npr--2020-01-17--Reporters Challenge New Restrictions In Trying To Cover Senate Impeachment Trial

Reporters Challenge New Restrictions In Trying To Cover Senate Impeachment Trial News organizations and journalists ' advocates are challenging restrictive new ground rules for reporters assigned to cover the Senate impeachment trial .
Correspondents who submit to an official credentialing process are granted broad access throughout the Capitol complex and usually encounter few restrictions in talking with members of Congress or others .
But now Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Michael Stenger has imposed new requirements for the impeachment trial , negotiated in part with Republican leadership : Reporters are being confined to small cordoned-off sections in areas where unrestricted access was typically @ @ @ @ @ @ @ walking with senators to continue conversations — even when the senator involved is willingly participating .
Reporters also now may not approach senators for interviews in the halls surrounding the Senate chamber .
Taken together , the new rules effectively prevent members of the press from reaching many senators .
The Capitol is one of the rare places in official Washington where journalists get direct access to newsmakers — in this case , elected officials and their staff members .
Elsewhere , as in the White House or the State Department , for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more closely , and access to principals can be severely limited .
The Senate 's new security measures are unusually strict , and more restrictive even than the security protocols generally put in place for the annual State of the Union address — which is attended by the president , many members of the Cabinet and Supreme Court .
The president is not expected to attend the trial .
Stenger and the Capitol Police may fear that the additional attention drawn to the Senate impeachment trial may increase risks to members of Congress @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are vetted through a longstanding system and pass through security checks every time they enter the Capitol complex .
Nearly 60 news organizations including NPR signed a letter organized by the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press on Thursday urging Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , R-Ky. , and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer , D-N.Y. , to relax the new restrictions on reporters .
`` Absent an articulable security rationale , Senate leaders , the Senate sergeant at arms , and the United States Capitol Police have an obligation to preserve and promote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' the letter said .
`` Reporters must have the ability to respond quickly to rapid developments and need reasonable access to lawmakers who wish to speak to the press . ''
Patricia Gallagher Newberry , president of the Society of Professional Journalists , faulted the new Senate restrictions because they deny reporters the ability to fully cover a once-in-a-generation spectacle .
`` To deny journalists their constitutional right to document the historical events occurring now is a gross injustice to the American people , '' she said .
`` The press is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It is through its access that the public is informed .
When the public is informed , it can make better decisions .
The American public should also be outraged about these restrictions . ''
Angela Greiling Keane , president of the National Press Club Journalism Institute , warned that the prospect of these continued restrictions could chill reporters ' ability to cover big events or even normal business in the Capitol in the future .
`` These restrictions set a horrible precedent and reinforce the lie that the news media is dangerous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ' `` Keane said .
`` Congress should be the most accessible institution in government .
As the branch closest to the people , it is ironic that these limits only isolate those who are elected to serve . ''
News organizations that assign correspondents to the Capitol — including NPR — are continuing to negotiate ground rules with Stenger ( the sergeant-at-arms ) and the Capitol Police .

Reporters Challenge New Restrictions In Trying To Cover Senate Impeachment Trial
Enlarge this image toggle caption J. Scott Applewhite/AP J. Scott Applewhite/AP
News organizations and journalists' advocates are challenging restrictive new ground rules for reporters assigned to cover the Senate impeachment trial.
Correspondents who submit to an official credentialing process are granted broad access throughout the Capitol complex and usually encounter few restrictions in talking with members of Congress or others.
But now Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Michael Stenger has imposed new requirements for the impeachment trial, negotiated in part with Republican leadership:
Reporters are being confined to small cordoned-off sections in areas where unrestricted access was typically standard. They are being prevented from walking with senators to continue conversations — even when the senator involved is willingly participating.
Reporters also now may not approach senators for interviews in the halls surrounding the Senate chamber.
Taken together, the new rules effectively prevent members of the press from reaching many senators.
The Capitol is one of the rare places in official Washington where journalists get direct access to newsmakers — in this case, elected officials and their staff members.
Elsewhere, as in the White House or the State Department, for example, reporters' movements are controlled more closely, and access to principals can be severely limited.
The Senate's new security measures are unusually strict, and more restrictive even than the security protocols generally put in place for the annual State of the Union address — which is attended by the president, many members of the Cabinet and Supreme Court. The president is not expected to attend the trial.
Stenger and the Capitol Police may fear that the additional attention drawn to the Senate impeachment trial may increase risks to members of Congress. But members of the press corps are vetted through a longstanding system and pass through security checks every time they enter the Capitol complex.
Enlarge this image toggle caption J. Scott Applewhite/AP J. Scott Applewhite/AP
Nearly 60 news organizations including NPR signed a letter organized by the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press on Thursday urging Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., to relax the new restrictions on reporters.
"Absent an articulable security rationale, Senate leaders, the Senate sergeant at arms, and the United States Capitol Police have an obligation to preserve and promote the public's right to know," the letter said. "Reporters must have the ability to respond quickly to rapid developments and need reasonable access to lawmakers who wish to speak to the press."
Patricia Gallagher Newberry, president of the Society of Professional Journalists, faulted the new Senate restrictions because they deny reporters the ability to fully cover a once-in-a-generation spectacle.
"To deny journalists their constitutional right to document the historical events occurring now is a gross injustice to the American people," she said.
"The press is charged with holding the government accountable. It is through its access that the public is informed. When the public is informed, it can make better decisions. The American public should also be outraged about these restrictions."
Angela Greiling Keane, president of the National Press Club Journalism Institute, warned that the prospect of these continued restrictions could chill reporters' ability to cover big events or even normal business in the Capitol in the future.
"These restrictions set a horrible precedent and reinforce the lie that the news media is dangerous and the 'enemy of the people,' " Keane said. "Congress should be the most accessible institution in government. As the branch closest to the people, it is ironic that these limits only isolate those who are elected to serve."
News organizations that assign correspondents to the Capitol — including NPR — are continuing to negotiate ground rules with Stenger (the sergeant-at-arms) and the Capitol Police.


npr--2020-01-17--New Figures Show Billionaire Candidates Spending Big, With Little Return

New Figures Show Billionaire Candidates Spending Big , With Little Return The candidates in the top 1 % have accounted for about 78 % of the ad spending in the presidential race so far , according to new numbers .
The two self-funding billionaires in the Democratic primary , former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg and activist business executive Tom Steyer , have spent the most by far — a combined $ 320 million , out of $ 409.8 million spent in the presidential contest up to Jan. 13 .
Do n't see the graphic above ?
Click here @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Steyer in national and state polls , but not enough to break into the quartet of front-runners : former Vice President Joe Biden ; former South Bend , Ind.
, Mayor Pete Buttigieg ; Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders ; and Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren .
The data from Advertising Analytics was provided to NPR for all ad spending through Monday .
It does n't include reserved ad time in the coming weeks , which is expected to crescendo as the first votes draw close .
But it still captures the massive spending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The top four candidates are neck and neck in polls for the Iowa caucuses , now just over two weeks away on Feb. 3 .
Steyer has spent the most there , but Buttigieg 's fundraising prowess helped him make a major investment in the state .
Through Monday , he 'd spent $ 8 million on advertising in Iowa , including $ 5.9 million on broadcast television and $ 2 million on cable .
Sanders is n't far behind , with $ 7.2 million spent in Iowa .
Warren ( $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2.9 million ) are further back .
Unite the Country , a superPAC backing Biden , has spent over $ 2.1 million on his behalf , which combined with his own total makes him the beneficiary of the fourth-highest spending .
Nonprofit executive Andrew Yang has actually spent more than Biden ( when looking at candidate money alone , without superPACs ) and Warren in Iowa , with $ 5 million in the state on TV and digital ads .
He 's also spent $ 2.2 million on ads in New Hampshire , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar needs a strong showing in Iowa , and she has spent $ 2.2 million on ads there .
The first primary state , voting on Feb. 11. , has seen less attention statewide from candidates compared to the first caucus state , with $ 44.9 million being spent on ads in Iowa compared to $ 27.7 in New Hampshire .
Do n't see the graphic above ?
Click here .
The biggest takeaway still remains the massive investments by Steyer and Bloomberg — and watching how little that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has taken a different tack when it comes to their primary strategy and ad buying .
Steyer , a former hedge fund executive and environmentalist , put millions into ad blitzes in early states since he reversed his decision not to run in July .
As a result , he 's the top spender in both Iowa ( over $ 13.9 million ) and New Hampshire ( more than $ 15.9 million ) .
The vast majority of his spending has been on broadcast TV , but notably he 's spent a chunk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1.8 million in Iowa and $ 1.54 million in New Hampshire .
It was enough to get him on the debate stage this week , but still not to break into the very top tier .
Overall , Steyer has spent nearly $ 124 million nationally since July .
That 's been eclipsed by Bloomberg , who has spent about $ 196.2 million just since he got in the race in late November .
And $ 163.8 million of that has been on broadcast TV , with a still substantial investment in digital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( $ 10.2 million ) .
Bloomberg is n't contesting early states like Iowa and New Hampshire .
Instead , he 's pursuing a more nationalized strategy by targeting delegate-rich states , including Texas and California , that will hold primaries on Super Tuesday , March 3 , and beyond .
That 's a risky tack that has failed in the past , though it has n't been tried before by a candidate with virtually unlimited deep pockets .
While the dozen Democrats left in the race are still jockeying for the nomination @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supporting him have been spending heavily on TV and digital advertising , too .
Trump 's official reelection committee Trump for President has already spent $ 14.75 million on ads , including around $ 4.4 million on broadcast TV and $ 9 million on digital ads .
His joint fundraising committee has also spent another $ 26.6 million on digital ads alone .
And he 's set to spend $ 10 million on a Super Bowl ad next month , the day before the Iowa caucuses .
( Bloomberg is advertising during the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't see the graphic above ?
Click here .

