upi--2020-06-25--1 in 10 Americans uses a prescription painkiller, CDC says

Americans continue to look to the medicine cabinet for pain relief , with 1 in 10 using some type of prescription painkiller , a new U.S. government report says .
But use of prescription opioid painkillers leveled off from 2015 to 2018 , while prescriptions for nonopioid pain meds rose , according to the report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
This survey and other research is showing that pain management is becoming safer , said Dr. Ajay Wasan , president of the American Academy of Pain Medicine .
`` It is becoming less reliant on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more responsibly , '' said Wasan , who is co-director of the Center for Innovation in Pain Care at the University of Pittsburgh .
Between 2015 and 2018 , nearly 11 percent of American adults aged 20 and over used at least one prescription opioid like oxycodone or a nonopioid like Celebrex , investigators found .
Breaking that down , they found that nearly 6 percent of American adults used one or more prescription opioid painkillers , while 5 percent used a nonopioid prescription pain medication to quell their aches and pains .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ drugs to manage pain and then if nonopioid medications do n't work , think about opioids , '' said researcher Dr. Qiuping Gu , an epidemiologist at the CDC 's National Center for Health Statistics ( NCHS ) .
For the study , Gu and colleagues used data from the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey .
• More women than men used prescription opioids in the past 30 days , and use increased with age .
• Use of any prescription pain medication was highest among whites ( nearly 12 percent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10 percent ) and Hispanics ( 8.5 percent ) .
Use was lowest among Asians ( 4.5 percent ) .
• Between 2009 and 2010 and between 2017 and 2018 , there was no significant change in the use of prescription opioids , while the use of prescription nonopioids rose .
Despite a leveling off of prescription opioids , which is good news given the nation 's addiction epidemic , their use remains a concern .
`` When taking into account that 21 percent to 29 percent of patients prescribed opioids for chronic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ percent to 12 percent of these patients may develop opioid use disorder , the survey data showing greater than 1 of 20 U.S. adults using opioids for pain continues to be problematic , '' said Dr. Yili Huang , director of the Pain Management Center at Northwell Health Phelps Hospital in Sleepy Hollow , N.Y. '' This stresses a need for continued pain management education as well as increased access to safe and effective pain care , '' said Huang .
Wasan said other studies looking at doctors ' prescribing practices have found @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But he also said he expects the number of Americans taking a prescription painkiller to increase as the population ages .
And Wasan voiced concern that some patients may not get the pain relief they deserve because doctors are more reluctant to prescribe opioids and insurance companies have become reluctant to approve them .
`` Unfortunately , a lot of that has been made worse by insurance companies that have become very restrictive on opioid prescribing , '' he noted .
`` Even if opioids are appropriate to prescribe , you ca n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that insurance companies introduce , '' Wasan said .
`` That is one of the big drivers for many patients receiving inadequate pain care . ''
Wasan added that insurance companies do n't , as a rule , cover pain management , which includes not only medications but physical and psychological therapy .
`` In managing chronic pain , there needs to be use of multimodal approaches , so that you can avoid opioids and so you can also get the most improvement in pain and function , '' he said .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an NCHS Data Brief .
For more on chronic pain , head to the U.S. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke .

Americans continue to look to the medicine cabinet for pain relief, with 1 in 10 using some type of prescription painkiller, a new U.S. government report says.
But use of prescription opioid painkillers leveled off from 2015 to 2018, while prescriptions for nonopioid pain meds rose, according to the report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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This survey and other research is showing that pain management is becoming safer, said Dr. Ajay Wasan, president of the American Academy of Pain Medicine.
"It is becoming less reliant on opioids, and physicians are prescribing much more responsibly," said Wasan, who is co-director of the Center for Innovation in Pain Care at the University of Pittsburgh.
Between 2015 and 2018, nearly 11 percent of American adults aged 20 and over used at least one prescription opioid like oxycodone or a nonopioid like Celebrex, investigators found.
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Breaking that down, they found that nearly 6 percent of American adults used one or more prescription opioid painkillers, while 5 percent used a nonopioid prescription pain medication to quell their aches and pains.
"Physicians should look first at nonopioid drugs to manage pain and then if nonopioid medications don't work, think about opioids," said researcher Dr. Qiuping Gu, an epidemiologist at the CDC's National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS).
For the study, Gu and colleagues used data from the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.
Other findings:
More women than men used prescription opioids in the past 30 days, and use increased with age.
Use of any prescription pain medication was highest among whites (nearly 12 percent), compared to Blacks (about 10 percent) and Hispanics (8.5 percent). Use was lowest among Asians (4.5 percent).
Between 2009 and 2010 and between 2017 and 2018, there was no significant change in the use of prescription opioids, while the use of prescription nonopioids rose.
Despite a leveling off of prescription opioids, which is good news given the nation's addiction epidemic, their use remains a concern.
"When taking into account that 21 percent to 29 percent of patients prescribed opioids for chronic pain may misuse them, and 8 percent to 12 percent of these patients may develop opioid use disorder, the survey data showing greater than 1 of 20 U.S. adults using opioids for pain continues to be problematic," said Dr. Yili Huang, director of the Pain Management Center at Northwell Health Phelps Hospital in Sleepy Hollow, N.Y.
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"This stresses a need for continued pain management education as well as increased access to safe and effective pain care," said Huang.
Wasan said other studies looking at doctors' prescribing practices have found fewer opioids prescribed for chronic pain.
But he also said he expects the number of Americans taking a prescription painkiller to increase as the population ages.
And Wasan voiced concern that some patients may not get the pain relief they deserve because doctors are more reluctant to prescribe opioids and insurance companies have become reluctant to approve them.
"Unfortunately, a lot of that has been made worse by insurance companies that have become very restrictive on opioid prescribing," he noted. "Even if opioids are appropriate to prescribe, you can't prescribe because of all the barriers involved that insurance companies introduce," Wasan said. "That is one of the big drivers for many patients receiving inadequate pain care."
Wasan added that insurance companies don't, as a rule, cover pain management, which includes not only medications but physical and psychological therapy.
"In managing chronic pain, there needs to be use of multimodal approaches, so that you can avoid opioids and so you can also get the most improvement in pain and function," he said.
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The CDC report was released June 24 in an NCHS Data Brief.
More information
For more on chronic pain, head to the U.S. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-06-25--Summer might kill coronavirus, but only if people stay outside, researchers say

June 25 ( UPI ) -- A gradual reopening that gets people outdoors where the new coronavirus is less likely to survive is key to successful containing the COVID-19 outbreak , experts said .
The approach is based on findings that suggest SARS-CoV-2 , the virus that causes COVID-19 , survives for 30 minutes after exposure to ultraviolet sunlight and , in general , does n't fare as well in warmer , more humid air , researchers said .
However , large gatherings indoors remain prime settings for disease spread , they said .
`` Governmental public health measures need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and ignoring more and more data showing seasonality to SARS-CoV2 is not helping , '' Dr. Anthony Amoroso , chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases at the University of Maryland School of Medicine , told UPI .
`` Waiting to reopen universities and schools until the fall is absolutely counterproductive and more likely to fail versus using the summertime to proceed with gradual reopening and getting people out of doors into UV light as best we can , '' he said .
As evidence , Amoroso and other researchers refer to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the virus that causes COVID-19 , both of which were published earlier this month .
The first , published June 5 by the journal Photochemistry and Photobiology , found that sunlight -- specially ultraviolet solar radiation -- kills SARS-CoV-2 in 30 minutes .
The second , published by JAMA Network Open on June 11 , suggested that climates with warmer temperatures and higher humidity -- like much of the United States during the summer -- might slow the spread of the virus .
Amoroso was a co-author on the study .
More @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been confirmed in the United States through Wednesday afternoon , according to Johns Hopkins University .
The authors of both studies argue that people might be safer outdoors .
This runs counter to many of the lockdown and social distancing measures implemented across much of the country in March , the researchers told UPI .
In the model of ultraviolet radiation developed by the authors of the Photochemistry and Photobiology analysis , SARS-CoV-2 did not survive long on surfaces .
If a person infected with COVID-19 coughed onto an outdoor surface , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be largely harmless within one-half hour , with just a tiny viral load remaining , the researchers said .
However , while maximizing outdoor time might limit the spread of infection -- as the sun 's rays and warmer , humid air destroy virus cells -- reopening indoor spaces at restaurants , bars and gyms remains dangerous , particularly when social distancing is n't observed in large crowds and people are n't wearing masks , researchers said .
An analysis of a COVID-19 outbreak linked with University of Texas students who visited Cabo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , published Wednesday by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , found that 28 percent of the 231 people -- including the travelers and their close contacts -- tested positive for the virus , although roughly one in five were asymptomatic .
Several of those infected included roommates of the travelers , as well as community contacts , the CDC researchers said .
Implementing lockdowns and then rapidly lifting them `` releases [ people not immune to the virus ] into potentially contaminated environments in waves , '' Jose-Luis Sagripanti , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , told UPI .
`` If COVID-19 is not stopped this summer [ because states ] opened up , then the progression of [ the disease ] into winter will be rather bad , '' said Sagropanti , a retired U.S. Army researcher with an expertise in biosecurity , adding that this characterization is likely an `` understatement . ''

