables during this pandemic, we must do a better job of protecting the essential workers who are putting it there," California Attorney General Xavier Becerra said. "That means standing up for the people in our poultry facilities, agricultural fields, meat processing plants, restaurants, grocery stores and more.
"Foster Farms' poultry operation in Livingston, California, has experienced an alarming spread of COVID-19 among its workers. Nobody can ignore the facts: It's time to hit the reset button on Foster Farms' Livingston plant."
According to The New York Times' coronavirus tracker, California has had 693,000 confirmed cases and more than 12,600 deaths. Based on population, Merced County has had the fifth-highest number of cases in the state -- 7,814, or 2,814 per 100,000 people. The hardest hit county in the state is Imperial, with 10,573 cases or 5,835 per 100,000.
In Maryland, Gov. Larry Hogan strongly encouraged the state's public schools Thursday to reopen for at least some in-person classes next month, although he did not directly order them to do so.
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Sixteen of the state's 24 school districts have announced they will start holding some in-person classes as soon as mid-September. Eight others -- including Baltimore County -- have indicated they will remain closed through January, a situation Hogan called "simply not acceptable."
"As a result of our improved health metrics, every single county school system in the state of Maryland is now fully authorized to begin safely reopening," he said at a news conference.
"Nearly everyone agrees that there is no substitute for in-person instruction. It is essential that we all work together on flexible hybrid plans to safely get some of our kids back into classrooms and into healthy and supportive learning environments."
Officials at the University of Arizona in Tucson said Thursday they used a wastewater testing system to avert a possible outbreak at one campus dorm.
President Robert Robbins told reporters that the water testing system at Likins Hall alerted the university that students or staff in the dorm may be positive for COVID-19.
"What we really need to find out is who are the people who are asymptomatic that are positive," Robbins said. "So, this random testing, this use of wastewater-based epidemiology is going to be really important."
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Tests of more than 300 students at the dorm found two positive cases, Robbins said. Those persons are now in isolation.


upi--2020-08-28--In Photos: Moments from Shania Twain's career

Twain finishes her Canadian tour playing to a full house in Vancouver on April 3 , 1999 .
A couple @ @ @ @ @ Man !
I Feel Like a Woman '' made the Top 10 country singles and @ @ @ @ @ Over '' topped the country albums on the Billboard charts .
Photo by H. Ruckemann/UPI

Twain finishes her Canadian tour playing to a full house in Vancouver on April 3, 1999. A couple months later her song "Man! I Feel Like a Woman" made the Top 10 country singles and her album "Come on Over" topped the country albums on the Billboard charts. Photo by H. Ruckemann/UPI


upi--2020-08-28--AEW Dynamite: Jon Moxley, MJF sign match contract

Aug. 28 ( UPI ) -- AEW World Champion Jon Moxley and MJF signed the contract for their upcoming championship match on Dynamite .
Moxley will defend his title against MJF at the All Out pay-per-view event on Sept. 5 .
Moxley met with MJF and his entourage Wednesday to make the bout official .
MJF , who has been running a presidential-like campaign to face Moxley , is still wearing a neck brace and uses a walker after Moxley took him out using the Paradigm Shift .
MJF 's lawyer explained that in the contract , the Paradigm Shift @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Remember two things .
Nothing you say matters and nothing I sign matters .
On September 5th , you 're a dead man , '' Moxley said before he signed the contract .
Moxley then revealed that there was an extra page added to the contract that MJF did not see .
The extra page announced that Moxley will be facing MJF 's lawyer in a match next week on Dynamite where the Paradigm Shift will not be banned .
If the lawyer does n't show up , MJF does not get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a Tag Team Gauntlet match was held with the winning team earning a title match against AEW World Tag Team Champions Kenny Omega and Hangman Adam Page at All Out .
Nick and Matt Jackson of The Young Bucks kicked things off against the Natural Nightmares , consisting of Dustin Rhodes and QT Marshall .
The Young Bucks eliminated The Natural Nightmares after performing the BTE Trigger on Marshall .
The Young Bucks next faced Chuck Taylor and Trent of Best Friends .
The Young Bucks attempted the Meltzer Driver but shockingly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jackson 's leg .
Trent rolled up Matt Jackson and was able to win the match .
Page worked against The Young Bucks despite being a member of The Elite alongside Matt and Nick Jackson .
FTR , consisting of Cash Wheeler and Dax Harwood , then entered last alongside their manager Tully Blanchard .
FTR won the Gauntlet after Harwood forced Taylor to tap out .
The Young Bucks , backstage , confronted Page at a bar while he was enjoying a drink .
The Young Bucks threw Page 's drink into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kicked out of The Elite .
Matt Hardy faced Sammy Guevara in a Tables match in the main event .
A winner is declared after a competitor puts their opponent through a table .
The bloody and violent affair involved Hardy nailing Guevara with a Twist of Fate while Guevara 's head was wedged into a steel chair .
Hardy placed Guevara on a table that had the word `` Deleted '' written across it as he got ready to win the match .
Guevara recovered , jumped up at Hardy who was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through the table to win the match .
Chris Jericho , who was on commentary , was then suddenly attacked by his rival Orange Cassidy as Dynamite went off the air .
Jericho and Cassidy will face each other in a Mimosa Mayhem match at All Out .
Other moments from AEW Dynamite included Lance Archer defeating Sean Maluta ; The Lucha Bros. and The Butcher and The Blade with Eddie Kingston defeating Joey Janela , Sonny Kiss , Brain Pillman Jr. and Griff Garrison ; newly crowned TNT Champion Mr. Brodie Lee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dark Order ; and Big Swole defeating Penelope Ford and Rebel in a Handicap match to earn a future bout against Dr. Britt Baker .
Fans were in attendance at Daily 's Place in Jacksonville for the first time since March .
The arena was filled to 10 percent capacity it was announced .
Fans were required to wear masks the entire time and were spaced out from each other .

Aug. 28 (UPI) -- AEW World Champion Jon Moxley and MJF signed the contract for their upcoming championship match on Dynamite.
Moxley will defend his title against MJF at the All Out pay-per-view event on Sept. 5. Moxley met with MJF and his entourage Wednesday to make the bout official.
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MJF, who has been running a presidential-like campaign to face Moxley, is still wearing a neck brace and uses a walker after Moxley took him out using the Paradigm Shift. MJF's lawyer explained that in the contract, the Paradigm Shift will be banned during their match.
"Remember two things. Nothing you say matters and nothing I sign matters. On September 5th, you're a dead man," Moxley said before he signed the contract.
Moxley then revealed that there was an extra page added to the contract that MJF did not see. The extra page announced that Moxley will be facing MJF's lawyer in a match next week on Dynamite where the Paradigm Shift will not be banned. If the lawyer doesn't show up, MJF does not get a title shot.
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Also on Dynamite, a Tag Team Gauntlet match was held with the winning team earning a title match against AEW World Tag Team Champions Kenny Omega and Hangman Adam Page at All Out.
Nick and Matt Jackson of The Young Bucks kicked things off against the Natural Nightmares, consisting of Dustin Rhodes and QT Marshall. The Young Bucks eliminated The Natural Nightmares after performing the BTE Trigger on Marshall.
The Young Bucks next faced Chuck Taylor and Trent of Best Friends. The Young Bucks attempted the Meltzer Driver but shockingly, Page appeared ringside and grabbed Nick Jackson's leg. Trent rolled up Matt Jackson and was able to win the match. Page worked against The Young Bucks despite being a member of The Elite alongside Matt and Nick Jackson.
FTR, consisting of Cash Wheeler and Dax Harwood, then entered last alongside their manager Tully Blanchard. FTR won the Gauntlet after Harwood forced Taylor to tap out.
The Young Bucks, backstage, confronted Page at a bar while he was enjoying a drink. The Young Bucks threw Page's drink into his face and announced that Page was kicked out of The Elite.
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Matt Hardy faced Sammy Guevara in a Tables match in the main event. A winner is declared after a competitor puts their opponent through a table.
The bloody and violent affair involved Hardy nailing Guevara with a Twist of Fate while Guevara's head was wedged into a steel chair.
Hardy placed Guevara on a table that had the word "Deleted" written across it as he got ready to win the match. Guevara recovered, jumped up at Hardy who was on the turnbuckle, and Suplexed him through the table to win the match.
Chris Jericho, who was on commentary, was then suddenly attacked by his rival Orange Cassidy as Dynamite went off the air. Jericho and Cassidy will face each other in a Mimosa Mayhem match at All Out.
Other moments from AEW Dynamite included Lance Archer defeating Sean Maluta; The Lucha Bros. and The Butcher and The Blade with Eddie Kingston defeating Joey Janela, Sonny Kiss, Brain Pillman Jr. and Griff Garrison; newly crowned TNT Champion Mr. Brodie Lee celebrating his victory over Cody with The Dark Order; and Big Swole defeating Penelope Ford and Rebel in a Handicap match to earn a future bout against Dr. Britt Baker.
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Fans were in attendance at Daily's Place in Jacksonville for the first time since March. The arena was filled to 10 percent capacity it was announced. Fans were required to wear masks the entire time and were spaced out from each other.


upi--2020-08-28--Pitcher Cody Ponce, Adam Frazier help Pirates sweep Cardinals doubleheader

Aug. 28 ( UPI ) -- Cody Ponce pitched 5 2/3 scoreless innings and Adam Frazier was the only player to record multiple hits to help the Pittsburgh Pirates earn a doubleheader sweep of the St. Louis Cardinals , capped off by a shutout .
Ponce and Cardinals starter Johan Oviedo each pitched scoreless first and second innings before Frazier and Erik Gonzalez sparked the Pirates offense for the 2-0 triumph Thursday in St. Louis .
The Pirates beat the Cardinals 4-3 in eight innings in the first game of the doubleheader before their seven-inning triumph .
Oviedo walked J.T @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inning before John Ryan Murphy pushed Riddle to second base with a single .
Riddle then moved the third base on a Oviedo wild pitch .
Gonzalez then knocked a single to left field , which plated Riddle for a 1-0 Pirates lead .
Frazier laced another RBI single to center field in the next at-bat for the final run of the game .
Ponce allowed five hits and had two strikeouts and two walks in the win .
Oviedo allowed four hits and two runs in five innings .
Frazier went 2 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pirates .
Gonzalez went 1 for 4 with an RBI .
Pirates relief pitcher Nik Turley did not allow a hit in the seventh inning to earn his first save of the season .
The Pirates ( 9-19 ) face the Milwaukee Brewers at 8:10 p.m. EDT Friday at Miller Park in Milwaukee .
The Cardinals ( 11-11 ) host the Cleveland Indians at 8:15 p.m. EDT Friday at Busch Stadium .