New Figures Show Billionaire Candidates Spending Big, With Little Return
The candidates in the top 1% have accounted for about 78% of the ad spending in the presidential race so far, according to new numbers.
The two self-funding billionaires in the Democratic primary, former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg and activist business executive Tom Steyer, have spent the most by far — a combined $320 million, out of $409.8 million spent in the presidential contest up to Jan. 13.
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Don't see the graphic above? Click here.
That massive investment has boosted Bloomberg and Steyer in national and state polls, but not enough to break into the quartet of front-runners: former Vice President Joe Biden; former South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg; Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders; and Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren.
The data from Advertising Analytics was provided to NPR for all ad spending through Monday. It doesn't include reserved ad time in the coming weeks, which is expected to crescendo as the first votes draw close. But it still captures the massive spending disparities in the field of current candidates.
The top four candidates are neck and neck in polls for the Iowa caucuses, now just over two weeks away on Feb. 3. Steyer has spent the most there, but Buttigieg's fundraising prowess helped him make a major investment in the state. Through Monday, he'd spent $8 million on advertising in Iowa, including $5.9 million on broadcast television and $2 million on cable.
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Sanders isn't far behind, with $7.2 million spent in Iowa. Warren ($3.9 million) and Biden ($2.9 million) are further back. Unite the Country, a superPAC backing Biden, has spent over $2.1 million on his behalf, which combined with his own total makes him the beneficiary of the fourth-highest spending.
Nonprofit executive Andrew Yang has actually spent more than Biden (when looking at candidate money alone, without superPACs) and Warren in Iowa, with $5 million in the state on TV and digital ads. He's also spent $2.2 million on ads in New Hampshire, making him the fourth top-spending candidate there. Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar needs a strong showing in Iowa, and she has spent $2.2 million on ads there.
The first primary state, voting on Feb. 11., has seen less attention statewide from candidates compared to the first caucus state, with $44.9 million being spent on ads in Iowa compared to $27.7 in New Hampshire.
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Don't see the graphic above? Click here.
The biggest takeaway still remains the massive investments by Steyer and Bloomberg — and watching how little that gamble has paid off. Each billionaire has taken a different tack when it comes to their primary strategy and ad buying.
Steyer, a former hedge fund executive and environmentalist, put millions into ad blitzes in early states since he reversed his decision not to run in July. As a result, he's the top spender in both Iowa (over $13.9 million) and New Hampshire (more than $15.9 million). The vast majority of his spending has been on broadcast TV, but notably he's spent a chunk as well on digital advertising — $1.8 million in Iowa and $1.54 million in New Hampshire. It was enough to get him on the debate stage this week, but still not to break into the very top tier. Overall, Steyer has spent nearly $124 million nationally since July.
That's been eclipsed by Bloomberg, who has spent about $196.2 million just since he got in the race in late November. And $163.8 million of that has been on broadcast TV, with a still substantial investment in digital ($22.1 million) and cable ($10.2 million). Bloomberg isn't contesting early states like Iowa and New Hampshire. Instead, he's pursuing a more nationalized strategy by targeting delegate-rich states, including Texas and California, that will hold primaries on Super Tuesday, March 3, and beyond. That's a risky tack that has failed in the past, though it hasn't been tried before by a candidate with virtually unlimited deep pockets.
While the dozen Democrats left in the race are still jockeying for the nomination, President Trump and the outside groups supporting him have been spending heavily on TV and digital advertising, too. Trump's official reelection committee Trump for President has already spent $14.75 million on ads, including around $4.4 million on broadcast TV and $9 million on digital ads. His joint fundraising committee has also spent another $26.6 million on digital ads alone. And he's set to spend $10 million on a Super Bowl ad next month, the day before the Iowa caucuses. (Bloomberg is advertising during the major sporting event too).
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NPR's Elena Moore contributed.


npr--2020-01-17--Recording Academy CEO Suspended Amid Misconduct Allegations Ahead Of Grammy Awards

The National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences has placed its president and CEO , Deborah Dugan , on administrative leave in a major shakeup at the organization less than two weeks before this year 's Grammy Awards ceremony .
A statement released by the Recording Academy 's board of trustees referred to `` a formal allegation of misconduct by a senior female member of the Recording Academy team '' and said it had placed Dugan `` on administrative leave , effective immediately . ''
The statement did not specify the nature of the allegation , nor who is accused @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Recording Academy 's first female CEO less than six months ago .
She followed Neil Portnow , who led the group for 17 years , but sparked controversy with a comment after the 2018 show that women needed to `` step up '' to get ahead in the music industry .
`` The board has also retained two independent third-party investigators to conduct independent investigations of the allegations , '' the statement said .
`` The board determined this action to be necessary in order to restore the confidence of the Recording @ @ @ @ @ @ @ employee morale , and allow the Recording Academy to focus on its mission of serving all music creators , '' it continued .
`` The Recording Academy Board of Trustees is committed to fostering a safe , diverse , and inclusive workplace , music industry , and society . ''
The Recording Academy 's board chair , Harvey Mason Jr. , a music producer who has worked with such recording artists as Chris Brown and Jennifer Hudson , will step in as interim president and CEO , the statement said .
Dugan headed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ organization focused on combating HIV/AIDS , before coming to the Academy and had previously been president of Disney Publishing Worldwide and executive vice president at EMI/Capitol Records .
She came in promising to `` reinvent '' the organization , telling NPR in an interview in December that she was leading `` a major restructuring to allow for immediate diversity . ''
Dugan said she and Mason were `` personally and professionally committed to advance and champion diversity , inclusivity , transparency — making processes simple and understandable . ''
This year 's Grammy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 26 , will feature performances by Lizzo — who tops the list with eight nominations — as well as Aerosmith , Camila Cabello , Billie Eilish , H.E.R.
, the Jonas Brothers , Demi Lovato , Bonnie Raitt , Rosalía , Run-DMC , Blake Shelton , Gwen Stefani , Charlie Wilson and Tyler , the Creator , among others .

Recording Academy CEO Suspended Amid Misconduct Allegations Ahead Of Grammy Awards
Enlarge this image toggle caption Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images
The National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences has placed its president and CEO, Deborah Dugan, on administrative leave in a major shakeup at the organization less than two weeks before this year's Grammy Awards ceremony.
A statement released by the Recording Academy's board of trustees referred to "a formal allegation of misconduct by a senior female member of the Recording Academy team" and said it had placed Dugan "on administrative leave, effective immediately."
The statement did not specify the nature of the allegation, nor who is accused of committing the misconduct.
Dugan became the Recording Academy's first female CEO less than six months ago. She followed Neil Portnow, who led the group for 17 years, but sparked controversy with a comment after the 2018 show that women needed to "step up" to get ahead in the music industry.
"The board has also retained two independent third-party investigators to conduct independent investigations of the allegations," the statement said.
"The board determined this action to be necessary in order to restore the confidence of the Recording Academy's membership, repair Recording Academy employee morale, and allow the Recording Academy to focus on its mission of serving all music creators," it continued. "The Recording Academy Board of Trustees is committed to fostering a safe, diverse, and inclusive workplace, music industry, and society."
The Recording Academy's board chair, Harvey Mason Jr., a music producer who has worked with such recording artists as Chris Brown and Jennifer Hudson, will step in as interim president and CEO, the statement said.
Dugan headed Bono's (RED), an organization focused on combating HIV/AIDS, before coming to the Academy and had previously been president of Disney Publishing Worldwide and executive vice president at EMI/Capitol Records.
She came in promising to "reinvent" the organization, telling NPR in an interview in December that she was leading "a major restructuring to allow for immediate diversity."
Dugan said she and Mason were "personally and professionally committed to advance and champion diversity, inclusivity, transparency — making processes simple and understandable."
This year's Grammy Awards ceremony, to be held Jan. 26, will feature performances by Lizzo — who tops the list with eight nominations — as well as Aerosmith, Camila Cabello, Billie Eilish, H.E.R., the Jonas Brothers, Demi Lovato, Bonnie Raitt, Rosalía, Run-DMC, Blake Shelton, Gwen Stefani, Charlie Wilson and Tyler, the Creator, among others.


npr--2020-01-16--Puerto Rico Relief: Trump Declares Major Disaster After Series Of Earthquakes