| License Photo Officially designated social distancing circles are set up to prevent the spread of coronavirus in Domino Park in New York City in May. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI
June 25 (UPI) -- A gradual reopening that gets people outdoors where the new coronavirus is less likely to survive is key to successfully containing the COVID-19 outbreak, experts said. The approach is based on findings that suggest SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, survives for 30 minutes after exposure to ultraviolet sunlight and, in general, doesn't fare as well in warmer, more humid air, researchers said. Advertisement
However, large gatherings indoors remain prime settings for disease spread, they said.
"Governmental public health measures need to be more scientific in approaches, and ignoring more and more data showing seasonality to SARS-CoV2 is not helping," Dr. Anthony Amoroso, chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, told UPI.
"Waiting to reopen universities and schools until the fall is absolutely counterproductive and more likely to fail versus using the summertime to proceed with gradual reopening and getting people out of doors into UV light as best we can," he said.
Advertisement
As evidence, Amoroso and other researchers refer to the findings of two key studies of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, both of which were published earlier this month.
The first, published June 5 by the journal Photochemistry and Photobiology, found that sunlight -- specially ultraviolet solar radiation -- kills SARS-CoV-2 in 30 minutes.
The second, published by JAMA Network Open on June 11, suggested that climates with warmer temperatures and higher humidity -- like much of the United States during the summer -- might slow the spread of the virus. Amoroso was a co-author on the study.
More than 2.3 million cases of COVID-19 had been confirmed in the United States through Wednesday afternoon, according to Johns Hopkins University.
The authors of both studies argue that people might be safer outdoors. This runs counter to many of the lockdown and social distancing measures implemented across much of the country in March, the researchers told UPI.
In the model of ultraviolet radiation developed by the authors of the Photochemistry and Photobiology analysis, SARS-CoV-2 did not survive long on surfaces.
If a person infected with COVID-19 coughed onto an outdoor surface, in a large gathering, the virus would be largely harmless within one-half hour, with just a tiny viral load remaining, the researchers said.
Advertisement
However, while maximizing outdoor time might limit the spread of infection -- as the sun's rays and warmer, humid air destroy virus cells -- reopening indoor spaces at restaurants, bars and gyms remains dangerous, particularly when social distancing isn't observed in large crowds and people aren't wearing masks, researchers said.
An analysis of a COVID-19 outbreak linked with University of Texas students who visited Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, in March, published Wednesday by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, found that 28 percent of the 231 people -- including the travelers and their close contacts -- tested positive for the virus, although roughly one in five were asymptomatic.
Several of those infected included roommates of the travelers, as well as community contacts, the CDC researchers said.
Implementing lockdowns and then rapidly lifting them "releases [people not immune to the virus] into potentially contaminated environments in waves," Jose-Luis Sagripanti, co-author of the Photochemistry and Photobiology study, told UPI.
"If COVID-19 is not stopped this summer [because states] opened up, then the progression of [the disease] into winter will be rather bad," said Sagropanti, a retired U.S. Army researcher with an expertise in biosecurity, adding that this characterization is likely an "understatement."


upi--2020-06-25--Netflix: What's coming and going in July 2020

June 25 ( UPI ) -- Netflix subscribers can watch reboots of The Baby-Sitters Club and Unsolved Mysteries in July @ @ @ @ @ a list of the movies , TV shows , comedy specials and documentaries coming and @ @ @ @ @ 's the full list of what 's being added to Netflix in July : I @ @ @ @ @ Larry The Naked Gun : From the Files of Police Squad !
Down to Earth @ @ @ @ @ Original ) The Epic Tales of Captain Underpants in Space ( Netflix Original ) On @ @ @ @ @ One ) ( Netflix Original ) Skin Decision : Before and After ( Netflix Original @ @ @ @ @ York vs .
The Mafia ( Netflix Original ) Pirates Who Do n't Do Anything @ @ @ @ @ 's the full list of what 's leaving Netflix in July :

"The Baby-Sitters Club," a new series based on the Ann M. Martin book series, premieres July 3 on Netflix. Photo courtesy of Netflix
June 25 (UPI) -- Netflix subscribers can watch reboots of The Baby-Sitters Club and Unsolved Mysteries in July. The streaming service released a list of the movies, TV shows, comedy specials and documentaries coming and going next month. Advertisement
Here's the full list of what's being added to Netflix in July:
July 1
Chico Bon Bon: Monkey with a Tool Belt Season 2 (Netflix Original)
Deadwind Season 2 (Netflix Original)
Say I Do (Netflix Original)
Under the Riccione Sun (Netflix Original)
Unsolved Mysteries (Netflix Original)
#Anne Frank - Parallel Stories
A Bridge Too Far
A Thousand Words
A Touch of Green Season 1
A Walk to Remember
Abby Hatcher Season 1
Ali
Batman: Mask of the Phantasm
Charlotte's Web
Clash of the Titans (1981)
Cleo & Cuquin Season 2
Cloud Atlas
David Foster: Off the Record
Definitely, Maybe
Delta Farce
Donnie Brasco
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Double Jeopardy
Fiddler on the Roof
Frida
I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry
Killing Hasselhoff
Kingdom Seasons 1-3
Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events
Mean Streets
Million Dollar Baby
Paranormal Activity
Patriots Day
Poltergeist
Quest to Camelot
Red Riding Hood (2011)
Schindler's List
Sleepless in Seattle
Sleepy Hollow
Spaceballs
Splice
Stand and Deliver
Stardust
Starsky & Hutch
Sucker Punch
Swordfish
The Art of War
The Devil's Advocate
The F**k-It List
The Firm
The Karate Kid
The Karate Kid Part II
The Karate Kid Part III
The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!
The Town
The Witches
This Christmas
Total Recall (1990)
Trotro
Winchester
July 2
Thiago Ventura: Pokas (Netflix Original)
Warrior Nun (Netflix Original)
July 3
The Baby-Sitters Club (Netflix Original)
Cable Girls Season 2 (Netflix Original)
Desperados (Netflix Original)
Ju-On: Origins (Netflix Original)
Southern Survival (Netflix Original)
July 5
Only
July 6
A Kid from Coney Island
July 7
Dr. Seuss' The Lorax
July 8
The Long Dumb Road
Mucho Mucho Amor: The Legend of Walter Mercado (Netflix Original)
Stateless (Netflix Original)
Was It Love? (Netflix Original)
Yu-Gi-Oh! Season 1
July 9
Japan Sinks: 2020 (Netflix Original)
The Protector Season 4 (Netflix Original)
July 10
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The Claudia Kishi Club (Netflix Original)
Down to Earth with Zac Efron (Netflix Original)
The Epic Tales of Captain Underpants in Space (Netflix Original)
Hello Ninja Season 3 (Netflix Original)
O Crush Perfeito (Dating Around: Brazil) (Netflix Original)
The Old Guard (Netflix Original)
The Twelve (Netflix Original)
July 14
The Business of Drugs (Netflix Original)
On est ensemble (We Are One) (Netflix Original)
Urzila Carlson: Overqualified Loser (Netflix Original)
July 15
Dark Desire (Netflix Original)
Gli Infedeli (The Players) (Netflix Original)
Skin Decision: Before and After (Netflix Original)
Sunny Bunnies Seasons 1-2
July 16
Fatal Affair (Netflix Original)
Indian Matchmaking (Netflix Original)
Milf (Netflix Original)
Pride & Prejudice (2005)
July 17
Boca a Boca (Kissing Game) (Netflix Original)
Cursed (Netflix Original)
Funan
July 18
Gigantosaurus Season 1
The Notebook
July 19
The Last Dance
July 20
Ashley Garcia: Genius in Love (Netflix Original)
July 21
How to Sell Drugs Online (Fast) Season 2 (Netflix Original)
Ip Man 4: The Finale
Jack Whitehall: I'm Only Joking (Netflix Original)
Street Food: Latin America (Netflix Original)
July 22
61
Fear City: New York vs. The Mafia (Netflix Original)
Love on the Spectrum (Netflix Original)
Norsemen Season 3 (Netflix Original)
Signs (Netflix Original)
Spotlight
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July 23
The Larva Island Movie (Netflix Original)
July 24
¡A cantar! (Sing On! Spain) (Netflix Original)
Animal Crackers (Netflix Original)
Dragons: Rescue Riders - Secrets of the Songwing (Netflix Original)
In the Dark Season 2
The Kissing Booth 2 (Netflix Original)
Ofrenda a la tormenta (Netflix Original)
July 26
Banana Split
Shameless Season 10
July 28
Jeopardy! Collection 6
Last Chance U: Laney (Netflix Original)
July 29
The Hater (Netflix Original)
Inside the World's Toughest Prisons Season 4 (Netflix Original)
July 30
Pirates Who Don't Do Anything: A VeggieTales Movie
Transformers: War for Cybertron Trilogy (Netflix Original)
July 31
Get Even (Netflix Original)
Latte and the Magic Waterstone (Netflix Original)
Seriously Single (Netflix Original)
The Speed Cubers (Netflix Original)
Sugar Rush: Extra Sweet (Netflix Original)
The Umbrella Academy Season 2 (Netflix Original)
Vis a vis: El Oasis (Locked Up) (Netflix Original)
Coming soon:
Arashi's Diary -Voyage- Episodes 9-10 (Netflix Original)
Podcasts coming in July:
Behind the Scenes
Okay Now Listen
Post Play
Here's the full list of what's leaving Netflix in July:
July 4
Blue Valentine
July 5
The Fosters Seasons 1-5
The Iron Lady
July 8
Solo: A Star Wars Story
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July 9
47 Metres Down
July 11
A Glimpse Inside the Mind of Charles Swan III
The Adderall Diaries
Enemy
Ginger & Rosa
Locke
The Spectacular Now
Under the Skin
July 12
Kevin Hart: Let Me Explain
July 15
Forks Over Knives
July 18
A Most Violent Year
Laggies
Life After Beth
Obvious Child
Room
Tusk
July 21
Bolt
Inglourious Basterds
July 25
Dark Places
Ex Machina
Mississippi Grind
July 26
Country Strong
July 28
Ant-Man and the Wasp
Her
July 29
The Incredibles 2
July 31
Back to the Future
Back to the Future Part II
Back to the Future Part III
Can't Hardly Wait
Casper
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Chernobyl Diaries
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
Freedom Writers
Godzilla
Guess Who
Hancock
Hitch
Jarhead
Jarhead 2: Field of Fire
Jarhead 3: The Siege
Open Season
QB1: Beyond the Lights Season 1
Resident Evil: Extinction
Romeo Must Die
Salt
Scary Movie 2
Searching for Sugar Man
Sex and the City 2
Stuart Little
The Edge of Seventeen
The Interview
The Pianist
The Pursuit of Happyness
Twister
Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory


upi--2020-06-25--Florida growers back bill to forbid Chinese citrus imports

ORLANDO , Fla. , June 25 ( UPI ) -- A bill to ban the importation of all citrus from China has gained bipartisan support in Florida , where growers have invested billions of dollars to battle citrus greening disease that came from Asia .
The bill comes after the U.S. Department of Agriculture authorized limited varieties for import as of April 15 .
Before that , the United States had not allowed any citrus imports from China .
`` Given that our growers have so many other challenges right now -- competition from Brazil , citrus greening and other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that adding Chinese imports is going to be very problematic , '' said the bill 's sponsor , U.S. Rep. Greg Steube , a Republican from Lakewood .
Stuebe introduced the bill after formal requests from Florida 's congressional delegation to rescind the decision failed to move the U.S. Department of Agriculture .
Steube refers to it as the U.S. Citrus Protection Act .
He said he did n't know of a companion bill in the Senate yet , and that he realizes his bill might face scheduling problems because he filed it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he listened to growers in his area and to members of the Florida Farm Bureau before he crafted the short bill .
It was referred to the House Ways and Means Committee .
`` I believe people would much rather consume fruit and juice in the U.S. and support American farmers over supporting the Chinese communist party , '' Stuebe said in a phone interview Monday .
Florida citrus growers said the Trump Administration 's decision to authorize the imports was a sharp blow amid economic hardship caused by the pandemic .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heard correctly .
[ The decision ] seemed an oddity , especially in a time when we are all wondering why the coronavirus pandemic originated in China and was n't contained better , '' said Ron Mahan , chief financial officer with Tamiami Citrus of Fort Myers .
The USDA announced in February that five specific types of citrus from China would be allowed under the new U.S.-China trade agreement -- pummelo , Nanfeng honey mandarin , ponkan , sweet orange and Satsuma mandarin fruit .
Some of those are grown in limited @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crops .
The USDA said only small amounts of citrus will ship from China because the Asian nation has many other markets around the world , according to the formal record of the decision .
As part of new trade negotiations , China had requested that all citrus varieties be allowed , with assurances that its growers would disinfect the fruit and keep it free of pests .
According to the USDA 's decision on authorizing the five varieties , only those are deemed safe for import .
The new imports had been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but attracted more attention as President Donald Trump ramped-up tariffs amid a trade war .
Agriculture department officials said the five varieties could be safely imported , under a system of protections and inspection to ward against pests or disease .
The USDA provided only one reason for its decision : Trade agreements require that imports are allowed if a framework to guarantee safety can be achieved .
The USDA said it will ensure that China 's regulators set up the proper system , but monitoring will be handled by Chinese regulators .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ register where the fruit was grown and packed , and to certify to the Chinese regulators that the fruit is free of quarantine pests .
Once imports arrive in the United States , the USDA will monitor them for possible violations .
Stuebe said he intends to add South Africa to the bill 's import ban , having learned that South Africa has even more unique citrus pests that are n't found in the United States .
Two other Florida legislators said they support the bill -- U.S. Reps. Bill Posey , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a Democrat from Kissimmee .
`` American citrus was devastated by citrus greening and only now has begun to recover , '' Soto said Tuesday .
`` I support the Citrus Protection Act to prevent these types of invasive diseases from again attacking local groves in Central Florida and beyond . ''
Citrus greening wiped out many Florida groves , which dropped to 387,100 acres in 2019 from 679,000 in 2004 .
State officials also oppose the Chinese imports , including Nikki Fried , the state commissioner of agriculture and consumer services @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we know carry a lot of the pests and different diseases is just really irresponsible , '' Fried told UPI .
`` There may be methods to detect pests or disease , and disinfect fruit , but those are not foolproof .
Just one pest will cripple the industry . ''
Florida 's two Republican senators , Marco Rubio and Rick Scott , also asked the USDA in writing to rescind the decision .
The USDA refused , citing the trade agreements .
`` The United States has agreed that any prohibitions it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vegetables will be based on scientific evidence , and will not be maintained without sufficient scientific evidence , '' according to the USDA decision .
Mahan , the grower , said China has a poor record of containing problems like the coronavirus or citrus greening , and should n't be trusted .
`` I 've not been to China , but I have talked to researchers who have been there , and I fear China is not good at disease control , '' Mahan said .

Satsuma mandarin oranges like these were approved for import to the United States starting in April, but growers in Florida oppose the decision. File Photo courtesy of University of Florida
ORLANDO, Fla., June 25 (UPI) -- A bill to ban the importation of all citrus from China has gained bipartisan support in Florida, where growers have invested billions of dollars to battle citrus greening disease that came from Asia. The bill comes after the U.S. Department of Agriculture authorized limited varieties for import as of April 15. Before that, the United States had not allowed any citrus imports from China. Advertisement
"Given that our growers have so many other challenges right now -- competition from Brazil, citrus greening and other diseases -- it's obvious to me that adding Chinese imports is going to be very problematic," said the bill's sponsor, U.S. Rep. Greg Steube, a Republican from Lakewood.
Stuebe introduced the bill after formal requests from Florida's congressional delegation to rescind the decision failed to move the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Steube refers to it as the U.S. Citrus Protection Act.
Advertisement
He said he didn't know of a companion bill in the Senate yet, and that he realizes his bill might face scheduling problems because he filed it late in the session.
Stuebe said he listened to growers in his area and to members of the Florida Farm Bureau before he crafted the short bill. It was referred to the House Ways and Means Committee.
"I believe people would much rather consume fruit and juice in the U.S. and support American farmers over supporting the Chinese communist party," Stuebe said in a phone interview Monday.
Florida citrus growers said the Trump Administration's decision to authorize the imports was a sharp blow amid economic hardship caused by the pandemic.
"At first I wasn't sure I heard correctly. [The decision] seemed an oddity, especially in a time when we are all wondering why the coronavirus pandemic originated in China and wasn't contained better," said Ron Mahan, chief financial officer with Tamiami Citrus of Fort Myers.
The USDA announced in February that five specific types of citrus from China would be allowed under the new U.S.-China trade agreement -- pummelo, Nanfeng honey mandarin, ponkan, sweet orange and Satsuma mandarin fruit. Some of those are grown in limited amounts in the United States as specialty crops.
Advertisement
The USDA said only small amounts of citrus will ship from China because the Asian nation has many other markets around the world, according to the formal record of the decision.
As part of new trade negotiations, China had requested that all citrus varieties be allowed, with assurances that its growers would disinfect the fruit and keep it free of pests. According to the USDA's decision on authorizing the five varieties, only those are deemed safe for import.
The new imports had been considered by the USDA for years, but attracted more attention as President Donald Trump ramped-up tariffs amid a trade war.
Agriculture department officials said the five varieties could be safely imported, under a system of protections and inspection to ward against pests or disease. The USDA provided only one reason for its decision: Trade agreements require that imports are allowed if a framework to guarantee safety can be achieved.
The USDA said it will ensure that China's regulators set up the proper system, but monitoring will be handled by Chinese regulators.
Chinese growers and processors are required to register where the fruit was grown and packed, and to certify to the Chinese regulators that the fruit is free of quarantine pests. Once imports arrive in the United States, the USDA will monitor them for possible violations.
Advertisement
Stuebe said he intends to add South Africa to the bill's import ban, having learned that South Africa has even more unique citrus pests that aren't found in the United States.
Two other Florida legislators said they support the bill -- U.S. Reps. Bill Posey, a Republican from Rockledge, and Darren Soto, a Democrat from Kissimmee.
"American citrus was devastated by citrus greening and only now has begun to recover," Soto said Tuesday. "I support the Citrus Protection Act to prevent these types of invasive diseases from again attacking local groves in Central Florida and beyond."
Citrus greening wiped out many Florida groves, which dropped to 387,100 acres in 2019 from 679,000 in 2004.
State officials also oppose the Chinese imports, including Nikki Fried, the state commissioner of agriculture and consumer services.
"Getting imports from China that we know carry a lot of the pests and different diseases is just really irresponsible," Fried told UPI. "There may be methods to detect pests or disease, and disinfect fruit, but those are not foolproof. Just one pest will cripple the industry."
Florida's two Republican senators, Marco Rubio and Rick Scott, also asked the USDA in writing to rescind the decision. The USDA refused, citing the trade agreements.
Advertisement
"The United States has agreed that any prohibitions it places on the importation of fruits and vegetables will be based on scientific evidence, and will not be maintained without sufficient scientific evidence," according to the USDA decision.
Mahan, the grower, said China has a poor record of containing problems like the coronavirus or citrus greening, and shouldn't be trusted.
"I've not been to China, but I have talked to researchers who have been there, and I fear China is not good at disease control," Mahan said.


upi--2020-06-25--Famous birthdays for June 25: Carly Simon, Ricky Gervais

June 25 ( UPI ) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Cancer .

1/3
Carly Simon arrives on the red carpet at the "Clive Davis: The Soundtrack Of Our Lives" premiere at Radio City Music Hall on April 19, 2017, in New York City. The singer turns 75 on June 25. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
June 25 (UPI) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Cancer. They include: Advertisement
-- Spanish architect Antoni Gaudi in 1852
-- French composer Gustave Charpentier in 1860
-- English novelist/critic George Orwell in 1903
-- Movie director Sidney Lumet in 1924
File Photo by Ezio Petersen/UPI
-- Actor June Lockhart in 1925 (age 95)
-- Civil rights advocate James Meredith in 1933 (age 87)
-- Musician Harold Melvin in 1939
-- Basketball Hall of Fame member Willis Reed in 1942 (age 78)
-- Musician Carly Simon in 1945 (age 75)
-- Actor Jimmie Walker in 1947 (age 73)
-- U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor in 1954 (age 66)
-- Chef/TV personality Anthony Bourdain in 1956
-- Actor/writer Ricky Gervais in 1961 (age 59)
File Photo by Ken Matsui/UPI
-- Musician George Michael in 1963
-- Basketball Hall of Fame member Dikembe Mutombo in 1966 (age 54)
-- Actor Angela Kinsey in 1971 (age 49)
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-- Actor Linda Cardellini in 1975 (age 45)
-- Actor Busy Philipps in 1979 (age 41)
-- Actor/TV personality Alani "La La" Anthony in 1981 (age 39)
-- Actor McKenna Grace in 2006 (age 14)