Pittsburgh Pirates infielder Kevin Newman went 1 for 4 in the first game of a doubleheader sweep over the St. Louis Cardinals Thursday in St. Louis. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 28 (UPI) -- Cody Ponce pitched 5 2/3 scoreless innings and Adam Frazier was the only player to record multiple hits to help the Pittsburgh Pirates earn a doubleheader sweep of the St. Louis Cardinals, capped off by a shutout. Ponce and Cardinals starter Johan Oviedo each pitched scoreless first and second innings before Frazier and Erik Gonzalez sparked the Pirates offense for the 2-0 triumph Thursday in St. Louis. Advertisement
The Pirates beat the Cardinals 4-3 in eight innings in the first game of the doubleheader before their seven-inning triumph.
Oviedo walked J.T Riddle in the second at-bat of the inning before John Ryan Murphy pushed Riddle to second base with a single. Riddle then moved the third base on a Oviedo wild pitch.
Gonzalez then knocked a single to left field, which plated Riddle for a 1-0 Pirates lead. Frazier laced another RBI single to center field in the next at-bat for the final run of the game.
Ponce allowed five hits and had two strikeouts and two walks in the win. Oviedo allowed four hits and two runs in five innings. Frazier went 2 for 4 and an RBI for the Pirates. Gonzalez went 1 for 4 with an RBI.
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Pirates relief pitcher Nik Turley did not allow a hit in the seventh inning to earn his first save of the season.
The Pirates (9-19) face the Milwaukee Brewers at 8:10 p.m. EDT Friday at Miller Park in Milwaukee. The Cardinals (11-11) host the Cleveland Indians at 8:15 p.m. EDT Friday at Busch Stadium.
This week in Major League Baseball


upi--2020-08-28--Lute Olson, Hall of Fame basketball coach, dies at 85

Aug. 28 ( UPI ) -- Hall of Fame basketball coach Lute Olson , who spent 24 seasons at the University of Arizona and led the Wildcats to the 1997 NCAA championship , has died at the age of 85 .
The university said Olson died Thursday .
He suffered a stroke in 2019 and has since had health issues , but the cause of death was not given .
`` Since I arrived in Tucson , Ariz. , almost 12 years ago , I have been asked hundreds of times 'What made coach Olson so successful ? '
Having @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people in our community the same question , I came to a final conclusion : He had no weaknesses as a coach , '' Arizona men 's basketball coach Sean Miller said in a statement .
The five-time National Coach of the Year began his collegiate head coaching career in 1973 at Cal State Long Beach .
He went 24-2 in his first season and later went on to post a 165-93 record in nine seasons at Iowa before he was hired at Arizona before the 1983 season .
Olson led the Wildcats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2006 and the NCAA tournament in 23 of his 24 seasons at the school .
His teams appeared in four Final Fours , including the 1997 championship game over Kentucky .
During the surprise championship run , the No .
4-seeded Wildcats defeated No .
1 seeds Kansas and North Carolina before they beat Kentucky , another top seed , for the title .
It remains the Pac 12 Conference 's last NCAA title in men 's basketball .
Olson also led Team USA to a gold medal at the 1986 FIBA World @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2002 .
The floor at the Wildcats ' McKale Center in Tucson is named in his honor .
`` It 's hard to put into words how much Lute Olson meant to me .
He was an amazing coach and a wonderful man , '' Golden State Warriors coach and former Wildcats guard Steve Kerr said .
`` Being part of the [ Arizona ] basketball family changed my life forever .
I will never forget 'Coach O , ' those awesome nights at McKale and all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I love you ! ''
Olson is survived by his wife , Kelly , daughters Vicki , Jody and Christi , sons Greg and Steve and 14 grandchildren .

Former Arizona men's basketball coach Lute Olson died Thursday at 85 years old. Photo courtesy of Gage Skidmore/Wikimedia Commons
Aug. 28 (UPI) -- Hall of Fame basketball coach Lute Olson, who spent 24 seasons at the University of Arizona and led the Wildcats to the 1997 NCAA championship, has died at the age of 85. The university said Olson died Thursday. He suffered a stroke in 2019 and has since had health issues, but the cause of death was not given. Advertisement
"Since I arrived in Tucson, Ariz., almost 12 years ago, I have been asked hundreds of times 'What made coach Olson so successful?' Having asked his former players, coaches and people in our community the same question, I came to a final conclusion: He had no weaknesses as a coach," Arizona men's basketball coach Sean Miller said in a statement.
Olson's 776 wins rank No. 12 all-time in men's college basketball history.
The five-time National Coach of the Year began his collegiate head coaching career in 1973 at Cal State Long Beach. He went 24-2 in his first season and later went on to post a 165-93 record in nine seasons at Iowa before he was hired at Arizona before the 1983 season.
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Olson led the Wildcats to a 587-190 record from 1983 to 2006 and the NCAA tournament in 23 of his 24 seasons at the school. His teams appeared in four Final Fours, including the 1997 championship game over Kentucky. During the surprise championship run, the No. 4-seeded Wildcats defeated No. 1 seeds Kansas and North Carolina before they beat Kentucky, another top seed, for the title. It remains the Pac 12 Conference's last NCAA title in men's basketball.
Olson also led Team USA to a gold medal at the 1986 FIBA World Championships and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2002. The floor at the Wildcats' McKale Center in Tucson is named in his honor.
"It's hard to put into words how much Lute Olson meant to me. He was an amazing coach and a wonderful man," Golden State Warriors coach and former Wildcats guard Steve Kerr said.
"Being part of the [Arizona] basketball family changed my life forever. I will never forget 'Coach O,' those awesome nights at McKale and all my teammates. Thank you coach. I love you!"
Olson is survived by his wife, Kelly, daughters Vicki, Jody and Christi, sons Greg and Steve and 14 grandchildren.
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Notable deaths of 2020


upi--2020-08-28--U.N. chief Antonio Guterres urges India to end use of coal

Aug. 28 ( UPI ) -- United Nations Secretary-general Antonio Guterres called on India Friday to stop using coal as a source of affordable energy , saying it must end the fossil fuel if it truly wants to be a global superpower .
Guterres made his comments virtually during the annual Darbari Seth Memorial Lecture .
The U.N. chief said India needs to cease building any new coal-fired plants after 2020 and begin phasing it out altogether .
He said India is in an ideal position to profit economically and fight climate change .
`` Investments in renewable energy , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recovery from the [ COVID-19 ] pandemic could extend electricity access to 270 million people worldwide -- fully a third of the people that currently lack it , '' Guterres said .
`` These same investments could help create 9 million jobs annually over the next three years .
Investments in renewable energy generate three times more jobs than investments in polluting fossil fuels . ''
Guterres added that nations like Britain , South Korea and Germany , plus the European Union , have all increased the pace of removing carbon emissions from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from unsustainable fossil fuels to clean and efficient renewables , and investing in energy storage solutions , such as green hydrogen , '' he said .
`` And it is not just developed economies stepping up .
Many in the developing world are leading by example -- countries such as Nigeria , which has recently reformed its fossil fuel subsidy framework . ''
Navroz Dubash , a professor at the Center for Policy Research , said a departure from coal in one of the largest nations on Earth would be difficult .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ India needs to actively plan to hasten and smoothen the path from coal to renewable energy , '' Dubash said .
`` This means planning for new livelihood opportunities in coal mining areas to ensure a just transition , ensuring the robustness of the grid , and making sure the costs of transition are not borne by poor consumers . ''

Haze from air pollution is seen in New Delhi, India. Guterres said Friday that investments in clean energy in India can create millions of jobs and expand electricity access to hundreds of millions. File Photo by EPA
Aug. 28 (UPI) -- United Nations Secretary-general Antonio Guterres called on India Friday to stop using coal as a source of affordable energy, saying it must end the fossil fuel if it truly wants to be a global superpower. Guterres made his comments virtually during the annual Darbari Seth Memorial Lecture. Advertisement
The U.N. chief said India needs to cease building any new coal-fired plants after 2020 and begin phasing it out altogether. He said India is in an ideal position to profit economically and fight climate change.
"Investments in renewable energy, clean transport and energy efficiency during the recovery from the [COVID-19] pandemic could extend electricity access to 270 million people worldwide -- fully a third of the people that currently lack it," Guterres said.
"These same investments could help create 9 million jobs annually over the next three years. Investments in renewable energy generate three times more jobs than investments in polluting fossil fuels."
Guterres added that nations like Britain, South Korea and Germany, plus the European Union, have all increased the pace of removing carbon emissions from their economies.
"They are shifting from unsustainable fossil fuels to clean and efficient renewables, and investing in energy storage solutions, such as green hydrogen," he said. "And it is not just developed economies stepping up. Many in the developing world are leading by example -- countries such as Nigeria, which has recently reformed its fossil fuel subsidy framework."
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Navroz Dubash, a professor at the Center for Policy Research, said a departure from coal in one of the largest nations on Earth would be difficult.
"Instead of more targets and pledges, India needs to actively plan to hasten and smoothen the path from coal to renewable energy," Dubash said. "This means planning for new livelihood opportunities in coal mining areas to ensure a just transition, ensuring the robustness of the grid, and making sure the costs of transition are not borne by poor consumers."


upi--2020-08-28--Google honors author Alexandre Dumas with new Doodle

Aug. 28 ( UPI ) -- Google is celebrating renowned French author Alexandre Dumas with a new Doodle .
The @ @ @ @ @ , The Count of Monte Cristo , was published in Parisian newspaper The Journal of @ @ @ @ @ 1884 .
Google 's homepage features a slideshow of artwork from Doodler Matt Cruickshank that @ @ @ @ @ The Count of Monte Cristo .
Dumas moved to Paris in 1822 and was a @ @ @ @ @ success with his action-packed novels such as 1844 's The Three Musketeers .
Dumas is @ @ @ @ @ French authors in the world with his books being translated into over 100 languages .
@ @ @ @ @ titled The Last Cavalier , was uncovered in Paris ' National Library of France in @ @ @ @ @ published in 2005 .
`` Merci , Alexandre Dumas , for all the excitement you @ @ @ @ @ ! ''
Google said .