Weeks after a powerful earthquake and dozens of aftershocks rocked Puerto Rico , citizens whose homes were damaged or destroyed by the quakes will be granted access to some financial relief , officials announced on Thursday .
President Trump `` declared that a major disaster exists '' in the southern regions of Puerto Rico and `` ordered Federal assistance to supplement Commonwealth and local recovery efforts , '' the White House said in a statement .
The announcement of the disaster declaration comes on the same day the Department of Housing and Urban Development formally announced a grant agreement with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ billion in aid .
Those funds were made available to help with recovery from the 2017 hurricanes Maria and Irma , a gesture that is seen as extremely overdue by many on the ravaged island , as well as Democratic lawmakers in Congress .
Details about the forthcoming assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency remain vague but a spokesman told NPR the funds will be released `` on an ongoing basis . ''
`` Thank you President [ Trump ] for signing the declaration of disaster for the southern towns of Puerto @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico Jenniffer González tweeted .
`` Your action will help the island in the recovery process . ''
It is unclear exactly how much money will be made available .
However , the White House said individuals can begin applying for grants for temporary housing , home repairs and low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses .
Only those who live in the municipalities of Guánica , Guayanilla , Penuelas , Ponce , Utuado and Yauco will be eligible .
Thousands who live in those communities are still sleeping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ homes .
Earthquakes have continued to rattle the island since the first 5.4 temblor struck the island on Dec. 28 .
Since then at least one person has died and many others have been seriously injured or left homeless by collapsed buildings .
In a statement from HUD , Secretary Ben Carson said the months-long hold on the hurricane recovery aid was lifted as a result of additional oversight financial measures have been taken .
`` Now that proper financial controls are in place , implementing the second phase of Puerto Rico 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an extension to its line of credit , '' Carson said .
The funding was supposed to be released in September , but Carson refused to do so out of concern that the money would be mismanaged by officials in Puerto Rico .
As a result , only $ 1.5 billion out of approximately $ 20 billion that was appropriated by Congress been disbursed .
On Thursday , Carson added that more oversight was needed before HUD `` could proceed with confidence '' the disaster funds could be distributed and spent properly .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Puerto Rican and Democratic lawmakers in Congress who argued the island territory was being treated unfairly , while states including Florida and Texas were given swift access to emergency funding following 2017 disasters .
A group of more than three dozen Democrats signed a letter Monday demanding that the White House release the billions in aid to the devastated island .
HUD announced Thursday it appointed Robert Couch as the new federal financial monitor to oversee the administration of disaster grants for both Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in me , '' Couch said in a statement .
`` I share his dedication to the recovery from Hurricanes Irma and Maria , and his determination to ensuring that the funds entrusted to HUD by Congress for the survivors are expended as quickly as possible while still safeguarding against waste , fraud and abuse . ''
Couch is not new to HUD .
He formerly served as the department 's General Counsel .
He also served as president of the Government National Mortgage Association ( Ginnie Mae ) , was commissioner on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and served on the Task Force on the Status of Puerto Rico in the under President George W. Bush .

Puerto Rico Relief: Trump Declares Major Disaster After Series Of Earthquakes
Enlarge this image toggle caption Carlos Giusti/AP Carlos Giusti/AP
Weeks after a powerful earthquake and dozens of aftershocks rocked Puerto Rico, citizens whose homes were damaged or destroyed by the quakes will be granted access to some financial relief, officials announced on Thursday.
President Trump "declared that a major disaster exists" in the southern regions of Puerto Rico and "ordered Federal assistance to supplement Commonwealth and local recovery efforts," the White House said in a statement.
The announcement of the disaster declaration comes on the same day the Department of Housing and Urban Development formally announced a grant agreement with Puerto Rico, releasing another $8.2 billion in aid.
Those funds were made available to help with recovery from the 2017 hurricanes Maria and Irma, a gesture that is seen as extremely overdue by many on the ravaged island, as well as Democratic lawmakers in Congress.
Details about the forthcoming assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency remain vague but a spokesman told NPR the funds will be released "on an ongoing basis."
"Thank you President [Trump] for signing the declaration of disaster for the southern towns of Puerto Rico after the January earthquakes," Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico Jenniffer González tweeted. "Your action will help the island in the recovery process."
It is unclear exactly how much money will be made available. However, the White House said individuals can begin applying for grants for temporary housing, home repairs and low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses. Only those who live in the municipalities of Guánica, Guayanilla, Penuelas, Ponce, Utuado and Yauco will be eligible.
Thousands who live in those communities are still sleeping outside, afraid to return to their homes. Earthquakes have continued to rattle the island since the first 5.4 temblor struck the island on Dec. 28. Since then at least one person has died and many others have been seriously injured or left homeless by collapsed buildings.
In a statement from HUD, Secretary Ben Carson said the months-long hold on the hurricane recovery aid was lifted as a result of additional oversight financial measures have been taken.
"Now that proper financial controls are in place, implementing the second phase of Puerto Rico's disaster recovery program can move forward with an extension to its line of credit," Carson said.
The funding was supposed to be released in September, but Carson refused to do so out of concern that the money would be mismanaged by officials in Puerto Rico. As a result, only $1.5 billion out of approximately $20 billion that was appropriated by Congress been disbursed.
On Thursday, Carson added that more oversight was needed before HUD "could proceed with confidence" the disaster funds could be distributed and spent properly.
Carson's delay was met with outrage by Puerto Rican and Democratic lawmakers in Congress who argued the island territory was being treated unfairly, while states including Florida and Texas were given swift access to emergency funding following 2017 disasters.
A group of more than three dozen Democrats signed a letter Monday demanding that the White House release the billions in aid to the devastated island.
HUD announced Thursday it appointed Robert Couch as the new federal financial monitor to oversee the administration of disaster grants for both Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
"I greatly appreciate the Secretary's confidence in me," Couch said in a statement. "I share his dedication to the recovery from Hurricanes Irma and Maria, and his determination to ensuring that the funds entrusted to HUD by Congress for the survivors are expended as quickly as possible while still safeguarding against waste, fraud and abuse."
Couch is not new to HUD. He formerly served as the department's General Counsel. He also served as president of the Government National Mortgage Association (Ginnie Mae), was commissioner on the Bipartisan Policy Center's Housing Commission, and served on the Task Force on the Status of Puerto Rico in the under President George W. Bush.


npr--2020-01-16--U.S. Virgin Islands Officials: Epstein Trafficked Girls On Private Island Until 2018

U.S. Virgin Islands Officials : Epstein Trafficked Girls On Private Island Until 2018 Prosecutors in the U.S. Virgin Islands have unveiled a new lawsuit against the estate of Jeffrey Epstein alleging that over two decades he ran a conspiracy in which he transported young women and girls to his private Caribbean islands by helicopter and boat and then subjected them to sexual abuse .
Authorities claim Epstein 's sexual predation on the hideaway islands occurred as recently as 2018 and involved children as young as 11 years old .
The suit alleges the activity was covered up by Epstein 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In one instance , investigators say a 15-year-old who was forced into sexual acts with Epstein attempted to escape by swimming off one of Epstein 's private islands , Little St. James .
Eventually , Epstein 's crew found her after assembling a search team and took her passport , prosecutors say .
Along with Epstein 's other privately owned island , Great St. James , authorities estimate that the islands are worth $ 86 million , just a slice of Epstein 's total assets , valued by the U.S. Virgin Islands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million .
The lawsuit filed by Attorney General Denise George seeks to confiscate all property used in the alleged criminal conspiracy , including his two private islands , and is asking for the recovery of millions of dollars from the Epstein estate .
Epstein 's victims would be the beneficiaries of what authorities are hoping to seize , George said .
Addressing reporters on Wednesday , George said the civil suit detailed an `` expansive scheme '' that shows a `` pattern and practice of human trafficking , sexual abuse and forced labor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who authorities say died by suicide in jail last year while awaiting trial on federal sex-trafficking charges , faced accusations of sexually abusing young women and children in New York and Florida , but those allegations were dated no later than 2005 .
The lawsuit filed this week by U.S. Virgin Island prosecutors significantly widens the scope of his alleged sexual abuse to include conduct in 2018 , the same year public scrutiny began to mount on the wealthy money manager in the wake of a Miami Herald investigation into his long history @ @ @ @ @ @ @ filed on Tuesday lays out how Epstein allegedly enticed and entrapped dozens of victims .
As the prosecutors tell it , his associates would locate young women and lure them with the promise of advancing a modeling career , pursuing educational opportunities or landing other work .
Epstein would then arrange for the victims to visit his islands , flying them by helicopter or plane , or transporting them by boat .
`` As recent as 2018 , air traffic controllers and other airport personnel reported seeing Epstein leave his plane with young @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between the age of 11 and 18 years old , '' the complaint alleges .
Epstein , prosecutors say , paid for women to show up to his estates on the islands , often providing extra money if the victims brought along additional young women and girls .
He required three meetings a day , authorities say .
`` The Epstein Enterprise used the term 'work ' as a code for sexual abuse , '' the complaint says .
Investigators said Epstein kept computer records to monitor all contact he had with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ women were recruited , participants in the Epstein Enterprise enforced their sexual servitude of victims by coercion , including but not limited to , confiscating passports , controlling and extinguishing external communications , and threatening violence .
They also made fraudulent statements to family members of victims , claiming victims were being well cared for and supported financially in college and other educational opportunities , '' prosecutors allege .
An executor of the Epstein 's estate , Darren Indyke , did not respond to a request for comment on the new lawsuit .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ not reflect who was representing Epstein 's estate in the civil action .
In November , Indyke announced that the Epstein estate is in the process of establishing a compensation fund for victims of Epstein 's abuse .
It is unclear how much of Epstein 's $ 577 million worth would be available to victims , nor is it yet understood how the claims process would be organized .
Prosecutors say over the course of the probe , Epstein made attempts to stymie the work of investigators .
In July 2018 , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ team , which included U.S .
Marshals , tried to enter Little St. James , but Epstein refused to allow them in , claiming the dock to the island was his `` front door , '' according to the complaint .