upi--2020-06-25--SpaceX plans launch to boost Starlink network to nearly 600

ORLANDO , Fla. , June 25 ( UPI ) -- Some Internet users will get to test SpaceX 's Starlink satellite broadband service soon , as the company prepares another launch in Florida on Thursday that would boost the number of its communications spacecraft in orbit to almost 600 .
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying about 60 of them is scheduled to lift off Thursday at 4:39 p.m. from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center .
The flight also will carry two very small Earth observation satellites for Seattle-based BlackSky Global .
An outlook for isolated storms Thursday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because of heavy cloud cover and the threat of lightning , according to the U.S. Air Force forecast .
A backup launch time would be Friday , also with a 40 percent chance of weather constraints .
Elon Musk 's SpaceX began sign-ups June 12 for users who want to try the Starlink Internet service in what the tech community calls a beta test -- a validation of new technology in a small sample of the targeted eventual user .
Starlink will be available to any individual or organization , the company said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has n't been announced .
`` Private beta testing is expected to begin later this summer , followed by public beta testing , starting with higher latitudes , '' SpaceX said in an email sent to those who signed up .
The company said those interested would be notified when testing begins in their market .
Testing is to kick off in Seattle and Germany , the company said .
Musk said on Twitter previously that Starlink Internet speeds would support competitive online gaming in real time .
SpaceX board member and venture @ @ @ @ @ @ @ early investor in Hotmail , tested the service with a Starlink terminal at the company 's headquarters in Hawthorne , Calif. '' Simplest out-of-box experience imaginable , '' Jurvetson said on Twitter on June 12 .
`` Ca n't wait to upgrade my broadband later this year ! ''
Musk replied to him , `` It will get even simpler .
Just two instructions for Starlink : Plug in & point at sky .
Can be done in either order . ''
SpaceX aims to eventually launch thousands of Starlink satellites .
More @ @ @ @ @ @ @ constellation reaches about 800 , company officials have said .
Launching Starlink regularly means SpaceX can take other paying customers , such as BlackSky , along for the ride -- and for revenue .
BlackSky 's satellites are part of SpaceX 's ride-share launch program , which offers a relatively low cost for launching small satellites since they are packed in with regular Starlink satellites .
The SpaceX ride-share program is filling a need for more launch availability , said Shagun Sachdeva , an analyst with Northern Sky Research who is based in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be a strategic move to get more revenue streams coming in , since SpaceX is n't making money from Starlink yet , '' Sachdeva said .
Thursday 's launch is to be the second Starlink mission in a row to carry small satellites for Earth observation , Sachdeva noted .
The company launched three small imaging satellites for San Francisco-based Planet , formerly Planet Labs , earlier this month .
BlackSky offers images and monitoring from space for industries that include defense , energy , construction and research .
BlackSky obtained a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Luxembourg-based Intelsat , a communications satellite service , to build a new constellation of Earth-imaging satellites .
`` When it comes to Earth observation from satellites , there is more demand today than ever for higher resolution imaging , '' Sachdeva said .
The launch will boost BlackSky 's network in space to six satellites , with a short-term goal of 16 satellites in orbit .
They weigh about 120 pounds each and are designed to last only a few years before they need replacement .

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SpaceX is signing up potential customers for broadband Internet service provided by the company's Starlink satellite constellation. File Image courtesy of SpaceX
ORLANDO, Fla., June 25 (UPI) -- Some Internet users will test SpaceX's Starlink satellite broadband service soon, as the company prepares another launch in Florida on Friday to boost the number of communications satellites in orbit to almost 600. A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying 57 Starlink spacecraft is scheduled to lift off at 4:18 p.m. EDT from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center. The flight also will carry two small Earth observation satellites for Seattle-based BlackSky Global. Advertisement
An outlook for isolated storms Friday means a 40 percent likelihood of cancellation because of heavy cloud cover and the threat of lightning, according to the U.S. Air Force forecast. SpaceX postponed the launch Thursday because of a similar weather outlook.
Elon Musk's SpaceX began sign-ups June 12 for users who want to try the Starlink Internet service in what the tech community calls a beta test -- a validation of new technology in a small sample of the targeted eventual user.
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Starlink will be available to any individual or organization, the company said, but the cost of the service hasn't been announced.
"Private beta testing is expected to begin later this summer, followed by public beta testing, starting with higher latitudes," SpaceX said in an email sent to those who signed up. The company said those interested would be notified when testing begins in their market.
Testing is to kick off in Seattle and Germany, the company said. Musk said on Twitter previously that Starlink Internet speeds would support competitive online gaming in real time.
SpaceX board member and venture capitalist Steve Jurvetson, who was an early investor in Hotmail, tested the service with a Starlink terminal at the company's headquarters in Hawthorne, Calif.
"Simplest out-of-box experience imaginable," Jurvetson said on Twitter on June 12. "Can't wait to upgrade my broadband later this year!"
Musk replied to him, "It will get even simpler. Just two instructions for Starlink: Plug in & point at sky. Can be done in either order."
SpaceX aims to launch thousands of Starlink satellites. More complete testing will be available with the constellation reaches about 800, company officials have said.
Launching Starlink regularly means SpaceX can take other paying customers, such as BlackSky, along for the ride -- and for revenue.
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BlackSky's satellites are part of SpaceX's ride-share launch program, which offers a relatively low cost for launching small satellites since they are packed in with regular Starlink satellites.
The SpaceX ride-share program is filling a need for more launch availability, said Shagun Sachdeva, an analyst with Northern Sky Research who is based in France.
"Starlink ride-share launches seem to be a strategic move to get more revenue streams coming in, since SpaceX isn't making money from Starlink yet," Sachdeva said.
Friday's launch is to be the second Starlink mission in a row to carry small satellites for Earth observation, Sachdeva noted. The company launched three small imaging satellites for San Francisco-based Planet, formerly Planet Labs, earlier this month.
BlackSky offers images and monitoring from space for industries that include defense, energy, construction and research. BlackSky obtained a $50 million investment in 2019 from Luxembourg-based Intelsat, a communications satellite service, to build a new constellation of Earth-imaging satellites.
"When it comes to Earth observation from satellites, there is more demand today than ever for higher resolution imaging," Sachdeva said.
The launch will boost BlackSky's network in space to six satellites, with a short-term goal of 16 satellites in orbit. They weigh about 120 pounds each and are designed to last only a few years before they need replacement.
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Astronauts make round trip to space station from U.S. soil


upi--2020-06-25--Daniel Summerhays retiring from pro golf to become high school teacher

June 25 ( UPI ) -- Longtime PGA Tour member Daniel Summerhays will retire from professional golf after playing in this week 's Utah Championship at Oakridge Country Club .
Summerhays , who earned more than $ 9 million during his eight full seasons on the PGA Tour , is stepping away from pro competition to become a full-time teacher and golf coach at his alma mater , Davis High School , which is located in Kaysville , Utah .
`` It 's hard to say it , but after a pretty long , above-average career on the PGA Tour @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and go another direction for awhile , '' Summerhays told the Deseret News on Sunday .
`` I 'm going to try the education system and move into a teacher-mentor role rather than the touring-golf-pro role . ''
Summerhays was a standout golfer at Davis before becoming an All-American at Brigham Young University .
After his collegiate career , he had a short stint on the Korn Ferry Tour and won an event while he was still an amateur .
He went on to record 19 top-10 finishes -- including a pair of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He also had a third-place finish at the 2016 PGA Championship .
Summerhays , 36 , lost his PGA Tour card in 2018 and moved back to the developmental Korn Ferry Tour last year .
His final event is this week 's Utah Championship , where he finished sixth last season .
`` It 's been emotional and it 's been thought provoking , '' Summerhays told the newspaper .
`` You question if this is the right step , but I feel like this is the right step for me and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I 'm really excited for the next phase of my life .
`` I 'm really grateful for the last 13-14 years on tour , but I 'm really grateful that I have this opportunity to move forward in a different direction . ''
Summerhays shot a 2-under 69 in the opening round of the Utah Championship on Thursday , putting him in a tie for 73rd .
He had five birdies and three bogeys on the first day of play .

Daniel Summerhays recorded 19 top-10 finishes, including a pair of runner-up finishes, on the PGA Tour. He also had a third-place finish at the 2016 PGA Championship. File Photo by Archie Carpenter/UPI | License Photo
June 25 (UPI) -- Longtime PGA Tour member Daniel Summerhays will retire from professional golf after playing in this week's Utah Championship at Oakridge Country Club. Summerhays, who earned more than $9 million during his eight full seasons on the PGA Tour, is stepping away from pro competition to become a full-time teacher and golf coach at his alma mater, Davis High School, which is located in Kaysville, Utah. Advertisement
"It's hard to say it, but after a pretty long, above-average career on the PGA Tour, I'm going to step away and go another direction for awhile," Summerhays told the Deseret News on Sunday. "I'm going to try the education system and move into a teacher-mentor role rather than the touring-golf-pro role."
Summerhays was a standout golfer at Davis before becoming an All-American at Brigham Young University. After his collegiate career, he had a short stint on the Korn Ferry Tour and won an event while he was still an amateur.
He went on to record 19 top-10 finishes -- including a pair of runner-up finishes -- on the PGA Tour. He also had a third-place finish at the 2016 PGA Championship.
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Summerhays, 36, lost his PGA Tour card in 2018 and moved back to the developmental Korn Ferry Tour last year. His final event is this week's Utah Championship, where he finished sixth last season.
"It's been emotional and it's been thought provoking," Summerhays told the newspaper. "You question if this is the right step, but I feel like this is the right step for me and my family, and my personal growth. I'm really excited for the next phase of my life.
"I'm really grateful for the last 13-14 years on tour, but I'm really grateful that I have this opportunity to move forward in a different direction."
Summerhays shot a 2-under 69 in the opening round of the Utah Championship on Thursday, putting him in a tie for 73rd. He had five birdies and three bogeys on the first day of play.


upi--2020-06-25--Pentagon: U.S. soldier died in a non-combat incident in Jordan

June 24 ( UPI ) -- The Pentagon on Wednesday said a U.S. soldier serving in Jordan has died in a non-combat-related incident .
In a statement , the Department of Defense identified the soldier as Spc .
Nick Bravo-Regules , 20 , of Largo , Fla. , stating he died Tuesday while performing operations in `` the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility . ''
`` The incident is under investigation , '' it said .
In an email to UPI , the U.S. Army said it was his first deployment .
Bravo-Regules was assigned to 2nd Battalion , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ADA Brigade at Fort Bliss , Texas .
Bravo-Regules was serving in Jordan in support of Operation Inherent Resolve , which , according to the operation 's website , began on Oct. 17 , 2014 , with the mission to defeat the Islamic State terrorist organization in designated area os Iraq and Syria .
The Florida native entered the Army in Tampa and began active duty on May 31 , 2017 , and his mission occupational specialty concerned maintaining both tactical and strategic communications networks for units , Army said in the email @ @ @ @ @ @ @ March 2018 and was promoted to specialist on Feb. 1 .
During his service , he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal and the Army Good Conduct Medal .