Google is paying homage to French author Alexandre Dumas with a new Doodle. Image courtesy of Google
Aug. 28 (UPI) -- Google is celebrating renowned French author Alexandre Dumas with a new Doodle. The first installment of his novel, The Count of Monte Cristo, was published in Parisian newspaper The Journal of Debates on this day in 1884. Advertisement
Google's homepage features a slideshow of artwork from Doodler Matt Cruickshank that depicts an shortened version of The Count of Monte Cristo.
Dumas moved to Paris in 1822 and was a successful playwright before he found success with his action-packed novels such as 1844's The Three Musketeers.
Dumas is one of the most popular French authors in the world with his books being translated into over 100 languages.
A long-lost Dumas novel, titled The Last Cavalier, was uncovered in Paris' National Library of France in the late 1980s and was published in 2005.
"Merci, Alexandre Dumas, for all the excitement you've given so many readers!" Google said.


upi--2020-08-28--On MLK anniversary, Washington D.C. march to protest police brutality, urge voting

Aug. 28 ( UPI ) -- Tens of thousands of people are expected to descend on the National Mall in Washington , D.C. , Friday for a march against police brutality that 's timed to take place on the anniversary of the Rev .
Martin Luther King Jr. 's famous `` I Have a Dream Speech . ''
Organized by the Rev .
Al Sharpton 's National Action Network , the NAACP , the National Urban League and the Hispanic Federation , Friday 's march will begin at the Lincoln Memorial before moving to the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ civil rights leaders and the family members of those killed by police -- they will deliver remarks from the same spot where King gave his famous address 57 years ago on Aug. 28 , 1963 .
Organizers dubbed the event the `` Commitment March : Get Your Knee Off Our Necks , '' a reference to the death of George Floyd on May 25 .
He died after a police officer subdued him by kneeling on his neck for more than 8 minutes .
Among those expected to speak are the families of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Martin , Ahmaud Arbery and Floyd , as well as attorney Benjamin Crump ; civil rights and political leaders such as Martin Luther King III , Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee , D-Texas , Democratic National Committee Chairman Tom Perez ; and singers George Clinton , Tyrese and Ne-Yo .
The main program will begin at 11 a.m. EDT .
A pre-program will start at 8 a.m. and the march will commence at 1 p.m .
The National Action Network said Friday 's march aims to bring attention to police brutality nationwide and call @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Organizers are also seeking to encourage people to fill out the census and vote in the November presidential election .
`` For 401 years there were plenty knees on the necks of Blacks who came to this country .
Meet us in Washington on August 28 , 2020 as we honor the anniversary of the March on Washington and demand America get its knee off our necks ! ''
Sharpton said in a Twitter post in June announcing the event .
Organizers have encouraged residents from states with high COVID-19 rates to stay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ watch online .

A man poses in front of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial following the "Commitment Rally: Get Your Knee Off Our Necks" at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., on Friday. Photo by Ken Cedeno/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 28 (UPI) -- Civil rights activists, lawmakers and thousands of citizens assembled in Washington, D.C., Friday to rally against police brutality and call on voters to spur change with the November presidential election. Tens of thousands gathered on the National Mall for the "Commitment March: Get Your Knee Off Our Necks," a reference to the death of George Floyd on May 25. He died after a Minneapolis police officer subdued him by kneeling on his neck for several minutes. Advertisement
Friday's march -- held on the 57th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.'s famous "I Have a Dream Speech" -- began with remarks from civil rights leaders and elected officials in the exact location King delivered his historic address.
Organized by the Rev. Al Sharpton's National Action Network, the NAACP, the National Urban League and the Hispanic Federation, participants spoke at the Lincoln Memorial before a unified march to the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial.
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The network said Friday's march aims to bring attention to police brutality nationwide and call for law enforcement reforms and accountability. Organizers are also seeking to encourage people to fill out the census and vote in the Nov. 3 presidential election.
Sharpton attended with the family of Breonna Taylor, a Kentucky woman who was shot dead by Louisville police in March. Like Floyd's, her death has spurred much of the activism nationwide over the past several months.
One of the first speakers was Rep. Adriano Espaillat, D-N.Y.
"As the first formerly undocumented member of Congress, I stand here with you today to say, that yes, I am a man. That yes, we shall overcome," he said.
"We must pass legislation to ensure there is police reform," he added. "Let's rid of the chokehold, let's get rid of the knee."
Rep. Shelia Jackson Lee, D-Texas, called for reparations to Black communities and a permanent end to institutional racism.
"We want an America that will stamp out the divisiveness, the intimidation and the threats," she said. "We want a White House that stands as a healer-in-chief, who understands Black mothers' pain and understands your pain."
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Supporters hailed the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, which passed the Democratic House in June but has yet to be taken up in the Republican-held Senate. The proposal would bar police from using chokeholds and remove officers' qualified immunity from civil liability suits.
Others scheduled to speak Friday were the families of Floyd, Taylor and other Black Americans who have died in police-involved shootings -- Eric Garner, Trayvon Martin and Ahmaud Arbery.
Attorney Benjamin Crump, Martin Luther King III, Rep. Sheila Jackson of Texas, Democratic National Committee Chairman Tom Perez and singers George Clinton, Tyrese and Ne-Yo were also expected to speak at the event.
"For 401 years, there were plenty knees on the necks of Blacks who came to this country. Meet us in Washington on Aug. 28, 2020 as we honor the anniversary of the March on Washington and demand America get its knee off our necks!" Sharpton said in a Twitter post in June announcing the event.
Organizers encouraged residents from states with high COVID-19 rates to stay home and participate in local events or watch online.


upi--2020-08-28--Japanese PM Shinzo Abe announces resignation, citing failing health

Aug. 28 ( UPI ) -- Shinzo Abe , Japan 's longest-serving prime minister , announced Friday that he will resign due to health issues .
Abe announced his resignation during a press conference Friday evening in Tokyo where he told reporters that his health had been deteriorating since mid-July and he did not want his failing condition to affect the government .
`` My poor health should not lead to wrong political decisions , '' he said .
`` As I 'm no longer able to meet the expectation of the mandate of the people of Japan , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the position as prime minister anymore .
So , I have decided to step down . ''
Abe 's resignation follows speculation over his health after he made several hospital visits in August and amid reports he had vomited blood at his office in early July .
The 65-year-old has suffered from ulcerative colitis , an inflammatory bowel disease , which caused him to resign during the first year of his first term as prime minister in 2007 .
Abe returned to power in 2012 when his Liberal Democratic Party won a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his tenure , Japan experienced relative stability under his so-called Abenomics growth strategy of government spending , structural reforms and monetary easing but he has since come under criticism for his government 's handling of the coronavirus pandemic , which has battered the economy .
Abe , who had one year left on his term that began in 2019 , said he will remain in office until a successor is chosen .
`` For almost eight years I controlled my chronic disease , however , this year in June I had a regular @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the disease , '' he said .
`` I made a judgment that I should not continue my job as prime minister .
I need to fight against the disease and need to be treated . ''
His resignation comes days after he became the world 's third-largest economy 's longest-ruling leader on Monday .

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced his resignation during a press conference at the prime minister's official residence in Tokyo, Japan, on Friday. Photo by Frank Robichon/EPA-EFE
Aug. 28 (UPI) -- Shinzo Abe, Japan's longest-serving prime minister, announced Friday that he will resign due to health issues. Abe announced his resignation during a press conference Friday evening in Tokyo where he told reporters that his health had been deteriorating since mid-July and he did not want his failing condition to affect the government. Advertisement
"My poor health should not lead to wrong political decisions," he said. "As I'm no longer able to meet the expectation of the mandate of the people of Japan, I have decided that I should not stay in the position as prime minister anymore. So, I have decided to step down."
Abe's resignation follows speculation over his health after he made several hospital visits in August and amid reports he had vomited blood at his office in early July.
The 65-year-old has suffered from ulcerative colitis, an inflammatory bowel disease, which caused him to resign during the first year of his first term as prime minister in 2007.
Abe returned to power in 2012 when his Liberal Democratic Party won a landslide victory in parliamentary elections.
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During his tenure, Japan experienced relative stability under his so-called Abenomics growth strategy of government spending, structural reforms and monetary easing but he has since come under criticism for his government's handling of the coronavirus pandemic, which has battered the economy.
Abe, who had one year left on his term that began in 2019, said he will remain in office until a successor is chosen.
"For almost eight years I controlled my chronic disease, however, this year in June I had a regular check-up and there was a sign of the disease," he said. "I made a judgment that I should not continue my job as prime minister. I need to fight against the disease and need to be treated."
His resignation comes days after he became the world's third-largest economy's longest-ruling leader on Monday.
Ex-Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe slain at 67: a look back
Shinzo Abe, then-deputy secretary-general of the Liberal Democratic Party, speaks to the media after a four-day trip to India at the LDP head office in Tokyo on March 23, 2005. He emphasized the importance of better relations with India. Photo by Keizo Mori/UPI | License Photo


upi--2020-08-28--17-year-old charged with 2 counts of homicide for Kenosha shooting

Aug. 28 ( UPI ) -- Authorities have indicted 17-year-old Kyle Rittenhouse on five charges , including two homicide charges , for a shooting that left two people dead and a third injured during a protest in Wisconsin earlier this week .
Rittenhouse of Antioch , Ill. , was arrested Wednesday and indicted as an adult on charges of being a fugitive from justice and first-degree intentional homicide , for shooting three people , two fatally , in Kenosha a day prior during protests that erupted against racial inequality and police brutality after a police officer shot Jacob Blake in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him paralyzed .
Prosecutors filed the new complaint Thursday in Kenosha County Court charging Rittenhouse with one count of first-degree intentional homicide , one count of reckless homicide , one count for attempted homicide , two counts of recklessly endangering safety and a misdemeanor charge of possession of a dangerous weapon while under the age of 18 .
Charges in the complaint accuse the Illinois resident of fatally shooting Joseph Rosenbaum , 36 , and Anthony Huber , 26 , and injuring Gaige Grosskreutz , 26 , with an AR-15-style rifle before midnight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protesters had congregated .
According to the complaint , Rittenhouse was charged with reckless homicide for shooting Rosenbaum multiple times in a parking lot before shooting Huber who had attempted to disarm the teenager , for which he has been charged with first-degree intentional homicide .
Graphic video of the shooting captured on a cellphone shows Rittenhouse running down the street after having allegedly shot Rosenbaum as people run after him .
While fleeing , Rittenhouse falls , at which point Huber attempts to yank the rifle from the teenager who shoots him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ collapsing to the street .
Rittenhouse 's lawyer , John Pierce , defended his client in a statement Thursday night , stating he was acting in self-defense .
`` This was classic self-defense and we are going to prove it .
We will obtain justice for Kyle no matter how hard the fight or how long it takes , '' Pierce said .

