npr--2020-07-02--Drive-Through Naturalizations Make New U.S. Citizens In The COVID-19 Era

Drive-Through Naturalizations Make New U.S. Citizens In The COVID-19 Era In El Cajon , Calif. , a procession of cars carrying 600 soon-to-be U.S. citizens from 68 countries passed through a series of stations behind a local community center earlier this week , where they were asked a series of final questions : `` Any coronavirus symptoms ?
Have you been arrested since your interview ?
No tickets , nothing like that ? ''
After that , they were asked to surrender their green card and given a small American flag .
Driving a little farther forward , an immigration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ oath of allegiance , 6 feet from the car 's window .
And in a matter of minutes , years of uncertainty were over — hundreds of people became U.S. citizens over the course of the day .
When the coronavirus pandemic put a hold on naturalization ceremonies in March , it left a backlog of thousands of people who had qualified to become citizens but had n't been able to officially swear an oath of allegiance — the final step in the often years-long process .
To try to clear the backlog @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S .
Citizenship and Immigration Services put together a series of naturalization drive-throughs , where prospective citizens could take the final step toward citizenship , all without leaving their cars .
Prior to the shutdown , the greater San Diego area held its monthly naturalization ceremonies at Golden Hall , a giant venue in downtown San Diego which fits thousands of people .
During the coronavirus pandemic , it 's been converted to a homeless shelter .
`` Whoo-whoo ! ''
Belinda Rodriguez shouts in a parking spot , just moments after becoming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ toward naturalization for 20 years .
She brought her sister and niece along with her for the drive-through ceremony .
She was relieved to finally be able to take her final step toward citizenship before she had to renew her residency permit .
`` I was thinking my card was going to expire , '' Rodriguez said .
`` I was going to have to do it again and maybe have a longer time than this , pay more money , more fees . ''
Immigration officers in El Cajon held drive-through ceremonies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ catch-up for the three months that there were no ceremonies in Golden Hall .
`` Golden Hall is a great ceremony , but this makes it a lot more personal almost , '' said Madeline Kristoff , the USCIS field officer for San Diego .
`` The officers get to participate in ways they normally do n't get to in Golden Hall .
And it 's really fun to talk to people who are driving through and get to hear a little of their stores . ''
Instead of greeting an auditorium full @ @ @ @ @ @ @ oath are often doing so for just one or two people at a time .
`` I wish we could get a cheeseburger or like a milkshake for you guys too , '' said one immigration officer , making conversation with driver Niru Reinier .
Reinier , from India , was naturalized 10 years ago .
On Monday , she chauffeured her mother , who was becoming a citizen .
`` I called my sister and I said , ' I feel like this is so SoCal , ' everything happens quickly , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new citizens said what they were looking forward to most was voting in elections this November .
`` We got our interview right before the shutdown , and I did n't know if I was going to be able to vote , which ultimately is an important part of why I want to become a citizen , '' said Raphael Declercq , who was born in France .
He appreciated the drive-through was able to make that happen .
`` I 'm glad they 're making those efforts . ''
Outside of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ greet people as they exit .
At the drive-through , there were no booths to be found .
But , along with their small American flags , new citizens were given packets , which included instructions on how to register to vote .
USCIS , currently facing a massive budget shortfall due to a reduction of visa applications , is looking to transition back to larger naturalization events later this summer .
`` Alright , congratulations to you , give her a big round of applause .
You are now our newest United @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officer after administering the oath for the third consecutive hour .
In perhaps a new , and short-lived twist on the naturalization ceremony , the new citizen responded with a short honk of her car horn .

Drive-Through Naturalizations Make New U.S. Citizens In The COVID-19 Era
Enlarge this image toggle caption Max Rivlin-Nadler/KPBS Max Rivlin-Nadler/KPBS
In El Cajon, Calif., a procession of cars carrying 600 soon-to-be U.S. citizens from 68 countries passed through a series of stations behind a local community center earlier this week, where they were asked a series of final questions: "Any coronavirus symptoms? Have you been arrested since your interview? No tickets, nothing like that?"
After that, they were asked to surrender their green card and given a small U.S. flag. Driving a little farther forward, an immigration officer wearing a face cover administered the oath of allegiance 6 feet from the car's window. And in a matter of minutes, years of uncertainty were over — hundreds of people became U.S. citizens over the course of the day.
When the coronavirus pandemic put a hold on naturalization ceremonies in March, it left a backlog of thousands of people who had qualified to become citizens but hadn't been able to officially swear an oath of allegiance — the final step in the often years-long process.
To try to clear the backlog as quickly and safely as possible, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services put together a series of naturalization drive-throughs, where prospective citizens could take the final step toward citizenship without leaving their cars.
Prior to the shutdown, the greater San Diego area held its monthly naturalization ceremonies at Golden Hall, a giant venue in downtown San Diego that fits thousands of people. During the coronavirus pandemic, it has been converted to a homeless shelter.
"Whoo-whoo!" Belinda Rodriguez shouted from a parking spot, just moments after becoming a citizen.
Rodriguez had been working toward naturalization for 20 years. She brought her sister and niece along with her for the drive-through ceremony. She was relieved to finally be able to take her final step toward citizenship before she had to renew her residency permit.
"I was thinking my card was going to expire," Rodriguez said. "I was going to have to do it again and maybe have a longer time than this, pay more money, more fees."
Immigration officers in El Cajon held drive-through ceremonies every weekday since early June to play catch-up for the three months that there were no ceremonies in Golden Hall.
"Golden Hall is a great ceremony, but this makes it a lot more personal almost," said Madeline Kristoff, the USCIS field officer for San Diego. "The officers get to participate in ways they normally don't get to in Golden Hall. And it's really fun to talk to people who are driving through and get to hear a little of their stories."
Instead of greeting an auditorium full of faces, immigration officers administering the oath are often doing so for just one or two people at a time.
Immigration College's Citizenship Preparation Program Aims To Simplify Often-Arduous Process College's Citizenship Preparation Program Aims To Simplify Often-Arduous Process Listen · 4:39 4:39
"I wish we could get a cheeseburger or like a milkshake for you guys too," said one immigration officer, making conversation with driver Niru Reinier.
Reinier, from India, was naturalized 10 years ago. On Monday, she chauffeured her mother, who was becoming a citizen.
"I called my sister and I said, 'I feel like this is so SoCal.' Everything happens quickly," she said.
Ready to vote
Many of the new citizens said what they were looking forward to most was voting in elections this November.
"We got our interview right before the shutdown, and I didn't know if I was going to be able to vote, which ultimately is an important part of why I want to become a citizen," said Raphael Declercq, who was born in France. He appreciated that the drive-through was able to make that happen. "I'm glad they're making those efforts."
Outside of a regular naturalization ceremony, voter registration tables greet people as they exit. At the drive-through, there were no booths to be found. But, along with their small U.S. flags, new citizens were given packets that included instructions on how to register to vote.
USCIS, currently facing a massive budget shortfall due to a reduction of visa applications, is looking to transition back to larger naturalization events later this summer.
"All right, congratulations to you, give her a big round of applause. You are now our newest United States citizens," said an immigration officer after administering the oath for the third consecutive hour.
The new citizen responded with a short honk of her car horn.


npr--2020-07-02--Biden Faces Pressure To Pick A Black Running Mate. But Warren Remains A Top Contender