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Spc. Nick Bravo-Regules' non-combat-related death on Tuesday is under investigation, U.S. Army said. Photo courtesy of U.S. Army
June 24 (UPI) -- The Pentagon on Wednesday said a U.S. soldier serving in Jordan has died in a non-combat-related incident. In a statement, the Department of Defense identified the soldier as Spc. Nick Bravo-Regules, 20, of Largo, Fla., stating he died Tuesday while performing operations in "the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility." Advertisement
"The incident is under investigation," it said.
In an email to UPI, the U.S. Army said it was his first deployment.
Bravo-Regules was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 43rd Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 11th ADA Brigade at Fort Bliss, Texas.
Bravo-Regules was serving in Jordan in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, which, according to the operation's website, began on Oct. 17, 2014, with the mission to defeat the Islamic State terrorist organization in designated area os Iraq and Syria.
The Florida native entered the Army in Tampa and began active duty on May 31, 2017, and his mission occupational specialty concerned maintaining both tactical and strategic communications networks for units, Army said in the email.
He arrived at Fort Bliss in March 2018 and was promoted to specialist on Feb. 1.
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During his service, he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal and the Army Good Conduct Medal.


upi--2020-06-25--House passes police reform bill after Republican Senate bill falters

June 25 ( UPI ) -- House Democrats on Thursday passed a police reform bill a day after Democrats in the Senate blocked a separate policing measure introduced by Republicans .
The Democrat-led House passed the bill by a vote of 236-181 , with support from three Republican lawmakers .
The bill , known as the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act , would weaken `` qualified immunity '' making it easier for victims of police abuse to sue officers and for officials to fire and prosecute over misconduct .
It would also ban chokeholds and `` no-knock '' search @ @ @ @ @ @ @ funding to state and local governments on whether those tactics are banned and would require bias training and more data sharing regarding police use of force .
Lawmakers named the measure after Geroge Floyd , a black man in Minnesota who was killed by police on Memorial day sparking nationwide protests calling for police reform as well as defunding and abolition .
`` Americans from every walk of life and corner of the country have been marching , protesting and demanding that this moment of national agony become one of national action , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said .
`` Today , with the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act , the House is honoring his life and the lives of all killed by police brutality and pledging : never again . ''
The House , led by members of the Congressional Black Caucus , unveiled the bill two weeks after Floyd 's death and House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy later said he agreed with some of its concepts , including the ban on chokeholds , as Republicans prepared a bill of their own .
On Wednesday , Democrats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Republican-led police reform bill as the chamber voted 55-45 in favor of the measure but fell short of the 60 votes needed for its advance .
The bill , led by Republican Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina , differed from the House bill by making exceptions for bans on chokeholds and no-knock warrants .

The House on Thursday voted 236-181 in favor of a police reform bill conceived following nationwide protests in response to the police-involved killing of George Floyd in Minnesota. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
June 25 (UPI) -- House Democrats on Thursday passed a police reform bill a day after Democrats in the Senate blocked a separate policing measure introduced by Republicans. The Democrat-led House passed the bill by a vote of 236-181, with support from three Republican lawmakers. Advertisement
The bill, known as the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, would weaken "qualified immunity" making it easier for victims of police abuse to sue officers and for officials to fire and prosecute over misconduct. It would also ban chokeholds and "no-knock" search warrants at a federal level by basing funding to state and local governments on whether those tactics are banned and would require bias training and more data sharing regarding police use of force.
Lawmakers named the measure after Geroge Floyd, a black man in Minnesota who was killed by police on Memorial day sparking nationwide protests calling for police reform as well as defunding and abolition.
"Americans from every walk of life and corner of the country have been marching, protesting and demanding that this moment of national agony become one of national action," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said. "Today, with the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, the House is honoring his life and the lives of all killed by police brutality and pledging: never again."
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The House, led by members of the Congressional Black Caucus, unveiled the bill two weeks after Floyd's death and House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy later said he agreed with some of its concepts, including the ban on chokeholds, as Republicans prepared a bill of their own.
On Wednesday, Democrats in the Senate blocked the advancement of a Republican-led police reform bill as the chamber voted 55-45 in favor of the measure but fell short of the 60 votes needed for its advance.
The bill, led by Republican Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, differed from the House bill by making exceptions for bans on chokeholds and no-knock warrants.


upi--2020-06-25--Travelers Championship: Mackenzie Hughes shoots 60 for Round 1 lead

June 25 ( UPI ) -- Mackenzie Hughes shot a career-best 60 Thursday to grab a three-stroke lead in the first round of the Travelers Championship at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell , Conn. Hughes , 29 , had an opportunity to record the 12th sub-60 round in PGA Tour history on the first day of the Travelers , but his 40-foot birdie attempt on his final hole came up short .
Jim Furyk shot a 12-under 58 -- the lowest score in a Tour event -- on the same course four years ago .
`` I kind of joked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even the record because of Jim 's 58 , '' Hughes said .
`` It 's probably not even that special around here .
But as a personal milestone it would have been neat . ''
Hughes ' bogey-free 60 gave him a three-shot lead over Rory McIlroy , Xander Schauffele and Viktor Hovland , who each shot 7-under 63 in the opening round .
Phil Mickelson , Sergio Garcia and Louis Oosthuizen were among the six players who sat in a tie for fifth at 6-under par .
Bryson DeChambeau opened with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Justin Rose and Jason Day each shot 3-under 67 .
Furyk and Dustin Johnson finished 1-under par .
There were 106 players who broke par in the first round at the Travelers .
The record for a day at TPC River Highlands came in 2011 , when 111 players were at 1-under or better in the second round .
Prior to the tournament 's start , Brooks Koepka and last week 's RBC Heritage winner Webb Simpson withdrew because of concerns about the coronavirus .
The Travelers Championship is the third event on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Mackenzie Hughes' (pictured) bogey-free 60 gave him a three-shot lead over Rory McIlroy, Xander Schauffele and Viktor Hovland in the opening round of the Travelers Championship on Thursday. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
June 25 (UPI) -- Mackenzie Hughes shot a career-best 60 Thursday to grab a three-stroke lead in the first round of the Travelers Championship at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Conn. Hughes, 29, had an opportunity to record the 12th sub-60 round in PGA Tour history on the first day of the Travelers, but his 40-foot birdie attempt on his final hole came up short. Advertisement
Jim Furyk shot a 12-under 58 -- the lowest score in a Tour event -- on the same course four years ago.
"I kind of joked walking off there that 59 wasn't even the record because of Jim's 58," Hughes said. "It's probably not even that special around here. But as a personal milestone it would have been neat."
Hughes' bogey-free 60 gave him a three-shot lead over Rory McIlroy, Xander Schauffele and Viktor Hovland, who each shot 7-under 63 in the opening round. Phil Mickelson, Sergio Garcia and Louis Oosthuizen were among the six players who sat in a tie for fifth at 6-under par.
Bryson DeChambeau opened with a 65, while Jordan Spieth, Justin Rose and Jason Day each shot 3-under 67. Furyk and Dustin Johnson finished 1-under par.
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There were 106 players who broke par in the first round at the Travelers. The record for a day at TPC River Highlands came in 2011, when 111 players were at 1-under or better in the second round.
Prior to the tournament's start, Brooks Koepka and last week's RBC Heritage winner Webb Simpson withdrew because of concerns about the coronavirus. The Travelers Championship is the third event on the PGA Tour schedule since golf resumed.


upi--2020-06-25--Dallas Mavericks signing Trey Burke after losing Willie Cauley-Stein

June 25 ( UPI ) -- The Dallas Mavericks agreed to terms with veteran point guard Trey Burke after losing center Willie Cauley-Stein ahead of the NBA 's 22-team restart .
League sources told ESPN and the Dallas Morning News on Thursday that Cauley-Stein is opting out of next month 's restart , opening up a roster spot for Burke .
According to the outlets , the deal will keep the guard with the Mavs for the remainder of the season .
Cauley-Stein -- who expects to become a father in July -- averaged 5.2 points and 4.6 rebounds in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ acquired him in a January trade with the Golden State Warriors .
Burke , who was waived by the Philadelphia 76ers in January , was a free agent when the NBA suspended its season in mid-March because of the coronavirus pandemic .
He averaged 9.7 points and 2.6 assists in 25 contests for the Mavericks last season .
The Mavs had a need at guard after Jalen Brunson underwent season-ending shoulder surgery in March .
Shooting guard Courtney Lee also will be unable to compete during the restart because of a calf injury @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that it will resume its season with 22 teams in July at Walt Disney World in Orlando , Fla .
The Mavericks were the No .
7 seed in the Western Conference with a 40-27 record before the season was halted .