Aug. 28 (UPI) -- Authorities have indicted 17-year-old Kyle Rittenhouse on five charges, including two homicide charges, for a shooting that left two people dead and a third injured during a protest in Wisconsin earlier this week.
Rittenhouse of Antioch, Ill., was arrested Wednesday and indicted as an adult on charges of being a fugitive from justice and first-degree intentional homicide, for shooting three people, two fatally, in Kenosha a day prior during protests that erupted against racial inequality and police brutality after a police officer shot Jacob Blake in the Wisconsin city on Sunday, leaving him paralyzed.
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Prosecutors filed the new complaint Thursday in Kenosha County Court charging Rittenhouse with one count of first-degree intentional homicide, one count of reckless homicide, one count for attempted homicide, two counts of recklessly endangering safety and a misdemeanor charge of possession of a dangerous weapon while under the age of 18.
Charges in the complaint accuse the Illinois resident of fatally shooting Joseph Rosenbaum, 36, and Anthony Huber, 26, and injuring Gaige Grosskreutz, 26, with an AR-15-style rifle before midnight Tuesday near the Civic Center Park where protesters had congregated.
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According to the complaint, Rittenhouse was charged with reckless homicide for shooting Rosenbaum multiple times in a parking lot before shooting Huber who had attempted to disarm the teenager, for which he has been charged with first-degree intentional homicide.
Graphic video of the shooting captured on a cellphone shows Rittenhouse running down the street after having allegedly shot Rosenbaum as people run after him. While fleeing, Rittenhouse falls, at which point Huber attempts to yank the rifle from the teenager who shoots him. Huber takes a few steps before collapsing to the street.
Rittenhouse's lawyer, John Pierce, defended his client in a statement Thursday night, stating he was acting in self-defense.
"This was classic self-defense and we are going to prove it. We will obtain justice for Kyle no matter how hard the fight or how long it takes," Pierce said.


upi--2020-08-28--Study: Kids visiting ER less for asthma since pandemic started

After stay-at-home orders were issued this spring because of COVID-19 , doctors at Children 's Hospital of Philadelphia noticed a dramatic drop in the number of patients who were being admitted for asthma emergencies or seeing their doctors for outpatient visits .
In a new study , doctors there noted the drops were significant : the hospital and its care network witnessed a 60 % decrease in daily asthma health care visits and an 83 % decrease in steroid prescriptions .
In-person visits , partially offset by new telehealth and phone appointments , decreased by 87 % for outpatient visits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` We saw less asthma events overall , severe and non-severe , '' said study senior author Dr. David Hill , an assistant professor of pediatrics at University of Pennsylvania , and a pediatric allergist at the hospital .
`` We were surprised by that . ''
Researchers from Children 's Hospital of Philadelphia , or CHOP , and the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania reviewed both the 60 days leading up to the March 17 stay-at-home orders for their region and the 60 days after those orders began .
They considered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on pollution and rhinovirus , a cause of the common cold .
They compared rhinovirus infection data to cases from the five previous years .
`` Rhinovirus has a long history of being documented as a virus that causes asthma flares and worse asthma outcomes , '' Hill said .
`` What we found is that rhinovirus infections were less after the shutdown .
`` It could be the masking and the social distancing procedures that we 're implementing for COVID were also helpful in limiting rhinovirus infections .
I think that 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the shutdown of schools and public spaces .
It could just be the enhanced hygiene procedures that all of us were doing , '' Hill added .
The findings were published recently in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology : In Practice .
`` It 's important to note that this is not causality , it 's association .
There could be other factors involved that we did n't study .
And this is specific to our region , '' Hill said .
Researchers considered the impact of other viruses , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those viruses were waning by March 17 .
They did n't research the impact of pollen , exposure to environmental allergens at schools or whether people were more consistently using their asthma medicines .
While overall patients experienced fewer significant asthma symptoms , two specific demographic groups did not .
Black patients had a 70 % increase in steroid prescriptions during this time and a higher percentage of care than they had before .
Study authors said this should be a focus of future studies and efforts to improve quality of patient care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increase in steroid prescriptions .
Asthma is a chronic condition that causes narrowing of airways , resulting in chest tightness , wheezing and shortness of breath .
It affects 1 in every 12 children .
Dr. Shyam Joshi is an assistant professor of medicine in the section of allergy and clinical immunology at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland .
He said in his area they are seeing much fewer urgent care or acutely symptomatic pediatric patients .
In addition to other measures , spring school closures likely played a big part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ therefore , asthma symptoms , Joshi said .
`` We know that in very young patients that acute episodes of wheezing or coughing , shortness of breath , about 80 % of those times are associated with an underlying viral infection , '' Joshi said .
`` Avoiding rhinovirus is going to clearly improve these acute episodes of wheezing and difficulty breathing . ''
In Baltimore , Dr. Corinne Keet , an associate professor of pediatrics at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine , said she also is seeing patients with fewer asthma @ @ @ @ @ @ @ improved asthma symptoms .
Though viruses can be the most immediate trigger , allergic inflammation plays a key role in asthma symptoms .
When they treat that first , patients do n't experience as many significant asthma symptoms , Keet said .
It 's too early to say what the upcoming flu season will be like , Keet said , but consistent hand-washing and mask wearing can help .
`` It 's not just COVID that is reduced when we do all those things .
All the respiratory viruses share those common transmission @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hand-washing , covering our faces , being away from other people reduce all of those things . ''
Hill suggested a more controlled study of the benefits of wearing masks and enhanced hygiene is needed .
`` If we can better understand why it is that asthma activity went down , perhaps we can emulate some of those things or , at least in select populations of severe asthmatics , institute some of those procedures to try to reduce asthma activity outside of a global pandemic , '' Hill said .
There 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ College of Asthma , Allergy & Immunology .

asthma inhaler. Photo by InspiredImages/Pixabay link back to: https://pixabay.com/photos/asthma-ventolin-breathe-inhaler-1147735/
After stay-at-home orders were issued this spring because of COVID-19, doctors at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia noticed a dramatic drop in the number of patients who were being admitted for asthma emergencies or seeing their doctors for outpatient visits. In a new study, doctors there noted the drops were significant: the hospital and its care network witnessed a 60% decrease in daily asthma health care visits and an 83% decrease in steroid prescriptions. Advertisement
In-person visits, partially offset by new telehealth and phone appointments, decreased by 87% for outpatient visits and 84% for hospital visits.
"We saw less asthma events overall, severe and non-severe," said study senior author Dr. David Hill, an assistant professor of pediatrics at University of Pennsylvania, and a pediatric allergist at the hospital. "We were surprised by that."
Researchers from Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, or CHOP, and the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania reviewed both the 60 days leading up to the March 17 stay-at-home orders for their region and the 60 days after those orders began.
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They considered possible asthma triggers, choosing to focus on pollution and rhinovirus, a cause of the common cold. They compared rhinovirus infection data to cases from the five previous years.
"Rhinovirus has a long history of being documented as a virus that causes asthma flares and worse asthma outcomes," Hill said. "What we found is that rhinovirus infections were less after the shutdown.
"It could be the masking and the social distancing procedures that we're implementing for COVID were also helpful in limiting rhinovirus infections. I think that's likely. It could be due to the shutdown of schools and public spaces. It could just be the enhanced hygiene procedures that all of us were doing," Hill added.
The findings were published recently in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice.
"It's important to note that this is not causality, it's association. There could be other factors involved that we didn't study. And this is specific to our region," Hill said.
Researchers considered the impact of other viruses, including influenza A and B, but found those viruses were waning by March 17. They didn't research the impact of pollen, exposure to environmental allergens at schools or whether people were more consistently using their asthma medicines.
Advertisement
While overall patients experienced fewer significant asthma symptoms, two specific demographic groups did not. Black patients had a 70% increase in steroid prescriptions during this time and a higher percentage of care than they had before. Study authors said this should be a focus of future studies and efforts to improve quality of patient care. Medicaid patients saw a 63% increase in steroid prescriptions.
Asthma is a chronic condition that causes narrowing of airways, resulting in chest tightness, wheezing and shortness of breath. It affects 1 in every 12 children.
Dr. Shyam Joshi is an assistant professor of medicine in the section of allergy and clinical immunology at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland. He said in his area they are seeing much fewer urgent care or acutely symptomatic pediatric patients.
In addition to other measures, spring school closures likely played a big part in reducing exposure to rhinovirus and, therefore, asthma symptoms, Joshi said.
"We know that in very young patients that acute episodes of wheezing or coughing, shortness of breath, about 80% of those times are associated with an underlying viral infection," Joshi said. "Avoiding rhinovirus is going to clearly improve these acute episodes of wheezing and difficulty breathing."
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In Baltimore, Dr. Corinne Keet, an associate professor of pediatrics at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, said she also is seeing patients with fewer asthma exacerbations this spring and they're self-reporting improved asthma symptoms.
Though viruses can be the most immediate trigger, allergic inflammation plays a key role in asthma symptoms. When they treat that first, patients don't experience as many significant asthma symptoms, Keet said.
It's too early to say what the upcoming flu season will be like, Keet said, but consistent hand-washing and mask wearing can help.
"It's not just COVID that is reduced when we do all those things. All the respiratory viruses share those common transmission pathways," Keet said. "Hand-washing, covering our faces, being away from other people reduce all of those things."
Hill suggested a more controlled study of the benefits of wearing masks and enhanced hygiene is needed.
"If we can better understand why it is that asthma activity went down, perhaps we can emulate some of those things or, at least in select populations of severe asthmatics, institute some of those procedures to try to reduce asthma activity outside of a global pandemic," Hill said.
More information
There's more on asthma attacks at the American College of Asthma, Allergy & Immunology.
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Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-08-28--Cold weather kills more people than heat, Illinois study finds

