upi--2020-08-24--U.S. COVID-19 cases under 35K for first time in 2 months

Aug. 24 ( UPI ) -- There were fewer than 35,000 new cases of COVID-19 in the United States on Sunday , according to data Monday from researchers at Johns Hopkins University -- the lowest number in two months .
The university 's Center for Systems Science and Engineering showed about 34,500 cases , nationally .
That 's the fewest number of new cases since 30,500 on June 22 .
The U.S. average over the previous six days was 44,000 .
There were about 450 coronavirus deaths on Sunday , the lowest figure in a week .
Since the start @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 5.703 million cases in the United States and 176,800 deaths , according to Johns Hopkins .
Cases have continued a gradual decline since peaking in mid-July .
In Louisiana , approaching storms in the Gulf of Mexico , Tropical Storms Laura and Marco , have prompted officials to shut down state-run testing sites , Gov .
John Bel Edwards said Sunday .
`` We are going to pause COVID testing on Monday and Tuesday in light of the storms , '' Edwards said at a briefing .
Edwards warned that residents who take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ storms should observe recommended safety guidelines `` to the maximum extent possible '' to keep transmissions down .
Marco is expected to make landfall in Louisiana after midnight Monday and Laura is forecast to make landfall as a hurricane early Thursday somewhere between far eastern Texas and western Louisiana .
Texas Gov .
Greg Abbott preemptively declared a disaster for 23 counties and urged residents to keep up their guard .
`` We can not allow the oncoming hurricanes to set us back in the advancements that we 've made in combating COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The number of new cases fell in Texas Sunday to a daily total lower than the previous two days .
In Iowa , officials confirmed that a 5-year-old child who died two months ago had COVID-19 .
In Florida , there were fewer than 3,000 new cases , data showed , the lowest single-day total since June .
The increase , however , pushed the state 's total beyond 600,000 , the most of any state except California .
In North Carolina , college football practice is set to resume Monday after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to resume workouts .
Practices were shut down last week after a spike in cases , but school officials rescinded the ban Saturday .
The change allows football , men 's and women 's basketball , cross country , field hockey , men 's and women 's soccer and volleyball players to return to practice .

A woman is seen wearing a face mask as she walks along a street in New York City last Thursday. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 24 (UPI) -- There were fewer than 35,000 new cases of COVID-19 in the United States on Sunday, according to data Monday from researchers at Johns Hopkins University -- the lowest number in two months. The university's Center for Systems Science and Engineering showed about 34,500 cases, nationally. That's the fewest number of new cases since 30,500 on June 22. Advertisement
The U.S. average over the previous six days was 44,000. There were about 450 coronavirus deaths on Sunday, the lowest figure in a week.
Since the start of the pandemic, there have been 5.703 million cases in the United States and 176,800 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins. Cases have continued a gradual decline since peaking in mid-July.
In Louisiana, approaching storms in the Gulf of Mexico, Tropical Storms Laura and Marco, have prompted officials to shut down state-run testing sites, Gov. John Bel Edwards said Sunday.
"We are going to pause COVID testing on Monday and Tuesday in light of the storms," Edwards said at a briefing.
Edwards warned that residents who take in others in their homes for the storms should observe recommended safety guidelines "to the maximum extent possible" to keep transmissions down.
Advertisement
Marco is expected to make landfall in Louisiana after midnight Monday and Laura is forecast to make landfall as a hurricane early Thursday somewhere between far eastern Texas and western Louisiana.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott preemptively declared a disaster for 23 counties and urged residents to keep up their guard.
"We cannot allow the oncoming hurricanes to set us back in the advancements that we've made in combating COVID-19," Abbott told reporters in Austin.
The number of new cases fell in Texas Sunday to a daily total lower than the previous two days.
In Iowa, officials confirmed that a 5-year-old child who died two months ago had COVID-19.
In Florida, there were fewer than 3,000 new cases, data showed, the lowest single-day total since June. The increase, however, pushed the state's total beyond 600,000, the most of any state except California.
In North Carolina, college football practice is set to resume Monday after the University of North Carolina cleared players to resume workouts.
Practices were shut down last week after a spike in cases, but school officials rescinded the ban Saturday. The change allows football, men's and women's basketball, cross country, field hockey, men's and women's soccer and volleyball players to return to practice.


upi--2020-08-24--Nationals' Anibal Sanchez silences Marlins bats in 9-3 win

Aug. 24 ( UPI ) -- Anibal Sanchez allowed five hits and one run in seven innings to lead the Washington Nationals to a 9-3 win over the Miami Marlins in Washington , D.C. Nationals shortstop Trea Turner went 3 for 3 with three RBIs out of the leadoff spot in the victory Sunday at Nationals Park .
The Nationals and Marlins have split the first four games of five consecutive clashes against each other since Friday .
Sanchez `` was good .
He was really good , '' Nationals manager Dave Martinez told reporters .
`` That 's the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long time .
`` When he can split the plate like he did and work both sides and keep the ball down , he 's going to be very effective . ''
Howie Kendrick plated Turner with an RBI double for a 1-0 Nationals lead in the first inning .
The Marlins responded with a solo homer from Corey Dickerson in the top of the second inning .
Turner hit an RBI single in the bottom of the second frame to give the Nationals a 2-1 lead .
Outfielder Adam Eaton then smacked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the fourth frame for a 4-1 lead before the Nationals broke the game open in the next inning .
Marlins relief pitcher Sterling Sharp walked Carter Kieboom with the bases loaded for the Nationals ' fifth run .
The Nationals pushed the lead to 7-1 before Turner hit a two-run triple for a 9-1 edge in the fifth inning .
Jon Berti hit an RBI single for the Marlins in the top of the ninth inning .
Jesus Sanchez followed with an RBI double in the same frame , but the Marlins could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Nationals second baseman Luis Garcia went 3 for 4 with three runs scored in the win .
Dickerson went 2 for 2 with an RBI and a run scored for the Marlins .
Marlins catcher Brian Navarreto went 2 for 3 in the loss .
Marlins starter Humberto Mejia allowed seven hits and four runs in 3 2/3 innings .
The Nationals ( 11-14 ) host the Marlins ( 11-11 ) at 6:05 p.m. EDT Monday at Nationals Park .

Washington Nationals starting pitcher Anibal Sanchez had five strikeouts and allowed one run over seven innings in a win over the Miami Marlins Sunday in Washington, D.C. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 24 (UPI) -- Anibal Sanchez allowed five hits and one run in seven innings to lead the Washington Nationals to a 9-3 win over the Miami Marlins in Washington, D.C. Nationals shortstop Trea Turner went 3 for 3 with three RBIs out of the leadoff spot in the victory Sunday at Nationals Park. Advertisement
The Nationals and Marlins have split the first four games of five consecutive clashes against each other since Friday.
Sanchez "was good. He was really good," Nationals manager Dave Martinez told reporters. "That's the Anibal I've known for a very long time.
"When he can split the plate like he did and work both sides and keep the ball down, he's going to be very effective."
Howie Kendrick plated Turner with an RBI double for a 1-0 Nationals lead in the first inning. The Marlins responded with a solo homer from Corey Dickerson in the top of the second inning. Turner hit an RBI single in the bottom of the second frame to give the Nationals a 2-1 lead.
Advertisement
Outfielder Adam Eaton then smacked a two-run double in the bottom of the fourth frame for a 4-1 lead before the Nationals broke the game open in the next inning.
Marlins relief pitcher Sterling Sharp walked Carter Kieboom with the bases loaded for the Nationals' fifth run. The Nationals pushed the lead to 7-1 before Turner hit a two-run triple for a 9-1 edge in the fifth inning.
Jon Berti hit an RBI single for the Marlins in the top of the ninth inning. Jesus Sanchez followed with an RBI double in the same frame, but the Marlins could not rally to overcome the large deficit.
Nationals second baseman Luis Garcia went 3 for 4 with three runs scored in the win.
Dickerson went 2 for 2 with an RBI and a run scored for the Marlins. Marlins catcher Brian Navarreto went 2 for 3 in the loss. Marlins starter Humberto Mejia allowed seven hits and four runs in 3 2/3 innings.
The Nationals (11-14) host the Marlins (11-11) at 6:05 p.m. EDT Monday at Nationals Park.


upi--2020-08-24--Justin Townes Earle, singer-songwriter, dead at 38

Aug. 24 ( UPI ) -- Singer-songwriter Justin Townes Earle , the son of singer Steve Earle , has died at age 38 .
Earle 's family confirmed his death on Instagram .
The cause of death was not announced .
`` It is with tremendous sadness that we inform you of the passing of our son , husband , father and friend Justin .
So many of you have relied on his music and lyrics over the years and we hope that his music will continue to guide you on your journeys .
You will be missed dearly Justin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a photo of Earle .
The family also posted lyrics from Earle 's 2014 song `` Looking for a Place to Land '' from his album Absent Fathers .
`` I 've crossed oceans/ Fought freezing rain and blowing sand/ I 've crossed lines and roads and wandering rivers/ Just looking for a place to land , '' the family wrote .
Earle released his first EP titled Yuma in 2007 .
He released eight LPs throughout his career , with his last album , The Saint of Lost Causes , in 2019 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We had the pleasure of playing a few shows together .
He was such an immense songwriter and authentic soul .
This year is a thief , '' band The Head and the Heart said on Twitter .