Former Washington Wizards guard Trey Burke averaged 9.7 points and 2.6 assists in 25 contests for the Dallas Mavericks last season. File Photo by Mark Goldman/UPI | License Photo
June 25 (UPI) -- The Dallas Mavericks agreed to terms with veteran point guard Trey Burke after losing center Willie Cauley-Stein ahead of the NBA's 22-team restart. League sources told ESPN and the Dallas Morning News on Thursday that Cauley-Stein is opting out of next month's restart, opening up a roster spot for Burke. According to the outlets, the deal will keep the guard with the Mavs for the remainder of the season. Advertisement
Cauley-Stein -- who expects to become a father in July -- averaged 5.2 points and 4.6 rebounds in 13 games for Dallas after the franchise acquired him in a January trade with the Golden State Warriors.
Burke, who was waived by the Philadelphia 76ers in January, was a free agent when the NBA suspended its season in mid-March because of the coronavirus pandemic. He averaged 9.7 points and 2.6 assists in 25 contests for the Mavericks last season.
The Mavs had a need at guard after Jalen Brunson underwent season-ending shoulder surgery in March. Shooting guard Courtney Lee also will be unable to compete during the restart because of a calf injury.
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The league announced earlier this month that it will resume its season with 22 teams in July at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla. The Mavericks were the No. 7 seed in the Western Conference with a 40-27 record before the season was halted.


upi--2020-06-25--Month's worth of rain falls overnight near Houston

People in the Houston area awoke on Thursday morning to flooded streets and rising rivers as overnight storms unloaded inches of rain across the region .
Most of the rain fell during the overnight hours , but rain lingered throughout Thursday morning adding to the impressive rainfall totals reported across the city .
`` Rainfall totals of up to around 8 inches have fallen in the Houston area within the past 12 hours , '' the National Weather Service office in Houston said on Thursday morning .
This is significantly higher than the 5.93 inches of rain that the Houston @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The heaviest rain focused in and just west of Houston with radar estimated rainfall approaching 10 inches near Katy , Texas .
Some roads near Katy looked more like rivers , making travel extremely difficult for motorists heading out on Thursday morning .
`` Many of our roads have water up to the curb or just over the curb , '' emergency managers from the city of Katy said early Thursday morning .
At least three high-water rescues were conducted near Katy after drivers stalled on a flooded road , KHOU reported .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ flooded roadways as floodwaters could cause vehicles to stall and even float away with the current .
The water that led to water rescues on Thursday morning was less than a foot deep .
This deluge came less than 24 hours after a system soaked the Houston area on Wednesday morning with heavy rain , measuring around an inch across the city .
This initial system saturated the ground , leading to more water runoff into streams and rivers that were already starting to swell .
Wednesday 's storms did n't cause any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ east along the Gulf Coast , storms were more intense sparking power outages and property damage .
Four twisters were reported across the region on Wednesday , including an EF1 tornado that tracked through East Baton Rouge Parish , La .
Trees were toppled onto homes and cars with the tornado tracking across a section of Interstate 12 before dissipating .
The risk of additional flash flooding will be possible in the Houston area into the start of the weekend as heavy storms unload more rounds of soaking rain .
However , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the second half of the weekend and into the start of next week , giving residents a break from the rain and allowing streams and rivers to return to normal levels .

People in the Houston area awoke on Thursday morning to flooded streets and rising rivers as overnight storms unloaded inches of rain across the region.
Most of the rain fell during the overnight hours, but rain lingered throughout Thursday morning adding to the impressive rainfall totals reported across the city.
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"Rainfall totals of up to around 8 inches have fallen in the Houston area within the past 12 hours," the National Weather Service office in Houston said on Thursday morning. This is significantly higher than the 5.93 inches of rain that the Houston area measures throughout a typical June.
The heaviest rain focused in and just west of Houston with radar estimated rainfall approaching 10 inches near Katy, Texas.
Some roads near Katy looked more like rivers, making travel extremely difficult for motorists heading out on Thursday morning.
"Many of our roads have water up to the curb or just over the curb," emergency managers from the city of Katy said early Thursday morning.
Cars driving through water that has pooled on a street in Houston. (Twitter/@PastorJaimeG)
At least three high-water rescues were conducted near Katy after drivers stalled on a flooded road, KHOU reported.
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Experts say motorists should avoid driving on flooded roadways as floodwaters could cause vehicles to stall and even float away with the current. The water that led to water rescues on Thursday morning was less than a foot deep.
This deluge came less than 24 hours after a system soaked the Houston area on Wednesday morning with heavy rain, measuring around an inch across the city. This initial system saturated the ground, leading to more water runoff into streams and rivers that were already starting to swell.
Wednesday's storms didn't cause any major disruptions in Texas, but farther east along the Gulf Coast, storms were more intense sparking power outages and property damage.
Four twisters were reported across the region on Wednesday, including an EF1 tornado that tracked through East Baton Rouge Parish, La. Trees were toppled onto homes and cars with the tornado tracking across a section of Interstate 12 before dissipating.
The risk of additional flash flooding will be possible in the Houston area into the start of the weekend as heavy storms unload more rounds of soaking rain.
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However, the threat of thunderstorms will gradually decrease during the second half of the weekend and into the start of next week, giving residents a break from the rain and allowing streams and rivers to return to normal levels.


upi--2020-06-25--Vanessa Marquez's mother files wrongful death lawsuit against California police

June 25 ( UPI ) -- The mother of ER actress Vanessa Marquez filed a wrongful death suit against officers at a California police department after she was fatally shot by police in 2018 .
The lawsuit filed by Delia McElfresh alleges officers with the City of South Pasadena who responded to a welfare check acted in a `` negligent and reckless '' manner .
`` This is exactly the kind of lethal and unnecessary police action that has led so many in the country to call out for police reform , '' said Vicki Sarmiento , one of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Paramedics were called to Marquez 's home in August 2018 , receiving reports that she was having seizures .
The suit states that `` even though the call was for medical assistance and specifically requested a response by paramedics with the South Pasadena Fire Department , several fully armed police officers '' responded instead , the suit states .
The suit further states that officers entered Marquez 's home `` without probable cause or exigent circumstances '' and tried to remove her from the home after she refused to go to the hospital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ falsely claimed Ms. Marquez pointed a gun at him and then at herself '' before they shot and killed her , although police later said she was carrying a BB gun .
Two officers then fired at Marquez , striking her in the torso .
She was transported to a hospital where she was pronounced dead .
`` Their armed presence , coupled with the attempted removal of Ms. Marquez from her home against her will , was a militaristic , menacing and threatening response to a frail and visibly debilitated woman who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her home , '' the lawsuit states .
`` Ms. Marquez 's death was the result of overreaction , excessive use of force and gross mishandling of the situation . ''
In 2017 , Marquez accused actor George Clooney of blacklisting her after she accused their male ER co-stars of sexual misconduct , a claim Clooney has denied .

June 25 (UPI) -- The mother of ER actress Vanessa Marquez filed a wrongful death suit against officers at a California police department after she was fatally shot by police in 2018.
The lawsuit filed by Delia McElfresh alleges officers with the City of South Pasadena who responded to a welfare check acted in a "negligent and reckless" manner.
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"This is exactly the kind of lethal and unnecessary police action that has led so many in the country to call out for police reform," said Vicki Sarmiento, one of the lawyers working on behalf of McElfresh.
Paramedics were called to Marquez's home in August 2018, receiving reports that she was having seizures.
The suit states that "even though the call was for medical assistance and specifically requested a response by paramedics with the South Pasadena Fire Department, several fully armed police officers" responded instead, the suit states.
The suit further states that officers entered Marquez's home "without probable cause or exigent circumstances" and tried to remove her from the home after she refused to go to the hospital.
It also alleges that officers "falsely claimed Ms. Marquez pointed a gun at him and then at herself" before they shot and killed her, although police later said she was carrying a BB gun.
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Two officers then fired at Marquez, striking her in the torso. She was transported to a hospital where she was pronounced dead.
"Their armed presence, coupled with the attempted removal of Ms. Marquez from her home against her will, was a militaristic, menacing and threatening response to a frail and visibly debilitated woman who was exercising her right to remain in her home," the lawsuit states. "Ms. Marquez's death was the result of overreaction, excessive use of force and gross mishandling of the situation."
In 2017, Marquez accused actor George Clooney of blacklisting her after she accused their male ER co-stars of sexual misconduct, a claim Clooney has denied.


upi--2020-06-25--Vince Carter, 43, retiring from NBA after record 22-year career

June 25 ( UPI ) -- Eight-time All-Star selection Vince Carter is retiring from the NBA after a record 22-year career in the league .
Carter , 43 , announced his retirement on The Ringer 's Winging It With Vince Carter podcast Thursday , saying he is `` officially done playing basketball professionally . ''
The high-flying Carter initially announced last year -- when he signed a one-year contract with the Atlanta Hawks -- the 2019-20 NBA season would be his final .
But the former Slam Dunk Contest champion had n't addressed his future since the NBA suspended its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic .
The league announced earlier this month that it will resume its season with 22 teams in July at Walt Disney World in Orlando , Fla .
The Hawks , who hold the fourth-worst record in the NBA , were among the eight teams that failed to qualify for the restart .
On the podcast , Carter said the abrupt ending was `` tough , '' but he is at peace with his decision to walk away from the league .
`` If there was any disappointment because of the season -- @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of easier to put it aside and handle it that way , '' Carter said .
`` It 's like , OK , it 's something bigger than my career .
...
It 's unfortunate , but with the coronavirus taking people 's lives rapidly , that 's the big picture in my mind .
`` So I was able to put the weird ending -- the abrupt stoppage of play , to an ending -- aside for the bigger picture . ''
Carter ranks 19th all-time in NBA history in scoring and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Year in 1999 .
He averaged 16.7 points per game in his career and enjoyed his greatest success with the Raptors and Nets .
Earlier this year , Carter became the first NBA player to appear in at least one game in four different decades .
His 22 seasons in the league -- spent with eight different teams -- are the most in history .
`` Vince Carter has made an indelible impact on the NBA with his remarkable skill and enduring commitment , '' NBA commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he played with pure joy and created so many memorable moments as an eight-time All-Star , a Slam Dunk champion and an Olympic gold medalist .
`` We congratulate Vince on a storied career and thank him for being a true ambassador of the game . ''

Earlier this year, Atlanta Hawks guard Vince Carter became the first NBA player to appear in at least one game in four different decades. File Photo by Jason Szenes/EPA-EFE
June 25 (UPI) -- Eight-time All-Star selection Vince Carter is retiring from the NBA after a record 22-year career in the league. Carter, 43, announced his retirement on The Ringer's Winging It With Vince Carter podcast Thursday, saying he is "officially done playing basketball professionally." Advertisement
The high-flying Carter initially announced last year -- when he signed a one-year contract with the Atlanta Hawks -- the 2019-20 NBA season would be his final. But the former Slam Dunk Contest champion hadn't addressed his future since the NBA suspended its season in mid-March because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The league announced earlier this month that it will resume its season with 22 teams in July at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla. The Hawks, who hold the fourth-worst record in the NBA, were among the eight teams that failed to qualify for the restart.
On the podcast, Carter said the abrupt ending was "tough," but he is at peace with his decision to walk away from the league.
"If there was any disappointment because of the season -- any of that -- it was kind of easier to put it aside and handle it that way," Carter said. "It's like, OK, it's something bigger than my career. ... It's unfortunate, but with the coronavirus taking people's lives rapidly, that's the big picture in my mind.
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"So I was able to put the weird ending -- the abrupt stoppage of play, to an ending -- aside for the bigger picture."
Carter ranks 19th all-time in NBA history in scoring and was the league's Rookie of the Year in 1999. He averaged 16.7 points per game in his career and enjoyed his greatest success with the Raptors and Nets.
Earlier this year, Carter became the first NBA player to appear in at least one game in four different decades. His 22 seasons in the league -- spent with eight different teams -- are the most in history.
"Vince Carter has made an indelible impact on the NBA with his remarkable skill and enduring commitment," NBA commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement. "For a record 22 seasons, he played with pure joy and created so many memorable moments as an eight-time All-Star, a Slam Dunk champion and an Olympic gold medalist.
"We congratulate Vince on a storied career and thank him for being a true ambassador of the game."