One of a series of reports looking at Joe Biden 's potential running mates Many progressives are loudly calling for Joe Biden to pick Elizabeth Warren as his running mate .
They insist the liberal senator , who 's long been a darling of the left , would help the presumptive Democratic nominee win over skeptical young voters .
But Warren is a 71-year-old white woman from Massachusetts .
And for months , Biden , 77 , has been facing growing demands to choose a Black woman as his running mate .
Those demands have only increased as widespread protests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ following George Floyd 's death in police custody .
These competing preferences are seen as bolstering the cases both for and against Warren as a possible vice presidential choice .
Biden has said he intends to announce his running mate in about a month .
These days , he says , his VP selection committee is vetting candidates through `` deep background checks that take anywhere from six to eight weeks . ''
And Warren keeps emerging as one of the serious contenders for the role .
In fact she now may be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shortlist now thought to be dominated by women of color .
`` She knows how to govern '' People who admire Warren say she 's one of the sharpest policy minds the Democratic Party has — a progressive who also knows how to get stuff done .
Her own failed presidential bid was characterized by its detailed policy plans on everything from taxes to childcare to health care .
Shortly after she dropped out of the presidential race , Biden endorsed her bankruptcy plan — which was notable , because years ago the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Warren supporters say she also has the right experience to govern the country in the midst of an economic crisis , which Biden would likely inherit if he wins in November .
They point to her work setting up her brainchild , the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau , in the wake of the Great Recession .
`` She was the one who put together this new agency under kind of great pressure , and it was what we call building the plane while you 're flying it .
She did n't have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then it went into effect ; it went into effect immediately , '' said former Massachusetts Rep. Barney Frank , who co-authored the Dodd-Frank Act , a major piece of legislation following the financial crisis that created the CFPB .
In Frank 's view , Warren is more pragmatic than people realize .
`` She knows how to govern .
I worked closely with her on the financial reform bill , '' he said .
And despite the 2005 public spat between Warren and Biden over bankruptcy , Frank said that when they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ later , `` there was no difference between them . ''
These days , Warren and Biden speak regularly , according to people familiar with their relationship .
And while some Democratic leaders and voters are nervous that Warren 's progressive streak might scare off more moderate voters , especially in the Midwest , Frank says the ideological differences between Biden and Warren are `` irrelevant '' because of political constraints , particularly if Republicans maintain control of the Senate .
Which is why , he believes , Biden 's VP decision will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The second-biggest problem in America is economic inequality and [ Warren ] is best at dealing with it , '' he said .
`` On the other side , the first-biggest problem in America is and has been for 300 years race and racism . ''
`` If you 're Black you lived it '' Frank did n't exactly finish his thought on how Warren might be equipped to deal with that problem .
But many Democrats feel Warren is probably not the best candidate to deal with structural racism .
In late @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leaders in the Democratic Party signed an open letter to Biden , urging him to select a Black woman as his running mate .
`` I believe it will energize Black voters in the numbers that we need , and we ca n't take anything for granted in this election , '' said Karen Finney , an adviser to Hillary Clinton 's 2016 presidential bid who signed the letter .
Finney and other Black women who signed on are quick to point out their letter was not meant as a `` criticism '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work in the Senate and think she 's smart and capable .
But they would prefer a Black woman who understands housing , policing and health care inequities .
`` Having someone on the ticket who has those experiences , who can speak to the disparities not because of what they read or because of what they 've studied , but because of what they 've experienced in their lives and in the lives of the communities from which they come , brings an entirely different perspective to help the vice president 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a longtime Democratic Party official who also signed that letter .
`` That 's not to say if you 're not Black , you ca n't empathize with what we 're talking about , but I think if you 're Black you lived it — and there 's a difference , '' she said .
For her , part of this decision is about about representation .
But many progressive Black voters are skeptical of that focus .
`` Representation is important , but it ca n't only be about representation , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Working Families Party , a progressive group that endorsed Warren for president .
`` Like , if you 're a former law enforcement officer , if you 're a former prosecutor , then we need to look at your record . ''
Mitchell was indirectly referring to some of the Black women in the running for Biden 's VP slot , including California Sen. Kamala Harris and Florida Rep. Val Demings .
Mitchell feels Warren was ahead of other Democrats in embracing calls for racial justice .
Many of her supporters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the slogan Black Lives Matter was accepted in Democratic political circles , Warren embraced it publicly in a speech she gave .
And in this last presidential primary cycle , she repeatedly tried to court Black women , but struggled to win their votes .
Still , she received warm receptions at both the Essence Festival and the She the People forum .
Several Black activists say Warren is the only non-Black candidate on Biden 's shortlist who appeals to voters of color .
Polling has shown Warren is the most preferred white @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interprets all of that as a sign that the Massachusetts senator is the candidate with the broadest appeal .
`` When you 're considering the enthusiasm gap that Joe Biden has to fill with progressives , with young people , with people of color , Elizabeth Warren as a VP pick has really , really strong positives with all of those groups of people , '' he said .
Many Black activists , though , say Warren is n't the only candidate who could motivate those crucial voting blocs .

Biden Faces Pressure To Pick A Black Running Mate. But Warren Remains A Top Contender
Enlarge this image toggle caption Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images
One of a series of reports looking at Joe Biden's potential running mates
Many progressives are loudly calling for Joe Biden to pick Elizabeth Warren as his running mate. They insist the liberal senator, who's long been a darling of the left, would help the presumptive Democratic nominee win over skeptical young voters.
But Warren is a 71-year-old white woman from Massachusetts. And for months, Biden, 77, has been facing growing demands to choose a Black woman as his running mate. Those demands have only increased as widespread protests against racial injustice have swept the country following George Floyd's death in police custody.
These competing preferences are seen as bolstering the cases both for and against Warren as a possible vice presidential choice.
Biden has said he intends to announce his running mate in about a month. These days, he says, his VP selection committee is vetting candidates through "deep background checks that take anywhere from six to eight weeks." And Warren keeps emerging as one of the serious contenders for the role. In fact she now may be the only serious white contender on a shortlist now thought to be dominated by women of color.
Media no longer available
"She knows how to govern"
People who admire Warren say she's one of the sharpest policy minds the Democratic Party has — a progressive who also knows how to get stuff done. Her own failed presidential bid was characterized by its detailed policy plans on everything from taxes to childcare to health care. Shortly after she dropped out of the presidential race, Biden endorsed her bankruptcy plan — which was notable, because years ago the two had famously clashed over bankruptcy reform.
Warren supporters say she also has the right experience to govern the country in the midst of an economic crisis, which Biden would likely inherit if he wins in November.
Enlarge this image toggle caption John Minchillo/AP John Minchillo/AP
They point to her work setting up her brainchild, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, in the wake of the Great Recession.
"She was the one who put together this new agency under kind of great pressure, and it was what we call building the plane while you're flying it. She didn't have a year to set it up and then it went into effect; it went into effect immediately," said former Massachusetts Rep. Barney Frank, who co-authored the Dodd-Frank Act, a major piece of legislation following the financial crisis that created the CFPB.
In Frank's view, Warren is more pragmatic than people realize.
"She knows how to govern. I worked closely with her on the financial reform bill," he said. And despite the 2005 public spat between Warren and Biden over bankruptcy, Frank said that when they were crafting the Dodd-Frank bill several years later, "there was no difference between them."
These days, Warren and Biden speak regularly, according to people familiar with their relationship.
And while some Democratic leaders and voters are nervous that Warren's progressive streak might scare off more moderate voters, especially in the Midwest, Frank says the ideological differences between Biden and Warren are "irrelevant" because of political constraints, particularly if Republicans maintain control of the Senate.
Which is why, he believes, Biden's VP decision will not come down to ideology.
"The second-biggest problem in America is economic inequality and [Warren] is best at dealing with it," he said. "On the other side, the first-biggest problem in America is and has been for 300 years race and racism."
"If you're Black you lived it"
Frank didn't exactly finish his thought on how Warren might be equipped to deal with that problem. But many Democrats feel Warren is probably not the best candidate to deal with structural racism.
In late April, more than 200 Black female leaders in the Democratic Party signed an open letter to Biden, urging him to select a Black woman as his running mate.
"I believe it will energize Black voters in the numbers that we need, and we can't take anything for granted in this election," said Karen Finney, an adviser to Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential bid who signed the letter.
Finney and other Black women who signed on are quick to point out their letter was not meant as a "criticism" of Warren; they personally like her work in the Senate and think she's smart and capable. But they would prefer a Black woman who understands housing, policing and health care inequities.
"Having someone on the ticket who has those experiences, who can speak to the disparities not because of what they read or because of what they've studied, but because of what they've experienced in their lives and in the lives of the communities from which they come, brings an entirely different perspective to help the vice president's candidacy," said Leah Daughtry, a longtime Democratic Party official who also signed that letter.
Finney feels similarly.
"That's not to say if you're not Black, you can't empathize with what we're talking about, but I think if you're Black you lived it — and there's a difference," she said.
For her, part of this decision is about about representation.
But many progressive Black voters are skeptical of that focus.
"Representation is important, but it can't only be about representation," said Maurice Mitchell, the national director of the Working Families Party, a progressive group that endorsed Warren for president. "Like, if you're a former law enforcement officer, if you're a former prosecutor, then we need to look at your record."
Mitchell was indirectly referring to some of the Black women in the running for Biden's VP slot, including California Sen. Kamala Harris and Florida Rep. Val Demings.
Mitchell feels Warren was ahead of other Democrats in embracing calls for racial justice. Many of her supporters point out that in 2015, before the slogan Black Lives Matter was accepted in Democratic political circles, Warren embraced it publicly in a speech she gave. And in this last presidential primary cycle, she repeatedly tried to court Black women, but struggled to win their votes.
Still, she received warm receptions at both the Essence Festival and the She the People forum. Several Black activists say Warren is the only non-Black candidate on Biden's shortlist who appeals to voters of color. Polling has shown Warren is the most preferred white woman candidate for Black voters.
Mitchell interprets all of that as a sign that the Massachusetts senator is the candidate with the broadest appeal.
"When you're considering the enthusiasm gap that Joe Biden has to fill with progressives, with young people, with people of color, Elizabeth Warren as a VP pick has really, really strong positives with all of those groups of people," he said.
Many Black activists, though, say Warren isn't the only candidate who could motivate those crucial voting blocs.


npr--2020-07-02--Another Unwanted U.S. Record: 50,000 New Coronavirus Cases In 1 Day

