chicagosun-times--2020-06-20--Smaller-than-expected crowd as Trump presses ahead with Tulsa rally

TULSA , Okla. — President Donald Trump ignored health warnings and pressed ahead Saturday with a comeback rally in the midst of a pandemic , but what was meant to be a show of defiant political force was instead met with thousands of empty seats and new coronavirus cases on his own campaign staff .
The rally in Tulsa , Oklahoma , was intended to be the largest indoor gathering in the world during the outbreak that has killed more than 120,000 Americans , put 40 million more out of work and upended Trump ’ s reelection bid .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crowds seemed significantly lighter than expected .
Campaign officials scrapped plans for Trump to first address an overflow space .
Huge swaths of empty seats remained in the downtown arena before Trump was to take the stage .
And that came on the heels of the campaign revealing that six staff members who were helping set up for the event had tested positive for the virus .
Campaign communications director Tim Murtaugh said that “ quarantine procedures were immediately implemented , ” and that neither the affected staffers nor anyone who was in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ event .
News of the infections came just a short time before Trump departed for Oklahoma , and the president raged to aides that it was made public , according to two White House and campaign officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren ’ t authorized to speak publicly about private conversations .
Large gatherings in the United States were shut down in March because of the coronavirus .
The rally was scheduled over the protests of local health officials as COVID-19 cases spike in many states , while the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was originally set for Friday , Juneteenth , only to be moved a day — prompted anger amid a national wave of protests against racial injustice .
But Trump and his advisers forged forward , believing that a return to the rally stage would reenergize the president , who is furious that he has fallen behind Democrat Joe Biden in polls , and reassure Republicans growing anxious about the state of the presidential race and their ability to hold onto the Senate .
But the smaller-than-expected crowds may only increase GOP worries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to point fingers elsewhere , but the protests outside the arena , which also were smaller than expected , remain largely peaceful in the hours before the event .
“ Sadly , protestors interfered with supporters , even blocking access to the metal detectors , which prevented people from entering the rally , ” Murtaugh said .
“ Radical protestors , coupled with a relentless onslaught from the media , attempted to frighten off the President ’ s supporters .
We are proud of the thousands who stuck it out.
” In the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ downtown arena , Trump supporters who signed up for tickets received a text urging them to show up , declaring , “ There ’ s still space !
” It ’ s been more than three months since the nation last saw a Trump rally .
The unemployment rate stood at about 3.5 % that March 2 .
The number of coronavirus cases in the U.S. was estimated at 91 .
Now , the unemployment rate stands at 13.3 % , based on the most recent monthly report .
The number of confirmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million .
The number of deaths reported in the U.S. has surpassed 119,000 .
Outrage over the criminal justice system ’ s treatment of minorities following the death of George Floyd and other African Americans has spawned protests around the nation .
Only about a quarter of Americans say the country is headed in the right direction .
Trump was determined to return to his signature campaign events .
He dismissed complaints that bringing together throngs for an indoor rally risked spreading the coronavirus as nothing more than politics .
Trump ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protesters and Trump supporters , and there were brief confrontations Saturday afternoon .
But the crowds were not materializing despite the president ’ s bravado .
“ Big crowds and lines already forming in Tulsa .
My campaign hasn ’ t started yet .
It starts on Saturday night in Oklahoma !
” Trump tweeted Friday .
City officials had expected a crowd of 100,000 people or more in downtown Tulsa .
Trump ’ s campaign , for its part , declared that it had received over a million ticket requests .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that , though the rally , being broadcast on cable , will also target voters in battleground states such as Pennsylvania , North Carolina and Florida .
The events in Tulsa will go a long way to determining how the campaign plays out in coming months .
A success was meant to lay the groundwork for Trump to take his show to states that will determine the presidential election .
But a spike in coronavirus cases coming out of Tulsa would make his reception in those states more contentious and a smaller crowd @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to fill an arena , depriving the campaign of its best means to generate enthusiasm and collect voter data .
The campaign said it would hand out masks and hand sanitizer , but there was no requirement that participants use them .
Participants were also to undergo a temperature check .
Trump has generally held his campaign rallies in swing states or in Democratic-leaning states such as Colorado or New Mexico that he hopes to flip this November .
Oklahoma fits none of those categories .
The last Democratic candidate to emerge victorious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Johnson in 1964 .
Trump won the state with more than 65 % of the vote in the 2016 election .
The Republican stronghold gives Trump more assurance that he ’ ll face little resistance to his efforts from top state officials .
Tulsa resident Sue Williams picked her place in line Thursday afternoon .
“ I ’ ve been praying , and I don ’ t believe I ’ m going to get the coronavirus , ” Williams , 72 , said , adding that she signed a waiver on her ticket @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inside .
“ I don ’ t think it ’ s anything worse than the flu , ” said Brian Bernard , 54 , a retired IT worker from Baton Rouge , Louisiana , who sported a Trump 2020 hat .
“ I haven ’ t caught a cold or a flu in probably 15 years , and if I haven ’ t caught a cold or flu yet , I don ’ t think I ’ m gon na catch COVID.
” The rally was originally scheduled for Friday , but it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ uproar that it otherwise would have happened on Juneteenth , and in a city where a 1921 white-on-Black attack killed as many as 300 people .

TULSA, Okla. — President Donald Trump launched his comeback rally amid a pandemic on Saturday by declaring that “the silent majority is stronger than ever before,” but what was meant to be a show of political force was instead met with thousands of empty seats and new coronavirus cases on his campaign staff.
Ignoring health warnings, Trump went through with his first rally in 110 days in Tulsa, Oklahoma, one of the largest indoor gatherings in the world during a coronavirus outbreak that has killed more than 120,000 Americans, put 40 million out of work and upended Trump’s reelection bid.
In the hours before the event, crowds were significantly lighter than expected, and campaign officials scrapped plans for Trump to first address an overflow space outdoors. About a third of the seats at his indoor rally were empty.
Trump tried to explain away the crowd size by blaming the media for declaring “don’t go, don’t come, don’t do anything” and by insisting there were protesters outside who were “doing bad things.” But the small crowds of prerally demonstrators were largely peaceful, and Tulsa police reported just one arrest Saturday afternoon.
The upper section of the arena is seen partially empty as US President Donald Trump speaks during a campaign rally at the BOK Center on June 20, 2020 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. | Nicholas Kamm/Getty Images 1 of 6 President Donald Trump speaks during a campaign rally at the BOK Center, Saturday, June 20, 2020, in Tulsa, Okla. | Sue Ogrocki/AP 2 of 6 President Donald Trump speaks during a campaign rally at the BOK Center, Saturday, June 20, 2020, in Tulsa, Okla. | Evan Vucci/AP 3 of 6 President Donald Trump supporters listen as Trump speaks during a campaign rally at the BOK Center, Saturday, June 20, 2020, in Tulsa, Okla. | Evan Vucci/AP 4 of 6 President Donald Trump speaks during a campaign rally at the BOK Center, Saturday, June 20, 2020, in Tulsa, Okla. | Sue Ogrocki/AP 5 of 6 Governor Kevin Stitt claps among “Black Voices for Trump” supporters as US President Donald Trump speaks during a campaign rally at the BOK Center on June 20, 2020 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. - Hundreds of supporters lined up early for Donald Trump’s first political rally in months, saying the risk of contracting COVID-19 in a big, packed arena would not keep them from hearing the president’s campaign message. | Nicholas Kamm/Getty Images 6 of 6
“We begin our campaign,” Trump thundered as he took the stage. “The silent majority is stronger than ever before.”
Just hours before the rally, Trump’s campaign revealed that six staff members who were helping set up for the event had tested positive for the coronavirus. Campaign communications director Tim Murtaugh said that “quarantine procedures were immediately implemented,” and that neither the affected staffers nor anyone who was in immediate contact with them would attend the event.
News of the infections came just a short time before Trump departed for Oklahoma, and the president raged to aides that the information had been made public, according to two White House and campaign officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to speak publicly about private conversations.
Onstage, Trump unleashed months of pent-up grievances, accusing the media of favoring his Democratic opponent Joe Biden and defending his handling of the pandemic, which he dubbed the “Kung flu,” a term for the virus that many consider to be racist.
Trump also spent more than 10 minutes — with the crowd laughing along — trying to explain away a pair of odd images from his speech last weekend at West Point, blaming his slippery leather-soled shoes for video of him walking awkwardly down a ramp as he left the podium. And then he declared that he used two hands to drink a cup of water — another image that went viral — because he didn’t want to spill water on his tie.
But Trump also leaned in hard on cultural issues, including the push to tear down statues and rename military bases named after Confederate generals in the wake of nationwide protests about racial injustice.
“The unhinged left-wing mob is trying to vandalize our history, desecrate our monuments, our beautiful monuments. Tear down our statues, and punish, cancel and persecute anyone who does not conform to their demands for absolute and total control,” Trump said. “They want to demolish our heritage so they can impose their new repressive regime in its place.”
Large gatherings in the United States were shut down in March because of the coronavirus. The rally was scheduled over the protests of local health officials as COVID-19 cases spike in many states, while the choice of host city and date — it was originally set for Friday, Juneteenth, and in a city where a 1921 white-on-Black attack killed as many as 300 people — prompted anger amid a national wave of protests against racial injustice.
But Trump and his advisers forged forward, believing that a return to the rally stage would reenergize the president, who is furious that he has fallen behind Biden in polls, and reassure Republicans growing anxious about the state of the presidential race and their ability to hold onto the Senate. But the smaller-than-expected crowds may only increase GOP worries.
The president’s campaign tried to point fingers elsewhere, despite the largely peaceful protests before the event.
“Sadly, protestors interfered with supporters, even blocking access to the metal detectors, which prevented people from entering the rally,” Murtaugh said in a statement. “Radical protestors, coupled with a relentless onslaught from the media, attempted to frighten off the President’s supporters. We are proud of the thousands who stuck it out.”
In the minutes before Trump arrived at the downtown arena, supporters who signed up for tickets received a text urging them to show up, declaring, “There’s still space!”
Trump was determined to return to his signature campaign events. He dismissed complaints that bringing together throngs for an indoor rally risked spreading the coronavirus as nothing more than politics.
City officials had expected a crowd of 100,000 people or more in downtown Tulsa. Trump’s campaign, for its part, declared that it had received over a million ticket requests. The crowd that gathered was far less than that, though the rally, being broadcast on cable, will also target voters in battleground states such as Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Florida.
The campaign handed out masks and hand sanitizer, but there was no requirement that participants use them. Participants also underwent a temperature check.
“I don’t think it’s anything worse than the flu,” said Brian Bernard, 54, a retired IT worker from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, who sported a Trump 2020 hat. “I haven’t caught a cold or a flu in probably 15 years, and if I haven’t caught a cold or flu yet, I don’t think I’m gonna catch COVID.”


