npr--2020-08-22--House Approves Bill That Blocks Changes At Postal Service Until After The Election

House Approves Bill That Blocks Changes At Postal Service Until After The Election The House passed legislation on Saturday to infuse $ 25 billion into the Postal Service and block operational changes that Democrats fear could hobble mail-in voting in this November 's election .
In a rare Saturday session , the House passed the measure by a vote of 257 to 150 , with 26 Republicans siding with Democrats to approve the bill .
The bill effectively reverses recent cost-cutting measures introduced by Postmaster General Louis DeJoy that he had called necessary to help shore up the Postal Service @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Service from making any service or operations changes through at least January and requires it to prioritize delivery of all election-related mail .
The White House has threatened a veto , and the bill is not expected to advance through the Republican-controlled Senate .
The bill 's passage follows weeks in which the Postal Service has emerged as an unlikely flashpoint in the upcoming election .
With the coronavirus pandemic killing roughly 1,000 Americans a day , millions more voters than in a typical year are expected to cast a ballot by mail @ @ @ @ @ @ @ person .
At the same time , recent changes at the Postal Service — including the removal of blue drop-off boxes and sorting machines — have raised concerns that the USPS wo n't be able to handle the unprecedented influx of mail-in ballots expected in the fall .
Speaking ahead of the vote on Saturday , House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , D-Calif. , said the legislation went well beyond the election .
`` This hits home .
Not receiving your mail in a timely fashion .
Not receiving your prescriptions , especially for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way that is harmful to our country as well , '' Pelosi said .
Republicans pushed back on the legislation and its $ 25 billion price tag , calling recent changes at the Postal Service routine and accusing Democrats of promoting a conspiracy theory that President Trump is seeking to hinder mail delivery to win the election .
`` As a majority , Democrats have been more focused on distraction than solutions for the American people , '' said House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy , R-Calif. `` From the weakness , most partisan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic and stopping relief for workers and families and now spreading a debunked conspiracy theory about a Postal Service ... Democrats have failed the American public . ''
Democrats countered by pointing to recent remarks by President Trump in which he appeared to suggest he opposed funding for the Postal Service because he wanted to make it harder to expand vote by mail .
He later walked the statement back .
The House Committee on Oversight and Reform also made public documents on Saturday that Democrats said show a decline in mail @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Senate testimony on Friday , DeJoy acknowledged a `` dip '' in service but said recent changes — including the removal of roughly 700 mailboxes — would not affect the election .
DeJoy , a Republican fundraiser who was appointed in May , told lawmakers that the president has had no input on any changes he has made and he maintained that the Postal Service will be able to handle mail-in ballots .
`` There has been no changes in any policies with regard to the election mail for the 2020 election , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , DeJoy said he would suspend his controversial changes at the Postal Service until after the election , but in his testimony on Friday , he painted a bleak outlook for the Postal Service 's long-term viability .
He said reliable postal service to the public is at `` fundamental risk '' because of the service 's financial losses , which could swell to $ 11 billion this year , according to DeJoy .
`` Changes must be made to ensure our sustainability for the years and decades ahead , '' he said @

House Approves Bill That Blocks Changes At Postal Service Until After The Election
Enlarge this image toggle caption Nati Harnik/AP Nati Harnik/AP
The House passed legislation on Saturday to infuse $25 billion into the Postal Service and block operational changes that Democrats fear could hobble mail-in voting in this November's election.
In a rare Saturday session, the House passed the measure by a vote of 257 to 150, with 26 Republicans siding with Democrats to approve the bill.
The bill effectively reverses recent cost-cutting measures introduced by Postmaster General Louis DeJoy that he had called necessary to help shore up the Postal Service's finances. It blocks the Postal Service from making any service or operations changes through at least January and requires it to prioritize delivery of all election-related mail.
The White House has threatened a veto, and the bill is not expected to advance through the Republican-controlled Senate.
The bill's passage follows weeks in which the Postal Service has emerged as an unlikely flashpoint in the upcoming election. With the coronavirus pandemic killing roughly 1,000 Americans a day, millions more voters than in a typical year are expected to cast a ballot by mail this November rather than risk voting in person.
At the same time, recent changes at the Postal Service — including the removal of blue drop-off boxes and sorting machines — have raised concerns that the USPS won't be able to handle the unprecedented influx of mail-in ballots expected in the fall.
Speaking ahead of the vote on Saturday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said the legislation went well beyond the election.
"This hits home. Not receiving your mail in a timely fashion. Not receiving your prescriptions, especially for our veterans, hits home in a way that is harmful to our country as well," Pelosi said.
Republicans pushed back on the legislation and its $25 billion price tag, calling recent changes at the Postal Service routine and accusing Democrats of promoting a conspiracy theory that President Trump is seeking to hinder mail delivery to win the election.
"As a majority, Democrats have been more focused on distraction than solutions for the American people," said House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif. "From the weakness, most partisan impeachment in American history, to politicizing the pandemic and stopping relief for workers and families and now spreading a debunked conspiracy theory about a Postal Service ... Democrats have failed the American public."
Democrats countered by pointing to recent remarks by President Trump in which he appeared to suggest he opposed funding for the Postal Service because he wanted to make it harder to expand vote by mail. He later walked the statement back.
The House Committee on Oversight and Reform also made public documents on Saturday that Democrats said show a decline in mail service going back to July.
During Senate testimony on Friday, DeJoy acknowledged a "dip" in service but said recent changes — including the removal of roughly 700 mailboxes — would not affect the election.
DeJoy, a Republican fundraiser who was appointed in May, told lawmakers that the president has had no input on any changes he has made and he maintained that the Postal Service will be able to handle mail-in ballots.
"There has been no changes in any policies with regard to the election mail for the 2020 election," he said.
Earlier this week, DeJoy said he would suspend his controversial changes at the Postal Service until after the election, but in his testimony on Friday, he painted a bleak outlook for the Postal Service's long-term viability. He said reliable postal service to the public is at "fundamental risk" because of the service's financial losses, which could swell to $11 billion this year, according to DeJoy.
"Changes must be made to ensure our sustainability for the years and decades ahead," he said.


npr--2020-08-22--'The Worst Is Not Behind Us': California Wildfires Continue To Burn

'The Worst Is Not Behind Us ' : California Wildfires Continue To Burn Hundreds of buildings have been destroyed , close to a million acres of land have been scorched and at least six people have died in one of the worst series of wildfires in California 's history .
More than 13,700 firefighters are battling nearly two dozen major fires throughout the state , fire officials said Saturday .
Five broad areas of the state are on fire , and the largest blazes remain mostly uncontained .
`` The worst is not behind us , '' tweeted Thom Porter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state 's firefighting agency .
`` We are in a battle rhythm .
New lightning activity is expected across the state .
Double your efforts , to lookout for yourselves and each other . ''
The fires were sparked by nearly 12,000 lightning strikes in a dry California terrain that has n't seen much rain .
The `` lightning siege '' created close to 600 new wildfires , said Jeremy Rahn , a public information officer for Cal Fire , at a briefing Saturday .
The National Guard is providing helicopter support while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Reserve is supporting the effort with C-130 aircrafts equipped with water tanks to fight the fire from above .
Two of the fire systems now raging are among the five largest wildfires in California history , Cal Fire reports .
More than 100,000 people face evacuation orders as fires have ravaged over 900,000 acres — an area larger than Rhode Island .
`` We understand that many people are stressed and anxious , '' Sonoma County Sheriff Mark Essick said .
`` We ask that you please rely on each other .
Help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Stay calm . ''
Most of the deaths throughout the state have come from a set of fires known as the L.N.U .
Lightning Complex , covering an area of 314,000 acres around Napa Valley .
It 's the second-largest fire in the state 's history .
These fires have killed four people and destroyed more than 560 structures , state officials said .
As of Saturday afternoon , the blaze was only 15 % controlled .
Moving south , approximately 20 different fires merged into three major fires that now comprise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is around Santa Clara and Alameda counties .
This series of fires has burned over 291,000 acres , and as of Saturday morning had destroyed 10 structures — though more than 20,000 structures were at risk , according to Cal Fire .
It 's the third largest wildfire in the state 's history .
The fires burned actively through the night , and officials expect fire activity to increase later today as smoke clears the area .
`` The protection of sensitive wildlife and critical power and communication infrastructure remains a top priority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement .
The agency said these fires were approximately 10 % contained .
Fires also rage in Northern California .
The C.Z.U .
Lightning Complex fire , concentrated in San Mateo and Santa Cruz counties , has so far consumed over 63,000 acres , Cal Fire reports .
As of Saturday morning only 5 % of the fire was contained .
Smoke from the fires is limiting visibility and hampering aircraft operations , officials said .
Approximately 77,000 people in the area have been evacuated .
More lightning is expected over the next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wildfires .
`` Incoming weather is concerning to us , '' said Cal Fire 's Ian Larkin , unit chief for San Mateo and Santa Cruz counties , the San Francisco Chronicle reported .