U.S. Virgin Islands Officials: Epstein Trafficked Girls On Private Island Until 2018
Enlarge this image toggle caption Gabriel Lopez Albarran/AP Gabriel Lopez Albarran/AP
Prosecutors in the U.S. Virgin Islands have unveiled a new lawsuit against the estate of Jeffrey Epstein alleging that over two decades he ran a conspiracy in which he transported young women and girls to his private Caribbean islands by helicopter and boat and then subjected them to sexual abuse.
Authorities claim Epstein's sexual predation on the hideaway islands occurred as recently as 2018 and involved children as young as 11 years old. The suit alleges the activity was covered up by Epstein's associates through a complex web of corporations.
In one instance, investigators say a 15-year-old who was forced into sexual acts with Epstein attempted to escape by swimming off one of Epstein's private islands, Little St. James. Eventually, Epstein's crew found her after assembling a search team and took her passport, prosecutors say.
Along with Epstein's other privately owned island, Great St. James, authorities estimate that the islands are worth $86 million, just a slice of Epstein's total assets, valued by the government to be more than $577 million.
The lawsuit filed by Attorney General Denise George seeks to confiscate all property used in the alleged criminal conspiracy, including his two private islands, and is asking for the recovery of millions of dollars from the Epstein estate. Epstein's victims would be the beneficiaries of what authorities are hoping to seize, George said.
Addressing reporters on Wednesday, George said the civil suit detailed an "expansive scheme" that shows a "pattern and practice of human trafficking, sexual abuse and forced labor of young women."
Epstein, who authorities say died by suicide in jail last year while awaiting trial on federal sex-trafficking charges, faced accusations of sexually abusing young women and children in New York and Florida, but those allegations were dated no later than 2005.
The lawsuit filed this week by Virgin Islands prosecutors significantly widens the scope of his alleged sexual abuse to include conduct in 2018, the same year public scrutiny began to mount on the wealthy money manager in the wake of a Miami Herald investigation into his long history of alleged sexual abuse.
The lawsuit filed on Tuesday lays out how Epstein allegedly enticed and entrapped dozens of victims.
As the prosecutors tell it, his associates would locate young women and lure them with the promise of advancing a modeling career, pursuing educational opportunities or landing other work. Epstein would then arrange for the victims to visit his islands, flying them by helicopter or plane, or transporting them by boat.
"As recent as 2018, air traffic controllers and other airport personnel reported seeing Epstein leave his plane with young girls some of whom appeared to be between the age of 11 and 18 years old," the complaint alleges.
Epstein, prosecutors say, paid for women to show up to his estates on the islands, often providing extra money if the victims brought along additional young women and girls.
He required three meetings a day, authorities say.
"The Epstein Enterprise used the term 'work' as a code for sexual abuse," the complaint says.
Investigators said Epstein kept computer records to monitor all contact he had with the victims.
"Once the girls and women were recruited, participants in the Epstein Enterprise enforced their sexual servitude of victims by coercion, including but not limited to, confiscating passports, controlling and extinguishing external communications, and threatening violence. They also made fraudulent statements to family members of victims, claiming victims were being well cared for and supported financially in college and other educational opportunities," prosecutors allege.
An executor of Epstein's estate, Darren Indyke, did not respond to a request for comment on the new lawsuit. As of Wednesday, court records did not reflect who was representing Epstein's estate in the civil action.
In November, Indyke announced that the Epstein estate is in the process of establishing a compensation fund for victims of Epstein's abuse. It is unclear how much of Epstein's $577 million worth would be available to victims, nor is it yet understood how the claims process would be organized.
Prosecutors say over the course of the investigation, Epstein made attempts to stymie the work of investigators.
In July 2018, a Virgin Islands Department of Justice investigative team, which included U.S. Marshals, tried to enter Little St. James, but Epstein refused to allow them in, claiming the dock to the island was his "front door," according to the complaint.


npr--2020-01-16--Christopher Tolkien, 'Middle-earth's First Scholar,' Dies At 95

Christopher Tolkien , who for decades preserved and extended the beloved literary fantasies of his father , J.R.R .
Tolkien , has died at the age of 95 .
The son 's death , announced Thursday by the Tolkien Society , ends a distinguished career devoted to his father 's legacy and the world he crafted in The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings .
As the literary executor of the elder Tolkien 's estate , Christopher edited and published a trove of works that had been left unfinished at the time of his father 's death in 1973 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a compendium of creation myths from Middle-earth , and continuing through the publication of the love story Beren and Lúthien in 2017 .
But Christopher Tolkien , who grew up in Oxford , U.K. , listening to tales of the Bagginses and their adventures , set to work as his father 's editor far earlier than that .
`` Christopher was an editor from the age of 5 , catching inconsistencies in his father 's bedtime tales , and was promised tuppence by his father for every mistake he noticed in The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a statement released Thursday .
`` As a young man he was typing up manuscripts and drawing maps of Middle-earth and around the time he was commissioned an officer in the [ Royal Air Force ] in 1945 , his father was already calling him 'my chief critic and collaborator . '
`` He was also responsible for composing the original map of Middle-earth included with the The Lord of the Rings series when it was first published in the mid-1950s .
`` Christopher 's commitment to his father 's works have seen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ own work as an academic in Oxford demonstrates his ability and skill as a scholar , '' Shaun Gunner , chairman of the Tolkien Society , said in a statement released Thursday .
`` Millions of people around the world will be forever grateful to Christopher for bringing us The Silmarillion , The Children of Húrin , The History of Middle-earth series and many others .
We have lost a titan and he will be sorely missed . ''
The organization described the younger Tolkien as `` Middle-earth 's first scholar . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in matters independent of hobbits and orcs .
He served as a lecturer in Old English at Oxford , where his father once taught , and in 2017 earned the famed Bodleian Libraries ' highest honor for his contributions as a teacher , editor and all-around scholar .
`` One of the great privileges of my life was to know Christopher Tolkien , '' the library 's senior executive , Richard Ovenden , said Thursday on Twitter .
`` A great scholar & writer , his literary relationship with his father was unique @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thorin Oakenshield , he goes 'to the halls of waiting , to sit beside my fathers . '
``

Christopher Tolkien, 'Middle-earth's First Scholar,' Dies At 95
Christopher Tolkien, who for decades preserved and extended the beloved literary fantasies of his father, J.R.R. Tolkien, has died at the age of 95. The son's death, announced Thursday by the Tolkien Society, ends a distinguished career devoted to his father's legacy and the world he crafted in The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings.
As the literary executor of the elder Tolkien's estate, Christopher edited and published a trove of works that had been left unfinished at the time of his father's death in 1973 — beginning in 1977 with The Silmarillion, a compendium of creation myths from Middle-earth, and continuing through the publication of the love story Beren and Lúthien in 2017.
But Christopher Tolkien, who grew up in Oxford, U.K., listening to tales of the Bagginses and their adventures, set to work as his father's editor far earlier than that.
"Christopher was an editor from the age of 5, catching inconsistencies in his father's bedtime tales, and was promised tuppence by his father for every mistake he noticed in The Hobbit," HarperCollins UK said in a statement released Thursday.
"As a young man he was typing up manuscripts and drawing maps of Middle-earth and around the time he was commissioned an officer in the [Royal Air Force] in 1945, his father was already calling him 'my chief critic and collaborator.' "
He was also responsible for composing the original map of Middle-earth included with the The Lord of the Rings series when it was first published in the mid-1950s.
"Christopher's commitment to his father's works have seen dozens of publications released, and his own work as an academic in Oxford demonstrates his ability and skill as a scholar," Shaun Gunner, chairman of the Tolkien Society, said in a statement released Thursday.
"Millions of people around the world will be forever grateful to Christopher for bringing us The Silmarillion, The Children of Húrin, The History of Middle-earth series and many others. We have lost a titan and he will be sorely missed."
The organization described the younger Tolkien as "Middle-earth's first scholar."
Yet he was also an accomplished scholar in matters independent of hobbits and orcs. He served as a lecturer in Old English at Oxford, where his father once taught, and in 2017 earned the famed Bodleian Libraries' highest honor for his contributions as a teacher, editor and all-around scholar.
"One of the great privileges of my life was to know Christopher Tolkien," the library's senior executive, Richard Ovenden, said Thursday on Twitter.
"A great scholar & writer, his literary relationship with his father was unique in the world of letters. Like Thorin Oakenshield, he goes 'to the halls of waiting, to sit beside my fathers.' "


npr--2020-01-16--FBI Vows To Warn More Election Officials If Discovering A Cyberattack

FBI Vows To Warn More Election Officials If Discovering A Cyberattack The FBI says it plans to warn state and local election officials if it discovers cyberattacks this year .
It hopes the new policy will build new bridges to more authorities involved with election security .
The federal government has been criticized for poor communication with election officials during and since the Russian attack on the presidential election in 2016 .
If the FBI discovered that a cyberattack had successfully breached a local election system , the old policy meant the bureau would tell that county , for example @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In Florida , for instance , two counties were breached in 2016 , but state officials were n't briefed on the matter until roughly two years later .
`` This chaotic dribs and drabs of information that 's coming out is doing more harm to our constituents ' faith in the electoral system than just coming out and providing some information , '' said Rep. Stephanie Murphy , a Democrat who represents Florida 's 7th District , last year .
That practice stemmed from a broader policy of the FBI that was intended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — even if the victim , in this case , was a government entity .
Now , the FBI says it plans to alert the top election official in the state in which a cyberattack occurred at roughly the same time as it alerts the county that was breached .
`` It is the intent of the FBI that this new policy will result in increased collaboration between all levels of government for the integrity and security of U.S. elections , '' the bureau said in a statement .
Colorado Secretary of State @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Frank LaRose and West Virginia Secretary of State Mac Warner welcomed the announcement in a joint statement on Thursday evening .
`` Federal , state , and local governments must work together to better detect and protect against cyber-attack , '' the secretaries of state said .
`` We 've already seen positive results from the partnership between our states , which strengthens our resilience from attacks and ensures voters across this nation will have the confidence they deserve as they cast their ballot this year . ''
Former Justice Department special counsel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ active measures that targeted the 2016 presidential election , including cyberattacks focusing on U.S. election infrastructure .
Mueller and other national security officials have warned that they expect election interference to continue through the 2020 race and likely beyond .