chicagosun-times--2020-06-20--All 30 MLB teams to train at home facilities

The coronavirus has always loomed , hovering over Major League Baseball ’ s desires and plans to return in July .
It was shuffled into the background while owners and players negotiated to get a deal done , looming as a threat in the form of spikes and a second wave , but here it is already , nearing the end of June , rearing its ugly head and making the possibility of baseball returning a difficult one .
A day after eight people with the Phillies tested positive in Clearwater , Fla. , where the team trains , four @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Fla. , tested positive for the coronavirus , the New York Post reported Saturday .
A player in the Astros organization into with the Angels have also tested positive for the coronavirus in recent days .
The Blue Jays closed their spring training facility Friday in Dunedin , not far from Clearwater , when a player had symptoms associated with the coronavirus .
The Rangers and Giants , who train in the Phoenix , closed their training facilities this week .
Now , all 30 teams are taking the pandemic ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ business of baseball ’ s designs on resuming spring training , each planning to train for the season — if there is one — in their home cities .
Training at facilities in Florida and Arizona , two states experiencing coronavirus spikes , has been ruled out , according to USA Today .
With all of this going on , owners and players were thought to be in the final hour this weekend of working out an agreement to resume baseball , but now the ongoing , dragged out talks exasperating the game @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A vote by the players on the owners ’ 60-game proposal was at first expected Sunday but according to USA Today will be delayed for several days while the union gathers information on safety and health protocols because of the positive tests and shutdowns of camps .
The virus is now a “ much bigger threat ” to the season than the labor battle , a senior baseball official told ESPN on Saturday .
While they negotiate the plan to have teams playing games in their home ballparks by July 19 or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it could all fall apart quickly because of the virus .
Meanwhile , numerous new wrinkles to the game were being proposed by MLB in negotiations .
Extra innings that start with runners on second base , games ending in ties and re-entry are among the possibilities .
MLB included the controversial extra-inning runner rule in its proposal Wednesday for a 60-game season and also wants it for 2021 .
The players ’ association accepted the rule Thursday for 2020 only in its counter-proposal for 70 games .
The union also said it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in ties “ after a certain number of innings ” and “ the relaxation of substitution rules in extra innings.
” If you ’ re that traditionalist who doesn ’ t like commissioner Rob Manfred ’ s ideas for change , you might not have to worry .
Because of the coronavirus , they might not see the light of day , anyway .

Stay home!
The coronavirus has always loomed, hovering over MLB’s desires and plans to return in July.
It was shuffled into the background while owners and players negotiated to get a deal done, but here we are nearing the end of June, and it’s rearing its ugly head and making the possibility of a return of baseball a difficult one.
A day after eight people with the Phillies tested positive in Clearwater, Florida, where the team trains, four members of the Yankees’ organization in Tampa, Florida, tested positive for the coronavirus, the New York Post reported Saturday.
A player in the Astros’ organization and two with the Angels also have tested positive for the coronavirus in recent days.
The Blue Jays closed their spring-training facility Friday in Dunedin, not far from Clearwater, when a player had symptoms associated with the coronavirus. The Rangers and Giants, who train in Phoenix, closed their facilities this week.
Now all 30 teams are taking up the pandemic’s ‘‘stay home’’ plea and planning to train for the season — if there is one — in their home cities. Training at facilities in Florida and Arizona, two states experiencing coronavirus spikes, has been ruled out.
With all of this going on, owners and players were thought to be in the final hours this weekend of working out an agreement to resume baseball, but now the ongoing, dragged-out talks that have exasperated the game’s fans will drag on further.
A vote by the players on the owners’ 60-game proposal was at first expected Sunday, but, according to USA Today, it will be delayed for several days while the union gathers information on safety and health protocols because of the positive tests and shutdowns of camps.
The virus is now a “much bigger threat” to the season than the labor battle, a senior baseball official told ESPN on Saturday.
While they negotiate the plan to have teams playing games in their home ballparks by July 19 or so, it’s becoming apparent it could all fall apart quickly because of the virus.
Meanwhile, numerous new wrinkles to the game were being proposed by MLB in negotiations. Extra innings that start with runners on second base, games ending in ties and player re-entry are among the possibilities.
MLB included the controversial extra-inning runner rule in its proposal Wednesday for a 60-game season and also wants it for 2021.
The players’ union accepted the rule Thursday for 2020 only in its counterproposal for 70 games.
The union also said it wants to discuss allowing games to end in ties “after a certain number of innings” and “the relaxation of substitution rules in extra innings.”
If you’re that traditionalist who doesn’t like commissioner Rob Manfred’s ideas for change, you might not have to worry.
Because of the coronavirus, they might not see the light of day, anyway.
Contributing: Associated Press


chicagosun-times--2020-06-20--Top Manhattan prosecutor leaves job after standoff with Barr

WASHINGTON — An extraordinary standoff between Attorney General William Barr and Manhattan ’ s top federal prosecutor ended Saturday when the prosecutor agreed to leave his job with an assurance that investigations by the prosecutor ’ s office into the president ’ s allies would not be disturbed .
U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman announced he would leave his post , ending increasingly nasty exchanges between Barr and Berman .
President Donald Trump , meanwhile , had distanced himself from the dispute , telling reporters the decision “ was all up to the attorney general.
” This episode has raised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Justice Department , particularly given that Berman was investigating Trump ’ s personal lawyer , Rudy Giuliani .
It also deepened tensions between the department and congressional Democrats , who have accused Barr of politicizing the agency and acting more like Trump ’ s personal lawyer than the country ’ s chief law enforcement officer .
The whirlwind chain of events began Friday night , when Barr announced that Berman , the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York , had resigned .
Hours later , the prosecutor issued a statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that his office ’ s “ investigations would move forward without delay or interruption.
” On Saturday morning , he showed up to work , telling reporters , “ I ’ m just here to do my job.
” The administration ’ s push to cast aside Berman set up an extraordinary political and constitutional clash between the Justice Department and one of the nation ’ s top districts , which has tried major mob , financial crimes and terrorism cases over the years .
Only days ago , allegations surfaced from former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the president sought to interfere in an investigation by Berman ’ s office into the state-owned Turkish bank in an effort to cut deals with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdo ?
an .
In a letter made public by the Justice Department Saturday afternoon , Barr said he expected to continue speaking with Berman about other possible positions within the department and was “ surprised and quite disappointed ” by the statement he released .
“ Unfortunately , with your statement of last night , you have chosen public spectacle over public service @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the idea that Berman had to continue on the job to safeguard investigations was “ false.
” “ Your statement also wrongly implies that your continued tenure in the office is necessary to ensure that cases now pending in the Southern District of New York are handled appropriately , ” he wrote .
“ This is obviously false.
” Although Barr said Trump had removed Berman , the president told reporters : “ That ’ s all up to the attorney general .
Attorney General Barr is working on that .
That ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Trump added : “ I wasn ’ t involved.
” Barr offered no explanation for his action .
The White House announced that Trump was nominating Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Jay Clayton , a well-connected Wall Street lawyer with virtually no experience as a federal prosecutor , for the job .
Berman initially planned to remain in his job until a replacement was confirmed , but he changed his mind late Saturday after Barr said he would allow Berman ’ s second in command , Deputy U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said that led him to announce he would be leaving , “ effective immediately.
” “ I could leave the District in no better hands than Audrey ’ s , ” Berman said .
He added that her appointment meant Barr had decided “ to respect the normal operation of law.
” People familiar with the matter in the Southern District could point to no clear reason for Berman ’ s removal , though they noted his job had always seemed in jeopardy and Berman was never given the sense it was secure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ actions on some important cases without first informing Washington .
But the various investigations are ongoing and no charges seem imminent , said the people familiar with the matter , who weren ’ t authorized to publicly discuss the matter and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity .
A senior department official said Clayton was planning to leave the administration , wanted to move back to New York and expressed interest in the Southern District position , and Barr thought he would be a good fit .
The official was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ matters and spoke on condition of anonymity .
The chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee , Sen. Lindsey Graham , R-S.C. , said he was unlikely to proceed with Clayton ’ s nomination unless New York ’ s senators , Democrats Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand , gave their consent to the pick .
Schumer said the bid to oust Berman “ reeks of potential corruption of the legal process , ” and Gillibrand said she would “ not be complicit ” in helping fire a prosecutor investigating corruption .
Both lawmakers called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The chairman of the House Judiciary Committee , Rep. Jerry Nadler , D-N.Y. , said his committee was inviting Berman to testify this coming week .
Schumer called for the department ’ s inspector general and Office of Professional Responsibility to investigate .
Berman ’ s statement Friday night said he would stay on the job until a nominee was confirmed by the Senate .
He challenged Barr ’ s power to remove , given that Berman was appointed by federal judges , not by the president , and the White House never @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a U.S. attorney who is appointed by district court judges can serve “ until the vacancy is filled.
” But the Justice Department ’ s Office of Legal Counsel argued in a 1979 opinion that the “ power to remove a court-appointed U.S. attorney rests with the president.
” It says , “ The president is responsible for the conduct of a U.S. Attorney ’ s office and therefore must have the power to remove one he believes is an unsuitable incumbent , regardless of who appointed him.
” Federal prosecutors in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigations with ties to Trump in recent years .
That includes an ongoing investigation into Giuliani ’ s business dealings , including whether he failed to register as a foreign agent , according to people familiar with the matter .
They were not authorized to discuss the investigation publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity .
The office has also prosecuted a number of Trump associates , including Trump ’ s former personal lawyer and fixer Michael Cohen , who served a prison sentence for lying to Congress and campaign finance crimes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federal prison to continue serving his sentence on home confinement over coronavirus concerns .
Berman has overseen the prosecution of two Florida businessmen , Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman , who were associates of Giuliani and tied to the Ukraine impeachment investigation .
The men were charged in October with federal campaign finance violations , including hiding the origin of a $ 325,000 donation to a group supporting Trump ’ s reelection .
A Republican who contributed to the president ’ s election campaign , Berman worked for the same law firm as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the Trump administration .
In that role , he won over some skeptics after he went after Trump allies .
Under Berman ’ s tenure , his office also brought charges against Michael Avenatti , the combative lawyer who gained fame by representing porn actress Stormy Daniels in lawsuits involving Trump .
Avenatti was convicted in February of trying to extort Nike after prosecutors said he threatened to use his media access to hurt Nike ’ s reputation and stock price unless the sportswear giant paid him up to $ 25 million @

