chicagosun-times--2020-07-04--Kansas newspaper’s post equates mask mandate with Holocaust

TOPEKA , Kan. — A weekly Kansas newspaper whose publisher is a county Republican Party chairman posted a cartoon on its Facebook page likening the Democratic governor ’ s order requiring people to wear masks in public to the roundup and murder of millions of Jews during the Holocaust .
The cartoon on the Anderson County Review ’ s Facebook page depicts Gov .
Laura Kelly wearing a mask with a Jewish Star of David on it , next to a drawing of people being loaded onto train cars .
Its caption is , “ Lockdown Laura says : Put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the cattle car.
” The newspaper posted the cartoon on Friday , the day that Kelly ’ s mask order aimed at stemming the spread of the coronavirus took effect .
It ’ s drawn several hundred comments , many of them strongly critical .
Dane Hicks , the paper ’ s owner and publisher , said in an email to The Associated Press that he plans to publish the cartoon in the newspaper ’ s next edition Thursday .
Kelly , who is Catholic , issued a statement saying , “ Mr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ imagery is deeply offensive and he should remove it immediately.
” But Hicks said in an email that political cartoons are “ gross over-caricatures designed to provoke debate ” and “ fodder for the marketplace of ideas.
” “ The topic here is the governmental overreach which has been the hallmark of Governor Kelly ’ s administration , ” he said .
As for the cartoon ’ s reference to the Holocaust , Hicks said critics of President Donald Trump have compared him to Adolf Hitler , and , “ I certainly have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Kelly ’ s actions , in an editorial cartoon sort of way , than Trump ’ s critics do , yet they persist in it daily.
” Hicks ’ newspaper is based in the Anderson County seat of Garnett , about 65 miles ( 105 kilometers ) southwest of Kansas City and has a circulation of about 2,100 , according to the Kansas Press Association .
Hicks also is Anderson County ’ s GOP chairman .
Kansas Republican Party Chairman Michael Kuckelman said in a text that posting the cartoon is “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attorney , added , “ it is on the newspaper Facebook page and media has wide berth with ( the ) First Amendment ( to the U.S. Constitution , guaranteeing freedom of speech and the press ) .
Critics of the cartoon demanded that Republican Party and GOP legislative leaders to repudiate the cartoon and Hicks .
Kansas Senate Minority Leader Anthony Hensley , a Topeka Democrat , called the cartoon “ appalling ” and disgusting.
” Kansas House Minority Leader Tom Sawyer , a Wichita Democrat , said the cartoon ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dangerous.
” Rabbi Moti Rieber , executive director of Kansas Interfaith Action , said most if not all comparisons of current political events to the Holocaust are “ odious ” and said it ’ s “ incoherent ” to equate an action designed to save lives with mass murder .
Finally , he said , putting the Star of David on Kelly ’ s mask is anti-Semitic because it implies “ nefarious Jews ” are behind her actions .
“ This thing is like the trifecta of garbage , ” Rieber said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ their relatives or other Jews are offended , he would apologize to them because he means “ no slight to them.
” “ Then again , they better than anyone should appreciate the harbingers of governmental overreach and the present but tender seedlings of tyranny , ” he added .
Hicks also derided some of his social media critics as “ liberal Marxist parasites , ” adding , “ As a traditional American , they are my enemy.
” Some Republicans have criticized Kelly ’ s order as infringing on personal liberties , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out and Anderson County has done so .
The governor issued the order because of resurgence in reported coronavirus cases that increased the state ’ s total to nearly 16,000 as of Friday , when Kansas finished its worst two-week spike since the pandemic began .
The state has reported 277 COVID-19-related deaths .
The number of infections is thought to be far higher because many people have not been tested , and studies suggest people can be infected with the virus without feeling sick .
Hicks previously criticized Kelly in a blog @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to reopening what he called the state ’ s “ bureaucracy-hammered ” economy .
Kelly lifted statewide restrictions on businesses and public gatherings on May 26 after weeks of criticism from the Republican-controlled Legislature that she was moving too slowly to reopen the state ’ s economy .
Some conservative GOP lawmakers also have accused her of being heavy-handed and even dictatorial in responding to the pandemic .
Anderson County , with about 7,900 residents , is part of a conservative swath of eastern Kansas .
Registered Republicans outnumber Democrats 2-to-1 and Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the vote in 2016 .
The state health department has reported only four coronavirus cases for Anderson County , all of them since May 8 .
There have been no reported deaths there .
County Commission Chairman Jerry Howarter said of the more than 70 people who showed up to its meeting on the mask mandate Friday , all but one opposed it .
He said he had not seen the cartoon .

TOPEKA, Kan. — A weekly Kansas newspaper whose publisher is a county Republican Party chairman posted a cartoon on its Facebook page likening the Democratic governor’s order requiring people to wear masks in public to the roundup and murder of millions of Jews during the Holocaust.
The cartoon on the Anderson County Review’s Facebook page depicts Gov. Laura Kelly wearing a mask with a Jewish Star of David on it, next to a drawing of people being loaded onto train cars. Its caption is, “Lockdown Laura says: Put on your mask … and step onto the cattle car.”
The newspaper posted the cartoon on Friday, the day that Kelly’s mask order aimed at stemming the spread of the coronavirus took effect. It’s drawn several hundred comments, many of them strongly critical. Dane Hicks, the paper’s owner and publisher, said in an email to The Associated Press that he plans to publish the cartoon in the newspaper’s next edition Thursday.
Kelly, who is Catholic, issued a statement saying, “Mr. Hicks’ decision to publish anti-Semitic imagery is deeply offensive and he should remove it immediately.”
But Hicks said in an email that political cartoons are “gross over-caricatures designed to provoke debate” and “fodder for the marketplace of ideas.”
“The topic here is the governmental overreach which has been the hallmark of Governor Kelly’s administration,” he said.
As for the cartoon’s reference to the Holocaust, Hicks said critics of President Donald Trump have compared him to Adolf Hitler, and, “I certainly have more evidence of that kind of totalitarianism in Kelly’s actions, in an editorial cartoon sort of way, than Trump’s critics do, yet they persist in it daily.”
Hicks’ newspaper is based in the Anderson County seat of Garnett, about 65 miles (105 kilometers) southwest of Kansas City and has a circulation of about 2,100, according to the Kansas Press Association.
Hicks also is Anderson County’s GOP chairman. Kansas Republican Party Chairman Michael Kuckelman said in a text that posting the cartoon is “inappropriate.”
But Kuckelman, also an attorney, added, “it is on the newspaper Facebook page and media has wide berth with (the) First Amendment (to the U.S. Constitution, guaranteeing freedom of speech and the press).
Critics of the cartoon demanded that Republican Party and GOP legislative leaders to repudiate the cartoon and Hicks.
Kansas Senate Minority Leader Anthony Hensley, a Topeka Democrat, called the cartoon “appalling” and disgusting.” Kansas House Minority Leader Tom Sawyer, a Wichita Democrat, said the cartoon’s rhetoric is “irresponsible” and “dangerous.”
Rabbi Moti Rieber, executive director of Kansas Interfaith Action, said most if not all comparisons of current political events to the Holocaust are “odious” and said it’s “incoherent” to equate an action designed to save lives with mass murder. Finally, he said, putting the Star of David on Kelly’s mask is anti-Semitic because it implies “nefarious Jews” are behind her actions.
“This thing is like the trifecta of garbage,” Rieber said.
Hicks said that if Holocaust survivors, their relatives or other Jews are offended, he would apologize to them because he means “no slight to them.”
“Then again, they better than anyone should appreciate the harbingers of governmental overreach and the present but tender seedlings of tyranny,” he added.
Hicks also derided some of his social media critics as “liberal Marxist parasites,” adding, “As a traditional American, they are my enemy.”
Some Republicans have criticized Kelly’s order as infringing on personal liberties, though Kansas law allows counties to opt out and Anderson County has done so.
The governor issued the order because of resurgence in reported coronavirus cases that increased the state’s total to nearly 16,000 as of Friday, when Kansas finished its worst two-week spike since the pandemic began. The state has reported 277 COVID-19-related deaths. The number of infections is thought to be far higher because many people have not been tested, and studies suggest people can be infected with the virus without feeling sick.
Hicks previously criticized Kelly in a blog post for taking a “one-size-fits-all approach to reopening what he called the state’s “bureaucracy-hammered” economy.
Kelly lifted statewide restrictions on businesses and public gatherings on May 26 after weeks of criticism from the Republican-controlled Legislature that she was moving too slowly to reopen the state’s economy. Some conservative GOP lawmakers also have accused her of being heavy-handed and even dictatorial in responding to the pandemic.
Anderson County, with about 7,900 residents, is part of a conservative swath of eastern Kansas. Registered Republicans outnumber Democrats 2-to-1 and Trump carried it with nearly 73% of the vote in 2016.
The state health department has reported only four coronavirus cases for Anderson County, all of them since May 8. There have been no reported deaths there.
County Commission Chairman Jerry Howarter said of the more than 70 people who showed up to its meeting on the mask mandate Friday, all but one opposed it. He said he had not seen the cartoon.


chicagosun-times--2020-07-04--Demonstrators call for Fourth of July boycott at Loop march

