upi--2020-08-24--Weakened Marco makes landfall on Gulf Coast with Laura next in line

Aug. 24 ( UPI ) -- A weakening Tropical Storm Marco made landfall near the mouth of the Mississippi River on Monday evening and will continue to unload rain over the Gulf Coast through Tuesday .
Impacts from the storm were already being felt along the coast from Louisiana to the Florida Panhandle in the form of rough surf and gusty downpours .
Strong wind shear is present over Marco 's circulation , causing most of the storm 's moisture to be directed into southern Alabama and the Florida Panhandle early Monday morning .
Marco strengthened to a Category 1 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ downgraded to a tropical storm once again on Sunday night .
At 7 p.m. EDT Monday , Marco was moving to the northwest at 8 mph with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph , barely hanging on to tropical storm status .
At 7 p.m. EDT Monday , Marco made landfall at the mouth of the Mississippi River as a weak tropical storm .
On Saturday , Mississippi Gov .
Tate Reeves declared a state of emergency ahead of Laura and Marco 's unwelcome arrival .
`` We are in unprecedented times , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dealing with not only two potential storms in the next few hours , we are also dealing with COVID-19 . ''
The governor and other state officials urged residents to prepare ahead of the storms and advised people to find places to evacuate other than public shelters .
The southern portions of Mississippi will be the part of the state that bears the brunt of Marco into Monday night .
Especially cities on the immediate coast such as Gulfport , Biloxi and Pascagoula .
Storm surge warnings have been issued for part of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the anticipated inundation as Marco arrives .
Farther inland , heavy rain will be the primary risk , although some locally damaging wind gusts will also remain possible .
As with most tropical systems , there will also be a threat for isolated tornadoes north and east of the center of the storm .
Southern Alabama and the Florida Panhandle are expected to bear the brunt of Marco as a whole , even though the center of Marco will be directed toward Louisiana .
This is because most of Marco 's moisture @ @ @ @ @ @ @ winds in the upper atmosphere .
Wind gusts of 40-60 mph are expected from along the Mississippi coast into southeastern Louisiana , including New Orleans .
This can lead to some localized damage to trees , power lines and a few weaker structures .
Loose objects can also be thrown about by the wind .
Higher gusts are likely at the coast near where Marco made landfall , up to an AccuWeather Local StormMax of 80 mph .
A complicating factor is Laura , which could come into the central Gulf Coast right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could end up lasting for several days to even more than a week for some as restoration efforts will be hindered by having to watch the potential for another , likely stronger storm .
The National Hurricane Center said in an 8 p.m. EDT update that Laura was located about 140 miles east of the western tip of Cuba whose government has since discontinued tropical storm warnings for the Ciego De Vaila and Sancti Spiritus provinces though warnings persist in eight others .
Moving near 20 mph , Laura is forecast to move @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gulf of Mexico by Monday night and will approach the northwestern coast of the Gulf of Mexico by Wednesday night , the center said .
The storm has sustained winds near 65 mph with higher gusts , the NHC said in the update , adding it is expected to strengthen as it moves over the Gulf of Mexico .
`` Laura is forecast to become a hurricane by late Tuesday , '' the NHC said .
`` Additional strengthening is forecast on Wednesday , and Laura could be near major hurricane strength when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and gas rigs are most concentrated in the central and western two-thirds of the Gulf of Mexico , with refineries in the Houston and Galveston area and around New Orleans .
`` Two [ Gulf of Mexico ] storms could certainly keep the rigs offline for a few days , '' according to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Dale Mohler .
`` If Laura also takes a track toward the Louisiana coast as forecast , power crews may not even be able to go to some areas after Marco exits .
As soon as they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ again to avoid Laura , '' said AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Dan Pydynowski .
Louisiana Gov .
John Bel Edwards requested a Federal Emergency Declaration on Saturday in preparation of Marco , as well as Laura .
`` This is unlike anything we have seen , with two [ storms ] expected to impact our state nearly back to back , '' he said .
`` This may mean that people will have to shelter in place for more than 72 hours and that there may not be time to do things like restore @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' In Texas , Gov .
Greg Abbott deployed more than 70 members of the Texas Army , Air National Guards and Texas State Gaurd with the Texas Military Department throughout the state on Monday ahead of the storms .
Teams with high-profile vehicles have repositioned to support local and state agencies throughout Texas , with Blackhawk and Lakota aircrews on alert at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport and San Antonio to assist with emergency search and rescue , Abbott 's office said in a release .
`` As the situation develops , it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gulf Coast and in southeast Texas pay close attention to the weather alerts and heed warnings from local officials , '' Abbott said .
`` Property and belongings can be restored , but lives can not . ''
Heavy rainfall will spread northeastward into the central and upper Gulf Coast states through Monday .
A swath of 1-2 inches of rain is anticipated from the Florida Panhandle and far southern Alabama across southern Mississippi and most of Louisiana .
The heaviest rain will be focused on southeastern Louisiana , southern Alabama and into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is expected , with an AccuWeather Local StormMax of 12 inches .
With these anticipated impacts from rain and wind , Marco will be a one for the U.S. on the AccuWeather RealImpact Scale for Hurricanes , a six-point scale from less than one to five that rates tropical systems based on impacts .
Marco became the 10th storm in 2020 to go down in the record books for the basin .
Marco beat Hurricane Maria from the 2005 season , and that storm was n't given the name Maria until Sept. 2 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ set late this week , as Laura claimed the title for the earliest ' L ' named storm on record when it was developed at 9 a.m. EDT Friday .
Laura was located just east of the northern Leeward Islands when it was named .
And storm after storm could keep on coming as tropical waves continue to emerge off the coast of Africa , according to Chief Broadcast Meteorologist Bernie Rayno .
The heart of the 2020 hurricane season , which is just getting underway , is expected to be extremely active @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the number of tropical storms in late July , with up to 24 now predicted and up to 11 hurricanes projected for the season .

Hurricane Laura is seen after it arrived on the Louisiana coast early Thursday as a Category 4 storm. Image courtesy NOAA/NHC
Aug. 27 (UPI) -- Laura slammed into the coast of Louisiana near Cameron early Thursday as a Category 4 hurricane, packing maximum sustained winds of 150 mph. Not even 24 hours earlier, Laura rapidly intensified to a Category 3 hurricane, the first major hurricane of the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season. A short time later, the NOAA Hurricane Hunters found Laura had become an "extremely dangerous" Category 4 storm. Advertisement
The National Hurricane Center said in a 4 a.m. advisory Thursday that Laura had weakened to a Category 2 storm over land.
AccuWeather meteorologists warned that complete destruction of mobile homes along with roof and wall failure is possible from Laura. Locations could be uninhabitable for weeks or months, and roads impassible from large debris.
Many bridges, causeways and access routes may become impassable as flood control systems and barriers may become stressed and fail. Major damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks and piers should be expected.
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The National Hurricane Center warned that Laura may damage even well-built homes. Along with the common threat of the storm snapping or uprooting trees, the NHC also warned electricity and water may be unavailable for several days to weeks.
Laura's winds have already wrecked havoc on the power grid across the region. More than 137,000 customers were without electricity in Louisiana and there were 15,000 outages in southeast Texas early Thursday.
Numerous tornado warnings have been issued across the region, and AccuWeather meteorologists say the tornado dangers will continue as Laura moves inland.
Louisiana started to experience intense flooding on Wednesday morning near Louisiana State Route 1, among other areas, well before Laura made landfall.
"Unsurvivable storm surge with large and destructive waves will cause catastrophic damage," the NHC warned in an advisory Wednesday, adding that the surge could extend up to 40 miles inland from the coastline.
Storm surge is an above-normal rise in sea water along the coast that's generated by approaching or landfalling tropical systems, its strength and reach comparing more to a river than a tide.
AccuWeather forecasters predicted a storm surge of 15 to 20 feet near Cameron, Louisiana, a coastal town of about 135 miles east of Houston. The highest elevation in Cameron Parish is around 20 feet, meaning that the entire parish could be underwater during the worst of the storm.
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"A storm surge of that magnitude, combined with wave action, would be high enough to fully devastate the second story of structures located along the coast," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Alex Sosnowski said. "Moving water with wave action has the force of being in the middle of a large river. Waters will begin to rise and some coastal roads can become flooded will in advance of the center of the storm's arrival on the coast."
Tensions mounted during the week ahead of Laura's landfall as the storm strengthened along an eerily similar path taken by Hurricane Rita in 2005. The similarities stirred old wounds that local officials sought to address.
"This is not Harvey, this is not Imelda, this is not Allison. This is Laura," Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo said during a press conference. "Every storm is different, and we urge folks not to use any prior storm as a template for what or will happen. What we need to do is prepare for the worst."
The coronavirus pandemic has brought new challenges to hurricane preparation this season. To adapt to the dual danger of COVID-19 and hurricanes, the Center for Disease Prevention and Control has recommended preparing a "go kit" with items that that can help protect you and others from transmission of COVID-19, including hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes and two masks for each person as social distancing may become more difficult.
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The first mandatory evacuation order was issued Tuesday when the hurricane was still a Category 1 storm. Galveston Mayor Craig Brown signed a mandatory evacuation and the city urged residents to leave the island by noon Wednesday and to take with them "all family members and pets." City services were suspended at noon on Tuesday.
Elsewhere along the Gulf Coast, residents in Louisiana prepared for the storm by boarding up windows. Oil refineries across the Gulf were shut down amid all of the tropical activity over the Gulf -- first from Marco and later from Laura. All told, over half a million in Texas and Louisiana were told to flee the approaching storm.
A St. George Island first responder died while trying to save a swimmer, Franklin County Sheriff A.J. Smith reported over Facebook Live. He noted that it had been a "double-red-flag day," meaning no one should have been in the water to begin with.
"The conditions are terrible," Smith said. "There's a hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico, so I'm asking all the tourists don't go in the water. If you're in the water and you're told to leave and you don't, you will be arrested. We're serious about this. There's no reason for any other loss of life."
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The identity of the first responder has yet to be made public.
Laura took its time its beginning stages of development before moving into the warm waters that would serve as a catalyst to its strengthening.
Laura first struck the Dominican Republic and Haiti before moving over Cuba by late Sunday, leaving behind damage and flooding while it pushed across the northern Caribbean as a tropical storm. It turned into a hurricane Tuesday.
Tropical Storm Marco preceded Laura, but fizzled out during the beginning of the week as it skirted along the Gulf Coast. However, this wasn't before it became the earliest "M" storm on record in the basin and unleashed torrential rainfall on the region. The previous "M" storm record was held by the 2005 Hurricane Maria, which developed Sept. 2.
Prior to Laura and Marco's formation, Cristobal, Edouard, Fay, Gonzalo, Hanna, Isaias, Josephine and Kyle had all set new records for their respective letters in 2020.