FBI Vows To Warn More Election Officials If Discovering A Cyberattack
Enlarge this image toggle caption J. David Ake/AP J. David Ake/AP
Updated at 6:15 p.m. ET
The FBI says it plans to warn state and local election officials if it discovers cyberattacks this year. It hopes the new policy will build new bridges to more authorities involved with election security.
The federal government has been criticized for poor communication with election officials during and since the Russian attack on the presidential election in 2016.
If the FBI discovered that a cyberattack had successfully breached a local election system, the old policy meant the bureau would tell that county, for example, but not the state government.
In Florida, for instance, two counties were breached in 2016, but state officials weren't briefed on the matter until roughly two years later.
"This chaotic dribs and drabs of information that's coming out is doing more harm to our constituents' faith in the electoral system than just coming out and providing some information," said Rep. Stephanie Murphy, a Democrat who represents Florida's 7th District, last year.
That practice stemmed from a broader policy of the FBI that was intended to protect the identities of crime victims — even if the victim, in this case, was a government entity.
Now, the FBI says it plans to alert the top election official in the state in which a cyberattack occurred at roughly the same time as it alerts the county that was breached.
"It is the intent of the FBI that this new policy will result in increased collaboration between all levels of government for the integrity and security of U.S. elections," the bureau said in a statement.
Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold, Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose and West Virginia Secretary of State Mac Warner welcomed the announcement in a joint statement on Thursday evening.
"Federal, state, and local governments must work together to better detect and protect against cyber-attack," the secretaries of state said.
"We've already seen positive results from the partnership between our states, which strengthens our resilience from attacks and ensures voters across this nation will have the confidence they deserve as they cast their ballot this year."
Former Justice Department special counsel Robert Mueller documented a broad wave of active measures that targeted the 2016 presidential election, including cyberattacks focusing on U.S. election infrastructure.
Mueller and other national security officials have warned that they expect election interference to continue through the 2020 race and likely beyond.


npr--2020-01-16--Electric Burn: Those Who Bet Against Elon Musk And Tesla Are Paying A Big Price

Electric Burn : Those Who Bet Against Elon Musk And Tesla Are Paying A Big Price Tesla CEO Elon Musk has always had ambitious goals .
Make electric cars cool , save the world , all while making money as a brand new car manufacturer .
And from the start some people have been confident that he would fail .
So they shorted Tesla stock — placing a bet that the company 's stock value would collapse .
So far , that has been a phenomenally bad bet .
In the first two weeks of 2020 alone , short sellers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to Ihor Dusaniwsky , the head of predictive analytics at S3 Partners .
`` It 's not a happy new year for Tesla short sellers , '' he says .
Tesla stock debuted at less than $ 20 a share in 2010 .
It hit $ 200 in 2014 .
And now , after strong deliveries in the fourth quarter and the successful launch of a new factory in China , it 's above $ 500 — giving the company the highest valuation of any U.S. carmaker ever .
Dusaniwsky says that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down $ 11.1 billion .
`` We 've lost a lot of money , '' says Mark Spiegel , the head of a small hedge fund that placed a very large bet against Tesla .
Do n't see the graphic above ?
Click here .
Spiegel 's fund lost more than $ 1 million from shorting Tesla , which he started doing back in 2014 .
This week , he began cutting back .
`` [ It was ] at 20 % of the fund , sometimes a third of the fund , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ [ the stock price ] is just so decoupled from reality , '' he said on Monday .
`` I am the world 's worst predictor of Tesla 's stock price , '' he said .
But he 's far from the only one .
Most companies do n't have investors betting against them like this , and when they do it 's normal for 3 % to 8 % of a company 's stock to be shorted , according to Dusaniwsky .
At the start of 2020 , more than 20 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Jan. 15 , it 's the single most-shorted stock on the U.S. market .
Some major hedge funds are among the most active short sellers .
Musk seems to take this personally .
He once called short sellers `` jerks who want us to die , '' and he 's tussled with prominent short sellers on Twitter .
He 's also repeatedly warned them that they 're making a bad bet — once saying a `` tsunami of pain '' was coming for those who bet against the company .
And he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the community of Tesla short sellers is unusual — not just for its size , but for its passion .
Meanwhile , Tesla also has a highly energetic community of superfans and Elon Musk enthusiasts .
`` It 's not just a financial transaction , '' Dusaniwsky says .
`` It 's almost a lifestyle choice to be on one side or the other . ''
There 's a very public battle between the two sides , waged on Twitter , podcasts , YouTube channels and the business press .
The Tesla fans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ visionary , who 's made droolworthy , eco-friendly cars with cutting-edge autonomous technology .
And sales are through the roof , they point out .
The Tesla shorts , like Spiegel , say Musk is an erratic fraud .
They say Tesla 's Autopilot technology is dangerous or even `` homicidal , '' and that the company 's sales rely on subsidies that will eventually run out .
`` There is strong conviction on both sides .
More than strong .
There 's cultish convictions on both sides , '' Dusaniwsky says .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ football game ... people are just crazy fans and it does n't matter what the team does . ''
His data shows some short sellers are finally backing away from their investments as Tesla 's remarkable rally continues .
Forty percent of all the short sales of Tesla stock have been closed out since June 30 , 2019 .
That means major losses , given Tesla 's stock market surge .
But it still leaves a lot of investors holding on .
`` They 're just staying in a position no matter what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who has reduced the size of his position , has n't changed his mind about the company 's future .
He still says the stock prices will collapse — eventually .
Just like he 's been saying for years .
`` Obviously we 've been way too early on the timing , '' Spiegel says .
`` But you never know that in advance . ''

Electric Burn: Those Who Bet Against Elon Musk And Tesla Are Paying A Big Price
Enlarge this image toggle caption Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images
Tesla CEO Elon Musk has always had ambitious goals. Make electric cars cool, save the world, all while making money as a brand new car manufacturer.
And from the start some people have been confident that he would fail. So they shorted Tesla stock — placing a bet that the company's stock value would collapse.
So far, that has been a phenomenally bad bet.
In the first two weeks of 2020 alone, short sellers were down some $2.6 billion, according to Ihor Dusaniwsky, the head of predictive analytics at S3 Partners.
"It's not a happy new year for Tesla short sellers," he says.
Tesla stock debuted at less than $20 a share in 2010. It hit $200 in 2014. And now, after strong deliveries in the fourth quarter and the successful launch of a new factory in China, it's above $500 — giving the company the highest valuation of any U.S. carmaker ever.
Dusaniwsky says that since 2016, Tesla short sellers are down $11.1 billion.
"We've lost a lot of money," says Mark Spiegel, the head of a small hedge fund that placed a very large bet against Tesla.
Loading...
Don't see the graphic above? Click here.
Spiegel's fund lost more than $1 million from shorting Tesla, which he started doing back in 2014. This week, he began cutting back.
"[It was] at 20% of the fund, sometimes a third of the fund, and I slashed it back today because [the stock price] is just so decoupled from reality," he said on Monday.
"I am the world's worst predictor of Tesla's stock price," he said.
But he's far from the only one.
Most companies don't have investors betting against them like this, and when they do it's normal for 3% to 8% of a company's stock to be shorted, according to Dusaniwsky.
At the start of 2020, more than 20% of Tesla stock was shorted. As of Jan. 15, it's the single most-shorted stock on the U.S. market. Some major hedge funds are among the most active short sellers.
Musk seems to take this personally. He once called short sellers "jerks who want us to die," and he's tussled with prominent short sellers on Twitter.
He's also repeatedly warned them that they're making a bad bet — once saying a "tsunami of pain" was coming for those who bet against the company. And he's repeatedly been right.
'Cultish convictions on both sides'
Dusaniwsky says the community of Tesla short sellers is unusual — not just for its size, but for its passion. Meanwhile, Tesla also has a highly energetic community of superfans and Elon Musk enthusiasts.
"It's not just a financial transaction," Dusaniwsky says. "It's almost a lifestyle choice to be on one side or the other."
There's a very public battle between the two sides, waged on Twitter, podcasts, YouTube channels and the business press.
The Tesla fans say Musk is a genius and a visionary, who's made droolworthy, eco-friendly cars with cutting-edge autonomous technology. And sales are through the roof, they point out.
The Tesla shorts, like Spiegel, say Musk is an erratic fraud. They say Tesla's Autopilot technology is dangerous or even "homicidal," and that the company's sales rely on subsidies that will eventually run out.
"There is strong conviction on both sides. More than strong. There's cultish convictions on both sides," Dusaniwsky says. "It's almost like a college football game ... people are just crazy fans and it doesn't matter what the team does."
His data shows some short sellers are finally backing away from their investments as Tesla's remarkable rally continues. Forty percent of all the short sales of Tesla stock have been closed out since June 30, 2019. That means major losses, given Tesla's stock market surge.
But it still leaves a lot of investors holding on. "They're just staying in a position no matter what," Dusaniwsky says.
Even Spiegel, who has reduced the size of his position, hasn't changed his mind about the company's future.
He still says the stock prices will collapse — eventually.
Just like he's been saying for years.
"Obviously we've been way too early on the timing," Spiegel says. "But you never know that in advance."


npr--2020-01-16--New York Mets 'Part Ways' With Manager Carlos Beltrán Over Sign-Stealing Scandal