Aug. 24 (UPI) -- Singer-songwriter Justin Townes Earle, the son of singer Steve Earle, has died at age 38.
Earle's family confirmed his death on Instagram. The cause of death was not announced.
Advertisement
"It is with tremendous sadness that we inform you of the passing of our son, husband, father and friend Justin. So many of you have relied on his music and lyrics over the years and we hope that his music will continue to guide you on your journeys. You will be missed dearly Justin," the family said next to a photo of Earle.
The family also posted lyrics from Earle's 2014 song "Looking for a Place to Land" from his album Absent Fathers.
"I've crossed oceans/ Fought freezing rain and blowing sand/ I've crossed lines and roads and wandering rivers/ Just looking for a place to land," the family wrote.
Earle released his first EP titled Yuma in 2007. He released eight LPs throughout his career, with his last album, The Saint of Lost Causes, in 2019.
"RIP Justin Townes Earle...We had the pleasure of playing a few shows together. He was such an immense songwriter and authentic soul. This year is a thief," band The Head and the Heart said on Twitter.
Advertisement
Notable deaths of 2020


upi--2020-08-24--Mookie Betts sets homer, steal record as Dodgers dominate Rockies

Aug. 24 ( UPI ) -- Mookie Betts became the first player in Los Angeles Dodgers history to hit two home runs and steal two bases in the same game in a lopsided win over the Colorado Rockies .
The Dodgers -- who have the best record in MLB -- hit seven home runs in the 11-3 win Sunday at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles .
Betts went 3 for 5 with three RBIs and three runs scored for the Dodgers .
Corey Seager , Enrique Hernandez , Cody Bellinger , Will Smith and Max Muncy also homered in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ swept the three-game series and have won 11 of their last 12 games .
`` The offense was outstanding , '' Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters .
Rockies starter Antonio Senzatela `` was throwing the ball well early , but the ball was carrying and we just stayed in the zone .
`` We had a great game plan to elevate the baseball .
It was a good day for the position players . ''
Betts popped out in the Dodgers ' first at-bat of the game in the bottom of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ homer to left center field .
Rockies shortstop Trevor Story tied the game with a solo home run in the top of the third frame .
Betts then stepped up to the plate as the third batter in the bottom half of the third inning .
Senzatela earned an 0-2 lead in the count before Betts worked the count full .
Betts then smashed Senzatela 's seventh offering -- a 96.4-mph fastball -- over the left center field fence for a 396-foot homer .
The blast traveled 101 mph and left the field @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Ryan McMahon hit a solo home run to lead off the top of the fourth frame and tie the score at 2-2 before the Dodgers took control of the contest .
Joc Pederson and Muncy each singled in the bottom of the fourth inning .
Hernandez then settled in against Senzatela in the fifth at-bat of the half inning .
Hernandez went on to smack a 1-1 fastball to right center field for a 379-foot , 3-run homer .
Bellinger hit a leadoff solo homer in the bottom of the sixth inning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ led off the bottom of the seventh inning with another solo shot .
Betts singled in the next at-bat before he stole second and third base .
He then scored on an A.J .
Pollock sacrifice fly to left field .
Muncy hit a solo home run to lead off the bottom of the eighth inning .
Hernandez and Matt Beaty were retired in the next two at-bats of the inning before Smith drew a walk .
Betts then settled in against Rockies relief pitcher Ashton Goudeau .
Goudeau threw a change-up for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exchange .
Betts then belted a 1-0 fastball to left field for a two-run homer .
That 384-foot blast traveled 103 mph , left the field in 4.5 seconds and gave the Dodgers an 11-2 lead .
Rockies left-fielder Sam Hilliard homered to lead off the top of the ninth inning for the final run of the game .
Hernandez went 1 for 4 with three RBIs and a run scored in the win .
Muncy and Seager each had two hits for the Dodgers .
Charlie Blackmon went 2 for 4 for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the season .
Dodgers starter Ross Stripling allowed six hits and two runs in four innings .
Senzatela took his first loss of the season after he allowed seven hits and six runs in 5 1/3 innings .
The Dodgers face the Giants at 9:45 p.m. EDT Tuesday at Oracle Park in San Francisco .
The Rockies ( 13-15 ) face the Arizona Diamondbacks at 9:40 p.m. EDT Monday at Chase Field in Phoenix .

1/3
Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts is hitting .300 with 11 home runs and 24 RBIs this season after he hit two homers in a win over the Colorado Rockies Sunday in Los Angeles. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 24 (UPI) -- Mookie Betts became the first player in Los Angeles Dodgers history to hit two home runs and steal two bases in the same game in a lopsided win over the Colorado Rockies. The Dodgers -- who have the best record in MLB -- hit seven home runs in the 11-3 win Sunday at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. Betts went 3 for 5 with three RBIs and three runs scored for the Dodgers. Advertisement
Corey Seager, Enrique Hernandez, Cody Bellinger, Will Smith and Max Muncy also homered in the win. The Dodgers (22-8) swept the three-game series and have won 11 of their last 12 games.
"The offense was outstanding," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters. Rockies starter Antonio Senzatela "was throwing the ball well early, but the ball was carrying and we just stayed in the zone.
Advertisement
"We had a great game plan to elevate the baseball. It was a good day for the position players."
Betts popped out in the Dodgers' first at-bat of the game in the bottom of the first inning before Seager blasted a solo homer to left center field. Rockies shortstop Trevor Story tied the game with a solo home run in the top of the third frame.
Betts then stepped up to the plate as the third batter in the bottom half of the third inning. Senzatela earned an 0-2 lead in the count before Betts worked the count full. Betts then smashed Senzatela's seventh offering -- a 96.4-mph fastball -- over the left center field fence for a 396-foot homer. The blast traveled 101 mph and left the field in 5.5 seconds, according to Statcast.
Ryan McMahon hit a solo home run to lead off the top of the fourth frame and tie the score at 2-2 before the Dodgers took control of the contest.
Joc Pederson and Muncy each singled in the bottom of the fourth inning. Hernandez then settled in against Senzatela in the fifth at-bat of the half inning. Hernandez went on to smack a 1-1 fastball to right center field for a 379-foot, 3-run homer.
Advertisement
Bellinger hit a leadoff solo homer in the bottom of the sixth inning for a 6-2 Dodgers lead. Smith led off the bottom of the seventh inning with another solo shot. Betts singled in the next at-bat before he stole second and third base. He then scored on an A.J. Pollock sacrifice fly to left field.
Muncy hit a solo home run to lead off the bottom of the eighth inning. Hernandez and Matt Beaty were retired in the next two at-bats of the inning before Smith drew a walk. Betts then settled in against Rockies relief pitcher Ashton Goudeau.
Goudeau threw a change-up for a ball on his first offering the exchange. Betts then belted a 1-0 fastball to left field for a two-run homer. That 384-foot blast traveled 103 mph, left the field in 4.5 seconds and gave the Dodgers an 11-2 lead.
Rockies left-fielder Sam Hilliard homered to lead off the top of the ninth inning for the final run of the game.
Hernandez went 1 for 4 with three RBIs and a run scored in the win. Muncy and Seager each had two hits for the Dodgers. Charlie Blackmon went 2 for 4 for the Rockies and is now hitting .405 on the season.
Advertisement
Dodgers starter Ross Stripling allowed six hits and two runs in four innings. Senzatela took his first loss of the season after he allowed seven hits and six runs in 5 1/3 innings.
The Dodgers face the Giants at 9:45 p.m. EDT Tuesday at Oracle Park in San Francisco. The Rockies (13-15) face the Arizona Diamondbacks at 9:40 p.m. EDT Monday at Chase Field in Phoenix.


upi--2020-08-24--Donovan Mitchell, Jamal Murray score in 50s; Jazz beat Nuggets in NBA playoffs

Aug. 24 ( UPI ) -- Donovan Mitchell scored 51 points to help the Utah Jazz hold off the Denver Nuggets in Game 4 Sunday night and take a commanding series lead in the Western Conference playoffs , despite a 50-point effort from Jamal Murray .
The Jazz now lead the series 3-1 after the 129-127 win Sunday in Orlando , Fla. Mitchell and Murray are the first opponents in NBA history to score at least 50 points in the same playoff game .
Mitchell also scored 57 points in Game 1 , a 135-125 overtime loss to Denver a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 27 shots , 17 of 18 free throws and had seven assists and four rebounds in the win .
He is just the third player in NBA history to score at least 50 points more than once in the same series , joining Michael Jordan and Allen Iverson .
`` That was probably the most important game of the series for us , '' Mitchell told reporters .
Murray made 18 of 31 shots and had 11 rebounds and seven assists in the loss .
He made nine of 15 attempts from 3-point @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first quarter , but the Jazz trailed 36-33 after the first 12 minutes .
The Nuggets pushed their lead to 10 points to open the second frame before the Jazz used a 7-0 run to cut the advantage to one point 9:08 before halftime .
Mitchell paced the Jazz with nine points while Murray scored 10 in the second quarter .
The Nuggets led 65-64 at halftime .
Mitchell was hot at the start of the third quarter and helped the Jazz regain the lead with 7:04 left in the frame .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ quarter and led the Jazz to a 94-87 lead entering the fourth quarter .
The Nuggets cut Jazz 's lead to one point on three separate occasions down the stretch behind several made 3-pointers from Murray , but Mitchell also made big shots and his free throws to secure the victory .
Murray had 21 points in the fourth quarter .
Mitchell had 18 points over the final 6:46 .
Mike Conley scored 26 points in the win and Jordan Clarkson had 24 points off the Jazz bench .
Rudy Gobert had 17 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Nikola Jokic scored 29 points and had seven rebounds and six assists for Denver .
`` The job is not finished , '' Mitchell said .
`` As good as this one feels , we [ only ] won by two points .
We are on to Game 5 . ''
The Jazz next face the Nuggets in Game 5 at 6:30 p.m. EDT Tuesday in Orlando .
`` No one wants to go home yet , '' Murray said .
`` There is a lot of fight left in us .
@

Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell made 15 of 27 shots and scored 51 points in a playoff win over the Denver Nuggets Sunday in Orlando, Fla. Photo by John G. Mabanglo/EPA-EFE
Aug. 24 (UPI) -- Donovan Mitchell scored 51 points to help the Utah Jazz hold off the Denver Nuggets in Game 4 Sunday night and take a commanding series lead in the Western Conference playoffs, despite a 50-point effort from Jamal Murray. The Jazz now lead the series 3-1 after the 129-127 win Sunday in Orlando, Fla. Mitchell and Murray are the first opponents in NBA history to score at least 50 points in the same playoff game. Mitchell also scored 57 points in Game 1, a 135-125 overtime loss to Denver a week ago. Advertisement
Mitchell made 15 of 27 shots, 17 of 18 free throws and had seven assists and four rebounds in the win. He is just the third player in NBA history to score at least 50 points more than once in the same series, joining Michael Jordan and Allen Iverson.
"That was probably the most important game of the series for us," Mitchell told reporters.
Murray made 18 of 31 shots and had 11 rebounds and seven assists in the loss. He made nine of 15 attempts from 3-point range.
Advertisement
Mitchell posted 13 points in the first quarter, but the Jazz trailed 36-33 after the first 12 minutes. The Nuggets pushed their lead to 10 points to open the second frame before the Jazz used a 7-0 run to cut the advantage to one point 9:08 before halftime.
Mitchell paced the Jazz with nine points while Murray scored 10 in the second quarter. The Nuggets led 65-64 at halftime.
Mitchell was hot at the start of the third quarter and helped the Jazz regain the lead with 7:04 left in the frame. Mitchell scored 11 points in the third quarter and led the Jazz to a 94-87 lead entering the fourth quarter.
The Nuggets cut Jazz's lead to one point on three separate occasions down the stretch behind several made 3-pointers from Murray, but Mitchell also made big shots and his free throws to secure the victory.
Murray had 21 points in the fourth quarter. Mitchell had 18 points over the final 6:46.
Mike Conley scored 26 points in the win and Jordan Clarkson had 24 points off the Jazz bench. Rudy Gobert had 17 points and 11 rebounds in the win. Nikola Jokic scored 29 points and had seven rebounds and six assists for Denver.
Advertisement
"The job is not finished," Mitchell said. "As good as this one feels, we [only] won by two points. We are on to Game 5."
The Jazz next face the Nuggets in Game 5 at 6:30 p.m. EDT Tuesday in Orlando.
"No one wants to go home yet," Murray said. "There is a lot of fight left in us."


upi--2020-08-24--WWE SummerSlam: The Fiend wins, Roman Reigns returns

Aug. 24 ( UPI ) -- The Fiend Bray Wyatt won big at SummerSlam but had his victory celebration cut short by a returning Roman Reigns .
The Fiend battled his nemesis Braun Strowman for the Universal Championship on Sunday in a Falls Count Anywhere match .
Strowman and The Fiend went to war and battled throughout the ringside area and the production area backstage .
The Fiend smashed Strowman into the hard floor by performing his finishing maneuver , Sister Abigail .
Strowman , back in the ring , was unable to keep The Fiend down with a Running @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a box cutter from a tool box and started to rip the ring 's canvas apart , exposing wood underneath .
The Fiend then defeated Strowman after delivering two Sister Abigails onto the exposed wood , making him Universal Champion once again .
Reigns , as The Fiend grabbed the Universal Championship and started celebrating , took the villainous grappler down with a Spear .
The Big Dog then moved onto Strowman and gave him a Spear outside the ring .
Reigns grabbed a steel chair and beat down Strowman with it before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Fiend down with another Spear .
Reigns then held up the Universal Championship as SummerSlam went off the air .
WWE Champion Drew McIntyre defended his title against Randy Orton .
The Viper played mind games early on and avoided fighting McIntyre in the opening moments , Orton waited for the perfect moment to strike and started to dominate the bout .
McIntyre , however , was able to avoid Orton 's RKO twice and eventually fought his way back into the match .
Orton later dodged McIntyre 's Claymore but missed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ champ with an RKO .
McIntyre then won the match in surprising fashion with a sudden roll-up pin to remain WWE Champion .
Asuka was pulling double duty on Sunday as she faced Bayley for the SmackDown Women 's Championship and then later Sasha Banks for the Raw Women 's Championship .
The Empress of Tomorrow was in control against Bayley until the double champion started targeting Asuka 's left knee .
Bayley then stole yet another victory after Banks got involved .
Asuka attacked Banks to send her off the ring apron @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a roll-up pin to remain SmackDown Women 's Champion .
Banks was confident heading into her title defense as Asuka was worn down from the previous match .
The Boss , no matter what she did , could not keep Asuka down and pleaded with Bayley for help .
Bayley attempted to interfere and dodged Asuka 's attack .
Banks grabbed Asuka from behind and applied The Bank Statement but , Asuka escaped the submission hold to apply the Asuka Lock .
Banks then tapped out , making Asuka the new Raw Women @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first match in WWE against Seth Rollins in a Street Fight .
The young high flyer was accompanied to the ring by his father , Rey Mysterio .
Dominik Mysterio asked his father beforehand to not get involved in the match .
Dominik Mysterio was impressive as he battled Seth Rollins and brought the fight to the Monday Night Messiah .
Dominik Mysterio punished Rollins with a kendo stick and even used the weapon to send himself and Rollins through a table .
Rey Mysterio was forced to get involved after Rollins ' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attacking his son .
Rollins was able to handcuff Rey Mysterio and angered Dominik Mysterio after he threatened his mother .
Rollins survived a Frogsplash by Dominik Mysterio by raising his knees .
Rollins then forced Rey Mysterio to watch as defeated his son by unleashing The Stomp .
Other moments from SummerSlam included U.S. Champion Apollo Crews successfully defending his title against MVP ; Raw Tag Team Champions The Street Profits successfully defending their titles against Andrade and Angel Garza ; and Mandy Rose defeating Sonya Deville , causing Deville to leave @ @

Aug. 24 (UPI) -- The Fiend Bray Wyatt won big at SummerSlam but had his victory celebration cut short by a returning Roman Reigns.
The Fiend battled his nemesis Braun Strowman for the Universal Championship on Sunday in a Falls Count Anywhere match.
Advertisement
Strowman and The Fiend went to war and battled throughout the ringside area and the production area backstage. The Fiend smashed Strowman into the hard floor by performing his finishing maneuver, Sister Abigail.
Strowman, back in the ring, was unable to keep The Fiend down with a Running Powerslam. The Monster Among Men grabbed a box cutter from a tool box and started to rip the ring's canvas apart, exposing wood underneath.
The Fiend then defeated Strowman after delivering two Sister Abigails onto the exposed wood, making him Universal Champion once again.
Advertisement
Reigns, as The Fiend grabbed the Universal Championship and started celebrating, took the villainous grappler down with a Spear. The Big Dog then moved onto Strowman and gave him a Spear outside the ring.
Reigns grabbed a steel chair and beat down Strowman with it before he returned to the ring and took The Fiend down with another Spear. Reigns then held up the Universal Championship as SummerSlam went off the air.
WWE Champion Drew McIntyre defended his title against Randy Orton. The Viper played mind games early on and avoided fighting McIntyre in the opening moments,
Orton waited for the perfect moment to strike and started to dominate the bout. McIntyre, however, was able to avoid Orton's RKO twice and eventually fought his way back into the match.
Orton later dodged McIntyre's Claymore but missed on his third attempt to nail the champ with an RKO. McIntyre then won the match in surprising fashion with a sudden roll-up pin to remain WWE Champion.
Advertisement
Asuka was pulling double duty on Sunday as she faced Bayley for the SmackDown Women's Championship and then later Sasha Banks for the Raw Women's Championship.
The Empress of Tomorrow was in control against Bayley until the double champion started targeting Asuka's left knee. Bayley then stole yet another victory after Banks got involved. Asuka attacked Banks to send her off the ring apron which allowed Bayley to defeat her with a roll-up pin to remain SmackDown Women's Champion.
Banks was confident heading into her title defense as Asuka was worn down from the previous match. The Boss, no matter what she did, could not keep Asuka down and pleaded with Bayley for help.
Bayley attempted to interfere and dodged Asuka's attack. Banks grabbed Asuka from behind and applied The Bank Statement but, Asuka escaped the submission hold to apply the Asuka Lock. Banks then tapped out, making Asuka the new Raw Women's Champion.
Dominik Mysterio had his first match in WWE against Seth Rollins in a Street Fight. The young high flyer was accompanied to the ring by his father, Rey Mysterio. Dominik Mysterio asked his father beforehand to not get involved in the match.
Dominik Mysterio was impressive as he battled Seth Rollins and brought the fight to the Monday Night Messiah. Dominik Mysterio punished Rollins with a kendo stick and even used the weapon to send himself and Rollins through a table.
Rey Mysterio was forced to get involved after Rollins' disciple Murphy joined the fight and started attacking his son. Rollins was able to handcuff Rey Mysterio and angered Dominik Mysterio after he threatened his mother.
Rollins survived a Frogsplash by Dominik Mysterio by raising his knees. Rollins then forced Rey Mysterio to watch as defeated his son by unleashing The Stomp.
Other moments from SummerSlam included U.S. Champion Apollo Crews successfully defending his title against MVP; Raw Tag Team Champions The Street Profits successfully defending their titles against Andrade and Angel Garza; and Mandy Rose defeating Sonya Deville, causing Deville to leave WWE.


upi--2020-08-24--Watch live: Postmaster General Louis DeJoy back in Congress to testify about election concerns

Aug. 24 ( UPI ) -- After a grilling from the Senate on Friday , U.S. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy returns to Capitol Hill Monday to face questions in the House about mailing ballots before the presidential election in November .
DeJoy will appear before the House oversight committee for a hearing that begins at 10 a.m. EDT .
House lawmakers want to hear about changes to the U.S .
Postal Service ordered by DeJoy , once a major donor to President Donald Trump , since he assumed his post in June .
Some have questioned whether the changes , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after the election , were designed to give Trump a political advantage by suppressing ballots by mail .
The Nov. 3 election is expected to see a record number of mail-in ballots due to the COVID-19 pandemic .
`` The hearing will examine operational and organizational changes at the Postal Service that have resulted in delivery delays across the country , including the delivery of critical medications , and the impact of these changes on the rights of eligible Americans to cast their votes through the mail in the November elections , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Under questioning from the Republican-led Senate homeland security committee on Friday , DeJoy sought to reassure lawmakers and the public that ballots mailed close to the election will be counted .
He denied accusations that his changes were an attempt to aid Trump 's re-election campaign .
`` I want to assure this committee and the American public that the Postal Service is fully capable and committed to delivering the nation 's election mail securely and on time , '' he said .
`` This sacred duty is my number one priority between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House passed a bill Saturday to block the USPS changes ordered by DeJoy and appropriate $ 25 billion in funding .
Robert Duncan , chairman of the U.S .
Postal Service Board of Governors , is scheduled to join DeJoy in Monday 's appearance before the House panel .