upi--2020-08-24--Miami Heat sweep Indiana Pacers to advance; Bucks, Thunder earn wins

Aug. 24 ( UPI ) -- The fifth-seeded Miami Heat completed their first-round sweep of the Indiana Pacers with a 99-87 win Monday night , while the Milwaukee Bucks and Oklahoma City Thunder both posted victories in their first-round series .
Miami guard Goran Dragic had a team-best 23 points to go with five rebounds and three assists .
Tyler Herro had 16 points and Bam Adebayo notched 14 points , 19 rebounds and six assists for the Heat , who advanced to the second round of the NBA playoffs for the first time since 2016 .
Victor Oladipo led @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Myles Turner recorded 22 points and 14 rebounds and T.J. Warren added 21 points on 8-of-17 shooting for the Pacers , who have now lost four consecutive postseason series to the Heat since 2012 .
The Heat will play either the Orlando Magic or the Bucks in the second round .
The top-seeded Bucks dropped the series opener to the Magic but have won three straight games to take a 3-1 series lead .
Milwaukee posted a dominant 121-106 win over Orlando on Monday to inch closer to the Eastern Conference semifinals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 31 points , 15 rebounds and eight assists .
Khris Middleton scored 18 of his 21 points in the fourth quarter and brought down 10 rebounds for the Bucks , who are hoping to win their first NBA championship since 1971 .
Magic big man Nikola Vucevic continued his red-hot play against the Bucks , recording 31 points , 11 rebounds and seven assists .
Terrence Ross had 19 points and eight rebounds in 31 minutes off the bench .
The Bucks can close out the Magic on Wednesday in Game 5 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 15-point deficit to beat the Houston Rockets 117-114 on Monday , evening their first-round Western Conference playoff series at two games apiece .
Oklahoma City guard Dennis Schroder scored a career playoff-high 30 points to lead his team over the Rockets .
Chris Paul had 26 points and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander notched 18 points and 12 rebounds for the Thunder , who managed to tie the series despite giving up 23 3-pointers .
Rockets star James Harden recorded 32 points , 15 assists and eight rebounds .
Eric Gordon scored 23 points and Danuel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Game 5 of the best-of-seven series is set for Wednesday .

Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) throws down a dunk as Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (L) and Magic forward Wes Iwundu (R) look on during the second half in Game 4 on Monday at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex near Orlando, Fla. Photo by John G. Mabanglo/EPA-EFE
Aug. 24 (UPI) -- The fifth-seeded Miami Heat completed their first-round sweep of the Indiana Pacers with a 99-87 win Monday night, while the Milwaukee Bucks and Oklahoma City Thunder both posted victories in their first-round series. Miami guard Goran Dragic had a team-best 23 points to go with five rebounds and three assists. Tyler Herro had 16 points and Bam Adebayo notched 14 points, 19 rebounds and six assists for the Heat, who advanced to the second round of the NBA playoffs for the first time since 2016. Advertisement
Victor Oladipo led Indiana with 25 points and five steals. Myles Turner recorded 22 points and 14 rebounds and T.J. Warren added 21 points on 8-of-17 shooting for the Pacers, who have now lost four consecutive postseason series to the Heat since 2012.
The Heat will play either the Orlando Magic or the Bucks in the second round.
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The top-seeded Bucks dropped the series opener to the Magic but have won three straight games to take a 3-1 series lead. Milwaukee posted a dominant 121-106 win over Orlando on Monday to inch closer to the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Milwaukee star Giannis Antetokounmpo finished with 31 points, 15 rebounds and eight assists. Khris Middleton scored 18 of his 21 points in the fourth quarter and brought down 10 rebounds for the Bucks, who are hoping to win their first NBA championship since 1971.
Magic big man Nikola Vucevic continued his red-hot play against the Bucks, recording 31 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists. Terrence Ross had 19 points and eight rebounds in 31 minutes off the bench.
The Bucks can close out the Magic on Wednesday in Game 5.
Meanwhile, the Thunder rallied from a 15-point deficit to beat the Houston Rockets 117-114 on Monday, evening their first-round Western Conference playoff series at two games apiece.
Oklahoma City guard Dennis Schroder scored a career playoff-high 30 points to lead his team over the Rockets. Chris Paul had 26 points and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander notched 18 points and 12 rebounds for the Thunder, who managed to tie the series despite giving up 23 3-pointers.
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Rockets star James Harden recorded 32 points, 15 assists and eight rebounds. Eric Gordon scored 23 points and Danuel House Jr. added 21 for Houston.
Game 5 of the best-of-seven series is set for Wednesday.


upi--2020-08-24--Raptors' Kyle Lowry has ankle injury; Mavs' Kristaps Porzingis game-time decision

Aug. 24 ( UPI ) -- Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry was diagnosed with a left ankle sprain , the team announced Monday .
The Raptors did n't reveal a timetable for Lowry 's return , saying his condition `` will be updated as appropriate . ''
Toronto 's Eastern Conference semifinal series against the Boston Celtics starts Thursday .
Lowry suffered the ankle injury with a little more than three minutes remaining in the first quarter of Sunday 's Game 4 between the Raptors and Brooklyn Nets .
The six-time All-Star was dribbling up the court when Nets guard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stepped on Chiozza 's foot , and the Raptors star began limping immediately .
Lowry reentered the game after a brief timeout but subbed himself out of the contest following an offensive possession .
He then headed straight for the locker room and did n't return to the game .
Despite losing Lowry , the Raptors cruised to a 150-122 win over the Nets to earn their first postseason series sweep in franchise history .
`` You certainly want your best players out there , without question , '' Raptors head coach Nick @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But sometimes you do n't have much choice .
That 's something we 've become accustomed to in this league .
You have to go out there with who is healthy and who is available .
`` You have to think there 's a good chance you can figure out a way to win .
That 's what we 'll do either way . ''
Lowry , who averaged 19.4 points , 7.5 assists and five rebounds during the regular season , averaged 16 points , 5.3 assists and 8.7 rebounds in Toronto @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Dallas Mavericks could be without All-Star big man Kristaps Porzingis for a second consecutive game in their first-round Western Conference playoff series against the Los Angeles Clippers .
The Mavs on Monday listed Porzingis as questionable for Tuesday 's Game 5 against the Clippers due to the right knee soreness that forced him to sit out Sunday 's Game 4 .
Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle told reporters that Porzingis ' status could be a game-time decision .
`` Look , a lot of this is going to be hour-to-hour , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ latter stages of tomorrow , '' Carlisle said Monday .
`` The game is at [ 9 p.m. EDT ] tomorrow night , so it may be late in the day , late in the evening , before we know for sure .
`` I will say that there 's nothing on the MRI that has ruled him out a day before the game , and that 's good news .
I think we can take some stock in that , and we will just have to see where we are tomorrow .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ tomorrow , but this may be a game-time decision similar to what Luka 's was [ Sunday ] . ''
Mavericks star Luka Doncic was a game-time decision Sunday afternoon due to a sprained left ankle .
The 21-year-old was active and went on to post a historic triple-double -- 43 points , 17 rebounds and 13 assists -- and drilled an overtime buzzer-beater to even the series at two games apiece .
Carlisle said Doncic 's ankle is `` doing well , '' indicating that he likely will be available for Game @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doing well , and he did well on it [ Sunday ] , '' Carlisle said .
`` And hopefully today off the floor will help that as well . ''

Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry averaged 16 points, 5.3 assists and 8.7 rebounds in Toronto's first three playoff games. File Photo by Nicole Sweet/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 24 (UPI) -- Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry was diagnosed with a left ankle sprain, the team announced Monday. The Raptors didn't reveal a timetable for Lowry's return, saying his condition "will be updated as appropriate." Toronto's Eastern Conference semifinal series against the Boston Celtics starts Thursday. Advertisement
Lowry suffered the ankle injury with a little more than three minutes remaining in the first quarter of Sunday's Game 4 between the Raptors and Brooklyn Nets. The six-time All-Star was dribbling up the court when Nets guard Chris Chiozza cut him off. Lowry stepped on Chiozza's foot, and the Raptors star began limping immediately.
Lowry reentered the game after a brief timeout but subbed himself out of the contest following an offensive possession. He then headed straight for the locker room and didn't return to the game.
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Despite losing Lowry, the Raptors cruised to a 150-122 win over the Nets to earn their first postseason series sweep in franchise history.
"You certainly want your best players out there, without question," Raptors head coach Nick Nurse said after the game. "But sometimes you don't have much choice. That's something we've become accustomed to in this league. You have to go out there with who is healthy and who is available.
"You have to think there's a good chance you can figure out a way to win. That's what we'll do either way."
Lowry, who averaged 19.4 points, 7.5 assists and five rebounds during the regular season, averaged 16 points, 5.3 assists and 8.7 rebounds in Toronto's first three playoff games.
Meanwhile, the Dallas Mavericks could be without All-Star big man Kristaps Porzingis for a second consecutive game in their first-round Western Conference playoff series against the Los Angeles Clippers.
The Mavs on Monday listed Porzingis as questionable for Tuesday's Game 5 against the Clippers due to the right knee soreness that forced him to sit out Sunday's Game 4.
Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle told reporters that Porzingis' status could be a game-time decision.
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"Look, a lot of this is going to be hour-to-hour, minute-to-minute type stuff, probably in the latter stages of tomorrow," Carlisle said Monday. "The game is at [9 p.m. EDT] tomorrow night, so it may be late in the day, late in the evening, before we know for sure.
"I will say that there's nothing on the MRI that has ruled him out a day before the game, and that's good news. I think we can take some stock in that, and we will just have to see where we are tomorrow. ... We'll know a little more tomorrow, but this may be a game-time decision similar to what Luka's was [Sunday]."
Mavericks star Luka Doncic was a game-time decision Sunday afternoon due to a sprained left ankle. The 21-year-old was active and went on to post a historic triple-double -- 43 points, 17 rebounds and 13 assists -- and drilled an overtime buzzer-beater to even the series at two games apiece.
Carlisle said Doncic's ankle is "doing well," indicating that he likely will be available for Game 5.
"Luka's ankle is doing well, and he did well on it [Sunday]," Carlisle said. "And hopefully today off the floor will help that as well."