'The Worst Is Not Behind Us': California Wildfires Continue To Burn
Enlarge this image toggle caption Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP
Hundreds of buildings have been destroyed, close to a million acres of land have been scorched and at least six people have died in one of the worst series of wildfires in California's history.
More than 13,700 firefighters are battling nearly two dozen major fires throughout the state, fire officials said Saturday. Five broad areas of the state are on fire, and the largest blazes remain mostly uncontained.
"The worst is not behind us," tweeted Thom Porter, chief of Cal Fire, the state's firefighting agency. "We are in a battle rhythm. New lightning activity is expected across the state. Double your efforts, to lookout for yourselves and each other."
The fires were sparked by nearly 12,000 lightning strikes in a dry California terrain that hasn't seen much rain. The "lightning siege" created close to 600 new wildfires, said Jeremy Rahn, a public information officer for Cal Fire, at a briefing Saturday.
The National Guard is providing helicopter support while Air National Guard and the Air Force Reserve is supporting the effort with C-130 aircrafts equipped with water tanks to fight the fire from above.
Two of the fire systems now raging are among the five largest wildfires in California history, Cal Fire reports. More than 100,000 people face evacuation orders as fires have ravaged over 900,000 acres — an area larger than Rhode Island.
"We understand that many people are stressed and anxious," Sonoma County Sheriff Mark Essick said. "We ask that you please rely on each other. Help each other. Check on your neighbors. Stay calm."
Most of the deaths throughout the state have come from a set of fires known as the L.N.U. Lightning Complex, covering an area of 314,000 acres around Napa Valley. It's the second-largest fire in the state's history. These fires have killed four people and destroyed more than 560 structures, state officials said. As of Saturday afternoon, the blaze was only 15% controlled.
Moving south, approximately 20 different fires merged into three major fires that now comprise the S.C.U. Lightning Complex, which is around Santa Clara and Alameda counties. This series of fires has burned over 291,000 acres, and as of Saturday morning had destroyed 10 structures — though more than 20,000 structures were at risk, according to Cal Fire. It's the third largest wildfire in the state's history.
The fires burned actively through the night, and officials expect fire activity to increase later today as smoke clears the area.
"The protection of sensitive wildlife and critical power and communication infrastructure remains a top priority," Cal Fire said in a statement. The agency said these fires were approximately 10% contained.
Fires also rage in San Mateo and Santa Cruz counties. The C.Z.U. Lightning Complex fire has so far consumed over 63,000 acres, Cal Fire reports. As of Saturday morning only 5% of the fire was contained. Smoke from the fires is limiting visibility and hampering aircraft operations, officials said. Approximately 77,000 people in the area have been evacuated.
More lightning is expected over the next few days, which could spark more wildfires.
"Incoming weather is concerning to us," said Cal Fire's Ian Larkin, unit chief for San Mateo and Santa Cruz counties, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.


npr--2020-08-22--Coronavirus World Map: Tracking The Spread Of The Outbreak

Coronavirus World Map : Tracking The Spread Of The Outbreak Since the new coronavirus was first reported in Wuhan , China , in December , the infectious respiratory disease COVID-19 has spread rapidly within China and to neighboring countries and beyond .
The first confirmed coronavirus cases outside China occurred on Jan. 20 , in Japan , Thailand and South Korea .
On Jan. 21 , the first case in the U.S. was identified in Washington state .
On Jan. 24 , the first two European cases were confirmed in France .
By Feb. 1 , eight European nations had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ month later that count had risen to 24 countries with at least 2,200 cases , most of them in Italy .
On March 11 , Italy eclipsed 10,000 cases and the World Health Organization declared the outbreak a pandemic — the first since H1N1 in 2009 .
That 's also when China , the original epicenter , began seeing drops in daily counts of new cases .
March also saw exponential spread of the virus throughout the U.S. , with all 50 states reporting cases by March 17 .
This particular virus , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the third strain of coronavirus known to frequently cause severe symptoms in humans .
The other two strains cause Middle East respiratory syndrome and severe acute respiratory syndrome .
Click here to see the state-by-state breakdown of cases in the United States .
This story was originally published on March 30 , 2020 .

Coronavirus world map: We've now passed the 600 million mark for infections
Editor's note: This page is no longer being updated. The last update was Sept. 5, 2022. For current data about COVID-19 cases and deaths around the world, Johns Hopkins University and Our World in Data are useful resources.
In late January 2020 only a few dozen COVID-19 infections had been identified outside of China. A year later, the world tallied its first 100 million cases. It took the globe just 7 more months to pass the 200 million mark— then another 5 months to hit 300 million, according to researchers at Johns Hopkins University. Now the virus has spread to every corner of the globe and has been blamed for more than 6 million deaths.
The United States, India and Brazil in that order have had the most COVID cases and the three nations collectively account for almost half of all recorded infections so far in the pandemic.
Explore the chart below to find a country-by-country breakdown of new and total cases since January 2020.
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Explore how the number of coronavirus cases have shifted in different parts of the world over time. The first chart compares each continent to each other, while the next charts highlight the number of cases in select countries by region.
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This story was originally published on March 30, 2020.


npr--2020-08-22--Coronavirus Maps: How Severe Is Your State's Outbreak?

Coronavirus Maps : How Severe Is Your State 's Outbreak ?
More than 5 million people in the U.S. have tested positive for the coronavirus and more than 170,000 have died .
Tens of thousands of new cases are confirmed daily .
State by state , the picture is varied .
In the graphics below , explore the trends in your state .
View the data via a heat map ( immediately below ) , curve charts , a table of state-by-state trends over four weeks , or a map of total cases and deaths .
The map above shows @ @ @ @ @ @ @ based on new daily cases per capita .
These color-coded risk levels were developed by a consortium of researchers and public health experts .
The group advises states in the red category to issue stay-home orders .
Orange states may need to consider stay-home orders , along with increased testing and contact tracing .
Yellow states need to keep up social distancing and mask usage , and both yellow and green states should continue testing and contact tracing .
To compare state outbreaks , the chart above graphs trend lines for average new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's totals to date .
This type of visualization highlights a state 's daily growth or decline relative to the overall size of its outbreak .
When both new and total case and death counts grow quickly , the curves bend upward .
As new cases and deaths slow , the curves level or bend down .
In New York , the curve rose sharply before reaching over 170,000 total cases in April .
Since then , new cases have fallen from about 10,000 per day in mid-April to under 600 per day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ above to see totals and per capita figures around the country for both new confirmed cases and reported deaths from COVID-19 .
New York was the original epicenter of the pandemic in the U.S. As of mid August , California , Florida and Texas have surpassed New York for total cases to date , though New York still has the highest death total .
Click here to see a global map of confirmed cases and deaths .
To show trends state by state , the table below shows the change in average new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week over week for the last 28 days .
States marked in shades of red are showing growth , those in shades of green , are showing declines .
The graphics on this page pull from data compiled by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins University from several sources , including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ; the World Health Organization ; national , state and local government health departments ; 1point3acres ; and local media reports .
The JHU team automates its data uploads and regularly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ result in occasional data discrepancies on this page as the JHU team resolves anomalies and updates its feeds .
State-by-state recovery data are unavailable at this time .
There may be discrepancies between what you see here and what you see on your local health department 's website .
Figures shown do not include cases on cruise ships .
In early June , Michigan health authorities started including probable cases in its totals .
This resulted in a brief spike in the state 's daily numbers until the JHU team was able to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 25 , New Jersey included 1,854 previously-unreported probable deaths in its totals , resulting in a spike in the state 's daily death numbers .
This story was originally published on March 16 , 2020 .
Elena Renken was a co-author on that version .
Sean McMinn contributed to and Carmel Wroth edited this story .

Tracking the coronavirus around the U.S.: See how your state is doing
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Note: This page was last updated on Feb. 1, 2023. It will no longer be updated. For current data on COVID cases and deaths, demographics, and hospitalizations, consult the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
As of Feb. 1, there have been more than 101 million confirmed coronavirus infections in the U.S. and more than 1 million people have died of COVID-19. In the graphics below, explore the trends in your state.
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The above charts show average new cases per 100,000 people for each state over the last 12 months.
Note: Actual cases may be substantially higher, since many who test positive with at-home tests don't report their cases.
For additional data about COVID-19 in the U.S, including cases and deaths, demographics, and hospitalizations, consult the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.
To show trends, the table below shows the change in average new cases per day in each state, week over week for the last 28 days. States marked in shades of red have growing outbreaks; those in shades of green, are declining.
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Methodology
The graphics on this page pull from data compiled by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins University from several sources, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; the World Health Organization; national, state and local government health departments; 1point3acres; and local media reports.
The JHU team automates its data uploads and regularly checks them for anomalies. This may result in occasional data discrepancies on this page as the JHU team resolves anomalies and updates its feeds. There may be discrepancies between what you see here and what you see on your local health department's website. Figures shown do not include cases on cruise ships.
Fluctuations in the numbers may happen as health authorities review old cases, process testing backlogs or update their methodologies. The JHU team maintains a list of such changes.
This story was originally published on March 16, 2020. Elena Renken was a co-author on that version. Sean McMinn and Audrey Carlsen contributed to this story. Carmel Wroth edited this story.