1/6
U.S. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy is sworn in Monday to testify before a House Oversight and Reform Committee hearing on slowdowns at the Postal Service ahead of the November elections on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. Pool Photo by Tom Brenner/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 24 (UPI) -- U.S. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy again faced tough questions on Monday from Democratic lawmakers in Congress and denied accusations that cost-cutting measures he ordered were intended to hamper mail-in voting. DeJoy, who faced a similar grilling in the Senate on Friday, appeared for Monday's hearing before the House oversight committee amid concerns that changes at the U.S. Postal Service were made to give President Donald Trump a political advantage for the Nov. 3 election. Advertisement
House lawmakers wanted to hear about the changes ordered by DeJoy, who was once a major donor for Trump, after he assumed his post in June.
Some Democrats asked whether the changes, which DeJoy said are now delayed until after the election, were designed to give Trump a boost by suppressing ballots in the mail.
The 2020 presidential election is expected to see a record number of mail-in ballots due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Advertisement
Committee Chair Rep. Carolyn Maloney, D-N.Y., said in her opening statement that DeJoy may be attempting to "hobble mail-in voting" and asked him about significant slowdowns in mail delivery that have occurred under his watch.
"If any other CEO had this kind of plummeting record in his first two months on the job, I can't imagine why he would be kept on," she said.
DeJoy replied, "That's an unfair accusation."
The postmaster general defended his decisions to remove hundreds of mail-sorting machines, eliminate "excessive" mail trips and cut back on overtime paid to postal workers.
"There are a lot of things that are impacting our service, and this is one of them on the front end ... we should have cleared it up quicker," DeJoy answered. "It will recover quite rapidly going forward."
Rep. Jim Cooper, D-Tenn., asked DeJoy if he was trying to lend credibility to Trump's repeated dismissals of mail-in balloting.
"Do your mail delays fit Trump's campaign goals of hurting the post office, as stated in his tweets? Are your mail delays implicit campaign contributions?" Cooper asked.
Insisting the changes were made to control costs, DeJoy answered, "Am I the only one in this room that understands that we have a $10 billion a year loss?"
Advertisement
Under questioning from the Republican-led Senate homeland security committee on Friday, DeJoy sought to reassure lawmakers and the public that ballots mailed close to the election will be counted. He denied accusations that he's trying to aid Trump's re-election campaign.
"I want to assure this committee and the American public that the Postal Service is fully capable and committed to delivering the nation's election mail securely and on time," he said.
"This sacred duty is my number one priority between now and election day."
The House passed a bill Saturday to block the USPS changes ordered by DeJoy and appropriate $25 billion in funding.
Robert Duncan, chairman of the U.S. Postal Service Board of Governors, joined DeJoy in Monday's appearance before the House panel and defended his appointment, citing the need to make "dramatic changes" at the Postal Service.
"Mr. DeJoy was selected to be that transformational leader, who can help strengthen the Postal Service for the long term," he said in his opening statement.


upi--2020-08-24--Republicans set to begin national convention to renominate Donald Trump

Aug. 24 ( UPI ) -- The Republican Party will begin its national convention Monday , and though the event will be largely virtual , some small , official business will still take place in Charlotte , N.C. After some last-minute wrangling to attempt to move the convention to Jacksonville , Fla. , the GOP settled on keeping Charlotte as its base , but severely limiting the number of in-person events that take place there .
North Carolina Gov .
Roy Cooper warned in June it was likely that safety measures to limit the spread of COVID-19 would n't be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their full program of events with thousands of supporters , delegates and elected officials in attendance .
Originally scheduled to be held at the Spectrum Center , the in-person events , including a roll call of delegates , will now take place at the Charlotte Convention Center .
Most other events will be virtual , including Trump 's acceptance speech from the South Lawn of the White House on Thursday .
The Republican National Committee has yet to finalize a full schedule of speakers , but media reports indicate Rep. Matt Gaetz , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , R-Calif. , South Carolina Gov .
Kristi Noem , Sens .
Tim Scott , R-S.C. , and Joni Ernst , R-Iowa , former U.S .
Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley , and Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell , R-Ky. , will provide remarks .
Here 's a glimpse at the schedule for the Republican National Convention : The first day of the convention is themed `` Land of Promise , '' with the highlight of the day being the roll call vote of a smaller group of delegates -- 336 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nominate Trump and Vice President Mike Pence for the Republican ticket .
The second day 's theme is `` Land of Opportunity , '' with first lady Melania Trump speaking from the newly revamped Rose Garden at the White House .
The third day 's theme is `` Land of Heroes , '' and Pence will give remarks from Fort McHenry in Baltimore .
The final day of the RNC is themed `` Land of Greatness , '' during which President Trump will formally accept the Republican nomination from the White House .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and online using computers and mobile devices , and listened to using Amazon Alexa .
The committee is also streaming the event on social media channels , including Facebook , Twitter and YouTube .

Fireworks explode over the Washington Monument after President Donald Trump delivered his acceptance speech for the GOP nomination for his re-election on the final night of the Republican National Convention on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington D.C., on Thursday. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 24 (UPI) -- Sen. Tim Scott closed the first night of the Republican National Convention by declaring that Democrats want "a fundamentally different America." Scott, R-S.C., accused Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden and Democrats of "trying to permanently transform what it means to be an American" on Monday night after President Donald Trump was officially nominated for a second term at the Republican National Convention. Advertisement
"Make no mistake: Job Biden and Kamala Harris want a cultural revolution. A fundamentally different America," Scott said. "If we let them ... they will turn our country into a socialist utopia ... and history has taught us that only leads to pain and misery, especially for hard-working people hoping to rise."
Former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley accused former President Barack Obama and Biden, his vice president, of refusing to stand up for the United States while praising Trump's foreign policy.
Advertisement
"The president has a record of strength and success. The former vice president has a record of weakness and failure. Joe Biden is good for Iran and ISIS ... great for Communist China ... and he's a godsend to everyone who wants America to apologize, abstain and abandon our values," said Haley.
The president's eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., hailed his father's efforts to spur economic recovery from the pandemic while criticizing Biden for saying he would shut down businesses again if high case totals persisted.
He said that Biden's "radical leftwing policies" will "stop our economic recovery cold."
"After eight years of Obama and Biden's slow growth, Trump's policies have been like rocket fuel to the economy and especially the middle class," Trump Jr. said.
Earlier in the convention, Trump was officially named the Republican nominee during a scaled-down roll call vote.
States were limited to six delegates at the Charlotte Convention Center, 336 total for the live roll call, unlike the Democratic National Convention where the roll call was done virtually.
"The country is counting on us," Trump said after arriving at the convention center.
"We are getting ready to see things we have never seen before," he added, saying the 2020 election is the most important vote in U.S. history.
Advertisement
"We have done more in this administration than any other administration in our history."
Vice President Mike Pence made brief comments at the convention after he was also renominated. The roll call is usually held on Tuesday but was moved up by the party's updated schedule.
The event, scheduled to run through Thursday, will be largely virtual. Some small, official business will still take place in Charlotte, N.C.
After some last-minute wrangling to attempt to move the convention to Jacksonville, Fla., the GOP settled on keeping Charlotte as its base, but severely limiting the number of in-person events that take place there.
North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper warned in June it was likely that safety measures to limit the spread of COVID-19 wouldn't be lifted in time for Republicans to hold their full program of events with thousands of supporters, delegates and elected officials in attendance.
Originally scheduled to be held at the Spectrum Center, the in-person events, including Monday's roll call of delegates, took place at the Charlotte Convention Center. Most other events will be virtual, including Trump's acceptance speech from the South Lawn of the White House on Thursday.
Advertisement
Here's a glimpse at the schedule for the Republican National Convention:
Day 1 -- Monday
The first day of the convention is themed "Land of Promise," with the highlight of the day being Monday afternoon's roll call vote of the delegates in Charlotte, who formally nominated Trump and Pence for the Republican ticket.
Monday's schedule of speakers also included Mark and Patricia McCloskey, the St. Louis couple who were charged after waving guns at Black Lives Matter protesters near their property; and Rep. Steve Scalise of Louisiana.
Day 2 -- Tuesday
The second day's theme is "Land of Opportunity," with first lady Melania Trump speaking from the newly revamped Rose Garden at the White House.
Day 3 -- Wednesday
The third day's theme is "Land of Heroes," and Pence will give remarks from Fort McHenry in Baltimore.
Day 4 -- Thursday
The final day of the RNC is themed "Land of Greatness," during which President Trump will formally accept the Republican nomination from the White House.
Advertisement
The convention can be viewed on television, and online using computers and mobile devices, and listened to using Amazon Alexa. The committee is also streaming the event on social media channels, including Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.