upi--2020-08-24--Trump administration says Pebble Mine can't be permitted as proposed

Aug. 24 ( UPI ) -- The Trump administration on Monday determined that the proposed Pebble Mine in Alaska can not be approved for a permit under the Clean Water Act .
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers issued a statement saying the project , which would be the largest gold and copper mine in North America , would likely result in `` significant adverse effects on the aquatic system or human environment '' as currently proposed .
The Corps said the project has the potential to provide the creation of jobs and extraction of natural resources but `` as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ substantial environmental impacts within the unique Bristol Bay watershed and lacks adequate compensatory mitigation . ''
Pebble Limited Partnership CEO Tom Collier said that the letter was expected and that the company is `` well into '' an effort to present a mitigation plan to the Corps .
`` The USACE has identified the wetlands and stream impacts at the project mine site to include about 3,000 acres of wetlands and about 100 miles of streams , '' said Collier , who formerly served as chief of staff for the U.S. Department of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` The USACE has stated that the mitigation must be 'in kind ' and 'in watershed . '
'' The Obama administration had blocked the mine , but Trump administration officials reversed the decision and the Corps determined last month that the operation would have `` no measurable effect '' on fish populations in the area but would inflict permanent damage on the region .
The project has also faced recent opposition from prominent Republicans including Trump 's son , Donlad Trump Jr. , who tweeted earlier this month that the headwaters of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are too unique and fragile to take any chances with . ''
Alannah Hurley , executive director of the United Tribes of Bristol Bay , praised the Corps ' decision in an email to The Washington Post .
`` It is impossible for the company to mitigate the devastation this mine will have on our Nativ cultures , our way of life that has been sustained for thousands of years by the pristine lands and waters of the Bristol Bay Watershed , '' Hurley wrote .

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers determined Monday that the Pebble Mine in Alaska can't be permitted as currently proposed, stating it will have "significant adverse effects on the aquatic system or human environment." Photo by Stan Shebs/ Wikimedia Commons
Aug. 24 (UPI) -- The Trump administration on Monday determined that the proposed Pebble Mine in Alaska cannot be approved for a permit under the Clean Water Act. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers issued a statement saying the project, which would be the largest gold and copper mine in North America, would likely result in "significant adverse effects on the aquatic system or human environment" as currently proposed. Advertisement
The Corps said the project has the potential to provide the creation of jobs and extraction of natural resources but "as currently proposed, the project could have substantial environmental impacts within the unique Bristol Bay watershed and lacks adequate compensatory mitigation."
Pebble Limited Partnership CEO Tom Collier said that the letter was expected and that the company is "well into" an effort to present a mitigation plan to the Corps.
"The USACE has identified the wetlands and stream impacts at the project mine site to include about 3,000 acres of wetlands and about 100 miles of streams," said Collier, who formerly served as chief of staff for the U.S. Department of the Interior during the Clinton administration. "The USACE has stated that the mitigation must be 'in kind' and 'in watershed.'"
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The Obama administration had blocked the mine, but Trump administration officials reversed the decision and the Corps determined last month that the operation would have "no measurable effect" on fish populations in the area but would inflict permanent damage on the region.
The project has also faced recent opposition from prominent Republicans including Trump's son, Donlad Trump Jr., who tweeted earlier this month that the headwaters of Bristol Bay and the surrounding fishery "are too unique and fragile to take any chances with."
Alannah Hurley, executive director of the United Tribes of Bristol Bay, praised the Corps' decision in an email to The Washington Post.
"It is impossible for the company to mitigate the devastation this mine will have on our Nativ cultures, our way of life that has been sustained for thousands of years by the pristine lands and waters of the Bristol Bay Watershed," Hurley wrote.


upi--2020-08-24--Wife of California lawmaker sentenced to home confinement in embezzlement scheme

Aug. 24 ( UPI ) -- A California judge on Monday sentenced Margaret Hunter , 44 , wife of former lawmaker Rep. Duncan Hunter , R-Calif. , to eight months of home confinement for her role in a scheme to skim campaign funds for personal expenses .
Margaret Hunter pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy .
Her sentence was light because of her quick admission of guilt , prosecutors said .
`` Margaret Hunter promptly accepted responsibility for her role in this campaign finance fraud , '' said David Leshner , assistant U.S attorney , said in a statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ culpability relative to her husband , the important part she played in securing her husband 's guilty plea , and her role in reinforcing the bedrock principle underlying our democracy that the politicians who write our laws do not stand above them , '' Leshner said .
The husband and wife were found guilty of misusing more than $ 250,000 of campaign monies over several years to pay for mundane items such as fast food , movie tickets , sneakers groceries and toys , but also for `` lavish overseas vacations and airplane @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their pet rabbits , Eggbert and Cadbury , '' a statement from the Souther District of California 's U.S. Attorney 's office said .
A 60-count federal indictment accused the Hunters of mislabeling and falsifying records of expenses to the Federal Election Commission between 2009 and 2016 , and committing wire fraud .
Duncan Hunter , 43 , the former San Diego-area congressman , was sentenced in March to to 11 months in prison and three years of parole for corruption charges .
Prosecutors said the couple allegedly burned through campaign contributions and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expenses .
The couple allegedly listed expenditures as charity donations , including filing dental bills for oral surgery as a charitable contribution to `` Smiles for Life '' and tickets to see Riverdance at the San Diego Civic Theater as a donation to `` San Diego Civic Center for Republican Women Federated/Fundraising , '' court documents said .
The Hunters began reimbursing the campaign in 2010 and by November 2017 had repaid more than $ 60,000 for what his campaign described as `` personal , mistaken and insufficiently documented expenditures . ''
Husband @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the charges , which were also investigated by the FBI .
During that time , Duncan Hunter referred to the case as a `` witch hunt . ''
Duncan Hunter served six terms in Congress in California 's 50th Congressional District , which covers parts of San Diego and Riverside counties .
Hunter 's district has been vacant since he resigned in January .
Democrat Ammar Campa-Najjar and Republican Darrell Issa were top vote-getters in the primary and will face off in the Nov. 3 presidential election .

Margaret Hunter, wife of former Congressman Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Calif. was sentenced to eight months of home confinement for her part in a scheme with her husband to embezzle $250,000 of campaign funds. File Photo courtesy of Congress
Aug. 24 (UPI) -- A California judge on Monday sentenced Margaret Hunter, 44, wife of former lawmaker Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Calif., to eight months of home confinement for her role in a scheme to skim campaign funds for personal expenses. Margaret Hunter pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy. Her sentence was light because of her quick admission of guilt, prosecutors said. Advertisement
"Margaret Hunter promptly accepted responsibility for her role in this campaign finance fraud," said David Leshner, assistant U.S attorney, said in a statement.
"Her sentence reflects her lesser culpability relative to her husband, the important part she played in securing her husband's guilty plea, and her role in reinforcing the bedrock principle underlying our democracy that the politicians who write our laws do not stand above them," Leshner said.
The husband and wife were found guilty of misusing more than $250,000 of campaign monies over several years to pay for mundane items such as fast food, movie tickets, sneakers groceries and toys, but also for "lavish overseas vacations and airplane tickets for themselves, family members and their pet rabbits, Eggbert and Cadbury," a statement from the Souther District of California's U.S. Attorney's office said.
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A 60-count federal indictment accused the Hunters of mislabeling and falsifying records of expenses to the Federal Election Commission between 2009 and 2016, and committing wire fraud.
Duncan Hunter, 43, the former San Diego-area congressman, was sentenced in March to to 11 months in prison and three years of parole for corruption charges.
Prosecutors said the couple allegedly burned through campaign contributions and disguised some of them as legitimate campaign expenses.
The couple allegedly listed expenditures as charity donations, including filing dental bills for oral surgery as a charitable contribution to "Smiles for Life" and tickets to see Riverdance at the San Diego Civic Theater as a donation to "San Diego Civic Center for Republican Women Federated/Fundraising," court documents said.
The Hunters began reimbursing the campaign in 2010 and by November 2017 had repaid more than $60,000 for what his campaign described as "personal, mistaken and insufficiently documented expenditures."
Husband and wife originally pleaded not guilty to the charges, which were also investigated by the FBI. During that time, Duncan Hunter referred to the case as a "witch hunt."
Duncan Hunter served six terms in Congress in California's 50th Congressional District, which covers parts of San Diego and Riverside counties.
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Hunter's district has been vacant since he resigned in January.
Democrat Ammar Campa-Najjar and Republican Darrell Issa were top vote-getters in the primary and will face off in the Nov. 3 presidential election.


upi--2020-08-24--Las Vegas Raiders WR Tyrell Williams trying to play through torn labrum

Aug. 24 ( UPI ) -- Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tyrell Williams has suffered a torn labrum in his shoulder but will attempt to play through the injury .
League sources told ESPN , NFL Media and the Mercury News on Monday that Williams will try to play through it after rehabbing the injury for a few weeks .
The 28-year-old wideout had been absent from practice in recent days , including Friday 's scrimmage at the Raiders ' new Allegiant Stadium .
Williams was expected to start alongside first-round draft pick Henry Ruggs III this season , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ slot receiver .
Las Vegas also selected Bryan Edwards in the third round of this year 's draft and signed former Philadelphia Eagles wideout Nelson Agholor .
The Raiders signed Williams to a four-year , $ 44 million contract in March 2019 .
He got off to a hot start last season with touchdown receptions in each of his first five games , but plantar fasciitis slowed him later in the year .
Williams missed two games because of the issue and finished with only 42 catches and 651 receiving yards in 2019 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rookie season in 2015 .
In 69 career games with the Chargers and Raiders , Williams has recorded 197 receptions for 3,181 yards and 23 touchdowns .
His best NFL season came in 2016 , when he had 69 grabs for 1,059 yards and seven receiving scores .