Another Unwanted U.S. Record : 50,000 New Coronavirus Cases In 1 Day In a grim accounting of the coronavirus ' progress in the United States , another milestone was reached Wednesday : more than 50,000 new cases reported in a single day .
Johns Hopkins University & Medicine 's Coronavirus Resource Center , which tracks the virus worldwide , says the total number of cases reported in the U.S. stands at 2,686,480 , an increase over Tuesday 's figure of 50,700 .
Deaths attributed to the coronavirus stand at 128,062 .
Brazil is ranked second in the world behind the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 60,632 deaths .
In testimony Tuesday before the Senate Committee on Health , Education , Labor and Pensions , Dr. Anthony Fauci , the nation 's top infectious disease specialist , predicted the number of new coronavirus cases in the U.S. could soon reach 100,000 per day .
Fauci drew an unfavorable comparison between U.S. and European efforts to control the spread of the virus , noting up to 95 % of Europeans were at some point on lockdown compared to 50 % of Americans .
In an interview Wednesday with Mary Louise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Fauci conceded the federal government 's inconsistent early guidance on whether to wear face masks was `` detrimental '' to containing the virus .
But he said he is encouraged by the growing number of Republican leaders now calling on people to wear masks , including Vice President Mike Pence and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell .
Referring to his Senate testimony the previous day , Fauci said , `` It really does not have to be 100,000 cases a day . ''

Another Unwanted U.S. Record: 50,000 New Coronavirus Cases In 1 Day
Enlarge this image toggle caption David J. Phillip/AP David J. Phillip/AP
In a grim accounting of the coronavirus's progress in the United States, another milestone was reached Wednesday: more than 50,000 new cases reported in a single day.
Johns Hopkins University & Medicine's Coronavirus Resource Center, which tracks the virus worldwide, says the total number of cases reported in the U.S. stands at 2,686,480, an increase of 50,700 over Tuesday's figure. U.S. deaths attributed to the coronavirus stand at 128,062.
Brazil is ranked second in the world behind the United States, with 1,448,753 cases and 60,632 deaths.
In testimony Tuesday before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation's top infectious disease specialist, predicted that the number of new coronavirus cases in the U.S. could soon reach 100,000 per day.
Fauci drew an unfavorable comparison between U.S. and European efforts to control the spread of the virus, noting that up to 95% of Europeans were at some point on lockdown, compared with 50% of Americans.
In an interview Wednesday with Mary Louise Kelly on NPR's All Things Considered, Fauci conceded that the federal government's inconsistent early guidance on whether to wear face masks was "detrimental" to containing the virus.
But he said he is encouraged by the growing number of Republican leaders now calling on people to wear masks, including Vice President Pence and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.
Referring to his Senate testimony the previous day, Fauci said, "It really does not have to be 100,000 cases a day."


npr--2020-07-01--Biden Outpaces Trump As Campaigns Report Record Fundraising

A little more than four months before Election Day , the Trump and Biden campaigns each announced massive fundraising totals as the former vice president 's effort to unseat President Trump gains momentum .
Despite a pandemic and the subsequent economic free fall , President Trump 's reelection campaign and the Republican National Committee announced Wednesday evening they had raised $ 266 million for the three months ending June 30 , including $ 131 million in June alone .
A few hours later , Biden 's campaign and the Democratic National Committee announced that they had eclipsed Trump 's totals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the last quarter and $ 141 million in June .
It 's the second month in a row that Biden has outraised Trump 's campaign .
It 's highly unusual for a challenger 's campaign to raise more money than an incumbent president 's campaign .
`` It 's clear that voters are looking for steady leadership , experience , empathy , compassion , and character — and they 'll find all of these qualities in Vice President Joe Biden , '' wrote Biden campaign manager Jen O'Malley Dillon in an email to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fundraisers with high-dollar donors , Biden 's campaign touted its success growing its list of small donors and said the average online donation last month was just $ 34 .
The Biden campaign did not announce how much cash it holds as it enters the summer and fall campaign season .
Full numbers will be available no later than July 20 .
Trump 's campaign was quick to tout its $ 295 million bank account .
`` The Trump campaign 's monumental June fundraising haul proves that people are voting with their wallets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re-election is only growing , '' said Trump campaign manager Brad Parscale in a statement .
Biden 's fundraising surge comes as national and state polls show the president increasingly lagging behind the former vice president due to the Trump administration 's response to the pandemic and protests against racial injustice .
While Trump 's campaign claimed earlier this year it would try to flip several states won by Democrats in the past , its spending shows that it is focused entirely on holding onto states that Trump won in 2016 , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ until recently .
The ad buying firm Medium Buying said on Tuesday that the Trump campaign had reserved nearly $ 100 million worth of ad time this fall in Arizona , Florida , North Carolina , Ohio , Pennsylvania and Wisconsin .
The campaign is also buying ads in Georgia , Michigan and Iowa .
Trump won all of those states in 2016 , some by comfortable margins .
The most recent analysis of the Electoral College battleground from NPR showed that neither candidate appears to have the 270 electoral votes needed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden was closer with at least one state Trump previously won — Michigan — leaning his way , while the president has failed to make progress in states that Democrat Hillary Clinton won in 2016 .

Biden Outpaces Trump As Campaigns Report Record Fundraising
Enlarge this image toggle caption AP AP
Updated at 12:05 p.m. ET Thursday
A little more than four months before Election Day, the campaigns of President Trump and challenger Joe Biden each announced massive fundraising totals as the former vice president's effort to unseat Trump gains momentum.
Despite a pandemic and the subsequent economic free-fall, Trump's reelection campaign and the Republican National Committee announced Wednesday evening they had raised $266 million for the three months ending June 30, including $131 million in June alone.
A few hours later, Biden's campaign and the Democratic National Committee announced that they had eclipsed Trump's totals, bringing in $282 million during the last quarter and $141 million in June.
It's the second month in a row that Biden has outraised Trump's campaign.
It's highly unusual for a challenger's campaign to raise more money than an incumbent president's.
"It's clear that voters are looking for steady leadership, experience, empathy, compassion, and character — and they'll find all of these qualities in Vice President Joe Biden," campaign manager Jen O'Malley Dillon wrote in an email to supporters.
While Biden has conducted frequent fundraisers with high-dollar donors, his campaign touted its success in growing its list of small donors and said the average online donation last month was $34.
The Trump campaign is touting its considerable cash-on-hand war chest — now up to $295 million — due in large part to the head start Trump got by launching his campaign and fundraising efforts as soon as he was sworn in.
"I'd rather be in our position than theirs," said campaign fundraising co-chair Jack Oliver, who also did fundraising for former President George W. Bush.
The Biden campaign hasn't said how much it has in the bank. Full numbers will be available no later than July 20.
Biden's fundraising surge comes as national and state polls show the president increasingly lagging behind the former vice president, due in part to the Trump administration's response to the pandemic and protests against racial injustice.
While Trump's campaign vowed this year it would try to flip several states won by Democrats in the past, its spending shows it is focused entirely on holding onto states that Trump won in 2016, including some that appeared safe for the president until recently.
The ad-buying firm Medium Buying said Tuesday that the Trump campaign had reserved nearly $100 million worth of ad time this fall in Arizona, Florida, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. The campaign is also buying ads in Georgia, Michigan and Iowa. Trump won all of those states in 2016, some by comfortable margins.
The most recent analysis of the Electoral College battleground from NPR showed that neither candidate appears to have the 270 electoral votes needed to win the presidency in hand, but Biden was closer with at least one state Trump previously won — Michigan — leaning his way, while the president has failed to make progress in states that Democrat Hillary Clinton won in 2016.
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NPR's Tamara Keith contributed to this report.


npr--2020-07-01--Germany Disbands Elite Military Unit Following Reports Of Right Wing Extremism

Germany Disbands Elite Military Unit Following Reports Of Right Wing Extremism Germany 's defense minister on Wednesday disbanded a unit of the country 's elite commando force , known as the KSK , following an official report earlier this year that found far-right extremism within its ranks .
In January , a report by Germany 's Military Counterintelligence Service revealed that some 500 soldiers in the German military , or Bundeswehr , were being investigated for far-right extremism .
It noted that 20 of those cases involved soldiers who were part of the Command Special Forces , or KSK – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approximately 1,300 soldiers .
Defense Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer said the KSK had created a `` wall of secrecy '' around itself and she told the Süddeutsche Zeitung newspaper on Tuesday that the elite force had developed a `` toxic leadership culture '' and `` can not continue to exist in its present form . ''
Some of the 70 soldiers from the disbanded company would be reassigned to one of the KSK 's three other combat companies , Kramp-Karrenbauer said .
`` We will give the KSK time to press the reset button @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kramp-Karrenbauer insisted `` we need the KSK . ''
`` The vast majority of the men and women in the KSK and in the Bundeswehr as a whole are loyal to our constitution , with no ifs or buts , '' she said .
According to Deutsche Welle , the extremism allegations date back to 2017 , when KSK members at a party performed the Nazi salute and played right-wing extremist music .
In May , investigators discovered Nazi memorabilia , weapons and explosives on the property of a sergeant major assigned to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In yet another incident , which Kramp-Karrenbauer called `` disturbing '' and `` alarming , '' authorities were looking into the disappearance of 48,000 rounds of ammunition and more than 135 pounds ( 62 kilograms ) of explosives from the elite unit 's arsenal .
The KSK 's training and deployments have been scaled back while the investigation continues , according to Deutsche Welle .