Extreme weather days have been on the rise worldwide since the advent of global warming .
But a new U.S. study finds that cold weather is responsible for most temperature-related deaths in Illinois .
Researchers analyzed data on heat- and cold-related injuries that required a hospital visit in the state between 2011 and 2018 .
They identified around 24,000 cases each related to the cold and to heat .
Of those , there were 1,935 cold-related deaths and 70 heat-related ones .
The cold caused 94 % of temperature-related deaths , even though hypothermia -- a drop in the body @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only 27 % of temperature-related hospital visits .
The University of Illinois Chicago study was recently published in the journal Environmental Research .
`` With the decrease in the number of cold weather days over the last several decades , we still see more deaths due to cold weather as opposed to hot weather , '' said study author Lee Friedman , an associate professor of environmental and occupational health sciences .
He said this is partly due to the body 's poorer ability to regulate its temperature once hypothermia sets in .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ contributes because people do n't have time to acclimate when those rarer cold days do occur , Friedman said .
Even mildly cool temperatures can trigger hypothermia , which is a drop in body temperature from the normal 98.7 degrees to 95 degrees Fahrenheit .
When people develop hypothermia , their organs and systems begin to shut down in an effort to preserve the brain .
Once started , this process can be difficult to get under control .
People who are more regularly exposed to lower temperatures are better able to resist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ study .
`` People who were experiencing homelessness in the records we looked at were less likely to die from temperature-related injury , '' Friedman said in a university news release .
`` Because they have greater outdoor exposure , they acclimate better to both heat and cold . ''
In general , people are better able to avoid heat-related issues by going to a cooler place or by hydrating , Friedman said .
`` Currently , the public health community focuses almost exclusively on heat injury .
Our data demonstrate that improved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ risk for cold injuries , especially since there are fewer but more severe cold weather days -- leaving less chance for acclimation , which can be protective against hypothermia , '' he concluded .
The researchers said the study shows how public health messages regarding weather must be tailored to different climate zones in the United States .
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on hypothermia .

Researchers say cold poses more of death risk than heat, based on an analysis of seven years of data in Illinois. Pictured, pedestrians cope with blowing snow as they walk through downtown Chicago in February 2011. File Photo by Brian Kersey/UPI | License Photo
Extreme weather days have been on the rise worldwide since the advent of global warming. But a new U.S. study finds that cold weather is responsible for most temperature-related deaths in Illinois. Researchers analyzed data on heat- and cold-related injuries that required a hospital visit in the state between 2011 and 2018. They identified around 24,000 cases each related to the cold and to heat. Advertisement
Of those, there were 1,935 cold-related deaths and 70 heat-related ones. The cold caused 94% of temperature-related deaths, even though hypothermia -- a drop in the body's core temperature -- was responsible for only 27% of temperature-related hospital visits.
The University of Illinois Chicago study was recently published in the journal Environmental Research.
"With the decrease in the number of cold weather days over the last several decades, we still see more deaths due to cold weather as opposed to hot weather," said study author Lee Friedman, an associate professor of environmental and occupational health sciences.
He said this is partly due to the body's poorer ability to regulate its temperature once hypothermia sets in. But fewer cold weather days overall also contributes because people don't have time to acclimate when those rarer cold days do occur, Friedman said.
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Even mildly cool temperatures can trigger hypothermia, which is a drop in body temperature from the normal 98.7 degrees to 95 degrees Fahrenheit.
When people develop hypothermia, their organs and systems begin to shut down in an effort to preserve the brain. Once started, this process can be difficult to get under control.
People who are more regularly exposed to lower temperatures are better able to resist hypothermia, as was shown in this study.
"People who were experiencing homelessness in the records we looked at were less likely to die from temperature-related injury," Friedman said in a university news release. "Because they have greater outdoor exposure, they acclimate better to both heat and cold."
In general, people are better able to avoid heat-related issues by going to a cooler place or by hydrating, Friedman said.
"Currently, the public health community focuses almost exclusively on heat injury. Our data demonstrate that improved awareness and education are needed around the risk for cold injuries, especially since there are fewer but more severe cold weather days -- leaving less chance for acclimation, which can be protective against hypothermia," he concluded.
The researchers said the study shows how public health messages regarding weather must be tailored to different climate zones in the United States.
Advertisement
More information
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on hypothermia.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-08-28--SpaceX plans to launch Argentine satellite into polar orbit from Florida

ORLANDO , Fla. , Aug. 28 ( UPI ) -- SpaceX plans to launch an Earth observation satellite for Argentina 's space agency Sunday evening as the first polar orbit mission from Florida in more than 50 years .
A Falcon 9 rocket is scheduled to lift off with the SAOCOM 1B satellite at 7:19 p.m. EDT from Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station .
This rocket is to head south over the Atlantic Ocean , while most Florida launches go east .
The spacecraft will pass over Cuba , and the first stage booster will fly back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , likely creating a sonic boom .
In the past , launching over communist Cuba would have caused `` consternation '' due to the Cold War standoff and lingering tension after that , U.S. Space Force Brig .
Gen. Douglas Schiess said this week .
Since 1969 , rockets launched from the United States have lifted off from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California or from Kodiak Island in Alaska .
Both of those sites have clear shots to the south over open water .
Any debris would not fall into populated areas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ date to 1960 , when part of a Thor rocket fell on Cuba , reportedly killing a cow .
That resulted in a moratorium and shifted all polar launches away from Florida .
The U.S. Space Command announced in 2017 that it again had certified a polar launch trajectory from Florida , but only if the rocket had an automated launch termination capability .
SpaceX 's Falcon 9 rocket has that .
Schiess said the U.S. State Department `` notified '' Cuba of the pending launch , but he did n't know if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the department for comment were not returned .
The rocket should be so high into the atmosphere as it crosses over the island nation that any potential debris from a failure would be small and dispersed by the time it reached Earth , the general said .
Argentina 's satellite had been scheduled for launch in March , but was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic , according to the Argentine agency , known as CONAE for the Comisión Nacional de Actividades Espaciales ( National Commission of Space Activities ) .
The delay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time in Cape Canaveral , away from our families , '' according to a statement from the agency 's executive and technical director , Raul Kulichevsky .
The launch had been set for Friday night , but the delay of another launch -- United Launch Alliance 's rocket carrying a U.S. spy satellite -- bumped the Argentine mission to Sunday .
The first of two SAOCOM satellites was launched in October 2018 .
According to the mission description for the program , a major focus for the spacecraft is to monitor weather and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will help producers know the best time for sowing , fertilizing and irrigation , in crops such as soybeans , corn , wheat and sunflower , '' the description said .

SpaceX plans to launch an Earth-observation satellite for Argentina's space agency on a Falcon 9 rocket, like the one shown here, Sunday evening from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. File Photo by Joe Marino/UPI | License Photo
ORLANDO, Fla., Aug. 28 (UPI) -- SpaceX plans to launch an Earth observation satellite for Argentina's space agency Sunday evening as the first polar orbit mission from Florida in more than 50 years. A Falcon 9 rocket is scheduled to lift off with the SAOCOM 1B satellite at 7:19 p.m. EDT from Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Advertisement
This rocket is to head south over the Atlantic Ocean, while most Florida launches go east. The spacecraft will pass over Cuba, and the first stage booster will fly back for recovery near the Air Force station, likely creating a sonic boom.
In the past, launching over communist Cuba would have caused "consternation" due to the Cold War standoff and lingering tension after that, U.S. Space Force Brig. Gen. Douglas Schiess said this week.
Since 1969, rockets launched from the United States have lifted off from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California or from Kodiak Island in Alaska. Both of those sites have clear shots to the south over open water. Any debris would not fall into populated areas.
Concerns about polar launches from Florida date to 1960, when part of a Thor rocket fell on Cuba, reportedly killing a cow. That resulted in a moratorium and shifted all polar launches away from Florida.
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The U.S. Space Command announced in 2017 that it again had certified a polar launch trajectory from Florida, but only if the rocket had an automated launch termination capability. SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket has that.
Schiess said the U.S. State Department "notified" Cuba of the pending launch, but he didn't know if Cuba responded. Calls and emails to the department for comment were not returned.
The rocket should be so high into the atmosphere as it crosses over the island nation that any potential debris from a failure would be small and dispersed by the time it reached Earth, the general said.
Argentina's satellite had been scheduled for launch in March, but was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic, according to the Argentine agency, known as CONAE for the Comisión Nacional de Actividades Espaciales (National Commission of Space Activities).
The delay "forced us to stay a long time in Cape Canaveral, away from our families," according to a statement from the agency's executive and technical director, Raul Kulichevsky.
The launch had been set for Friday night, but the delay of another launch -- United Launch Alliance's rocket carrying a U.S. spy satellite -- bumped the Argentine mission to Sunday.
The first of two SAOCOM satellites was launched in October 2018. According to the mission description for the program, a major focus for the spacecraft is to monitor weather and agriculture.
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Data on soil moisture "will help producers know the best time for sowing, fertilizing and irrigation, in crops such as soybeans, corn, wheat and sunflower," the description said.


upi--2020-08-28--Austin Peay, Central Arkansas to kick off college football season

Aug. 28 ( UPI ) -- The Austin Peay Governors will take on the Central Arkansas Bears in the first game of the 2020 college football season when the squads kick off at 9 p.m. EDT Saturday at the Cramton Bowl in Montgomery , Ala .
The game will air on ESPN .
The Cramton Bowl will be limited to 25 % capacity or a maximum of about 6,250 fans .
Both schools compete in the Football Championship Subdivision , or FCS .
The Football Bowl Subdivision ( FBS ) , the top-tier of Division I football , has 129 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ half of Division I , has 125 teams .
Austin Peay is in the Ohio Valley Conference , which has allowed its teams to play up to four non-conference games before it resumes a league schedule in the spring .
Central Arkansas is in the Southland Conference , which also postponed its league schedule to the spring .
The NCAA on Aug. 14 said FCS fall championships wo n't be possible because the majority of schools have had seasons postponed or canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic .
A large number of FBS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but those in the Atlantic Coast Conference , Southeastern Conference , Big 12 , American Athletic Conference , Sun Belt and Conference USA plan to play fall schedules .
The FBS slate is scheduled to begin when Southern Miss battles South Alabama at 9 p.m. EDT Sept. 3 in Hattiesburg , Miss .
Austin Peay posted an 11-4 record in 2019 , but lost in the quarterfinals of the Division I Football Championship tournament .
Central Arkansas went 9-4 last season and lost in the first round of the playoffs .
Oddsmakers have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ win the game .