Las Vegas Raiders receiver Tyrell Williams (16) has recorded 197 receptions for 3,181 yards and 23 touchdowns in his NFL career. File Photo by Jon SooHoo/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 24 (UPI) -- Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tyrell Williams has suffered a torn labrum in his shoulder but will attempt to play through the injury. League sources told ESPN, NFL Media and the Mercury News on Monday that Williams will try to play through it after rehabbing the injury for a few weeks. The 28-year-old wideout had been absent from practice in recent days, including Friday's scrimmage at the Raiders' new Allegiant Stadium. Advertisement
Williams was expected to start alongside first-round draft pick Henry Ruggs III this season, with Hunter Renfrow serving as the Raiders' slot receiver. Las Vegas also selected Bryan Edwards in the third round of this year's draft and signed former Philadelphia Eagles wideout Nelson Agholor.
The Raiders signed Williams to a four-year, $44 million contract in March 2019. He got off to a hot start last season with touchdown receptions in each of his first five games, but plantar fasciitis slowed him later in the year.
Williams missed two games because of the issue and finished with only 42 catches and 651 receiving yards in 2019 -- his lowest yardage total since his rookie season in 2015.
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In 69 career games with the Chargers and Raiders, Williams has recorded 197 receptions for 3,181 yards and 23 touchdowns. His best NFL season came in 2016, when he had 69 grabs for 1,059 yards and seven receiving scores.


upi--2020-08-24--Jerry Falwell Jr. resigns as president of Liberty University

Aug. 24 ( UPI ) -- Jerry Falwell Jr. announced his resignation as president of Liberty University on Monday , citing an alleged extortion attempt by a man who had an `` inappropriate personal relationship '' with his wife .
Falwell Jr. , 58 , issued a statement to the Washington Examiner announcing his resignation from the evangelical Christian university founded by his father in Lynchburg , Va. , saying the situation has taken an `` emotional toll '' on him and his family .
`` My commitment to Liberty became and has remained my primary focus -- and while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our collective successes , I also realize in hindsight there was a toll that this took on me , which extended to my family too , '' he said .
Falwell Jr. said he and his wife Becki met a man who was working at a hotel where they were vacationing eight years ago and his family later included him in an investment in a local property `` because he could play an active role in managing it . ''
The man then became close to Falwell Jr. 's family , at which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ began .
Falwell did not identify the man , or comment on the nature of the relationship , saying only that he was `` not involved , '' but former Miami hotel pool attendant Giancarlo Granda told CNN he was the person referenced in Falwell 's statement .
Giancarlo said he met the Falwells when he was 20 years old .
Liberty had previously asked Falwell Jr. to take an `` indefinite leave of absence '' after he posted a photo on Instagram of himself with his pants unzipped standing next to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Falwell earned a salary of almost $ 1 million per year as president of Liberty University in 2018 , ProPublica reported .

Jerry Falwell Jr.resigned as president of Liberty University on Monday, saying he was blackmailed by a man who had an "inappropriate relationship" with his wife. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 24 (UPI) -- Jerry Falwell Jr. announced his resignation as president of Liberty University on Monday, citing an alleged extortion attempt by a man who had an "inappropriate personal relationship" with his wife. Falwell Jr., 58, issued a statement to the Washington Examiner announcing his resignation from the evangelical Christian university founded by his father in Lynchburg, Va., saying the situation has taken an "emotional toll" on him and his family. Advertisement
"My commitment to Liberty became and has remained my primary focus -- and while I am so grateful and thankful for our collective successes, I also realize in hindsight there was a toll that this took on me, which extended to my family too," he said.
Falwell Jr. said he and his wife Becki met a man who was working at a hotel where they were vacationing eight years ago and his family later included him in an investment in a local property "because he could play an active role in managing it."
The man then became close to Falwell Jr.'s family, at which point the relationship between he and Becki began.
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Falwell did not identify the man, or comment on the nature of the relationship, saying only that he was "not involved," but former Miami hotel pool attendant Giancarlo Granda told CNN he was the person referenced in Falwell's statement. Giancarlo said he met the Falwells when he was 20 years old.
Liberty had previously asked Falwell Jr. to take an "indefinite leave of absence" after he posted a photo on Instagram of himself with his pants unzipped standing next to a woman whose shorts were also unzipped.
Falwell earned a salary of almost $1 million per year as president of Liberty University in 2018, ProPublica reported.


upi--2020-08-24--U.S. Mint asks Americans to circulate change to combat coin shortage

Aug. 24 ( UPI ) -- The head of the United States Mint asked Americans Monday to help with a national coin shortage by circulating more coins .
`` Right now coins are n't circulating through the economy as quickly as they were prior to the COVID-19 pandemic , '' David Ryder , director of the national mint said in a video posted to Twitter .
Ryder suggested pumping more coins into the economy by using exact change , turning coins in at banks or exchanging them for cash at recycling coin kiosks .
The U.S. Treasury reported in April @ @ @ @ @ @ @ circulation , about $ 400 million more than in April , 2019 .
But with pandemic-related contactless deliveries and reduced in-person retail spending , coins are not circulating .
The coin shortage has been especially evident for people who use coin-heavy services such as laundromats , or those who ride public transportation or pay for necessities in cash .
About 45 % - 60 % of retail sore purchases , including those at grocery stores , are paid in cash , a letter to Treasury leaders from industry groups of convenience stores , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Lower-income residents earning less than $ 50,000 a year are more likely to pay with cash .
Many do not use banks and rely on cash payments , especially for purchases under $ 10 .
`` These Americans will be at the greatest risk of having their normal purchases disrupted if the shortage of coins is not addressed quickly , '' the letter continued .
U.S. Banks in recent years were reluctant to accept coins and removed coin counting machines , causing piggy banks and coin jars to overflow .
But now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coin supply chain hope residents will bring those coin jars out of hiding and dig under couch cushions to release coins back into the economy .
`` This is not a coin supply problem , it 's a circulation problem , '' Ryder said .

The director of the U.S. Mint encouraged Americans Monday to bring their coins back out into the economy to address a national coin shortage due to the COVID-19 pandemic. File Photo by Roger L. Wollenberg/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 24 (UPI) -- The head of the United States Mint asked Americans Monday to help with a national coin shortage by circulating more coins. "Right now coins aren't circulating through the economy as quickly as they were prior to the COVID-19 pandemic," David Ryder, director of the national mint said in a video posted to Twitter. Advertisement
Ryder suggested pumping more coins into the economy by using exact change, turning coins in at banks or exchanging them for cash at recycling coin kiosks.
The U.S. Treasury reported in April that $47.8 billon coins were in circulation, about $400 million more than in April, 2019. But with pandemic-related contactless deliveries and reduced in-person retail spending, coins are not circulating.
The coin shortage has been especially evident for people who use coin-heavy services such as laundromats, or those who ride public transportation or pay for necessities in cash.
About 45% - 60% of retail sore purchases, including those at grocery stores, are paid in cash, a letter to Treasury leaders from industry groups of convenience stores, grocery stores and other said in June.
Lower-income residents earning less than $50,000 a year are more likely to pay with cash. Many do not use banks and rely on cash payments, especially for purchases under $10.
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"These Americans will be at the greatest risk of having their normal purchases disrupted if the shortage of coins is not addressed quickly," the letter continued.
U.S. Banks in recent years were reluctant to accept coins and removed coin counting machines, causing piggy banks and coin jars to overflow.
But now bankers, government officials and retailers in the coin supply chain hope residents will bring those coin jars out of hiding and dig under couch cushions to release coins back into the economy.
"This is not a coin supply problem, it's a circulation problem," Ryder said.


upi--2020-08-24--76ers fire coach Brett Brown after being swept by Celtics

Aug. 24 ( UPI ) -- The Philadelphia 76ers have fired head coach Brett Brown after seven seasons and another disappointing finish in the NBA playoffs .
Under Brown , the 76ers posted a 43-30 record this season and were expected to be serious contenders in the Eastern Conference .
Instead , the Boston Celtics swept the sixth-seeded Sixers on Sunday to knock them out of the postseason .
`` I have a tremendous level of respect for Brett both personally and professionally and appreciate all he 's done for the 76ers organization and the City of Philadelphia , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a statement Monday .
`` He did many positive things during his time here , developing young talent and helping position our team for three straight postseason appearances .
`` Unfortunately , we fell well short of our goals this year and I believe it is best to go in a new direction .
This will be an important off-season for us as we look to get back on track towards our goal of competing for an NBA championship . ''
League sources told ESPN and The Athletic that Philadelphia is focusing on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its coaching vacancy .
Lue won a championship as the Cleveland Cavaliers ' head coach in 2016 .
Other early candidates include 76ers assistant Ime Udoka and Villanova men 's basketball coach Jay Wright , according to the outlets .
The 76ers hired Brown as the 25th head coach in franchise history in Aug. 2013 .
He eventually guided the team to the playoffs in each of the last three seasons , including two trips to the Eastern Conference semifinals .
`` In 2013 , I was employed to lead one of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Brown said in a statement .
`` In the past seven years , our players and coaches have evolved and grown , and I have deep appreciation for the 102 players I have coached . ''
Brown compiled a 221-344 record as head coach of the 76ers .
He led the team to a 12-14 record in the playoffs .