Germany Disbands Elite Military Unit Following Reports Of Right Wing Extremism
Enlarge this image toggle caption Thomas Kienzle/AP Thomas Kienzle/AP
Germany's defense minister on Wednesday disbanded a unit of the country's elite commando force, known as the KSK, following an official report earlier this year that found far-right extremism within its ranks.
In January, a report by Germany's Military Counterintelligence Service revealed that some 500 soldiers in the German military, or Bundeswehr, were being investigated for far-right extremism. It noted that 20 of those cases involved soldiers who were part of the Command Special Forces, or KSK – an anti-terrorism and hostage rescue unit with approximately 1,300 soldiers.
Defense Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer said the KSK had created a "wall of secrecy" around itself and she told the Süddeutsche Zeitung newspaper on Tuesday that the elite force had developed a "toxic leadership culture" and "cannot continue to exist in its present form."
Enlarge this image toggle caption Michael Kappeler/DPA/AFP via Getty Images Michael Kappeler/DPA/AFP via Getty Images
Some of the 70 soldiers from the disbanded company would be reassigned to one of the KSK's three other combat companies, Kramp-Karrenbauer said.
"We will give the KSK time to press the reset button," she said.
However, Kramp-Karrenbauer insisted "we need the KSK."
"The vast majority of the men and women in the KSK and in the Bundeswehr as a whole are loyal to our constitution, with no ifs or buts," she said.
According to Deutsche Welle, the extremism allegations date back to 2017, when KSK members at a party performed the Nazi salute and played right-wing extremist music.
In May, investigators discovered Nazi memorabilia, weapons and explosives on the property of a sergeant major assigned to the KSK, according to Deutsche Press-Agentur.
In yet another incident, which Kramp-Karrenbauer called "disturbing" and "alarming," authorities were looking into the disappearance of 48,000 rounds of ammunition and more than 135 pounds (62 kilograms) of explosives from the elite unit's arsenal.
The KSK's training and deployments have been scaled back while the investigation continues, according to Deutsche Welle.


npr--2020-07-01--Boston To Remove Statue Depicting Abraham Lincoln With Freed Black Man At His Feet

Boston To Remove Statue Depicting Abraham Lincoln With Freed Black Man At His Feet Members of the Boston Art Commission voted unanimously Tuesday evening to remove Boston 's copy of Thomas Ball 's sculpture Emancipation Memorial from Park Square .
The work depicting a formerly enslaved man at the feet of Abraham Lincoln has stood there since 1879 .
As with Confederate memorials around the country , this sculpture has been controversial for years .
The original in Washington , D.C. , was funded by formerly enslaved people , but designed without their input .
The commission heard nearly two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ removal .
Boston artist Tory Bullock said the sculpture is a whitewashed portrayal that denigrates an entire group of people .
`` This is a frozen picture .
This man is kneeling , he will never stand up , '' Bullock said .
`` This image is problematic because it feeds into a narrative that Black people need to be led and freed .
A narrative that seems very specific to us for some reason .
Why is our trauma so glorified ? ''
A Howard University student and Massachusetts resident named Hannah @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Regardless of what the intentions were , '' she said , `` It is important to note the intentions were white based intentions .
As it was a white created statue . ''
A handful of people who spoke at the meeting were in favor of keeping the sculpture where it is and adding context .
But , commission member Robert Freeman said he had changed his mind after listening to two mothers in another recent virtual meeting .
They spoke of bringing their sons to see the sculpture .
The boys immediately @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shackles on his wrists and ankles .
`` And their son said , 'that statue looks like dad .
And the other said it looks like me , ' '' Freeman said .
`` And then I realized that changing the inscription is not going to change the visual power of what art does .
So I have changed my mind .
I am for now the removal of the statue to a safe place . ''
Brandeis University Emeritus Professor Ibrahim Sundiata believes the sculpture belongs in a museum .
He 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ West African and African-American history .
He grew up in Washington , D.C. , and says he used to walk past the statue nearly every day .
As a kid , Sundiata said he thought it was creepy .
`` I 'm for preserving this statue , which troubled my five-year-old mind , my six-year-old mind , and is still in my memory at the same time , '' Sundiata said .
`` It needs to have people talk about where the pose came from , why the statue was paid for by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pose , those attitudes continue , how this sort of white paternalism informs us . ''
Commission Vice Chair and artist Ekua Holmes says she imagines the newly emancipated people who funded this sculpture would have chosen different imagery for themselves , if they 'd had the choice .
Something more aspirational , more self-determining , she said .
Something timeless .
`` Public art is storytelling at the street level .
As such , the imagery should strike the heart and engage the mind , '' Holmes said .
`` ... What @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to look at this piece , and in the Boston landscape we should not have works that bring shame to any groups of people , not only in Boston but across the entire United States . ''
The city has n't decided where to store the statue and what will replace it .

Boston To Remove Statue Depicting Abraham Lincoln With Freed Black Man At His Feet
Enlarge this image toggle caption Jesse Costa/WBUR Jesse Costa/WBUR
Members of the Boston Art Commission voted unanimously Tuesday evening to remove Boston's copy of Thomas Ball's sculpture Emancipation Memorial from Park Square. The work depicting a formerly enslaved man at the feet of Abraham Lincoln has stood there since 1879.
As with Confederate memorials around the country, this sculpture has been controversial for years. The original in Washington, D.C., was funded by formerly enslaved people, but designed without their input.
The commission heard nearly two hours of public comment for and against removal.
Boston artist Tory Bullock said the sculpture is a whitewashed portrayal that denigrates an entire group of people.
"This is a frozen picture. This man is kneeling, he will never stand up," Bullock said. "This image is problematic because it feeds into a narrative that Black people need to be led and freed. A narrative that seems very specific to us for some reason. Why is our trauma so glorified?"
A Howard University student and Massachusetts resident named Hannah Bessette called the statue demeaning. "Regardless of what the intentions were," she said, "It is important to note the intentions were white based intentions. As it was a white created statue."
A handful of people who spoke at the meeting were in favor of keeping the sculpture where it is and adding context. But, commission member Robert Freeman said he had changed his mind after listening to two mothers in another recent virtual meeting. They spoke of bringing their sons to see the sculpture. The boys immediately noticed the shirtless Black man with broken shackles on his wrists and ankles.
"And their son said, 'that statue looks like dad. And the other said it looks like me,'" Freeman said. "And then I realized that changing the inscription is not going to change the visual power of what art does. So I have changed my mind. I am for now the removal of the statue to a safe place."
Brandeis University Emeritus Professor Ibrahim Sundiata believes the sculpture belongs in a museum. He's a scholar who's written extensively on West African and African-American history. He grew up in Washington, D.C., and says he used to walk past the statue nearly every day. As a kid, Sundiata said he thought it was creepy.
"I'm for preserving this statue, which troubled my five-year-old mind, my six-year-old mind, and is still in my memory at the same time," Sundiata said. "It needs to have people talk about where the pose came from, why the statue was paid for by freed men, and basically how that pose, those attitudes continue, how this sort of white paternalism informs us."
Commission Vice Chair and artist Ekua Holmes says she imagines the newly emancipated people who funded this sculpture would have chosen different imagery for themselves, if they'd had the choice. Something more aspirational, more self-determining, she said. Something timeless.
"Public art is storytelling at the street level. As such, the imagery should strike the heart and engage the mind," Holmes said. "...What I heard today is that it hurts to look at this piece, and in the Boston landscape we should not have works that bring shame to any groups of people, not only in Boston but across the entire United States."
The city hasn't decided where to store the statue and what will replace it.


npr--2020-07-01--Revived Mount Rushmore Fireworks Will Feature Trump But No Social Distancing