New York Mets 'Part Ways ' With Manager Carlos Beltrán Over Sign-Stealing Scandal The New York Mets have announced that they are parting ways with their brand-new manager , Carlos Beltrán , amid a sign-stealing scandal that has rocked Major League Baseball .
`` This was not an easy decision , '' Mets COO Jeff Wilpon and general manager Brodie Van Wagenen said in a statement .
`` Considering the circumstances , it became clear to all parties that it was not in anyone 's best interest for Carlos to move forward as Manager of the New York Mets .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's commissioner , Robert Manfred , detailed the findings of an investigation into sign-stealing by the Houston Astros during the team World Series-winning 2017 season and 2018 season .
Beltrán played for the club in 2017 .
Within minutes of investigation 's release , Astros ' owner Jim Crane announced that the team was dismissing general manager Jeff Luhnow and manager A.J .
Hinch .
The investigation also identified Alex Cora – base coach for the Astros at the time – as one of the main architects of the elaborate scheme .
Cora @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sox .
On Tuesday , that team announced that it had `` mutually agreed to part ways '' with Cora .
The commissioner did not specifically punish any players for their role in the scheme .
Manfred 's statement provides little detail about Beltrán 's involvement in the cheating , but it does say that he was one of the players during the 2017 season who brainstormed methods to improve how they were decoding the opposing team 's signs to the batters .
In a statement Thursday , Beltrán said he `` could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the team .
I wish the entire organization success in the future . ''
`` Over my 20 years in the game , I 've always taken pride in being a leader and doing things the right way , and in this situation , I failed , '' Beltrán said .
`` As a veteran player on the team , I should 've recognized the severity of the issue and truly regret the actions that were taken . ''
`` I 'm very sorry , '' he added .
`` I hope that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'll have the opportunity to return to this game that I love so much . ''
According to the commissioner , the Astros used several methods to steal pitching signs .
They would decode them using a feed from the center field camera to try to determine what pitch was coming to the batter .
In a particularly bold method employed during the 2017 season , according Manfred , players in the dugout would bang on a trash can to signal to the batter .
Beltrán 's departure leaves the Mets without a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ training begins .
It 's not yet clear who will replace him .

New York Mets 'Part Ways' With Manager Carlos Beltrán Over Sign-Stealing Scandal
Enlarge this image toggle caption Gregory Bull/AP Gregory Bull/AP
The New York Mets have announced that they are parting ways with their brand-new manager, Carlos Beltrán, amid a sign-stealing scandal that has rocked Major League Baseball.
"This was not an easy decision," Mets COO Jeff Wilpon and general manager Brodie Van Wagenen said in a statement. "Considering the circumstances, it became clear to all parties that it was not in anyone's best interest for Carlos to move forward as Manager of the New York Mets."
On Monday, Major League Baseball's commissioner, Robert Manfred, detailed the findings of an investigation into sign-stealing by the Houston Astros during the team World Series-winning 2017 season and 2018 season. Beltrán played for the club in 2017.
Within minutes of investigation's release, Astros' owner Jim Crane announced that the team was dismissing general manager Jeff Luhnow and manager A.J. Hinch.
The investigation also identified Alex Cora – base coach for the Astros at the time – as one of the main architects of the elaborate scheme. Cora went on to manage the Boston Red Sox. On Tuesday, that team announced that it had "mutually agreed to part ways" with Cora.
The commissioner did not specifically punish any players for their role in the scheme. Manfred's statement provides little detail about Beltrán's involvement in the cheating, but it does say that he was one of the players during the 2017 season who brainstormed methods to improve how they were decoding the opposing team's signs to the batters.
In a statement Thursday, Beltrán said he "couldn't let myself be a distraction for the team. I wish the entire organization success in the future."
"Over my 20 years in the game, I've always taken pride in being a leader and doing things the right way, and in this situation, I failed," Beltrán said. "As a veteran player on the team, I should've recognized the severity of the issue and truly regret the actions that were taken."
"I'm very sorry," he added. "I hope that at some point in time, I'll have the opportunity to return to this game that I love so much."
According to the commissioner, the Astros used several methods to steal pitching signs. They would decode them using a feed from the center field camera to try to determine what pitch was coming to the batter. In a particularly bold method employed during the 2017 season, according Manfred, players in the dugout would bang on a trash can to signal to the batter.
Beltrán's departure leaves the Mets without a manager just over a month before spring training begins. It's not yet clear who will replace him.


npr--2020-01-16--Report Defends 'Thorough Work' Done Certifying Boeing 737 Max — But Suggests Changes

Report Defends 'Thorough Work ' Done Certifying Boeing 737 Max — But Suggests Changes A pair of Boeing 737 Max 8 jetliners plummeted from the sky in 2018 and 2019 , killing hundreds of passengers and eventually prompting officials to ground the aircraft model worldwide — but the process that allowed the craft in the air in the first place is generally sound , according to a review commissioned by U.S. regulators .
An independent committee established by the Department of Transportation published its findings in a 68-page report Thursday .
( Skip down to read the whole report .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the certification process laid out by the Federal Aviation Administration to be effective , with some changes needed for improvement .
`` What we saw was a thorough work by aviation professionals , '' one of the two co-chairs , former Air Line Pilots Association President Lee Moak , told journalists on a conference call explaining the findings .
Together with retired Air Force Gen. Darren McDew , Moak oversaw a five-member panel with a mix of transportation industry executives and former regulators .
`` However , '' Moak added , `` we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Among their recommendations for the FAA : • Extend the requirement for Safety Management Systems , or formal , structured programs for risk management .
The FAA already requires them for airlines and airports , but the committee recommended applying the mandate to `` design and manufacturing organizations , '' too .
• Do a better job gathering , analyzing and easing access to aviation data .
• Improve collaboration with the FAA 's counterparts in other countries .
• Reevaluate and bolster the workforce , including `` an aggressive recruitment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the FAA . ''
What was not among its recommendations was any significant adjustment to the FAA 's Organization Designation Authorization , a program by which the agency can delegate elements of its certification process to certain approved private individuals or companies .
The program drew controversy last year when lawmakers questioned how Boeing ended up being responsible for reviewing changes to its own design on the 737 Max .
`` Safety experts have long raised concerns that the [ ODA ] program leaves the fox in charge of the henhouse , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrote in a letter to the Department of Transportation last March , just days after the FAA grounded the Max .
`` In short , '' he added , `` the staff responsible for regulating aircraft safety are answerable to the manufacturers who profit from cutting corners , not the American people who may be put at risk . ''
Further concern surfaced last week with the revelation that Boeing employees had mocked the FAA in internal messages and gloated about the ease with which the plane was approved .
`` This airplane @ @ @ @ @ @ @ craft , which would later be involved in the deaths of 346 people , `` is designed by clowns who in turn are supervised by monkeys . ''
But in its review , the panel found no evidence that the outcome of the certification process would have been different if the FAA had not delegated some of the steps .
`` The FAA 's delegation system is an appropriate and effective tool for conducting aircraft certification , '' the committee concluded in the executive summary of its report .
`` It relies on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stakeholders . ''
The review is n't the first to be compiled since the aircraft was grounded .
Last October , an FAA-commissioned panel known as the Joint Authorities Technical Review lambasted both the agency and Boeing for failing to properly evaluate the new automated flight control system that directly caused the crashes .
The Justice Department and Transportation Department 's Office of Inspector General also are investigating the Boeing plane 's certification .
The airline manufacturing giant — now helmed by CEO David Calhoun after Dennis Muilenburg stepped down from the post @ @ @ @ @ @ @ report with gratitude and a commitment to take its findings seriously .
`` We will study these recommendations closely , '' a company spokesperson said in a brief statement , `` as we continue to work with government and industry stakeholders to enhance the certification process . ''
The FAA also welcomed the report 's findings .
`` I was pleased to see that the committee recommended we advance the use of Safety Management Systems throughout all sectors of the aviation industry , '' Administrator Steve Dickson said in a statement released by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ carefully consider the committee 's work , along with the recommendations identified in various investigative reports and other analyses , as we take steps to enhance our aircraft certification processes . ''