Philadelphia 76ers head coach Brett Brown guided the Sixers to a 43-30 record this season. The Boston Celtics swept the 76ers in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 24 (UPI) -- The Philadelphia 76ers have fired head coach Brett Brown after seven seasons and another disappointing finish in the NBA playoffs. Under Brown, the 76ers posted a 43-30 record this season and were expected to be serious contenders in the Eastern Conference. Instead, the Boston Celtics swept the sixth-seeded Sixers on Sunday to knock them out of the postseason. Advertisement
"I have a tremendous level of respect for Brett both personally and professionally and appreciate all he's done for the 76ers organization and the City of Philadelphia," 76ers general manager Elton Brand said in a statement Monday. "He did many positive things during his time here, developing young talent and helping position our team for three straight postseason appearances.
"Unfortunately, we fell well short of our goals this year and I believe it is best to go in a new direction. This will be an important off-season for us as we look to get back on track towards our goal of competing for an NBA championship."
League sources told ESPN and The Athletic that Philadelphia is focusing on Los Angeles Clippers assistant Ty Lue for its coaching vacancy. Lue won a championship as the Cleveland Cavaliers' head coach in 2016.
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Other early candidates include 76ers assistant Ime Udoka and Villanova men's basketball coach Jay Wright, according to the outlets.
The 76ers hired Brown as the 25th head coach in franchise history in Aug. 2013. He eventually guided the team to the playoffs in each of the last three seasons, including two trips to the Eastern Conference semifinals.
"In 2013, I was employed to lead one of the most dramatic rebuilds in professional sports history," Brown said in a statement. "In the past seven years, our players and coaches have evolved and grown, and I have deep appreciation for the 102 players I have coached."
Brown compiled a 221-344 record as head coach of the 76ers. He led the team to a 12-14 record in the playoffs.


upi--2020-08-24--COVID-19 underscores 'pandemic-scale' problem of racial inequality, analysis finds

Aug. 24 ( UPI ) -- COVID-19 would need to kill an additional 1 million White Americans for their average life expectancy to fall to levels seen by Black Americans during non-pandemic years , an analysis published Monday by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found .
The results reveal the scope of `` another U.S. catastrophe '' -- the `` pandemic-scale problem '' of racial inequality , report author Elizabeth Wrigley-Field told UPI .
`` My research shows that Blacks experience a scale of extra death every year that is more than the excess deaths that Whites @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' said Wrigley-Field , an assistant professor of sociology at the University of Minnesota .
`` This gives us a metric for understanding just how severe racial inequality is , and it is as though the Black population were going through Whites ' experience during the coronavirus pandemic , except it 's happening every single year , '' she said .
Nearly 180,000 Americans have died from COVID-19 as of Monday , according to the latest figures from Johns Hopkins University .
Black Americans account for roughly one in four of these deaths @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % of the U.S. population , findings from the APM Research Lab suggest .
For her analysis , Wrigley-Field reviewed data on American deaths between 2006 and 2017 .
Based on her findings , she estimates that 400,000 to 420,000 additional White deaths due to COVID-19 in 2020 would be required for White death rates to rise to the level of Black death rates in 2014 , the year with that Black Americans recorded their lowest-ever death rate .
That figure is roughly five times the current confirmed COVID-19 mortality levels among White @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 700,000 to 1 million additional White Americans would need to die in 2020 from COVID-19 or other causes for White Americans ' average life expectancy to drop to the highest ever average life expectancy for Black Americans -- 76 years -- which also was recorded in 2014 .
This would represent a 31 % to 46 % increase in deaths among White Americans compared to figures for recent years , Wrigley-Field said .
The average life expectancy for White Americans is about 80 years .
It has been higher than it has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
After adjusting for age , the best recorded death rates and life expectancy for Black Americans were similar to levels for White Americans 20 or 30 years ago , she said .
The findings place the toll of racial inequality into perspective , Wrigley-Field said .
`` These results tell us more about racial inequality during 'normal ' times than about disparities during the pandemic , '' she told UPI .
`` However , racial inequality is likely to be even larger this year than in other years [ because of the @ @ @ @

Researchers say that racial disparities seen in the number of COVID-19 cases during the pandemic reveal a larger problem in health care overall. Photo by Администрация Волгоградской области/Wikimedia
Aug. 24 (UPI) -- COVID-19 would need to kill an additional 1 million White Americans for their average life expectancy to fall to levels seen by Black Americans during non-pandemic years, an analysis published Monday by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found. The results reveal the scope of "another U.S. catastrophe" -- the "pandemic-scale problem" of racial inequality, report author Elizabeth Wrigley-Field told UPI. Advertisement
"My research shows that Blacks experience a scale of extra death every year that is more than the excess deaths that Whites are likely to experience from COVID-19," said Wrigley-Field, an assistant professor of sociology at the University of Minnesota.
"This gives us a metric for understanding just how severe racial inequality is, and it is as though the Black population were going through Whites' experience during the coronavirus pandemic, except it's happening every single year," she said.
Nearly 180,000 Americans have died from COVID-19 as of Monday, according to the latest figures from Johns Hopkins University. Black Americans account for roughly one in four of these deaths, even though they constitute just 13% of the U.S. population, findings from the APM Research Lab suggest.
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For her analysis, Wrigley-Field reviewed data on American deaths between 2006 and 2017.
Based on her findings, she estimates that 400,000 to 420,000 additional White deaths due to COVID-19 in 2020 would be required for White death rates to rise to the level of Black death rates in 2014, the year with that Black Americans recorded their lowest-ever death rate.
That figure is roughly five times the current confirmed COVID-19 mortality levels among White Americans, she said.
Similarly, 700,000 to 1 million additional White Americans would need to die in 2020 from COVID-19 or other causes for White Americans' average life expectancy to drop to the highest ever average life expectancy for Black Americans -- 76 years -- which also was recorded in 2014.
This would represent a 31% to 46% increase in deaths among White Americans compared to figures for recent years, Wrigley-Field said.
The average life expectancy for White Americans is about 80 years. It has been higher than it has been for Black Americans every year since 1989. After adjusting for age, the best recorded death rates and life expectancy for Black Americans were similar to levels for White Americans 20 or 30 years ago, she said.
The findings place the toll of racial inequality into perspective, Wrigley-Field said.
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"These results tell us more about racial inequality during 'normal' times than about disparities during the pandemic," she told UPI. "However, racial inequality is likely to be even larger this year than in other years [because of the pandemic]."


upi--2020-08-24--Autism diagnosed much later for Black children, study shows

It takes close to three years for a Black preschooler with autism to get a definitive diagnosis , a new U.S. study finds .
That delay means that young Black Americans miss out on early intensive treatment that is essential to help children with autism be better able to deal with school and social life , the researchers said .
`` It 's not the parents who are delaying diagnosis , it 's the system , '' said researcher Dr. Daniel Geschwind , director of the Center for Autism Research and Treatment and a professor of neurology at the University @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There 's something going on in the system , '' Geschwind said .
Parents in this study recognized early that something was wrong with their child and tried to get help , he noted .
Also , most parents had insurance that would have paid for diagnosis and treatment .
Despite this , roughly 40 % of the parents saw multiple providers before getting a diagnosis , Geschwind said .
One factor that delayed diagnosis was access to the kind of professionals qualified to make a definitive diagnosis .
According to the report @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a lack of available professionals able to make an accurate diagnosis contributed to the delay .
Often the children were misdiagnosed as having attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder or oppositional defiance disorder before being diagnosed correctly with autism , Geschwind said .
It 's not known exactly how long it takes for white children with autism to be diagnosed , he said .
But according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , the median time it takes to be diagnosed is 52 months , versus 65 months for Black children , Geschwind explained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a study of nearly 600 Black children with autism in the United States who took part in the Autism Genetic Resource Exchange .
Geschwind said the substantial delay in getting a diagnosis prevented these kids from receiving early treatment that could reduce the risk of intellectual disability caused by starting treatment late .
Early therapy can include applied behavior analysis , which works to increase behaviors that are helpful and decrease behaviors that are harmful or affect learning .
The solution , according to Geschwind , is a change in how the system @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trained professionals is needed , and if a racial or cultural bias exists , it needs to be overcome , he said .
The report was published online Aug. 24 in the journal Pediatrics .
Dr. Sarabeth Broder-Fingert is an associate professor of pediatrics at Boston University School of Medicine , who co-authored an accompanying journal editorial .
`` We feel like there are multiple issues of systemic racism that are likely contributing to the delays , '' she said .
Also , for parents whose insurance is through Medicaid , it can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ takes that insurance because of its low reimbursement , Broder-Fingert noted .
The practical consequence of delayed diagnosis is missing out on treatment that might help preschool children .
`` One could imagine that if you were getting 20 hours a week of treatment , the difference if you 're diagnosed even one year later , it 's 1,000 hours of treatment that you 're missing , '' Broder-Fingert said .
`` In this study , it was more like two to three years , that 's 2,000 to 3,000 hours ' worth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out on , and one can imagine how that could be extremely impactful on their lives , '' she added .
Broder-Fingert believes that more providers qualified to diagnose autism are needed , especially those who see Black children .
`` If you have concerns about your child 's development , unfortunately , right now , the system we have in place is not doing its job and detecting and supporting you and your family and getting a diagnosis as well as we would like , '' she said .
`` At the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to advocate for their children , especially parents from marginalized communities , as we continue to work to improve the system so that the burden is no longer on the family , but it 's actually on the system to provide the support families need to get the diagnosis , '' Broder-Fingert said .
For more on autism , head to the U.S. National Institute of Mental Health .