Revived Mount Rushmore Fireworks Will Feature Trump But No Social Distancing A decade after being banned amid concerns about wildfires and groundwater pollution , and despite protests by Native Americans and recommendations from public health officials to avoid public gatherings , fireworks will once again be exploding over Mount Rushmore in the Black Hills of western South Dakota on Friday , anticipating the Fourth of July .
President Trump has pushed for the revival of the pyrotechnics display , and he plans to witness the spectacle before 60-foot-tall visages of Presidents George Washington , Thomas Jefferson , Abraham Lincoln and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Mount Rushmore National Memorial .
About 7,500 other spectators will be there , too , having won an online ticket lottery sponsored by South Dakota 's state tourism department .
And despite at least 91 deaths registered in South Dakota from COVID-19 , these visitors will not be told to don face masks or to practice social distancing at the event .
`` We will have a large event July 3rd ; we told those folks that have concerns that they can stay home , '' South Dakota Republican Gov .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ingraham on Monday .
`` But [ for ] those who want to come and join us , we 'll be giving out free face masks if they choose to wear one , but we wo n't be social distancing . ''
Noem , who became governor last year after serving eight years in the House of Representatives , has refused to order restrictions to protect public health throughout the pandemic .
`` Gov .
Noem is the only governor in the country who never mandated a single business or church to close @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her citizens , '' Noem spokesman Ian Fury tells NPR .
`` Gov .
Noem has trusted her people to exercise their personal responsibility , to keep themselves , their loved ones and their communities safe , to make the right decisions , to do the right thing .
And that 's the approach that we 're taking here at Rushmore . ''
South Dakota currently ranks 11th among the 34 states considered by the Harvard Global Health Institute to be prone to `` potential community spread , '' with an average over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ daily of COVID-19 per 100,000 inhabitants .
Environmental concerns no longer a showstopper Beyond being an implicit repudiation of recommended public health measures , the South Dakota pyrotechnics extravaganza also highlights Trump 's disdain for environmental measures adopted during the Obama administration .
In January , Trump recounted a conversation he said he had with Noem about reversing a 2010 decision by the National Park Service to discontinue an annual tradition begun in 1998 of Fourth of July fireworks displays at Mount Rushmore .
`` I said , 'You mean you ca n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ' 'Yeah , environmental reasons . '
I said , 'What can burn ?
It 's stone . '
You know , it 's stone .
It 's granite , '' Trump recalled .
`` So I called up our people .
And within about 15 minutes , we got it approved . ''
Trump 's claim of having settled the matter was made more than a month before the National Park Service began a formal `` evaluation assessment '' and monthlong public comment period to decide whether to resume permitting and hosting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Park Service settled in late April on the option of ending the ban on pyrotechnics at Mount Rushmore `` because it best meets the project purpose and need to celebrate the spirit of Independence Day by hosting a fireworks event , while providing for the enjoyment of the public in a manner that ensures safety and resource protection . ''
In a 2017 document made public by The Washington Post , the National Park Service noted that a minimum of 27 wildfires had been started around Mount Rushmore during annual fireworks displays between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ July fire danger risk can be high to very high '' in the Black Hills area .
A former National Park Service employee who was in charge of the fire management program at Mount Rushmore and six other Black Hills park sites , and who saw trees set ablaze more than 1,000 feet from the fireworks ' launch point , says shooting fireworks over the national monument 's 1,278 acres of forest is `` insane . ''
`` The president likes to say , 'well , what can burn , it 's rock @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who is now managing editor of the online publication Wildfire Today , tells NPR .
`` Yeah , the carving itself is rock , and right below the carving is rock that was carved off in order to make the sculpture , '' Gabbert adds .
`` But beyond that , there 's a Ponderosa pine forest .
The Black Hills generally is a tinder box this time of year , and right now , they 're in a drought . ''
The entire Black Hills area , according to the National @ @ @ @ @ @ @ experiencing a `` moderate drought . ''
The National Park Service did a controlled burn around the monument in the springtime , according to Noem 's office , in an effort to lessen the chances of the fireworks igniting surrounding forest .
Gabbert questions the utility of such an exercise .
`` Conducting that prescribed fire wo n't reduce the amount of flammable material — the vegetation that is on the ground , '' the veteran fire ranger says .
`` It can not prevent any fire from starting . ''
Environmental concerns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beyond the hazard of wildfires .
A 2016 U.S. Geological Service study finds that `` past fireworks displays are the probable cause of elevated concentrations of a contaminant called perchlorate in groundwater and surface water at the national monument . ''
Perchlorate is used as a propellant in fireworks ; it can also impair the ability of the metabolism-regulating thyroid gland to absorb necessary iodine .
In its `` Finding of No Significant Impact '' greenlighting the Mount Rushmore fireworks , the National Park Service acknowledges that such displays in the past have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Still , it contends that the levels found at the national monument were well below concentrations that could `` impair thyroid function . ''
`` What they 're saying is that it 's OK to have that amount of perchlorate that may dissipate in the [ surface ] water and can be found in the well water , '' says Cheryl Schreier , who was the Mount Rushmore National Memorial 's superintendent from 2010 until last year .
`` Everything [ in the National Park Service 's 'Finding of No Significant Impact ' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ facilitated through , without , I think , that in-depth analysis that should have been completed . ''
A long-broken treaty The fireworks will also likely spark demonstrations by Native Americans who accuse the U.S. of breaking the 1868 Fort Laramie Treaty recognizing Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills that surround it as part of `` the Great Sioux Reservation , set aside for exclusive use by the Sioux people . ''
`` They call this the Shrine of Democracy at Mount Rushmore , '' says Nick Tilsen , a citizen of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ridge Reservation who is president of NDN Collective , a Native American activist group .
`` We call it the Shrine of Hypocrisy because this democracy that is talked about has been built on the stolen lands of Indigenous people . ''
Tilsen tells NPR he expects that despite roads having been blocked off for miles around Mount Rushmore , there will be protesters there .
`` We 're at a time in this country where there 's a reckoning and a realization that this country has to get right with its history @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's why this is not just a historical injustice that has happened — it 's illuminating the current injustices that exist today in society . ''
Julian Bear Runner , who 's president of the Oglala Sioux tribal council , says Trump is obliged to honor the 1868 treaty that a 1980 Supreme Court ruling recognized as binding .
`` I have to tell him he does n't have permission from its original sovereign owners to enter the territory at this time , '' Bear Runner is quoted as telling The Guardian .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ protests .
According to South Dakota 's governor , the real estate developer-turned-president told her in a 2017 Oval Office meeting that he nurtures his own ambitions for the stone-faced monument .
`` I said , 'Mr .
President , you should come to South Dakota sometime .
We have Mount Rushmore . '
And he goes , 'Do you know it 's my dream to have my face on Mount Rushmore ? '
`` Noem said in a 2018 interview .
`` I started laughing .
He was n't laughing , so @ @ @ @ @ @

Revived Mount Rushmore Fireworks Will Feature Trump But No Social Distancing
Enlarge this image toggle caption Scott Olson/Getty Images Scott Olson/Getty Images
A decade after being banned amid concerns about wildfires and groundwater pollution, and despite protests by Native Americans and recommendations from public health officials to avoid public gatherings, fireworks will once again be exploding over Mount Rushmore in the Black Hills of western South Dakota on Friday, anticipating the Fourth of July.
President Trump has pushed for the revival of the pyrotechnics display, and he plans to witness the spectacle before 60-foot-tall visages of Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt carved across the granite face of the Mount Rushmore National Memorial.
About 7,500 other spectators will be there, too, having won an online ticket lottery sponsored by South Dakota's state tourism department.
And despite at least 91 deaths registered in South Dakota from COVID-19, these visitors will not be told to don face masks or to practice social distancing at the event.
"We will have a large event July 3rd; we told those folks that have concerns that they can stay home," South Dakota Republican Gov. Kristi Noem told Fox News host Laura Ingraham on Monday. "But [for] those who want to come and join us, we'll be giving out free face masks if they choose to wear one, but we won't be social distancing."
Noem, who became governor last year after serving eight years in the House of Representatives, has refused to order restrictions to protect public health throughout the pandemic.
"Gov. Noem is the only governor in the country who never mandated a single business or church to close, never ordered a shelter-in-place order for her citizens," Noem spokesman Ian Fury tells NPR.
"Gov. Noem has trusted her people to exercise their personal responsibility, to keep themselves, their loved ones and their communities safe, to make the right decisions, to do the right thing. And that's the approach that we're taking here at Rushmore."
South Dakota currently ranks 11th among the 34 states considered by the Harvard Global Health Institute to be prone to "potential community spread," with an average over the past week of 6.2 new cases daily of COVID-19 per 100,000 inhabitants.
Environmental concerns no longer a showstopper
Beyond being an implicit repudiation of recommended public health measures, the South Dakota pyrotechnics extravaganza also highlights Trump's disdain for environmental measures adopted during the Obama administration.
In January, Trump recounted a conversation he said he had with Noem about reversing a 2010 decision by the National Park Service to discontinue an annual tradition begun in 1998 of Fourth of July fireworks displays at Mount Rushmore.
"I said, 'You mean you can't have fireworks because of the environment?' 'Yeah, environmental reasons.' I said, 'What can burn? It's stone.' You know, it's stone. It's granite," Trump recalled. "So I called up our people. And within about 15 minutes, we got it approved."
Trump's claim of having settled the matter was made more than a month before the National Park Service began a formal "evaluation assessment" and monthlong public comment period to decide whether to resume permitting and hosting the Mount Rushmore fireworks.
The National Park Service settled in late April on the option of ending the ban on pyrotechnics at Mount Rushmore "because it best meets the project purpose and need to celebrate the spirit of Independence Day by hosting a fireworks event, while providing for the enjoyment of the public in a manner that ensures safety and resource protection."
In a 2017 document made public by The Washington Post, the National Park Service noted that a minimum of 27 wildfires had been started around Mount Rushmore during annual fireworks displays between 1998 and 2009 and warned that "July fire danger risk can be high to very high" in the Black Hills area.
A former National Park Service employee who was in charge of the fire management program at Mount Rushmore and six other Black Hills park sites, and who saw trees set ablaze more than 1,000 feet from the fireworks' launch point, says shooting fireworks over the national monument's 1,278 acres of forest is "insane."
"The president likes to say, 'well, what can burn, it's rock, right?' " Bill Gabbert, who is now managing editor of the online publication Wildfire Today, tells NPR.
"Yeah, the carving itself is rock, and right below the carving is rock that was carved off in order to make the sculpture," Gabbert adds. "But beyond that, there's a Ponderosa pine forest. The Black Hills generally is a tinder box this time of year, and right now, they're in a drought."
The entire Black Hills area, according to the National Integrated Drought Information System, is currently experiencing a "moderate drought."
The National Park Service did a controlled burn around the monument in the springtime, according to Noem's office, in an effort to lessen the chances of the fireworks igniting surrounding forest.
Gabbert questions the utility of such an exercise.
"Conducting that prescribed fire will reduce the amount of flammable material — the vegetation that is on the ground," the veteran fire ranger says. "It cannot prevent any fire from starting."
Environmental concerns raised by the prospect of fireworks go beyond the hazard of wildfires. A 2016 U.S. Geological Service study finds that "past fireworks displays are the probable cause of elevated concentrations of a contaminant called perchlorate in groundwater and surface water at the national monument."
Perchlorate is used as a propellant in fireworks; it can also impair the ability
of the metabolism-regulating thyroid gland to absorb necessary iodine.
In its "Finding of No Significant Impact" greenlighting the Mount Rushmore fireworks, the National Park Service acknowledges that such displays in the past have contaminated local water supplies with perchlorates. Still, it contends that the levels found at the national monument were well below concentrations that could "impair thyroid function."
"What they're saying is that it's OK to have that amount of perchlorate that may dissipate in the [surface] water and can be found in the well water," says Cheryl Schreier, who was the Mount Rushmore National Memorial's superintendent from 2010 until last year. "Everything [in the National Park Service's 'Finding of No Significant Impact'] was ramped up and really quickly facilitated through, without, I think, that in-depth analysis that should have been completed."
A long-broken treaty
The fireworks will also likely spark demonstrations by Native Americans who accuse the U.S. of breaking the 1868 Fort Laramie Treaty recognizing Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills that surround it as part of "the Great Sioux Reservation, set aside for exclusive use by the Sioux people."
"They call this the Shrine of Democracy at Mount Rushmore," says Nick Tilsen, a citizen of the Oglala Lakota Nation from the nearby Pine Ridge Reservation who is president of NDN Collective, a Native American activist group. "We call it the Shrine of Hypocrisy because this democracy that is talked about has been built on the stolen lands of Indigenous people."
Tilsen tells NPR he expects that despite roads having been blocked off for miles around Mount Rushmore, there will be protesters there.
"We're at a time in this country where there's a reckoning and a realization that this country has to get right with its history," says Tilsen. "That's why this is not just a historical injustice that has happened — it's illuminating the current injustices that exist today in society."
Julian Bear Runner, who's president of the Oglala Sioux tribal council, says Trump is obliged to honor the 1868 treaty that a 1980 Supreme Court ruling recognized as binding.
"I have to tell him he doesn't have permission from its original sovereign owners to enter the territory at this time," Bear Runner is quoted as telling The Guardian.
Trump is not likely to heed such protests. According to South Dakota's governor, the real estate developer-turned-president told her in a 2017 Oval Office meeting that he nurtures his own ambitions for the stone-faced monument.
"I said, 'Mr. President, you should come to South Dakota sometime. We have Mount Rushmore.' And he goes, 'Do you know it's my dream to have my face on Mount Rushmore?' " Noem said in a 2018 interview. "I started laughing. He wasn't laughing, so he was totally serious."