npr--2020-08-23--Older White Voters Who Helped Trump Win May Be In Play

Older White Voters Who Helped Trump Win May Be In Play Audio will be available later today .
Four years ago , older white voters played a big role helping elect Donald Trump president , especially in key battleground states like Florida and Pennsylvania .
Robert Griffin with the Democracy Fund Voter Study Group says to win a second term , Trump needs them to turn out in even bigger numbers .
`` It 's not just that Trump had to sort of hold steady , '' Griffin said .
`` He actually had to increase his margins a bit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Trump 's Democratic challenger , is working hard to make sure that does n't happen , airing ads aimed at seniors critical of Trump 's handling of the pandemic response .
One shows a pair of elderly retirees peering out from their home where they 're sheltering in place .
`` While I do n't blame Donald Trump for the virus , I blame him for his lack of action , '' Donna says .
The group Republican Voters against Trump is also webcasting video testimonials from older white voters who say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It 's okay that we voted for Donald Trump in the first election , '' says a man identified as Joseph in Florida .
`` Do I want a Democrat ?
Do I want Joe Biden ?
Not really .
But four more years of Donald Trump will be disastrous for the country . ''
What this key group of seniors told NPR Polls suggest more seniors are feeling this way , so NPR recently reached out to a random group of older voters who cast ballots for Trump in 2016 .
Many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president 's behavior .
`` He 's not exactly the most trustworthy individual , '' said Marty Stango , 77 , who lives near Jacksonville , Fla. `` He definitely will throw out things that are absolute lies . ''
`` I really do n't think his character is great , you know ? ''
said Doris Harrington , 82 , who lives in Des Moines , Iowa .
`` His morals are not my morals . ''
A lot of seniors who backed Trump four years ago also told NPR they 're @ @ @ @ @ @ @ use of of profanity , and many rate him poorly on his handling of the coronavirus .
But NPR heard something else from these voters : a reminder of just how hard it is these days to actually change peoples ' votes .
Troubled by Trump , but sticking with him Stango in Florida said he 's not yet switching to Joe Biden : `` Right now at least , I 'm for Trump . ''
Harrington in Des Moines agreed .
For all her misgivings about the president , she 's actually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Even though his character might be bad , he is supporting religious freedom , religious rights , right to life , which the Democratic Party are not . ''
A lot of older Trump voters interviewed by NPR echoed these ideas , saying they like Joe Biden but think his party has moved too far to the left .
This is a voting block that is far more white and rural than the country as a whole .
Many told NPR they reject the argument that Donald Trump is racist and are troubled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lives Matter movement .
Robin Tunnel , age 64 , lives in Midlothian , Texas .
She thinks Trump is `` un-presidential '' and `` a bully '' but he shares her views on race .
`` I just do n't understand this kneeling for the flag .
I think that that is just horrible , '' Tunnel said .
`` Trump would never do that . ''
NPR did find some older white Trump voters who said his behavior has caused them to waver .
They 're giving Biden a serious look @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Donald trump , but the strength of my confidence is waning and it could definitely change , '' said Michael Barbone from Odessa Fla. , who at age 59 lands on the edge of the senior voting group .
Pollster Robert Griffin says these responses are n't surprising .
The data do n't suggest a huge shift among seniors who voted for Trump .
But he thinks it 's clear there is enough softening of support to put Trump 's reelection at risk .
`` The reality that it 's happened appears to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pollsters .
That 's really problematic for him , '' Griffin said .
Still , the polling data and NPR 's interviews suggest this key group of voters remains in play , still reachable by both sides with just over two months to election day .

Older White Voters Who Helped Trump Win May Be In Play
Enlarge this image toggle caption Joe Biden/YouTube/Screenshot by NPR Joe Biden/YouTube/Screenshot by NPR
Four years ago, older white voters played a big role in helping to elect Donald Trump president, especially in key battleground states like Florida and Pennsylvania.
Robert Griffin, who's with the Democracy Fund Voter Study Group, says to win a second term, Trump needs them to turn out in even bigger numbers.
"It's not just that Trump had to sort of hold steady," Griffin said. "He actually had to increase his margins a bit relative to 2016."
Joe Biden, Trump's Democratic challenger, is working hard to make sure that doesn't happen, airing ads aimed at seniors critical of Trump's handling of the coronavirus pandemic response.
One shows a pair of elderly retirees peering out from their home, where they're sheltering in place. "While I don't blame Donald Trump for the virus, I blame him for his lack of action," Donna says.
The group Republican Voters Against Trump is also webcasting video testimonials from older white voters who say they're switching to Biden.
"It's OK that we voted for Donald Trump in the first election," says a man identified as Joseph in Florida. "Do I want a Democrat? Do I want Joe Biden? Not really. But four more years of Donald Trump will be disastrous for the country."
Republican Voters Against Trump YouTube
What this key group of seniors told NPR
Polls suggest more seniors are feeling this way, so NPR recently reached out to a random group of older voters who cast ballots for Trump in 2016.
Many said they are deeply troubled by the president's behavior.
"He's not exactly the most trustworthy individual," said Marty Stango, 77, who lives near Jacksonville, Fla. "He definitely will throw out things that are absolute lies."
"I really don't think his character is great, you know?" said Doris Harrington, 82, who lives in Des Moines, Iowa. "His morals are not my morals."
A lot of seniors who backed Trump four years ago also told NPR they're tired of his tweets and dislike his use of profanity, and many rate him poorly on his handling of the pandemic.
But NPR heard something else from these voters: a reminder of just how hard it is these days to actually change people's votes.
Troubled by Trump but sticking with him
Stango in Florida said he's not yet switching to Biden: "Right now at least, I'm for Trump."
Harrington in Des Moines agreed. For all her misgivings about the president, she's actually enthusiastic about a second term.
"Even though his character might be bad, he is supporting religious freedom, religious rights, right to life, which the Democratic Party [is] not."
toggle caption Hilda Zeller Stango
A lot of older Trump voters interviewed by NPR echoed these ideas, saying they like Biden but think his party has moved too far to the left.
This is a voting bloc that is far more white and rural than the U.S. as a whole.
Many told NPR they reject the argument that Trump is racist and are troubled by Democrats' embrace of the Black Lives Matter movement.
Robin Tunnel, 64, lives in Midlothian, Texas. She thinks Trump is "un-presidential" and "a bully," but he shares her views on race.
"I just don't understand this kneeling for the flag. I think that that is just horrible," Tunnel said. "Trump would never do that."
Defections could cost Trump key states
NPR did find some older white Trump voters who said his behavior has caused them to waver. They're giving Biden a serious look.
"Today I would vote for Donald Trump, but the strength of my confidence is waning and it could definitely change," said Michael Barbone, from Odessa, Fla., who at age 59 lands on the edge of the senior voting group.
Griffin, the pollster, says these responses aren't surprising. The data don't suggest a huge shift among seniors who voted for Trump.
But he thinks it's clear there is enough softening of support to put Trump's reelection at risk.
"The reality that it's happened appears to be confirmed by a lot of different pollsters. That's really problematic for him," Griffin said.
Still, the polling data and NPR's interviews suggest this key group of voters remains in play, still reachable by both sides with just over two months to Election Day.


npr--2020-08-23--Hundreds Of GOP Delegates Journey To Charlotte Semi-Bubble For Scaled-Down Convention

Hundreds Of GOP Delegates Journey To Charlotte Semi-Bubble For Scaled-Down Convention Delegates arriving in Charlotte for the scaled down , in-person portion of the Republican National Convention are n't being greeted by the Charlotte mayor or even business leaders .
Instead , they are ushered into a purple tent outside the downtown Westin hotel .
That 's where they are given a coronavirus test — even though they already had to take a self-swab COVID test at home before getting on a plane .
Delegate Steve Scheffler , 72 , is from West Des Moines and has been to eight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2020 convention to be safe , but he said the rules are all a bit much .
`` I mean I 'll follow the rules because it 's what we 're here to do to get the president renominated – and the vice president , '' he said .
`` But I do n't like where this might be going down the road .
Maybe mandatory masks today , maybe mandatory vaccines tomorrow . ''
But there 's more .
Every delegate 's badge has a fob that uses Bluetooth technology to track @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the RNC 's health consultant , Dr. Jeffrey Runge .
Runge said that data will only be used if someone gets infected with COVID , and it 's meant to make contract tracing easier .
`` It 's completely private , '' Runge said .
`` The badges have a number , and we will know what numbers are in contact with other numbers .
But they wo n't be identified with a person unless there is someone who is positive for COVID . ''
The GOP created a semi-bubble to satisfy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cooper , who has been cautious during re-opening .
It slashed the number of people coming , to just 336 delegates .
A traditional convention has nearly 2,500 .
The RNC is requiring masks and temperature checks .
And it says delegates ca n't even move their chairs inside meeting rooms .
That rule is to make sure everyone stays six feet apart .
Chris Ager is a delegate from New Hampshire .
His state does n't have many coronavirus cases – 7,000 to date – and he does n't usually wear a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very low risk up there , but to me if you join and organization and you attend there event then you follow their rules , '' he said .
`` And so the rules of wearing a mask ... it 's fine . ''
Earlier this summer , Republicans wanted Cooper to give them assurances that they could fill the city 's downtown arena with delegates and other guests .
The governor refused .
The GOP then moved most of its convention to Jacksonville , Fla. , whose Republican mayor said the city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases spike in Florida , and the Republican sheriff of Duval County said he could n't create a security plan on such short notice .
President Trump reluctantly canceled the Florida events , saying `` the timing of the event is not right . ''
That left Charlotte .
The GOP had kept a small part of the convention there to satisfy contractual obligations .
Charlotte Democratic City Council member Larken Egleston cast a deciding vote two years ago to host the GOP 's convention , despite opposition from Democratic activists .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be sad to see the RNC packing up and leaving town when they do , '' he said .
`` It 's just been one thing after another .
And even four days out I do n't there is still any certainty over exactly what this is going to look like .
After the City Council voted 6-5 to host , activists pasted stickers around the city mocking the Democratic Mayor Vi Lyles and Egleston for agreeing to host .
`` [ My sticker ] '' said `` One-term Larken — vote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Egleston said .
`` But what is a pretty big mistake for an attack ad , they used a pretty decent picture of me from my wedding day . ''
Lyles is out of town this weekend , making good on a 2018 pledge not to speak at the convention .
And there are only a few banners downtown welcoming delegates , a similar amount of pomp for an American Legion convention .
John Lassiter is a longtime Republican , who raised $ 38 million as the CEO of the local host @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was shocked when the GOP announced they were leaving for Florida .
He 's not attending any part of the scaled-back convention .
`` No , we 're not connected at all at this point to whatever goes on , '' he said .
`` We 're fully focused on efforts to finish our wind down . ''
By winding down , Lassiter means settling broken contracts for a convention that did n't happen .
The city of Charlotte has spent $ 17 million on security preparing for the event .
Leaders are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government pays it back .