Protestors Saturday afternoon zig-zagged their way through the Loop calling for a boycott of the Fourth of July holiday until the country achieves greater gains toward racial equality and an end to police brutality .
The demonstration was organized by activist Rabbi Michael Ben Yosef , who spoke at the rally and quoted Frederick Douglass ’ 1852 speech , “ What to the Slave is the Fourth of July ?
” “ [ It is ] a day that reveals to him , more than all other days in the year , the gross injustice and cruelty to which he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , quoting Douglass .
“ To him , your celebration is a sham.
” While others flocked to parks and backyards throughout the city to celebrate Independence Day , Yosef asked protestors to avoid barbecues after leaving the march .
“ There ’ s not a nation as guilty as America , ” he said .
Baird Dodge , a violinist for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra , performed a musical number before the march began .
Dodge said he wanted to use his talents to further the cause of opposing police brutality @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Democratic Socialists of America also spoke at the rally and called for the release of undocumented immigrants from detention centers .
“ As they wave their flag and celebrate today , there are still people who look like me locked up in cages in this same country , ” Garcia told the crowd .
“ That flag is symbolic of a broken promise of justice denied .
Not just to the immigrants that are still in cages ... but of justice denied to my Black brothers and sisters who are killed at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the doors of City Hall , where Yosef called for Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Gov .
J.B. Pritzker to redirect funds from the Chicago Police Department to anti-violence programs .
From City Hall , protestors marched throughout the Loop , held a kneeling circle at State and Randolph streets to memorialize George Floyd and eventually dispersing at Michigan Avenue and Madison Street after about three hours .
Yosef said he intentionally made up the route as he went so that police couldn ’ t surround the group or redirect traffic .
City @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the crowd size Saturday .
A day before , the Rev .
Jesse Jackson discussed the sentiment of the march in a conference call , saying Independence Day “ leaves black folks uninvited to the party.
” “ For us , the American Revolution of 1776 only meant that our lack of humanity would be denied for another 75 years , ” Jackson said .
“ The protestors today are saying , what is your Independence Day to me when I can have a knee put on my neck and [ be ] @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Despite the turnout Saturday , Yosef said he won ’ t be satisfied until every person in Chicago supports the cause .
“ There ’ s still gaps in these streets .
That means we didn ’ t do a good job , ” he said .
“ I ’ ve got to motivate more of these people , and try to find a way to get all our people on this boat .
”

Protestors Saturday afternoon zig-zagged their way through the Loop calling for a boycott of the Fourth of July holiday until the country achieves greater gains toward racial equality and an end to police brutality.
The demonstration was organized by activist Rabbi Michael Ben Yosef, who spoke at the rally and quoted Frederick Douglass’ 1852 speech, “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?”
“[It is] a day that reveals to him, more than all other days in the year, the gross injustice and cruelty to which he is the constant victim,” Yosef said, quoting Douglass. “To him, your celebration is a sham.”
While others flocked to parks and backyards throughout the city to celebrate Independence Day, Yosef asked protestors to avoid barbecues after leaving the march.
“There’s not a nation as guilty as America,” he said.
Demonstrators march Saturday in the Loop during the Boycott 4th of July rally against police brutality. Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
Baird Dodge, a violinist for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, performed a musical number before the march began. Dodge said he wanted to use his talents to further the cause of opposing police brutality and systemic racism.
Activist Robert Garcia with Democratic Socialists of America also spoke at the rally and called for the release of undocumented immigrants from detention centers.
“As they wave their flag and celebrate today, there are still people who look like me locked up in cages in this same country,” Garcia told the crowd. “That flag is symbolic of a broken promise of justice denied. Not just to the immigrants that are still in cages ... but of justice denied to my Black brothers and sisters who are killed at the hands of police.”
Robert Garcia of Democratic Socialists of America speaks Saturday during the Boycott 4th of July rally against police brutality. Pat Nabong/Chicago Sun-Times
Demonstrators marched to the doors of City Hall, where Yosef called for Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Gov. J.B. Pritzker to redirect funds from the Chicago Police Department to anti-violence programs.
From City Hall, protestors marched throughout the Loop, held a kneeling circle at State and Randolph streets to memorialize George Floyd and eventually dispersing at Michigan Avenue and Madison Street after about three hours.
Yosef said he intentionally made up the route as he went so that police couldn’t surround the group or redirect traffic.
City officials declined to provide an estimate of the crowd size Saturday.
Michael Oliva, 32, wears a flag as he joined other protesters Saturday at the Boycott 4th of July rally in downtown Chicago. Pat Nabong/Chicago Sun-Times
A day before, the Rev. Jesse Jackson discussed the sentiment of the march in a conference call, saying Independence Day “leaves black folks uninvited to the party.”
“For us, the American Revolution of 1776 only meant that our lack of humanity would be denied for another 75 years,” Jackson said. “The protestors today are saying, what is your Independence Day to me when I can have a knee put on my neck and [be] ‘lynched’ in public view.”
Despite the turnout Saturday, Yosef said he won’t be satisfied until every person in Chicago supports the cause.
“There’s still gaps in these streets. That means we didn’t do a good job,” he said. “I’ve got to motivate more of these people, and try to find a way to get all our people on this boat.”
Contributing: Maudlyne Ihejirika


chicagosun-times--2020-07-04--For nation’s birthday, President Trump slams the enemies within

WASHINGTON — On a day meant for unity and celebration , President Donald Trump vowed to “ safeguard our values ” from enemies within — leftists , looters , agitators , he said — in a Fourth of July speech packed with all the grievances and combativeness of his political rallies .
Trump watched paratroopers float to the ground in a tribute to America , greeted his audience of front-line medical workers and others central in responding to the coronavirus pandemic , and opened up on those who “ slander ” him and disrespect the country ’ s past .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of defeating the radical left , the anarchists , the agitators , the looters , and the people who , in many instances , have absolutely no clue what they are doing , ” he said .
“ We will never allow an angry mob to tear down our statues , erase our history , indoctrinate our children .
“ And we will protect and preserve American way of life , which began in 1492 when Columbus discovered America.
” He did not mention the dead from the pandemic .
Nearly 130,000 are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S .
Even as officials across the country pleaded with Americans to curb their enthusiasm for large Fourth of July crowds , Trump enticed the masses with a “ special evening ” of tribute and fireworks staged with new U.S. coronavirus infections on the rise .
But the crowds wandering the National Mall for the night ’ s air show and fireworks were strikingly thinner those the gathering for last year ’ s jammed celebration on the Mall .
Many who showed up wore masks , unlike those seated close together for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and distancing was easy to do for those scattered across the sprawling space .
Trump did not hesitate to use the country ’ s birthday as an occasion to assail segments of the country that do not support him .
Carrying on a theme he pounded on a day earlier against the backdrop of the Mount Rushmore monuments , he went after those who have torn down statues or think some of them , particularly those of Confederate figures , should be removed .
Support has been growing among Republicans to remove Confederate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a burden to be cast away , ” Trump said .
Outside the event but as close to it as they could get , Pat Lee of Upper Dublin , Pennsylvania , gathered with two friends , one of them a nurse from Fredericksburg , Virginia , whose only head gear was a MAGA hat .
“ POTUS said it would go away , ” Lee said of the pandemic , using an acronym for president of the United States .
“ Masks , I think , are like a hoax.
” But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump International Hotel , where she stayed .
By the World War II Memorial , the National Park Service handed out packets of five white cloth masks to all who wanted them .
People were not required to wear them .
Another nurse , Zippy Watt from Riverside , California , came to see the air show and fireworks with her husband and their two daughters , one of whom lived in Washington .
They wore matching American flag face masks even when seated together on a park bench .
“ We chose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and others , ” Watt said .
She said her family was divided on Trump but she is “ more of a Trump supporter .
Being from southern California I see socialist tendencies .
I ’ m tired of paying taxes so others can stay home.
” Trump ’ s guests were doctors , nurses , law enforcement officers and military members as well as officials from the administration , said Judd Deere , deputy White House press secretary .
He said the event was a tribute to the “ tremendous courage and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public in the pandemic .
In many parts of the country , authorities discouraged mass gatherings for the holiday after days that have seen COVID-19 cases grow at a rate not experienced even during the deadliest phase of the pandemic in the spring .
In New York , once the epicenter , people were urged to avoid crowds and Nathan ’ s Famous July Fourth hot dog eating contest happened at an undisclosed location without spectators on hand , in advance of the evening ’ s televised fireworks spectacular over the Empire State @ @ @ @ @ @ @ glove-wearing descendants of the signers of the Declaration of Independence participated in a virtual tapping of the famed Liberty Bell on Independence Mall and people were asked to join from afar by clinking glasses , tapping pots or ringing bells .
Yet Trump continued to crave big crowds when it came to his events .
He opened the holiday weekend by traveling to Mount Rushmore in South Dakota for a fireworks display Friday night near the mountain carvings of George Washington , Thomas Jefferson , Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt .
In stark @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pushed for racial justice of engaging in a “ merciless campaign to wipe out our history.
” Even as he pushed ahead with celebrations , the shadow of the coronavirus loomed closer to him .
Kimberly Guilfoyle , a top fundraiser for the president and girlfriend of his eldest child , Donald Trump Jr. , tested positive for the virus , Trump ’ s campaign said late Friday .
Guilfoyle tweeted Saturday that she was looking forward to “ a speedy recovery.
” In a presidential message Saturday morning on the 244th anniversary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Independence , Trump acknowledged that “ over the past months , the American spirit has undoubtedly been tested by many challenges.
” His Democratic rival , Joe Biden , said in a statement that the U.S. “ never lived up ” to its founding principle that “ all men are created equal , ” but today “ we have a chance to rip the roots of systemic racism out of this country.
” Trump ’ s endorsement of big gatherings at the National Mall and at Mount Rushmore came as many communities decided @ @ @ @ @ @ @ holiday traditions in hopes of avoiding yet more surges in infection .
Confirmed cases were climbing in 40 states , and the U.S. set another record Friday with 52,300 newly reported infections , according to the tally kept by Johns Hopkins University .
Trump did not dwell on the pandemic in his remarks Saturday evening .
Instead , he declared that “ our country is in great shape.
” Trump has been aching to see the nation return to normalcy , and has been willing to push the envelope farther than many states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go .
For Trump and the country , it was yet another holiday clouded by a pandemic that the U.S. has failed to bring under control .
In late March , a little more than a week after he bowed to the need to shut down much of the country , Trump spoke of reopening with “ packed ” churches by Easter Sunday .
He relented on that push as his medical advisers warned that it was far too ambitious .
Then he spent chunks of his Memorial Day weekend fuming about critics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and deaths at the time .
With the Independence Day holiday , he told Americans that the nation is “ getting close to fighting our way ” back .
His rosy outlook was out of sync with officials in swaths of the South and West pulling back on reopening because of a surge of cases in their communities .
“ A lot of things are happening that people don ’ t quite see yet , but you ’ ll see over the next couple of months , ” Trump said in a video @ @ @ @