npr--2020-07-01--It's 'Our Fault': Nextdoor CEO Takes Blame For Deleting Of Black Lives Matter Posts

It 's 'Our Fault ' : Nextdoor CEO Takes Blame For Deleting Of Black Lives Matter Posts As protests swept the nation following the police killing of George Floyd , there was a surge of reports that Nextdoor , the hyperlocal social media app , was censoring posts about Black Lives Matter and racial injustice .
In an interview with NPR , Nextdoor CEO Sarah Friar said the company should have moved more quickly to protect posts related to Black Lives Matter by providing clearer guidance .
It `` was really our fault '' that moderators on forums across the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
People of color have long accused Nextdoor , which serves as a community bulletin board in more than 265,000 neighborhoods across the U.S. , of doing nothing about users ' racist comments and complaints .
But Nextdoor came under especially heavy criticism in May after the company voiced public support for the Black Lives Matter movement .
Unpaid volunteers , known as leads , moderate posts on Nextdoor .
Friar said they were deleting posts about Black Lives Matter because they were following outdated rules stating that national conversations have no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have now been revised to state that conversations about racial inequality and Black Lives Matter are allowed on Nextdoor .
`` We did not move quickly enough to tell our leads that topics like Black Lives Matter were local in terms of their relevance , '' Friar said .
`` A lot of our leads viewed Black Lives Matter as a national issue that was happening .
And so , they removed that content , thinking it was consistent with our guidelines . ''
She added that the new rules make one thing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a local topic . ''
Friar said that Nextdoor is taking several more steps to improve the moderation of comments .
It will soon offer unconscious bias training to all moderators .
It will also launch a campaign to enlist more Black moderators .
And it is ramping up efforts to detect and remove instances of racial profiling .
Apologizing , then asking for help from Black users Neighbors take to Nextdoor to search for a local plumber , find a babysitter or sell a piece of furniture .
But the app also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that carry racist overtones .
In recent weeks , as the national conversation has centered on racial injustice , Black users have shared their stories of abandoning Nextdoor .
One person wrote on Twitter that they stopped using it after reading repeated complaints about `` large groups of black teens walking in their neighborhood . ''
Another tweeted that their neighbors would write messages such as `` Saw a black youth hanging out next door .
Calling the cops . ''
Friar has apologized to Black users who have said they do not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , vowing that racism has no place on Nextdoor .
She also announced that Nextdoor was cutting off a tie to law enforcement by ending a `` forward to police '' feature that allowed users to report observed activity to authorities .
But Friar told NPR that Nextdoor 's efforts to combat racism on the app will go even further .
Nextdoor has enlisted Stanford University psychology professor Jennifer Eberhardt to help slow down the speed of comments to tamp down on racial profiling , and it 's working with her to make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thousands of moderators .
It is a change that some Nextdoor users have demanded .
In an online petition , they criticized the app 's `` murky '' guidelines for content moderation , which users said led to abuse and the silencing of Black voices .
In response to Nextdoor 's commitments , the Minneapolis-based group Neighbors for More Neighbors , which helped organize the petition , applauded the news but remained cautious .
`` This is a positive step towards creating a true community forum where all people in our neighborhoods feel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Andrea Cervone with the group .
`` We will be keeping an eye on the company to make sure they continue forward and fulfill these public commitments . ''
Friar said Nextdoor has kicked off an effort to recruit more Black leads .
This includes inviting especially active Black users to become moderators and starting outreach campaigns to encourage Black users to join the app .
`` We recognize that is an underrepresented group on Nextdoor , '' Friar said of Black users .
`` There are others of course , but we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feel that the Black Lives Matter movement is so critical and important right now just to the health of our country . ''
Friar described Nextdoor 's content moderation as `` a layered cake , '' saying it involves local moderators , artificial intelligence tools and the company 's human reviewers .
She said that the app 's AI programs are being fine-tuned to better detect both explicit racism and posts that engage in racial profiling , or what she called `` coded racist content . ''
Nextdoor is now dedicating more staff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ racist content on the app .
`` We 're really working hard to make sure racist statements do n't end up in the main news feed , making sure that users that do n't act out the guidelines are n't on the platform anymore , '' Friar said .
`` It is our No .
1 priority at the company to make sure Nextdoor is not a platform where racism survives . ''
Though anecdotal evidence suggests Nextdoor 's user base is largely white , Friar said the company has no internal metrics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The app does not ask about race when users sign up , a decision that Friar said may soon change as the company examines how best to hold itself accountable in its push to diversify the platform .
`` We are debating that , '' she said .
`` Because if we want to measure our success of being a diverse platform , perhaps that 's something we do need to ask . ''
Critics of Nextdoor , including U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez , D-N.Y. , have drawn attention to the app 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ term that has come to describe a middle-aged , privileged white woman with racist habits , whether overt or subtle .
When asked if Nextdoor has a Karen problem , Friar deflected by saying any intolerance or racism on the app is a snapshot of issues plaguing the entire country , not problems confined to the neighborhood platform .
`` Does the U.S. have that problem ?
Yes , it 's out there , '' Friar said .
`` But I think we 're working as hard as we can to make sure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , that they 're being civil , being respectful and that they 're not falling back to calling each other names but rather trying to deeply understand . ''