WASHINGTON — An extraordinary standoff between Attorney General William Barr and Manhattan’s top federal prosecutor ended Saturday when the prosecutor agreed to leave his job with an assurance that investigations by the prosecutor’s office into the president’s allies would not be disturbed.
U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman announced he would leave his post, ending increasingly nasty exchanges between Barr and Berman. President Donald Trump, meanwhile, had distanced himself from the dispute, telling reporters the decision “was all up to the attorney general.”
This episode has raised new questions about political interference in the Justice Department, particularly given that Berman was investigating Trump’s personal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani. It also deepened tensions between the department and congressional Democrats, who have accused Barr of politicizing the agency and acting more like Trump’s personal lawyer than the country’s chief law enforcement officer.
The whirlwind chain of events began Friday night, when Barr announced that Berman, the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, had resigned. Hours later, the prosecutor issued a statement denying that he had resigned and saying that his office’s “investigations would move forward without delay or interruption.”
On Saturday morning, he showed up to work, telling reporters, “I’m just here to do my job.”
The administration’s push to cast aside Berman set up an extraordinary political and constitutional clash between the Justice Department and one of the nation’s top districts, which has tried major mob, financial crimes and terrorism cases over the years.
Only days ago, allegations surfaced from former Trump national security adviser John Bolton that the president sought to interfere in an investigation by Berman’s office into the state-owned Turkish bank in an effort to cut deals with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an.
In a letter made public by the Justice Department Saturday afternoon, Barr said he expected to continue speaking with Berman about other possible positions within the department and was “surprised and quite disappointed” by the statement he released.
“Unfortunately, with your statement of last night, you have chosen public spectacle over public service,” Barr wrote, adding that the idea that Berman had to continue on the job to safeguard investigations was “false.”
“Your statement also wrongly implies that your continued tenure in the office is necessary to ensure that cases now pending in the Southern District of New York are handled appropriately,” he wrote. “This is obviously false.”
Although Barr said Trump had removed Berman, the president told reporters: “That’s all up to the attorney general. Attorney General Barr is working on that. That’s his department, not my department.” Trump added: “I wasn’t involved.”
Barr offered no explanation for his action. The White House announced that Trump was nominating Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Jay Clayton, a well-connected Wall Street lawyer with virtually no experience as a federal prosecutor, for the job.
Berman initially planned to remain in his job until a replacement was confirmed, but he changed his mind late Saturday after Barr said he would allow Berman’s second in command, Deputy U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss, to become acting U.S. attorney.
Berman said that led him to announce he would be leaving, “effective immediately.”
“I could leave the District in no better hands than Audrey’s,” Berman said. He added that her appointment meant Barr had decided “to respect the normal operation of law.”
People familiar with the matter in the Southern District could point to no clear reason for Berman’s removal, though they noted his job had always seemed in jeopardy and Berman was never given the sense it was secure.
Berman’s office also took actions on some important cases without first informing Washington. But the various investigations are ongoing and no charges seem imminent, said the people familiar with the matter, who weren’t authorized to publicly discuss the matter and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.
A senior department official said Clayton was planning to leave the administration, wanted to move back to New York and expressed interest in the Southern District position, and Barr thought he would be a good fit. The official was not authorized to publicly discuss internal department matters and spoke on condition of anonymity.
The chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said he was unlikely to proceed with Clayton’s nomination unless New York’s senators, Democrats Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, gave their consent to the pick. Schumer said the bid to oust Berman “reeks of potential corruption of the legal process,” and Gillibrand said she would “not be complicit” in helping fire a prosecutor investigating corruption. Both lawmakers called for Clayton to withdraw from consideration.
The chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, Rep. Jerry Nadler, D-N.Y., said his committee was inviting Berman to testify this coming week. Schumer called for the department’s inspector general and Office of Professional Responsibility to investigate.
Berman’s statement Friday night said he would stay on the job until a nominee was confirmed by the Senate. He challenged Barr’s power to remove, given that Berman was appointed by federal judges, not by the president, and the White House never formally nominated him. Under federal law, a U.S. attorney who is appointed by district court judges can serve “until the vacancy is filled.”
But the Justice Department’s Office of Legal Counsel argued in a 1979 opinion that the “power to remove a court-appointed U.S. attorney rests with the president.” It says, “The president is responsible for the conduct of a U.S. Attorney’s office and therefore must have the power to remove one he believes is an unsuitable incumbent, regardless of who appointed him.”
Federal prosecutors in New York have overseen numerous prosecutions and investigations with ties to Trump in recent years. That includes an ongoing investigation into Giuliani’s business dealings, including whether he failed to register as a foreign agent, according to people familiar with the matter. They were not authorized to discuss the investigation publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity.
The office has also prosecuted a number of Trump associates, including Trump’s former personal lawyer and fixer Michael Cohen, who served a prison sentence for lying to Congress and campaign finance crimes. Cohen was recently released from a federal prison to continue serving his sentence on home confinement over coronavirus concerns.
Berman has overseen the prosecution of two Florida businessmen, Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman, who were associates of Giuliani and tied to the Ukraine impeachment investigation. The men were charged in October with federal campaign finance violations, including hiding the origin of a $325,000 donation to a group supporting Trump’s reelection.
A Republican who contributed to the president’s election campaign, Berman worked for the same law firm as Giuliani and was tapped as U.S. attorney by the Trump administration. In that role, he won over some skeptics after he went after Trump allies.
Under Berman’s tenure, his office also brought charges against Michael Avenatti, the combative lawyer who gained fame by representing porn actress Stormy Daniels in lawsuits involving Trump. Avenatti was convicted in February of trying to extort Nike after prosecutors said he threatened to use his media access to hurt Nike’s reputation and stock price unless the sportswear giant paid him up to $25 million.


chicagosun-times--2020-06-20--Black nightclub owners, promoters call for end of ‘nightlife racism’ at march through Near North Sid

Black nightclub owners, promoters call for end of ‘nightlife racism’ at march through Near North Side