WASHINGTON — On a day meant for unity and celebration, President Donald Trump vowed to “safeguard our values” from enemies within — leftists, looters, agitators, he said — in a Fourth of July speech packed with all the grievances and combativeness of his political rallies.
Trump watched paratroopers float to the ground in a tribute to America, greeted his audience of front-line medical workers and others central in responding to the coronavirus pandemic, and opened up on those who “slander” him and disrespect the country’s past.
“We are now in the process of defeating the radical left, the anarchists, the agitators, the looters, and the people who, in many instances, have absolutely no clue what they are doing,” he said. “We will never allow an angry mob to tear down our statues, erase our history, indoctrinate our children.
“And we will protect and preserve American way of life, which began in 1492 when Columbus discovered America.”
He did not mention the dead from the pandemic. Nearly 130,000 are known to have died from COVID-19 in the U.S.
Even as officials across the country pleaded with Americans to curb their enthusiasm for large Fourth of July crowds, Trump enticed the masses with a “special evening” of tribute and fireworks staged with new U.S. coronavirus infections on the rise.
But the crowds wandering the National Mall for the night’s air show and fireworks were strikingly thinner those the gathering for last year’s jammed celebration on the Mall.
Many who showed up wore masks, unlike those seated close together for Trump’s South Lawn event, and distancing was easy to do for those scattered across the sprawling space.
Trump did not hesitate to use the country’s birthday as an occasion to assail segments of the country that do not support him.
Carrying on a theme he pounded on a day earlier against the backdrop of the Mount Rushmore monuments, he went after those who have torn down statues or think some of them, particularly those of Confederate figures, should be removed. Support has been growing among Republicans to remove Confederate memorials.
“Our past is not a burden to be cast away,” Trump said.
Outside the event but as close to it as they could get, Pat Lee of Upper Dublin, Pennsylvania, gathered with two friends, one of them a nurse from Fredericksburg, Virginia, whose only head gear was a MAGA hat.
“POTUS said it would go away,” Lee said of the pandemic, using an acronym for president of the United States. “Masks, I think, are like a hoax.” But she said she wore one inside the Trump International Hotel, where she stayed.
By the World War II Memorial, the National Park Service handed out packets of five white cloth masks to all who wanted them. People were not required to wear them.
Another nurse, Zippy Watt from Riverside, California, came to see the air show and fireworks with her husband and their two daughters, one of whom lived in Washington. They wore matching American flag face masks even when seated together on a park bench.
“We chose to wear a mask to protect ourselves and others,” Watt said. She said her family was divided on Trump but she is “more of a Trump supporter. Being from southern California I see socialist tendencies. I’m tired of paying taxes so others can stay home.”
Trump’s guests were doctors, nurses, law enforcement officers and military members as well as officials from the administration, said Judd Deere, deputy White House press secretary. He said the event was a tribute to the “tremendous courage and spirit” of front-line workers and the public in the pandemic.
In many parts of the country, authorities discouraged mass gatherings for the holiday after days that have seen COVID-19 cases grow at a rate not experienced even during the deadliest phase of the pandemic in the spring.
In New York, once the epicenter, people were urged to avoid crowds and Nathan’s Famous July Fourth hot dog eating contest happened at an undisclosed location without spectators on hand, in advance of the evening’s televised fireworks spectacular over the Empire State Building.
In Philadelphia, mask- and glove-wearing descendants of the signers of the Declaration of Independence participated in a virtual tapping of the famed Liberty Bell on Independence Mall and people were asked to join from afar by clinking glasses, tapping pots or ringing bells.
Yet Trump continued to crave big crowds when it came to his events.
He opened the holiday weekend by traveling to Mount Rushmore in South Dakota for a fireworks display Friday night near the mountain carvings of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt. In stark words, he accused protesters who have pushed for racial justice of engaging in a “merciless campaign to wipe out our history.”
Even as he pushed ahead with celebrations, the shadow of the coronavirus loomed closer to him. Kimberly Guilfoyle, a top fundraiser for the president and girlfriend of his eldest child, Donald Trump Jr., tested positive for the virus, Trump’s campaign said late Friday. Guilfoyle tweeted Saturday that she was looking forward to “a speedy recovery.”
In a presidential message Saturday morning on the 244th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, Trump acknowledged that “over the past months, the American spirit has undoubtedly been tested by many challenges.”
His Democratic rival, Joe Biden, said in a statement that the U.S. “never lived up” to its founding principle that “all men are created equal,” but today “we have a chance to rip the roots of systemic racism out of this country.”
Trump’s endorsement of big gatherings at the National Mall and at Mount Rushmore came as many communities decided to scrap fireworks, parades and other holiday traditions in hopes of avoiding yet more surges in infection.
Confirmed cases were climbing in 40 states, and the U.S. set another record Friday with 52,300 newly reported infections, according to the tally kept by Johns Hopkins University.
Trump did not dwell on the pandemic in his remarks Saturday evening. Instead, he declared that “our country is in great shape.”
Trump has been aching to see the nation return to normalcy, and has been willing to push the envelope farther than many states and big city mayors are willing to go.
For Trump and the country, it was yet another holiday clouded by a pandemic that the U.S. has failed to bring under control.
In late March, a little more than a week after he bowed to the need to shut down much of the country, Trump spoke of reopening with “packed” churches by Easter Sunday. He relented on that push as his medical advisers warned that it was far too ambitious. Then he spent chunks of his Memorial Day weekend fuming about critics who he said were ignoring falling cases and deaths at the time.
With the Independence Day holiday, he told Americans that the nation is “getting close to fighting our way” back. His rosy outlook was out of sync with officials in swaths of the South and West pulling back on reopening because of a surge of cases in their communities.
“A lot of things are happening that people don’t quite see yet, but you’ll see over the next couple of months,” Trump said in a video message on Twitter.


chicagosun-times--2020-07-04--2 killed, 2 hurt in Douglas shooting

2 killed, 2 hurt in Douglas shooting

Two people have died after a shooting in late June that wounded four men in Douglas on the South Side @ @ @ @ @ a large gathering about 11:35 p.m. June 27 in the 3100 block of South Rhodes @ @ @ @ @ by bullets , Chicago police said .
They were all taken to the University of @ @ @ @ @ 24-year-old man who was struck in the groin died , police said .
The Cook @ @ @ @ @ office hasn ’ t released details about his death .
Lewis Funches Jr. , 22 @ @ @ @ @ head and died Thursday afternoon , officials said .
An autopsy ruled his death a @ @ @ @ @ , 19 and 21 years old , were shot in the leg , police said @ @ @ @ @ in good condition while the other was in fair condition .
Two suspects were taken @ @ @ @ @ without charges , police said .
Read more on crime , and track the city @ @ @ @

Two people have died after a shooting in late June that wounded four men in Douglas on the South Side.
The men were at a large gathering about 11:35 p.m. June 27 in the 3100 block of South Rhodes Avenue when they were struck by bullets, Chicago police said. They were all taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center.
Kehinde A. Ojunleye was struck in the groin died, police and the Cook County medical examiner’s office said.
Lewis Funches Jr., 22, was shot in the head and died Thursday afternoon, officials said. An autopsy ruled his death a homicide.
Two more men, 19 and 21 years old, were shot in the leg, police said. The younger man was in good condition while the other was in fair condition.
Two suspects were taken in for questioning but released without charges, police said.
Area One detectives are investigating.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-07-04--The Cubs played baseball — just an intrasquad scrimmage, but it sure felt good

Kris Bryant lined a single to left on a 3-2 pitch , loading the bases with one out to end the inning .
It ’ s true .
Just when the “ visiting ” Cubs had a nice , juicy rally going against Kyle Hendricks and the “ home ” Cubs Saturday at Wrigley Field , manager David Ross had the temerity to nip it in the bud .
Something about a pitch count .
Doesn ’ t Ross realize it ’ s July ?
Boos cascaded across the field at the rookie skipper from the visiting dugout .
Anthony @ @ @ @ @ @ @ something to do with it .
In all , it was a pretty good time .
There was baseball at Wrigley , even if it was merely the Cubs ’ first live intrasquad scrimmage since spring training was halted in March due to the coronavirus outbreak .
Hendricks got dinged some , including a pair of sharp singles by Victor Caratini , but he struck out newcomer Steven Souza twice on good-looking breaking balls .
The opposing pitcher — some guy named Yu Darvish — looked a bit sharper , striking out Ian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bender and Kyle Schwarber ( looking ) on a sizzling fastball , though he did surrender a double into the left-field gap to Javy Baez .
Each pitcher recorded seven outs , for those of you scoring at home .
Do these details even matter ?
On a Fourth of July when there were no major league games for the first time since the strike of 1981 , yeah , they kind of do .
If only a little .
“ It was just fun to get back out there , to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Obviously , we do it for the fans , and that ’ s such a huge part of the game , having them there and the cheers , the roars , all that .
But , at the end of the day , at least we get to play baseball .
We ’ re out here with all our friends .
It ’ s just good to see all the guys , get back a sense of normalcy with everything that ’ s going on.
” It wasn ’ t baseball @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day when the Cubs were originally scheduled to be hosting the Rays , it was baseball .
And to make it feel a bit more authentic , Ross made sure there was music pumping through the Wrigley sound system .
Players stretched and took batting practice before the scrimmage to 1980s songs — from Van Halen , AC/DC , Supertramp , Guns N ’ Roses — they almost surely don ’ t love .
No walk-up music or video displays on the giant board above the left-field bleachers yet , but plans for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The more outings like Saturday ’ s feel like the real thing , the closer the Cubs might be to being ready for the start of a 60-game sprint — for them , slated to begin July 24 , according to reports — through the regular season .
Hendricks spent the down time in Arizona and got in lots of work with a handful of Cubs pitchers and hitters .
He threw bullpen sessions , live batting practice and kept his pitch count up .
That doesn ’ t mean he ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he isn ’ t far off and doesn ’ t believe the Cubs ’ staff is on the whole .
“ There will be a few guys that are a little behind , a little ahead , but for the most part , as a group , we are locked in , ” he said .
And — for the record — Hendricks would ’ ve been just fine if Ross hadn ’ t pulled him off the field before Rizzo had a chance to follow Bryant into the batter ’ s box @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wasn ’ t wanting to get off the field , no , ” he said .
“ I ’ m sure [ Rizzo ] wasn ’ t , either .
”