Hundreds Of GOP Delegates Journey To Charlotte Semi-Bubble For Scaled-Down Convention
Enlarge this image toggle caption Steve Harrison/WFAE Steve Harrison/WFAE
Delegates arriving in Charlotte for the scaled down, in-person portion of the Republican National Convention aren't being greeted by the Charlotte mayor or even business leaders.
Instead, they are ushered into a purple tent outside the downtown Westin hotel. That's where they are given a coronavirus test — even though they already had to take a self-swab coronavirus test at home before getting on a plane.
Delegate Steve Scheffler, 72, is from West Des Moines and has been to eight other GOP conventions. He wants the 2020 convention to be safe, but he said the rules are all a bit much.
"I mean I'll follow the rules because it's what we're here to do to get the president renominated — and the vice president," he said. "But I don't like where this might be going down the road. Maybe mandatory masks today, maybe mandatory vaccines tomorrow."
But there's more.
Every delegate's badge has a fob that uses Bluetooth technology to track who they come in contact with, said the RNC's health consultant, Dr. Jeffrey Runge.
Runge said that data will only be used if someone gets infected with COVID, and it's meant to make contact tracing easier.
"It's completely private," Runge said. "The badges have a number, and we will know what numbers are in contact with other numbers. But they won't be identified with a person unless there is someone who is positive for COVID."
The GOP created a semi-bubble to satisfy the state's Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper, who has been cautious during reopening.
It slashed the number of people coming, to just 336 delegates. A traditional convention has nearly 2,500.
The RNC is requiring masks and temperature checks. And it says delegates can't even move their chairs inside meeting rooms. That rule is to make sure everyone stays six feet apart.
Chris Ager is a delegate from New Hampshire.
His state doesn't have many coronavirus cases — 7,000 to date — and he doesn't usually wear a mask.
"There's very, very low risk up there, but to me if you join an organization and you attend their event then you follow their rules," he said. "And so the rules of wearing a mask ... it's fine."
Earlier this summer, Republicans wanted Cooper to give them assurances that they could fill the city's downtown arena with delegates and other guests. The governor refused.
The GOP then moved most of its convention to Jacksonville, Fla., whose Republican mayor said the city could safely host. But then coronavirus cases spiked in Florida, and the Republican sheriff of Duval County said he couldn't create a security plan on such short notice.
President Trump reluctantly canceled the Florida events, saying "the timing of the event is not right."
That left Charlotte. The GOP had kept a small part of the convention there to satisfy contractual obligations.
Charlotte Democratic City Councilor Larken Egleston cast a deciding vote two years ago to host the GOP's convention, despite opposition from Democratic activists.
"I don't think anyone is going to be sad to see the RNC packing up and leaving town when they do," he said. "It's just been one thing after another. And even four days out I don't there is still any certainty over exactly what this is going to look like.
After the City Council voted 6-5 to host, activists pasted stickers around the city mocking the Democratic Mayor Vi Lyles and Egleston for agreeing to host.
"[My sticker]" said "One-term Larken — vote him out for selling us out," Egleston said. "But what is a pretty big mistake for an attack ad, they used a pretty decent picture of me from my wedding day."
Lyles is out of town this weekend, making good on a 2018 pledge not to speak at the convention.
And there are only a few banners downtown welcoming delegates, a similar amount of pomp for an American Legion convention.
John Lassiter is a longtime Republican, who raised $38 million as the CEO of the local host committee for the traditional convention. He was shocked when the GOP announced they were leaving for Florida.
He's not attending any part of the scaled-back convention.
"No, we're not connected at all at this point to whatever goes on," he said. "We're fully focused on efforts to finish our wind down."
By winding down, Lassiter means settling broken contracts for a convention that didn't happen. The city of Charlotte has spent $17 million on security preparing for the event. Leaders are keeping their fingers crossed that the federal government pays it back.


npr--2020-08-23--Convention Gives Trump A Chance To Explain How He'll Make America Great Again, Again

Convention Gives Trump A Chance To Explain How He 'll Make America Great Again , Again The last three American presidents all won reelection , and they all knew voters would reward them , not for their accomplishments , but for their future plans .
Bill Clinton promised to build a `` bridge to the 21st century '' in 1996 .
George W. Bush offered safety and prosperity in 2004 , built on conservative economic and national security policies .
For Barack Obama in 2012 , it was all about protecting the middle class as the country continued recovering from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's Republican National Convention , President Trump will get a chance to not only remind voters why he thinks Joe Biden would be a disaster in the White House , but also lay out his own vision for the future .
So far , he has n't been very specific about what it is .
Like most incumbents , the president 's second-term agenda would be a continuation of his first , and Trump wants to rewind to the moment right before the pandemic began when he says the economy was the best @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has doubled down on the back to the future vision as he punctuates speeches with a familiar tagline : `` We are going to make America great again , again . ''
When Trump does talk about it , it 's always superlative .
At a press conference earlier this month , he said , `` If stupid people are n't elected next year , we 're going to have one of the greatest years we 've ever had . ''
`` It is remarkable how little he has talked about what a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' said Alex Conant , a Republican strategist .
`` It 's a totally blank slate right now , which is really unusual for anyone running for president , let alone somebody who 's been there for four years . ''
The Trump campaign insists that will change at the convention .
`` The president certainly has a very powerful and forward-looking agenda for the future , '' said Steve Cortes , senior advisor for strategy with the Trump campaign .
`` And President Trump believes ... he has the track record to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the conditions for a soaring economy , particularly for working-class Americans . ''
The heart of the agenda , according to Cortes , is economic nationalism — rebuilding prosperity through more deregulation , more tax cuts and more `` America first '' trade deals .
But Cortes acknowledged that Trump does n't always focus on those goals .
`` He says a heck of a lot .
So sure , at times he 's made the case better than other times , '' he said .
`` As far as messaging , though @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my colleagues at the campaign to do our job of messaging it to the American people and convincing the president to really stay on message . ''
It 's not every day that a top campaign official admits his candidate is undisciplined , but that 's just who Donald Trump is .
His economic agenda is mainly a mainstream conservative one , but it gets overshadowed by the rest of his rhetoric , including racist appeals around confederate monuments , attacks on immigrants and low-income housing and an embrace of wacky conspiracy theories @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ways by all of the stylistic critiques that people have of him personally : confrontations , saying whatever 's on your mind , tweeting it at all times of the day , '' said Republican strategist Josh Holmes , a former top aide to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , R-Ky. '' It 's a double-edged sword , '' said Holmes .
`` On the one hand , you do n't get into the deeper policy issues that I think would have wide appeal across the American electorate .
But on the other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is that he wants to talk about every day . ''
And that 's for better or for worse , according to Holmes .
Marc Thiessen , a former George W. Bush speechwriter disagrees , and says Trump 's core supporters have no trouble understanding what the vision is , and it 's exactly what got him elected in 2016 .
`` His vision is to finally deliver for the forgotten Americans .
The Democrats took them for granted and the Republicans ignored them , and Donald Trump came in and said , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them , ' '' Thiessen said .
`` They said , 'Yeah , we 're hurting in this trade war with China , and we 're hurting because of the pandemic .
He has n't brought the jobs back , but he 's fighting for us .
And I get what he 's doing , and we want to reelect him . '
So he 's got that loyal base because it 's the first time they feel that anybody in Washington is speaking for them . ''
That fierce devotion explains one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with more than 175,000 deaths from the coronavirus pandemic and unemployment above 10 % , Trump 's approval ratings have not collapsed .
Still , Trump 's base alone is n't big enough to win the election , and this week is his chance to expand it , according to Conant .
`` What he really needs to do is lay out a compelling agenda for the second term that can bring in people who do n't like his tweets , do n't like the way he 's handled the pandemic , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would do in a second term , especially compared to a more liberal vision coming from Joe Biden , '' he said .

Convention Gives Trump A Chance To Explain How He'll Make America Great Again, Again
Enlarge this image toggle caption Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images
The last three American presidents all won reelection, and they all knew voters would reward them, not for their accomplishments, but for their future plans.
Bill Clinton promised to build a "bridge to the 21st century" in 1996. George W. Bush offered safety and prosperity in 2004, built on conservative economic and national security policies. For Barack Obama in 2012, it was all about protecting the middle class as the country continued recovering from the Great Recession.
At this week's Republican National Convention, President Trump will get a chance to not only remind voters why he thinks Joe Biden would be a disaster in the White House, but also lay out his own vision for the future. So far, he hasn't been very specific about what it is.
Like most incumbents, the president's second-term agenda would be a continuation of his first, and Trump wants to rewind to the moment right before the pandemic began when he says the economy was the best in history.
Vice President Mike Pence has doubled down on the back to the future vision as he punctuates speeches with a familiar tagline: "We are going to make America great again, again."
When Trump does talk about it, it's always superlative. At a press conference earlier this month, he said, "If stupid people aren't elected next year, we're going to have one of the greatest years we've ever had."
"It is remarkable how little he has talked about what a second Trump term would look like," said Alex Conant, a Republican strategist. "It's a totally blank slate right now, which is really unusual for anyone running for president, let alone somebody who's been there for four years."
The Trump campaign insists that will change at the convention.
"The president certainly has a very powerful and forward-looking agenda for the future," said Steve Cortes, senior adviser for strategy with the Trump campaign. "And President Trump believes ... he has the track record to prove that he knows how to create the conditions for a soaring economy, particularly for working-class Americans."
The heart of the agenda, according to Cortes, is economic nationalism — rebuilding prosperity through more deregulation, more tax cuts and more "America first" trade deals.
But Cortes acknowledged that Trump doesn't always focus on those goals.
"He says a heck of a lot. So sure, at times he's made the case better than other times," he said. "As far as messaging, though, that's incumbent upon me and my colleagues at the campaign to do our job of messaging it to the American people and convincing the president to really stay on message."
It's not every day that a top campaign official admits his candidate is undisciplined, but that's just who Trump is. His economic agenda is mainly a mainstream conservative one, but it gets overshadowed by the rest of his rhetoric, including racist appeals around Confederate monuments, attacks on immigrants and low-income housing and an embrace of wacky conspiracy theories.
"He is defined in some ways by all of the stylistic critiques that people have of him personally: confrontations, saying whatever's on your mind, tweeting it at all times of the day," said Republican strategist Josh Holmes, a former top aide to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.
"It's a double-edged sword," said Holmes. "On the one hand, you don't get into the deeper policy issues that I think would have wide appeal across the American electorate. But on the other hand, he talks about whatever it is that he wants to talk about every day."
And that's for better or for worse, according to Holmes.
Marc Thiessen, a former George W. Bush speechwriter, disagrees and says Trump's core supporters have no trouble understanding what the vision is, and it's exactly what got him elected in 2016.
"His vision is to finally deliver for the forgotten Americans. The Democrats took them for granted and the Republicans ignored them, and Donald Trump came in and said, 'I'm going to fight for them,' " Thiessen said. "They said, 'Yeah, we're hurting in this trade war with China, and we're hurting because of the pandemic. He hasn't brought the jobs back, but he's fighting for us. And I get what he's doing, and we want to reelect him.' So he's got that loyal base because it's the first time they feel that anybody in Washington is speaking for them."
That fierce devotion explains one of the mysteries of this campaign: With more than 175,000 deaths from the coronavirus pandemic and unemployment above 10%, Trump's approval ratings have not collapsed.
Still, Trump's base alone isn't big enough to win the election, and this week is his chance to expand it, according to Conant.
"What he really needs to do is lay out a compelling agenda for the second term that can bring in people who don't like his tweets, don't like the way he's handled the pandemic, but do like what he's outlining he would do in a second term, especially compared to a more liberal vision coming from Joe Biden," he said.