Black nightclub owners and promoters called for the end of “ nightlife racism ” during a protest march Saturday on the Near North Side .
About 50 people representing Black promoters and nightlife venue owners marched north on State Street , then west on Division Street to the Chicago Police Department ’ s Near North District station , to raise awareness about discrimination against Black-owned businesses .
“ [ CPD ’ s Near North Side District ] has been running Black people and Black promoters and Black businessmen from downtown simply because of the color of their skin for at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Asa “ Duce ” Powell , a nightclub owner and promoter for the past 20 years .
The march was organized by Teddy Gilmore , another longtime restaurant and club owner in the city .
Nouveau Tavern in River North , where Gilmore worked as an executive , was shut down abruptly over liquor licensing issues in 2014 .
The building was later tagged with racist graffiti and closed for good in 2015 .
Last year , Gilmore ’ s DrinkHaus Supper Club in Greektown was also shut down by city officials , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to code and liquor license violations the business faced .
Gilmore said he believes the club was unfairly targeted due to discrimination against Black-owned businesses .
“ If you look around , you don ’ t see any African-American nightclubs or restaurants downtown , ” he said .
When passing Tavern on Rush , a popular restaurant and club in the Gold Coast , Powell pointed to a difference he says he sees between the police presence at their events and those he holds at Transit , another popular club in the West @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to maintain a limited presence outside Black clubs to help when needed with security , but feels police generally either ignore the Black clubs or work to shut them down .
“ We just want the same equal rights to be secured like police secure Tavern on Rush , or Wrigleyville or a Bulls game , ” he said .
“ But I ’ m [ hosting ] 1,100 people a week at Transit , and I ’ ve got to create the security myself .
Which we ’ re good at — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for 15 years straight doing the largest Black parties down here — but why not treat me like you treat Tavern on Rush ?
” Powell said he feels the E2 nightclub tragedy , when 23 people died during a 2003 stampede at the former Near North Side venue , has been used by police to justify “ harassment and pushback ” against Black club owners .
The group hoped the march would result in getting the owners and promoters a meeting with Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Police Supt .
David Brown to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nightlife industry .
The owners say they also hope to establish more Black-owned bars and clubs in the River North and Near North Side communities .
“ Some people say , ‘ Why don ’ t you go to the South Side ?
’ Gilmore said .
“ For us , we don ’ t want to view ourselves as just being on the South Side .
We want access to the tourism dollars that come down here .
”

Black nightclub owners and promoters called for the end of “nightlife racism” during a protest march Saturday on the Near North Side.
About 50 people representing Black promoters and nightlife venue owners marched north on State Street, then west on Division Street to the Chicago Police Department’s Near North District station, to raise awareness about discrimination against Black-owned businesses.
“[CPD’s Near North Side District] has been running Black people and Black promoters and Black businessmen from downtown simply because of the color of their skin for at least 20 years,” according to Asa “Duce” Powell, a nightclub owner and promoter for the past 20 years.
The march was organized by Teddy Gilmore, another longtime restaurant and club owner in the city.
Nouveau Tavern in River North, where Gilmore worked as an executive, was shut down abruptly over liquor licensing issues in 2014. The building was later tagged with racist graffiti and closed for good in 2015.
Last year, Gilmore’s DrinkHaus Supper Club in Greektown was also shut down by city officials, which Block Club Chicago reported was due to code and liquor license violations the business faced.
Gilmore said he believes the club was unfairly targeted due to discrimination against Black-owned businesses.
“If you look around, you don’t see any African-American nightclubs or restaurants downtown,” he said.
Customers at Butch McGuire’s on Division Street applauded marchers Saturday. Ben Pope/Sun-Times
When passing Tavern on Rush, a popular restaurant and club in the Gold Coast, Powell pointed to a difference he says he sees between the police presence at their events and those he holds at Transit, another popular club in the West Loop.
Powell said he wants police to maintain a limited presence outside Black clubs to help when needed with security rather than having police generally either ignore the Black clubs or work to shut them down.
“We just want the same equal rights to be secured like police secure Tavern on Rush, or Wrigleyville or a Bulls game,” he said. “But I’m [hosting] 1,100 people a week at Transit, and I’ve got to create the security myself. Which we’re good at — I didn’t have an incident for 15 years straight doing the largest Black parties down here — but why not treat me like you treat Tavern on Rush?”
Powell said the E2 nightclub tragedy, when 23 people died during a 2003 stampede at the former Near South Side venue, has been used by police to justify “harassment and pushback” against Black club owners.
The group hoped the march would result in getting owners and promoters a meeting with Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Police Supt. David Brown to discuss racism in the city’s nightlife industry.
The owners say they also hope to establish more Black-owned bars and clubs in the River North and Near North Side communities.
“Some people say, ‘Why don’t you go to the South Side?’ Gilmore said. “For us, we don’t want to view ourselves as just being on the South Side. We want access to the tourism dollars that come down here.”


chicagosun-times--2020-06-20--Applications open for $15 million Together Now grants for small businesses, nonprofits

Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced Saturday that small businesses and nonprofits hit hard by the coronavirus and damage from recent civil unrest can submit applications for grants from the $ 15 million Together Now fund .
The online application is open through June 29 , the mayor ’ s office said in a statement .
Grants will be awarded after the application deadline through a lottery system .
“ Our small businesses play a critical role in contributing to the vibrancy of our city which is why it is essential that we offer them assistance during what may be the most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Lightfoot said .
Businesses that have lost at least 25 % of their revenue due to the coronavirus pandemic and employ less than 100 people at one location are eligible for a grant of up to $ 4,000 , the mayor ’ s office said .
Additionally , storefronts damaged during the civil unrest sparked by the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis may receive a grant of up to $ 10,000 for repairs , the mayor ’ s office said .
Those businesses must provide photos and repair quotes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ businesses , such as franchises , branch banks and payday loan stores are not eligible for a grant , the mayor ’ s office said .
The Together Now grants are largely funded by city projects like the Neighborhood Opportunity Fund and Adopt-a-Landmark , as well as money received from the federal CARES Act , the mayor ’ s office said .
Jewel-Osco also contributed $ 1 million , and various other corporate and individual donors have chipped in .
The city expects to make grants to over 2,500 small businesses , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can expect to hear whether they will receive the funds within three weeks of the June 29 deadline .
Earlier this week , Gov .
J.B. Pritzker announced a $ 900 million statewide grant fund meant to help businesses harmed by COVID-19 , as well as homeowners and renters struggling to pay rent and mortgages .

Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced Saturday that small businesses and nonprofits hit hard by the coronavirus and damage from recent civil unrest can submit applications for grants from the $15 million Together Now fund.
The online application is open through June 29, the mayor’s office said in a statement. Grants will be awarded after the application deadline through a lottery system.
“Our small businesses play a critical role in contributing to the vibrancy of our city which is why it is essential that we offer them assistance during what may be the most difficult time that many of them face,” Lightfoot said.
Businesses that have lost at least 25% of their revenue due to the coronavirus pandemic and employ less than 100 people at one location are eligible for a grant of up to $4,000, the mayor’s office said.
Additionally, storefronts damaged during the civil unrest sparked by the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis may receive a grant of up to $10,000 for repairs, the mayor’s office said. Those businesses must provide photos and repair quotes as proof of the damages.
Chain businesses, such as franchises, branch banks and payday loan stores are not eligible for a grant, the mayor’s office said.
The Together Now grants are largely funded by city projects like the Neighborhood Opportunity Fund and Adopt-a-Landmark, as well as money received from the federal CARES Act, the mayor’s office said. Jewel-Osco also contributed $1 million, and various other corporate and individual donors have chipped in.
The city expects to make grants to over 2,500 small businesses, the mayor’s office said. Applicants can expect to hear whether they will receive the funds within three weeks of the June 29 deadline.
Earlier this week, Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced a $900 million statewide grant fund meant to help businesses harmed by COVID-19, as well as homeowners and renters struggling to pay rent and mortgages.


chicagosun-times--2020-06-20--Tiz the Law wins Belmont Stakes to kick off Triple Crown