Kris Bryant lined a single to left on a 3-2 pitch, loading the bases with one out to end the inning.
Wait, what?
It’s true. Just when the ‘‘visiting’’ Cubs had a nice, juicy rally going against Kyle Hendricks and the ‘‘home’’ Cubs on Saturday at Wrigley Field, rookie manager David Ross had the temerity to nip it in the bud. Something about a pitch count. Doesn’t Ross realize it’s July?
Boos cascaded at Ross from the visiting dugout across the field. Anthony Rizzo and Willson Contreras might have had something to do with it.
In all, it was a pretty good time. There was baseball at Wrigley, even if it was merely the Cubs’ first live intrasquad scrimmage since spring training was halted in March because of the coronavirus outbreak.
Hendricks got dinged some, including a pair of sharp singles by Victor Caratini, but he struck out newcomer Steven Souza twice on good-looking breaking balls.
The opposing pitcher — some guy named Yu Darvish — looked a bit sharper, striking out Ian Happ (swinging) on a slow bender and Kyle Schwarber (looking) on a sizzling fastball, though he did allow a double into the left-field gap to Javy Baez.
Each pitcher got seven outs, for those of you scoring at home.
Do these details even matter?
On a Fourth of July when there were no major-league games for the first time since 1981, yeah, they kind of do. If only a little.
‘‘It was just fun to get back out there, to be honest with you,’’ Hendricks said. ‘‘Obviously, we do it for the fans, and that’s such a huge part of the game, having them there and the cheers, the roars, all that. But, at the end of the day, at least we get to play baseball. We’re out here with all our friends. It’s just good to see all the guys, get back a sense of normalcy with everything that’s going on.’’
It wasn’t baseball as usual, but, on a day when the Cubs originally were scheduled to be hosting the Rays, it was baseball. And to make it feel a bit more authentic, Ross made sure there was music pumping through the sound system. Players stretched and took batting practice before the scrimmage to 1980s songs — from Van Halen, AC/DC, Supertramp, Guns N’ Roses — they almost surely don’t love.
No walk-up music or video displays on the giant board above the left-field bleachers yet, but plans for that are in the works, too. The more outings such as the one Saturday feel like the real thing, the closer the Cubs might be to being ready for the start of a 60-game sprint — slated to begin for them July 24, according to reports — through the regular season.
Hendricks spent the downtime in Arizona and got in lots of work with a handful of Cubs pitchers and hitters. He threw bullpen sessions and live batting practice and kept his pitch count up. That doesn’t mean he’s ready for the season, but he isn’t far off and doesn’t think the Cubs’ staff on the whole is, either.
‘‘There will be a few guys that are a little behind, a little ahead,’’ Hendricks said. ‘‘But for the most part, as a group, we are locked in.’’
And — for the record — Hendricks would’ve been just fine if Ross hadn’t pulled him off the field before Rizzo had a chance to follow Bryant into the batter’s box with the bags jammed.
‘‘I wasn’t wanting to get off the field, no,’’ he said. ‘‘I’m sure [Rizzo] wasn’t, either.’’


chicagosun-times--2020-07-04--‘Unsolved Mysteries’ revival on Netflix surges in popularity with tips already coming in

A day after its revival on Netflix , ” Unsolved Mysteries ” already has received what producers feel are 20 credible tips toward solving some of the cases featured in the six episodes released Wednesday .
That response echoes the thousands of leads submitted by viewers during the show ’ s earlier run on NBC , CBS and Lifetime from 1988 to 2002 .
Executive producer Terry Dunn Meurer , who co-created the series , says more than 260 mysteries from the original were ultimately resolved with the help of tips and other factors , such as increasingly sophisticated DNA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ we have received tips , ” Meurer told USA TODAY Thursday .
When they seem credible , “ we pass them on to the appropriate authorities .
It ’ s only been 24 hours .
We ’ re hoping there ’ s a lot of people who still haven ’ t watched and maybe this weekend they ’ ll sit down and binge the episodes and we ’ ll get more leads.
” In another measure of the unscripted program ’ s enduring appeal , “ Mysteries ” ranked as the No @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. on Thursday .
( Six more episodes will be available for streaming later this year . )
The latest version of the series , a pioneer in reality crime and paranormal programming , includes familiar features from the original , such as the scary musical theme .
However , it differs in significant ways , going without a narrator to take the place of Robert Stack , the tough-guy presence with the gravelly voice who hosted and narrated until 2002 .
He died in 2003 .
“ Everybody talks about how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ episodes and it sends a chill up their spine , ” Meurer says .
“ And then we had to make a tough decision : Should we have a host ?
We decided it would be impossible to fill Bob ’ s shoes.
” The updated “ Mysteries ” focuses on one case per episode , lasting from 38 to 51 minutes without commercials , rather than the three or four unresolved cases previously featured during each network hour .
The show still advises viewers that it ’ s not a news program @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end .
But updates on case resolution may now appear on the show ’ s website or via social media rather than at the end of an episode .
The show still tries to cover a broad range of cases , from murder to the paranormal .
New episodes feature questions about the cause of death of a man found at a Baltimore hotel in 2006 ; the disappearance of a man whose wife and four children were found murdered at their home in France in 2011 ; and a reported UFO sighting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Meurer says “ Mysteries ” has received three tips it passed on to the FBI related to the death of Alonzo Brooks , whose body was found a month after he disappeared following a party in rural Kansas in 2004 .
Tips also came in relating to the cause of death of Rey Rivera , whom Baltimore police said died of suicide , and the disappearance of Lena Chapin , who was supposed to testify against her mother in her stepfather ’ s death .
The new “ Mysteries ” episodes rely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other interested parties and documentary footage , skipping the original ’ s actor reenactments that many viewers found cheesy but nevertheless loved .
( They also were the place for early sightings of Matthew McConaughey , Daniel Dae Kim and a youthful Taran Killam . )
“ We didn ’ t want to just produce the same show ( from ) 20 years ago .
We wanted it to be fresh and feel contemporary , ” Meurer says .
“ Mysteries ” has had to adapt to dramatic advances in technology since the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2002 .
The missing-persons category has diminished in an age of widespread DNA analysis , Meurer says .
“ We don ’ t have nearly as many ‘ lost-love ’ story submissions as we did , because people can find people ( now ) with Ancestry.com , 23andMe and the Internet , ” she says .
“ We don ’ t have as many UFO stories , because ( with ) cellphones , you figure if somebody saw ( a UFO ) a lot of people would be recording it , not just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heard anything yet from Netflix about making more episodes , but she ’ d like to continue and expects viewers will suggest stories .
“ We would love to do more , ” she says .
“ There are a lot of mysteries out there that need to be solved .
”