upi--2020-06-25--CBP chief Mark Morgan defends expulsion of migrants at border during pandemic

June 25 ( UPI ) -- Acting U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Mark Morgan on Thursday defended an emergency order to quickly expel migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border during the coronavirus pandemic .
Testifying during a Senate oversight hearing to examine immigration at the U.S.-Mexico border , Morgan said the controversial order -- first issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in March and since extended indefinitely -- is vital for the health of migrants already being held in detention .
`` The CDC has determined that without the order , CBP would have to hold large @ @ @ @ @ @ @ each other in congregate , often enclosed areas for the duration of immigration processing , '' he said .
`` That situation would dramatically increase the risk of an outbreak inside CBP facilities that could spread into local communities via the healthcare system or from CBP personnel , who live and work in border communities . ''
CBP reported it carried out nearly 42,000 expulsions under the CDC order during March , April and May , including more than 2,000 unaccompanied minors .
The number of migrants arrested at the border , however @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surge that saw 133,000 migrants arrested in May 2019 .
Critics accuse the Trump administration of using the COVID-19 pandemic as an excuse to violate U.S. and international law by establishing what is essentially a two-track process in which some migrants claiming asylum are turned away at the border by citing health concerns while others are allowed to be processed .
While many committee members praised CBP 's response in following CDC guidelines to limit immigration to the U.S. amid the pandemic , Sens .
Kamala Harris , D-Calif. , and Margaret Hassan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ' involvement in police brutality protests and allegations of misspending .
The hearing came exactly two weeks after a Government Accountability Office report revealed CBP misspent part of a 2019 emergency funding bill reserved for migrant care .
According to a June 11 audit from the GAO , CBP spent an unspecified amount of Congress ' nearly $ 4.6 billion emergency appropriations bill on items such as dirt bikes , boats , a CBP-wide vaccine program for personnel and computer network updates .
The bill , also known as the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Southern Border Act , allocated funds to CBP and other government agencies to cover expenses related to the growing number of Central American migrants along the U.S.-Mexico border last year .
According to the GAO audit , CBP 's misspending came from a $ 112 million portion of the bill that was allocated specifically for `` consumables and medical care . ''
Hassan asked Morgan how much CBP misspent on equipment , but did not provide a definite answer and said that confusion over some of CBP 's spending is a result of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the GAO is questioning $ 60 million of the designated funds .
`` About half of that , we believe , were due to some technical errors ... $ 30 million is really what is left that we think is in question , '' Morgan said .
Morgan said he does not agree that the money was `` misspent '' and the $ 30 million in question requires further analysis .
`` We believe that there was no violation to the Antideficiency Act , meaning we believe all the charges appear to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have put them in the wrong buckets , '' he said .
The Antideficiency Act prohibits federal agencies from obligating or spending federal funds that are in excess of the amounts or purposes approved by Congress .
Harris also pressed Morgan on why she had n't received a response from CBP on several questions she had posed to the agency related to its deployment of personnel to recent police brutality protests across the United States .
In a June 1 tweet about the deployments , Morgan said , `` Border Patrol Sectors are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nation to prevent further looting , rioting , arson , vandalism & destruction of property .
As a federal law enforcement agency , it 's our duty & responsibility to respond when our partners request support . ''
Harris said she sent a letter to Morgan on June 5 asking for CBP to provide information regarding the agency 's actions at those demonstrations , including the types of identification and equipment CBP personnel were authorized to carry and the forms of force they were authorized to use .
She also asked Morgan to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CBP personnel to the ongoing nationwide protests .
According to Morgan , CBP received requests to deploy CBP personnel from various federal agencies and state and local police departments .
He did not name any individuals or specific agencies .
CBP also came under criticism from House Democrats this month when it was reported the agency was part of a federal effort that used drones , airplanes and helicopters in several cities to monitor activists protesting the police killing of George Floyd .
`` This administration has undermined the First Amendment freedoms of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protesting George Floyd 's killing , '' a group of Democratic lawmakers wrote in a letter to acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf , demanding a `` complete list of jurisdictions where DHS conducted or assisted in conducting surveillance of any protests . ''
Morgan denied drones were used for surveillance and called the reports `` false narratives . ''
Thursday 's hearing came two days after Morgan accompanied President Donald Trump on a visit to a section of border wall in Arizona , which marked the completion of 200 miles of barrier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ miles by the end of the year .
`` My administration has done more than any administration in the history to secure our southern border .
Our border has never been more secure , '' Trump said during Tuesday 's visit .

1/6
Acting U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Commissioner Mark Morgan is sworn-in Thursday as he testifies at a Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee oversight hearing examining the CBP on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. Pool Photo by Alexander Drago/UPI | License Photo
June 25 (UPI) -- Acting U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Mark Morgan on Thursday defended an emergency order to quickly expel migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border during the coronavirus pandemic. Testifying during a Senate oversight hearing to examine immigration at the U.S.-Mexico border, Morgan said the controversial order -- first issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in March and since extended indefinitely -- is vital for the health of migrants already being held in detention. Advertisement
"The CDC has determined that without the order, CBP would have to hold large numbers of migrants in close proximity to each other in congregate, often enclosed areas for the duration of immigration processing," he said.
"That situation would dramatically increase the risk of an outbreak inside CBP facilities that could spread into local communities via the healthcare system or from CBP personnel, who live and work in border communities."
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CBP reported it carried out nearly 42,000 expulsions under the CDC order during March, April and May, including more than 2,000 unaccompanied minors.
The number of migrants arrested at the border, however, has decreased dramatically since an unprecedented surge that saw 133,000 migrants arrested in May 2019.
Critics accuse the Trump administration of using the COVID-19 pandemic as an excuse to violate U.S. and international law by establishing what is essentially a two-track process in which some migrants claiming asylum are turned away at the border by citing health concerns while others are allowed to be processed.
While many committee members praised CBP's response in following CDC guidelines to limit immigration to the U.S. amid the pandemic, Sens. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., and Margaret Hassan, D-N.H., pressed Morgan on agents' involvement in police brutality protests and allegations of misspending.
The hearing came exactly two weeks after a Government Accountability Office report revealed CBP misspent part of a 2019 emergency funding bill reserved for migrant care.
According to a June 11 audit from the GAO, CBP spent an unspecified amount of Congress' nearly $4.6 billion emergency appropriations bill on items such as dirt bikes, boats, a CBP-wide vaccine program for personnel and computer network updates.
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The bill, also known as the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations for Humanitarian Assistance and Security at the Southern Border Act, allocated funds to CBP and other government agencies to cover expenses related to the growing number of Central American migrants along the U.S.-Mexico border last year.
According to the GAO audit, CBP's misspending came from a $112 million portion of the bill that was allocated specifically for "consumables and medical care."
Hassan asked Morgan how much CBP misspent on equipment, but did not provide a definite answer and said that confusion over some of CBP's spending is a result of "technical errors."
Morgan said the GAO is questioning $60 million of the designated funds.
"About half of that, we believe, were due to some technical errors ... $30 million is really what is left that we think is in question," Morgan said.
Morgan said he does not agree that the money was "misspent" and the $30 million in question requires further analysis.
"We believe that there was no violation to the Antideficiency Act, meaning we believe all the charges appear to be valid CBP-operating expenses, we just may have put them in the wrong buckets," he said.
The Antideficiency Act prohibits federal agencies from obligating or spending federal funds that are in excess of the amounts or purposes approved by Congress.
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Harris also pressed Morgan on why she hadn't received a response from CBP on several questions she had posed to the agency related to its deployment of personnel to recent police brutality protests across the United States.
In a June 1 tweet about the deployments, Morgan said, "Border Patrol Sectors are working with law enforcement partners across our nation to prevent further looting, rioting, arson, vandalism & destruction of property. As a federal law enforcement agency, it's our duty & responsibility to respond when our partners request support."
Harris said she sent a letter to Morgan on June 5 asking for CBP to provide information regarding the agency's actions at those demonstrations, including the types of identification and equipment CBP personnel were authorized to carry and the forms of force they were authorized to use.
She also asked Morgan to clarify who specifically ordered the deployment of CBP personnel to the ongoing nationwide protests.
According to Morgan, CBP received requests to deploy CBP personnel from various federal agencies and state and local police departments. He did not name any individuals or specific agencies.
CBP also came under criticism from House Democrats this month when it was reported the agency was part of a federal effort that used drones, airplanes and helicopters in several cities to monitor activists protesting the police killing of George Floyd.
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"This administration has undermined the First Amendment freedoms of Americans of all races who are rightfully protesting George Floyd's killing," a group of Democratic lawmakers wrote in a letter to acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf, demanding a "complete list of jurisdictions where DHS conducted or assisted in conducting surveillance of any protests."
Morgan denied drones were used for surveillance and called the reports "false narratives."
Thursday's hearing came two days after Morgan accompanied President Donald Trump on a visit to a section of border wall in Arizona, which marked the completion of 200 miles of barrier. The administration aims to build 450 miles by the end of the year.
"My administration has done more than any administration in the history to secure our southern border. Our border has never been more secure," Trump said during Tuesday's visit.


upi--2020-06-25--Colorado governor appoints attorney general to investigate Elijah McClain's death

June 25 ( UPI ) -- Colorado Gov .
Jared Polis on Thursday designated the state 's attorney general to investigate the police-involved killing of 23-year-old Elijah McClain last year .
Polis designated Attorney General Phil Weiser as a special prosecutor in the case , granting him the authority to criminally prosecute any individuals whose actions contributed to McClain 's death .
`` Elijah McClain should be alive today and we owe it to his family to take this step and elevate the pursuit of justice in his name to a statewide concern , '' Polis said in a statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about a `` suspicious person '' wearing a ski mask and waving his arms while walking along a street on Aug. 24 , when they encountered McClain , a black man whose family has since said he often wore masks while outside due to anemia .
McClain , who was unarmed , initially refused to stop when police approached him , at which point officers tackled him and pinned him to the ground using a `` carotid control hold . ''
While on the ground , McClain pleaded with officers to stop , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vomiting multiple times .
Medical responders at the scene then injected McClain with the heavy sedative ketamine .
He entered cardiac arrest while being transported to a local hospital in an ambulance .
He was declared brain dead days later and died .
Also Thursday , District Attorney Dave Young , who is handling McClain 's case reiterated his prior determination that the evidence of the case `` does not support the filing of homicide . ''
`` Ultimately , while I may share the vast public opinion that Elijah McClain 's death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not my role to file criminal charges based on opinion , but rather , on evidence revealed from the investigation and applicable Colorado law , '' Young said .
National interest in McClain 's death has increased following national protests sparked by the police-involved killing of George Floyd in Minnesota .