npr--2020-08-23--Rain, Surge And Wind: How To Understand Your Hurricane Risk

Rain , Surge And Wind : How To Understand Your Hurricane Risk Millions of Americans live in the potential path of a hurricane .
The good news is that hurricane and cyclone forecasts have gotten significantly more accurate in recent decades .
The bad news is that climate change and population growth combine to make hurricanes more dangerous to more people .
And research suggests that people are confused by common graphics and warnings about where hurricanes are headed and how they 'll affect communities in their path .
Here are some basic principles you can use to avoid confusion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Figuring out whether you and your family are in the potential path of a hurricane is the first step .
When a storm forms , the National Hurricane Center publishes a prediction map that shows where the hurricane is headed .
That map is often called the `` cone of uncertainty . ''
It sometimes has a central line that shows the most likely path of the hurricane .
Imagine that the line starts at the current location of the storm — somewhere over the water — and extends toward the land @ @ @ @ @ @ @ likely to be in the coming hours and days .
But each location along the storm 's projected path is less and less certain , because it 's farther in the future .
The storm could move slightly left or slightly right at any moment , and that changes where it ultimately makes landfall .
The map illustrates that uncertainty with a shaded blob that shows the total area where the storm 's center is likely to fall .
The `` cone of uncertainty '' map is usually published along with information about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ categories range from tropical storms with sustained wind below 74 miles an hour up to Category 5 storms with sustained winds above 157 miles per hour .
But , although high winds can destroy buildings , water is the most deadly part of a hurricane .
And a storm 's category does n't tell you anything about the flooding it will cause .
`` My number one message to people is to focus less on wind and more on water , '' says Jamie Rhome , a senior forecaster at the National Hurricane @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tells you very little about storm surge or rain , which are consistently the deadliest effects of hurricanes . ''
Storm surge is water pushed up onto coastal land by the hurricane .
The National Hurricane Center publishes storm surge forecast maps that show which areas are in danger , and how much water could arrive with the storm .
There 's also a diagram that shows how high the water will be relative to people of different heights .
The message : you can not walk or swim through a flood .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ can knock you off your feet or make it impossible to control your car .
For people who live further inland , rain is likely to be the most destructive effect of a storm .
Just because a hurricane weakens as it moves over land does n't mean people in its path are out of harm 's way .
In 2017 , Hurricane Harvey had weakened to a tropical storm when it arrived in Houston and dropped upwards of 60 inches of rain .
Preparing for flooding is more important than it 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hotter , large , wet storms are getting more likely .
Meanwhile , the number of people living in hurricane-prone areas along the coast is steadily increasing , putting more people at more risk .
Where And How To Go Unfortunately , storm surge and rain maps do not include local information about where to go and how to prepare .
That 's because local emergency managers are in charge of deciding when to recommend evacuations , where to set up shelters and how to manage evacuation routes .
When hurricane season begins @ @ @ @ @ @ @ county or city emergency department to find out whether you 're in an evacuation zone , and what your options are if you decide to leave your home .
`` Hurricane risks are different for different people , '' explains Barbara Millet , the director of the University of Miami 's User Experience Lab .
Millet studies risk communication and says it 's currently very difficult for citizens to get all the information they need when a hurricane is headed their way .
`` Information like : am I in an evacuation zone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be doing ?
Where is there a shelter ?
Should I be evacuating on a certain route versus another route ? ''
explains Millet , as well as basic information about where to get gas and other supplies .
`` That type of information is what they 're looking for , but that 's not necessarily being conveyed '' by the cone of uncertainty or other storm warnings .
The upshot : make a plan before a storm is headed your way , and remember that water , not wind , is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during a hurricane .

Rain, surge and wind: How to understand your hurricane risk
toggle caption NESDIS/STAR/NOAA
Tropical Storm Ian is gathering strength in the Caribbean Sea, and is headed for Florida. Millions of people live in the storm's path, and are potentially in danger from flooding and wind damage.
Are you one of those people?
Research suggests that many people are confused by common graphics and warnings about where hurricanes are headed and how they'll affect communities in their path.
The dangers posed by flooding are particularly underappreciated. And forecasters warn that Tropical Storm Ian could cause dramatic flooding from both from rain and from storm surge – when ocean water gets pushed inland by a storm.
Here are some basic principles you can use to avoid confusion and be prepared when a hurricane or tropical storm is headed your way. And for the latest information about Ian, visit the National Hurricane Center website.
Storms are large, and they can be dangerous even if they don't hit your area directly
Figuring out whether you and your family are in the potential path of a hurricane is the first step. When a storm forms, the National Hurricane Center publishes a prediction map that shows where the hurricane is headed.
That map is often called the "cone of uncertainty." It sometimes has a central line that shows the most likely path of the hurricane. Imagine that the line starts at the current location of the storm — somewhere over the water — and extends toward the land, showing you where the storm is likely to be in the coming hours and days.
But each location along the storm's projected path is less and less certain, because it's farther in the future. The storm could move slightly left or slightly right at any moment, and that changes where it ultimately makes landfall. The map illustrates that uncertainty with a shaded blob that shows the total area where the storm's center is likely to fall.
Loading...
You can see the current cone of uncertainty forecast for Ian here.
Water is often more dangerous than wind
The "cone of uncertainty" map is usually published along with information about the storm's wind category. The categories range from tropical storms with sustained wind below 74 miles an hour up to Category 5 storms with sustained winds above 157 miles per hour.
Although high winds can destroy buildings, water is the most deadly part of a hurricane. And a storm's category doesn't tell you anything about the flooding it will cause.
"My number one message to people is to focus less on wind and more on water," says Jamie Rhome, a senior forecaster at the National Hurricane Center. "The cone of uncertainty tells you very little about storm surge or rain, which are consistently the deadliest effects of hurricanes."
Storm surge is water pushed up onto coastal land by the hurricane. The National Hurricane Center publishes storm surge forecast maps that show which areas are in danger, and how much water could arrive with the storm.
There's also a diagram that shows how high the water will be relative to people of different heights. The message: you cannot walk or swim through a flood. Just a few inches of moving water can knock you off your feet or make it impossible to control your car.
Loading...
For people who live further inland, rain is likely to be the most destructive effect of a storm. Just because a hurricane weakens as it moves over land doesn't mean people in its path are out of harm's way. In 2017, Hurricane Harvey had weakened to a tropical storm when it arrived in Houston and dropped upwards of 60 inches of rain.
Preparing for flooding is more important than it's ever been. As the Earth gets hotter, large, wet storms are getting more likely. Meanwhile, the number of people living in hurricane-prone areas along the coast is steadily increasing, putting more people at more risk.
You can see the latest rainfall forecasts, storm surge maps and flash flood predictions for Ian on the National Hurricane Center website. Click on the hurricane icon labeled "Ian."
Make an evacuation plan now, before the storm arrives
Unfortunately, storm surge and rain maps do not include local information about where to go and how to prepare. That's because local emergency managers are in charge of deciding when to recommend evacuations, where to set up shelters and how to manage evacuation routes.
Check with your county or city emergency department to find out whether you're in an evacuation zone, and what your options are if you decide to leave your home. If you live in Florida, you can check your official evacuation zone here.
"Hurricane risks are different for different people," explains Barbara Millet, the director of the University of Miami's User Experience Lab. Millet studies risk communication and says it's currently very difficult for citizens to get all the information they need when a hurricane is headed their way.
"Information like: am I in an evacuation zone? What types of things should I be doing? Where is there a shelter? Should I be evacuating on a certain route versus another route?" explains Millet, as well as basic information about where to get gas and other supplies. "That type of information is what they're looking for, but that's not necessarily being conveyed" by the cone of uncertainty or other storm warnings.
The upshot: make a plan before a storm is headed your way, and remember that water, not wind, is the biggest danger you're likely to face during a hurricane.