That didn’t take long.
A day after its revival on Netflix, ”Unsolved Mysteries” already has received what producers feel are 20 credible tips toward solving some of the cases featured in the six episodes released Wednesday.
That response echoes the thousands of leads submitted by viewers during the show’s earlier run on NBC, CBS and Lifetime from 1988 to 2002. Executive producer Terry Dunn Meurer, who co-created the series, says more than 260 mysteries from the original were ultimately resolved with the help of tips and other factors, such as increasingly sophisticated DNA testing.
Since the Netflix premiere, “we have received tips,” Meurer told USA TODAY Thursday. When they seem credible, “we pass them on to the appropriate authorities. It’s only been 24 hours. We’re hoping there’s a lot of people who still haven’t watched and maybe this weekend they’ll sit down and binge the episodes and we’ll get more leads.”
In another measure of the unscripted program’s enduring appeal, “Mysteries” ranked as the No. 1 TV show on Netflix in the U.S. on Thursday. (Six more episodes will be available for streaming later this year.)
The latest version of the series, a pioneer in reality crime and paranormal programming, includes familiar features from the original, such as the scary musical theme. However, it differs in significant ways, going without a narrator to take the place of Robert Stack, the tough-guy presence with the gravelly voice who hosted and narrated until 2002. He died in 2003.
“Everybody talks about how they hear that music from the original episodes and it sends a chill up their spine,” Meurer says. “And then we had to make a tough decision: Should we have a host? We decided it would be impossible to fill Bob’s shoes.”
The updated “Mysteries” focuses on one case per episode, lasting from 38 to 51 minutes without commercials, rather than the three or four unresolved cases previously featured during each network hour. The show still advises viewers that it’s not a news program and asks for their tips at the end. But updates on case resolution may now appear on the show’s website or via social media rather than at the end of an episode.
The show still tries to cover a broad range of cases, from murder to the paranormal. New episodes feature questions about the cause of death of a man found at a Baltimore hotel in 2006; the disappearance of a man whose wife and four children were found murdered at their home in France in 2011; and a reported UFO sighting in Massachusetts in 1969.
So far, Meurer says “Mysteries” has received three tips it passed on to the FBI related to the death of Alonzo Brooks, whose body was found a month after he disappeared following a party in rural Kansas in 2004. Tips also came in relating to the cause of death of Rey Rivera, whom Baltimore police said died of suicide, and the disappearance of Lena Chapin, who was supposed to testify against her mother in her stepfather’s death.
The new “Mysteries” episodes rely more on interviews with family members and other interested parties and documentary footage, skipping the original’s actor reenactments that many viewers found cheesy but nevertheless loved. (They also were the place for early sightings of Matthew McConaughey, Daniel Dae Kim and a youthful Taran Killam.)
“We didn’t want to just produce the same show (from) 20 years ago. We wanted it to be fresh and feel contemporary,” Meurer says.
“Mysteries” has had to adapt to dramatic advances in technology since the show’s last original season in 2002. The missing-persons category has diminished in an age of widespread DNA analysis, Meurer says.
“We don’t have nearly as many ‘lost-love’ story submissions as we did, because people can find people (now) with Ancestry.com, 23andMe and the Internet,” she says. “We don’t have as many UFO stories, because (with) cellphones, you figure if somebody saw (a UFO) a lot of people would be recording it, not just one person.”
Meurer hasn’t heard anything yet from Netflix about making more episodes, but she’d like to continue and expects viewers will suggest stories.
“We would love to do more,” she says. “There are a lot of mysteries out there that need to be solved.”


chicagosun-times--2020-07-04--10 more Illinois coronavirus deaths mark lowest daily toll in 3 months  (LIVE UPDATES)

Health officials on Saturday announced 10 more Illinois deaths have been attributed to COVID-19 , the state ’ s lowest number of coronavirus deaths announced in a single day since March 30 .
The virus has claimed 7,014 lives since the state ’ s first death was confirmed March 17 , but Illinois has seen some of its lowest daily tolls over the last two weeks as the state ’ s pandemic curve appears to be flattening while outbreaks in other states flare to record highs .
Illinois ’ worst coronavirus day came May 13 with 192 deaths , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an average of about 100 COVID-19 deaths per day .
The death rate was about half that in June .
Read the full story by Mitchell Armentrout here .
TOPEKA , Kan. — A weekly Kansas newspaper whose publisher is a county Republican Party chairman posted a cartoon on its Facebook page likening the Democratic governor ’ s order requiring people to wear masks in public to the roundup and murder of millions of Jews during the Holocaust .
The cartoon on the Anderson County Review ’ s Facebook page depicts Gov .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jewish Star of David on it , next to a drawing of people being loaded onto train cars .
Its caption is , “ Lockdown Laura says : Put on your mask … and step onto the cattle car.
” The newspaper posted the cartoon on Friday , the day that Kelly ’ s mask order aimed at stemming the spread of the coronavirus took effect .
It ’ s drawn several hundred comments , many of them strongly critical .
Publisher Dane Hicks , who is also Anderson County ’ s GOP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saturday that he would answer emailed questions about the cartoon once he could reach a computer .
His newspaper is based in the county seat of Garnett , about 65 miles ( 105 kilometers ) southwest of Kansas City and has a circulation of about 2,100 , according to the Kansas Press Association .
Read the full story by The Associated Press here .
5 p.m. Illinois opening more centers to support small businesses suffering from COVID-19 aftermath Seven new state-run centers will open this summer to support Illinois small businesses .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in July or already opened are in Chicago , Elgin and Joliet .
The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Development said the $ 11.5 million effort brings the total of centers statewide to 42 .
“ With many Illinois businesses currently facing unprecedented burdens as a result of COVID-19 and recent civil unrest , our SBDC community partners can be a lifeline for businesses working to reopen safely , ” said Michael Negron , acting director of the department .
Business owners can get one-on-one confidential advice and assistance at the centers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and business planning .
2:45 p.m. How to watch Willie Nelson ’ s Fourth of July Picnic as it moves online because of coronavirus SPICEWOOD , Texas — Willie Nelson ’ s annual Fourth of July Picnic is going ahead this year , but to reduce concerns about the coronavirus , the event will be virtual .
Fans can tune in to the nearly 50-year-old music bash Saturday via luck.stream and williepicnic.com .
Tickets for the picnic are on sale at williepicnic.com .
Other performers expected to play include Sheryl Crow , Ziggy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s fellow Texas-based singers Lyle Lovett , Robert Earl Keen and Kinky Friedman .
Some of the artists will perform at Nelson ’ s Luck Ranch in Spicewood , northwest of Austin .
Others will stream live from elsewhere .
1:11 p.m. Pritzker urges bars , restaurants to follow guidelines as officials announce 18 more coronavirus-related deaths As the state announced 18 more coronavirus-related deaths Friday and more than 800 new cases , Gov .
J.B. Pritzker urged bars and restaurants to continue to follow health guidelines to prevent the spread of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remember to wear masks , social distance and wash their hands during the Fourth of July weekend .
“ The virus is not taking the holiday weekend off , and neither can we , ” Pritzker said in a statement .
“ Letting our guard down now would fly in the face of the progress we ’ ve made over many months .
We have seen that mitigation measures have worked in our state and we ’ ve seen too many other states rapidly lose ground in the fight against the virus.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to close establishments that won ’ t follow occupancy limits laid out under Phase 4 of his reopening plan .
The warning comes a day after a Clay County judge ruled against Pritzker in a lawsuit brought by Rep. Darren Bailey , R-Xenia over the governor ’ s executive orders to slow the spread of the virus .
In his order , Judge Michael McHaney ruled that emergency powers provided under the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act lapsed on April 8 , and any executive orders relating to the virus in effect after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The state has said it will appeal the ruling .
Read the full report from Matthew Hendrickson here .
WASHINGTON — Vice President Mike Pence has long played the straight man to Donald Trump , translating the president ’ s bombast into more measured , calming language .
His job has become even more difficult .
As coronavirus cases spike across large parts of the country despite months of lockdown , Pence has spent the past week trying to convince the American public that things are going very well , even though @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no mistake about it , what you see today is that America is going back to work and the American people are finding a way every day to put this coronavirus farther in the past , ” he told CNBC the same day the country reported more than 55,000 new virus cases , a daily record .
For public health experts , the optimism has been unmoored from reality .
“ It ’ s almost laughable because it doesn ’ t pass any test of credibility when we ’ re seeing spikes in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Larry Gostin , who specializes in public health at Georgetown University Law School .
“ The American people aren ’ t stupid .
They can see spin when there is spin.
” The most important thing Pence can do , Gostin said , “ is to be honest with the American public .
...
They need to be told the truth and then they need to be told what America is going to do to turn this around.
” It ’ s not the first time Pence has been forced to put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he serves as Trump ’ s most loyal soldier .
It may be the most consequential .
11:16 a.m. Coronavirus pandemic should spur family talk about financial planning , too The coronavirus pandemic that ’ s hit Black and Latinx families especially hard has forced an uneasy conversation about death and dying .
But it should also include a conversation about what happens after the worst happens .
Are wills — and more importantly — trusts in place ?
What happens to a family home , for example ?
Families who prepare for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of probate and avoid the lengthy time , expense and bureaucracy it can entail .
And there are affordable or free resources available to help everyone navigate the financial planning landscape .
Englewood resident Earline Alexander said the recent COVID-19 deaths of her father-in-law and his brother within two weeks heightened her awareness of getting her affairs in order .
“ Even though they were in their 80s and had underlying health conditions , had this pandemic not come along , I believe they ’ d still be with us , ” said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a director and manager of nonprofit and government agencies .
Having a last will-and-testament will not keep your estate out of what can be a long , costly and complicated probate process .
To keep the family home out of probate court , with its potential for family feuds , homeowners must set up an alternative planning tool like a trust or a Transfer on Death Instrument , or TODI .
Read the full report from Sandra Guy here .
10:40 a.m. Much of US scales back on holiday , but Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus cases spike , public health officials are pleading with Americans to avoid large crowds and hold more muted Independence Day celebrations , but subdued is not President Donald Trump ’ s style , and he aimed to go big , promising a “ special evening ” in Washington that could bring tens of thousands to the National Mall .
Trump ’ s “ Salute for America ” celebration on Saturday evening was to include a speech from the White House South Lawn that he said would celebrate American heritage , as well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and an enormous fireworks display that could pack people downtown .
The president kicked off the holiday weekend by traveling to Mount Rushmore in South Dakota for a fireworks display Friday night near the mountain carvings of George Washington , Thomas Jefferson , Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt .
In his remarks , he accused protesters who have pushed for racial justice of engaging in a “ merciless campaign to wipe out our history.
” In a presidential message Saturday on the 244th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ months , the American spirit has undoubtedly been tested by many challenges.
” His Democratic rival , Joe Biden , said in a statement that the U.S. “ never lived up ” to its founding principle that “ all men are created equal , ” but that today “ we have a chance to rip the roots of systemic racism out of this country.
’ ’ His participation in big gatherings comes as many communities have decided to scrap fireworks , parades and other holiday traditions .
The goal is to try to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which large gatherings could spur .
Confirmed cases are climbing in 40 states , and the U.S. set another record Friday with 52,300 newly reported infections , according to the tally kept by Johns Hopkins University .
7:24 a.m. High school sports moves into new phase of Return-to-Play on Monday High school athletes will be able to participate in sport-specific activities starting on Monday .
The Illinois Department of Public Health has approved the Illinois High School Association ’ s next phase of return-to-play .
It ’ s called Phase 4 to match @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which is also in Phase 4 .
Athletes were previously limited to conditioning workouts in groups of 10 .
In Phase 4 , groups of 50 are allowed to workout together and balls and other gear can be used .
High school coaches will be allowed 20 contact days with their team that must be used before Aug. 9 .
“ Safety remains at the forefront of everything that the IHSA is doing as we move into Phase 4 and beyond , ” IHSA Executive Director Craig Anderson said .
“ Our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with state leadership to determine how to provide the safest environment possible for fall sports.
” Read the full report from Michael O ’ Brien here .
• Kimberly Guilfoyle , campaign official and Donald Trump Jr. ’ s girlfriend , tests positive for coronavirus .
• DeAndre Jordan says he has tested positive for the coronavirus and won ’ t be joining the Brooklyn Nets in Florida when the NBA season resumes .
• Another 36 people have died of COVID-19 in Illinois , raising the state ’ s coronavirus death toll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Illinois Department of Public Health also reported an additional 869 people tested positive for the virus .
Nearly 145,000 have contracted the virus over the last five months .
• Bachata singer Prince Royce revealed that he is recovering from the virus in an interview with The Associated Press on Thursday .
• Thirty-one Major League Baseball players and seven staff members tested positive for COVID-19 during intake for the resumption of training , a rate of 1.2 % .
• Atlanta Braves four-time All-Star Freddie Freeman , premier reliever Will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the coronavirus , a jarring hit to the NL East champions less than three weeks before the start of the pandemic-delayed season .
• The NBA and the National Basketball Players Association say 16 players tested positive for coronavirus in the first wave of mandatory tests done in preparation for the restart of the season .
5:55 p.m.
There ’ s a decent chance the final score will be COVID-19 , Baseball 0 If the baseball season sat on an examining table , gulped and asked the doctor for its odds of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Seventy-five percent ?
Fifty ?
Or would he shake his head grimly and mumble something about a summer of golf being a nice option ?
It ’ s not good when ‘ ‘ wing ’ ’ and ‘ ‘ prayer ’ ’ are the two words that come to mind when pondering Major League Baseball ’ s chances of playing its 60-game season .
But there are still too many unknowns with COVID-19 , and no amount of best practices , due diligence and rosary beads is going to change that .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ buzz .
Like you , I want something to watch other than my fingernails .
Baseball games , a full season of them , would be a beautiful distraction from the pandemic .
And I certainly don ’ t mean to pick on baseball .
The same doubts nipping at MLB ’ s heels are dogging the NBA , the NFL , the NHL and college football .
I ’ ve wondered in print how sweating , bleeding , frothing football players are going to stay virus-free .
Hint : They ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rick Morrissey here .
7:05 a.m. Wild West competition for face masks has eased ; Illinois stockpiling PPE for a second wave If Illinois experiences a resurgence of COVID-19 later this year , as many expect , state officials say they should be much better prepared from the standpoint of having the necessary medical supplies this time around .
Deputy Gov .
Christian Mitchell said the state has stockpiled tens of millions of face masks and other personal protective equipment — gowns , gloves and shields — in anticipation of a possible second @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pretty well-positioned at this point , ” said Mitchell , who found himself in the eye of the storm in early spring as the governor ’ s point man on PPE procurement .
Back then — just three months ago , though Mitchell said it feels like three years — I told you about the Wild West world of emergency PPE procurement in which governments competed for equipment to respond to the pandemic .
Not only were states and cities vying with each other , they also were up against our federal government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ face masks and other supplies .
Officials ended up bidding up prices as they fought over scarce inventory , much of it located in China , which posed its own complications because of the Trump administration ’ s antagonistic relationship with the Chinese .
Special flights had to be arranged to bring in materials .
It got so crazy at one point that an Illinois state comptroller ’ s employee drove a $ 3.5 million check from Springfield to a McDonald ’ s restaurant in Dwight to hand it off to a Chicago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deadline to close the deal on an order of face masks from China .
“ The dust has settled , ” said Arnold Park , a Chicago lawyer who shifted his family ’ s beauty-supply business into medical supplies during the early days of COVID-19 and later landed two state contracts for PPE .
The need for supplies remains .
But the urgency has eased , according to Park , whose Alicia International Inc. used its Chinese relationships to make the switch .