upi--2020-08-24--Protests in Wisconsin after black man shot, injured by police

Aug. 24 ( UPI ) -- Protests erupted in the Wisconsin city of Kenosha after a Black man was airlifted in serious condition to a Milwaukee hospital after being shot multiple times by police Sunday evening .
The sheriff 's department for Kenosha County , located along Lake Michigan about 40 miles south of Milwaukee , late Sunday issued a city-wide curfew until 7 a.m. Monday , stating the public `` needs to be off the streets for their safety . ''
An emergency alert tweeted by the Kenosha Police Department urged businesses to close for 24 hours `` due @ @ @ @ @ @ @ calls . ''
The curfew was imposed hours after a Black man , later identified as 29-year-old Jacob Blake by Wisconsin Gov .
Tony Evers , was shot by police in a residential neighborhood .
`` Tonight , Jacob Blak was shot in the back multiples times , in broad daylight , in Kenosha , Wisconsin , '' Evers said in a statement .
The Kenosha Police Department said in a release that the shooting happened after 5 p.m. Sunday as officers were responding to a domestic incident .
The department said Blake @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The person is in serious condition , '' the release said .
Cellphone footage of the police-involved shooting circulated online shows Blake attempting to enter a car parked on a residential street while being pursued by police who shoot him several times .
Ben Crump , civil rights attorney who represents the family of George Floyd whose police-involved death on Memorial Day sparked nationwide protests , said Blake 's three sons were in the car during the shooting .
`` They saw a cop shoot their father , '' he tweeted .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can not let officers violate their duty to PROTECT us . ''
Crump said Black was shot after attempting to break up a fight at the residence .
The Wisconsin Department of Justice 's Division of Criminal Investigation , which is investigating the shooting , said early Monday that the officers involved have been placed on administrative leave , the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported .
Evers said in a statement that he joins Blake 's family , friends and neighbors in hoping that `` he will not succumb to his injuries . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the details yet , what we know for certain is that he is not the first Black man or person to have been shot or injured or mercilessly killed at the hands of individuals in law enforcement in our state or our country , '' Evers said on Twitter .
`` We stand with all those who have and continue to demand justice equity and accountability for Black lives in our country . ''

Aug. 24 (UPI) -- National Guard troops will deploy in the Wisconsin city of Kenosha after unrest and protests following the Sunday evening police-involved shooting of resident Jacob Blake, 29, who was airlifted in serious condition to a Milwaukee hospital.
A video shared on social media showed officers grabbing Blake by the shirt as he tried to get into a van. An officer fired seven shots at close range into Blake's back as he slumped over the steering wheel.
Advertisement
Kenosha County Supervisor Zach Rodriguez told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel the National Guard would be in Kenosha by Monday afternoon.
Ben Crump, civil rights attorney who represents the family of George Floyd, whose police-involved death on Memorial Day sparked nationwide protests, said Blake's three sons were in the car during the shooting.
Advertisement
Blake is a father of five, Crump said.
Democratic Presidential nominee and former Vice President Joe Biden called for an investigation of the shooting in a statement Monday.
"Yesterday in Kenosha, Wisconsin, Jacob Blake was shot seven times in the back as police attempted to restrain him from getting into his car," Biden said. "His children watched from inside the car and bystanders watched in disbelief. And this morning, the nation wakes up yet again with grief and outrage that yet another Black American is a victim of excessive force. This calls for an immediate, full and transparent investigation and the officers must be held accountable."
President Donald Trump's chief of staff Mark Meadows told The Hill the president was briefed on the incident early Monday.
"It's too early to tell in terms of what actually happened from what I was briefed on," Meadows said.
"Obviously the video tells a story that is troubling and yet, at the same time, we'll get a full briefing within the next couple of hours," Meadows added.
Protests and fires erupted in the streets of Kenosha and Milwaukee after the video was released, causing the Kenosha Police Department to urge businesses to close for 24 hours.
Advertisement
The sheriff's department for Kenosha County, located along Lake Michigan about 40 miles south of Milwaukee, late Sunday issued a citywide curfew Sunday night, stating the public "needs to be off the streets for their safety."
"Tonight, Jacob Blake was shot in the back multiples times, in broad daylight, in Kenosha, Wisconsin," Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers, a Democrat, said in a statement. "Kathy and I join his family, friends, and neighbors in hoping earnestly that he will not succumb to his injuries."
"While we do not have all of the details yet, what we know for certain is that he is not the first Black man or person to have been shot or injured or mercilessly killed at the hands of individuals in law enforcement in our state or our country," Evers said on Twitter. "We stand with all those who have and continue to demand justice equity and accountability for Black lives in our country."
The Kenosha Police Department said in a release that the shooting happened after 5 p.m. Sunday as officers were responding to a domestic incident. Blake was transported to Froedtert Hospital.
Attorney Crump said Blake was shot after attempting to break up a fight at the residence.
Advertisement
"[Blake's children] saw a cop shoot their father," Crump tweeted. "They will be traumatized forever. We cannot let officers violate their duty to PROTECT us."
The Wisconsin Department of Justice's Division of Criminal Investigation, which is investigating the shooting, said early Monday that the officers involved have been placed on administrative leave, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported.


upi--2020-08-24--On This Day, Aug. 24: Pete Rose banished from baseball

Aug. 24 ( UPI ) -- On this date in history : In 79 A.D. , thousands died and the Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum were buried by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in Italy .
In 1814 , the British captured Washington and burned the Capitol and the White House .
In 1932 , Amelia Earhart became the first woman to fly non-stop across the United States .
In 1954 , President Dwight Eisenhower signed the Communist Control Act outlawing the Communist Party .
Though the act has never been repealed , the party exists to this day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who claimed devils forced him to kill John Lennon and God told him to confess , was sentenced to 20 years to life in prison for fatally shooting the former member of the Beatles .
In 1989 , Pete Rose , whose slashing singles and head-first slides once made him the embodiment of America 's national sport , was banished from baseball for life , ending a gambling scandal .
In 1990 , Irish-British hostage Brian Keenan , held by pro-Iranian Muslim extremists in Lebanon for more than four years , was freed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gorbachev quit as general secretary of the Communist Party central committee .
He also ordered his Cabinet to resign .
In 1992 , Hurricane Andrew smashed into Florida south of Miami with sustained winds of 145 mph .
The storm killed 15 people and caused more than $ 30 billion in damage .
In 1996 , four women became students at The Citadel , a military school in South Carolina that had fought in court to remain all-male .
In 2004 , two Russian passenger jetliners crashed within minutes of each other after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Authorities said terrorist attacks caused the crashes , which killed 89 people .
In 2006 , Pluto , the small , distant astronomic body that has discovered in 1930 , was demoted to `` dwarf planet '' status when the International Astronomical Union adopted a new definition of `` planet . ''
In 2006 , the U.S. Food and Drug Administration decided to make the `` morning-after '' contraceptive pill known as Plan B available without a prescription to people 18 and older .
In 2011 , Steve Jobs , co-founder and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resigned , telling his company 's board he could `` no longer meet my duties and expectations . ''
Jobs , 56 , who stayed on as chairman , had battled cancer for several years .
He died Oct. 5 , 2011 .
In 2012 , Anders Behring Breivik , who killed 77 people in Norway , was sentenced to 21 years in prison , the longest prison term possible for murder and terrorism under Norwegian law .
In 2013 , Bolivian government officials said inmates at a prison in Santa Cruz used @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other weapons in a gang battle that left 30 people dead and dozens injured .
In 2017 , a single winner from Massachusetts won $ 758 million for the largest single-ticket lottery jackpot win in U.S. history .
In 2018 , Scott Morrison replaced Malcolm Turnbull as Australia 's prime minister after winning a three-way leadership battle .

1/7
On August 24, 1989, Pete Rose, whose slashing singles and head-first slides once made him the embodiment of America's national sport, was banished from baseball for life, ending a gambling scandal. File Photo by Ezio Petersen/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 24 (UPI) -- On this date in history: In 79 A.D., thousands died and the Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum were buried by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in Italy. Advertisement
In 1814, the British captured Washington and burned the Capitol and the White House.
In 1932, Amelia Earhart became the first woman to fly non-stop across the United States.
In 1954, President Dwight Eisenhower signed the Communist Control Act outlawing the Communist Party. Though the act has never been repealed, the party exists to this day.
In 1981, Mark Chapman, who claimed devils forced him to kill John Lennon and God told him to confess, was sentenced to 20 years to life in prison for fatally shooting the former member of the Beatles.
In 1989, Pete Rose, whose slashing singles and head-first slides once made him the embodiment of America's national sport, was banished from baseball for life, ending a gambling scandal.
In 1990, Irish-British hostage Brian Keenan, held by pro-Iranian Muslim extremists in Lebanon for more than four years, was freed.
In 1991, Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev quit as general secretary of the Communist Party central committee. He also ordered his Cabinet to resign.
Advertisement
File Photo by Bruce Young/UPI
In 1992, Hurricane Andrew smashed into Florida south of Miami with sustained winds of 145 mph. The storm killed 15 people and caused more than $30 billion in damage.
In 1996, four women became students at The Citadel, a military school in South Carolina that had fought in court to remain all-male.
In 2004, two Russian passenger jetliners crashed within minutes of each other after taking off from Domodedovo Airport in Moscow. Authorities said terrorist attacks caused the crashes, which killed 89 people.
In 2006, Pluto, the small, distant astronomic body that has discovered in 1930, was demoted to "dwarf planet" status when the International Astronomical Union adopted a new definition of "planet."
In 2006, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration decided to make the "morning-after" contraceptive pill known as Plan B available without a prescription to people 18 and older.
In 2011, Steve Jobs, co-founder and chief executive officer of Apple Inc., resigned, telling his company's board he could "no longer meet my duties and expectations." Jobs, 56, who stayed on as chairman, had battled cancer for several years. He died Oct. 5, 2011.
Advertisement
File Photo by Monika Graff/UPI
In 2012, Anders Behring Breivik, who killed 77 people in Norway, was sentenced to 21 years in prison, the longest prison term possible for murder and terrorism under Norwegian law.
In 2013, Bolivian government officials said inmates at a prison in Santa Cruz used knives, machetes, self-made flamethrowers and other weapons in a gang battle that left 30 people dead and dozens injured.
In 2017, a single winner from Massachusetts won $758 million for the largest single-ticket lottery jackpot win in U.S. history.
In 2018, Scott Morrison replaced Malcolm Turnbull as Australia's prime minister after winning a three-way leadership battle.


upi--2020-08-24--Famous birthdays for Aug. 24: Cal Ripken Jr., Vince McMahon

Aug. 24 ( UPI ) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Virgo .