Report Defends 'Thorough Work' Done Certifying Boeing 737 Max — But Suggests Changes
Enlarge this image toggle caption Mark Ralston/AFP via Getty Images Mark Ralston/AFP via Getty Images
A pair of Boeing 737 Max 8 jetliners plummeted from the sky in 2018 and 2019, killing hundreds of passengers and eventually prompting officials to ground the aircraft model worldwide — but the process that allowed the craft in the air in the first place is generally sound, according to a review commissioned by U.S. regulators.
An independent committee established by the Department of Transportation published its findings in a 68-page report Thursday. (Skip down to read the whole report.) And broadly, the group found the certification process laid out by the Federal Aviation Administration to be effective, with some changes needed for improvement.
"What we saw was a thorough work by aviation professionals," one of the two co-chairs, former Air Line Pilots Association President Lee Moak, told journalists on a conference call explaining the findings. Together with retired Air Force Gen. Darren McDew, Moak oversaw a five-member panel with a mix of transportation industry executives and former regulators.
"However," Moak added, "we saw where you could improve the system."
Among their recommendations for the FAA:
Extend the requirement for Safety Management Systems, or formal, structured programs for risk management. The FAA already requires them for airlines and airports, but the committee recommended applying the mandate to "design and manufacturing organizations," too.
Do a better job gathering, analyzing and easing access to aviation data.
Improve collaboration with the FAA's counterparts in other countries.
Reevaluate and bolster the workforce, including "an aggressive recruitment campaign to encourage students to pursue careers at the FAA."
What was not among its recommendations was any significant adjustment to the FAA's Organization Designation Authorization, a program by which the agency can delegate elements of its certification process to certain approved private individuals or companies. The program drew controversy last year when lawmakers questioned how Boeing ended up being responsible for reviewing changes to its own design on the 737 Max.
"Safety experts have long raised concerns that the [ODA] program leaves the fox in charge of the henhouse," Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., wrote in a letter to the Department of Transportation last March, just days after the FAA grounded the Max.
"In short," he added, "the staff responsible for regulating aircraft safety are answerable to the manufacturers who profit from cutting corners, not the American people who may be put at risk."
Further concern surfaced last week with the revelation that Boeing employees had mocked the FAA in internal messages and gloated about the ease with which the plane was approved. "This airplane," read one note about the craft, which would later be involved in the deaths of 346 people, "is designed by clowns who in turn are supervised by monkeys."
Enlarge this image toggle caption Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images
But in its review, the panel found no evidence that the outcome of the certification process would have been different if the FAA had not delegated some of the steps.
"The FAA's delegation system is an appropriate and effective tool for conducting aircraft certification," the committee concluded in the executive summary of its report. "It relies on effective standards, oversight and communication between stakeholders."
The review isn't the first to be compiled since the aircraft was grounded. Last October, an FAA-commissioned panel known as the Joint Authorities Technical Review lambasted both the agency and Boeing for failing to properly evaluate the new automated flight control system that directly caused the crashes.
The Justice Department and Transportation Department's Office of Inspector General also are investigating the Boeing plane's certification.
The airline manufacturing giant — now helmed by CEO David Calhoun after Dennis Muilenburg stepped down from the post last month — responded to Thursday's report with gratitude and a commitment to take its findings seriously.
"We will study these recommendations closely," a company spokesperson said in a brief statement, "as we continue to work with government and industry stakeholders to enhance the certification process."
The FAA also welcomed the report's findings.
"I was pleased to see that the committee recommended we advance the use of Safety Management Systems throughout all sectors of the aviation industry," Administrator Steve Dickson said in a statement released by the FAA.
"The agency will carefully consider the committee's work, along with the recommendations identified in various investigative reports and other analyses, as we take steps to enhance our aircraft certification processes."
Read the full report


npr--2020-01-17--Defense Department To Overhaul Screening For Foreign Military Trainees

The Pentagon is updating the way it vets foreign military students in the wake of the deadly shooting at the Pensacola , Fla. , Naval Air Station by a Saudi military officer last month , officials announced .
Specific changes will be unveiled next week when Defense Secretary Mark Esper 's visits the station , according to a statement .
For now , the Department of Defense has said it plans to conduct `` enhanced vetting . ''
`` We 've taken an enhanced look on how we can use our resources to do enhanced vetting , '' Jonathan Rath @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defense for public affairs told reporters on Thursday .
`` We owe that to our people and owe that to the families , but we also want to ensure that this program continues . ''
Flight and other operational training for Saudi Arabian students on U.S. military installations has been suspended since 21-year-old 2nd Lt. Mohammed Alshamrani , killed three U.S. sailors and injured eight other people at the Pensacola base on Dec. 6 .
Historically , prospective international military applicants for the training program were screened by their home countries , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ DOD considers the international military training program `` incredibly valuable , '' noting that more than a million students from about 150 countries have trained in the U.S. over the program 's 20-year life `` and until the Pensacola shooting , we 've never had a serious security incident . ''
As of this month about 850 Saudi students are enrolled in U.S. military training programs .
But an investigation into the fatal shooting resulted in the expulsion of 21 trainees back to Saudi Arabia , Attorney General William Barr said last week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of those individuals had social media that contained jihadi or anti-American content , but he said there was no evidence of affiliation or involvement in terrorist activity , '' NPR 's Ryan Lucas reported .
In addition , 15 of the 21 Saudi cadets who were expelled `` had contact with child pornography , '' Lucas said .
According to Barr , one in particular possessed `` a lot of images , '' Lucas reported .
However , the attorney general said none of these Saudis were being charged with crimes .
Investigators @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Although he `` held anti-American and anti-Israeli views , '' they determined `` he was n't inspired by any specific jihadist group . ''

Defense Department To Overhaul Screening For Foreign Military Trainees
Enlarge this image toggle caption Josh Brasted/Getty Images Josh Brasted/Getty Images
The Pentagon is updating the way it vets foreign military students in the wake of the deadly shooting at the Pensacola, Fla., Naval Air Station by a Saudi military officer last month, officials announced.
Specific changes will be unveiled next week when Defense Secretary Mark Esper visits the station, according to a statement.
For now, the Department of Defense has said it plans to conduct "enhanced vetting."
"We've taken an enhanced look on how we can use our resources to do enhanced vetting," Jonathan Rath Hoffman, assistant to the secretary of defense for public affairs, told reporters on Thursday. "We owe that to our people and owe that to the families, but we also want to ensure that this program continues."
Flight and other operational training for Saudi Arabian students on U.S. military installations has been suspended since 21-year-old 2nd Lt. Mohammed Alshamrani killed three U.S. sailors and injured eight other people at the Pensacola base on Dec. 6.
Historically, prospective international military applicants for the training program were screened by their home countries, the Defense Department explained.
Hoffman said that DOD considers the international military training program "incredibly valuable," noting that more than a million students from about 150 countries have trained in the U.S. over the program's 20-year life "and until the Pensacola shooting, we've never had a serious security incident."
As of this month about 850 Saudi students are enrolled in U.S. military training programs. But an investigation into the fatal shooting resulted in the expulsion of 21 trainees back to Saudi Arabia, Attorney General William Barr said last week.
"The attorney general said 17 of those individuals had social media that contained jihadi or anti-American content, but he said there was no evidence of affiliation or involvement in terrorist activity," NPR's Ryan Lucas reported.
In addition, 15 of the 21 Saudi cadets who were expelled "had contact with child pornography," Lucas said.
According to Barr, one in particular possessed "a lot of images," Lucas reported.
However, the attorney general said none of these Saudis were being charged with crimes.
Investigators also concluded that the shooter acted alone. Although he "held anti-American and anti-Israeli views," they determined "he wasn't inspired by any specific jihadist group."


npr--2020-01-17--Supreme Court To Hear 'Faithless Electors' Case

The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear two cases challenging state attempts to penalize electoral college delegates who fail to vote for the presidential candidate they were pledged to support .
Electoral college delegates are selected by each party , and under state laws , they are pledged to cast their ballots for the candidate who carries the popular vote .
But from 1796 to 2016 , over 20 presidential elections , 150 electors have not abided by that pledge , according to FairVote , a nonpartisan voting rights advocacy group .
In fact , 2016 marked the largest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who cast votes for candidates they were not pledged to support .
States have tried to prevent such `` faithless elector '' votes by enacting laws to remove them or fine them or both .
Now , just as the presidential campaign is heating up , the Supreme Court has agreed to hear challenges to such state laws in Washington and Colorado .
`` This court should resolve this conflict now , before it arises within the context of a contested election , '' Lawrence Lessig , a Harvard law professor who is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said .
`` As the demographics of the United States indicate that contests will become even closer , there is a significant probability that such swings could force this court to resolve the question of electoral freedom within the context of an ongoing contest . ''
However the high court rules , the cases are likely to focus national attention on the shortcomings and uncertainties of the electoral college in an era when two presidential candidates have lost the popular vote but won the presidential election in the Electoral College .

Supreme Court To Hear 'Faithless Electors' Case
Enlarge this image toggle caption Darron Cummings/AP Darron Cummings/AP
The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear two cases challenging state attempts to penalize Electoral College delegates who fail to vote for the presidential candidate they were pledged to support.
Electoral College delegates are selected by each party, and under state laws, they are pledged to cast their ballots for the candidate who carries the popular vote. But from 1796 to 2016, over 20 presidential elections, 150 electors have not abided by that pledge, according to FairVote, a nonpartisan voting rights advocacy group.
In fact, 2016 marked the largest number of faithless voters — a total of seven who cast votes for candidates they were not pledged to support.
States have tried to prevent such "faithless elector" votes by enacting laws to remove them or fine them or both.
Now, just as the presidential campaign is heating up, the Supreme Court has agreed to hear challenges to such state laws in Washington and Colorado.
"This court should resolve this conflict now, before it arises within the context of a contested election," Lawrence Lessig, a Harvard law professor who is the attorney for the Washington state electors, said. "As the demographics of the United States indicate that contests will become even closer, there is a significant probability that such swings could force this court to resolve the question of electoral freedom within the context of an ongoing contest."
However the high court rules, the cases are likely to focus national attention on the shortcomings and uncertainties of the Electoral College in an era when two presidential candidates have lost the popular vote but won the presidential election in the Electoral College.


npr--2020-01-17--Amtrak Asks Two People Who Use Wheelchairs To Pay $25,000 For A Ride