All-American defensive back Kordell Jackson will be a key player for the Governors when they face the Central Arkansas Bears on Saturday at the Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Ala. Photo courtesy of APSU Athletics
Aug. 28 (UPI) -- The Austin Peay Governors will take on the Central Arkansas Bears in the first game of the 2020 college football season when the squads kick off at 9 p.m. EDT Saturday at the Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Ala. The game will air on ESPN. The Cramton Bowl will be limited to 25% capacity or a maximum of about 6,250 fans. Advertisement
Both schools compete in the Football Championship Subdivision, or FCS. The Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS), the top-tier of Division I football, has 129 teams. The FCS, the other half of Division I, has 125 teams.
Austin Peay is in the Ohio Valley Conference, which has allowed its teams to play up to four non-conference games before it resumes a league schedule in the spring. Central Arkansas is in the Southland Conference, which also postponed its league schedule to the spring.
The NCAA on Aug. 14 said FCS fall championships won't be possible because the majority of schools have had seasons postponed or canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
A large number of FBS schools also have postponed fall football, but those in the Atlantic Coast Conference, Southeastern Conference, Big 12, American Athletic Conference, Sun Belt and Conference USA plan to play fall schedules.
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The FBS slate is scheduled to begin when Southern Miss battles South Alabama at 9 p.m. EDT Sept. 3 in Hattiesburg, Miss.
Austin Peay posted an 11-4 record in 2019, but lost in the quarterfinals of the Division I Football Championship tournament. Central Arkansas went 9-4 last season and lost in the first round of the playoffs.
Oddsmakers have Central Arkansas as a five-point favorite to win the game.
Austin Peay vs. Central Arkansas
When: 9 p.m. EDT Saturday
Where: Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Ala.
TV: ESPN


upi--2020-08-28--New York Yankees put star OF Aaron Judge back on injured list

Aug. 28 ( UPI ) -- The New York Yankees placed star outfielder Aaron Judge on the 10-day injured list with a strained right calf , just days after the slugger returned from the injury .
The Yankees announced the roster move -- which is retroactive to Thursday -- before Friday 's opener of a doubleheader against the New York Mets .
The team promoted top outfield prospect Estevan Florial to be the 29th man and put him in the lineup in Game 1 of the doubleheader .
Judge was activated from the IL on Wednesday but aggravated the injury @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He was removed from the contest in the sixth inning .
`` It 's just a recurrence of the [ calf ] strain that he had suffered before , '' Yankees manager Aaron Boone said .
`` Similar in that it 's low grade and pretty minor , but enough that he had to go back on the IL .
Hopefully it 's not something that keeps him down too long , but definitely something that we 've got to continue to work to get right . ''
Judge has now been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the last three seasons .
He rejoins Giancarlo Stanton , D.J .
LeMahieu , Gleyber Torres , James Paxton and Zack Britton on the Yankees ' IL .
The 28-year-old Judge is batting .292 with nine home runs and 20 RBIs in 18 games this season .

New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge is batting .292 with nine home runs and 20 RBIs in 18 games this season. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 28 (UPI) -- The New York Yankees placed star outfielder Aaron Judge on the 10-day injured list with a strained right calf, just days after the slugger returned from the injury. The Yankees announced the roster move -- which is retroactive to Thursday -- before Friday's opener of a doubleheader against the New York Mets. The team promoted top outfield prospect Estevan Florial to be the 29th man and put him in the lineup in Game 1 of the doubleheader. Advertisement
Judge was activated from the IL on Wednesday but aggravated the injury in a game against the Atlanta Braves. He was removed from the contest in the sixth inning.
"It's just a recurrence of the [calf] strain that he had suffered before," Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. "Similar in that it's low grade and pretty minor, but enough that he had to go back on the IL. Hopefully it's not something that keeps him down too long, but definitely something that we've got to continue to work to get right."
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Judge has now been placed on the injured list four times in the last three seasons. He rejoins Giancarlo Stanton, D.J. LeMahieu, Gleyber Torres, James Paxton and Zack Britton on the Yankees' IL.
The 28-year-old Judge is batting .292 with nine home runs and 20 RBIs in 18 games this season.
This week in Major League Baseball


upi--2020-08-28--Rory McIlroy, Patrick Cantlay share Round 2 lead at BMW Championship

Aug. 28 ( UPI ) -- Rory McIlroy and Patrick Cantlay were tied atop the leaderboard after Friday 's second round of the BMW Championship at Olympia Fields Country Club in Olympia Fields , Ill. McIlroy ended the day at 1-under 139 to share the 36-hole lead with Cantlay , who had a 2-under 68 in the second round to climb 13 spots .
McIlroy had a 1-under 69 , as the course at Olympia Fields continued to challenge players .
`` I think the test is what 's helped me focus and concentrate because if you lose focus out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lapse in concentration can really cost you around here , '' McIlroy said .
`` I think one of the big keys this week is just not making big numbers .
`` If you hit it out of position , get it back in position , make sure that your worst score is bogey and move on .
Honestly , bogeys are n't that bad out here . ''
McIlroy and Cantlay are one shot ahead of Hideki Matsuyama and Dustin Johnson entering the weekend .
Matsuyama -- the only player to reach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ -- held the lead after the first round but had four bogeys over his final 10 holes for a 73 .
Johnson finished with two straight birdies for a 69 .
Adam Scott , Brendon Todd , Louis Oosthuizen , Billy Horschel and Tony Finau were at 1-over par and tied for fifth after the second round .
Mackenzie Hughes , Kevin Kisner and Bubba Watson were a shot back of that group at 2-over 142 .
Meanwhile , Tiger Woods ' PGA Tour season appears to be two rounds from concluding .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ putt on his last hole to shoot 75 , which left him nine strokes behind the lead .
Woods , who needs to finish around fourth to have any chance of competing at the season-ending Tour Championship next week in Atlanta , is tied for 55th at 8-over 148 going into the weekend .
Defending champion Justin Thomas and Daniel Berger both carded 74s Friday to sit at 7-over par .
PGA Championship winner Collin Morikawa ( 73 ) goes into the third round at 9-over 149 .
The third round of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ p.m. EDT Saturday .
The top 30 from the tournament move on to the Tour Championship next week at East Lake in Atlanta for a chance at its $ 15 million prize .

Rory McIlroy (pictured) ended the day at 1-under 139 to share the 36-hole lead with Patrick Cantlay. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 28 (UPI) -- Rory McIlroy and Patrick Cantlay were tied atop the leaderboard after Friday's second round of the BMW Championship at Olympia Fields Country Club in Olympia Fields, Ill. McIlroy ended the day at 1-under 139 to share the 36-hole lead with Cantlay, who had a 2-under 68 in the second round to climb 13 spots. McIlroy had a 1-under 69, as the course at Olympia Fields continued to challenge players. Advertisement
"I think the test is what's helped me focus and concentrate because if you lose focus out there for one second ... just one lapse in concentration can really cost you around here," McIlroy said. "I think one of the big keys this week is just not making big numbers.
"If you hit it out of position, get it back in position, make sure that your worst score is bogey and move on. Honestly, bogeys aren't that bad out here."
McIlroy and Cantlay are one shot ahead of Hideki Matsuyama and Dustin Johnson entering the weekend. Matsuyama -- the only player to reach 4-under par at any point this week -- held the lead after the first round but had four bogeys over his final 10 holes for a 73. Johnson finished with two straight birdies for a 69.
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Adam Scott, Brendon Todd, Louis Oosthuizen, Billy Horschel and Tony Finau were at 1-over par and tied for fifth after the second round. Mackenzie Hughes, Kevin Kisner and Bubba Watson were a shot back of that group at 2-over 142.
Meanwhile, Tiger Woods' PGA Tour season appears to be two rounds from concluding. He had to sink a 35-foot par putt on his last hole to shoot 75, which left him nine strokes behind the lead.
Woods, who needs to finish around fourth to have any chance of competing at the season-ending Tour Championship next week in Atlanta, is tied for 55th at 8-over 148 going into the weekend.
Defending champion Justin Thomas and Daniel Berger both carded 74s Friday to sit at 7-over par. PGA Championship winner Collin Morikawa (73) goes into the third round at 9-over 149.
The third round of the BMW Championship runs from noon to 6 p.m. EDT Saturday. The top 30 from the tournament move on to the Tour Championship next week at East Lake in Atlanta for a chance at its $15 million prize.


upi--2020-08-28--Saints, Pelicans owner Gayle Benson tests positive for coronavirus

Aug. 28 ( UPI ) -- Gayle Benson , the owner of the NFL 's New Orleans Saints and NBA 's Pelicans , has tested positive for the coronavirus , the organizations announced Friday .
Team spokesman Greg Bensel said Benson is `` progressing well and improving daily '' in her recovery from the virus , noting that she `` has not missed a daily work call with Saints and Pelicans staff , nor has she missed an NBA or NFL owner call in recent days . ''
`` She was not hospitalized and is recovering at home , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She thanks everyone for their thoughts and prayers . ''
Benson , 73 , attended practice earlier in the Saints ' training camp before testing positive for COVID-19 at some point in the past few weeks .
According to the Saints , she was never staying at the team hotel in downtown New Orleans .
To this point in training camp , the Saints have had three players test positive for the virus , but all of those were described as `` false positives . ''
Saints head coach Sean Payton also tested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ though he had a quick recovery after experiencing minor symptoms .
Benson becomes the latest NFL or NBA owner to test positive .
Arizona Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill recovered from the coronavirus in July , and New York Knicks owner James Dolan recovered from the virus in the spring .