March 30 — that’s the last time Illinois registered a smaller amount of deaths from the coronavirus. The state reported 10 deaths on Saturday. On March 30, there were 8 deaths. So that’s a good sign.
However, the number of cases are still rising, but not a rate like many of the states that are experiencing major surges. Illinois had 862 more people tested positive for the virus. That’s higher than the average of about 703 cases announced per day over the last 20 days, but it has been nearly a month since the state last topped 1,000 cases in a single day (June 5).
Here’s what’s happening in the fight against the coronavirus in Chicago, the state and the nation.
News
8:30 p.m. 10 more Illinois coronavirus deaths mark lowest daily toll in 3 months
Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times
Health officials on Saturday announced 10 more Illinois deaths have been attributed to COVID-19, the state’s lowest number of coronavirus deaths announced in a single day since March 30.
The virus has claimed 7,014 lives since the state’s first death was confirmed March 17, but Illinois has seen some of its lowest daily tolls over the last two weeks as the state’s pandemic curve appears to be flattening while outbreaks in other states flare to record highs.
Illinois’ worst coronavirus day came May 13 with 192 deaths, the apex of a peak month that saw an average of about 100 COVID-19 deaths per day. The death rate was about half that in June.
Read the full story by Mitchell Armentrout here.
6:30 p.m. Kansas newspaper’s post equates mask mandate with Holocaust
TOPEKA, Kan. — A weekly Kansas newspaper whose publisher is a county Republican Party chairman posted a cartoon on its Facebook page likening the Democratic governor’s order requiring people to wear masks in public to the roundup and murder of millions of Jews during the Holocaust.
The cartoon on the Anderson County Review’s Facebook page depicts Gov. Laura Kelly wearing a mask with a Jewish Star of David on it, next to a drawing of people being loaded onto train cars. Its caption is, “Lockdown Laura says: Put on your mask … and step onto the cattle car.”
The newspaper posted the cartoon on Friday, the day that Kelly’s mask order aimed at stemming the spread of the coronavirus took effect. It’s drawn several hundred comments, many of them strongly critical.
Publisher Dane Hicks, who is also Anderson County’s GOP chairman, told The Associated Press on Saturday that he would answer emailed questions about the cartoon once he could reach a computer. His newspaper is based in the county seat of Garnett, about 65 miles (105 kilometers) southwest of Kansas City and has a circulation of about 2,100, according to the Kansas Press Association.
Read the full story by The Associated Press here.
5 p.m. Illinois opening more centers to support small businesses suffering from COVID-19 aftermath
Seven new state-run centers will open this summer to support Illinois small businesses.
The Small Business Development Centers set to launch in July or already opened are in Chicago, Elgin and Joliet. The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Development said the $11.5 million effort brings the total of centers statewide to 42.
“With many Illinois businesses currently facing unprecedented burdens as a result of COVID-19 and recent civil unrest, our SBDC community partners can be a lifeline for businesses working to reopen safely,” said Michael Negron, acting director of the department.
Business owners can get one-on-one confidential advice and assistance at the centers on many topics including education, training and business planning.
Read the full story here.
2:45 p.m. How to watch Willie Nelson’s Fourth of July Picnic as it moves online because of coronavirus
SPICEWOOD, Texas — Willie Nelson’s annual Fourth of July Picnic is going ahead this year, but to reduce concerns about the coronavirus, the event will be virtual.
Fans can tune in to the nearly 50-year-old music bash Saturday via luck.stream and williepicnic.com. Tickets for the picnic are on sale at williepicnic.com.
Other performers expected to play include Sheryl Crow, Ziggy Marley, Steve Earle and Nelson’s fellow Texas-based singers Lyle Lovett, Robert Earl Keen and Kinky Friedman.
Some of the artists will perform at Nelson’s Luck Ranch in Spicewood, northwest of Austin. Others will stream live from elsewhere.
Read the full report here.
1:11 p.m. Pritzker urges bars, restaurants to follow guidelines as officials announce 18 more coronavirus-related deaths
As the state announced 18 more coronavirus-related deaths Friday and more than 800 new cases, Gov. J.B. Pritzker urged bars and restaurants to continue to follow health guidelines to prevent the spread of the virus.
Residents were also urged to remember to wear masks, social distance and wash their hands during the Fourth of July weekend.
“The virus is not taking the holiday weekend off, and neither can we,” Pritzker said in a statement. “Letting our guard down now would fly in the face of the progress we’ve made over many months. We have seen that mitigation measures have worked in our state and we’ve seen too many other states rapidly lose ground in the fight against the virus.”
Pritzker said he wouldn’t hesitate to close establishments that won’t follow occupancy limits laid out under Phase 4 of his reopening plan.
The warning comes a day after a Clay County judge ruled against Pritzker in a lawsuit brought by Rep. Darren Bailey, R-Xenia over the governor’s executive orders to slow the spread of the virus.
In his order, Judge Michael McHaney ruled that emergency powers provided under the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act lapsed on April 8, and any executive orders relating to the virus in effect after that date were determined to be void.
The state has said it will appeal the ruling.
Read the full report from Matthew Hendrickson here.
11:51 a.m. ‘People aren’t stupid’: Pence’s virus spin tests credibility
WASHINGTON — Vice President Mike Pence has long played the straight man to Donald Trump, translating the president’s bombast into more measured, calming language.
His job has become even more difficult. As coronavirus cases spike across large parts of the country despite months of lockdown, Pence has spent the past week trying to convince the American public that things are going very well, even though they’re not.
“Make no mistake about it, what you see today is that America is going back to work and the American people are finding a way every day to put this coronavirus farther in the past,” he told CNBC the same day the country reported more than 55,000 new virus cases, a daily record.
For public health experts, the optimism has been unmoored from reality.
“It’s almost laughable because it doesn’t pass any test of credibility when we’re seeing spikes in cases, spikes in hospitalizations,” said Larry Gostin, who specializes in public health at Georgetown University Law School. “The American people aren’t stupid. They can see spin when there is spin.”
The most important thing Pence can do, Gostin said, “is to be honest with the American public. ... They need to be told the truth and then they need to be told what America is going to do to turn this around.”
It’s not the first time Pence has been forced to put his own credibility on the line as he serves as Trump’s most loyal soldier. It may be the most consequential.
Read the full report here.
11:16 a.m. Coronavirus pandemic should spur family talk about financial planning, too
The coronavirus pandemic that’s hit Black and Latinx families especially hard has forced an uneasy conversation about death and dying. But it should also include a conversation about what happens after the worst happens. Are wills — and more importantly — trusts in place? What happens to a family home, for example?
Families who prepare for the worst can keep their homes out of probate and avoid the lengthy time, expense and bureaucracy it can entail. And there are affordable or free resources available to help everyone navigate the financial planning landscape.
Englewood resident Earline Alexander said the recent COVID-19 deaths of her father-in-law and his brother within two weeks heightened her awareness of getting her affairs in order.
“Even though they were in their 80s and had underlying health conditions, had this pandemic not come along, I believe they’d still be with us,” said Alexander, who retired from a career as a director and manager of nonprofit and government agencies.
Having a last will-and-testament will not keep your estate out of what can be a long, costly and complicated probate process. To keep the family home out of probate court, with its potential for family feuds, homeowners must set up an alternative planning tool like a trust or a Transfer on Death Instrument, or TODI.
Read the full report from Sandra Guy here.
10:40 a.m. Much of US scales back on holiday, but Trump plans to go big
WASHINGTON — As coronavirus cases spike, public health officials are pleading with Americans to avoid large crowds and hold more muted Independence Day celebrations, but subdued is not President Donald Trump’s style, and he aimed to go big, promising a “special evening” in Washington that could bring tens of thousands to the National Mall.
Trump’s “Salute for America” celebration on Saturday evening was to include a speech from the White House South Lawn that he said would celebrate American heritage, as well as a military flyover over the city and an enormous fireworks display that could pack people downtown.
The president kicked off the holiday weekend by traveling to Mount Rushmore in South Dakota for a fireworks display Friday night near the mountain carvings of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt. In his remarks, he accused protesters who have pushed for racial justice of engaging in a “merciless campaign to wipe out our history.”
In a presidential message Saturday on the 244th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, Trump acknowledged that “over the past months, the American spirit has undoubtedly been tested by many challenges.”
His Democratic rival, Joe Biden, said in a statement that the U.S. “never lived up” to its founding principle that “all men are created equal,” but that today “we have a chance to rip the roots of systemic racism out of this country.’’
His participation in big gatherings comes as many communities have decided to scrap fireworks, parades and other holiday traditions. The goal is to try to prevent further spread of the coronavirus, which large gatherings could spur. Confirmed cases are climbing in 40 states, and the U.S. set another record Friday with 52,300 newly reported infections, according to the tally kept by Johns Hopkins University.
Read the full story here.
7:24 a.m. High school sports moves into new phase of Return-to-Play on Monday
High school athletes will be able to participate in sport-specific activities starting on Monday.
The Illinois Department of Public Health has approved the Illinois High School Association’s next phase of return-to-play. It’s called Phase 4 to match the state’s Restore Illinois plan, which is also in Phase 4.
Athletes were previously limited to conditioning workouts in groups of 10. In Phase 4, groups of 50 are allowed to workout together and balls and other gear can be used. High school coaches will be allowed 20 contact days with their team that must be used before Aug. 9.
“Safety remains at the forefront of everything that the IHSA is doing as we move into Phase 4 and beyond,” IHSA Executive Director Craig Anderson said. “Our focus now shifts to continuing to work with state leadership to determine how to provide the safest environment possible for fall sports.”
Read the full report from Michael O’Brien here.
New cases
Analysis & Commentary
5:55 p.m. There’s a decent chance the final score will be COVID-19, Baseball 0
If the baseball season sat on an examining table, gulped and asked the doctor for its odds of survival, what would he say? Seventy-five percent? Fifty?
Or would he shake his head grimly and mumble something about a summer of golf being a nice option?
It’s not good when ‘‘wing’’ and ‘‘prayer’’ are the two words that come to mind when pondering Major League Baseball’s chances of playing its 60-game season. But there are still too many unknowns with COVID-19, and no amount of best practices, due diligence and rosary beads is going to change that.
I don’t want to kill your buzz. Like you, I want something to watch other than my fingernails. Baseball games, a full season of them, would be a beautiful distraction from the pandemic. And I certainly don’t mean to pick on baseball. The same doubts nipping at MLB’s heels are dogging the NBA, the NFL, the NHL and college football. I’ve wondered in print how sweating, bleeding, frothing football players are going to stay virus-free. Hint: They’re not.
Read the full column by Rick Morrissey here.
7:05 a.m. Wild West competition for face masks has eased; Illinois stockpiling PPE for a second wave
If Illinois experiences a resurgence of COVID-19 later this year, as many expect, state officials say they should be much better prepared from the standpoint of having the necessary medical supplies this time around.
Deputy Gov. Christian Mitchell said the state has stockpiled tens of millions of face masks and other personal protective equipment — gowns, gloves and shields — in anticipation of a possible second wave.
“I feel we are pretty well-positioned at this point,” said Mitchell, who found himself in the eye of the storm in early spring as the governor’s point man on PPE procurement.
Back then — just three months ago, though Mitchell said it feels like three years — I told you about the Wild West world of emergency PPE procurement in which governments competed for equipment to respond to the pandemic.
Not only were states and cities vying with each other, they also were up against our federal government and foreign nations to locate and purchase face masks and other supplies.
Officials ended up bidding up prices as they fought over scarce inventory, much of it located in China, which posed its own complications because of the Trump administration’s antagonistic relationship with the Chinese. Special flights had to be arranged to bring in materials.
It got so crazy at one point that an Illinois state comptroller’s employee drove a $3.5 million check from Springfield to a McDonald’s restaurant in Dwight to hand it off to a Chicago area moving company owner to beat a deadline to close the deal on an order of face masks from China.
“The dust has settled,” said Arnold Park, a Chicago lawyer who shifted his family’s beauty-supply business into medical supplies during the early days of COVID-19 and later landed two state contracts for PPE.
The need for supplies remains. But the urgency has eased, according to Park, whose Alicia International Inc. used its Chinese relationships to make the switch.
Read Mark Brown’s full column here.