It's 'Our Fault': Nextdoor CEO Takes Blame For Deleting Of Black Lives Matter Posts
Enlarge this image toggle caption Patrick T. Fallon/Bloomberg via Getty Images Patrick T. Fallon/Bloomberg via Getty Images
As protests swept the nation following the police killing of George Floyd, there was a surge of reports that Nextdoor, the hyperlocal social media app, was censoring posts about Black Lives Matter and racial injustice.
In an interview with NPR, Nextdoor CEO Sarah Friar said the company should have moved more quickly to protect posts related to Black Lives Matter by providing clearer guidance.
It "was really our fault" that moderators on forums across the country were deleting those posts, she said.
People of color have long accused Nextdoor, which serves as a community bulletin board in more than 265,000 neighborhoods across the U.S., of doing nothing about users' racist comments and complaints. But Nextdoor came under especially heavy criticism in May after the company voiced public support for the Black Lives Matter movement.
Unpaid volunteers, known as leads, moderate posts on Nextdoor. Friar said they were deleting posts about Black Lives Matter because they were following outdated rules stating that national conversations have no place in neighborhood forums. Those guidelines have now been revised to state that conversations about racial inequality and Black Lives Matter are allowed on Nextdoor.
"We did not move quickly enough to tell our leads that topics like Black Lives Matter were local in terms of their relevance," Friar said. "A lot of our leads viewed Black Lives Matter as a national issue that was happening. And so, they removed that content, thinking it was consistent with our guidelines."
She added that the new rules make one thing clear: "Black Lives Matter is a local topic."
Friar said that Nextdoor is taking several more steps to improve the moderation of comments. It will soon offer unconscious bias training to all moderators. It will also launch a campaign to enlist more Black moderators. And it is ramping up efforts to detect and remove instances of racial profiling.
Apologizing, then asking for help from Black users
Neighbors take to Nextdoor to search for a local plumber, find a babysitter or sell a piece of furniture. But the app also has gained notoriety for spreading panicked messages that carry racist overtones.
In recent weeks, as the national conversation has centered on racial injustice, Black users have shared their stories of abandoning Nextdoor. One person wrote on Twitter that they stopped using it after reading repeated complaints about "large groups of black teens walking in their neighborhood." Another tweeted that their neighbors would write messages such as "Saw a black youth hanging out next door. Calling the cops."
Mayisha Fruge, 42, a black mother of two in San Diego, Calif., who is active on Nextdoor, said those kinds of post sound familiar.
About 90% of her neighbors come across as good, decent people on the app, she said.
"That other 10 percent? They must be hiding behind the computer. I never would have thought that my neighborhood had those types of people, racist people in it," she told NPR.
In one post, a neighbor was suspicious about a black person who was simply taking a stroll. Another asked: do the Black Lives Matter protesters have jobs?
"I said, what does this have to do with equality and justice?" Fruge said.
Friar has apologized to Black users who have said they do not feel welcomed or respected on the app, vowing that racism has no place on Nextdoor.
She also announced that Nextdoor was cutting off a tie to law enforcement by ending a "forward to police" feature that allowed users to report observed activity to authorities.
But Friar told NPR that Nextdoor's efforts to combat racism on the app will go even further.
Nextdoor has enlisted Stanford University psychology professor Jennifer Eberhardt to help slow down the speed of comments to tamp down on racial profiling, and it's working with her to make unconscious bias training available to hundreds of thousands of moderators.
It is a change that some Nextdoor users have demanded. In an online petition, they criticized the app's "murky" guidelines for content moderation, which users said led to abuse and the silencing of Black voices.
In response to Nextdoor's commitments, the Atlanta-based group Neighbors for More Neighbors, which helped organize the petition, applauded the news but remained cautious.
"This is a positive step towards creating a true community forum where all people in our neighborhoods feel safe to participate," said activist Andrea Cervone with the group. "We will be keeping an eye on the company to make sure they continue forward and fulfill these public commitments."
In Northwest Indiana, Jennifer Jackson-Outlaw had a lukewarm reception to the company's announcements. Jackson, a black woman who became fed up with Nextdoor and deleted the app, said Nextdoor's mostly white executive suite needs a shakeup in order to effect real cultural change at the company.
"It's important to not only have representation as far as those who are the moderator, but also those who are in the leadership of the company who may be more be well-versed on some of the issues," she said.
At Nextdoor, Friar has kicked off an effort to recruit more Black leads. This includes inviting especially active Black users to become moderators and starting outreach campaigns to encourage Black users to join the app.
"We recognize that is an underrepresented group on Nextdoor," Friar said of Black users. "There are others of course, but we want to start there because we really feel that the Black Lives Matter movement is so critical and important right now just to the health of our country."
Friar described Nextdoor's content moderation as "a layered cake," saying it involves local moderators, artificial intelligence tools and the company's human reviewers.
She said that the app's AI programs are being fine-tuned to better detect both explicit racism and posts that engage in racial profiling, or what she called "coded racist content." Nextdoor is now dedicating more staff to focus on attempting to ferret out racist content on the app.
"We're really working hard to make sure racist statements don't end up in the main news feed, making sure that users that don't act out the guidelines aren't on the platform anymore," Friar said. "It is our No. 1 priority at the company to make sure Nextdoor is not a platform where racism survives."
Confronting the 'Karen problem'
Though anecdotal evidence suggests Nextdoor's user base is largely white, Friar said the company has no internal metrics about the race of its users.
The app does not ask about race when users sign up, a decision that Friar said may soon change as the company examines how best to hold itself accountable in its push to diversify the platform.
"We are debating that," she said. "Because if we want to measure our success of being a diverse platform, perhaps that's something we do need to ask."
Critics of Nextdoor, including U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., have drawn attention to the app's so-called Karen problem. It's a term that has come to describe a middle-aged, privileged white woman with racist habits, whether overt or subtle.
When asked if Nextdoor has a Karen problem, Friar deflected by saying any intolerance or racism on the app is a snapshot of issues plaguing the entire country, not problems confined to the neighborhood platform.
"Does the U.S. have that problem? Yes, it's out there," Friar said. "But I think we're working as hard as we can to make sure neighbors are doing right by each other, that they're being civil, being respectful and that they're not falling back to calling each other names but rather trying to deeply understand."


npr--2020-07-02--Need A Polling Place With Social Distancing? 3 NBA Teams Offer Venues

Teams in the National Basketball Association , the American pro sports league long most vocal on social justice issues , are stepping up their civic participation , as three have now volunteered their facilities to serve as voting sites amid the pandemic .
The development comes as local election officials , especially those in major metropolitan areas , frantically search for places that are centrally located and big enough to allow voters to social distance while waiting in line and casting their ballots .
And the offers come as many of the NBA 's mostly African-American players have upped their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody .
Last month , for instance , superstar LeBron James announced a new organization aimed at protecting Black citizens ' voting rights .
The group , More Than A Vote , has praised the NBA franchises volunteering their spaces , while also egging on others with a hoops-like challenge : `` Who 's got next ? ''
`` The easiest way to keep us from changing anything is to keep us from voting , '' James tweeted last month , along with a Black Lives Matter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so far offered their spaces — the Atlanta Hawks , the Detroit Pistons and the Milwaukee Bucks — are located in presidential battleground states .
More than a third of the league 's teams are in states that could help determine the presidential contest this fall .
The Hawks were the first to step up , on Monday , committing State Farm Arena as an early voting site for Georgia 's elections in August and November .
`` We want people to exercise their right and we want to be a part of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coach Lloyd Pierce told NPR .
He said that the league 's growing political voice is linked to the same things driving activism and protests across the country .
More than 80 % of the NBA 's players are people of color .
`` All of these things are starting to intertwine , '' Pierce said .
`` Someone may talk about being a Black player or a Black person in America .
Then it gets intertwined in how it affects them politically , how it affects them economically , how it affects @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how can you not speak on this ? ''
The Hawks ' facility will be configured to hold hundreds of ballot-marking devices spaced throughout the arena floor , and hundreds of its staffers will be trained as poll workers , as Georgia Public Broadcasting 's Stephen Fowler reported .
The Pistons and Bucks soon followed suit .
The Pistons on Wednesday said they 've offered their training facility and headquarters as a voting center for November 's election .
And Alex Lasry , the Bucks ' senior vice president , said on Twitter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ [ More Than A Vote ] to make Fiserv Forum available as a potential voting site . ''
`` We just want to continue to do what we can to make sure that people can safely exercise their right to vote , '' Lasry added to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel .
`` If that means that we serve as a voter registration place , great .
If it means that we can be a polling place , great . ''
The three teams have also outlined a number of efforts , such as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ events , to try to boost voter awareness and participation .
In addition , the Pistons franchise has made Aug. 4 , the date of Michigan 's statewide primaries , and Nov. 3 paid days off for its staff .
`` This is really a historic moment for democracy and we have a unique role that sports facilities and teams can play in being partners for civic engagement this year , '' said Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson .
The Bucks ' Lasry is also the finance chair of the Milwaukee 2020 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Democratic National Convention there .
Ironically , due to the coronavirus , and with fewer people set to attend the party 's assembly in person , convention-planners announced that all proceedings will move from the larger Fiserv Forum to the smaller Wisconsin Center , a Milwaukee convention center .
James ' nonprofit voting group can not advocate for a specific candidate .
But he has endorsed Democrats in the past , and repeatedly criticized President Trump .
The efforts to create larger voting venues follow challenging elections held in recent months , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ primary , last month , had long lines and voting machine issues .
Earlier , Wisconsin 's April primary saw long , socially distanced lines as polling places were consolidated after thousands of poll workers dropped out .
Milwaukee had just five ballot sites open , compared with about 180 normally .
In Kentucky 's primaries last week , polling places in the state 's biggest cities were consolidated into giant voting centers in arenas , expo centers and stadiums .
One such venue : Kroger Field , the home field for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Josh Douglas , an election law professor at the university , said the plan worked well outside of a few hiccups .
He said utilizing stadium employees means election officials can allocate poll workers to other voting sites .
`` Not only do [ these venues like arenas ] have the size capacity , but theoretically they have workers who know the space and if we can get them trained , as long as they are younger and not as high risk , that allows election officials to have more flexibility in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Douglas said .
Renee Montgomery , a WNBA player for the Atlanta Dream , which also plays at the State Farm Arena , is sitting out the shortened season to focus on social issues and voter outreach .
In an interview with NPR , she said she was thrilled about the decision to offer her home court up to voters , specifically because it 's easy to get to on public transportation in Atlanta .
More broadly , she said the trend of basketball players being more involved in politics is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic or the protests .
She expects it to continue past 2020 , because their message is resonating .
`` Athletes are going to feel that their voice matters , '' she said .
`` A lot of times athletes were timid about speaking out because if the team does n't like it , because the corporate sponsors do n't like it , and then you 're in trouble .
Well that excuse ca n't really be there anymore . ''