1/2
Former MLB Baltimore Orioles star and Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr. and guest Laura Kiessling arrive for the 2017 Kennedy Center Honors gala at the Kennedy Center on December 3, 2017. He turns 60 on August 24. File Photo by Mike Theiler/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 24 (UPI) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Virgo. They include: Advertisement
-- Argentine poet/author Jorge Luis Borges in 1899
-- Palestinian leader/Nobel Peace Prize laureate Yasser Arafat in 1929
-- British novelist A.S. Byatt, born Antonia Duffy, in 1936 (age 84)
-- Musician David Freiberg in 1938 (age 82)
-- Musician Mason Williams in 1938 (age 82)
-- Wrestling entrepreneur Vince McMahon in 1945 (age 75)
File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI
-- Brazilian author Paulo Coelho in 1947 (age 73)
-- Actor Anne Archer in 1947 (age 73)
-- Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee in 1955 (age 65)
-- Actor Stephen Fry in 1957 (age 63)
-- Actor Steve Guttenberg in 1958 (age 62)
-- Baseball Hall of Fame member Cal Ripken Jr. in 1960 (age 60)
-- Political commentator Major Garrett in 1962 (age 58)
-- Actor Marlee Matlin in 1965 (age 55)
-- Director Ava DuVernay in 1972 (age 48)
File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI
Advertisement
-- Comedian Dave Chappelle in 1973 (age 47)
-- Actor Alex O'Loughlin in 1976 (44)
-- Young adult author John Green in 1977 (age 43)
-- Actor Chad Michael Murray in 1981 (age 39)
-- Actor Rupert Grint in 1988 (age 32)
-- Model Sofia Richie in 1998 (age 22)
-- Actor Griffin Gluck in 2000 (age 20)


upi--2020-08-24--Mahomes, Wilson, Prescott lead top-20 fantasy football quarterback rankings

Aug. 24 ( UPI ) -- Super Bowl LIV MVP Patrick Mahomes has put together two of the most-successful seasons to start a career in NFL history .
Mahomes also has become a fantasy football superstar and leads my top-20 fantasy football quarterback rankings for the 2020 season .
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson sits second in my rankings , followed by Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott .
Reigning NFL MVP Lamar Jackson and Philadelphia Eagles gunslinger Carson Wentz round out the top-five of my preseason rankings .
Deshaun Watson , Matt Ryan , Drew Brees , Tom Brady and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ options as you prepare for your 2020 fantasy football draft .
But do n't worry if you miss out on an elite passer .
The position has a lot of depth this year , with value picks available after the seventh round who could breakout and become top-10 options at the position .
I split my top targets into five tiers : Hall of Fame , All-Pro , Pro Bowl , Just Napping ( early to mid-round targets ) and Deep Sleepers ( mid- to late-round sleepers ) .
The full top-20 rankings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lock to be the first player at his position to be selected in your fantasy football draft .
Mahomes set the NFL world on fire with 50 touchdowns and threw for more than 5,000 yards in 2018 , his first full season as a starter .
He returned in 2019 to throw 26 touchdowns and pass for 4,031 yards as he missed two games and played through a knee injury .
I expect Mahomes to look more like the 2018 version of himself in 2020 .
The Chiefs still have a ton of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Travis Kelce , but also added dynamic running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire through the NFL draft .
I see Edwards-Helaire giving Mahomes a statistical boost .
I expect the Chiefs quarterback to throw for at least 45 touchdowns and have another 5,000-yard season in 2020 .
While Mahomes should have great end-of-season stats , you should temper your expectations early on as five of the Chiefs ' first seven games are against teams that ranked inside the top-10 for fewest fantasy points allowed to quarterbacks in 2019 .
Russell Wilson is my No @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but will likely be a better value than Mahomes and Lamar Jackson as his average draft position is in later rounds .
Wilson was very efficient last season , with 31 touchdown passes against just five interceptions .
He also threw for more than 4,000 yards for the third time in his career .
I expect second-year wide receiver D.K .
Metcalf to take a step forward in his progression this season and became Wilson 's top option .
The Seahawks also should be improved at tight end and remain productive at running @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a runner .
The pieces are in place for Wilson to post a career-best campaign and make a run at the NFL MVP award .
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott is another player who enters the 2020 season with a ton of pieces in place for success within his offense .
The Cowboys should be loaded at wide receiver , with Amari Cooper , Michael Gallup and CeeDee Lamb .
Prescott also has the luxury of having elite running back Ezekiel Elliott in his backfield .
Prescott also is playing for a new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a very fantasy-football friendly schedule .
Four of the team 's first seven games are against teams that ranked inside the top-10 for allowing the most fantasy points to quarterbacks in 2019 .
Prescott should be an elite season-long option .
Lamar Jackson had a historic season in 2019 and should have another great year in 2020 , but do n't plan on the NFL MVP repeating his statistics .
Jackson likely will be overdrafted in your fantasy football league based on his insane numbers from 2019 .
Do n't be the team @ @ @ @ @ @ @ round , as other options will be available later in your draft for a better value .
The Ravens used an early 2020 NFL Draft pick to select former Ohio State running back J.K. Dobbins , despite the presence of Mark Ingram in the backfield .
That move likely means the team plans to spread carries around more in an effort to limit Jackson 's exposure to injuries .
I still expect Jackson to pass for at least 3,000 yards and 30 touchdowns , but I do n't expect him to rush for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still an elite option , but probably not worth a first-round pick .
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz is my No .
5 option at the position in 2020 .
Wentz played all 16 games for just the second time of his career last season and threw for 27 touchdowns and just seven interceptions .
The Eagles return a sold supporting cast of pass-catchers in 2020 and selected former TCU wide receiver Jalen Reagor in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft .
I expect Wentz to throw for at least 35 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ healthy .
He should give you a weekly advantage at the position based on his matchups .
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray probably has more fantasy football buzz than any other player at his position this off-season .
Most of that excitement is due to the arrival of wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins , who was acquired in an off-season trade with the Houston Texans .
The All-Pro pass catcher should help Murray boost his numbers from the 20 touchdowns he threw in 2019 , but I do n't expect as big of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ No .
10 option in 2020 .
I expect him to pass for less than 30 touchdowns in 2020 , but still remain productive as a runner .
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen is my No .
11 option at the position .
Allen threw for 20 touchdowns and 3,089 yards and rushed for 510 yards and nine scores last season .
His dual-threat production means he can post QB1 statistics and lead your fantasy team to victory .
He is a late-round value and likely will post a similar season to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should throw more touchdown passes after the Bills added wide receiver Stefon Diggs in an off-season trade .
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff led the NFL is pass attempts last season , but saw a decline of 10 touchdown passes and an increase in interceptions from 2018 .
I expect him to bounce back in 2020 and to be a serviceable fantasy football option in good matchups .
The Rams have five matchups against teams that ranked inside the top-10 for allowing the most fantasy points to quarterbacks in 2019 .
Goff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be able to take advantage of those matchups and post solid fantasy football stats this year .
Goff is my No .
12 quarterback in 2020 .
The Chicago Bears ' quarterback competition has yet to be decided , but whoever wins the job will walk into a slate filled with great fantasy football matchups .
The Bears have five games against teams that ranked inside the top-10 for allowing the most fantasy points to quarterbacks in 2019 .
Four of those matchups occur during the first five weeks of the season .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ I expect the Bears quarterback to be a stream-worthy option all season long .
He is my No .
19 quarterback at this point and can probably be picked up as a free agent after your draft .
New Carolina Panthers quarterback Teddy Bridgewater is another player who might not be selected in your draft , but he is definitely worth a roster spot .
Bridgewater steps into an offense with Christian McCaffrey at running back and a handful of talented pass-catchers to throw to .
Like Foles , four of his first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that ranked inside the top-10 for allowing the most fantasy points to quarterbacks last season .
Bridgewater also has an NFL-high seven games in 13 weeks against such teams in 2020 .
The Panthers quarterback is my No .
20 option this season and should be on a roster in your league based on his weak schedule .