NEW YORK — Tiz the Law has won an unprecedented Belmont Stakes , claiming victory Saturday at the first race of a rejiggered Triple Crown schedule and crossing the finish line in front of eerily empty grandstands .
The 3-year-old colt from upstate New York charged to the lead turning to the frontstretch and now can set his sights on the Sept. 5 Kentucky Derby and Oct. 3 Preakness .
All three legs of this year ’ s Triple Crown schedule were postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic .
Belmont , usually the series capper , was initially scheduled for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York a hometown champion in its first major sporting event since the coronavirus pandemic seized the area .
He ’ s the first New York-bred horse to win the Belmont since Forrester in 1882 .
This Belmont States was unlike any of the 151 that preceded it .
The Long Island track can pack in nearly 100,000 , but this race had about 100 on hand , including jockeys , media and park staff .
Masks were mandated for all but the horses — even the jockeys wore face coverings .
Closed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Park hardly resembled the summer soiree New Yorkers are used to .
Betting windows and gift shops were closed , no boozy Belmont Jewels shaken to order .
Foot traffic was so slow that a few weeds over a foot tall sprouted up between bricks paving the track-side pavilion .
Silence at the 115-year-old venue was broken when New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo issued the traditional “ riders , up !
” call remotely via video .
Bugler Sam Grossman pulled down his facemask to tap out “ Call to the Post @ @ @ @ @ @ @ track to a recording of Frank Sinatra ’ s “ New York , New York.
” A PA announcer introduced them to empty grandstands .
Signs outside the locked down venue instructed gamblers that if they wanted to wager on this Belmont Stakes , their best bet was to download an app and do it on their phones .
Perhaps welcome harbinger for Tap It to Win , who led out of the gates and seemed poised to give trainer Mark Casse a third straight Triple Crown race victory .
Instead , Tiz @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outside and cruised to a four-length victory .
Tiz the Law owner Jack Knowlton of New York ’ s Sackatoga Stable was set to watch from a restaurant patio in upstate Saratoga Springs .
A little different than 17 years ago , when the Sackatoga crew took a school bus to watch their colt Funny Cide try to wrap a Triple Crown sweep at Belmont Park .
Funny Cide finished third .
It was also a breakthrough win for 82-year-old trainer Barclay Tagg , who completed a career Triple Crown after also training @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just glad I lived long enough that I got another horse like this , ” Tagg said .
Manny Franco , a 25-year-old jockey from Puerto Rico , entered the winner ’ s circle in his first career Belmont Stakes .
He called Tiz the Law a “ versatile ” horse in the run-up to the race , and what he showed Saturday was typical — stalk the pacemakers early , then pounce on the home stretch .
Dr Post , owned by famed trainer Todd Pletcher , finished second .
Max Player @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by a woman-trained horse — Linda Rice was trying to become the first woman to ever send a horse to victory at a Triple Crown race .
The track Saturday was shortened to 1 1/8 miles instead of the grueling 1 ½-mile standard to account for competitors ’ unusual training schedules .
Racers kicked off from a starting gate placed atop the backstretch , rather than in front of the grandstands .
Plenty remained on the line .
Tiz the Law earned Knowlton the top share of a $ 1 million purse , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Derby qualifying points .
Tiz the Law took advantage of a 10-horse field weakened by injuries .
Among the casualties were two potential entrants from famed trainer Bob Baffert , who ended up without a horse in this race — one of then , Charlatan , is expected to run the Kentucky Derby .
Earlier Saturday , Gamine led all the way in winning the $ 300,000 Acorn Stakes for 3-year-old fillies by 18 3/4 lengths .
Trained by Baffert , Gamine ran one mile in 1:32.55 , fastest in the 90-year history @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just off the track record of 1:32.24 set by Najran in 2003 .
Gamine earned 50 qualifying points for the Kentucky Oaks on Sept. 4 at Churchill Downs .
Gamine is one of two horses trained by Baffert that tested positive for a banned substance at Oaklawn Park in Arkansas .
She won a race there on May 2 .
Published reports said Gamine , along with Charlatan , tested positive for lidocaine , a regulated anesthetic widely used in equine medicine .

NEW YORK — Eerily empty grandstands. Masked jockeys. Shuttered betting windows.
For Tiz the Law trainer Barclay Tagg, no finer way to round out a career Triple Crown.
“I’m not trying to be a jerk about it,” the 82-year-old said. “But I thought the quiet, to me, was very nice.”
Everything was strange about this Belmont Stakes, except the winner.
Heavily favored Tiz the Law won an unprecedented Belmont, claiming victory Saturday at the first race of a rejiggered Triple Crown schedule that barred fans because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The 3-year-old colt from upstate New York charged to the lead turning for home and now can set his sights on the Sept. 5 Kentucky Derby and Oct. 3 Preakness. All three legs of this year’s Triple Crown schedule were postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Belmont, usually the series capper, was initially scheduled for June 6.
Tiz the Law gave New York a hometown champion in its first major sporting event since the coronavirus pandemic seized the area. He’s the first New York-bred horse to win the Belmont since Forester in 1882.
“It’s a lot smaller crowd, that’s for sure,” said owner Jack Knowlton, who watched from a restaurant patio in the familiar surroundings of Saratoga Springs.
The 4-5 favorite won by 3 3/4 lengths, covering the 1 1/8 miles in 1:46.53. Dr Post finished second and Max Player was third.
The race was shortened from the usual 1 ½-mile standard to account for competitors’ unusual training schedules. Horses kicked off from a starting gate placed atop the backstretch, rather than in front of the grandstands.
In most every way, this Belmont States was unlike any of the 151 that preceded it. The Long Island track can pack in nearly 100,000, but this race had about 100 on hand, including jockeys, media and park staff.
Masks were mandated for all but the horses — even the jockeys wore face coverings.
Closed to the public since March, Belmont Park hardly resembled the summer soiree New Yorkers are used to. Betting windows and gift shops were closed, not a single boozy Belmont Breeze to sip.
Foot traffic was so slow that a few weeds over a foot tall had sprouted up between bricks paving the track-side pavilion.
Silence at the 115-year-old venue was broken when New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo issued the traditional “riders, up!” call remotely via video. Longtime bugler Sam Grossman pulled down his facemask to tap out “Call to the Post,” and horses strolled onto the track to a recording of Frank Sinatra’s “New York, New York.” A PA announcer introduced them to empty grandstands.
Signs outside the locked down venue instructed gamblers that if they wanted to wager on this Belmont Stakes, their best bet was to download an app and do it on their phones.
Perhaps a welcome harbinger for Tap It to Win, who led out of the gates and seemed poised to give trainer Mark Casse a third straight Triple Crown race victory.
Instead, Tiz the Law powered past him on the outside and cruised to victory.
“Everything just went like clockwork,” Tagg said.
Knowlton, from New York’s Sackatoga Stable, noted this race was a little different than 17 years ago, when the Sackatoga crew took a school bus to watch their colt Funny Cide try to wrap a Triple Crown sweep at Belmont Park. Funny Cide finished third that day.
It was also a breakthrough win for Tagg, who completed a career Triple Crown after also training Funny Cide.
“It’s tremendous,” Knowlton said. “We just buy New York-breds, that’s our game. We don’t spend a lot of money. We’ve been with Barclay Tagg for 25 years. I keep telling everybody Barclay doesn’t get a lot of big horses and big opportunities, but when he gets them he knows what to do.”
Tagg said he wasn’t sure if Tiz the Law would pull it off until the final 100 yards. The colt paid $3.50, $2.90 and $2.60.
“I’m just glad I lived long enough that I got another horse like this,” Tagg said.
Manny Franco, a 25-year-old jockey from Puerto Rico, entered the winner’s circle in his first career Belmont Stakes. He called Tiz the Law a “ versatile” horse in the run-up to the race, and what he showed Saturday was typical — stalk the pacemakers early, then pounce on the home stretch.
“It means a lot to me,” Franco said. “This is my home track. I’ve ridden here for about six years already. One leg of the Triple Crown is the dream of any jockey. I’m happy with the opportunity I have right now.”
Dr Post, owned by famed trainer Todd Pletcher, paid $5.80 and $4.20. Max Player paid $5.20, among the highest finishes by a female-trained horse — Linda Rice was trying to become the first woman to ever send a horse to victory at a Triple Crown race.
Plenty remained on the line. Tiz the Law earned Knowlton the top share of a $1 million purse, and the top four horses earned Kentucky Derby qualifying points.
Tiz the Law took advantage of a 10-horse field weakened by injuries. Among the casualties were two potential entrants from famed trainer Bob Baffert, who ended up without a horse in this race — one of then, Charlatan, is expected to run the Preakness.
Earlier Saturday, Gamine led all the way in winning the $300,000 Acorn Stakes for 3-year-old fillies by 18 3/4 lengths.
Trained by Baffert, Gamine ran one mile in 1:32.55, fastest in the 90-year history of the race. Her time was just off the track record of 1:32.24 set by Najran in 2003. Gamine earned 50 qualifying points for the Kentucky Oaks on Sept. 4 at Churchill Downs.
Gamine is one of two horses trained by Baffert that tested positive for a banned substance at Oaklawn Park in Arkansas. She won a race there on May 2. Published reports said Gamine, along with Charlatan, tested positive for lidocaine, a regulated anesthetic widely used in equine medicine.


chicagosun-times--2020-06-20--Illinois announces another 45 coronavirus deaths as nursing home cases continue to rise  (LIVE UPDAT

Illinois announces another 45 coronavirus deaths as nursing home cases continue to rise  (LIVE UPDATES)