chicagosun-times--2020-07-04--White Sox can ‘wreak havoc,’ but staying healthy will be challenge, Dallas Keuchel says

The coronavirus looms as the biggest threat , but a short training camp after a long layoff poses considerable hazards to Major League Baseball ’ s abbreviated season , White Sox left-hander Dallas Keuchel said .
‘ ‘ There are going to be a bunch of hamstring injuries the first week or so because guys aren ’ t used to running the bases , ’ ’ Keuchel said in a Zoom interview Saturday .
‘ ‘ There are going to be a ton of soft-tissue injuries — feet , calves , you name it — all the way up the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staff and weight-room staff more than anybody.
’ ’ Keuchel , the American League Cy Young Award winner in 2015 and a two-time All-Star with the Astros , signed with the Sox in the offseason .
He has some experience with a late start , having signed with the Braves last season in June .
‘ ‘ It has been a weird two seasons , but one thing I learned from last year was trying to stay on some sort of five-day routine , ’ ’ Keuchel said .
‘ ‘ I know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or six innings at the end of spring training here , I ’ ll be right where I want to be.
’ ’ During the three-month layoff , Keuchel carried on with his throwing with the expectation of a three-week camp .
That turned out to be spot-on .
Keuchel is a big reason the Sox appear to be equipped to challenge for the postseason .
He thinks they will .
‘ ‘ There ’ s a lot of different ways , but this team , if we get off to a hot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it like we know they can now with how deep our lineup ’ s going to be , then I think we might wreak a little havoc in the AL Central , ’ ’ Keuchel said .
Doing what they can to avoid the virus will be key .
‘ ‘ More than ever , we ’ re going to have to be really stringent on what guys do when the lights turn off and we leave the field , ’ ’ Keuchel said .
‘ ‘ We ’ re going to have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2½ months , if not a full three months , if we want to win the championship and hoist the trophy .
‘ ‘ That ’ s something we ’ re going to have to talk about when there ’ s a full-team get-together and maybe lay some groundwork , some rules to go by these next couple of months .
Because [ if ] a couple of key guys go down , it ’ s going to be that much more difficult to win.
’ ’ The MLB season opens July 23 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Yankees and Dodgers vs. Giants .
The Sox and every other team open July 24 .
The schedule will be announced Monday .
Manager Rick Renteria watched much of the morning workout from the warning track in center field to get a big-picture view of his players .
‘ ‘ These guys , watching them do some of the drills today , some of the running , explosive work that they were doing , they are all looking very , very good , ’ ’ he said .
This and that Renteria said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Sox ’ first intrasquad game .
• Right-hander Lucas Giolito will throw a simulated game Sunday , getting up and down 3½ times .