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson is my top-ranked quarterback for the 2020 fantasy football season. File Photo by Derik Hamilton/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 24 (UPI) -- Super Bowl LIV MVP Patrick Mahomes has put together two of the most-successful seasons to start a career in NFL history. Mahomes also has become a fantasy football superstar and leads my Top 20 fantasy football quarterback rankings for the 2020 season. Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson sits second in my rankings, followed by Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott. Reigning NFL MVP Lamar Jackson and Philadelphia Eagles gunslinger Carson Wentz round out the Top 5 of my preseason rankings. Advertisement
Deshaun Watson, Matt Ryan, Drew Brees, Tom Brady and Kyler Murray are among my other Top 10 options as you prepare for your 2020 fantasy football draft.
Advertisement
But don't worry if you miss out on an elite passer. The position has a lot of depth this year, with value picks available after the seventh round who could breakout and become Top 10 options at the position.
I split my top targets into five tiers: Hall of Fame, All-Pro, Pro Bowl, Just Napping (early to mid-round targets) and Deep Sleepers (mid- to late-round sleepers). The full Top 20 rankings are below.
Hall of Fame
1. Patrick Mahomes, 2. Russell Wilson
Mahomes is a near lock to be the first player at his position to be selected in your fantasy football draft. Mahomes set the NFL world on fire with 50 touchdowns and threw for more than 5,000 yards in 2018, his first full season as a starter.
He returned in 2019 to throw 26 touchdowns and pass for 4,031 yards as he missed two games and played through a knee injury.
I expect Mahomes to look more like the 2018 version of himself in 2020. The Chiefs still have a ton of offensive firepower, led by Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce, but also added dynamic running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire through the NFL draft. I see Edwards-Helaire giving Mahomes a statistical boost.
Advertisement
I expect the Chiefs quarterback to throw for at least 45 touchdowns and have another 5,000-yard season in 2020.
While Mahomes should have great end-of-season stats, you should temper your expectations early on as five of the Chiefs' first seven games are against teams that ranked inside the Top 10 for fewest fantasy points allowed to quarterbacks in 2019.
Russell Wilson is my No. 2 quarterback option in 2020, but will likely be a better value than Mahomes and Lamar Jackson as his average draft position is in later rounds.
Wilson was very efficient last season, with 31 touchdown passes against just five interceptions. He also threw for more than 4,000 yards for the third time in his career. I expect second-year wide receiver D.K. Metcalf to take a step forward in his progression this season and became Wilson's top option.
The Seahawks also should be improved at tight end and remain productive at running back, while Wilson adds value as a runner.
The pieces are in place for Wilson to post a career-best campaign and make a run at the NFL MVP award.
All-Pro
3. Dak Prescott, 4. Lamar Jackson
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott is another player who enters the 2020 season with a ton of pieces in place for success within his offense.
Advertisement
The Cowboys should be loaded at wide receiver, with Amari Cooper, Michael Gallup and CeeDee Lamb. Prescott also has the luxury of having elite running back Ezekiel Elliott in his backfield.
Prescott also is playing for a new contract in 2020 and the Cowboys have a very fantasy-football friendly schedule. Four of the team's first seven games are against teams that ranked inside the Top 10 for allowing the most fantasy points to quarterbacks in 2019. Prescott should be an elite season-long option.
Lamar Jackson had a historic season in 2019 and should have another great year in 2020, but don't plan on the NFL MVP repeating his statistics.
Jackson likely will be overdrafted in your fantasy football league based on his insane numbers from 2019. Don't be the team owner to take him in the first round, as other options will be available later in your draft for a better value.
The Ravens used an early 2020 NFL Draft pick to select former Ohio State running back J.K. Dobbins, despite the presence of Mark Ingram in the backfield. That move likely means the team plans to spread carries around more in an effort to limit Jackson's exposure to injuries.
Advertisement
I still expect Jackson to pass for at least 3,000 yards and 30 touchdowns, but I don't expect him to rush for 1,000 yards this season. He is still an elite option, but probably not worth a first-round pick.
Pro Bowl
5. Carson Wentz, 10. Kyler Murray
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz is my No. 5 option at the position in 2020. Wentz played all 16 games for just the second time of his career last season and threw for 27 touchdowns and just seven interceptions.
The Eagles return a sold supporting cast of pass-catchers in 2020 and selected former TCU wide receiver Jalen Reagor in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft. I expect Wentz to throw for at least 35 touchdowns and 4,500 yards if he stays healthy. He should give you a weekly advantage at the position based on his matchups.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray probably has more fantasy football buzz than any other player at his position this off-season.
Most of that excitement is due to the arrival of wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, who was acquired in an off-season trade with the Houston Texans.
Advertisement
The All-Pro pass catcher should help Murray boost his numbers from the 20 touchdowns he threw in 2019, but I don't expect as big of a jump as others.
Murray is my No. 10 option in 2020. I expect him to pass for less than 30 touchdowns in 2020, but still remain productive as a runner.
Just Napping
11. Josh Allen, 12. Jared Goff
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen is my No. 11 option at the position. Allen threw for 20 touchdowns and 3,089 yards and rushed for 510 yards and nine scores last season. His dual-threat production means he can post QB1 statistics and lead your fantasy team to victory.
He is a late-round value and likely will post a similar season to the one he had in 2019, but should throw more touchdown passes after the Bills added wide receiver Stefon Diggs in an off-season trade.
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff led the NFL is pass attempts last season, but saw a decline of 10 touchdown passes and an increase in interceptions from 2018. I expect him to bounce back in 2020 and to be a serviceable fantasy football option in good matchups.
Advertisement
The Rams have five matchups against teams that ranked inside the Top 10 for allowing the most fantasy points to quarterbacks in 2019. Goff and the Rams' skill players should be able to take advantage of those matchups and post solid fantasy football stats this year. Goff is my No. 12 quarterback in 2020.
Deep Sleepers
19. Nick Foles, 20. Teddy Bridgewater
The Chicago Bears' quarterback competition has yet to be decided, but whoever wins the job will walk into a slate filled with great fantasy football matchups.
The Bears have five games against teams that ranked inside the Top 10 for allowing the most fantasy points to quarterbacks in 2019. Four of those matchups occur during the first five weeks of the season.
If Nick Foles wins the job, I expect the Bears quarterback to be a stream-worthy option all season long. He is my No. 19 quarterback at this point and can probably be picked up as a free agent after your draft.
New Carolina Panthers quarterback Teddy Bridgewater is another player who might not be selected in your draft, but he is definitely worth a roster spot. Bridgewater steps into an offense with Christian McCaffrey at running back and a handful of talented pass-catchers to throw to.
Advertisement
Like Foles, four of his first five games in 2020 come against teams that ranked inside the Top 10 for allowing the most fantasy points to quarterbacks last season. Bridgewater also has an NFL-high seven games in 13 weeks against such teams in 2020.
The Panthers quarterback is my No. 20 option this season and should be on a roster in your league based on his weak schedule.
Top 25 Fantasy Football Quarterback Rankings for 2020
1. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs, Bye Week 10
2. Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks, Bye Week 6
3. Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys, Bye Week 8
4. Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens, Bye Week 8
5. Carson Wentz, Philadelphia Eagles, Bye Week 9
6. Deshaun Watson, Houston Texans, Bye Week 8
7. Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons, Bye Week 10
8. Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints, Bye Week 6
9. Tom Brady, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Bye Week 13
10. Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals, Bye Week 8
11. Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills, Bye Week 11
Advertisement
12. Jared Goff, Los Angeles Rams, Bye Week 9
13. Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers, Bye Week 5
14. Baker Mayfield, Cleveland Browns, Bye Week 9
15. Cam Newton, New England Patriots, Bye Week 6
16. Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers, Bye Week 8
17. Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions, Bye Week 5
18. Kirk Cousins, Minnesota Vikings, Bye Week 7
19. Nick Foles, Chicago Bears, Bye Week 11
20. Teddy Bridgewater, Carolina Panthers, Bye Week 13


upi--2020-08-24--Florida makes last-ditch effort to save its oyster capital

Aug. 24 ( UPI ) -- Florida wildlife officials are attempting to resurrect the crown jewel of the state 's collapsed oyster industry , Apalachicola Bay , by shutting down the harvest of the once-iconic mollusk that dominated local cuisine .
At stake is not only the future of an entire industry , but also the health of the northern Gulf of Mexico 's ecosystems and a way of life for oyster harvesters .
Many of those harvesters consider the five-year moratorium , which went into effect Aug. 1 , a last-ditch necessity if the bay 's oyster reefs hope @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of wild oysters from the bay and prohibits on-the-water possession of harvesting equipment , namely oyster tongs , through 2025 , or until a broad recovery occurs .
`` It made me sick to see the harvests getting smaller and smaller each year .
Most of us knew something was terribly wrong , '' said Shannon Hartsfield , of Apalachicola , who gave up the line of work after conditions deteriorated .
Hartsfield said he joined local efforts to restore the bay and began to advocate for the harvest ban , which sometimes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tried to stay in business .
He said he helped to reseed the bay with oysters and build up the sandy reefs on which they grow -- and was horrified each time reports of a comeback circulated in recent years and hundreds of boats rushed out to haul in oysters .
Any oyster revival was destroyed each time , he said .
`` Oystermen who had to find jobs in construction and other trades would drop everything they were doing and basically remove all the oysters again , '' Hartsfield said .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just do n't care about the future , and that 's a real problem . ''
Hartsfield said he also witnessed buyers become desperate as harvests declined and buy illegal harvests of juvenile oysters .
At the same time , he noticed fewer game wardens on the water , and less enforcement of regulations than in past decades .
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission did not respond to questions about enforcement .
The bay in northwest Florida , about 80 miles south of Tallahassee , had been one of Florida 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % of Florida 's oysters and over 10 % of the nation 's oysters , with harvests reaching 2 million pounds of meat annually in the early 2000s , according to a 2008 report from the Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve .
But droughts that gripped the region between 2007 and 2012 made the bay too salty for oysters .
In fact , oyster , shrimp , blue crab and finfish harvests fell in 2012 to their lowest points since the mid-1960s and never fully recovered .
State and federal wildlife agencies tried @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a low point , but powerful Hurricane Michael strafed the bay again in 2018 .
The eye struck Mexico Beach , just 35 miles to the west , ruining any remaining oyster beds .
Oysters and oyster harvests had been a way of life , said Steve Rash , a seafood wholesaler in Apalachicola , who formerly scooped up the shellfish as a hobby .
Rash said he moved to the region because of its natural resources and outdoor recreation , which he learned about as a student at Florida State University in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a few angry about the ban , but most have accepted there are very few oysters out there anymore , '' Rash said .
`` Oysters build reefs of shells that provide habitat for fish and shrimp , and they also filter the water .
They even provide some protection from storm surge . ''
Rash said he stopped handling locally caught oysters when the harvests dwindled .
He buys his oysters mostly from Texas and Louisiana , which still have wild oyster reefs and harvests .
About 10 % of his oysters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do n't realize how special Apalachicola is , and how vulnerable the bay is .
Historically , it was among the most productive for seafood in North America , '' Rash said .
Although the moratorium might seem drastic to some , officials have placed similar restrictions on the bay in the past .
The state closed access to the oyster reefs there after Hurricane Elena in 1985 , said Leslie Sturmer , shellfish aquaculture agent with Florida Sea Grant , a university-backed program that backs research and education about coastal resources .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ reefs , she said .
Sturmer now works in the Cedar Key area , about 200 miles east of Apalachicola , which has some oyster beds .
She said a few oyster harvesters from Apalachicola recently moved to the Cedar Key for that reason .
`` Certainly , this is disastrous for a way of life up there , but the harvests have been so low for eight years that many of the oystermen have moved on , '' Sturmer said .
No one is sure how long it will take for oysters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
For now , state employees , university researchers , and environmental groups are working on restoring the oyster habitat .
That includes spreading shells on the seafloor to provide a place for oyster larvae to grow , according to Georgia Ackerman , executive director of the non-profit environmental group Apalachicola Riverkeeper , which part of an advisory panel on restoration efforts .
Evidence of a rebound is defined as finding 300 60-pound bags per acre of adult oysters -- 18,000 pounds -- `` on a significant number of reefs , '' said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the conservation commission .
The $ 20 million allotted for restoration work comes through the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation 's Gulf Environmental Benefits Fund , which received $ 2.5 billion from plea agreements arising from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil platform explosion and oil spill in the Gulf .
`` While [ a moratorium ] is a difficult decision to make , ultimately it 's the right decision , '' Ackerman said .
`` The damage took years to have this impact , and it will take years to repair it .
@