New Orleans Saints and Pelicans owner Gayle Benson attended practice earlier in the Saints' training camp before testing positive for COVID-19 at some point in the past few weeks. File Photo by AJ Sisco/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 28 (UPI) -- Gayle Benson, the owner of the NFL's New Orleans Saints and NBA's Pelicans, has tested positive for the coronavirus, the organizations announced Friday. Team spokesman Greg Bensel said Benson is "progressing well and improving daily" in her recovery from the virus, noting that she "has not missed a daily work call with Saints and Pelicans staff, nor has she missed an NBA or NFL owner call in recent days." Advertisement
"She was not hospitalized and is recovering at home," Bensel said in a statement. "She thanks everyone for their thoughts and prayers."
Benson, 73, attended practice earlier in the Saints' training camp before testing positive for COVID-19 at some point in the past few weeks. According to the Saints, she was never staying at the team hotel in downtown New Orleans.
Statement on Saints owner Gayle Benson: pic.twitter.com/2vRAEtY6Q6— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) August 28, 2020
To this point in training camp, the Saints have had three players test positive for the virus, but all of those were described as "false positives." Saints head coach Sean Payton also tested positive for COVID-19 in the spring, though he had a quick recovery after experiencing minor symptoms.
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Benson becomes the latest NFL or NBA owner to test positive. Arizona Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill recovered from the coronavirus in July, and New York Knicks owner James Dolan recovered from the virus in the spring.


upi--2020-08-28--Hurricane Laura: 14 dead, thousands without power in Louisiana, Texas

Aug. 28 ( UPI ) -- The death toll one day after Hurricane Laura made landfall in western Louisiana has risen to 14 , including four in Texas , local officials said Friday .
Louisiana Gov .
John Bel Edwards said of the 10 who died in his state , five had carbon monoxide poisoning from using gas-powered generators , four were victims of tree falls and one drowned while on a boat .
Texas officials said one person died in Sabine County after a tree hit his mobile home and three died from possible carbon monoxide poisoning in Port @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Arthur were hospitalized after using generators .
Thousands of residents of both states turned to using the generators after losing power during the storm , which made landfall Thursday as a Category 4 storm .
More than 600,000 homes and businesses in Louisiana , Texas and Arkansas were without power Friday eventing , Poweroutage.us reported .
Electricity was cut in Laura 's path immediately -- and it was still out early Friday for more than 473,000 customers in Louisiana , 110,000 in Texas and 21,000 in Arkansas .
At one point , more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ video has revealed significant damage from Laura 's 150-mph winds and flooding brought on by severe storm surge .
There were scenes of flattened homes and buildings in and around the landfall point of Cameron , La .
`` I was so sick to my stomach , '' Holly Beach resident Robert Eggert told USA Today .
`` Everything 's gone . ''
In Lake Charles , La.
, Mayor Nic Hunter said the city sustained heavy wind damage and returning evacuees found homes and buildings reduced to scraps of wood , sheet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of downed trees and power lines .
`` This has turned out for the city of Lake Charles to be a catastrophic wind event , '' Hunter told The Weather Channel .
`` I see buildings in downtown Lake Charles that look like Swiss cheese . ''
Laura blew out windows in the Capitol One Tower in downtown Lake Charles and dislodged the Isle of Capri riverboat casino , sending it into the Interstate 10 bridge over the Calcasieau River .
`` It is clear that we did not sustain and suffer the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was likely , '' Edwards said late Thursday .
`` But we have sustained a tremendous amount of damage .
We have thousands and thousands of our fellow citizens whose lives are upside down . ''
Laura was downgraded Friday to a tropical depression but forecasters said it 's still a potent storm , producing heavy rain and potential tornadoes across the region in Arkansas , Mississippi , Alabama , Tennessee , Kentucky and Illinois .
The National Hurricane Center issued tornado warnings through late Friday for parts of the Mid-South and Tennessee @ @ @

1/4
A U.S. Coast Guard Station New Orleans boat team walks a flooded road in Erath, La., on Thursday in the aftermath of Hurricane Laura. Photo by PO3 John Michelli/U.S. Coast Guard/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 28 (UPI) -- The death toll one day after Hurricane Laura made landfall in western Louisiana has risen to 14, including four in Texas, local officials said Friday. Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards said of the 10 who died in his state, five had carbon monoxide poisoning from using gas-powered generators, four were victims of tree falls and one drowned while on a boat. Advertisement
Texas officials said one person died in Sabine County after a tree hit his mobile home and three died from possible carbon monoxide poisoning in Port Arthur. Another 23 people in Port Arthur were hospitalized after using generators.
Thousands of residents of both states turned to using the generators after losing power during the storm, which made landfall Thursday as a Category 4 storm.
More than 600,000 homes and businesses in Louisiana, Texas and Arkansas were without power Friday eventing, Poweroutage.us reported.
Electricity was cut in Laura's path immediately -- and it was still out early Friday for more than 473,000 customers in Louisiana, 110,000 in Texas and 21,000 in Arkansas. At one point, more than 750,000 had no power.
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Aerial video has revealed significant damage from Laura's 150-mph winds and flooding brought on by severe storm surge. There were scenes of flattened homes and buildings in and around the landfall point of Cameron, La.
"I was so sick to my stomach," Holly Beach resident Robert Eggert told USA Today. "Everything's gone."
In Lake Charles, La., Mayor Nic Hunter said the city sustained heavy wind damage and returning evacuees found homes and buildings reduced to scraps of wood, sheet metal and insulation, along with hundreds of downed trees and power lines.
"This has turned out for the city of Lake Charles to be a catastrophic wind event," Hunter told The Weather Channel. "I see buildings in downtown Lake Charles that look like Swiss cheese."
Laura blew out windows in the Capitol One Tower in downtown Lake Charles and dislodged the Isle of Capri riverboat casino, sending it into the Interstate 10 bridge over the Calcasieau River.
"It is clear that we did not sustain and suffer the absolute, catastrophic damage that we thought was likely," Edwards said late Thursday. "But we have sustained a tremendous amount of damage. We have thousands and thousands of our fellow citizens whose lives are upside down."
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Laura was downgraded Friday to a tropical depression but forecasters said it's still a potent storm, producing heavy rain and potential tornadoes across the region in Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky and Illinois.
The National Hurricane Center issued tornado warnings through late Friday for parts of the Mid-South and Tennessee Valley regions.


upi--2020-08-28--NBA, NHL playoffs, college football highlight weekend sports

Aug. 28 ( UPI ) -- The return of college football and the NHL and NBA playoffs highlight live sports action this weekend .
Major League Baseball , Major League Soccer , NASCAR and UFC also have a number of planned events .
The leagues have banned fans from attending events or have reduced capacities due to coronavirus pandemic safety precautions .
But fans will be in the stands -- in limited fashion -- at the Cramton Bowl on Saturday in Montgomery , Ala. , to watch the Austin Peay Governors take on the Central Arkansas Bears in the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Football Championship Subdivision clash marks the end of six months of uncertainty that fans might not get to see football at all this fall due to the pandemic .
The Football Bowl Subdivision series -- the top-tier of Division I football -- will start Thursday .
Austin Peay and Central Arkansas kick off at 9 p.m. EDT on ESPN .
The NHL postponed two days of Stanley Cup playoff games this week in response to sports-wide protests of the shooting of Jacob Blake .
The league plans to resume the second-round @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will face the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first matchup of the weekend with Game 4 of that series planned for noon EDT Saturday on NBC .
Tampa Bay has a 2-1 series lead .
The Philadelphia Flyers will take on the New York Islanders in Game 3 of their tied series at 7 p.m. EDT Saturday on NBCSN .
The Vegas Golden Knights and Vancouver Canucks also are tied at 1-1 in their series , and they will play Game 3 at 9:45 p.m. EDT Saturday on NBCSN .
Sunday 's hockey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Dallas Stars in a Game 4 at 6 p.m. EDT on NBCSN .
The Flyers and Islanders will clash in Game 4 of their series at 8 p.m. EDT Sunday on NBC .
The Golden Knights and Canucks will play in Sunday 's nightcap with a 10:30 p.m. EDT start for their Game 4 .
The NBA and the National Basketball Players Association announced Friday the playoffs will resume Saturday in Orlando , Fla. , after games were postponed Wednesday , Thursday and Friday because of athlete sit-outs .
In a joint @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said they will work together on multiple initiatives to combat social injustice and racial inequality , promote voting access and advocate for police reform .
`` These commitments follow months of close collaboration around designing a safe and healthy environment to restart the NBA season , providing a platform to promote social justice , as well as creating an NBA Foundation focused on economic empowerment in the Black community , '' NBA commissioner Adam Silver and NBPA executive director Michele Roberts said in the statement .
`` We look forward to the resumption @ @ @ @ @ @ @ together -- in Orlando and in all NBA team markets -- to push for meaningful and sustainable change . ''
The Milwaukee Bucks -- the first sports team to refuse to play Wednesday -- are scheduled to face the Orlando Magic in Game 5 of their first-round Eastern Conference series .
The Bucks have a 3-1 series lead .
The Oklahoma City Thunder and Houston Rockets will play Game 5 of their series -- which is tied 2-2 -- after the Bucks-Magic clash .
The Los Angeles Lakers are up 3-1 on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 5 clash .
Those six teams are set to play Saturday , with another three games slated for Sunday .
The Utah Jazz have a 3-2 lead over the Denver Nuggets ahead of that first-round Game 6 .
The Los Angeles Clippers have a 3-2 lead in their series against the Dallas Mavericks .
The Boston Celtics and Toronto Raptors are the only teams to clinch spots in the second round .
They will match up in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference semifinals series Sunday .
From there , the NBA playoffs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scheduled .
BMW Championship : Third round from noon to 3 p.m. EDT on Golf Channel ; 3 to 6 p.m. EDT on NBC Game 5 : Magic vs .
Bucks at 3:30 p.m. EDT on ESPN Game 5 : Thunder vs .
Rockets at 6:30 p.m. EDT on TNT Game 5 : Trail Blazers vs. Lakers at 9 p.m. EDT on TNT Game 4 : Lightning vs. Bruins at noon EDT on NBC Game 3 : Flyers vs. Islanders at 7 p.m. EDT on NBCSN Game 3 : Golden Knights vs. Canucks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Series : Coke Zero Sugar 400 at 7:30 p.m. EDT on NBC Indians at Cardinals at 1:15 p.m. EDT on Fox Braves at Phillies at 1:15 p.m. EDT on Fox Royals at White Sox at 2:10 p.m. EDT on FS1 MLS : New England Revolution vs. New York Red Bulls at 8 p.m. EDT on FS1 Austin Peay vs. Central Arkansas at 9 p.m. EDT on ESPN Ricardo Lamas vs. Bill Algeo after first fight Ji Yeon Kim vs. Alexa Grasso after second fight Robbie Lawler vs. Neil Magny after third fight BMW @ @ @ @ @ @ @ p.m. EDT on Golf Channel ; 3 to 6 p.m. EDT on NBC Mets at Yankees at 1:05 p.m. EDT on TBS Giants at Diamondbacks at 4:10 p.m. EDT on ESPN Braves at Phillies at 7:08 p.m. EDT on ESPN Game 4 : Stars vs. Avalanche at 6 p.m. EDT on NBCSN Game 4 : Flyers vs. Islanders at 8 p.m. EDT on NBC Game 4 : Golden Knights vs. Canucks at 10:30 p.m. EDT on NBCSN MLS : Seattle Sounders vs. Los Angeles Football Club at 10 p.m. EDT on FS1 Game @ @ @ @ @ @ @ p.m. EDT on ESPN Game 6 : Clippers vs. Mavericks at 3:30 p.m. EDT on ESPN Game 6 : Nuggets vs. Jazz at 8:30 p.m. EDT on TNT

LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers are expected to resume play with Game 5 against the Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday in Orlando, Fla. File Photo by Jon SooHoo/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 28 (UPI) -- The return of college football and the NHL and NBA playoffs highlight live sports action this weekend. Major League Baseball, Major League Soccer, NASCAR and UFC also have a number of planned events. The leagues have banned fans from attending events or have reduced capacities due to coronavirus pandemic safety precautions. Advertisement
But fans will be in the stands -- in limited fashion -- at the Cramton Bowl on Saturday in Montgomery, Ala., to watch the Austin Peay Governors take on the Central Arkansas Bears in the first game of the 2020 college football season.
The Football Championship Subdivision clash marks the end of six months of uncertainty that fans might not get to see football at all this fall due to the pandemic. The Football Bowl Subdivision series -- the top-tier of Division I football -- will start Thursday.
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Austin Peay and Central Arkansas kick off at 9 p.m. EDT on ESPN.
Stanley Cup playoffs
The NHL postponed two days of Stanley Cup playoff games this week in response to sports-wide protests of the shooting of Jacob Blake. The league plans to resume the second-round playoff slate Saturday.
The Boston Bruins will face the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first matchup of the weekend with Game 4 of that series planned for noon EDT Saturday on NBC. Tampa Bay has a 2-1 series lead.
The Philadelphia Flyers will take on the New York Islanders in Game 3 of their tied series at 7 p.m. EDT Saturday on NBCSN. The Vegas Golden Knights and Vancouver Canucks also are tied at 1-1 in their series, and they will play Game 3 at 9:45 p.m. EDT Saturday on NBCSN.
Sunday's hockey schedule begins with the Colorado Avalanche against the Dallas Stars in a Game 4 at 6 p.m. EDT on NBCSN. The Flyers and Islanders will clash in Game 4 of their series at 8 p.m. EDT Sunday on NBC. The Golden Knights and Canucks will play in Sunday's nightcap with a 10:30 p.m. EDT start for their Game 4.
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NBA playoffs return
The NBA and the National Basketball Players Association announced Friday the playoffs will resume Saturday in Orlando, Fla., after games were postponed Wednesday, Thursday and Friday because of athlete sit-outs.
In a joint statement, the league and its players said they will work together on multiple initiatives to combat social injustice and racial inequality, promote voting access and advocate for police reform.
"These commitments follow months of close collaboration around designing a safe and healthy environment to restart the NBA season, providing a platform to promote social justice, as well as creating an NBA Foundation focused on economic empowerment in the Black community," NBA commissioner Adam Silver and NBPA executive director Michele Roberts said in the statement.
"We look forward to the resumption of the playoffs and continuing to work together -- in Orlando and in all NBA team markets -- to push for meaningful and sustainable change."
The Milwaukee Bucks -- the first sports team to refuse to play Wednesday -- are scheduled to face the Orlando Magic in Game 5 of their first-round Eastern Conference series. The Bucks have a 3-1 series lead.
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The Oklahoma City Thunder and Houston Rockets will play Game 5 of their series -- which is tied 2-2 -- after the Bucks-Magic clash. The Los Angeles Lakers are up 3-1 on the Portland Trail Blazers ahead of their Game 5 clash.
Those six teams are set to play Saturday, with another three games slated for Sunday.
The Utah Jazz have a 3-2 lead over the Denver Nuggets ahead of that first-round Game 6. The Los Angeles Clippers have a 3-2 lead in their series against the Dallas Mavericks.
The Boston Celtics and Toronto Raptors are the only teams to clinch spots in the second round. They will match up in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference semifinals series Sunday.
From there, the NBA playoffs are expected to go on as previously scheduled.
Saturday
Golf
BMW Championship: Third round from noon to 3 p.m. EDT on Golf Channel; 3 to 6 p.m. EDT on NBC
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Basketball -- NBA playoffs
Game 5: Magic vs. Bucks at 3:30 p.m. EDT on ESPN
Game 5: Thunder vs. Rockets at 6:30 p.m. EDT on TNT
Game 5: Trail Blazers vs. Lakers at 9 p.m. EDT on TNT
Hockey -- Stanley Cup playoffs
Game 4: Lightning vs. Bruins at noon EDT on NBC
Game 3: Flyers vs. Islanders at 7 p.m. EDT on NBCSN
Game 3: Golden Knights vs. Canucks at 9:45 p.m. EDT on NBCSN
NASCAR
Cup Series: Coke Zero Sugar 400 at 7:30 p.m. EDT on NBC
Baseball
Indians at Cardinals at 1:15 p.m. EDT on Fox
Braves at Phillies at 1:15 p.m. EDT on Fox
Royals at White Sox at 2:10 p.m. EDT on FS1
Soccer
MLS: New England Revolution vs. New York Red Bulls at 8 p.m. EDT on FS1
College football
Austin Peay vs. Central Arkansas at 9 p.m. EDT on ESPN
UFC Fight Night on ESPN+
Magomed Ankalaev vs. Ion Cutelaba at 9 p.m. EDT
Ricardo Lamas vs. Bill Algeo after first fight
Ji Yeon Kim vs. Alexa Grasso after second fight
Robbie Lawler vs. Neil Magny after third fight
Anthony Smith vs. Aleksandar Rakic after fourth fight
Sunday
Golf
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BMW Championship: Fourth-round from noon to 3 p.m. EDT on Golf Channel; 3 to 6 p.m. EDT on NBC
Baseball
Mets at Yankees at 1:05 p.m. EDT on TBS
Giants at Diamondbacks at 4:10 p.m. EDT on ESPN
Braves at Phillies at 7:08 p.m. EDT on ESPN
Hockey -- Stanley Cup playoffs (if necessary)
Game 4: Stars vs. Avalanche at 6 p.m. EDT on NBCSN
Game 4: Flyers vs. Islanders at 8 p.m. EDT on NBC
Game 4: Golden Knights vs. Canucks at 10:30 p.m. EDT on NBCSN
Soccer
MLS: Seattle Sounders vs. Los Angeles Football Club at 10 p.m. EDT on FS1
NBA playoffs:
Game 1: Celtics vs. Raptors at 1 p.m. EDT on ESPN
Game 6: Clippers vs. Mavericks at 3:30 p.m. EDT on ESPN
Game 6: Nuggets vs. Jazz at 8:30 p.m. EDT on TNT


upi--2020-08-28--FDA expands emergency use authorization for remdesivir

Gilead Sciences manufactures remdesivir under the name Veklury. File Photo by Terry Schmitt/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 28 (UPI) -- The Food and Drug Administration on Friday expanded its emergency use authorization for antiviral remdesivir to allow it to be used on all hospitalized patients. The FDA's previous EUA in May allowed doctors to use the drug on only hospitalized adult and pediatric patients with "severe" COVID-19. Now, all hospitalized patients with suspected or laboratory confirmed coronavirus may receive the drug regardless of the severity of the disease. Advertisement
"The FDA continues to make safe and potentially helpful treatments for COVID-19 available as quickly as possible in order to help patients," FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn said. "The data to support today's action are encouraging. The data show that this treatment has the potential to help even more hospitalized patients who are suffering from the effects of this devastating virus."
Clinic results on the antiviral have been mixed, with one study last week showing the drug doesn't improve outcomes in people hospitalized with moderate pneumonia caused by COVID-19.
But research published in May suggested the drug might be effective in people with severe COVID-19.
A study published by the New England Journal of Medicine found that seriously ill patients infected with the new coronavirus had an average recovery time of 11 days after receiving the drug, compared to 15 days for those given a placebo.
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Originally developed to treat Ebola virus, remdesivir works by slowing the production of enzymes that play a key role in the replication of viruses, including coronaviruses, according to Gilead Sciences.
Gilead manufactures remdesivir under the brand name Veklury.
"As we learn more about COVID-19 and we further establish the efficacy and safety profile of Veklury, we see benefit to making the drug available to patients at earlier stages of the disease," said Merdad Parsey, chief medical officer at Gilead Sciences.
"Today's action by the FDA enables physicians to consider a broader range of eligible patients to potentially receive Veklury."
Scenes from a pandemic: World copes with COVID-19