npr--2020-08-23--'Luster' Shines With Sharp Wit And Dark Humor

Books that make me cringe are usually bad .
You know , books where suspension of disbelief refuses to stay even if you hold it at gunpoint , stories of whitewashed cities where everyone is beautiful , stories with dialogue so eloquent it sounds like Martin Luther King , Jr. debating Pericles .
Luckily , sometimes a book comes along that makes me cringe for all the right reasons .
Raven Leilani 's Luster belongs to this select group .
Edie is in her 20s , working an admin job in a publishing company , and sharing a roach infested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ making bad choices , watching porn at work , and sleeping with a few coworkers .
Then she meets Eric , an older married man in an open relationship who works as a digital archivist .
They start dating , but things get complicated .
For starters , Eric is white and Edie is Black .
Also , Eric 's wife , Rebecca , has a set of strict rules for them ; Edie breaks one when she sneaks into Eric 's house , and she gets caught .
When her behavior at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ loses her job , Edie ends up in Eric 's home again – only this time , Rebecca has invited her in .
While trying to find a new place and a new job , Edie develops a friendly relationship with her lover 's spouse and with their adopted daughter , a young Black woman named Akila .
A short review of this novel could easily be a laundry list of the topics it tackles , half a dozen quotes , and a single sentence : `` Read this now . ''
Luster @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intergenerational love story with a heart of noir wrapped in gallows humor , some sexy scenes , and a look at race in this country that takes into account differences of age and class .
It is also incredibly bleak , and so honest it will make you squirm : Leilani understands ennui well , and Edie is full of it .
She hovers above situations , recognizing that what she 's doing is wrong , but never doing anything to correct herself .
She feel she 's `` good , but not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ simply being bad .
It is almost . ''
Her actions reflect this weariness : She cuts herself with a sword after being fired .
She ignores basic hygiene and uses her bathing suit as underwear for days instead of doing laundry .
She allows Eric to hit her after she sneaks into his house .
Not dark enough for you ?
Try this line : `` There are times I interact with kids and recall my abortion fondly , moments like this when I cross paths with a child who is clearly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ depressing stuff here , Luster is brilliant .
Leilani writes as if she 's stabbing the keyboard with scalpels made of class resentment and memories of racism and misogyny .
Edie and Eric come from different worlds — one has everything and the other is always a step away from losing the little she has .
This difference , along with their age gap and race , frames a narrative that 's packed with sardonic lines and sharp observations .
Mentioning discussions of race or misogyny often makes readers frown .
Do n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ novel .
In fact , it is often the opposite ; a hilarious and kinky story about what it 's like to be young right now .
However , it is also a novel that regularly — and fiercely — stops , looks at you , and says `` Oh , by the way , this happens and it 's beyond messed up '' in a way that catches you by surprise and makes you angry at whatever it 's just pointed out : Luster smashes together capitalism , sex , loss , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pieces , using pitch-black humor as glue .
That this Frankenstein 's monster of genres and topics works so well is a testament to Leilani 's talent .
That it all happens in a debut novel makes it even more impressive .
Edie is a unique character , a young Black woman full of dissatisfaction who constantly engages in self-destructive behavior .
She is flawed and bright , funny and broken , depressed and horny .
Edie is unforgettable , and so is Luster , a novel that shines with a distinctive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ burning and maybe you feel like a depressing novel is the last thing you need , but there is pleasure at the core of every cringe Leilani will force on you .
Gabino Iglesias is an author , book reviewer and professor living in Austin , Texas .
Find him on Twitter at @ Gabino_Iglesias .

'Luster' Shines With Sharp Wit And Dark Humor
Enlarge this image toggle caption Farrar, Straus and Giroux Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Books that make me cringe are usually bad. You know, books where suspension of disbelief refuses to stay even if you hold it at gunpoint, stories of whitewashed cities where everyone is beautiful, stories with dialogue so eloquent it sounds like Martin Luther King, Jr. debating Pericles. Luckily, sometimes a book comes along that makes me cringe for all the right reasons. Raven Leilani's Luster belongs to this select group.
Edie is in her 20s, working an admin job in a publishing company, and sharing a roach infested apartment in Bushwick. She's also making bad choices, watching porn at work, and sleeping with a few coworkers. Then she meets Eric, an older married man in an open relationship who works as a digital archivist. They start dating, but things get complicated. For starters, Eric is white and Edie is Black. Also, Eric's wife, Rebecca, has a set of strict rules for them; Edie breaks one when she sneaks into Eric's house, and she gets caught. When her behavior at work catches up to her and she loses her job, Edie ends up in Eric's home again – only this time, Rebecca has invited her in. While trying to find a new place and a new job, Edie develops a friendly relationship with her lover's spouse and with their adopted daughter, a young Black woman named Akila.
A short review of this novel could easily be a laundry list of the topics it tackles, half a dozen quotes, and a single sentence: "Read this now." Luster is an exotic hybrid — a depressing intergenerational love story with a heart of noir wrapped in gallows humor, some sexy scenes, and a look at race in this country that takes into account differences of age and class. It is also incredibly bleak, and so honest it will make you squirm:
"I'm an open book," I say, thinking of all the men who have found it illegible. I made mistakes with these men. I dove for their legs as they tried to leave my house. I chased them down the hall with a bottle of Listerine, saying, I can be a beach read, I can get rid of all these clauses, please, I'll just revise.
Leilani understands ennui well, and Edie is full of it. She hovers above situations, recognizing that what she's doing is wrong, but never doing anything to correct herself. She feel she's "good, but not good enough, which is worse than simply being bad. It is almost." Her actions reflect this weariness: She cuts herself with a sword after being fired. She ignores basic hygiene and uses her bathing suit as underwear for days instead of doing laundry. She allows Eric to hit her after she sneaks into his house. Not dark enough for you? Try this line: "There are times I interact with kids and recall my abortion fondly, moments like this when I cross paths with a child who is clearly a drag."
Despite all the depressing stuff here, Luster is brilliant. Leilani writes as if she's stabbing the keyboard with scalpels made of class resentment and memories of racism and misogyny. Edie and Eric come from different worlds — one has everything and the other is always a step away from losing the little she has. This difference, along with their age gap and race, frames a narrative that's packed with sardonic lines and sharp observations.
Leilani writes as if she's stabbing the keyboard with scalpels made of class resentment and memories of racism and misogyny.
Mentioning discussions of race or misogyny often makes readers frown. Don't fret — Luster isn't a preachy novel. In fact, it is often the opposite; a hilarious and kinky story about what it's like to be young right now. However, it is also a novel that regularly — and fiercely — stops, looks at you, and says "Oh, by the way, this happens and it's beyond messed up" in a way that catches you by surprise and makes you angry at whatever it's just pointed out:
I load up on the free hand lotion the publisher started putting out after it was revealed that the women in the company (a whopping 87 percent of the employee base) are still making less than the men.
Luster smashes together capitalism, sex, loss, and trauma and constructs something new with the pieces, using pitch-black humor as glue. That this Frankenstein's monster of genres and topics works so well is a testament to Leilani's talent. That it all happens in a debut novel makes it even more impressive. Edie is a unique character, a young Black woman full of dissatisfaction who constantly engages in self-destructive behavior. She is flawed and bright, funny and broken, depressed and horny. Edie is unforgettable, and so is Luster, a novel that shines with a distinctive darkness. Yes, the world is burning and maybe you feel like a depressing novel is the last thing you need, but there is pleasure at the core of every cringe Leilani will force on you.
Gabino Iglesias is an author, book reviewer and professor living in Austin, Texas. Find him on Twitter at @Gabino_Iglesias.


npr--2020-08-23--13 Killed In Stampede At Peru Nightclub Operating Against Health Orders

13 Killed In Stampede At Peru Nightclub Operating Against Health Orders At least 13 people were killed in a stampede at a nightclub in Peru when they tried to escape police who showed up to enforce COVID-19 restrictions on such gatherings .
According to Peru 's interior ministry , 120 people attended a party at Thomas Restobar Club in Lima 's Los Olivos district on Saturday night , despite prohibitions on social gatherings under the country 's state of emergency .
Nightclubs and bars were ordered closed in March , and extended family gatherings were banned earlier this month in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus .
After being alerted by neighbors around 9 p.m. , according to the ministry , police arrived to evacuate the building .
Party-goers tried to flee through a single exit , getting trampled and trapped in the staircase as a result .
Six other people , including three police officers , were injured .
Twenty three people were detained .
`` The Minister of the Interior deeply regrets the death of thirteen people as a result of the criminal irresponsibility of an unscrupulous businessman ; and extends his deepest condolences to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement from the office of Jorge Montoya .
The ministry said that police did not use any weapons or tear gas on the scene , though the BBC reports one resident told RPP radio that the police threw tear gas canisters during the raid .
In a second statement , the interior ministry said again that police had not used firearms or tear gas at any point during the intervention , and had followed lawful , established protocols .
It also said the nightclub 's two owners , a married couple , were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , health officials said that 15 detainees had tested positive for the coronavirus , with 13 of those still actively contagious .
According to data from Johns Hopkins University , more than 585,000 people in Peru have tested positive for COVID-19 and more than 27,450 have died .
The country ranks sixth in the world for its total number of cases .