1/2
Florida banned harvesting oysters in Apalachicola Bay, as local resident Jack Osburn did in this 2013 photo, starting Aug. 1, for up to five years. Photo courtesy of Heather Rash
Aug. 24 (UPI) -- Florida wildlife officials are attempting to resurrect the crown jewel of the state's collapsed oyster industry, Apalachicola Bay, by shutting down the harvest of the once-iconic mollusk that dominated local cuisine. At stake is not only the future of an entire industry, but also the health of the northern Gulf of Mexico's ecosystems and a way of life for oyster harvesters. Advertisement
Many of those harvesters consider the five-year moratorium, which went into effect Aug. 1, a last-ditch necessity if the bay's oyster reefs hope to recover.
It suspends all taking of wild oysters from the bay and prohibits on-the-water possession of harvesting equipment, namely oyster tongs, through 2025, or until a broad recovery occurs.
"It made me sick to see the harvests getting smaller and smaller each year. Most of us knew something was terribly wrong," said Shannon Hartsfield, of Apalachicola, who gave up the line of work after conditions deteriorated.
Advertisement
Hartsfield said he joined local efforts to restore the bay and began to advocate for the harvest ban, which sometimes sparked anger from the few people who tried to stay in business.
He said he helped to reseed the bay with oysters and build up the sandy reefs on which they grow -- and was horrified each time reports of a comeback circulated in recent years and hundreds of boats rushed out to haul in oysters.
Any oyster revival was destroyed each time, he said.
"Oystermen who had to find jobs in construction and other trades would drop everything they were doing and basically remove all the oysters again," Hartsfield said. "There are a lot of guys who just don't care about the future, and that's a real problem."
Illegal harvests
Hartsfield said he also witnessed buyers become desperate as harvests declined and buy illegal harvests of juvenile oysters.
At the same time, he noticed fewer game wardens on the water, and less enforcement of regulations than in past decades. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission did not respond to questions about enforcement.
The bay in northwest Florida, about 80 miles south of Tallahassee, had been one of Florida's most productive fisheries.
Advertisement
It produced 90% of Florida's oysters and over 10% of the nation's oysters, with harvests reaching 2 million pounds of meat annually in the early 2000s, according to a 2008 report from the Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve.
Droughts hurt
But droughts that gripped the region between 2007 and 2012 made the bay too salty for oysters. In fact, oyster, shrimp, blue crab and finfish harvests fell in 2012 to their lowest points since the mid-1960s and never fully recovered.
State and federal wildlife agencies tried to restore oyster reefs after harvests hit a low point, but powerful Hurricane Michael strafed the bay again in 2018. The eye struck Mexico Beach, just 35 miles to the west, ruining any remaining oyster beds.
Oysters and oyster harvests had been a way of life, said Steve Rash, a seafood wholesaler in Apalachicola, who formerly scooped up the shellfish as a hobby.
Rash said he moved to the region because of its natural resources and outdoor recreation, which he learned about as a student at Florida State University in Tallahassee.
"There may have been a few angry about the ban, but most have accepted there are very few oysters out there anymore," Rash said. "Oysters build reefs of shells that provide habitat for fish and shrimp, and they also filter the water. They even provide some protection from storm surge."
Advertisement
Rash said he stopped handling locally caught oysters when the harvests dwindled. He buys his oysters mostly from Texas and Louisiana, which still have wild oyster reefs and harvests. About 10% of his oysters come are farmed-raised.
"Many people don't realize how special Apalachicola is, and how vulnerable the bay is. Historically, it was among the most productive for seafood in North America," Rash said.
Although the moratorium might seem drastic to some, officials have placed similar restrictions on the bay in the past.
Previous closures
The state closed access to the oyster reefs there after Hurricane Elena in 1985, said Leslie Sturmer, shellfish aquaculture agent with Florida Sea Grant, a university-backed program that backs research and education about coastal resources. Those closures boosted the revival of the reefs, she said.
Sturmer now works in the Cedar Key area, about 200 miles east of Apalachicola, which has some oyster beds. She said a few oyster harvesters from Apalachicola recently moved to the Cedar Key for that reason.
"Certainly, this is disastrous for a way of life up there, but the harvests have been so low for eight years that many of the oystermen have moved on," Sturmer said.
No one is sure how long it will take for oysters to return in large numbers, though. For now, state employees, university researchers, and environmental groups are working on restoring the oyster habitat.
Advertisement
That includes spreading shells on the seafloor to provide a place for oyster larvae to grow, according to Georgia Ackerman, executive director of the non-profit environmental group Apalachicola Riverkeeper, which part of an advisory panel on restoration efforts.
Evidence of a rebound is defined as finding 300 60-pound bags per acre of adult oysters -- 18,000 pounds -- "on a significant number of reefs," said Amanda Nalley, public information officer for the conservation commission.
The $20 million allotted for restoration work comes through the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation's Gulf Environmental Benefits Fund, which received $2.5 billion from plea agreements arising from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil platform explosion and oil spill in the Gulf.
"While [a moratorium] is a difficult decision to make, ultimately it's the right decision," Ackerman said. "The damage took years to have this impact, and it will take years to repair it."


upi--2020-08-24--Judge halts Trump campaign lawsuit against Pennsylvania ballot drop boxes

Aug. 24 ( UPI ) -- A federal judge has stayed President Donald Trump 's re-election campaign lawsuit seeking to prohibit Pennsylvania from using ballot drop boxes in elections ahead of the general election in November .
District Judge J. Nicholas Ranjan in Pittsburgh ruled Sunday against the Trump campaign , the Republican National Committee , three U.S. congressmen from Pennsylvania and two Republican voters who filed the lawsuit in late June , arguing that the mail ballot drop boxes were unconstitutional , CNN reported .
`` VICTORY , '' the American Civil Liberties Union said on Twitter after the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ court just temporarily blocked the Trump administration 's efforts to limit ballots in Pennsylvania , saying this is an issue for state courts . ''
`` Drop boxes are crucial for our democracy , especially during a pandemic , '' the nonpartisan legal and advocacy organization said .
Ranjan , a Trump appointee , ruled that he will `` apply the brakes to this lawsuit '' and allow Pennsylvania state courts to decide on the state 's statutes that are the foundation to the plaintiffs ' constitutional arguments .
The ruling came after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Aug. 13 to produce evidence of vote-by-mail fraud to support claims in the lawsuit .
`` The Court finds that instances of voter fraud are relevant to claims and defenses in this case , '' Ranjan wrote .
The lawsuit named Pennsylvania Secretary of State Kathy Boockvar and the boards of elections for all 67 of the state 's counties as defendants , alleging that the drop boxes used in Pennsylvania 's June 2 primary violated constitutional guarantees of equal protection .

A federal judge has placed a hold on a lawsuit from the re-election campaign of President Donald Trump suing Pennsylvania over its uses of ballot drop boxes. Photo by Tasos Katopodis/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 24 (UPI) -- A federal judge has stayed President Donald Trump's re-election campaign lawsuit seeking to prohibit Pennsylvania from using ballot drop boxes in elections ahead of the general election in November. District Judge J. Nicholas Ranjan in Pittsburgh ruled Sunday against the Trump campaign, the Republican National Committee, three U.S. congressmen from Pennsylvania and two Republican voters who filed the lawsuit in late June, arguing that the mail ballot drop boxes were unconstitutional, CNN reported. Advertisement
"VICTORY," the American Civil Liberties Union said on Twitter after the verdict was announced. "A federal court just temporarily blocked the Trump administration's efforts to limit ballots in Pennsylvania, saying this is an issue for state courts."
"Drop boxes are crucial for our democracy, especially during a pandemic," the nonpartisan legal and advocacy organization said.
Ranjan, a Trump appointee, ruled that he will "apply the brakes to this lawsuit" and allow Pennsylvania state courts to decide on the state's statutes that are the foundation to the plaintiffs' constitutional arguments.
The ruling came after Ranjan ordered the president's re-election campaign on Aug. 13 to produce evidence of vote-by-mail fraud to support claims in the lawsuit.
Advertisement
"The Court finds that instances of voter fraud are relevant to claims and defenses in this case," Ranjan wrote.
The lawsuit named Pennsylvania Secretary of State Kathy Boockvar and the boards of elections for all 67 of the state's counties as defendants, alleging that the drop boxes used in Pennsylvania's June 2 primary violated constitutional guarantees of equal protection.