Illinois announces another 45 coronavirus deaths as nursing home cases continue to rise Another 45 people have died of the coronavirus in Illinois , state health officials announced Saturday .
The state has so far avoided a spike in COVID-19 cases mirroring that of states like Florida and Arizona , but the new deaths bring Illinois ’ total pandemic death toll to 6,625 .
The state has historically seen much lower announced totals on weekends due to some hospitals not reporting deaths , but Saturday ’ s 45 deaths are actually one more than the 44 announced Friday and also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Illinois Department of Public Health said an additional 634 people tested positive for coronavirus , bringing the state ’ s total case count to 136,104 .
Those positive cases were found among 25,965 new tests processed .
Read the full story by Ben Pope here .
1:55 p.m. Pandemic keeps plumbers busy ; housebound clients mean ‘ a lot more toilets being flushed ’ Plumbers say they ’ re busier than ever thanks to the coronavirus pandemic keeping most of us at home most of the time the past few months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the toilets , ” says Tom Mascari , president of Mendel Plumbing & Heating in St. Charles .
“ Handles are breaking , valves inside need to be replaced.
” “ We ’ ve been working seven days a week , 10- , 12- , 14-hour shifts , ” says Jose Rivera , owner of A Solution Sewer & Plumbing in Bridgeview .
“ By the time I get home , it ’ s a shower , and off to bed I go.
” “ We ’ ve been incredibly busy — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , owner of Four Seasons Sewer & Plumbing , 6807 W. Irving Park Rd .
“ There ’ s a lot more toilets being flushed.
” Pre-pandemic , “ You ’ re using the bathroom facilities in the morning before you go to work or school and then in the evening , ” says Brian Wilk , owner of Bishop Heating , Plumbing and Cooling in Des Plaines .
But with people stuck at home , “ You ’ re getting more clogged drain lines.
” Some clogs have been caused by people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who instead did what plumbers will tell you is a big no-no : They used paper towels or wipes that are advertised as flushable but don ’ t dissolve like T.P .
And sometimes kids , bored with being home so long , toss things in to the toilet that aren ’ t meant to be tossed into the toilet .
Read the full story from Maureen O ’ Donnell here .
12:14 p.m. Trump looks to reset campaign amid pandemic with Tulsa rally WASHINGTON — Pressing ahead in a pandemic , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decline in his political fortunes Saturday by returning to the format that has so often energized him and his loyal supporters : a raucous , no-holds-barred rally before tens of thousands of ardent fans , this time in Tulsa , Oklahoma .
The rally was shaping up to be one of the biggest indoor events in the U.S. since large gatherings were shut down in March because of the coronavirus , and it was scheduled over the protests of local health officials and as COVID-19 cases spike in many states .
The event @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the area as well .
It ’ s been more than three months since the nation last saw a Trump rally .
The unemployment rate stood at about 3.5 % that March 2 .
The number of coronavirus cases in the U.S. was estimated at 91 .
“ Our country is stronger than ever before , ” Trump declared .
Now , the unemployment rate stands at 13.3 % , based on the most recent monthly report .
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases has soared to about 2.2 million .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has surpassed 119,000 .
10:53 a.m. Pandemic becomes a patchwork of small successes and setbacks BEIJING — Authorities in China appeared to be winning their battle against an outbreak of coronavirus in Beijing on Saturday , but in parts of the Americas the pandemic raged unabated .
Brazil surpassed 1 million confirmed infections , second only to the United States .
Europe , in contrast , continued to emerge warily from lockdown , with hard-hit Britain considering easing social distancing rules to make it easier for restaurants , pubs and schools to reopen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s European epicenter , Pope Francis told medics that their heroic efforts during the outbreak would help the country forge a future of hope and solidarity .
The head of the World Health Organization warned Friday that the pandemic is “ accelerating ” and that more than 150,000 cases were reported the day before — the highest single-day number so far .
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told reporters in Geneva that nearly half of the newly reported cases were from the Americas , with significant numbers from South Asia and the Middle East @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 8.5 million people worldwide and killed more than 454,000 , according to figures compiled by Johns Hopkins University .
The actual number is thought to be much higher because many cases are asymptomatic or go untested .
The global battle against COVID-19 is a patchwork of successes and setbacks at this point in the pandemic , quantified by the trajectory of the coronavirus in different countries .
7:15 a.m. AMC Theaters now will require masks , reversing policy after strong backlash LOS ANGELES — The nation ’ s largest movie theater chain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a day after the company became a target on social media for saying it would defer to local governments on the issue .
AMC Theaters CEO Adam Aron said Friday that its theaters will require patrons to wear masks upon reopening , which will begin in mid-July .
Customers who don ’ t wear masks won ’ t be admitted or allowed to stay .
“ We think it is absolutely crucial that we listen to our guests , ” Aron said .
“ It is clear from this response that we did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of masks.
” Rival chain Regal followed AMC ’ s lead .
Spokesman Richard Grover said Friday that moviegoers must wear masks in all its theaters as well .
• Another 44 people have died of COVID-19 in Illinois as health officials on Friday announced the latest batch of 692 confirmed cases .
• New research suggests a unique COVID-19 virus spread through Chicago earlier this year , linked directly to an early outbreak in China , which may not spread as easily and as rapidly as the virus prevalent in New York @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced Tuesday he has tested positive for COVID-19 .
11:28 a.m. A ‘ last responder ’ s ’ COVID-19 message : ‘ If they won ’ t listen to a doctor , maybe they ’ ll listen to an undertaker ’ In a normal month , Symonds ’ Funeral Home in north suburban Highwood handles five to eight funerals .
As the COVID-19 pandemic peaked here in May , that number jumped to 44 .
The vast majority of those were COVID cases , said Irving Symonds III , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only just now starting to see his workload ease slightly .
“ It ’ s still busy .
It ’ s not like what it was .
We really got slammed , ” said Symonds , who spent much of May with families lined up outside his office door seeking to make arrangements while he got only three hours sleep per night trying to keep up with the work .
As Illinois continues with its reopening process and life returns to some semblance of normal , it would be a tragedy if people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we ’ ve been dealing with is real — and continues to be real .
And I can ’ t think of any place better to bring home that point than a funeral home , where death gets about as real as real can get .
“ We ’ re the last responders , ” said Symonds , drawing on a reference to his profession that has been popularized during this pandemic .
Read the full commentary from columnist Mark Brown on a local funeral home operator at the front lines of COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get serious about fundraising as the state reopens As Illinois slowly begins the reopening process , some state legislators have decided to start hosting in-person fundraisers .
For the past few months , most legislative incumbents and challengers have abandoned fundraising .
The global pandemic , accompanied by an international economic crash , made the idea of raising campaign money seem crass , inappropriate and even dangerous .
Eventually , some folks began hosting online fundraisers .
It ’ s an election year , after all , and elections cost money .
So @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pay for a password to attend Zoom events and support their candidates of choice .
Several candidates also began dialing for dollars .
But April was not a good month for campaigns .
$ 2.87 million in A-1 reports ( contributions of $ 1,000 or over ) were filed in April .
That ’ s about a third of the $ 7.7 million reported in April of 2016 , a similar election cycle .
Just $ 3.6 million in A-1 contributions were reported this May , which is about a fifth of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2016 .