13 Killed In Stampede At Peru Nightclub Operating Against Health Orders
Enlarge this image toggle caption Luka Gonzales/AFP via Getty Images Luka Gonzales/AFP via Getty Images
At least 13 people were killed in a stampede at a nightclub in Peru when they tried to escape police who showed up to enforce COVID-19 restrictions on such gatherings.
According to Peru's interior ministry, 120 people attended a party at Thomas Restobar Club in Lima's Los Olivos district on Saturday night, despite prohibitions on social gatherings under the country's state of emergency.
Nightclubs and bars were ordered closed in March, and extended family gatherings were banned earlier this month in an effort to slow the spread of the virus.
After being alerted by neighbors around 9 p.m., according to the ministry, police arrived to evacuate the building. Party-goers tried to flee through a single exit, getting trampled and trapped in the staircase as a result.
Six other people, including three police officers, were injured. Twenty three people were detained.
"The Minister of the Interior deeply regrets the death of thirteen people as a result of the criminal irresponsibility of an unscrupulous businessman; and extends his deepest condolences to his family members," reads the statement from the office of Jorge Montoya.
The ministry said that police did not use any weapons or tear gas on the scene, though the BBC reports one resident told RPP radio that the police threw tear gas canisters during the raid.
In a second statement, the interior ministry said again that police had not used firearms or tear gas at any point during the intervention, and had followed lawful, established protocols.
It also said the nightclub's two owners, a married couple, were detained on Sunday.
Later that day, health officials said that 15 detainees had tested positive for the coronavirus, with 13 of those still actively contagious.
According to data from Johns Hopkins University, more than 585,000 people in Peru have tested positive for COVID-19 and more than 27,450 have died. The country ranks sixth in the world for its total number of cases.


npr--2020-08-23--FDA Authorizes Convalescent Plasma As Emergency Treatment For COVID-19

President Trump announced on Sunday that the Food and Drug Administration has issued emergency use authorization to treat hospitalized COVID-19 patients with convalescent plasma from people who have recovered from the virus .
Joined by Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar and FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn for what he called a `` truly historic '' announcement , Trump described the treatment as safe and effective .
Convalescent plasma , Hahn explained , is the liquid portion of the blood that contains the antibodies an individual develops in response to an infection and can be given to patients currently fighting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has long been a part of the infectious disease arsenal .
It has already been in use for COVID-19 for a number of months : The Mayo Clinic has run an `` expanded access program '' for convalescent plasma since March , and more than 70,000 people have received the treatment .
Hahn said there is a 35 % improvement in survival for COVID-19 patients given the plasma .
Azar noted that the patients who benefited most from the treatment are those under 80 and not on artificial respiration .
`` We dream @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like a 35 % mortality reduction , '' Azar said .
`` This is a major advance in the treatment of patients . ''
While researchers will continue with randomized clinical trials and data collection , Hahn said independent experts and FDA scientists have concluded the treatment is safe and shows `` promising efficacy , '' warranting approval for the authorization .
The emergency use authorization means that the convalescent plasma `` may be effective in treating COVID-19 and that the known and potential benefits of the product outweigh the known and potential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This move will further expand access to the treatment , but is not the same as traditional FDA approval .
All three officials urged Americans who have recovered from COVID-19 to donate plasma and potentially save lives .
Sunday 's announcement , delivered the evening before the start of the Republican National Convention , comes on the heels of Trump 's previous claims that members of his administration had purposefully stalled such an authorization to hurt his chances of reelection .
Reports last week suggested that some health officials had said that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was not strong enough to warrant the approval for emergency use authorization .
That prompted Trump in a press conference last week and on Twitter on Saturday to accuse the FDA of waiting to approve the authorization for political reasons .
Answering reporters ' questions after Sunday 's announcement , Trump said it was his `` strong opinion '' that there had been a political hold-up , but that `` we broke the log-jam over the past week . ''
Hahn did not respond to shouted questions about whether he had been pressured @ @ @ @ @

FDA Authorizes Convalescent Plasma As Emergency Treatment For COVID-19
Enlarge this image toggle caption Pete Marovich/Getty Images Pete Marovich/Getty Images
President Trump announced on Sunday that the Food and Drug Administration has issued emergency use authorization to treat hospitalized COVID-19 patients with convalescent plasma from people who have recovered from the virus.
Joined by Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar and FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn for what he called a "truly historic" announcement, Trump described the treatment as safe and effective.
Convalescent plasma, Hahn explained, is the liquid portion of the blood that contains the antibodies an individual develops in response to an infection and can be given to patients currently fighting that virus. He said this treatment has long been a part of the infectious disease arsenal.
It has already been in use for COVID-19 for a number of months: The Mayo Clinic has run an "expanded access program" for convalescent plasma since March, and more than 70,000 people have received the treatment.
Hahn said there is a 35% improvement in survival for COVID-19 patients given the plasma. Azar noted that the patients who benefited most from the treatment are those under 80 and not on artificial respiration.
"We dream, in drug development, of something like a 35% mortality reduction," Azar said. "This is a major advance in the treatment of patients."
While researchers will continue with randomized clinical trials and data collection, Hahn said independent experts and FDA scientists have concluded the treatment is safe and shows "promising efficacy," warranting approval for the authorization.
The emergency use authorization means that the convalescent plasma "may be effective in treating COVID-19 and that the known and potential benefits of the product outweigh the known and potential risks," according to the FDA.
This move will further expand access to the treatment, but is not the same as traditional FDA approval.
All three officials urged Americans who have recovered from COVID-19 to donate plasma and potentially save lives.
Sunday's announcement, delivered the evening before the start of the Republican National Convention, comes on the heels of Trump's previous claims that members of his administration had purposefully stalled such an authorization to hurt his chances of reelection.
Reports last week suggested that some health officials had said that data from the Mayo Clinic's program was not strong enough to warrant the approval for emergency use authorization.
That prompted Trump in a press conference last week and on Twitter on Saturday to accuse the FDA of waiting to approve the authorization for political reasons.
Answering reporters' questions after Sunday's announcement, Trump said it was his "strong opinion" that there had been a political hold-up, but that "we broke the log-jam over the past week."
Hahn did not respond to shouted questions about whether he had been pressured to give the approval.
NPR's Roberta Rampton contributed to this report.


npr--2020-08-23--1,000 More Coronavirus Deaths In The Past Day, CDC Says

1,000 More Coronavirus Deaths In The Past Day , CDC Says The number of confirmed coronavirus deaths in the U.S. continues to climb .
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , as of Sunday there have been 175,651 lives lost to the virus and 5.64 million total cases .
The death count rose by just over a thousand from the day before , the CDC reported .
The more than 45,000 new cases in the past day was down 39 % from the daily record of 74,818 new cases recorded on July 24 , according to CDC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ twice as high than daily cases during the first few months of the pandemic .
New polling out on Sunday shows these numbers are increasingly being viewed through a partisan lens .
According to a CBS News/YouGov poll , 64 % of Republicans say that U.S. deaths from the coronavirus are lower than reported , compared to 36 % among all voters .
Of those polled , 73 % of Republicans believe that the U.S. response to the coronavirus is going well , versus 38 % for all voters .
More than half @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deaths from the coronavirus was acceptable , compared to 10 % among Democrats and 33 % among Independents .
Although health and government officials are still urging people to be vigilant , American life is slowly flirting with a return to normal — or at least the new normal .
On Friday , theaters in many states began showing the first new movie since cinemas closed in the spring .
Unhinged , starring Russell Crowe , earned $ 4 million this weekend playing in 1,823 venues , according to Variety .
The biggest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in California , Variety reported .

1,000 More Coronavirus Deaths In The Past Day, CDC Says
Enlarge this image toggle caption Mario Tama/Getty Images Mario Tama/Getty Images
The number of confirmed coronavirus deaths in the U.S. continues to climb.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as of Sunday there have been 175,651 lives lost to the virus and 5.64 million total cases. The death count rose by just over a thousand from the day before, the CDC reported.
The more than 45,000 new cases in the past day was down 39% from the daily record of 74,818 new cases recorded on July 24, according to CDC figures. But it's still roughly twice as high than daily cases during the first few months of the pandemic.
New polling out on Sunday shows these numbers are increasingly being viewed through a partisan lens. According to a CBS News/YouGov poll, 64% of Republicans say that U.S. deaths from the coronavirus are lower than reported, compared to 36% among all voters.
Of those polled, 73% of Republicans believe that the U.S. response to the coronavirus is going well, versus 38% for all voters. More than half of Republicans said the number of U.S. deaths from the coronavirus was acceptable, compared to 10% among Democrats and 33% among Independents.
Although health and government officials are still urging people to be vigilant, American life is slowly flirting with a return to normal — or at least the new normal. On Friday, theaters in many states began showing the first new movie since cinemas closed in the spring. Unhinged, starring Russell Crowe, earned $4 million this weekend playing in 1,823 venues, according to Variety. The biggest ticket sales came from drive-in movie theaters in California, Variety reported.


npr--2020-08-23--Fatal Police Shooting Of Black Man In Louisiana Sparks Outrage And Protest