It takes close to three years for a Black preschooler with autism to get a definitive diagnosis, a new U.S. study finds.
That delay means that young Black Americans miss out on early intensive treatment that is essential to help children with autism be better able to deal with school and social life, the researchers said.
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"It's not the parents who are delaying diagnosis, it's the system," said researcher Dr. Daniel Geschwind, director of the Center for Autism Research and Treatment and a professor of neurology at the University of California, Los Angeles.
"There's something going on in the system," Geschwind said.
Parents in this study recognized early that something was wrong with their child and tried to get help, he noted. Also, most parents had insurance that would have paid for diagnosis and treatment.
Despite this, roughly 40% of the parents saw multiple providers before getting a diagnosis, Geschwind said.
Advertisement
One factor that delayed diagnosis was access to the kind of professionals qualified to make a definitive diagnosis. According to the report, 31% of parents said that a lack of available professionals able to make an accurate diagnosis contributed to the delay.
Often the children were misdiagnosed as having attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder or oppositional defiance disorder before being diagnosed correctly with autism, Geschwind said.
It's not known exactly how long it takes for white children with autism to be diagnosed, he said. But according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the median time it takes to be diagnosed is 52 months, versus 65 months for Black children, Geschwind explained.
The new findings are based on a study of nearly 600 Black children with autism in the United States who took part in the Autism Genetic Resource Exchange.
Geschwind said the substantial delay in getting a diagnosis prevented these kids from receiving early treatment that could reduce the risk of intellectual disability caused by starting treatment late.
Early therapy can include applied behavior analysis, which works to increase behaviors that are helpful and decrease behaviors that are harmful or affect learning.
The solution, according to Geschwind, is a change in how the system handles these children. Greater access to trained professionals is needed, and if a racial or cultural bias exists, it needs to be overcome, he said.
Advertisement
The report was published online Aug. 24 in the journal Pediatrics.
Dr. Sarabeth Broder-Fingert is an associate professor of pediatrics at Boston University School of Medicine, who co-authored an accompanying journal editorial. "We feel like there are multiple issues of systemic racism that are likely contributing to the delays," she said.
Also, for parents whose insurance is through Medicaid, it can be difficult to find a doctor who takes that insurance because of its low reimbursement, Broder-Fingert noted.
The practical consequence of delayed diagnosis is missing out on treatment that might help preschool children.
"One could imagine that if you were getting 20 hours a week of treatment, the difference if you're diagnosed even one year later, it's 1,000 hours of treatment that you're missing," Broder-Fingert said.
"In this study, it was more like two to three years, that's 2,000 to 3,000 hours' worth of treatment that these kids are missing out on, and one can imagine how that could be extremely impactful on their lives," she added.
Broder-Fingert believes that more providers qualified to diagnose autism are needed, especially those who see Black children.
"If you have concerns about your child's development, unfortunately, right now, the system we have in place is not doing its job and detecting and supporting you and your family and getting a diagnosis as well as we would like," she said.
Advertisement
"At the moment, parents are going to have to advocate for their children, especially parents from marginalized communities, as we continue to work to improve the system so that the burden is no longer on the family, but it's actually on the system to provide the support families need to get the diagnosis," Broder-Fingert said.
More information
For more on autism, head to the U.S. National Institute of Mental Health.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-08-24--Biofuels could better aid climate change fight if grown on converted farmland

Aug. 24 ( UPI ) -- The promotion of biofuels as an eco-friendly replacement for traditional fossil fuels has been criticized by environmental groups .
But research published Monday in the journal PNAS suggests biofuels can help mitigate climate change only as long as biofuel feedstock crops , like switchgrass , are grown on converted agricultural land .
The problem with biofuels is that their promotion by policy makers can trigger deforestation .
If trees are felled to grow crops to make biofuels , the action can hinder the fight to curb greenhouse gas emissions and reverse climate change .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ carbon storage potential , researchers used models to simulate the movement of carbon through an ecosystem under a variety of land use scenarios .
Scientists compared the results from their models to carbon data collected at three reforestation and grassland restoration case study sites in the United States .
The data showed that , as scientists expected , cutting down forests to grow biofuel feedstock crops is counterproductive .
However , the calculus changes when former cropland or pasture is repurposed .
`` We found that biofuel production compares favorably to alternative natural @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in many situations , '' study lead author John Field told UPI in an email .
`` In our assessment , production of ethanol from switchgrass grown on former cropland or pasture using current-day technologies can offer several times the carbon benefit of grassland restoration , and similar performance to reforestation , '' said Field , research scientist at Colorado State University 's Natural Resource Ecology Laboratory .
Because efforts to reduce carbon emissions have been slow to produce results , Field said interest in negative-emissions technologies have grown .
Reforestation and grassland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ biofuel production is combined with carbon capture and sequestration technologies , it qualifies as a negative-emission technology .
`` Our analysis suggests that carbon-negative biofuels might have a lot of potential for both helping to manage existing carbon pollution , and to replace fossil fuel use in difficult-to-electrify situations , like aviation and shipping , '' Field said .
`` However , this should be viewed as a complement to -- not a replacement for -- ongoing efforts to get clean power on the grid and reduce greenhouse gas emissions across the board @ @ @ @ @ @ @ production could increase as carbon capture and sequestration technologies become more efficient .
In order to ensure biofuels production remains truly carbon negative , researchers suggest specific public policies are needed to ensure biofuel feedstock crops are grown only where they offer the greatest environmental benefits -- which requires the availability of former cropland or pasture .
Because farmland has become more productive over time in the United States , Field estimates that there is room for increased production of switchgrass without influencing the demand for agricultural land .
`` Purpose-grown perennial grasses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because they put down very deep rooting systems compared to annual crops , and they do n't require annual re-tilling of the fields where they are grown , '' Field said .
`` As a result , they have a great potential to increase the organic matter content of agricultural soils , which is a key component of soil health . ''
Biofuels can also be made from agricultural and forestry residues , as well as farm and municipal wastes , sources that do n't require the conversion of forest or farmland .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ working to improve biofuel crops and fuel conversion technologies , including the development of drought-resistant varieties of switchgrass and poplar .
Hardier biofuel feedstock crops that require fewer nutrients and less water could help economies shrink their carbon footprints without taxing natural resources , they said .
`` We 're currently working to estimate how such advanced varieties might perform in different climates and on different types of land , '' Field said .

New research suggests that when biofuel feedstock crops, such as switchgrass, are grown on former agricultural land, they can aid the fight against greenhouse gas emissions. Photo by NRCS/USDA
Aug. 24 (UPI) -- The promotion of biofuels as an eco-friendly replacement for traditional fossil fuels has been criticized by environmental groups. But research published Monday in the journal PNAS suggests biofuels can help mitigate climate change only as long as biofuel feedstock crops, like switchgrass, are grown on converted agricultural land. Advertisement
The problem with biofuels is that their promotion by policy makers can trigger deforestation. If trees are felled to grow crops to make biofuels, the action can hinder the fight to curb greenhouse gas emissions and reverse climate change.
To calculate the effects of biofuels on carbon storage potential, researchers used models to simulate the movement of carbon through an ecosystem under a variety of land use scenarios.
Scientists compared the results from their models to carbon data collected at three reforestation and grassland restoration case study sites in the United States.
Advertisement
The data showed that, as scientists expected, cutting down forests to grow biofuel feedstock crops is counterproductive. However, the calculus changes when former cropland or pasture is repurposed.
"We found that biofuel production compares favorably to alternative natural climate solutions on a per-area carbon basis in many situations," study lead author John Field told UPI in an email.
"In our assessment, production of ethanol from switchgrass grown on former cropland or pasture using current-day technologies can offer several times the carbon benefit of grassland restoration, and similar performance to reforestation," said Field, research scientist at Colorado State University's Natural Resource Ecology Laboratory.
Because efforts to reduce carbon emissions have been slow to produce results, Field said interest in negative-emissions technologies have grown.
Reforestation and grassland restoration are both negative-emissions strategies. When biofuel production is combined with carbon capture and sequestration technologies, it qualifies as a negative-emission technology.
"Our analysis suggests that carbon-negative biofuels might have a lot of potential for both helping to manage existing carbon pollution, and to replace fossil fuel use in difficult-to-electrify situations, like aviation and shipping," Field said. "However, this should be viewed as a complement to -- not a replacement for -- ongoing efforts to get clean power on the grid and reduce greenhouse gas emissions across the board."
Advertisement
The benefits provided by biofuel production could increase as carbon capture and sequestration technologies become more efficient.
In order to ensure biofuels production remains truly carbon negative, researchers suggest specific public policies are needed to ensure biofuel feedstock crops are grown only where they offer the greatest environmental benefits -- which requires the availability of former cropland or pasture.
Because farmland has become more productive over time in the United States, Field estimates that there is room for increased production of switchgrass without influencing the demand for agricultural land.
"Purpose-grown perennial grasses such as switchgrass are attractive in part because they put down very deep rooting systems compared to annual crops, and they don't require annual re-tilling of the fields where they are grown," Field said. "As a result, they have a great potential to increase the organic matter content of agricultural soils, which is a key component of soil health."
Biofuels can also be made from agricultural and forestry residues, as well as farm and municipal wastes, sources that don't require the conversion of forest or farmland.
Field and his research partners are currently working to improve biofuel crops and fuel conversion technologies, including the development of drought-resistant varieties of switchgrass and poplar. Hardier biofuel feedstock crops that require fewer nutrients and less water could help economies shrink their carbon footprints without taxing natural resources, they said.
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"We're currently working to estimate how such advanced varieties might perform in different climates and on different types of land," Field said.


upi--2020-08-24--Woman changes up her lotto numbers after 6 years, wins $1.8 million

Aug. 24 ( UPI ) -- An Australian woman who plays the same lottery drawing every week said she changed up her numbers for the first time in six years and scored a $ 1.8 million jackpot .
The Penrith , New South Wales , woman told The Lott officials she has been playing the Saturday Lotto every week for several years .
`` I play Saturday Lotto every week and I 've been playing the same numbers for six years , '' the woman said .
`` But you would n't believe it , it was a week ago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I 've been playing for all these years and that 's what won me division one . ''
The ticket the player purchased online matched the numbers drawn Saturday -- 43-2-16-9-7 with supplementary numbers 20 and 34 -- to win the $ 1.8 million jackpot .
The winner said she is making plans for her windfall .
`` The first thing that came to mind was no more renting , '' she said .
`` It will mean everything to me and my family to own our very own home .
We 're @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a granny flat so all our family can come and stay . ''
`` We 'd also love a new car and we 'll be helping out our children , '' the winner said .