June 25 (UPI) -- Colorado Gov. Jared Polis on Thursday designated the state's attorney general to investigate the police-involved killing of 23-year-old Elijah McClain last year.
Polis designated Attorney General Phil Weiser as a special prosecutor in the case, granting him the authority to criminally prosecute any individuals whose actions contributed to McClain's death.
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"Elijah McClain should be alive today and we owe it to his family to take this step and elevate the pursuit of justice in his name to a statewide concern," Polis said in a statement.
Aurora police responded to a call about a "suspicious person" wearing a ski mask and waving his arms while walking along a street on Aug. 24, when they encountered McClain, a black man whose family has since said he often wore masks while outside due to anemia.
McClain, who was unarmed, initially refused to stop when police approached him, at which point officers tackled him and pinned him to the ground using a "carotid control hold."
While on the ground, McClain pleaded with officers to stop, saying he was unable to breathe and vomiting multiple times.
Medical responders at the scene then injected McClain with the heavy sedative ketamine. He entered cardiac arrest while being transported to a local hospital in an ambulance. He was declared brain dead days later and died.
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Also Thursday, District Attorney Dave Young, who is handling McClain's case reiterated his prior determination that the evidence of the case "does not support the filing of homicide."
"Ultimately, while I may share the vast public opinion that Elijah McClain's death could have been avoided, it is not my role to file criminal charges based on opinion, but rather, on evidence revealed from the investigation and applicable Colorado law," Young said.
National interest in McClain's death has increased following national protests sparked by the police-involved killing of George Floyd in Minnesota.


upi--2020-06-25--Liverpool wins Premier League to end 30-year title drought

June 25 ( UPI ) -- Liverpool was crowned Premier League champions Thursday , ending the club 's 30-year wait for a topflight title .
The Reds beat Crystal Palace 4-0 on Wednesday to leave them needing only two points to win the title .
Liverpool eventually clinched their first league title since 1990 when second-place Manchester City suffered a 2-1 loss to Chelsea on Thursday at Stamford Bridge .
Manchester City 's defeat left them unable to catch Liverpool in the standings with seven games remaining .
`` I have no words .
It 's unbelievable , '' Liverpool @ @ @ @ @ @ @ win .
`` It 's much more than I ever thought , to become champions with this outstanding club is unbelievable . ''
Liverpool claimed the Premier League championship -- the 19th in club history -- in record-setting time .
Since the inception of England 's league system in 1888 , no club has clinched the title with seven games left .
The Reds put together 18 consecutive wins in the English league from October through late February and won every league match at home this season .
Liverpool also set a club @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , dating back to last season .
`` This was a season for the ages and for the faithful of Liverpool Football Club , '' Liverpool 's principal owner John W. Henry said in a statement on social media .
`` It has been an incredible year of magnificent achievement culminating tonight in capturing the Premier League title . ''
Liverpool held a 25-point advantage atop the standings when the Premier League suspended play in March because of the coronavirus pandemic .
The league resumed its season this month .

Liverpool FC fans celebrate outside Thursday at Anfield stadium in Liverpool, England. Liverpool was crowned champions of the Premier League for the first time in three decades. Photo by Peter Powell/EPA-EFE
June 25 (UPI) -- Liverpool was crowned Premier League champions Thursday, ending the club's 30-year wait for a topflight title. The Reds beat Crystal Palace 4-0 on Wednesday to leave them needing only two points to win the title. Liverpool eventually clinched their first league title since 1990 when second-place Manchester City suffered a 2-1 loss to Chelsea on Thursday at Stamford Bridge. Advertisement
Manchester City's defeat left them unable to catch Liverpool in the standings with seven games remaining.
"I have no words. It's unbelievable," Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said after Chelsea's win. "It's much more than I ever thought, to become champions with this outstanding club is unbelievable."
Liverpool claimed the Premier League championship -- the 19th in club history -- in record-setting time. Since the inception of England's league system in 1888, no club has clinched the title with seven games left.
The Reds put together 18 consecutive wins in the English league from October through late February and won every league match at home this season. Liverpool also set a club record of 44 matches without a loss, dating back to last season.
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"This was a season for the ages and for the faithful of Liverpool Football Club," Liverpool's principal owner John W. Henry said in a statement on social media. "It has been an incredible year of magnificent achievement culminating tonight in capturing the Premier League title."
Liverpool held a 25-point advantage atop the standings when the Premier League suspended play in March because of the coronavirus pandemic. The league resumed its season this month.


upi--2020-06-25--Nursing home doctors, nurses say they still lack PPEs

A patient is moved out of Gateway Care & Rehabillition Center, a skilled nursing facility in Hayward, Calif., on April 9. Representatives of U.S. nursing homes testified Thursday in Congress. File Photo by Terry Schmitt/UPI | License Photo
Representatives from U.S. nursing homes told lawmakers Thursday that they still lack personal protective equipment months after the start of a coronavirus outbreak where such facilities account for 43 percent of U.S. deaths from the virus. The House ways and means' health subcommittee heard from nursing home doctors and nurses as well as family members of residents and patients, all of whom testified about unsafe conditions. Advertisement
Deaths among residents from nursing homes and assisted living facilities account for 43 percent of U.S. COVID-19 deaths.
Witnesses told lawmakers they face low pay -- often barely above minimum wage -- long hours and a lack of sufficient personal protective equipment. They also called for increased transparency in case reporting in nursing homes by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, which recently started releasing data on COVID-19 cases in these facilities.
Subcommittee Chairman Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Texas, gestured to a sign posted behind him that listed the number of days before the CMS acted in several key areas since the first cases appeared in a Washington state nursing home. He said it took 97 days to release nursing home data, 80 days to enact a baseline testing requirement for the facilities and 61 days to provide PPE. When the PPE came from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, he said, "much of it was junk that frequently was unusable -- glorified trash bags as gowns and cloth mask instead of N-95 masks."
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A National Nurses United poll found that through June 24, "85 percent of nurses are still being asked to reuse PPE, although there is no scientifically proven way to do that safely."
Doggett said he submitted repeated requests for a representative from CMS to attend the hearing, but the agency declined.
"This administration, which seems more terrified of transparency and accountability than COVID-19, has declined to provide any witness with the courage to face the responsibility for the thousands of deaths that have occurred," he said.
He added that 800 facilities have yet to report data on their COVID-19 numbers.
Melinda Haschak, a licensed practical nurse from Stamford, Conn., told the committee her nursing home faced severe shortages of masks and eye protection.
"I had to find PPE for myself and my co-workers using my own money and the help of friends and family members," said Haschak, who supplied her facility with 4,000 masks and other PPE. "I couldn't bear to risk exposure to COVID-19 so recklessly."
She caught COVID-19 just before Mother's Day.
Toby Edelman, senior policy attorney at the Center for Medicare Advocacy, testified that the Trump administration has rolled back protections on nursing homes, making them vulnerable to the pandemic's effects. She cited both a 2019 change that waived annual inspection requirements for "top-performing" facilities and another that limited requirements for an in-person infection preventionist.
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"Improving quality of care and quality of life in nursing facilities that do not provide good care requires multiple efforts, simultaneously made," she said. "Residents and their families and taxpayers deserve no less."
COVID-19 pandemic alters life in New York City


upi--2020-06-25--Japan cancels plans to deploy Aegis Ashore systems at 2 sites

June 25 ( UPI ) -- Japan has canceled plans to deploy Aegis Ashore land-based missile interceptions systems at two @ @ @ @ @ After deliberations at the NSC , we have come to the decision to cancel the @ @ @ @ @ prefectures , '' KonoDefense Minister Taro Kono said Thursday , referring to Wednesday 's closed-door @ @ @ @ @ Council chaired by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe .
The decision comes on the heels of @ @ @ @ @ Japan had suspended plans to deploy the U.S.-developed Aegis Ashore system , citing technical issues @ @ @ @ @ week Kono said the Defense Ministry had struggled to find alternate sites for the two @ @ @ @ @ military had planned to deploy it to counter threats from North Korean missiles , but @ @ @ @ @ 2.15 billion estimated cost to over $ 4 billion , including purchase cost and an @ @ @ @ @ mid-June Kono said the country would continue to rely on Aegis-equipped destroyers to supply missile @ @ @ @ @ other options in the future .

Japan's Defense Minister Taro Kono, shown here in May 2020, announced Thursday that Japan is scrapping plans for using of the Aegis Ashore weapon system at two sites in Japan. Photo by Keizo Mori/UPI | License Photo
June 25 (UPI) -- Japan has canceled plans to deploy Aegis Ashore land-based missile interceptions systems at two sites in Japan. "After deliberations at the NSC, we have come to the decision to cancel the deployment in Yamaguchi and Akita prefectures," KonoDefense Minister Taro Kono said Thursday, referring to Wednesday's closed-door meeting of the National Security Council chaired by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Advertisement
The decision comes on the heels of a June 15 announcement that Japan had suspended plans to deploy the U.S.-developed Aegis Ashore system, citing technical issues and mounting costs.
This week Kono said the Defense Ministry had struggled to find alternate sites for the two missile batteries.
Japan's military had planned to deploy it to counter threats from North Korean missiles, but increasing problems raised the $2.15 billion estimated cost to over $4 billion, including purchase cost and an expected 30-year use.
In mid-June Kono said the country would continue to rely on Aegis-equipped destroyers to supply missile defense, but would consider other options in the future.