The numbers with Illinois coronavirus cases continue to fall as only 45 new deaths were reported on Saturday. However, an alarming percentage of overall COVID-19 deaths are from people who are living or working in nursing homes.
Here’s what happened in the fight against the coronavirus in Chicago and around the state.
News
5:46 p.m. Illinois announces another 45 coronavirus deaths as nursing home cases continue to rise
Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times file
Another 45 people have died of the coronavirus in Illinois, state health officials announced Saturday.
The state has so far avoided a spike in COVID-19 cases mirroring that of states like Florida and Arizona, but the new deaths bring Illinois’ total pandemic death toll to 6,625.
The state has historically seen much lower announced totals on weekends due to some hospitals not reporting deaths, but Saturday’s 45 deaths are actually one more than the 44 announced Friday and also dwarf the mere 19 announced last Saturday.
The Illinois Department of Public Health said an additional 634 people tested positive for coronavirus, bringing the state’s total case count to 136,104. Those positive cases were found among 25,965 new tests processed.
Read the full story by Ben Pope here.
1:55 p.m. Pandemic keeps plumbers busy; housebound clients mean ‘a lot more toilets being flushed’
Plumbers say they’re busier than ever thanks to the coronavirus pandemic keeping most of us at home most of the time the past few months.
“It’s more use of the toilets,” says Tom Mascari, president of Mendel Plumbing & Heating in St. Charles. “Handles are breaking, valves inside need to be replaced.”
“We’ve been working seven days a week, 10-, 12-, 14-hour shifts,” says Jose Rivera, owner of A Solution Sewer & Plumbing in Bridgeview. “By the time I get home, it’s a shower, and off to bed I go.”
“We’ve been incredibly busy — beyond belief,” says William Taylor, owner of Four Seasons Sewer & Plumbing, 6807 W. Irving Park Rd. “There’s a lot more toilets being flushed.”
Pre-pandemic, “You’re using the bathroom facilities in the morning before you go to work or school and then in the evening,” says Brian Wilk, owner of Bishop Heating, Plumbing and Cooling in Des Plaines. But with people stuck at home, “You’re getting more clogged drain lines.”
Some clogs have been caused by people, perhaps worried about toilet paper shortages, who instead did what plumbers will tell you is a big no-no: They used paper towels or wipes that are advertised as flushable but don’t dissolve like T.P.
And sometimes kids, bored with being home so long, toss things in to the toilet that aren’t meant to be tossed into the toilet.
12:14 p.m. Trump looks to reset campaign amid pandemic with Tulsa rally
WASHINGTON — Pressing ahead in a pandemic, President Donald Trump looked to reverse a decline in his political fortunes Saturday by returning to the format that has so often energized him and his loyal supporters: a raucous, no-holds-barred rally before tens of thousands of ardent fans, this time in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
The rally was shaping up to be one of the biggest indoor events in the U.S. since large gatherings were shut down in March because of the coronavirus, and it was scheduled over the protests of local health officials and as COVID-19 cases spike in many states. The event was expected to draw crowds of protesters to the area as well.
It’s been more than three months since the nation last saw a Trump rally. The unemployment rate stood at about 3.5% that March 2. The number of coronavirus cases in the U.S. was estimated at 91. “Our country is stronger than ever before,” Trump declared.
Now, the unemployment rate stands at 13.3%, based on the most recent monthly report. The number of confirmed coronavirus cases has soared to about 2.2 million. The number of deaths reported in the U.S. has surpassed 119,000.
Read the full report here.
10:53 a.m. Pandemic becomes a patchwork of small successes and setbacks
BEIJING — Authorities in China appeared to be winning their battle against an outbreak of coronavirus in Beijing on Saturday, but in parts of the Americas the pandemic raged unabated. Brazil surpassed 1 million confirmed infections, second only to the United States.
Europe, in contrast, continued to emerge warily from lockdown, with hard-hit Britain considering easing social distancing rules to make it easier for restaurants, pubs and schools to reopen. In Italy, once the pandemic’s European epicenter, Pope Francis told medics that their heroic efforts during the outbreak would help the country forge a future of hope and solidarity.
The head of the World Health Organization warned Friday that the pandemic is “accelerating” and that more than 150,000 cases were reported the day before — the highest single-day number so far.
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told reporters in Geneva that nearly half of the newly reported cases were from the Americas, with significant numbers from South Asia and the Middle East.
The new coronavirus has infected more than 8.5 million people worldwide and killed more than 454,000, according to figures compiled by Johns Hopkins University. The actual number is thought to be much higher because many cases are asymptomatic or go untested.
The global battle against COVID-19 is a patchwork of successes and setbacks at this point in the pandemic, quantified by the trajectory of the coronavirus in different countries.
Read the full report here.
7:15 a.m. AMC Theaters now will require masks, reversing policy after strong backlash
LOS ANGELES — The nation’s largest movie theater chain changed its position on mask-wearing less than a day after the company became a target on social media for saying it would defer to local governments on the issue.
AMC Theaters CEO Adam Aron said Friday that its theaters will require patrons to wear masks upon reopening, which will begin in mid-July. Customers who don’t wear masks won’t be admitted or allowed to stay.
“We think it is absolutely crucial that we listen to our guests,” Aron said. “It is clear from this response that we did not go far enough on the usage of masks.”
Rival chain Regal followed AMC’s lead. Spokesman Richard Grover said Friday that moviegoers must wear masks in all its theaters as well.
New cases
Analysis & Commentary
11:28 a.m. A ‘last responder’s’ COVID-19 message: ‘If they won’t listen to a doctor, maybe they’ll listen to an undertaker’
In a normal month, Symonds’ Funeral Home in north suburban Highwood handles five to eight funerals.
As the COVID-19 pandemic peaked here in May, that number jumped to 44.
The vast majority of those were COVID cases, said Irving Symonds III, the second-generation funeral home operator who is only just now starting to see his workload ease slightly.
“It’s still busy. It’s not like what it was. We really got slammed,” said Symonds, who spent much of May with families lined up outside his office door seeking to make arrangements while he got only three hours sleep per night trying to keep up with the work.
As Illinois continues with its reopening process and life returns to some semblance of normal, it would be a tragedy if people failed to keep in mind that what we’ve been dealing with is real — and continues to be real.
And I can’t think of any place better to bring home that point than a funeral home, where death gets about as real as real can get.
“We’re the last responders,” said Symonds, drawing on a reference to his profession that has been popularized during this pandemic.
Read the full commentary from columnist Mark Brown on a local funeral home operator at the front lines of COVID-19.
7:18 a.m. Illinois politicians start to get serious about fundraising as the state reopens
As Illinois slowly begins the reopening process, some state legislators have decided to start hosting in-person fundraisers.
For the past few months, most legislative incumbents and challengers have abandoned fundraising. The global pandemic, accompanied by an international economic crash, made the idea of raising campaign money seem crass, inappropriate and even dangerous.
Eventually, some folks began hosting online fundraisers. It’s an election year, after all, and elections cost money. So, for a price, contributors could pay for a password to attend Zoom events and support their candidates of choice.
Several candidates also began dialing for dollars. But April was not a good month for campaigns. $2.87 million in A-1 reports (contributions of $1,000 or over) were filed in April. That’s about a third of the $7.7 million reported in April of 2016, a similar election cycle.
Just $3.6 million in A-1 contributions were reported this May, which is about a fifth of the $15.5 million reported in May of 2016.
Read Rich Miller’s full column here.


chicagosun-times--2020-06-20--Illinois announces another 45 coronavirus deaths as nursing home cases continue to rise

Another 45 people have died of the coronavirus in Illinois , state health officials announced Saturday .
The state has so far avoided a spike in COVID-19 cases mirroring that of states like Florida and Arizona , but the new deaths bring Illinois ’ total pandemic death toll to 6,625 .
The state has historically seen much lower announced totals on weekends due to some hospitals not reporting deaths , but Saturday ’ s 45 deaths are actually one more than the 44 announced Friday and also dwarf the mere 19 announced last Saturday .
The Illinois Department of Public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ positive for coronavirus , bringing the state ’ s total case count to 136,104 .
Those positive cases were found among 25,965 new tests processed .
Many indicators remain encouraging , though , as 94 % of Illinoisans who have contracted the virus have since recovered .
And the positivity rate on tests conducted over the past week is just 3 % , which keeps every region of the state on track to enter Phase 4 of Gov .
J.B. Pritzker ’ s reopening plan on June 26 .
The number of COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at hospitals across the state has also decreased significantly over the past week .
As of Friday , 454 patients occupied ICU beds and 274 were on ventilators .
Nursing homes and long-term care facilities continue to represent a large portion of the pandemic ’ s impact on Illinois , according to statistics released by the state Friday .
A total of 3,649 Illinois nursing home residents and staff have died of COVID-19 , making up 55 % of the state total , and 21,476 residents and staff have tested positive , comprising @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Over the past week , 165 nursing home residents and staff died — representing 49 % of the state ’ s coronavirus deaths over that time period — and 718 have tested positive , representing 17 % of the state ’ s newly confirmed cases .
Four long-term care facilities have experienced major outbreaks with 30 or more new cases over the past week : West Suburban Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in DuPage County , Tower Hill Healthcare Center in Kane County , Grosse Pointe Manor in Cook County and Captain James A.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ County .
Meanwhile , five nursing homes have suffered five or more deaths over the past week : Grosse Pointe Manor ; Symphony at 87th ; Birchwood Plaza Nursing-Rehab and Lee Manor Rehab and Nursing in Cook County ; and Cedar Ridge Health and Rehab Center in St. Clair County .

UPDATE: A story in Sunday’s paper wrongly reported the number of COVID-19 cases at Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center in Lake County, based on incorrect state data. The long-term care facility has recorded 24 cases among residents and 5 deaths, with no new cases since June 10. In addition, Grosse Pointe Manor in Niles reported nine cases and one death in the past week, not more than 30 cases and five deaths, as the state initially reported.
Another 45 people have died of the coronavirus in Illinois, state health officials announced Saturday.
The state has so far avoided a spike in COVID-19 cases mirroring that of states like Florida and Arizona, but the new deaths bring Illinois’ total pandemic death toll to 6,625.
The state has historically seen much lower announced totals on weekends due to some hospitals not reporting deaths, but Saturday’s 45 deaths are actually one more than the 44 announced Friday and also dwarf the mere 29 announced last Saturday.
The Illinois Department of Public Health said an additional 634 people tested positive for coronavirus, bringing the state’s total case count to 136,104. Those positive cases were found among 25,965 new tests processed.
Many indicators remain encouraging, though, as 94% of Illinoisans who have contracted the virus have since recovered.
And the positivity rate on tests conducted over the past week is just 3%, which keeps every region of the state on track to enter Phase 4 of Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s reopening plan on June 26.
The number of COVID-19 patients occupying ICU beds and on ventilators at hospitals across the state has also decreased significantly over the past week. As of Friday, 454 patients occupied ICU beds and 274 were on ventilators.
Nursing home cases, deaths rising
Nursing homes and long-term care facilities continue to represent a large portion of the pandemic’s impact on Illinois, according to statistics released by the state Friday.
A total of 3,649 Illinois nursing home residents and staff have died of COVID-19, making up 55% of the state total, and 21,476 residents and staff have tested positive, comprising 16% of the state total.
Over the past week, 165 nursing home residents and staff died — representing 49% of the state’s coronavirus deaths over that time period — and 718 have tested positive, representing 17% of the state’s newly confirmed cases.
A few long-term care facilities experienced major outbreaks with 30 or more new cases over the past week, the state said, while other nursing homes reported five or more deaths in that time.


chicagosun-times--2020-06-21--Dear Abby: My hateful ex wants us to get back together