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Aug. 24 (UPI) -- An Australian woman who plays the same lottery drawing every week said she changed up her numbers for the first time in six years and scored a $1.8 million jackpot.
The Penrith, New South Wales, woman told The Lott officials she has been playing the Saturday Lotto every week for several years.
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"I play Saturday Lotto every week and I've been playing the same numbers for six years," the woman said. "But you wouldn't believe it, it was a week ago when I decided to change the numbers I've been playing for all these years and that's what won me division one."
The ticket the player purchased online matched the numbers drawn Saturday -- 43-2-16-9-7 with supplementary numbers 20 and 34 -- to win the $1.8 million jackpot.
The winner said she is making plans for her windfall.
"The first thing that came to mind was no more renting," she said. "It will mean everything to me and my family to own our very own home. We're going to buy a big house with a granny flat so all our family can come and stay."
"We'd also love a new car and we'll be helping out our children," the winner said.


upi--2020-08-24--Calif. Supreme Court overturns Scott Peterson death sentence in 2002 killing of pregnant wife

Aug. 24 ( UPI ) -- The California Supreme Court on Monday overturned the death sentence of Modesto husband Scott Peterson , who was convicted in 2004 of killing his wife , Laci , and their unborn son on Christmas Eve 2002 .
Peterson , now 47 , has been held on Death Row in San Quentin prison since his sentencing in 2005 .
A California jury convicted him of killing Laci , a 27-year-old substitute teacher , and the fetus of their son Connor in December 2002 , at their Modesto home and dumping their bodies from a boat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ washed ashore months later .
The court on Monday found errors in the trial judge 's jury selection process , including removing potential jurors from the pool because they did not support the death penalty .
But the court ruled prosecutors may retry the case , asking again for the death penalty , if they wish .
In 2012 , Peterson 's lawyers appealed his death sentence , claiming that moving the high-profile trial from Modesto to Redwood City near San Francisco was not enough to ensure that the jury was not swayed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Supreme Court judges Monday upheld Peterson 's guilty conviction of first degree murder for the death of Laci and second-degree murder for the death of their unborn son .
`` We reject Peterson 's claim that he received an unfair trial as to guilt and thus affirm his convictions for murder , '' Monday 's ruling said .
The trial received widespread publicity for years and was the subject of multiple documentaries and true-crime television shows .
Peterson claimed his wife , who was eight months pregnant , disappeared while he was on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ During the trial , prosecutors identified Peterson 's motives to kill his wife as an extramarital affair , financial problems and impending fatherhood , which made him want to be single again .
Peterson 's girlfriend , message therapist Amber Frey , finally went to police and told them the two were having an affair that began a month before Laci disappeared .
Frey worked with police to tape phone conversations with Peterson which were later used in court .
Peterson 's in-laws , Dennis and Sharon Rocha , parents of Peterson 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in court for Laci and Connor 's wrongful deaths .

The California Supreme Court on Monday overturned the death penalty sentence of convicted killer Scott Peterson for the 2002 murder of his wife Laci and their unborn son. File Photo by mk/UPI via Modesto Bee | License Photo
Aug. 24 (UPI) -- The California Supreme Court on Monday overturned the death sentence of Modesto husband Scott Peterson, who was convicted in 2004 of killing his wife, Laci, and their unborn son on Christmas Eve 2002. Peterson, now 47, has been held on Death Row in San Quentin prison since his sentencing in 2005. Advertisement
A California jury convicted him of killing Laci, a 27-year-old substitute teacher, and the fetus of their son Connor in December 2002, at their Modesto home and dumping their bodies from a boat in San Francisco Bay, where they washed ashore months later.
The court on Monday found errors in the trial judge's jury selection process, including removing potential jurors from the pool because they did not support the death penalty. But the court ruled prosecutors may retry the case, asking again for the death penalty, if they wish.
In 2012, Peterson's lawyers appealed his death sentence, claiming that moving the high-profile trial from Modesto to Redwood City near San Francisco was not enough to ensure that the jury was not swayed by media coverage of the case.
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Supreme Court judges Monday upheld Peterson's guilty conviction of first degree murder for the death of Laci and second-degree murder for the death of their unborn son.
"We reject Peterson's claim that he received an unfair trial as to guilt and thus affirm his convictions for murder," Monday's ruling said.
The trial received widespread publicity for years and was the subject of multiple documentaries and true-crime television shows.
Peterson claimed his wife, who was eight months pregnant, disappeared while he was on his boat on a fishing trip. During the trial, prosecutors identified Peterson's motives to kill his wife as an extramarital affair, financial problems and impending fatherhood, which made him want to be single again.
Peterson's girlfriend, message therapist Amber Frey, finally went to police and told them the two were having an affair that began a month before Laci disappeared. Frey worked with police to tape phone conversations with Peterson which were later used in court.
Peterson's in-laws, Dennis and Sharon Rocha, parents of Peterson's slain wife Laci, also sued him in court for Laci and Connor's wrongful deaths.


upi--2020-08-24--S&P 500, Nasdaq hit new records amid rising tech stocks, COVID-19 optimism

Aug. 24 ( UPI ) -- Both the S & P 500 and Nasdaq Composite closed the day at record highs on Monday amid rising tech stocks and optimism surrounding COVID-19 treatments and vaccines .
The S & P 500 continued its record climb , rising 1 % , while the Nasdaq Composite gained 0.6 % and the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed the day up 378.13 points , or 1.35 % .
Facebook shares rose 1.64 % to lead rising tech stocks as Apple gained 1.2 % , Amazon grew 0.64 % and Google 's parent company , Alphabet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also reacted to positive news surrounding the coronavirus pandemic , as the United States reported fewer than 35,000 new COVID-19 cases for the first time in two months .
Also on Sunday , the Food and Drug Administration issued an emergency use authorization for convalescent plasma as a treatment for COVID-19 .
Shares of business that would benefit from widespread lifting of coronavirus restrictions such as airlines and cruise operators rose on Monday following the optimism around the state of the pandemic .
American Airlines gained 10.53 % , United rose 9.93 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stock surged 10.17 % , Norwegian climbed 7.58 % and Royal Caribbean grew 4.71 % .

The S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite set new records to begin the week on Monday as tech stocks rose and markets responded to positive news surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 24 (UPI) -- Both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite closed the day at record highs on Monday amid rising tech stocks and optimism surrounding COVID-19 treatments and vaccines. The S&P 500 continued its record climb, rising 1%, while the Nasdaq Composite gained 0.6% and the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed the day up 378.13 points, or 1.35%. Advertisement
Facebook shares rose 1.64% to lead rising tech stocks as Apple gained 1.2%, Amazon grew 0.64% and Google's parent company, Alphabet, closed up 0.61%.
Markets also reacted to positive news surrounding the coronavirus pandemic, as the United States reported fewer than 35,000 new COVID-19 cases for the first time in two months.
Also on Sunday, the Food and Drug Administration issued an emergency use authorization for convalescent plasma as a treatment for COVID-19.
Shares of business that would benefit from widespread lifting of coronavirus restrictions such as airlines and cruise operators rose on Monday following the optimism around the state of the pandemic.
American Airlines gained 10.53%, United rose 9.93% and Delta increased 9.28% while Carnival stock surged 10.17%, Norwegian climbed 7.58% and Royal Caribbean grew 4.71%.


upi--2020-08-24--Belarus protests: President wields rifle, body armor to show defiance

Aug. 24 ( UPI ) -- Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko posted a video of himself in riot gear , showing defiance amid protests against his contested election entering their third week .
On Sunday , more than 100,000 people rallied against him for the second weekend in a row , and the army warned that it would deal with any protesters who got close to WWII memorials .
As the protest were winding down in Minsk , Lukashenko 's press service posted a series of videos .
In the videos , Lukashenko was seen looking down on the city from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and getting out of the helicopter at the palace wielding a Kalashnikov-style rifle , and accompanied by armed soldiers .
He was also accompanied by his son Koyla , 15 , also armed and wearing a military uniform .
Belarus ' capital city of Minsk has been at the center of protests since Aug. 10 , when protesters took to the streets in opposition to results from the election the previous day , when Lukashenko , who has ruled the country for 26 years , won a sixth term with 80 % of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 9 election was fraudulent and rigged , and opposition candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya has rejected the results .
Protesters are demanding a new presidential poll with support from international critics , including the ruling body of the European Union , the European Council , saying its does not recognize the results , and determining last week that the election was `` neither free nor fair . ''
Ahead of the election , Belarus authorities arrested 33 alleged Russian mercenaries on suspicion of terrorism with an accusation that they were trying to `` destabilize '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has blamed the West for inciting the protests .
On Monday morning , authorities detained three opposition leaders , including Sergei Dylevksy , Olga Kovalkova and Alexander Lavrinovich , on administrative charges of organizing unsanctioned protests , which carry a fine , police said , according to local media reports .
In the first few days of protests , Belarus authorities arrested more than 6,000 demonstrators , with Lukashenko 's opponents saying police have used violence to quell the protests .
Lukashenko told protesters last week he would not allow new elections .