The coronavirus looms as the biggest threat, but a short training camp after a long layoff poses considerable hazards to Major League Baseball’s abbreviated season, White Sox left-hander Dallas Keuchel said.
‘‘There are going to be a bunch of hamstring injuries the first week or so because guys aren’t used to running the bases,’’ Keuchel said in a Zoom interview Saturday. ‘‘There are going to be a ton of soft-tissue injuries — feet, calves, you name it — all the way up the extremities. I feel for the training staff and weight-room staff more than anybody.’’
Keuchel, the American League Cy Young Award winner in 2015 and a two-time All-Star with the Astros, signed with the Sox in the offseason. He has some experience with a late start, having signed with the Braves last season in June.
‘‘It has been a weird two seasons, but one thing I learned from last year was trying to stay on some sort of five-day routine,’’ Keuchel said. ‘‘I know if I could get myself to five or six innings at the end of spring training here, I’ll be right where I want to be.’’
During the three-month layoff, Keuchel carried on with his throwing with the expectation of a three-week camp. That turned out to be spot-on.
Keuchel is a big reason the Sox appear to be equipped to challenge for the postseason. He thinks they will.
‘‘There’s a lot of different ways, but this team, if we get off to a hot start, if the bats can swing it like we know they can now with how deep our lineup’s going to be, then I think we might wreak a little havoc in the AL Central,’’ Keuchel said.
Doing what they can to avoid the virus will be key.
‘‘More than ever, we’re going to have to be really stringent on what guys do when the lights turn off and we leave the field,’’ Keuchel said. ‘‘We’re going to have to really bear down for at least 2½ months, if not a full three months, if we want to win the championship and hoist the trophy.
‘‘That’s something we’re going to have to talk about when there’s a full-team get-together and maybe lay some groundwork, some rules to go by these next couple of months. Because [if] a couple of key guys go down, it’s going to be that much more difficult to win.’’
Opening Day
The MLB season opens July 23 with two featured games: Nationals vs. Yankees and Dodgers vs. Giants. The Sox and every other team open July 24. The schedule will be announced Monday.
From a distance
Manager Rick Renteria watched much of the morning workout from the warning track in center field to get a big-picture view of his players.
‘‘These guys, watching them do some of the drills today, some of the running, explosive work that they were doing, they are all looking very, very good,’’ he said.
This and that
Renteria said he’s looking at Thursday for the Sox’ first intrasquad game.
• Right-hander Lucas Giolito will throw a simulated game Sunday, getting up and down 3½ times.


chicagosun-times--2020-07-04--Woman, 19, missing from Fifth City found safe

Kenny Partee was dead at the scene while his passengers , a 19-year-old woman and a 21-year-old woman , were @ @ @ @ @ critical condition , authorities said .

Pvt. Travis King entered the North while on a civilian tour of a Korean border village July 18, becoming the first American detained in the North in nearly five years.


chicagosun-times--2020-07-05--Boy, 14, missing from SW Side

Boy, 14, missing from SW Side

Police are looking for a 14-year-old boy who has been missing for more than a month from the Southwest Side @ @ @ @ @ missing since June 3 from the 5200 block of West 64th Place , according to @ @ @ @ @ Chicago police .
Daniel is a 5-foot-2 , 110-pound boy with brown eyes and black @ @ @ @ @ .
He may be in the 2500 block of York Street in south suburban Blue @ @ @ @ @ could also be in the 6200 block of South Kedvale Avenue , the 5200 block @ @ @ @ @ the first block of East 111th Place .
Anyone with information is asked to call @ @ @ @ @ .

Police are looking for a 14-year-old boy who has been missing for more than a month from the Southwest Side.
Daniel Cabrera has been missing since June 3 from the 5200 block of West 64th Place, according to a missing person alert from Chicago police.
Daniel is a 5-foot-2, 110-pound boy with brown eyes and black hair, according to police.
He may be in the 2500 block of York Street in south suburban Blue Island police said. He could also be in the 6200 block of South Kedvale Avenue, the 5200 block of South Kedvale Avenue of the first block of East 111th Place.
Anyone with information is asked to call Area One detectives at 312-747-8380.


chicagosun-times--2020-07-05--Dear Abby: Children’s only living grandma keeps letting them down

DEAR ABBY : I recently lost my mom .
It was very sudden .
We were extremely close , and she was the most wonderful grandmother to my children .
My mother-in-law and my husband have a strained relationship that I have struggled to navigate for years .
I have always reached out to her and made sure she sees the grandchildren .
I have been a little “ lost ” since my mom ’ s death , and so have my children .
I had hoped my MIL would step up and step in , but it just didn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and sad for my children , and the situation seems to be getting worse .
When I try to talk to my husband about it , his reply is , “ I ’ m not close to my mom like you were with yours.
” What should I do ?
Do I keep reaching out and being angry on the inside , or speak up and say something ?
I should add that my husband and his mom are now at the point where they barely talk on the phone .
I hate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very done with the childish behavior !
My children need a grandma .
— ANNOYED UP NORTH DEAR ANNOYED : Please accept my sympathy for the loss of your sweet mother .
That you and your children feel her absence so acutely is a testament to how special she was .
Unfortunately , you married someone who doesn ’ t have the kind of relationship you were lucky enough to have with your mom .
All moms and grandmothers are not created equal .
Your MIL appears to be incapable of stepping up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reaching out to her with expectations , you might be less angry and frustrated if you do it less often without cutting her completely off .
Instead , look around and consider “ adopting ” a mentor for yourself who can also become a grandmother figure for your children .
This isn ’ t unheard of .
A government-sponsored program , Foster Grandparents , provides a way for volunteers 55 and over to stay active by serving children and youth in their communities .
To find out more , go to nationalservice.gov and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a gift that keeps on giving , and it works both ways .
DEAR ABBY : A while ago , my wife and I were leaving the grocery store .
I was wearing my baseball cap with a U.S. Navy logo embroidered on it .
As we passed the table where the Brownies were selling Girl Scout cookies , I politely told them “ not today ” and proceeded to cross to the parking lot .
The woman who was supervising the girls approached and asked if she could talk to me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , “ We would like to donate a box of cookies to you and your wife in honor of your service to our country.
” Abby , I was so touched .
I thought my heart would burst when one of the little scouts asked if I would take a picture with her .
I share this so others will know what it means for a veteran to be acknowledged by someone saying , “ Thank you for your service.
” — NAVY VETERAN IN CALIFORNIA DEAR VETERAN : What a sweet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gratifying , but I ’ m sure those cookies were delicious .
Although not every veteran feels the same way about being thanked as you do , I ’ m sure the majority do .
Thank you for pointing it out to my readers .
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren , also known as Jeanne Phillips , and was founded by her mother , Pauline Phillips .
Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O .
Box 69440 , Los Angeles , CA 90069 .
To receive a collection of Abby @ @ @ @ @ @ @ frequently requested — poems and essays , send your name and mailing address , plus check or money order for $ 8 ( U.S. funds ) , to : Dear Abby — Keepers Booklet , P.O .
Box 447 , Mount Morris , IL 61054-0447 .
Shipping and handling are included in the price .

DEAR ABBY: I recently lost my mom. It was very sudden. We were extremely close, and she was the most wonderful grandmother to my children. My mother-in-law and my husband have a strained relationship that I have struggled to navigate for years. I have always reached out to her and made sure she sees the grandchildren.
I have been a little “lost” since my mom’s death, and so have my children. I had hoped my MIL would step up and step in, but it just didn’t happen. I am disappointed and sad for my children, and the situation seems to be getting worse. When I try to talk to my husband about it, his reply is, “I’m not close to my mom like you were with yours.”
What should I do? Do I keep reaching out and being angry on the inside, or speak up and say something? I should add that my husband and his mom are now at the point where they barely talk on the phone. I hate to be negative, but I feel very done with the childish behavior! My children need a grandma. — ANNOYED UP NORTH
DEAR ANNOYED: Please accept my sympathy for the loss of your sweet mother. That you and your children feel her absence so acutely is a testament to how special she was.
Unfortunately, you married someone who doesn’t have the kind of relationship you were lucky enough to have with your mom. All moms and grandmothers are not created equal. Your MIL appears to be incapable of stepping up to the plate.
Rather than continue reaching out to her with expectations, you might be less angry and frustrated if you do it less often without cutting her completely off. Instead, look around and consider “adopting” a mentor for yourself who can also become a grandmother figure for your children. This isn’t unheard of. A government-sponsored program, Foster Grandparents, provides a way for volunteers 55 and over to stay active by serving children and youth in their communities. To find out more, go to nationalservice.gov and click on “Senior Corps.” Love is a gift that keeps on giving, and it works both ways.
DEAR ABBY: A while ago, my wife and I were leaving the grocery store. I was wearing my baseball cap with a U.S. Navy logo embroidered on it. As we passed the table where the Brownies were selling Girl Scout cookies, I politely told them “not today” and proceeded to cross to the parking lot. The woman who was supervising the girls approached and asked if she could talk to me. When I turned around, she said, “We would like to donate a box of cookies to you and your wife in honor of your service to our country.” Abby, I was so touched. I thought my heart would burst when one of the little scouts asked if I would take a picture with her.
I share this so others will know what it means for a veteran to be acknowledged by someone saying, “Thank you for your service.” — NAVY VETERAN IN CALIFORNIA
DEAR VETERAN: What a sweet letter. Not only was the acknowledgement gratifying, but I’m sure those cookies were delicious. Although not every veteran feels the same way about being thanked as you do, I’m sure the majority do. Thank you for pointing it out to my readers.
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.
To receive a collection of Abby’s most memorable — and most frequently requested — poems and essays, send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $8 (U.S. funds), to: Dear Abby — Keepers Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. Shipping and handling are included in the price.