DEAR ABBY : My girlfriend and I split up , but she doesn ’ t want to tell anyone or change stuff on Facebook .
When I told her that , for now , I just want to be friends , she got mad at me for changing the password on my account .
She can get mean and hateful when she doesn ’ t get her way , and she keeps bringing up my past and won ’ t let it go .
She wants to get back together .
We have broken up and gotten back together several @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ’ m not sure I want to .
I love her , but I don ’ t know how much more I can take .
She tells me she ’ s sorry every time she calls me names or is mean and thinks that it will fix everything .
When I told her it wouldn ’ t , she threatened to block me if I put “ single ” on my profile .
Please give me some advice .
I don ’ t think this is healthy , and I don ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CONFUSED IN KENTUCKY DEAR CONFUSED : Listen to your gut , which is telling you this romance isn ’ t healthy .
There ’ s a reason the two of you have broken up repeatedly .
Your ex-girlfriend is verbally abusive and controlling , and she threatens you .
Go ahead and post on your profile that you are single , and if she blocks you , so be it .
The first step to healing your wounded heart will be to start meeting others .
Give it a try , and you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
DEAR ABBY : There are many videos about proper hand-washing on the internet as well as video clips that have been aired on television demonstrating the proper technique .
But just about everyone I have seen leaves the water running the whole time they are washing their hands .
I don ’ t think it is a good idea to try to teach people , especially young children , a technique that is so wasteful .
There ’ s no reason for the water to be running all the time someone is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because that water just goes right down the drain .
While it ’ s very important that everybody wash their hands to prevent viruses from spreading , it is also important to recognize that water is a precious resource .
Care should be taken not to waste it .
— ENVIRONMENTALIST IN NEW JERSEY DEAR ENVIRONMENTALIST : You are right , which is why I am printing your timely reminder .
In the Southwest , where drought is common , the importance of water conservation is a fact of life .
Because I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New Jersey on this subject , I went online and learned to my surprise that starting in 2001 , there was a drought that lasted 55 weeks in your state .
Folks , because water is not an infinite resource , be prudent .
And I ’ m not just suggesting you be mindful when washing your hands and brushing your teeth .
It ’ s also important to consider when rinsing dishes and — men — shaving once the quarantine is lifted .
DEAR READERS : Today I wish a Happy Father @ @ @ @ @ @ @ birth fathers , stepfathers , adoptive and foster fathers , grandfathers and all of those caring men who mentor children and fill the role of absent dads .
P.S .
And a big shout-out to dual-role moms .
I applaud you all .
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 .
Good advice for everyone — teens to seniors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ All of Us and How to Deal With It.
” To order , send your name and mailing address , plus check or money order for $ 8 ( U.S. funds ) , to : Dear Abby , Anger Booklet , P.O .
Box 447 , Mount Morris , IL 61054-0447 .
( Shipping and handling are included in the price . )

DEAR ABBY: My girlfriend and I split up, but she doesn’t want to tell anyone or change stuff on Facebook. When I told her that, for now, I just want to be friends, she got mad at me for changing the password on my account. She can get mean and hateful when she doesn’t get her way, and she keeps bringing up my past and won’t let it go.
She wants to get back together. We have broken up and gotten back together several times. This time, though, I’m not sure I want to. I love her, but I don’t know how much more I can take. She tells me she’s sorry every time she calls me names or is mean and thinks that it will fix everything. When I told her it wouldn’t, she threatened to block me if I put “single” on my profile. Please give me some advice. I don’t think this is healthy, and I don’t know what to do. — CONFUSED IN KENTUCKY
DEAR CONFUSED: Listen to your gut, which is telling you this romance isn’t healthy. There’s a reason the two of you have broken up repeatedly. Your ex-girlfriend is verbally abusive and controlling, and she threatens you.
Go ahead and post on your profile that you are single, and if she blocks you, so be it. The first step to healing your wounded heart will be to start meeting others. Give it a try, and you will find it’s very effective.
DEAR ABBY: There are many videos about proper hand-washing on the internet as well as video clips that have been aired on television demonstrating the proper technique. But just about everyone I have seen leaves the water running the whole time they are washing their hands. I don’t think it is a good idea to try to teach people, especially young children, a technique that is so wasteful.
There’s no reason for the water to be running all the time someone is washing their hands or brushing their teeth because that water just goes right down the drain. While it’s very important that everybody wash their hands to prevent viruses from spreading, it is also important to recognize that water is a precious resource. Care should be taken not to waste it. — ENVIRONMENTALIST IN NEW JERSEY
DEAR ENVIRONMENTALIST: You are right, which is why I am printing your timely reminder. In the Southwest, where drought is common, the importance of water conservation is a fact of life. Because I was surprised to receive a letter from New Jersey on this subject, I went online and learned to my surprise that starting in 2001, there was a drought that lasted 55 weeks in your state.
Folks, because water is not an infinite resource, be prudent. And I’m not just suggesting you be mindful when washing your hands and brushing your teeth. It’s also important to consider when rinsing dishes and — men — shaving once the quarantine is lifted.
DEAR READERS: Today I wish a Happy Father’s Day to fathers everywhere — birth fathers, stepfathers, adoptive and foster fathers, grandfathers and all of those caring men who mentor children and fill the role of absent dads.
P.S. And a big shout-out to dual-role moms. I applaud you all.
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.
Good advice for everyone — teens to seniors — is in “The Anger in All of Us and How to Deal With It.” To order, send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $8 (U.S. funds), to: Dear Abby, Anger Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. (Shipping and handling are included in the price.)


chicagosun-times--2020-06-21--Woman groped on Lakefront Trail in Edgewater

Police are looking for someone who groped a woman Saturday on the Lakefront Trail in Edgewater on the North Side @ @ @ @ @ walking her dog on the bike path about 5:45 a.m. in the 5300 block of @ @ @ @ @ the suspect rode up behind her on a bike , according to a community alert @ @ @ @ @ “ inappropriately touched her from behind ” before riding away north on the trail , @ @ @ @ @ is described as a muscular male between 17 and 21 years old , standing 5-foot-10 @ @ @ @ @ 150 pounds , police said .
He had short hair and was wearing black shorts @ @ @ @ @ shirt .
Anyone with information is asked to call Area Three detectives at 312-744-8261 .
@ @ @ @ @ and track the city ’ s homicides .

Police are looking for someone who groped a woman Saturday on the Lakefront Trail in Edgewater on the North Side.
The 48-year-old woman was walking her dog on the bike path about 5:45 a.m. in the 5300 block of North Lake Shore Drive when the suspect rode up behind her on a bike, according to a community alert from Chicago police.
He “inappropriately touched her from behind” before riding away north on the trail, police said.
The suspect is described as a muscular male between 17 and 21 years old, standing 5-foot-10 to 6-foot-2 and weighing about 150 pounds, police said. He had short hair and was wearing black shorts with gray undershorts and no shirt.
Anyone with information is asked to call Area Three detectives at 312-744-8261.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-06-21--1 man dead, 11 people wounded in Minneapolis shooting

MINNEAPOLIS — One man is dead and 11 people suffered non-life-threatening wounds in a shooting in Minneapolis , police there said early Sunday .
Minneapolis police had first said 10 people had been shot with “ various severity levels of injuries , ” but revised their total in a tweet posted just after 3 a.m. No one was in custody in connection with the shooting as of 4 a.m. , according to a police release that said preliminary investigation indicated that “ individuals on foot ” started shooting around 12:30 a.m. and later fled the scene .
An initial tweet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ avoid the area in Uptown Minneapolis , a commercial district that includes several bars and restaurants .
Minnesota began allowing bars and restaurants to reopen with limited service on June 1 after some six weeks of closure because of the coronavirus pandemic .
Photographs posted to social media showed windows at the Landmark ’ s Uptown Theatre and another storefront shot out .
Screams were audible on a live video posted to Facebook that showed the aftermath at the scene .
Small crowds of people gathered , with some crouched over victims lying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bicycles showed up to attend to them .
Splatters of blood on the pavement were visible in the video after the victims were taken to local hospitals — some via ambulance and others in private vehicles , according to the police release .
The area is about 3 miles ( 5 kilometers ) west of the Minneapolis commercial area and neighborhood hit by rioting in the wake of George Floyd ’ s May 25 death after being arrested by Minneapolis police .
Floyd ’ s death has sparked a move to overhaul the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of City Council members pledging support for dismantling a department that many community activists have called brutal and racist .
That ’ s prompted pushback from opponents who question how citizens will be protected from violent crime .
Even the most aggressive proponents for change have acknowledged it ’ s many months away and they ’ re not sure what it will look like .
The injured were all adults , the police release said .
The victim ’ s identity will be released by the Hennepin County Medical Examiner ’ s Office @

MINNEAPOLIS — One man is dead and 11 people suffered non-life-threatening wounds in a shooting in Minneapolis, police there said early Sunday.
Minneapolis police had first said 10 people had been shot with “various severity levels of injuries,” but revised their total in a tweet posted just after 3 a.m.
No one was in custody in connection with the shooting as of 4 a.m., according to a police release that said preliminary investigation indicated that “individuals on foot” started shooting around 12:30 a.m. and later fled the scene.
An initial tweet from Minneapolis police advised the public to avoid the area in Uptown Minneapolis, a commercial district that includes several bars and restaurants. Minnesota began allowing bars and restaurants to reopen with limited service on June 1 after some six weeks of closure because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Photographs posted to social media showed windows at the Landmark’s Uptown Theatre and another storefront shot out.
Screams were audible on a live video posted to Facebook that showed the aftermath at the scene. Small crowds of people gathered, with some crouched over victims lying on the pavement before police officers on bicycles showed up to attend to them. Splatters of blood on the pavement were visible in the video after the victims were taken to local hospitals — some via ambulance and others in private vehicles, according to the police release.
The area is about 3 miles (5 kilometers) west of the Minneapolis commercial area and neighborhood hit by rioting in the wake of George Floyd’s May 25 death after being arrested by Minneapolis police.
Floyd’s death has sparked a moveto overhaul the Minneapolis Police Department, with a majority of City Council members pledging support for dismantling a department that many community activists have called brutal and racist. That’s prompted pushback from opponents who question how citizens will be protected from violent crime. Even the most aggressive proponents for change have acknowledged it’s many months away and they’re not sure what it will look like.
The injured were all adults, the police release said. The victim’s identity will be released by the Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office.