Fatal Police Shooting Of Black Man In Louisiana Sparks Outrage And Protest Outrage is building , and Louisiana State Police are investigating , after a 31-year-old Black man was fatally shot by police in the city of Lafayette on Friday .
According to video footage and eyewitness reports , Lafayette police officers fired at least 10 shots at Trayford Pellerin as he walked away from them and towards an occupied convenience store .
Legal organizations and community members are decrying the shooting as an excessive use of force , and demanding transparency and justice for Pellerin .
The incident is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police killings of Black people , including Breonna Taylor and George Floyd , that sparked nationwide protests against racism and police violence earlier this summer .
The Acadiana Advocate reports the incident is the third officer-involved shooting by the Lafayette Police Department in roughly five weeks .
The Louisiana State Police said in a statement that around 8 p.m. on Friday , Lafayette Police responded to a `` disturbance involving a person armed with a knife at a convenience store . ''
State Police said the officers encountered Pellerin in the parking lot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but ended up pursuing him for roughly half a mile on foot as he left the scene .
Officers deployed Tasers in pursuit `` but they were ineffective , '' according to the statement .
The statement said officers started shooting when Pellerin , reportedly still armed with a knife , attempted to enter a different convenience store along NW Evangeline Throughway .
Following the flurry of gunfire , he was transported to an area hospital and later pronounced dead .
The LPD requested that the Louisiana State Police Bureau of Investigations look @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said that investigation is `` active and ongoing . ''
Interim Lafayette Police Chief Scott Morgan said the officers involved have been placed on administrative leave with pay while the investigation is underway .
Rickasha Montgomery , a witness who captured a video of the shooting , told the Lafayette Daily Advertiser that she saw Pellerin holding what appeared to be a knife , walking down Evangeline Thruway away from police as they Tased him .
She said she saw about six officers with their guns drawn yell for Pellerin to get on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him when he reached the door of a Shell gas station .
`` I feel kind of scared about it , '' Montgomery told the newspaper .
`` I 'm traumatized .
You 're so used to hearing about this , but I never thought I would experience it . ''
Graphic bystander video of the shooting has since circulated on social media .
( NPR has not independently verified video of the incident ) .
Michelle Pellerin , the victim 's mother , told The Acadiana Advocate on Saturday she was in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to understand what happened , '' she said .
`` Why did it have to go this far ?
Why him ?
Everybody talks about the video , but I have n't seen it and I do n't want to see it .
I ca n't . ''
She described her oldest son as `` kind , intelligent , quiet and shy . ''
She said he loved to cook , was close with his extended family and worked odd jobs but was thinking about returning to school and possibly studying law .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to social situations and being in groups of people , something he sought professional help for earlier this year .
Pellerin told the newspaper she believes her son may have been particularly frightened by the group of officers coming at him .
Civil rights attorney Ben Crump , one of the lawyers retained by the family , told the newspaper that the family believes Pellerin may have been experiencing a mental health crisis at the time of his death .
Crump , who also represents the families of Floyd and Taylor , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ronald Haley `` refuse to let this case resolve like so many others : quietly and without answers and justice . ''
Haley told The Advocate that even if a knife was present , eyewitness video shows there was no one in Pellerin 's vicinity and if he was a danger to anyone , he was only a danger to himself .
Crump said officers should have been able to find alternatives to lethal force .
The attorneys say a civil lawsuit is planned .
`` The family , and the people of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those who are sworn to protect them — the Lafayette Police , '' Crump wrote .
`` The officers involved should be fired immediately for their abhorrent and fatal actions . ''
The ACLU of Louisiana and the Southern Poverty Law Center also condemned the shooting .
Both said accounts show police shooting Pellerin as he walked away from them , and called for investigations into what they called the officers ' `` excessive use of force . ''
They also noted that the shooting comes amidst an ongoing reckoning over `` the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against Black people , with demonstrators across the country already calling for police reform .
`` None of our communities are safe when the police can murder people with impunity or when routine encounters escalate into deadly shooting sprees , '' said Alanah Odoms Hebert , executive director of the ACLU of Louisiana .
Lafayette Mayor-President Josh Guillory defended the officers ' `` numerous efforts to de-escalate the situation '' in a statement issued Saturday .
`` The officers opened fire when it became apparent the armed individual was attempting to enter a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the customers and workers inside , '' he said , adding that city police and officials will cooperate fully with the investigation .
Guillory said law enforcement and other front line personnel remain focused on the safety of the community , especially as the state braces for a potential back-to-back storms early in the week .
Law enforcement clashed with protesters on Saturday when an initially-peaceful rally turned chaotic .
The Acadiana Advocate reports that what started as a community protest against police violence ended with officers in riot gear launching smoke grenades @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protesters arrested .
Demonstrators gathered at the site of the shooting and gradually spilled over into the roadway , chanting `` No justice , no peace . ''
By 6:45 p.m. , some 150 protesters had crowded into the street , blocking traffic .
According to The Advocate , `` rocks and water bottles were thrown '' at police cars as the crowd headed back to the Shell gas station , and some protesters targeted vehicles on the roadway .
Around 8:15 p.m. , police in riot gear told the crowd to disperse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stayed put , at which point the officers began advancing on the group and throwing smoke grenades .
The crowd broke up into smaller groups within about 20 minutes , as law enforcement left the area to respond to other scenes .
Officials later said that people had shot fireworks at buildings and set fires in the roadway , and that an unspecified number of arrests were made .
Some protesters are blaming outsiders for causing destruction .
At a press conference , officials praised the organizers of the vigil and blamed the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
City and law enforcement officials said they support peaceful protest but will not tolerate violence or unlawful acts .
Sheriff Mark Garber warned against out-of-town agitators who might promote violence at future protests , and said law enforcement is prepared to confront them if necessary .
Guillory , the mayor-president , said `` we will not put up with terrorism . ''
`` This is our city , '' said Lafayette Fire Chief Robert Benoit .
`` Let 's protect our city , let 's protect our first responders , and let @ @ @ @ @ @ @ let the courts handle whatever they have to handle . ''

Fatal Police Shooting Of Black Man In Louisiana Sparks Outrage And Protest
Outrage is building, and Louisiana State Police are investigating, after a 31-year-old Black man was fatally shot by police in the city of Lafayette on Friday.
According to video footage and eyewitness reports, Lafayette police officers fired at least 10 shots at Trayford Pellerin as he walked away from them and towards an occupied convenience store. Legal organizations and community members are decrying the shooting as an excessive use of force, and demanding transparency and justice for Pellerin.
The incident is the latest in a string of high-profile police killings of Black people, including Breonna Taylor and George Floyd, that sparked nationwide protests against racism and police violence earlier this summer. The Acadiana Advocate reports the incident is the third officer-involved shooting by the Lafayette Police Department in roughly five weeks.
The Louisiana State Police said in a statement that around 8 p.m. on Friday, Lafayette Police responded to a "disturbance involving a person armed with a knife at a convenience store."
State Police said the officers encountered Pellerin in the parking lot and attempted to apprehend him there, but ended up pursuing him for roughly half a mile on foot as he left the scene. Officers deployed Tasers in pursuit "but they were ineffective," according to the statement.
The statement said officers started shooting when Pellerin, reportedly still armed with a knife, attempted to enter a different convenience store along NW Evangeline Throughway. Following the flurry of gunfire, he was transported to an area hospital and later pronounced dead.
The LPD requested that the Louisiana State Police Bureau of Investigations look into the shooting; the state police said that investigation is "active and ongoing."
Interim Lafayette Police Chief Scott Morgan said the officers involved have been placed on administrative leave with pay while the investigation is underway.
Rickasha Montgomery, a witness who captured a video of the shooting, told the Lafayette Daily Advertiser that she saw Pellerin holding what appeared to be a knife, walking down Evangeline Thruway away from police as they Tased him. She said she saw about six officers with their guns drawn yell for Pellerin to get on the ground, and that they shot him when he reached the door of a Shell gas station.
"I feel kind of scared about it," Montgomery told the newspaper. "I'm traumatized. You're so used to hearing about this, but I never thought I would experience it."
Graphic bystander video of the shooting has since circulated on social media. (NPR has not independently verified video of the incident).
Michelle Pellerin, the victim's mother, told The Acadiana Advocate on Saturday she was in disbelief.
"I'm still trying to understand what happened," she said. "Why did it have to go this far? Why him? Everybody talks about the video, but I haven't seen it and I don't want to see it. I can't."
She described her oldest son as "kind, intelligent, quiet and shy." She said he loved to cook, was close with his extended family and worked odd jobs but was thinking about returning to school and possibly studying law.
She said he suffered from anxiety related to social situations and being in groups of people, something he sought professional help for earlier this year. Pellerin told the newspaper she believes her son may have been particularly frightened by the group of officers coming at him.
Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, one of the lawyers retained by the family, told the newspaper that the family believes Pellerin may have been experiencing a mental health crisis at the time of his death.
Crump, who also represents the families of Floyd and Taylor, said in a statement that he and co-counsel Ronald Haley "refuse to let this case resolve like so many others: quietly and without answers and justice."
Haley told The Advocate that even if a knife was present, eyewitness video shows there was no one in Pellerin's vicinity and if he was a danger to anyone, he was only a danger to himself. Crump said officers should have been able to find alternatives to lethal force. The attorneys say a civil lawsuit is planned.
"The family, and the people of Lafayette, deserve honesty and accountability from those who are sworn to protect them — the Lafayette Police," Crump wrote. "The officers involved should be fired immediately for their abhorrent and fatal actions."
The ACLU of Louisiana and the Southern Poverty Law Center also condemned the shooting. Both said accounts show police shooting Pellerin as he walked away from them, and called for investigations into what they called the officers' "excessive use of force."
They also noted that the shooting comes amidst an ongoing reckoning over "the epidemic of police violence," particularly against Black people, with demonstrators across the country already calling for police reform.
"None of our communities are safe when the police can murder people with impunity or when routine encounters escalate into deadly shooting sprees," said Alanah Odoms Hebert, executive director of the ACLU of Louisiana.
Lafayette Mayor-President Josh Guillory defended the officers' "numerous efforts to de-escalate the situation" in a statement issued Saturday.
"The officers opened fire when it became apparent the armed individual was attempting to enter a convenience store, threatening the lives of the customers and workers inside," he said, adding that city police and officials will cooperate fully with the investigation.
Guillory said law enforcement and other front line personnel remain focused on the safety of the community, especially as the state braces for a potential back-to-back storms early in the week.
Law enforcement clashed with protesters on Saturday when an initially-peaceful rally turned chaotic.
The Acadiana Advocate reports that what started as a community protest against police violence ended with officers in riot gear launching smoke grenades into the crowd and at least two protesters arrested.
Demonstrators gathered at the site of the shooting and gradually spilled over into the roadway, chanting "No justice, no peace." By 6:45 p.m., some 150 protesters had crowded into the street, blocking traffic.
According to The Advocate, "rocks and water bottles were thrown" at police cars as the crowd headed back to the Shell gas station, and some protesters targeted vehicles on the roadway. Around 8:15 p.m., police in riot gear told the crowd to disperse or face arrest. Several dozen protesters stayed put, at which point the officers began advancing on the group and throwing smoke grenades.
The crowd broke up into smaller groups within about 20 minutes, as law enforcement left the area to respond to other scenes.
Officials later said that people had shot fireworks at buildings and set fires in the roadway, and that an unspecified number of arrests were made. Some protesters are blaming outsiders for causing destruction.
At a press conference, officials praised the organizers of the vigil and blamed the share of attendees who had escalated it. City and law enforcement officials said they support peaceful protest but will not tolerate violence or unlawful acts.
Sheriff Mark Garber warned against out-of-town agitators who might promote violence at future protests, and said law enforcement is prepared to confront them if necessary.
Guillory, the mayor-president, said "we will not put up with terrorism."
"This is our city," said Lafayette Fire Chief Robert Benoit. "Let's protect our city, let's protect our first responders, and let's do the right thing, and let the courts handle whatever they have to handle."