Amtrak Asks Two People Who Use Wheelchairs To Pay $ 25,000 For A Ride It costs just $ 16 to buy a one-way ticket on the Amtrak train from Chicago to Bloomington , Ill. , unless you 're the two people who use wheelchairs and tried to buy tickets recently .
They were told their tickets will cost not $ 16 — but $ 25,000 .
When Adam Ballard saw what Amtrak wanted to charge , he could n't believe it .
`` I thought it was a mistake .
That 's the price of a car , '' Ballard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ possible ?
I was sure it was a mistake .
But I 've seen it in writing .
So I know it 's not . ''
Ballard works for a disability service and advocacy center in Chicago called Access Living .
He is its housing and transportation policy analyst , and a group from his office is headed to Bloomington next Wednesday for a work retreat .
There are 10 of them , and five — including Ballard — use wheelchairs .
Their train has three cars .
Each car has one space @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spaces for five people in wheelchairs .
In the past , when Access Living gave advance notice that it was sending a large group , Amtrak took out more seats to fit more wheelchairs .
Once , it took out seats in the dining car and charged a few hundred dollars extra .
`` I use a power wheelchair .
It is standard size for a power chair , but it 's larger than most manual chairs .
So I take up a little extra space , '' Ballard says .
`` But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what kind of assortment of people and devices we had together for our group , it was never a problem to get everybody on board . ''
But not this time .
On Dec. 30 , an Amtrak agent for group sales based in Philadelphia wrote : `` I received a cost regarding the removal of seats and I 've been advised this will be over $ 25 K. Would you like for me to proceed with the request ? ''
Someone from the group wrote back : `` Am I reading this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Jan. 2 .
`` The cost is correct , '' the agent wrote , citing a new policy for taking out those seats .
The agent explained that it 's expensive to take out extra seats and that it means taking a car out of service .
`` With removal of seats , it can be quite costly , '' the agent wrote .
`` In previous years , the removal of seats from the coach cars incurred fees that Amtrak absorbed ... We understand and appreciate your loyalty with Amtrak .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to absorb these fees .
These polices have changed nationwide as of 2019 . ''
Officials at Access Living then reached out to senior officials at Amtrak asking for a `` return to the prior arrangement , '' according to Bridget Hayman , director of communications for Access Living .
She says Amtrak officials agreed to `` present the situation to upper management '' and give the disability group an answer by Jan. 13 .
But there was no response by the promised deadline , Hayman says , and then no communication when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up .
Jonathan Mook is an attorney who advises companies about their obligations under the Americans with Disabilities Act , or ADA .
He was surprised by the $ 25,000 figure .
`` The $ 25,000 ... that 's a Hobson 's choice .
It 's no choice at all .
Obviously , the group ca n't pay $ 25,000 , '' Mook says .
The ADA , which became law 30 years ago this year , is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in jobs , schools @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trains .
It requires companies like Amtrak to make `` reasonable accommodations '' so that people with disabilities have comparable access to transportation as do people without disabilities .
The law says a business can get an exemption from the requirement to make an accommodation if doing so would require an `` undue burden '' on the company .
Mook , who is with the Virginia-based law firm DiMuro Ginsberg , says that 's mostly a protection for small businesses , or maybe for a big project — like a renovation that adds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ station .
Still , he says , it 's a `` gray area '' in the law to determine how much money a company is required to spend .
But even if it really costs Amtrak $ 25,000 to take a train car out of service and pull up the seats , Mook says , `` that does n't end the story ... [ Amtrak ] has to reach out and say , 'Let 's talk about some alternatives here .
What can we devise ? '
`` That is what it did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NPR contacted Amtrak several times .
One spokesperson noted that the policy about reconfiguring seats is not directed at people with disabilities but applies to anyone who makes a request that requires `` removing seating or making other physical changes to the service . ''
The official referred NPR to a page on Amtrak 's website .
It does n't mention a new policy for people with disabilities or pulling up seats .
At the top of the page it says : `` Amtrak is happy to provide accessible transportation to all of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many wheelchair users — like Adam Ballard — prefer trains to buses and airplanes .
`` We 've looked at other options , like buses , '' Ballard says .
`` And nothing compares to Amtrak . ''
On the train , the bathrooms are spacious , large enough to fit a wheelchair .
And Ballard can stay in his wheelchair , instead of checking it like luggage — and then worrying that this expensive piece of equipment that is hard to fix and crucial to his mobility — will be damaged .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ meeting next week .
Access Living is using one of its vans to take him and a colleague .
The other eight people in the group will buy those $ 16 one-way tickets on the train .
For $ 25,000 , they could buy more than 1,500 tickets .

Amtrak Asks 2 People Who Use Wheelchairs To Pay $25,000 For A Ride
Enlarge this image toggle caption Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
Updated at 11 a.m. ET on Jan. 20
It costs just $16 to buy a one-way ticket on the Amtrak train from Chicago to Bloomington, Ill., unless you're the two people who use wheelchairs and tried to buy tickets recently. They were told their tickets will cost not $16 — but $25,000.
When Adam Ballard saw what Amtrak wanted to charge, he couldn't believe it.
"I thought it was a mistake. That's the price of a car," Ballard says. "How can that be possible? I was sure it was a mistake. But I've seen it in writing. So I know it's not."
Ballard works for a disability service and advocacy center in Chicago called Access Living. He is its housing and transportation policy analyst, and a group from his office is headed to Bloomington next Wednesday for a work retreat.
There are 10 of them, and five — including Ballard — use wheelchairs. Their train has three cars. Each car has one space for a wheelchair. That makes three spaces for five people in wheelchairs. In the past, when Access Living gave advance notice that it was sending a large group, Amtrak took out more seats to fit more wheelchairs. Once, it took out seats in the dining car and charged a few hundred dollars extra.
"I use a power wheelchair. It is standard size for a power chair, but it's larger than most manual chairs. So I take up a little extra space," Ballard says. "But always in the past, no matter what kind of assortment of people and devices we had together for our group, it was never a problem to get everybody on board."
Enlarge this image toggle caption Vivian McCall for NPR Vivian McCall for NPR
But not this time.
On Dec. 30, an Amtrak agent for group sales based in Philadelphia wrote: "I received a cost regarding the removal of seats and I've been advised this will be over $25 K. Would you like for me to proceed with the request?"
Someone from the group wrote back: "Am I reading this correctly?"
The answer came back on Jan. 2. "The cost is correct," the agent wrote, citing a new policy for taking out those seats. The agent explained that it's expensive to take out extra seats and that it means taking a car out of service.
"With removal of seats, it can be quite costly," the agent wrote. "In previous years, the removal of seats from the coach cars incurred fees that Amtrak absorbed ... We understand and appreciate your loyalty with Amtrak. Going forward, we cannot continue to absorb these fees. These polices have changed nationwide as of 2019."
Officials at Access Living then reached out to senior officials at Amtrak asking for a "return to the prior arrangement," according to Bridget Hayman, director of communications for Access Living. She says Amtrak officials agreed to "present the situation to upper management" and give the disability group an answer by Jan. 13.
But there was no response by the promised deadline, Hayman says, and then no communication when officials at Access Living tried to follow up.
Jonathan Mook is an attorney who advises companies about their obligations under the Americans with Disabilities Act, or ADA. He was surprised by the $25,000 figure.
"The $25,000 ... that's a Hobson's choice. It's no choice at all. Obviously, the group can't pay $25,000," Mook says.
The ADA, which became law 30 years ago this year, is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in jobs, schools, public places and transportation — including trains. It requires companies like Amtrak to make "reasonable accommodations" so that people with disabilities have comparable access to transportation as do people without disabilities. The law says a business can get an exemption from the requirement to make an accommodation if doing so would require an "undue burden" on the company.
Mook, who is with the Virginia-based law firm DiMuro Ginsberg, says that's mostly a protection for small businesses, or maybe for a big project — like a renovation that adds ramps and elevators to a historic train station.
Still, he says, it's a "gray area" in the law to determine how much money a company is required to spend. But even if it really costs Amtrak $25,000 to take a train car out of service and pull up the seats, Mook says, "that doesn't end the story ... [Amtrak] has to reach out and say, 'Let's talk about some alternatives here. What can we devise?' "
That is what it did with Access Living in the past.
NPR contacted Amtrak several times. One spokesperson noted that the policy about reconfiguring seats is not directed at people with disabilities but applies to anyone who makes a request that requires "removing seating or making other physical changes to the service."
The official referred NPR to a page on Amtrak's website. It doesn't mention a new policy for people with disabilities or pulling up seats. At the top of the page it says: "Amtrak is happy to provide accessible transportation to all of our guests."
In fact, many wheelchair users — like Adam Ballard — prefer trains to buses and airplanes.
"We've looked at other options, like buses," Ballard says. "And nothing compares to Amtrak."
On the train, the bathrooms are spacious, large enough to fit a wheelchair. And Ballard can stay in his wheelchair, instead of checking it like luggage — and then worrying that this expensive piece of equipment that is hard to fix and crucial to his mobility — will be damaged.
Ballard still plans to go to the meeting next week. Access Living is using one of its vans to take him and a colleague. The other eight people in the group will buy those $16 one-way tickets on the train.
For $25,000, they could buy more than 1,500 tickets.
After publication of the NPR story, Amtrak released a statement reiterating its earlier comments that the charges were part of the company's policy to charge passengers "an additional fee when any group requires reconfiguration of our railcars."
The statement went on to say: "We will contact Access Living and suggest costs could be avoided by using the two separate trains on this route, with each train separated by about three hours and having three spaces for wheelchairs without any reconfiguration. We will also confirm the pricing for a railcar reconfiguration given to this important and valued customer."
On Sunday, Sen. Tammy Duckworth of Illinois, an Iraq War veteran and double amputee, said in a series of tweets that she was disappointed that Amtrak "appears to have failed to offer a public apology for its initial mistake."
"The Americans with Disabilities Act has been the law of the land for 30 years," she said. "Yet in 2020, @ Amtrak believes it would be an unreasonable burden to remove architectural barriers that would enable a group with five wheelchair users to travel together."
Duckworth, who is the ranking Democrat on the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Transportation and Safety, went on to say she planned to request a meeting with Amtrak President and CEO Richard Anderson "to discuss eliminating Amtrak's nationwide policy of refusing to absorb any costs associated with reconfiguring a railcar to accommodate a group of wheelchair users."