Need A Polling Place With Social Distancing? 3 NBA Teams Offer Venues
Enlarge this image toggle caption Ezra Shaw/Getty Images Ezra Shaw/Getty Images
Teams in the National Basketball Association, the American pro sports league long most vocal on social justice issues, are stepping up their civic participation, as three have now volunteered their facilities to serve as voting sites amid the pandemic.
The development comes as local election officials, especially those in major metropolitan areas, frantically search for places that are centrally located and big enough to allow voters to social distance while waiting in line and casting their ballots.
And the offers come as many of the NBA's mostly African-American players have upped their involvement in social causes following the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody. Last month, for instance, superstar LeBron James announced a new organization aimed at protecting Black citizens' voting rights.
The group, More Than A Vote, has praised the NBA franchises volunteering their spaces, while also egging on others with a hoops-like challenge: "Who's got next?"
"The easiest way to keep us from changing anything is to keep us from voting," James tweeted last month, along with a Black Lives Matter hashtag.
The three teams that have so far offered their spaces — the Atlanta Hawks, the Detroit Pistons and the Milwaukee Bucks — are located in presidential battleground states. More than a third of the league's teams are in states that could help determine the presidential contest this fall.
Partners in a 'historic moment'
Enlarge this image toggle caption John Bazemore/AP John Bazemore/AP
The Hawks were the first to step up, on Monday, committing State Farm Arena as an early voting site for Georgia's elections in August and November.
"We want people to exercise their right and we want to be a part of helping them do so," Hawks coach Lloyd Pierce told NPR.
He said that the league's growing political voice is linked to the same things driving activism and protests across the country. More than 80% of the NBA's players are people of color.
"All of these things are starting to intertwine," Pierce said. "Someone may talk about being a Black player or a Black person in America. Then it gets intertwined in how it affects them politically, how it affects them economically, how it affects them via education. And so, how can you not speak on this?"
The Hawks' facility will be configured to hold hundreds of ballot-marking devices spaced throughout the arena floor, and hundreds of its staffers will be trained as poll workers, as Georgia Public Broadcasting's Stephen Fowler reported.
The Pistons and Bucks soon followed suit.
The Pistons on Wednesday said they've offered their training facility and headquarters as a voting center for November's election. And Alex Lasry, the Bucks' senior vice president, said on Twitter he's "excited to partner with [More Than A Vote] to make Fiserv Forum available as a potential voting site."
"We just want to continue to do what we can to make sure that people can safely exercise their right to vote," Lasry added to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "If that means that we serve as a voter registration place, great. If it means that we can be a polling place, great."
The three teams have also outlined a number of efforts, such as public service announcements from players and registration events, to try to boost voter awareness and participation. In addition, the Pistons franchise has made Aug. 4, the date of Michigan's statewide primaries, and Nov. 3 paid days off for its staff.
"This is really a historic moment for democracy and we have a unique role that sports facilities and teams can play in being partners for civic engagement this year," said Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson.
The Bucks' Lasry is also the finance chair of the Milwaukee 2020 Host Committee, the nonprofit group behind the Democratic National Convention there. Ironically, due to the coronavirus, and with fewer people set to attend the party's assembly in person, convention-planners announced that all proceedings will move from the larger Fiserv Forum to the smaller Wisconsin Center, a Milwaukee convention center.
James' nonprofit voting group cannot advocate for a specific candidate. But he has endorsed Democrats in the past, and repeatedly criticized President Trump.
A glaring need for space
Enlarge this image toggle caption Brett Carlsen/Getty Images Brett Carlsen/Getty Images
The efforts to create larger voting venues follow challenging elections held in recent months, during the pandemic.
Georgia's presidential primary, last month, had long lines and voting machine issues. Earlier, Wisconsin's April primary saw long, socially distanced lines as polling places were consolidated after thousands of poll workers dropped out.
Milwaukee had just five ballot sites open, compared with about 180 normally.
In Kentucky's primaries last week, polling places in the state's biggest cities were consolidated into giant voting centers in arenas, expo centers and stadiums. One such venue: Kroger Field, the home field for the University of Kentucky's football team.
Josh Douglas, an election law professor at the university, said the plan worked well outside of a few hiccups.
He said utilizing stadium employees means election officials can allocate poll workers to other voting sites.
"Not only do [these venues like arenas] have the size capacity, but theoretically they have workers who know the space and if we can get them trained, as long as they are younger and not as high risk, that allows election officials to have more flexibility in the number of polling sites they can open," Douglas said.
Renee Montgomery, a WNBA player for the Atlanta Dream, which also plays at the State Farm Arena, is sitting out the shortened season to focus on social issues and voter outreach. In an interview with NPR, she said she was thrilled about the decision to offer her home court up to voters, specifically because it's easy to get to on public transportation in Atlanta.
More broadly, she said the trend of basketball players being more involved in politics isn't a short-term one, due to the pandemic or the protests. She expects it to continue past 2020, because their message is resonating.
"Athletes are going to feel that their voice matters," she said. "A lot of times athletes were timid about speaking out because if the team doesn't like it, because the corporate sponsors don't like it, and then you're in trouble. Well that excuse can't really be there anymore."


npr--2020-07-02--Landslide At Myanmar Jade Mine Kills At Least 162

Landslide At Myanmar Jade Mine Kills At Least 162 A massive landslide at a jade mine in Myanmar has killed at least 162 people – a moment captured in dramatic video showing a wall of earth sliding down a mountainside into a water-filled open pit .
About 12 hours after the landslide , the Myanmar Fire Services Department said it had recovered 162 bodies and that 54 people who were injured had been taken to the hospital for treatment .
The death toll makes the disaster the worst known in the jade mining industry , surpassing an accident in 2015 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jade miners were smothered by a wave of mud , which hit after heavy rainfall , '' the Fire Service said , according to The Associated Press .
Reuters says the victims were mostly `` jade pickers '' — people who sift through tailings to scavenge small bits of the semi-precious stone .
The landslide occurred in Kachin state , about 600 miles north of the country 's largest city , Yangon .
Kachin is the center of the world 's most lucrative jade-mining industry .
Myanmar 's jade industry was estimated to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Video posted to social media showed miners racing uphill to escape the avalanche of mud .
Maung Khaing , a 38-year-old miner from the area who witnessed the accident , told Reuters that he was about to take a photo of the precarious waste mound that he felt was set to collapse when people began shouting `` run , run ! ''
`` Within a minute , all the people at the bottom ( of the hill ) just disappeared , '' he told Reuters by phone .
`` I still have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` There were people stuck in the mud shouting for help but no one could help them . ''
According to Reuters , a local official had warned people not to go to the mine on Thursday because of heavy rain .

Landslide At Myanmar Jade Mine Kills At Least 162
Enlarge this image toggle caption BBC video/NPR screengrab BBC video/NPR screengrab
A massive landslide at a jade mine in Myanmar has killed at least 162 people – a moment captured in dramatic video showing a wall of earth sliding down a mountainside into a water-filled open pit.
A landslide at a jade mine in northern Myanmar killed at least 113 people, after a pile of mine waste collapsed into a lake, triggering a wave of mud and water that buried scores of workers. Read more https://t.co/SSP9L9XUTO pic.twitter.com/XcW2Dzwjy4 — Reuters India (@ReutersIndia) July 2, 2020
About 12 hours after the landslide, the Myanmar Fire Services Department said it had recovered 162 bodies and that 54 people who were injured had been taken to the hospital for treatment. The death toll makes the disaster the worst known in the jade mining industry, surpassing an accident in 2015 that killed 113 people.
"The jade miners were smothered by a wave of mud, which hit after heavy rainfall," the Fire Service said, according to The Associated Press. Reuters says the victims were mostly "jade pickers" — people who sift through tailings to scavenge small bits of the semi-precious stone.
The landslide occurred in Kachin state, about 600 miles north of the country's largest city, Yangon. Kachin is the center of the world's most lucrative jade-mining industry. Myanmar's jade industry was estimated to be worth $31 billion in 2014.
Video posted to social media showed miners racing uphill to escape the avalanche of mud.
Maung Khaing, a 38-year-old miner from the area who witnessed the accident, told Reuters that he was about to take a photo of the precarious waste mound that he felt was set to collapse when people began shouting "run, run!"
"Within a minute, all the people at the bottom (of the hill) just disappeared," he told Reuters by phone.
"I still have goose bumps," he said. "There were people stuck in the mud shouting for help but no one could help them."
According to Reuters, a local official had warned people not to go to the mine on Thursday because of heavy rain.