People attend a protest Monday against the results of the presidential elections, in Minsk, Belarus. Photo by Tatyana Zenkovich/EPA-EFE
Aug. 24 (UPI) -- Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko posted a video of himself in riot gear, showing defiance amid protests against his contested election entering their third week. On Sunday, more than 100,000 people rallied against him for the second weekend in a row, and the army warned that it would deal with any protesters who got close to WWII memorials. As the protest were winding down in Minsk, Lukashenko's press service posted a series of videos. Advertisement
In the videos, Lukashenko was seen looking down on the city from a helicopter wearing a bulletproof vest, and getting out of the helicopter at the palace wielding a Kalashnikov-style rifle, and accompanied by armed soldiers. He was also accompanied by his son Koyla, 15, also armed and wearing a military uniform.
Belarus' capital city of Minsk has been at the center of protests since Aug. 10, when protesters took to the streets in opposition to results from the election the previous day, when Lukashenko, who has ruled the country for 26 years, won a sixth term with 80% of the vote. Opponents say the Aug. 9 election was fraudulent and rigged, and opposition candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya has rejected the results.
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Protesters are demanding a new presidential poll with support from international critics, including the ruling body of the European Union, the European Council, saying its does not recognize the results, and determining last week that the election was "neither free nor fair."
Ahead of the election, Belarus authorities arrested 33 alleged Russian mercenaries on suspicion of terrorism with an accusation that they were trying to "destabilize" the country's electoral process.
Lukashenko has blamed the West for inciting the protests.
On Monday morning, authorities detained three opposition leaders, including Sergei Dylevksy, Olga Kovalkova and Alexander Lavrinovich, on administrative charges of organizing unsanctioned protests, which carry a fine, police said, according to local media reports.
In the first few days of protests, Belarus authorities arrested more than 6,000 demonstrators, with Lukashenko's opponents saying police have used violence to quell the protests.
Lukashenko told protesters last week he would not allow new elections.


upi--2020-08-24--TSA worker reunites bride with wedding gown left at checkpoint

Aug. 24 ( UPI ) -- An administrative assistant for the Transportation Security Administration was able to reunite a wedding dress left at a TSA checkpoint with the bride , who was due to be married the next day .
The TSA said the roller bag containing the bride 's gown and the mother of the bride 's dress was left behind by the mother at Newark Liberty International Airport 's security checkpoint as she traveled from New Jersey to the wedding in Columbus , Ohio .
The bride 's brother , Christopher Cepeda , submitted an online form to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the airport .
The brother of the bride said his heart sank when he saw the estimated time to receive a response was about five days .
`` As soon as I submitted the request , we lost hope of retrieving the luggage on time for the wedding , '' Cepeda said .
Loletta Nathan-Gordon , a TSA administrative assistant at the Newark airport , saw the form on the day it was submitted and decided to take swift action .
`` I put myself in the bride 's shoes .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been for me if my mom would have left the dress behind .
I would have freaked out , '' Nathan-Gordon said .
She located the bag in the TSA Lost and Found and coordinated with Cepeda to have it shipped overnight for an early-morning delivery .
`` Thanks to Loletta , she called me immediately after the request and I was ecstatic to hear from TSA so quickly , '' Cepeda said .
The dresses arrived at the hotel Saturday at 8:55 a.m. , plenty of time for the bride to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day .
`` She literally saved my sister 's wedding , '' Cepeda said .
`` If it was n't for her , everything would have been a disaster . ''

Narolin Cepeda walks down the aisle at her wedding Saturday, one day after her mother left the bag containing her wedding gown at a TSA checkpoint at Newark International Airport. Photo courtesy of Transportation Security Administration
Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe Aug. 24 (UPI) -- An administrative assistant for the Transportation Security Administration was able to reunite a wedding dress left at a TSA checkpoint with the bride, who was due to be married the next day. The TSA said the roller bag containing the bride's gown and the mother of the bride's dress was left behind by the mother at Newark Liberty International Airport's security checkpoint as she traveled from New Jersey to the wedding in Columbus, Ohio. Advertisement
The bride's brother, Christopher Cepeda, submitted an online form to the TSA's Lost and Found office at the airport. The brother of the bride said his heart sank when he saw the estimated time to receive a response was about five days.
"As soon as I submitted the request, we lost hope of retrieving the luggage on time for the wedding," Cepeda said.
Loletta Nathan-Gordon, a TSA administrative assistant at the Newark airport, saw the form on the day it was submitted and decided to take swift action.
"I put myself in the bride's shoes. I could only imagine how stressful that would have been for me if my mom would have left the dress behind. I would have freaked out," Nathan-Gordon said.
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She located the bag in the TSA Lost and Found and coordinated with Cepeda to have it shipped overnight for an early-morning delivery.
"Thanks to Loletta, she called me immediately after the request and I was ecstatic to hear from TSA so quickly," Cepeda said.
The dresses arrived at the hotel Saturday at 8:55 a.m., plenty of time for the bride to walk down the aisle later in the day.
"She literally saved my sister's wedding," Cepeda said. "If it wasn't for her, everything would have been a disaster."


upi--2020-08-24--Blood pressure meds may improve COVID-19 survival, study says

In the largest such study yet , researchers have found that two classes of common blood pressure medications seem tied to better survival against COVID-19 .
The British findings should allay any worry that the two types of mediations -- angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors , or ACE inhibitors , and angiotensin receptor blockers , or ARBs -- might actually harm COVID-19 patients .
`` We know that patients with cardiovascular diseases are at particular risk of severe COVID-19 infection , '' noted lead researcher Dr. Vassilios Vassiliou .
`` But at the start of the pandemic , there was concern that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be linked with worse outcomes for COVID-19 patients , '' he said .
Instead , the researchers found that the drugs were n't harmful but rather lowered the risk of death and critical outcomes by about one-third .
`` COVID-19 patients with high blood pressure who were taking ACEi/ARB medications were 0.67 times less likely to have a critical or fatal outcome than those not taking these medications , '' said Vassiliou , of the Norwich Medical School at the University of East Anglia , in England .
`` Our research provides substantial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ medications if the patients were taking them already , '' he said in a university news release .
The findings were based on a major review of data from 19 previously published studies .
Those studies included more than 28,000 patients -- the largest such study on the subject to date .
Vassiliou said his team focused on `` outcomes for patients taking antihypertensives -- looking particularly at what we call 'critical ' outcomes , such as being admitted to intensive care or being put on a ventilator , and death . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ be very common medications .
`` We found that a third of COVID-19 patients with high blood pressure and a quarter of patients overall were taking an ACEi/ARB .
This is likely due to the increasing risk of infection in patients with [ pre-existing illnesses ] such as cardiovascular diseases , hypertension and diabetes , '' Vassiliou noted .
`` The really important thing that we showed was that there is no evidence that these medications might increase the severity of COVID-19 or risk of death , '' he said , and they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , however , that the findings do not mean the blood pressure meds should be used as a treatment for COVID-19 patients who are n't already taking them .
`` The mechanism of action might be different '' in that context , he said .
One U.S. expert called the study findings `` reassuring '' for patients who rely on these medications .
`` It is comforting to know that these medications have a neutral effect on the severity of COVID infection , '' said Dr .
Guy Mintz , who directs cardiovascular @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bass Heart Hospital in Manhasset , N.Y .
It 's unclear why taking an ACE inhibitor or an ARB might curb COVID-19 , he said .
The drugs have anti-inflammatory effects `` in addition to their blood pressure benefits .
Could these effects neutralize some of the systemic inflammation due to COVID-19 ? ''
Mintz said .
More study is needed , he believes .
In the meantime , Mintz said , `` the take-home message here is if you develop COVID-19 infection , do not stop your ARB or ACE inhibitor .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ no deleterious effects in the setting of infection , and maybe afford patients a level of protection . ''
The report was published Aug. 24 in the journal Current Atherosclerosis Reports .
For more on COVID-19 , head to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .

In the largest such study yet, researchers have found that two classes of common blood pressure medications seem tied to better survival against COVID-19.
The British findings should allay any worry that the two types of mediations -- angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, or ACE inhibitors, and angiotensin receptor blockers, or ARBs -- might actually harm COVID-19 patients.
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"We know that patients with cardiovascular diseases are at particular risk of severe COVID-19 infection," noted lead researcher Dr. Vassilios Vassiliou. "But at the start of the pandemic, there was concern that specific medications for high blood pressure could be linked with worse outcomes for COVID-19 patients," he said.
Instead, the researchers found that the drugs weren't harmful but rather lowered the risk of death and critical outcomes by about one-third.
"COVID-19 patients with high blood pressure who were taking ACEi/ARB medications were 0.67 times less likely to have a critical or fatal outcome than those not taking these medications," said Vassiliou, of the Norwich Medical School at the University of East Anglia, in England.
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"Our research provides substantial evidence to recommend continued use of these medications if the patients were taking them already," he said in a university news release.
The findings were based on a major review of data from 19 previously published studies. Those studies included more than 28,000 patients -- the largest such study on the subject to date.
Vassiliou said his team focused on "outcomes for patients taking antihypertensives -- looking particularly at what we call 'critical' outcomes, such as being admitted to intensive care or being put on a ventilator, and death."
ACE inhibitors or ARBs were found to be very common medications.
"We found that a third of COVID-19 patients with high blood pressure and a quarter of patients overall were taking an ACEi/ARB. This is likely due to the increasing risk of infection in patients with [pre-existing illnesses] such as cardiovascular diseases, hypertension and diabetes," Vassiliou noted.
"The really important thing that we showed was that there is no evidence that these medications might increase the severity of COVID-19 or risk of death," he said, and they might even improve outcomes.
Vassiliou stressed, however, that the findings do not mean the blood pressure meds should be used as a treatment for COVID-19 patients who aren't already taking them. "The mechanism of action might be different" in that context, he said.
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One U.S. expert called the study findings "reassuring" for patients who rely on these medications.
"It is comforting to know that these medications have a neutral effect on the severity of COVID infection," said Dr. Guy Mintz, who directs cardiovascular health at Northwell Health's Sandra Atlas Bass Heart Hospital in Manhasset, N.Y.
It's unclear why taking an ACE inhibitor or an ARB might curb COVID-19, he said.
The drugs have anti-inflammatory effects "in addition to their blood pressure benefits. Could these effects neutralize some of the systemic inflammation due to COVID-19?" Mintz said. More study is needed, he believes.
In the meantime, Mintz said, "the take-home message here is if you develop COVID-19 infection, do not stop your ARB or ACE inhibitor. They are effective antihypertensive agents and have no deleterious effects in the setting of infection, and maybe afford patients a level of protection."
The report was published Aug. 24 in the journal Current Atherosclerosis Reports.
More information
For more on COVID-19, head to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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